Xposition - March, 2018

Attention!!!

The curtains closed on the biggest night for music scores and original songs for visual media. At the 2018 Academy Awards Alexandre Desplat received the award for his Original Score on The Shape of Water which went onto win the Best Director and Best Picture as well. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez took home their second prize for Original Song for Remember Me from Coco. Prior to this the Lopez’ received the award for their song Let It Go written for Disney’s box office hit Frozen in 2014.

Ed Sheeran was the top recipient at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards sweeping 4 awards including Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Shape of You. Some great performances of the night were Camila Cabello & Young Thug with their hit Havana, Charlie Puth with How Long and Cardi B who won Best New Artist performed a medley of her hits Bartier Cardi, MotorSport, No Limit (with G-Eazy), Finesse and Bodak Yellow. Bon Jovi who received the Icon Award also played a medley of It’s My Life and Who Gives Love a Bad Name. Taylor Swift who was the recipient of the Female Artist of the Year premiered the music video for her newest single Delicate at the ceremony. Some of the other significant wins were:

• Best Duo/Group of the Year: Maroon 5
• Best Collaboration: The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something just like this
• Alternative Rock Song of the Year: Portugal. The Man – Feel it still
• Country Song of the Year: Sam Hunt – Body like a back road
• Dance Song of the Year: Zedd & Alessia Cara – Stay
• Hip-Hop Song of the Year: DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild thoughts
• R&B Song of the Year: Bruno Mars – That’s what I like
• Latin Song of the Year: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee – Despacito
• Best Music Video: Harry Styles – Sign of the times
• Best Tour: U2

Luis Fonsi and Residente were honored with the President’s Award and the Champion’s Award respectively at the BMI Latin Awards for their social work and philanthropy as well as their status as songwriters and artists with immense contributions to the Latin community.

The biggest shock of the month or not something super shocking was when Fifth Harmony (or Fourth after Cabello left in 2016) announced their hiatus to pursue solo endeavours. However, their upcoming shows through to the end of 2018 will go ahead as planned. Fifth Harmony seems to be another casualty of the curse where a group could not survive the departure of a member. Prior to this One Direction went on a hiatus, one year after Zayn Malik left to pursue a solo career.  

On the legal front in the music industry, the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the jury’s verdict in the District Court wherein damages were awarded against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for infringing the copyrights of Marvin Gaye’s hit Got To Give It Up in their global hit Blurred Lines. The decision was a huge victory for Gaye’s family who was awarded US $ 5.3 million by the jury. Whilst the industry had mixed opinions with some believing this may hinder musical creativity, some believe that artists should be more responsible in their creations so as not to sample existing music without proper authorizations and royalties.

Meanwhile in chart news, in the US, Drake’s God Plan continued its formidable reign in the US with no proper competition except for Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign’s Psycho which debuted at No.2 during the month. During the month Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey’s The Middle, XXXTentacion’s Sad! and Lil Dicky featuring Chris Brown’s Freaky Friday all entered the top 10.  

In the UK too, Drake’s God’s Plan remained at the top during the entirety of the month with Rudimental featuring Macklemore, Jess Glynne Dan Caplen’s These Days struggling at No.2 throughout. During the month Marshmello & Anne Marie’s Friends, Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s All the Stars, Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton’s Say Something and Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey’s The Middle all entered the top 10.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       George Ezra – Paradise

2.       Sigala & Paloma Faith – Lullaby

3.       Troye Sivan – My my my!

4.       Calum Scott & Leona Lewis – You are the reason

5.       Iggy Azalea ft. Quavo – Savior

6.       Niall Horan – On the loose

7.       Pink – Whatever you want

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Ultimate Anthems of All Time

Attention!!!

There are those songs which speak to your core that you can't help but sing along to them. These songs are a part of our lives wherever we are and knowing the lyrics of these songs are as mandatory as knowing the national anthems of our respective countries. Actually knowing the lyrics to these songs is not from memorizing, but from the fact that they are super easy to remember as the beat and the rhythm that go along with these songs have made it so that we do not forget them. From cricket, rugby and football matches these songs are played all over the world at world cups and championships. 

CCR's Have You Ever Seen The Rain is numero uno on this list as it is a clear classic and an unforgettable anthem. All of them are Rock with most of them leaning towards Pop Rock. Some of the most iconic artists and bands such as Elton John, Janis Joplin, Glen Campbell and Ben E. King are on this list alongside Guns N' Roses, Bon Jovi, Queen and Survivor. Queen leads the number of entries with 3 followed by Elton John with 2. One thing to note is that there are only a few entries by women with Gloria Gaynor with her I Will Survive the only female entry cracking the top 10. So here are the 25 ultimate anthems of all time:

1. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Have you ever seen the rain
2. Guns N’ Roses – Sweet child of mine
3. Bon Jovi – It’s my life
4. Bryan Adams – Summer of ‘69
5. Ben E. King – Stand by me
6. John Denver – Take me home, country roads
7. Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
8. Queen – We will rock you
9. Gloria Gaynor – I will survive
10. Glen Campbell – Rhinestone cowboy
11. Elton John – Crocodile rock
12. Puddle of Mudd – She hates me
13. Whitesnake – Here I go again ‘87
14. Big Brother and the Holding Company – Piece of my heart
15. Bob Marley – Could you be loved
16. Smokie – Living next door to Alice
17. Tom Jones – Green, green grass of home
18. Queen – I want to break free
19. Survivor – Eye of the tiger
20. Tina Turner – The best
21. Elton John – Saturday night’s alright
22. Aretha Franklin – Respect
23. Queen – We are the champions
24. Village People – Y.M.C.A.
25. Anastacia – I'm outta love

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Best Songs To Listen To When You're Angry

Attention!!!

What do you do when that extremely annoying thing happens to you? Violence is not always the solution. Counting to ten never worked, breaking stuff worked sometimes but in order to cool down you need to vent that anger off. What better way to deal with those pent-up issues and emotions than listening to music. Like I always say, music can solve anything. Likewise, there are songs which cater to your inner demons when dealing with your ex, friend, relative or random stranger. This list has been compiled from the mainstream hits and all forms of satanic metal and music have been excluded. Rock music rules the compilation with a few pop songs. The crown goes to I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace followed by System of a Down's Chop Suey. Nickelback, Evanescence and My Chemical Romance all have three entries each with The Pretty Reckless, Bon Jovi, Paramore, Linkin Park, Pink and Kelly Clarkson having two each. The last 10 songs are from mainstream pop. So here are the 50 best songs to listen to when you're angry:   

1. Three Days Grace – I hate everything about you
2. System of a Down – Chop suey
3. The Pretty Reckless – You make me wanna die
4. Nickelback – Burn it to the ground
5. 3 Doors Down – Going down in flames
6. Evanescence – Going under
7. Nirvana – Smells like teen spirit
8. Race Against the Machine – Killing in the name
9. Alanis Morissette – You oughta know 
10. Limp Bizkit – Break stuff
11. Green Day – Platypus (I hate you)
12. Linkin Park ft. Daron Malakian – Rebellion 
13. Paramore – Ignorance
14. Bon Jovi – You give love a bad name
15. My Chemical Romance – House of wolves
16. Nightwish – Bye bye beautiful
17. Nickelback – This means war
18. Breaking Benjamin – Diary of Jane
19. The Pretty Reckless – Going to hell
20. My Chemical Romance – Give ‘em hell kid
21. Bon Jovi – Have a nice day  
22. Nickelback – Edge of a revolution
23. Pink – U + ur hand
24. Savage Garden – Break me, shake me
25. Metallica – St.Anger
26. Evanescence – Sweet sacrifice  
27. Paramore – Monster
28. My Chemical Romance – Sharpest lives
29. Within Temptation ft. Keith Caputo – What have you done 
30. We Are The Fallen – Bury me alive
31. Linkin Park – Numb 
32. Janis Joplin – Piece of my heart 
33. Michael Jackson – They don’t care about us
34. All American Rejects – Gives you hell
35. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – Bad reputation
36. Ugly Kid Joe – Everything about you
37. Nicki Minaj ft. Eminem – Roman’s revenge
38. Lily Allen – Fuck you
39. Evanescence – Call me when you’re sober
40. Green Day – Know your enemy
41. Kelly Clarkson – Never again
42. Cee Lo Green – Fuck you
43. Natalie Imbruglia – Big mistake
44. Plain White Ts – Hate (I really don’t like you)
45. Eamon – Fuck it (I don’t want you back)
46. Pink – Just like a pill
47. Kelly Clarkson – Walkaway
48. Carrie Underwood – Before he cheats
49. Enrique Iglesias ft. Ciara – Takin’ back my love
50. Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – Bad blood 

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Best Floor Fillers of All Time

Attention!!!

A floor filler is simply a song that is so catchy and popular that it get everybody dancing. Almost all floor fillers have two things in common, and that's an awesome rhythm accompanied by memorable lyrics. Almost all genres and decades are covered as dancing is not a new concept and the good old days had The Beatles and Elvis Presley to keep our parents and grandparents occupied on the dance floor just like Pitbull, Swedish House Mafia and Avicii keep us in the groove. The most terrifying nightmares of all DJs and for some party organizers is when the dance floor is empty due to the lack of good music. This is when most DJs resort to floor fillers to get things going. The leading genre is of course Pop followed by House, Techno, Eurodance and Disco. Although, some of these songs may be classics, they are still played at parties and are most of the time surpass the popularity of the newer songs in their demand. La Bamba definitely tops the list as it is definitely the favorite song of the DJs to literally fill the dance floor. So here are the best floor fillers of all time.

1. Los Lobos – La bamba
2. Black Eyed Peas – I gotta feeling
3. Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean – Hips don’t lie
4. Psy – Gangnam style
5. Elton John – Crocodile rock
6. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
7. Chubby Checker – The twist
8. Los Del Rio – Macarena
9. Bon Jovi – It’s my life
10. Flo Rida ft. T-Pain – Low
11. Sean Paul – Get busy
12. Guns N’ Roses – Sweet child of mine
13. Bryan Adams – Summer of ‘69
14. LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock – Party rock anthem
15. Alexandra Stan – Mr. Saxobeat
16. Shakira ft. Freshlyground – Waka waka (This time for Africa)
17. Sasha Lopez ft. Broono & Andreea D – All my people
18. C&C Music Factory ft. Freedom Williams – Gonna make you sweat
19. Village People – Y.M.C.A.
20. The Beatles – I saw her standing there
21. Las Ketchup – The ketchup song (Asereje)
22. Avicii – Levels
23. Pitbull – I know you want me (calle ocho)
24. Don Omar ft. Lucenzo – Danza kuduro
25. Ottawa – D.I.S.C.O.
26. Elvis Presley – Burning love
27. Eddie Grant – Gimme hope Joanna
28. The Drifters – Save the last dance for me
29. Los Lobos – Cancion del Mariachi
30. Swedish House Mafia ft. John Martin – Don’t you worry child
31. Michael Jackson – Beat it   
32. Bob Sinclar – Love generation
33. Yves Larock ft. Jabba – Rise up
34. Nayer ft. Pitbull & Mohombi – Suavemente
35. Baccara – Yes sir, I can boogie
36. 50 Cent – In da club
37. Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris – We found love
38. Olivia Newton John & John Travolta – You’re the one that I want
39. Snap! – Rhythm is a dancer
40. The Beatles – I want to hold your hand
41. Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams – Blurred lines
42. Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – The way I are
43. Culture Club – Karma chameleon
44. Flo Rida ft. David Guetta – Club can’t handle me
45. Wham! – Wake me up before you go-go
46. LMFAO – Sexy and I know it
47. Yolanda Be Cool & D Cup – We no speak no Americano
48. Haddaway – What is love
49. Taio Cruz – Dynamite
50. Pitbull ft. Kesha – Timber
51. Bellamy Brothers – If I said you had a beautiful body
52. Albert West – Knock three times
53. The Wonders – That thing you do
54. Real McCoy – Another night
55. Usher – Yeah
56. Beyonce ft. Jay-Z – Crazy in love
57. Tom Boxer ft. J. Warner & Morena – Deep in love
58. Flo Rida ft. Ke$ha – Right round
59. Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo & Nayer – Give me everything
60. Lipps Inc. – Funky Town
61. Edward Maya ft. Vika Jigulina – Stereo love
62. ABBA – Dancing queen
63. Modjo – Lady (hear me tonight)
64. MC Hammer – U can’t touch this
65. Enrique Iglesias – Tonight (I’m fucking you)
66. Bee Gees – You should be dancing
67. Simon & Garfunkel – Cecilia
68. Shakira – Whenever wherever
69. Eiffel 65 – Blue (da ba dee)
70. Madonna ft. Timbaland & Justin Timberlake – 4 Minutes
71. Vengaboys – Sha la la la la
72. Gypsy Kings – Volare
73. ‘N Sync – Bye bye bye
74. Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy breaky heart
75. Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull – On the floor
76. Barry White – You are my first, my last, my everything
77. Arrow – Hot hot hot
78. Daddy Yankee – Gasolina
79. Lou Bega – Mambo No.5
80. Smokie – Who the fuck is Alice
81. Inner Circle – Sweat (La La La La Long)
82. Boney M – Daddy cool
83. Kuwait Sand Band – Asha
84. Kool & the Gang – Celebration
85. Van Morrisson – Brown eyed girl
86. The Contours – Do you love me
87. Bee Gees – Stayin’ alive
88. Spiller ft. Sophie Ellis Baxtor – Groovejet (If this ain’t love)
89. Baha Men – Who let the dogs out
90. Wild Cherry – Play that funky music
91. T-Spoon – Sex on the beach
92. Chilli ft. Carrapicho – Tic tic tac
93. Hues Corporation – Rock the boat
94. Pitbull ft. Mark Anthony – Rain over me
95. Chumbawumba – Tubthumpin’
96. Mr. President – Coco jamboo
97. Vanessa Amorosi – Absolutely everybody 
98. Technotronic – Pump up the jam
99. Hot Chocolate – You sexy thing
100. Dr. Alban – It’s my life 

Til the next chord…

At Ease!!!

Utlimate Hits of the 80s

Attention!!!

Well, we all love the 80s, some consider it as their favorite decade of songs, although for me I prefer the 90s as I grew up to the likes of pop and alternative rock. The 80s were an awesome decade with the King and Queen of Pop - Michael Jackson and Madonna reigning supreme in the charts throughout the decade. We see alternative rock gaining momentum but only a few bands actually had success. Disco was dying and paving the way for the era of eurodance which gained immense popularity in the early 90s. Some of the greatest artistes and bands of all time came out with their best songs during this time. Dance music was clearly the favorites on the charts, together with major collaborations done by Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Kylie Minogue, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder and even Sir Paul McCartney. 

This list is a compilation of the greatest hits released between 1980-1989 by different artistes and bands with the exception of certain artistes who collaborated on duets during this period. I have deliberately excluded other double entries for the sole reason that if that is done then artistes like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Whitney Houston will receive many entries and the same will go for bands such as the Culture Club and Queen which would lead to other major artistes and bands who were popular at the time or a particular famous song at the time to be excluded. Therefore, painstakingly I have had to research and find out the best song released by these artistes and bands who were popular at the time. 

Thus, these are the Ultimate Hits of the 80s based on chart performance worldwide as well as accolades received.

1. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
2. Madonna – Like a prayer
3. Culture Club – Karma chameleon
4. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
5. Stevie Wonder – I just called to say I love you
6. Whitney Houston – I wanna dance with somebody
7. George Michael – Careless whisper
8. Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
9. Berlin – Take my breath away
10. Lionel Richie – Hello
11. Belinda Carlisle – Heaven is a place on earth
12. Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a prayer
13. Olivia Newton John - Physical
14. Human League – Don’t you want me
15. Bonnie Tyler – Total eclipse of the heart
16. Wham! – Wake me up before you go-go
17. USA for Africa – We are the world
18. Irene Cara – Flashdance…What a Feeling
19. A-ha – Take on me
20. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Relax
21. The Police – Every breath you take
22. Barbra Streisand – Woman in love
23. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – I love rock n’ roll
24. Foreigner – I want to know what love is
25. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – Endless love
26. Los Lobos – La Bamba
27. Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
28. Men at Work – Down under
29. Lipps Inc. – Funkytown
30. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – Islands in the stream
31. Kylie Minogue – Locomotion
32. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder – Ebony and Ivory
33. Falco – Rock me Amadeus
34. Tina Turner – What’s love got to do with it
35. Prince – Kiss
36. Queen – Another one bites the dust
37. Guns N’ Roses – Sweet child of mine
38. Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes – Up where we belong
39. Heart – Alone
40. Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra
41. Aretha Franklin & George Michael – I knew you were waiting (for me)
42. Musical Youth – Pass the Dutchie
43. Elton John – Nikita
44. Soft Cell – Tainted love
45. Kenny Rogers – Lady
46. Billy Joel – Uptown Girl
47. New Order – Blue Monday
48. Cyndi Lauper – Girls just want to have fun
49. The J. Geils Band – Centerfold
50. Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters
51. Europe – The final countdown
52. Jennifer Rush – The power of love
53. Blondie – Tide is high
54. Spandau Ballet – True
55. Dione Warwick – That’s what friends are for
56. Rick Astley – Never gonna give you up
57. Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer
58. Bananarama – Venus
59. Roxette – It must have been love
60. Toto – Africa
61. REO Speedwagon – Keep on loving you
62. Dexys Midnight Runner – Come on Eileen
63. Black Box – Ride on time
64. Bryan Adams – Heaven
65. Bette Midler – Wind beneath my wings
66. Kim Wilde – Cambodia
67. Kool & the Gang – Celebration
68. Phil Collins – Against the odds
69. Lisa Stansfield – All around the world
70. Kenny Loggins – Footloose
71. Chris de Burgh – Lady in Red
72. David Bowie – Let’s dance
73. Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton John – Xanadu
74. Air Supply – All out of love
75. Kaoma – Lambada
76. Journey – Don’t stop believing
77. Billy Ocean – When the going gets tough
78. Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the dark
79. Bob Marley – Could you be loved
80. Adam Ant – Stand and deliver
81. Baltimora – Tarzan boy
82. Modern Talking – You’re my heart, you’re my soul
83. Shakin’ Stevens – Oh Julie
84. Paula Abdul – Opposites attract
85. Tiffany – I think we’re alone now
86. Starship – Nothing’s gonna stop us
87. The Beach Boys – Kokomo
88. Milli Vanilli – Girl you know it’s true
89. Katrina and the Waves – Walkin on sunshine
90. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t worry be happy
91. Steve Winwood – Higher love
92. Chicago – Hard to say I’m sorry
93. Mr.Mister – Broken Wings
94. The Jam – Town called malice
95. Linda Ronstadt ft. Aaron Neville – Don’t know much
96. Soul II Soul – Back to life (However do you want me)
97. Salt N’ Pepa – Push it
98. Laura Branigan – Gloria
99. Bee Gees – You win again
100. ABBA – Super Trouper
101. Simple Minds – Don’t you forget about me
102. Jan Hammer – Miami Vice Theme
103. Tight Fit – The Lions sleeps tonight
104. John Lennon – Just like starting over
105. Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers – Swing the mood
106. The Bangles – Eternal Flame
107. Cher – If I could turn back time
108. Technotronic – Pump up the jam
109. Paul Hardcastle – 19
110. Samantha Fox – Touch me (I want your body)
111. UB40 – Red red wine
112. Dead or Alive – You spin me around
113. Whitesnake – Here I go again 87
114. Fine Young Cannibals – She’s drives me crazy
115. Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan – Especially for you
116. Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
117. Richard Marx – Right here waiting
118. The Smiths – How soon is now
119. Peter Cetera – Glory of love
120. Neil Diamond – Love on the rocks
121. Styx – Mr. Roboto
122. Wet Wet Wet – Angel Eyes
123. U2 – Desire
124. Jason Donovan – Sealed with a kiss
125. Bobby Brown – My prerogative
126. Pretenders – Brass in pocket
127. Miami Sound Machine – Anything for you
128. Aerosmith – Love in an elevator
129. Daryl Hall & John Oates – Maneater
130. Madness – Our House
131. New Kids on the Block – Hangin’ tough
132. Anita Baker – Sweet love
133. Eurythmics – Sweet dreams
134. Glenn Medeiros – Nothing’s gonna change my love
135. Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack – Tonight, I celebrate my love
136. Van Halen – Jump
137. Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing
138. Duran Duran – The Reflex
139. Taylor Dayne – Tell it to my heart
140. Joy Division – Love will tear us apart
141. Run DMC – Walk this way
142. Level 42 – Lessons in love
143. Boston – Amanda
144. Janet Jackson – What have you done for me lately
145. Donna Summer – This time I know its for real
146. Enya – Orinoco flow
147. Robin Beck – First time
148. Traci Chapman – Fast car
149. Gypsy Kings – Volare
150. Earth, Wind and Fire – Let’s groove
151. The Cure – Lovesong
152. INXS – Need you tonight
153. Fleetwood Mac – Little lies
154. Tears for Fears – Shout
155. Michael Bolton – How am I supposed to live without you
156. Pat Benatar – Love is a battlefield
157. Ottawan – D.I.S.C.O
158. Rod Stewart – Baby Jane
159. Nena – 99 Luft balloons
160. Don Henley – The boys of summer
161. The Weather Girls – It’s raining men
162. Sister Sledge – Frankie
163. Chaka Khan – I feel for you
164. Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best that you can do)
165. Poison – Every rose has its thorn
166. Paul Young – Everytime you go away
167. Debbie Gibson – Foolish beat
168. The Rolling Stones – Start me up
169. Kajagoogoo – Too shy
170. Slade – My oh my
171. KC and the Sunshine Band – Give it up
172. Gloria Estefan – Don’t wanna lose you
173. Depeche Mode – People are people
174. Commodores – Nightshift
175. The Communards – Don’t leave me this way
176. Paul Simon – Late in the evening
177. James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt – Somewhere out there
178. Philip Bailey and Phil Collins – Easy lover
179. Dire Straits – Money for nothing
180. Captain & Tennille – Do that to me one more time
181. R.E.M – The one I love
182. Roy Orbison – You got it
183. Billy Idol – Eyes without a face
184. Elaine Page and Barbara Dickson – I know him so well
185. John Cougar – Jack and Diane
186. Renne and Renato – Save your love
187. Kelly Marie – Feels like I’m in love
188. Bucks Fizz – Making your mind up
189. Goombay Dance Band – Seven tears
190. The Flying Pickets – Only you
191. Smokey Robinson – Being with you
192. Doctor and the Medics – Spirit in the sky
193. Boris Gardiner – I want to wake up with you
194. T’Pau – China in your hand
195. Yazz and the Plastic Population – The only way is up
196. Marc Almond ft. Gene Pitney – Something’s gotten hold of my heart
197. Mike and the Mechanics – The living years
198. Sade – Smooth operator
199. Alphaville – Big in Japan
200. The Specials – Ghost town

Til the next beat…

At Ease!!!

Best of Modern Rock

Attention!!!

Rock could be soft, alternative or hard as well as pop, punk and metal. After the golden era of rock music, which witnessed the likes of Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Survivor and Black Sabbath the genre began to fade with the advent of pop into mainstream. With the demise of Disco in the late 80s we see Pop and Eurodance taking over in the 90s. There was however a resurfacing of rock music as well. Alternative Rock joined the mainstream with bands such as Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2 gaining popularity. Therefore, I have listed the bands/artistes, which have contributed significantly for the revival and development of rock music in the recent past.

1.      U2

Formed in 1976 the group initially was rooted in post-punk but eventually entered mainstream rock music. By the mid 1980s they became a top global act with their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. They are among the all time best-selling music bands having sold more than 150 million records and winning 22 Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone ranked they at 22 in its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and labeled them the Biggest Band in the World. Their successful albums include – Rattle and Hum, Achtung Baby, Pop, All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.   Desire

                ii.     Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me

              iii.     Vertigo

              iv.     Beautiful Day

                v.     With or Without You

              vi.     The Fly

             vii.    Staring at the Sun

           viii.    One

              ix.     I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

                x.     Mysterious ways

2.      Nickelback

Formed in 1995 it is one of the most successful bands of all time, ranked as the 11^th best-selling music act and the top rock group of the 2000s decade by Billboard. The band achieved commercial success with the release of their 2000 album The State and went mainstream with their 2001 album Silver Side Up. Their success continued with albums such as – The Long Road, All the Right Reasons, Dark Horse and Here and Now. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    How you remind me

                ii.   Someday

              iii.   Photograph

              iv.   Rockstar

                v.   Gotta be Somebody

              vi.   Far Away

             vii.  If today was your last day

           viii.  When we stand together

              ix.   Savin’ me

                x.   This afternoon

3.      Red Hot Chili Peppers

Formed in 1983 the band’s style primarily focuses on funk, punk rock and psychedelic rock. They have won been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and of which they have won 7 and sold over 90 million records worldwide. The first three albums did not receive much attention but this changed with the fourth, Mother’s Milk and then with Blood Sugar Sex Magik the band entered the mainstream. Their albums – Californication, By The Way and Stadium Arcadium were major commercial successes and received wide critical acclaim. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    Dani California

                ii.   By the way

              iii.   Under the Bridge

              iv.   Scar Tissue

                v.   Snow (Hey Oh)

              vi.   Can’t stop

             vii.   Love Rollercoaster

           viii.   Californication

              ix.    Give it away

                x.    The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie

4.      Bon Jovi

Formed in 1983 the band achieved widespread global recognition with their third album Slippery When Wet in 1986. The band has been consistent with its major hits. They are one of the best-selling bands of all time having sold more than 130 million records worldwide. Their other successful albums include – New Jersey, Keep the Faith, Cross Road and Crush. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     Always

                ii.    Livin’ on a prayer

              iii.    It’s my life

              iv.    You give love a bad name

                v.   I’ll be there for you

              vi.    Bad medicine

             vii.   This ain’t a love song

           viii.    Have a nice day

              ix.     Bed of roses

                x.     Everyday

5.      Linkin Park

Formed in 1996 the band rose to international fame with their debut album Hybrid Theory. Their style incorporates elements of nu metal and rap metal and from recent times electronic sounds and beats to cater to the mainstream trends. They have sold over 60 million albums worldwide and have won 2 Grammy Awards. Their other successful albums include – Meteora, Collision Course, Minutes to Midnight and Living Things. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    In the end

                ii.   What I’ve done

              iii.   New Divide

              iv.   Numb

                v.   Burn it down

              vi.   Somewhere I belong

             vii.   Bleed it out

           viii.   Shadow of the day

              ix.    The Catalyst

                x.    Crawling

6.      Santana

Formed in the late 1960s it is based around the compositions of lead guitarist Carlos Santana. Although the band’s initial success was back in the 70s the peak of their success was in the late 90s and early 2000s. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have earned 10 Grammy Awards. In 1999 the group released Supernatural which is one of the most successful albums by any artiste/band of all time. Other new successful albums include – Shaman and All That I Am. Their 8 best songs in the modern era in descending order are:

                 i.     Smooth (ft. Rob Thomas)

                ii.    Maria Maria (ft. The Product G&B)

              iii.    The Game of Love (ft. Michelle Branch)

              iv.    Cry Baby Cry (ft. Sean Paul & Joss Stone)

                v.    Into the Night (ft. Chad Kroeger)

              vi.   Just Feel Better (ft. Steven Tyler)

             vii.   Why don’t you and I (ft. Alex Band)

           viii.   Put your lights on (ft. Everlast)

7.      Sheryl Crow

Born in 1962 she attempted to launch her career in the late 80s but to no avail. Her breakthrough came with her debut album Tuesday Night Music Club in 1994. Her music incorporates elements of folk, hip-hop, country and pop. She has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and has garnered 9 Grammy Awards out of 32 nominations. Other successful albums include – Sheryl Crow, Globe Sessions and C’mon C’mon. Her 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     All I wanna do

                ii.    Soak up the sun

              iii.    The first cut is the deepest

              iv.    My favourite mistake

                v.    If it makes you happy

              vi.    Everyday is a winding road

             vii.   Tomorrow never dies

           viii.    Strong enough

              ix.     Good is good

                x.     Love is free

8.      Green Day

Formed in 1987 the band incorporates mainly elements of punk rock. Their debut album Dookie was a breakout success in 1994. Although the follow up albums were not as successful the band reignited their popularity with their 2004 album American Idiot. They are one of the best-selling groups of all time with over 75 million albums sold and have won 5 Grammy Awards. Their successful albums include – Nimrod and 21^st Century Breakdown. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     Boulevard of broken dreams

                ii.    American idiot

              iii.    Wake me up when September ends

              iv.    Holiday

                v.    21 Guns

              vi.    Know your enemy

             vii.  Good riddance (Time of your life)

           viii.   Basket case

              ix.    Longview

                x.    Welcome to paradise

9.      Metallica

Formed in 1981 the band caters mainly to heavy metal and hard rock. With its mass following in the underground music community the band earned critical acclaim with its first few albums. The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and has won 9 Grammy Awards and as of 2012 it is the fourth best selling music artiste/band of all time. Their successful albums include - …And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, Reload and Garage Inc. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.    Until it sleeps

                ii.   Nothing else matters

              iii.   Enter sandman

              iv.   One

                v.   The Unforgiven

              vi.   The day that never comes

             vii.   St.Anger

           viii.  The memory remains

              ix.    Hero of the day

                x.    Frantic

10.  Evanescence

Formed in 1995 the band’s debut album Fallen was a monumental commercial success. The line up of the group changed several times but the lead vocalist Amy Lee remained. The band has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has earned 2 Grammy Awards out of 7 nominations. The band is heavily influenced by celtic metal, alternative rock and hard rock. Other successful albums include – The Open Door and Evanescence. Their 10 best songs in descending order are:

                 i.     Bring me to life

                ii.    Call me when you’re sober

              iii.    My immortal

              iv.    Going under

                v.    Lithium

              vi.   What you want

             vii.   Everybody’s fool

           viii.   Lost in paradise

              ix.   Sweet sacrifice

                x.   My heart is broken