We had a lot of great ideas for a Friday Five this week. Then we realized that since we’re on vacation, we’d much rather be at the beach. Here is our playlist for the week! We’ll be back to regular blogging next week.
1. Sam Hunt – “Leave The Night On”
2. Cody Simpson – “Surfboard”
3. Dan + Shay – “Somewhere Only We Know”
4. Weezer – “Back To The Shack”
5. Hilary Duff – “Chasing The Sun”
With the release of 5 Seconds Of Summer’s debut album in the US, we’ve had a whole lot of pop punk on heavy rotation in the Fangirls office. Drums that pack a punch, whining guitars in the solo and breakdown, vocals that are hardly polished, and lyrics that you cling to when your parents say you can’t dye your one sided buzz cut leopard print. They just don’t understand you! But these classic pop punk bands sure do. One of us was part of the main target audience for this golden era of pop punk (or “mall rock” as some like to classify it) and it’s a genre that still heavily influences musicians all around the world whether they admit it or realize it. Without further adieu, we bring you this week’s Friday Five: Influential Pop Punk Bands
Good Charlotte – “Girls & Boys”
Hailing from Maryland, Good Charlotte were the darlings of TRL for a short period. They brought pop punk to the masses and are generally written off for being “too mainstream” but they were just plain good at writing catchy songs. The hand claps are still one of our favorite parts of this song.
Blink-182 – “What’s My Age Again?”
No matter where your music genre loyalties lie, we’re pretty certain that you can still sing the words to this without them in front of you. And it’s probably a safe bet that this video is the reason your parents outlawed MTV in your house. Blink-182 confirmed that they are working on a new album while Mark Hoppus tends to his personal farm in London (we don’t understand it either – he’s too pop punk for us.) What’s his age again?
Sugarcult – “Memory”
Aahhh! Melodic pop punk at it’s finest. Sugarcult have made it onto our list of “albums we probably couldn’t live without” and this song was the reason we picked up the album in the first place. If only pop punk could sound like this again…we’d be in 7th heaven!
Green Day – “Basket Case”
If you’re not familiar with Green Day, where have you been for the last 25 years?! They don’t quite appeal to the parents and their fans are still OK with it. Green Day made arguably some of the most timeless pop punk albums that bands still try to emulate to this day!
American Hi-Fi – “The Art Of Losing”
Some fans may remember this song being in the Lindsay Lohan remake of “Freaky Friday” but pop punk enthusiasts will argue this song was really influential in the genre. The drumsticks rapping on the edge of the kit make this song stand out and if you’re playing “Guess This Song” – it shouldn’t be too difficult to recognize this one classic right off the bat! “The Art Of Losing” has the elements that make a great pop punk song – gang vocals in the chorus, lyrics about not fitting in, and the guitars really chugging along punch this song into overdrive.
Every year, it seems one song and one alone must be anointed the “Song of the Summer.” While this year’s SOS is still under debate (we’ve already shared our picks!), we prefer those songs you can play year after year that will instantly transport you to summer.
1. LFO – “Summer Girls”
This was a huge hit for the Lyte Funky Ones in the summer of ’99. The lyrics made no sense, but that’s part of the beauty of this song and it’s educational pop cultural references. (Macauley Culkin was in “Home Alone.”) We wonder how many guys have tried the line “you look like a girl from Abercrombie & Fitch.”
2. New Kids On the Block – “Summertime”
Jones Beach 1998. Come on! New Kids on the Block have a bunch of hits, like their first official single after their reunion 2008! This was one of the most exciting things to have ever happened in fan girl history.
3. Aaron Carter featuring Baha Men – “Summertime”
Nothing screams summer like AC and the Baha Men hangin’ with the honeys and enjoying the sun.
4. Selena Gomez – “Summer’s Not Hot”
The temperature says 99 and it can get much hotter so come on over Romeo and Vamos a la playa!
5. Jessie James – “Boys In The Summer”
Because we totally agree, boys DO look so much hotter in the summer. The video for this is everything summer should be – swimming in a lake with your friends and driving around in an open top jeep singing at the top of your lungs.
Possibly the biggest country singer of the 90s, Garth Brooks, just held a press conference to announce that he is coming out of retirement and releasing a new album this fall. And going on a world tour! And this comes just days after another 90s icon, Shania Twain hinted at a tour next year (We need this to happen please!). Country music was a lot different back then, before the development of the “bro-country” genre. Here are some of our favorite country songs of the 90s!
1. Shania Twain – “That Don’t Impress Me Much”
It took much debating to decide which Shania video to include on this list. But that leopard outfit alone made this video the clear front runner. (Runner Up: “Man I Feel Like a Woman”)
2. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Achy Breaky Heart”
We used to jump rope to this song in gym class. Billy Ray’s mullet is out of control in this video. And check out the amazing ensembles for inspiration – 90s fashion is back after all! And did you catch Tish Cyrus dancing in the front row?
3. Faith Hill – “This Kiss”
There was no escaping this song in 1998, no matter what music genre you listened to. Everything about this video is so 90s it hurts. We’re still not sure why she’s riding on a peach.
4. LeAnn Rimes – “How Do I Live”
The original blonde teen pop-country crossover released her first album at the age of 13. We’re pretty sure this song was played at every middle and high school dance that took place in the late 90s.
5.Lonestar – “Amazed”
Another song that was inescapable in the late 90s, and played at school dances and weddings nationwide. You’ll probably still be able to sing along, even if you haven’t heard the song since.
Bonus: Shania Twain – “Man I Feel Like A Woman.”
We just couldn’t resist. Let’s go girls.
It’s a holiday weekend and no matter what your plans are, let’s celebrate #Murica with these five songs that should definitely be on your 4th of July playlist.
1. “Young in America” – Danielle Bradbery
There is nothing more American than country music, and we love the new single from country’s sweetheart Danielle Bradbery. The video features the common #Merica theme of a road trip, with lots of American flags waving.
2. “Light Me Up” – Hunter Hayes
“Baby you light me up like the fireworks flying on the 4th of July!” Hunter will be performing on the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC this year, and we hope he’ll be bringing back this track from his “Encore” album, and playing his new single “Tattoo!” Since most of the East Coast will be dealing with Hurricane Arthur tomorrow, at least now you won’t have to feel bad if your July 4th plans revolve around staying in to watch Hunter perform! Other performers include Miranda Lambert, Ariana Grande & Lionel Richie.
3. “American Dream” – MKTO
MKTO’s American Dream Tour got its name from their new single, which the guys just performed on Good Morning America. But this isn’t the same summer song you used to know. MKTO question what ever happened to the American Dream, and why Jack left Diane. They were Born to Run Cali here we come. (The song is also extremely catchy and quotable…sounds like the perfect summer song to us!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGXB9iz0KqU
4. “Made in The USA” – Demi Lovato
As far as “songs about America” go, this one was made to be on your 4th of July playlist. Name dropping Chevy? Check. Because aren’t all good things “Made in the USA?” Demi’s video for this song is also very American: girl meets boy at a carnival and they fall in love. What’s more American than meeting the love of your life at a carnival!? Nothing. That’s what.
5. “Make It In America” – Victoria Justice
This is the ultimate summer road trip song and video, featuring the entire cast of Victorious! Another requisite for making a #Merica song is apparantly referencing “Born to Run.” Which should already be on your playlist. “I wanna taste the sun case baby I’m Born to Run!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k7xNqF_YU4
BONUS: “Party In The USA” – Miley Cyrus
No matter how hard she tries….Miley will never be able to erase this song from the internet or her discography. It reaches the Top 10 on iTunes every 4th of July so she can’t complain too much. This song had a bunch of parodies and spoofs but our favorite is “Party In The F.I.P.” Watch it below in case you’ve been under a rock for the past 5 years.
Tonight marks the premiere of yet another soon to be classic DCOM (that’s Disney Channel Original Movie), “Zapped!” In the movie, Zendaya gets a new smartphone app that lets her control boys with the touch of a button. It sounds amazing, and also reminds us of one of our favorite DCOMs of all time, “Stuck in the Suburbs,” where in a pre-iPhone/app world, stars Brenda Song and Danielle Panabaker accidentally end up with a pop star’s cell phone, and manage to run his entire life, eventually changing it for the better. (And proving that fans know artists better than managers.) It’s totally fine to cancel all your plans for tonight to watch “Zapped,” especially since it’s followed by the long-awaited premiere of “Girl Meets World!” We’re hoping there will be at least one iconic musical sequence in the movie. Here are our favorite DCOM songs and musical moments!
1. “Make a Wish” by Jordan Cahill – “Stuck in the Suburbs”
This is actually Taran Killam singing….Yes, Taran Killam from SNL. Not enough people remember that he was in this fangirl fantasy movie! Taran played Jordan Cahill, a spoiled popstar who kind of hated his life but didn’t know how to say “no” to his manager. He did gather himself enough to spit out this witty quip in response to his manager telling him he was famous because of his perfectly highlighted hair – “Then dress it up, and make it sing your lousy songs!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INp5xafuBFE
2. “Strut” by Cheetah Girls – “Cheetah Girls 2”
Any movie that takes place in Europe is more than likely one of our favorites. The Cheetah Girls get the chance of a lifetime to go to Spain and it involves a half baked plan, some gorgeous scenery (we’re not talking about the mansion here) and a happy ending for our Amigas Cheetahs! We find ourselves singing this on our way to work in the mornings – it’s got the perfect beat to STRUT to!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqWroBwEx98
3. “Zoom” by Microbe – “Zenon Girl of the 21st Century”
If you say you don’t know all the words to this song, then you’re either too old(or young) to remember this movie or you’re lying. This movie is still a fashion disaster MAJOR! But zetus lupetus, we wish Microbe (esp. Proto Zoa) was a real band because we would totally go to a space themed concert and wear neon spandex leggings under a ridiculous looking mini skirt (holographic vest and all).
4. “Slam Dunk the Funk” by 5ive – “Smart House”
Cheesy outfits? Check. House party hosted by a 14 year old boy? Check. Choreographed dance moves in the cheesy outfits at a house party hosted by a 14 year old boy? You got it! “Smart House” was one of those movies where it was so bad it’s good (usually our favorite kind of movies). Ryan Merriman (AKA that creep Ian Thomas on PLL) is the genius behind the “let’s put on some tunes and do choreographed dance moves” scene here. Thank god time was good to him. Do yourself a favor, after you watch this clip…go Google “Ryan Merriman” and thank us later.
5. “Bet on It” by Zac Efron – “High School Musical 2”
I don’t know if we need to even say anything about this clip. It’s been parodied so many times that it keeps getting funnier as time goes on. Zac Efron totally nailed this song and performance. The running, the skipping, the twirling while skip-running…there’s a reason this clip made our Friday Five list! Also, if you’ve have never reenacted the Bet On It scene….you’re lying.
PSA: You can find most of these classic films on Youtube, or check your TV listings and get your DVR ready because Disney Channel airs old DCOMs in the middle of the night! (And High School Musical 2 and Cheetah Girls 2 are on Netflix).
This weekend marks the official start of summer, which means concert season is in full swing! And we’re seeing the Backstreet Boys on Sunday! It’s hard to believe BSB have been together for 21 years now, and after all this time they’re still going strong. And they’re one of the few bands that have never let us down over the years. We love that they brought back their original music video choreography for tour. In honor of the In a World Like This Tour, here are our five favorite BSB videos! (It was extremely hard to not make this a Friday Ten…)
1. “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”
This is probably the most iconic boy band video of ALL TIME. Why are they monsters? Nobody knows. But seriously, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen Backstreet Boys perform “Everybody” live, with the entire crowd doing the choreography. And have you caught the ending of “This Is The End?” Apparently in heaven everyone knows the “Everybody” dance.
2. “Larger Than Life”
Budgets for music videos were much bigger in the 90s, like in this video when BSB went to outer space. AJ is also probably the only man on earth who can pull off a mesh cropped top. (He’s got the abs for it!) We’re still not sure why they always insist on keeping Nick so under wraps in these videos (first he’s a mummy, now a robot?)
3. “I Want It That Way”
The video has over 98 million views on YouTube for a reason. Another iconic boy band video, which has been spoofed by Blink-182 and paid homage to by Big Time Rush. We still get chills every time we hear Nick sing The Note. (You know the one). And that sad fangirl wave to Brian at the end? We totally know your pain.
4. “Quit Playing Games With My Heart”
Otherwise known as that video where it starts raining and they dance around and get their button down shirts and baggy pants soaking wet for no reason. Howie D just totally takes it off. Poor Brian had to keep his shirt buttoned because of his scar from heart surgery! We are full of important 90s trivia facts like this, which we probably learned from TRL, Making the Video or Popup Video.
5. “As Long As You Love Me”
The CHAIR DANCE! One of our fondest memories of middle school is when all the boys in our class blasted this song from their walkman, and attempted to recreate this chair dance during homeroom. The key word being attempted.
Bonus. “We’ve Got It Goin’ On”
This might be the best song to dance to, ever. And their wardrobe is on point. Layered denim and leather? Check. This is also the song with the prayer dance.
Just do yourself a favor and head to the Backstreet Boys Vevo page and hit play all, it’s Friday. We’ll be rehearsing our choreography for Sunday’s show.
Be sure to follow Backstreet Boys & Secret Fangirls on Twitter for more updates!
In the past, we’ve brought you new bands from across the pond, our favorite boy bands, and even our top favorite country artists. This week, we want to formally introduce you to five bands that rock! All of these artists have a knack for writing a catchy rock song, with their own unique sound.
1 – Born Cages
We’ve featured this Brooklyn based band before and we’ve been lucky enough to see them play more than a few times. As we near the release of their next single, please enjoy one of our favorite songs from “The Sidelines EP“.
2 – New Hollow
This Ohio trio has worked their way into our playlists ever since the 106.1 BLI Summer Jam a few weekends ago. Catchy, grungy, perfect summer throwback sound – New Hollow has it all! Don’t miss these guys on tour this summer. Watch the official video for their single, “She Ain’t You” below.
3 – Action Item
Hailing from New Jersey, Action Item aren’t technically new, but that doesn’t stop them from rocking their way onto our Friday Five list! These guys are dropping a new single called “We’ll Be Fine” on June 24th and we can’t wait to hear what they’ve been up to. They’ll be on tour with MKTO all summer so be there or be square!
4 – The Strypes
The only band on this list from the UK, The Strypes are definitely ones to watch. After a chance encounter with their name in an ad in Rolling Stone , we checked out their music and instantly knew these guys were on to something. We love The Strypes cheeky lyrics on their debut album “Snapshot” and it’s about time the US has another proper British rock invasion! Watch the official video for “What A Shame” below.
5 – Wild Party
One of the five finalists in this years iHeartRadio and Macy’s Rising Star Competition, Wild Party is definitely on the up and up. Their single “When I Get Older” sounds like Rooney and Phantom Planet – just what we need to blast in our car with the windows down and the sunroof open! Catch Wild Party at a free in-store performance at Macy’s in Northridge, CA on June 21st.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxeD-nYoEiw
Be sure to follow Born Cages, New Hollow, The Strypes, Action Item, Wild Party, and Secret Fangirls on Twitter for the latest on your favorite new artists!
Summer Fridays are in full swing, and we can’t wait for the weekend! Here’s what we’re listening to this week.
1. Austin Mahone – “Secret”
We’ve decided this is the official SecretFangirls.com theme song. We lost it when Austin performed this at Summer Jam last weekend, and are so glad someone caught it on video, because his choreography is ON POINT (as always). We don’t call him the one man boy band for nothing.
2. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “And We Danced”
We saw Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at the Hammerstein Ballroom over two weeks ago. And we danced, and we laughed, and we cried, and had a really really really good time. And it was such a party that we are still finding random pieces of confetti everywhere.
3. Justin Timberlake – “Not a Bad Thing”
While we’ve always said this song would sound amazing as a 5-part harmony (ahem *NSYNC you can cover this on your reunion tour), it’s just as beautiful with JT.
4. Midnight Red – “Hell Yeah”
Okay, so we had this song on last week’s Friday Five. But we’ve seen Midnight Red twice this week, so this song has been permanently stuck in our heads (and we’re totally okay with it).
5. Victoria Justice – “Gold”
We know that Victoria is focusing on her acting projects now, but we miss her music! We especially love this single, “Gold,” and are hoping that we will still get a full album sometime soon!
As we’ve written before, there seems to be a lot of confusion in the media as to who is a boy band and who’s not. We prefer to use boy band in the original sense of the word, like the originals New Edition and New Kids on the Block. You can even consult the dictionary: a boy band is a group of young men who sing in harmonies and DANCE! Here are some of our favorites!
1. Big Time Rush – “Boyfriend”
Big Time Rush doesn’t get enough credit for bringing boy bands back into fashion. Before their show premiered in2009 we had all been living in a sad boy band less world for years. True BSB have been going strong for over 20 years, but we hadn’t seen any NEW boy bands since the golden era in the early 2000s, when a new band seemed to emerge every week. BTR has the moves, looks and harmonies of a classic boy band. Now that they are in the “I’m just going into space / I’m just going to record this solo project, probably no one will hear it” phase of their band, we are hoping that they reunite for at least one more tour. They keep saying it ain’t over! We love their mashup of Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend,” with their song of the same name. Complete with a hat dance!
2. Titanium – “Unarmed”
AKA New Zealand’s first boy band! The deprived nation held a rigorous competition, which included a boy band boot camp, to find the 6 members of the band. They’ve even written songs with BTR members Kendall Schmidt and Logan Henderson. There were rumors of a joint Big Time Rush & Titanium tour for a while, and we’d just like to put in a formal request to make that happen.
3. Midnight Red – “Hell Yeah”
They call themselves America’s boy band, and with good reason. They have harmonies that melt you, and have done solid covers like “Diamonds” by Rihanna and even NKOTB’s “Step by Step!” They got the ultimate boy band seal of approval when NKOTBSB recruited them to open for their tour, making Midnight Red officially a part of the boy band posse. And we’re sure they wouldn’t back down to a dance off with BSB! (Can we have this? Thanks!)
4. Phase V – “Not a Bad Thing”
One of the newest boy bands on the block, is the self described Urban-Pop boy band. They’ve posted covers of “Not a Band Thing” by Justin Timberlake, which we’ve always said was meant for a 5 part harmony, and “Drop It” by Trevor Jackson. We hear they’re working on an *NSYNC cover as we speak and we can’t wait! We love that these guys dance and stay true to the boy band genre and are looking forward to hearing more from them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UrwHUHDHig
5. To Be One – “Please Don’t Go Girl”
The Jordan Knight approved boy band sampled NKOTB’s hit “Please Don’t Go Girl” in their original song of the same name. Jordan said it best when he told MTV “finally a boy band that dances! And the hook is darn good too!”
secretfangirls 