Music Notes with Jess

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 Dua Lipa has released her 3rd album, Radical Optimism.  She's worked hard the past decade to pursue pop/dance music, and likes passing along relationship lessons learned along the way in her lyrics. I made a top 10 countdown of her hits, and share my album critique.

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Top 10 Playlist

10. “Break My Heart” (2020)
9. “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” (2016-2017)
8. “Electricity” feat. Silk City (Diplo & Mark Ronson) (2018)
7.  “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” feat. Elton John (2021-2022)
6. “One Kiss” feat. Calvin Harris (2018)
5. “Don’t Start Now” (2019-2020)
4. “Illusion” (2024)
3. “New Rules” (2017)
2. “Dance the Night” (2023)
1.  “Levitating” (2020)

Videos:
"New Rules" at Ellen Degeneres Show (2018)
"Levitating" feat. DaBaby (2020)
"Levitating" (AMAs 2020 Performance)
"Levitating (The Blessed Madonna Remix) feat. Madonna & Missy Elliott

Mentioned Media:
INXS - “Need You Tonight”
Lisa Stansfield's Affection (1989)

Related Episodes:
Top 40 Songs of 2023 (Part 2)
Elton John EGOT Playlist

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Taylor Swift released her 11th album on 4/19/24: The Tortured Poets Department, and an expanded double album 2 hours later: The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology! Even with 31 songs at our fingertips, reviews are mixed between Swifites and the media. This caused a 3rd Amazon Music version doing track by track commentary on the original. "Delicately" sharing my honest review, I recap Taylor's 2023 events, analyze this new album, and which songs I like from both versions. 

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

The Eras Tour

Taylor Swift Discography

Recommendation: The New York Times' Popcast TTPD episode:

Video

Audio

Album Mentions:

Ep. 179 - Morgan Wallen Music History

Ep. 227 - Usher Top 10

Ep. 228 - Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em" & "16 Carriages"

Ep. 229 - Justin Timberlake's New Album

Ep. 234 - COWBOY CARTER & Evolution

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Power vocalists Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, followed similar paths in music. They both found their voice in high school, sang cover songs online, got signed to Warner Records, and are now global pop singers with a #1 hit! I discuss the events leading up to Teddy Swims' "Lose Control" and Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things". 

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Billboard Article: Teddy Swims or Benson Boone

Teddy Swims' "Rock With You" (2019 cover video)

"My Bad" (2021 performance video for Kelly Clarkson Show)

Genius.com - "Lose Control" Lyrics Meaning

How Teddy Swims Got His Name

The Jennifer Hudson Show (Interview)

The Kelly Clarkson Show (Interview)

Billboard News

Grammys Article - Benson Boone 

American Idol Audition

Quitting American Idol 

"Ghost Town" (Live on Ellen Degeneres' Show)

Genius.com - "Beautiful Things" Lyrics Meaning

Benson Boone covering "Lose Control" - BBC Radio 1 Lounge

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Americans were in awe of the solar eclipse on 4/8/24. Seen from Mexico, midwest U.S., and upper northeast, one of the totality spots was near the Rock and Roll of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio! They created a thematic playlist, and so did many others! I talk about some of those popular streams, and add in my picks.

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena
Segue Song: "Ambient Piece", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Eclipse Playlist:

“Eclipse” - Pink Floyd (1973)
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” - Bonnie Tyler (1983)
“Waiting for the Sun” - The Doors (1970)
“Sunglasses At Night” - Corey Hart (1983-1984)
“Cheap Sunglasses” - ZZ Top (1979, 1980)
“Blinded By the Light” - Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1976-1977)
“Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd (2020)
“Venus” - Bananarama (1986)
“Black Hole Sun” - Soundgarden (1994)
“Brighter Than the Sun” - Colbie Cailat (2011-2012)

Mentioned Media:
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Eclipse Playlist
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Bonnie Tyler & DNCE (Live at 2017 eclipse sighting)
The Doors (1991 biopic)
"Frankenstein" - Edgar Winter Group (1973)
"Blinded By the Light" - (Bruce Springsteen's VH1 Storytellers backstory)
"Blinded By the Light" (VH1 Storytellers performance)"Maniac" - Michael Sambello (1983) - Flashdance
"Venus" - The Shocking Blue (1969-1970)

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Two trailblazing women put out new albums 3/29: Beyoncé and Sheryl Crow. Both are singing life lessons they’ve learned through their families, society, and themselves. Beyoncé enforced last minute changes on her current record, and Sheryl Crow got reminded how her efforts won’t go unnoticed. In this episode, I’ll review Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER, and Sheryl Crow’s Evolution. Running the world and having some fun, let’s take music notes.

Beyoncé's Super Bowl 2024 Verizon ad
Act II's promo trailer

"Daddy Lessons" feat. The (Dixie) Chicks - (CMA Awards 2016)
"Daddy Lessons" (2016) - Lemonade visual film video

ABC Impact x Nightline - It's Beyoncé Country

Sheryl (2022 documentary)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - search

Evolution coverage:
i95 - The Home of Rock & Roll
Good Morning America
TODAY with Hoda & Jenna"Evolution" (title track performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live)
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Late Night with Seth Meyers

Related Episodes:
Beatles Cover Songs
Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em" & 16 Carriages"

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Mariah Carey just turned 55, will have a Vegas residency soon, and nominated to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Honoring her incredible career, I made a top 10 of popular hits fans recognize, and shared my personal favorites in a separate playlist. 

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

My Top 10 Mariah Carey favorites playlist

Top 10 Playlist:

10. "Touch My Body" (2008)
9. "Vision of Love" (1990)
8. "Emotions" (1991)
7. "One Sweet Day" feat. Boyz II Men (1995-1996)
6. "I’ll Be There" feat. Trey Lorenz (1992) - MTV Unplugged
5. "We Belong Together" (2005)
4. "Hero" (1993)
3. "Always Be My Baby (1995)"
2. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (1994, 2019-2023)
1. "Fantasy" (1995) 

Mentioned Media:

"Bye Bye" - Mariah Carey (2008)

"Best of My Love" - The Emotions (1977)

"Lil Boo Thing" - Paul Russell (2023)

"I'll Be There" - The Jackson 5 (1970)

"I'll Be There" at Michael Jackson's funeral (2009)

"When You Believe" - feat. Whitney Houston (1998)

"Where Are You Christmas?" - Faith Hill (2000)

"Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Remix)" feat. Xscape & Da Brat

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CMT has nominated 2 recent American Idol contestants for 4/7's CMT Music Awards! Gabby Barrett and Chayce Beckham competed separately during ABC's revived seasons. Gabby achieved crossover success in 2020, and Chayce's current single helped him win the show in 2021! In this episode, I review American Idol's alumni who pursued country music, as well as Gabby Barrett and Chayce Beckham's progress. 

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

American Idol will air Sundays and soon on Mondays nights at 8pm; available to stream on Hulu.

Carrie Underwood

Ep. 139 - Carrie Underwood's Country Albums

Kelly Clarkson

Ep. 132 - Kelly Clarkson Top 20

Kellie Pickler
"Santa Baby" (Live)

Scotty McCreery

Ep. 221 - Top 40 Songs of 2023 (Part 2)

Lauren Alaina

Ep. 31 - Mothers Day Top 10 Countdown

Trent Harmon

Gabby Barrett

Female Video of the Year - CMT Music Awards ballot

"Glory Days" (2023-2024)

Ep. 43 - Gabby Barrett's "I Hope"- Chart HIstory

Chayce Beckham
Breakthrough Male Video of the Year - CMT Music Awards ballot

"23" (2021, 2024)

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Pop/Rock artist Eric Carmen, suddenly passed away weekend of 3/9-3/10. He was lucky to write, produce, play musical instruments, and sing like the music he admired. Making it as Raspberries' frontman and his own solo career, I tribute his life in 5 of these popular hits he was involved in.

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Eric Carmen's website

Tribute Playlist:

"Go All the Way" - Raspberries (1972)

"All By Myself" (1975)
"All By Myself" - Celine Dion (1996)
Celine Dion interview clip on What Happens Live (2019)

"Almost Paradise (Love Theme from Footloose)" - Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
"Almost Paradise" in Footloose
"Almost Paradise" - Eric Carmen & Merry Clayton (1988)
Footloose (1984)
Footloose (2011)

"Hungry Eyes" (1987-1988)
"Hungry Eyes" scene
Dirty Dancing (1987)

"Make Me Lose Control" (1988)

Related Episode:
Ep. 164 - Irene Cara's Top 3 Hits

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Kacey Musgraves took a personal hiatus and setting it to new music. Her 6th album Deeper Well, will be out 3/15, scheduled an upcoming world tour, philisophically singing acoustic folk. Viewing how this could compare to Kacey's previous work, I recap her discography, read into promo singles "Deeper Well", "Too Good to Be True", and the unique merchandise she's offering on her online gift shop.

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Saturday Night Live - 3/2/24 performances
"Deeper Well"
"Too Good to Be True"

star-crossed (2021 visual film)

The Cut's Kacey Musgraves interview (2024)

Related Episodes:
Ep. 14 - 14 Songs for Valentine's Day
Ep. 65 - Top 40 Songs of 2020 (Part 2)
Ep. 98 - Kacey Musgraves Bio
Ep. 117 - Top 40 Songs of 2021 (Part 2)
Ep. 169 - Top 40 Songs of 2022 (Part 2)
Ep. 215 - Thanksgiving Countdown 2 

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Justin Timberlake's 6th album Everything I Thought It Was, is coming out 3/15. He released promo singles "Selfish", "Drown", performed "Sanctified" exclusively on Saturday Night Live, and done interviews. When "Selfish"'s single was released, Britney Spears' fans spited to stream her 2011 song "Selfish".  This triggered a feud and possibly got resolved by Janet Jackson. A social media post Britney wrote about her, disappeared less than a day. Hear my commentary of all this and Justin's discography review.

Theme Song: "Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Justin Timberlake's Tiktok

Janet Jackson & Justin Timberlake's peacemaking

"Selfish" vs. "Selfish"

SNL 1/27 episode - "Sanctified" performance is at 34:09-39:00. 

Interviews: 

The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Classroom Instruments Medley

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Related Episodes:
Ep. 69 - Justin Timberlake Top 20
Ep. 112 - Britney Spears Top 20
Ep. 121 - Janet Jackson Documentary
Ep. 205 - 'NSYNC Top 10 Favs
Ep. 209 - Trolls' 3 Movie Songs

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