Music Notes with Jess

Send us Fan Mail

Hinting some clues during the Grammys, a Verizon Super Bowl ad, Beyoncé released 2 new singles under country's genre! "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages" are on upcoming album Act II, coming out 3/29. It's debatable how country sounding these songs are compared to modern or retro country. I recap where Beyoncé left off with 2022's RENAISSANCE album, discuss "Texas Hold 'Em", "16 Carriages", and its already debut charting history. 

"Texas Hold 'Em" lyrics

"Texas Hold 'Em" visualizer

"Texas Hold 'Em" short promo

"16 Carriages" lyrics

"16 Carriages" visualizer

Beyoncé's website

Beyoncé's Billboard charting history

Mentioned media:

"Follow Your Arrow" - Kacey Musgraves (2013)

"The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers (1978)

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - Taylor Swift (2012)

"Old Town Road (Remix)" - Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus (2019)

Related Episodes:
Ep. 99: Beyoncé Top 20
Ep. 146 - Beyoncé's "BREAK MY SOUL"
Ariana Grande's "yes and?" / J. Lo's "Can't Get Enough"

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

Usher just performed a fantastic Halftime Show at the Super Bowl, has a new album, tour, and wife! Covering all this, I countdown 10 of his then and now hits I recommend. 

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

Apple Music loop - Euro Hero Synth 2

Usher Top 10 playlist

10. “Think of You” (1994-1995)

9. “Love in This Club” / “Love in This Club Part II” feat. Beyoncé & Lil Wayne (2008)

8. “Boyfriend” (2023)

7. “U Remind Me” (2001)

6. “There Goes My Baby” (2010)

5. “Standing Next to You - Usher Remix” - Jung Kook feat. Usher (2024)

4. “Confessions (Interlude)" / "Confessions Part II” (2004)

3. “Without You” - David Guetta (2011)

2. “OMG” feat. will.i.am (2010)

1. “Yeah!” feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris (2004)

Usher & Keke Palmer clip

"Confessions" parody - NFL / Apple Music 

Hitch - "Yeah!" dance scene

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

I'm posting this episode on 2/9/64 - the 60th anniversary when The Beatles made their US debut, performing on The Ed Sullivan Show! Influencing classic rock, teen demographics, British Invasion artists, and media promotion, The Beatles’ music success lives on. Celebrate “all my loving” of their songs, I made a playlistof 9 Beatles cover songs done by famous musicians. Comparison to the originals, let’s take music notes. 

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

“Got to Get You Into My Life” - Earth, Wind, & Fire (1978)
“With a Little Help from My Friends” - Joe Cocker (1968-1969)
“Something” - Frank Sinatra (1970)
“Come Together” - Gary Clark Jr. & Junkie XL (2017)
“Here Comes the Sun” - Sheryl Crow (2007)
“Blackbird” - Billy Preston (1972) (9:27-12:42)
“Taxman” - Power Station (1996)
“Ticket to Ride” - The Carpenters (1969-1970)
“Tomorrow Never Knows” - Phil Collins (1981) (38:08-43:00)

The Ed Sullivan Show Performances
"All My Loving"
"'Til There Was You"
"I Saw Her Standing There"
"I Want to Hold Your Hand"

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

For the 66th Grammy Awards, I've chosen to analyze 5 of its popular categories: Best Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year. More entries have been added to diversify genres, and artists' chances of winning in the general field. Before the show, I'm "announcing" my personal picks and who I think will win in each. Preview this episode and our social media to view the predictions ballot, and then check back the following night for the results!

Grammys - Pre-show ceremony will air 3:30pm/e on YouTube,
Main show - 8pm/e on CBS and Paramount+.
Grammys' live Twitter posts: https://twitter.com/RecordingAcad

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

Miami Vice actor Philip Michael Thomas, coined the term EGOT: someone who'd be lucky to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscars, and Tony.  The latest celebrity joining this high honor, is Elton John! Representing the music he's won these awards, listen and take music notes of this special playlist.

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

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973)
Farewell from Dodger Stadium (2022) concert, book
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (2022) - video

"That's What's Friends Are For" - Dionne and Friends (1986)

"Basque" - James Galway, Vincent Fanuele, feat. Elton John (1991)

"Candle in the Wind 1997" (1997)

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (1994)
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight - (The Lion King scene)
The Lion King

"(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" - feat. Taron Egerton (2019)
Rocketman

"The Gods Love Nubia" - Aida Ensemble, Heather Headley, Schele Williams (2000)
Aida Broadway showing
Adam Pascal

Burt Bacharach playlist

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

Both released on 1/12 as comeback singles, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez defend their recent significant other changes. Analyzing the same theme and genre, take music notes of Ariana Grande's "yes and?", and Jennifer Lopez's "Can't Get Enough". 

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

Page Six articles: https://pagesix.com/2023/12/29/entertainment/ariana-grande-slams-assumptions-about-dalton-gomez-ethan-slater-drama/

https://pagesix.com/2024/01/12/entertainment/ariana-grande-slammed-as-homewrecker-as-she-addresses-ethan-slater-backlash-in-yes-and/

"Can't Get Enough" song samples

Media Mentions:
"Cold Hearted" - Paula Abdul (1988-1989)
"Vogue" - Madonna (1990)
"No Tears Left to Cry" (2018) / "thank u next" (2019) - Ariana Grande
In Living Color debut (1993)
Selena (1997)
“Love Don’t Cost a Thing” (2000-2001) / “If You Had My Love” (1999) - Jennifer Lopez 

Ariana Grande Top 10 playlist

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

South African singer Tyla, gained international attention posting a back to camera dance on her TikTok account. Performing her song "Water" at live performances, users reposted videos of themselves dancing the choreography. This became known as a "#waterdancechallenge", and caught the Recording Academy's attention to give a Grammy nomination in a new category! Later making a "Water" music video and invited on TV shows, this single has streamed high expectations! Learn Tyla's background, music impact, and current accomplishments.

"Dance Track", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

"Water" - live performances
The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
The Voice (U.S. Season 25 Finale)
New Years Rockin' Eve

Genius.com Interview
Rolling Stone  - The Breakdown
Jennifer Hudson Show

#WaterDanceChallenge montage

Song Influences:
"Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" - C+C Music Factory (1990-1991)
"Lose My Breath" - Destiny's Child (2005)
"Rock The Boat" - Aaliyah (2001)

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

Last 20 to complete my 2023 year-end list! 

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

Full playlist

20. “Rescued” - Foo Fighters
19. “Lost” - Linkin Park
18. “Rich Men North of Richmond” - Oliver Anthony Music
17. “Madman’s Eyes” -  Dave Matthews Band
16. “If He Wanted to, He Would” - Kylie Morgan (2022-2023)
15. “Stuck” - Thirty Seconds to Mars
14. “Lavender Haze” - Taylor Swift (2022-2023)
13. “It Matters to Her” - Scotty McCreery (2021, 2022-2023)
12. “Curtains” - Ed Sheeran
11. “Need a Favor” - Jelly Roll
10. “What Was I Made For?” - Billie Eilish
9. “Praising You” - Rita Ora feat. Fatboy Slim
8. “Angry” - The Rolling Stones
7. “Flowers” - Miley Cyrus
6. “Golden Hour” - JVKE (2022-2023)
5. “Tennessee Orange” - Megan Moroney (2022-2023)
4. “Dance the Night” - Dua Lipa
3. “Attention” - Doja Cat
2. “Running Out of Time” - Paramore
1. “bad idea right?” - Olivia Rodrigo

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

Playlist: 40. “GOATED” - Armani White feat. Denzel Curry
39. “If I Die Young Pt. 2” - Kimberly Perry
38. “TRUSTFALL” - P!nk
37. “Standing Room Only” - Tim McGraw
36. “Dummy” - Portugal. The Man (Taco Bell ad)
35. “Dancin’ in the Country” - Tyler Hubbard (2022-2023)
34. “We Didn’t Start the Fire” - Fall Out Boy
33. “Made You Look” - Meghan Trainor
32. “Until I Found You” - Stephen Sanchez (2021-2023)
31. “Special” - Lizzo (2022-2023)
30. “Bury Me in Georgia” - Kane Brown (2021, 2023)
29. “On My Mama” - Victoria Monét
28. “Mountain With A View” - Kelsea Ballerini
27. “What He Didn’t Do” - Carly Pearce (2021-2023)
26. “Now And Then” - The Beatles
25. “TK421” - Lenny Kravitz
24. “Last Night” - Morgan Wallen
23. “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” - Sam Smith, Calvin Harris, Jessie Reyez (2022-2023)
22. “Character Development” - Allison Ponthier
21. “Fast Car” - Luke Combs

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists. 

Send us Fan Mail

If you love listening and learning about music, this is the podcast for you! I've always loved music as a hobby, and was involved in radio for a decade. I'll provide weekly music updates what's happening in throwbacks, modern hits, and media. Let's research facts about the topics trending in the headlines, taking "music notes." 

Support the show

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify playlists.