YET ANOTHER 5 songs you probably forgot about until you read this article

Yet Another 5 Songs you completely forgot about until you read this post

By: Brian Cotnoir

     Wow, my last post—and third in this edition—got such positive feedback that I just had to write another one, where I attempt to remind you songs that you—may have—completely forgot about.  Now, one thing I often overlook to when I compile these lists is artists who were semi-popular in the US, but were huge in their home countries.  So for some of these artists, you may be saying “Who the hell is that”?, but I do distinctly remember them having moderate—at best—success in the US.  So let’s not waste any more time, and let’s just have some fun memberin’.

1.) Southside by Moby ft. Gwen Stefani

oooooooooooooooooooooooo k??? 

Many things come to mind when you think of Gwen Stefani.  Some people remember her as the bada$$ lead singer of the band No Doubt, other people are more familiar with her pop songs and solo career, while other’s know her as one of the co-Hosts on the popular American reality show “The Voice”.  There’s no doubt (pun TOTALLY intended) that Gwen Stefani is one of the best and most influential female singers of all-time, and I believe that one of her most underappreciated works she has done was her collaboration on the song “Southside” with Moby.  I have no idea what genre of music Moby qualifies under.  I’ve heard some people say he’s a DJ, other people tell me he’s a producer, while others say he’s an experimental artist, but one thing is for certain, his song “Southside” is probably his greatest contribution to music, and including Gwen Stefani on the song was a brilliant move on his part. 

2.) Are you Jimmy Ray?- Jimmy Ray

It’s so weird to see how musicians today like Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Meghan Trainor, and the late Amy Whinehouse all seem to have that Retro-Inspired Sound in some of their music.  You know that sound that’s hybrid of pop-music and old 50’s and 60’s rock music?  Well, it’s amazing that everyone talks about how influential these artists are in creating and developing that sound, and yet never hear anyone talk about Jimmy Ray!  Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “Who the hell is Jimmy Ray?”.  Jimmy Ray is in English Pop/Rock Musician (so that’s probably the biggest reason you never heard of him, but what’s cool and interesting about Jimmy Ray was that he was creating Pop Music with a Retro sound style all the way back in 1998!  Jimmy Ray’s one and only hit “Are you Jimmy Ray” got some popular airplay (largely thanks to his music video) in early 1998.  The best way I can describe Jimmy Ray’s look and sound is early Elvis Presley meets Johnny Cash’s Man in Black, meets Buddy Holly, and meets George Michael’s “Faith” years.

3.) Blue- LeAnn Rimes

I grew up in a household with parents who loved country music.  Two country musicians I remember listening to a lot as a kid are Billy Ray Cyrus and LeAnn Rimes.  And you would think with the popularity of Female country singers like Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood Faith Hill, and ladies from Little Big Town, and Lady Antebellum that someone in music world would say “Hey, what about LeAnn Rimes?”.  You rarely hear people mention her name today, but “Blue”—a cover song she sang and recorded—when she was only 13 years old, blew up all over the radio in the 1990’s.  My parents had this album, all my aunts and uncles had this album and played it, and she was good.  She has a lot better voice than a lot of other women in country music today, so I just want to know why we don’t hear anything about LeAnn Rimes anymore, especially her early work on the radio.

4.) Gotta Tell You–Samantha Mumba

Another Irish Pop-Star that just couldn’t find a lot of success in the U.S. was Samantha Mumba.  Her only real success musically in the U.S. was her song “Gotta Tell You”, which I remember got a heavy rotation down at the roller rink the music video was featured a lot of Disney Channel in the 1990’s back when they used to play music videos for songs that were featured in some of their upcoming movies.  Samantha Mumba may not have found a lot of success in the U.S. as a musician, but she has found some success in her native Ireland...as an actress!  She’s appeared in a few films, and I actually saw her in a zombie horror-comedy film called “Boy Eats Girl” (believe me, the title is not as erotic as it sounds).  I couldn’t believe it was her when I saw it, but I’m glad to hear she is having some success.

5.) Sunny Came Home- Shawn Colvin

Originally, I was going to put “Where have all the cowboy’s gone” by Paula Cole on this list, but after consulting a few friends of mine, who told me that they still remember this song, and can actually sing the chorus to the song, proves to me that it’s a song that isn’t too far removed from people’s memories, but another song that I mentioned, from the same year that “Where have all the cowboy’s gone” didn’t ring a bell for any of them.  The other song I mentioned was “Sunny Came Home” by Shawn Colvin.  What’s crazy is this song one two Grammy’s for Song of the Year and Record of the Year—it actually beat out “where have all the cowboy’s gone” for both awards, and yet less people remember it.  When Shawn Colvin, I hope Sunny Come’s Home, and more people begin to remember your one hit song.

Well there you have it again, I hope once again that these songs brought back some good memories for you, and be sure to click the links below to check out the other songs we’ve talked about in the past.

ANOTHER 5 SONGS THAT YOU PROBABLY FORGOT ABOUT UNTIL YOU READ THIS ARTICLE

ANOTHER 5 songs that you've probably forgot about until you read this article

Another 5 Songs that you’ve probably forgot about until you read this article

By: Brian Cotnoir

Hello friends, how have you been?  Continuing my series I attempt to retrigger the memories of certain songs and musical acts from not too long ago, so I can bring on a feeling nostalgic euphoria.  Now, I’ve talked multiple times in the past about One-Hit Wonders on the blog, and attempt to figure out why makes them one-hit wonders, and discuss how it is possible we can actually forget some of these tracks for so long, and one day randomly think about it, and wait for the flood of memories to come back.   Well I’m hoping once again to attempt to help you recapture some of those feelings right now. 

1.) C’est la vie by B*Witched

This is the song that actually inspired this list.  You see the other day I was having a co-worker, and at the end they just through their hands up in the air and said the term “C’est la vie” (French for “such is life”) and then the next thing you know I’m walking through the halls singing “say you will/say you won’t/say you’ll do what I don’t/say you’re true/say to me c’est la vie”.  Yes “C’est la vie” the one hit song from the Irish girl group B*Witched.  You probably remember this song from the Disney Chanel original TV movie “Smart House”, you know the one where the boy wins the robotic house, that’s voiced by Katy Segal, and then he reprograms it, and she goes all Hal-9000 on them?  See a double Nostalgia Whammy for you, you’re welcome.  It’s clear that B*Witched was trying to be like the Irish equivalent of the Spice Girls, but they came way up short, and I think they have more in common with the A-Teens then they do the Spice Girls.  Still not a bad song though.

2.) Crazy for this Girl by Evan and Jaron

Before the airwaves were dominated with faux-sensitive, soft sing, piano playing whiny babies like Lukas Graham and Charlie Puth, there faux-sensitive soft singing, guitar playing fools like Evan and Jaron.  I will give these twin brothers some credit, this was a really catch song, and you got the feeling that they actually were trying to write a good song and not just some commercial pandering love ballad.  I haven’t really heard much about them as of late, but I had a friend in college who told me that Jaron has since gone solo and now performs as a Country act.  I’m not really into country music, but I can only hope that for those who go to see him perform live that he breaks out this song he wrote and performed with his brother at the end of his set.

3.) If you’re not the one by Daniel Bedingfield

     For the longest time I—along with many other people—thought that this was a song by Savage Garden, but years later I learned that it was not Savage Garden who wrote and performed this song, but rather a British singer/songwriter by the name of Daniel Bedingfield who is the brother of Brit-Pop Singer, Natasha Bedinfield.   Well, when you have a more famous sibling, and a majority of people think that a song you wrote and performed was played by another group, you can’t really expect to have much of a music career, and I think Daniel Bedingfield should be happy that his career made it this far.

4.) Handlebars by Flobots

I know people who absolutely despise Rap and Hip-Hop music, but still thoroughly enjoy and will sing the lyrics to the song “Handlebars” by Flobots.  I can’t really blame them, the song starts off simple guitar riff, and just gets louder and more bombastic as it gets on.  It’s a song that tells the story of two different paths taken by friends to become somebody in the world, and you know what it’s super catchy, enjoyable, relatable, has message that I think we all can understand, and you know what: if you don’t like this song, I think there’s something really wrong with you.

5.) Together Again by Janet Jackson

I feel like a lot people forget that Janet Jackson was an accomplished singer in her career.  You don’t really hear a lot of people talk about her musical career, when compared to her famous brother Michael, and her other brothers in the Jackson 5.  Even when people do talk about Janet Jackson, it’s mostly about her early tracks, but she was still making good music even in the late 90’s.  One such example of her great songwriting comes from the song “Together Again”, a ballad that was transformed into a Pop song.  It’s a song she—supposedly—wrote to deal with the grief after losing a good friend of hers to AIDS, but surprisingly has an optimistic beat and melody to it.  I feel like when some people are sad their first instinct is to play out their emotions with something sad and somber like Adele to help them get through whatever it is they are dealing with, but I honestly think Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” would be a much better choice, because you could not only sing along to it, but you can also dance your bad feelings out to it as well.

So there you have it Another 5 songs that you’ve probably forgot about until you read this article.  Did this list bring back any fond memories for you?  What are some other songs that you feel like people forget about too often?  Let me know in the comment section, and as always thanks for reading and be sure to check out some of our other articles on Asylum for Nerds

5 MORE songs you've probably forgot about until you read this article

Top 5 Underrated Disney Songs

Top 5 Underrated Disney Songs

By: Brian Cotnoir

Let’s talk about Disney again, shall we?  Equally as Iconic as the films themselves, Disney has given us some of the most memorable film soundtracks of all-time.  From the soundtrack of “Snow White” which not only was the first full-length animated feature made, but also was the first commercially issued film soundtrack made available for sale to the public, to the Academy Award Winning works of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.  Disney is responsible for some of the most memorable and beloved songs of all-time.  However, for every song in a Disney film like “Pinocchio’s” “When You Wish Upon a Star” or “Frozen’s” “Let it Go”, you’ll end up with one that falls flat like “Scrumps” from “Sleeping Beauty”, and then every now and then there’s a song that isn’t disliked, but it just somehow becomes forgotten.  Maybe it was because the film wasn’t well received or maybe it got outshined, by another more popular song from the film, but for whatever reason these are my Top 5 Underrated Disney Songs.

5.) Higitus Figitus from “The Sword in the Stone”

     I truly believe that this is the most underappreciated Disney film out there today.  For all the talk of Disney Princess’s there is on the internet, you rarely ever here anyone talk about a Disney King’s.  Yes Kings have played some minor roles in Disney films, but “The Sword in the Stone” is the first film that’s main character actually becomes a King, and he didn’t start out as a Prince like Phillip, Eric, or Hans, he starts out as an orphan peasant and becomes a King!  Probably the best song in the “Sword in the Stone” has to be a fun little song called “Higitus Figitus” sung by the wizard, Merlin.  Merlin sings the song when he’s packing up his home.

4.) Everybody wants to be a cat from “The Aristocats”

     I’m not going to lie; this is one of the most boring films Disney has ever created, but “The Aristocats” isn’t without some merits.  It’s strongest (and probably only good part of the film) is the song “Everybody wants to be a Cat”, a song that starts off as a smooth Jazz number, before transitioning into a real swinging party song by the end.

3.) Let’s get Together from “The Parent Trap” (1961)

     I only knew of this song from a “Disney Sing-A-Long Video” that my grandparents had when I was a kid.  My older sister and I used to sing this song when we were younger.  Yes, long before the days of Lindsay Lohan, Disney had an earlier film version of “The Parent Trap”.  I’ve never seen the original, but I still remember this song after all these years.  The plot to the film is pretty much identical to the remake Disney did in the 90’s with Lindsay Lohan.  The actress was Haley Mills, who would later go on to appear in an TV show called “Good Morning Miss Bliss”, which would later be renamed as the more popular, “Saved by the Bell”.  I must say though just judging from this one scene in the film that I know, Lindsay Lohan’s fake British accent is a thousand times better than Hayley Mills fake American accent.

2.) The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind from “The Great Mouse Detective”

It is said that Disney Studios created Professor Ratigan in “The Great Mouse Detective” specifically for Vincent Price.  I’ve also heard reports that Professor Ratigan was Price’s favorite role.  It should come as no surprise that someone who was so invested in a role gave one of the Best singing performances in any Disney film.  Yes, the Villain’s in Disney films typically do get an awesome song, but Price’s delivery in the song “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” truly makes it one of the best Villain songs ever.  Just listen to Price sing, he clearly loves how bad his character is in this film.

1.) I’m Still Here (Jims Theme) from “Treasure Planet”

     I remember this Sci-Fi version of Robert Louis Stevensons Treasure Island for two reasons: 1.) I am a Steampunk Hobbyist, and there is definitely a great deal of Steampunk influence in “Treasure Planet” and 2.) The Amazing song written and performed by John Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls.  Rzeznik was no stranger to writing scores to films.  His song “Iris” which he wrote for the soundtrack to the film “The City of Angels” helped propel his band into the spotlight.  Years later he would be hired by Disney to write a title track and Theme song for the films main character, Jim.  While “I’m still here” wasn’t as popular on the charts as “Iris” (possibly because it was written for a kids for a film), it is still a great song, and in my opinion the most underrated Disney Song ever recorded.

My First Album (Part I)

My First Album

An Article Compiled/Edited by Brian Cotnoir

The other day when I was at work, we were listening to the radio when “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield started playing.  My boss immediately exclaimed with enthusiasm that the first album she ever owned was a Rick Springfield album that her older sister bought for her.  Then that got me thinking; what was the first album I ever owned?  I had to think about it, like really really have to think about it.  Then it came to me, and then it got me thinking that there are probably many other unique and interesting stories about people’s first exposure to music?  Who did they listen to? How old were they?  What memories do they have of that first album? Do they still like that kind of music?  So here I am with a new music segment on the blog that I like to call “My First Album” where people come to share the memories of the first album they ever owned.  I’d like to thank all my participants, and without further delay here is the story of my first album and many other peoples.

PERSON: Brian C.

FIRST ALBUM: Slam Dunk (Da Funk) (Single) by Five

FAVORITE SONG on it: Slam Dunk (Da Funk)

MEMORIES OF IT: My older sister gave it to me. It used to be hers, but she told me I could have it.  I liked it because the CD had a basketball design on it.  I didn’t have a CD player at the time, so I would always have to borrow my older sisters in order to listen to it.

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: No.  Not really.

PERSON: Karen J.

FIRST ALBUM: “Herb Alpert’s Ninth“ by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

FAVORITE SONG on it: The Happening

MEMORIES OF IT: My parents bought the album for me when I was 13. I remember playing the air trumpet along with them…you know like air guitar.  I thought I sounded like Herb Alpert.

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: Absolutely

PERSON: Robert D.

FIRST ALBUM: Godsmack (Self-titled)

FAVORITE SONG on it: Voodoo

MEMORIES OF IT: Getting a portable CD Player and having the album on repeat the whole summer [of 1999], when I visited my father as we traveled to Cape Cod and places

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: Godsmack isn’t the same to me now.  I listened to that a similar amount of times a few years later.  It was really when they were fairly new, but not as it came out.

PERSON: Lauren E.

FIRST ALBUM: SGT Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles

FAVORITE SONG on it: She’s Leaving Home

MEMORIES OF IT: [I remember] listening to it over and over with my parents and sister and lip synching into the TV remote like it was a microphone and the [albums] cover.  I would always try to figure out who all the people on the cover were.

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: Hell yes!

PERSON: Liv S.

FIRST ALBUM: Tragic Kingdom

FAVORITE SONG ON IT: “Just a girl”, but I was only about 4 when I first heard it.

MEMORIES OF IT: Sitting in the back seat of my mom’s gold Pathfinder then rediscovering the album in 8^th grade and thinking I was punk as hell, but it was a gateway to better punk to be honest.

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?:  I haven’t in a while because it’s not my thing anymore, but it still brings back fond memories.

PERSON: Mike D.

FIRST ALBUM: Bat out of Hell II by Meatloaf

FAVORITE SONG on it: “I would do anything for love”

MEMORIES OF IT: I would do anything for love, but I can’t do that

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: Yeah when I hear the songs [because] I lost the CD

PERSON: Etel E.

FIRST ALBUM: Abigail by King Diamond

FAVORITE SONG on it: Abigail

MEMORIES OF IT:I tink attempting to hit the high notes on the beach where I used to live every morning.  I’ll never be as good as the King!

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: Every week! And I got to see the album in its entirety played live last year as well.

PERSON: Elly A.

FIRST ALBUM: Oops...I did it again by Britney Spears

FAVORITE SONG on it: Stronger

MEMORIES OF IT: My Uncle gave it to me when I was 7.  I used to try to act the songs a lot, like choreograph dances and scenes for a video

DO YOU STILL ENJOY LISTENING TO IT?: I haven’t listened to it in a while, but when I hear songs from it, I still get fond feelings.

5 MORE songs you've probably forgot about until you read this article

5 More Songs you’ve probably forgot about until you read this article

By: Brian Cotnoir

     Is there any more enjoyable feeling than riding in a car listening to a radio, when all of a sudden they start playing a song that you loved, but haven’t heard or thought about for 10-15 years?  I think not!  It’s amazing how quickly a certain song can bring back so many fond memories of a time not-so-long-ago.  Maybe it was a song you remember hearing for the first time at a school dance or was playing when you had your first kiss, or maybe you just have fond memories of riding in the car with your friends singing these song lyrics as loud as you can, for whatever reason, these songs often get shuffled into the bottom of the CD pile, but are easily remembered when heard for the first time in a long time, and I am here again to count down 5 more songs that you’ve probably forgotten about until now.

1.) Everywhere by Michelle Branch

Somewhere between Liz Phair & Alanis Morissette and Taylor Swift & Adele, there was Michelle Branch.  She was cute girl with an acoustic guitar before that became a genre of music.  In many ways you could consider her to be an Indie Artist, but she was much more than that.  Her debut single “Everywhere” off her album “The Spirit Room” launched her into the mainstream music scene. Michelle Branch had some moderate success in the early 2000’s.  She even won a Grammy in 2003 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for her performance of “Game of Love” with Rock N Roll Legend Carlos Santana.  However, this was also a time when the most popular female recording artists were Pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. And unlike other similar artists—such as Avril Lavigne and Nelly Furtado— who jumped on the Pop Princess bandwagon, Michelle Branch stayed true to herself and unfortunately faded into obscurity.  

"Everywhere' Michelle Branch music video

2.) Back Here by BBMak

It should come as a surprise to no one who reads my music Top 5’s, but I am quite fond of Boy Bands.  I just think they’re really awesome.  I’m not sure if BBMak technically counts as a Boy Band, but for arguments sake, I’m going to say that they are one.  BBMak wasn’t like other Boy Bands at the time; there were only 3 of them instead of the usual 5, and they were British.  Their debut single “Back Here” made swarms of young girl’s hearts melt, and I think this is one of the most underappreciated songs released by a Boy Band.  I’m dead serious when I say this, Boy Bands are so old they’re retro now, and they’re making a comeback on radio, and I think it is solemn duty call our local radio stations and request that they play more BBMak, and hopefully that will lead to a much overdue BBMak reunion tour.  Maybe they can go on tour with 5ive? or Take That?  I’d pay money to see that show.

"Back Here" - BBMak music video

3.) Hero by Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott

It seems like each time I do one of these music reviews, I’m a little bit nicer to Chad Kroeger (but somehow get even more cruel to Avril Lavigne, but enough about her), and I think one of his few positive contributions to Popular Music is his song “Hero” which appeared on the “Spiderman” movie soundtrack.  “Spiderman” was released in theaters only a few months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and since the film was set in New York City, this film became a must see for many grieving American’s.  I don’t know whether or not “Hero” was planned to be included on the soundtrack before or after 9/11, but this song became an Anthem for many Americans (myself included).  “Hero” is not only a song for a superhero like Spiderman, but it also echoed true with America’s admiration for its real life superheroes, the members of the NYPD & FDNY. This song was the biggest deal when it was released and it’s ashamed it doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves.

Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott "Hero" music video

4.) C’Mon N’ Ride it (The Train) by Quad City DJ’s

I’m not really a fan or Rap or Hip-Hop, but if I had to pick a favorite subgenre, I’d have to say it’s definitely Miami bass.  Bands like Tag Team, 2 Live Crew, and Quad City DJ’s have produced some of my favorite dance tracks.  Tracks, like “C’mon N’ Ride it (the Train)” by Florida’s Quad City DJ’s is one of those tracks.  This is a pure party song, and I can remember hearing it fondly being played down at my local roller rink, and everyone skating and having a good time.  We need more DJ’s to play this song not only on the radio, but at weddings, high school dances, house parties, and everywhere else.

Quad City DJ's "C'Mon N' Ride It (The Train)" music video

5.) It Happens Every Time (Dream Street) by Dream Street

The final nail in Boy Band Coffin of the late 90’s and early 2000’s has to Dream Street.  They were one of the last boy bands to have success radio stations began to shift away from this kind of music in favor of Rap and Hip-Hop Artists like Eminem, 50-Cent, Ludacris, Outkast, and many others.  Unlike, other boy bands at the time that featured grown men in the early to mid-20’s, Dream Street consisted of actual teenage boys, the most popular and famous of which was Jesse McCartney, who would later become Disney’s early 2000’s version of Zac Efron, before a company like Disney knew what to do with a Zac Efron.  Unlike other Boy Bands who broke up after they became famous, Dream Street broke up just before they became famous, because the parents claimed that the groups producers exposed them to things like booze and pornography. 

"It Happens Every Time"- Dream Street music video

5 Songs you've probably forgot about until you read this article (PART I)

5 of the Best Bands of the 90's that you've never heard of

5 of the Best Bands of the 90’s that you’ve never heard of

By: Brian Cotnoir

I’m so glad this remembering how awesome the 90’s was is still a trend.  I love turning on the radio and still being to hear awesome musical acts such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Bush, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Oasis, and many other great bands.  However, there were so many other bands that didn’t get as much credit as the other groups in the 90’s for whatever reasons; maybe it was a lack of play on radio or MTV, maybe they were only popular around one geographic location, maybe they didn’t have a record label that could distribute their records to a wide enough audience, or maybe the band was only together for a very short time.  Any who, we are fortunate enough to live in a time where we have a much wider access to music (both old and new) and I’m here to pay tribute to those bands who deserved more credit and notoriety in the 90’s.

1.) Silverchair

Now this is one band that I’ll never understand how they never became more successful in the U.S.  Everyone talks about the Seattle Grunge scene in the 90’s, and scores of fans proclaimed their love for two of the biggest bands from Seattle: Nirvana and Pearl Jam.  And one band managed to encompass the best parts of both those bands; that band was Silverchair.  This Alt Rock Band from Australia wrote and recorded their first album when they were just 14, and they had some mild success in the U.S. early in their careers, but they just didn’t have the staying power of most groups of that time, which is crazy considering how long they’ve lasted.  Silverchair’s original line up (Daniel Johns, Chris Janou, and Ben Gillies) played together for over 20 years, and when you consider that Nirvana’s final line up (Cobain, Novoselic, and Grohl) was around for only 3  years and is still considered one of the most successful bands at all time, it’s amazing that Silverchair wasn’t as popular.

Tomorrow

Ana's Song (Open Fire)

2.) HUM

Another obscure band from the 90’s has to be Champaign, Illinois, HUM.  Now people say that Weezer was the dorkiest looking band of the 90’s, but I’d make the argument that award should probably go to HUM.  I also think that was the ultimate downfall of the band HUM, other than having a pretty silly band name, the band really did not have any member who stood out that could be the face of the band.

Stars

3.) Veruca Salt

Staying in the state of Illinois we have another band named after the spoiled brat from the Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  What’s most surprising about Veruca Salt’s lack of success is that the band was fronted by two attractive young women, Louise Post and Nina Gordon.  Now you would have thought in the same time with other popular female musicians and bands like L-7, Alanis Morissette, Liz Phair, and The Breeders that they would have been able to stand the test of time, but alas Veruca Salt faded into obscurity.  However, I was beyond thrilled a few years back when they made live appearance and performance of their biggest hit “Seether” on the Conan O’ Brien show.  And by the way, did you know that the rock band Seether, took their name from that song too?  Just goes to show that the unknowing influence they’ve had on your musical tastes.

Veruca Salt perform "Seether" live at Glastonbury

4.) School of Fish

School of Fish should have been one of those quintessential 90’s groups, but surprisingly they didn’t last that long.  The band called it quits in 1994, and unfortunately their lead singer and rhythm guitarist Josh Clayton-Fell passed away in 2000 from testicular cancer, so there’s no chance of them reuniting.  However, the other members of the group have gone on to find some success in the music industry, and the band did leave us with one of the Most 90’s Music Videos of All-Time, for their song “Three Strange Days”.

3 Strange Days

5.) Local H

And we take one more trip back to Illinois to talk about another band from just outside of Chicago.  I’ve actually had the pleasure of seeing Local H play live when I was in college (it was the first show I ever went to without my parents).  This two man group managed to have some success in the mid 90’s touring the U.S. with Silverchair, and despite the fact that Scott Lucas is the only remaining member of the group, the band continue to be known for their energetic live shows, and their most popularly recognized song “Bound for the Floor”.

"Bound for the Floor"

Local H performing "Eddie Vedder" live

5 Other Great songs by One-Hit Wonders (Part II)

5 Other Great Songs by One-Hit Wonders (Part II)

By: Brian Cotnoir

     Hello all.  Well once again I’m here to talk about something I’m particularly fond of—at least musically—One-Hit Wonders!  You know, I’ve always been intrigued by the term “One-Hit Wonder; I think in order for any band or artist to have any success they need to have some credibility and/or fan following.  Just because they didn’t maintain popularity in the mainstream doesn’t mean they don’t have any other good songs in their set list.  And now I’m back here again to bring you another edition of 5 Other Great Songs by “One-Hit Wonders”.

1.) Say it isn’t so by The Outfield

YOU KNOW THEM FOR:

Since my days in college I’ve slowly seen 1980’s English New Wave band, The Outfield, gain more and more popularity in the United States.  Of course, their biggest and most well-known hit has to be “Your Love”—a song with an opening riff so simplistic than even a talent-less hack like me could figure out how to play it on guitar in under 5 minutes—but this isn’t the only good song.  For me personally, I think The Outfield’s best track has to be “Say it isn’t so”; an awesome rock ballad about trying to find lost love again.  I’m actually surprised that this wasn’t a bigger follow up hit to “Your Love”.  I think at the very least The Outfield should have been popular in the US until the Grunge Movement went mainstream.

2.) Miserable by Lit

YOU KNOW THEM FOR:

Lit is that band that you’ve heard of that you just aren’t aware you’ve heard of.  Pretty much everyone knows them for their popular song “My Own Worst Enemy”, but they have one other song that I actually think is better.  “Miserable” is a more somber and much heavier song, and really the own reason most people know this song is because of the accompanying music video that features the band sing on top of a giant bikini-clad Pamela Anderson.  “Miserable” also features one of the best opening lyrical verses in the history of rock:

“You make me cum/you make me complete/you make me completely miserable”

This is a perfect song or any person whose been broken up with a person who everyone had already told them was wrong for them.  I thoroughly enjoy this song whether I’m watching it’s hilariously entertaining music video or listening to it on the radio in my car.

3.) Tsunami by Steriogram

YOU KNOW THEM FOR:

This New Zealand Punk-Pop Quartet got famous after their song was sampled for an early IPod commercial, and I know so many people who try to sing this song as fast and as well as the bands vocalist Tyson Kennedy (but I can’t be the only one that’s realized the songs opening riff is just a sped up verson of Green Day’s “Warning”).  However Steriogram has a number of other great songs such as “White Trash”, “On and On”, and “Tsunami”.

4.) Shelf in the Room by Days of the New

YOU KNOW THEM FOR:

When you’re debut single spends a (then) record 16 Weeks in the #1 spot on Billboards Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, it’s going to be hard to follow that act up.  However, I think the bands singer/songwriter/guitarist Travis Meekes found the perfect counter track with “Shelf in the Room”.  It’s more mellow, more somber, and has some more serious lyrical content, but still rocks as hard as “Touch, Peel, and Stand”.

5.) Heavy by Collective Soul  

YOU KNOW THEM FOR:

Georgia Alt Rock band, Collective Soul had the unfortunateness of being a Post-Grunge Band when mainstream radio listeners were starting to move away from that distinctive sound.  They are known primarily for the heavy distorted rock track “Shine”, but they actually have a great number of songs that keep them playing on the 90’s Alt Rock Festival circuit with bands like Eve 6, Smashmouth, Gin Blossoms.  One of those tracks is “Heavy”.  If you played NHL 2001 back in the day on the Original Sony PlayStation you remember hearing this song playing every time you started playing the game.  It’s a great song with a fast heavy riff and is every bit as enjoyable “Shine”.

5 Other Great Songs by One-Hit Wonders (Part I)

The Top 5 Worst Avril Lavigne Lyrics

Top 5 Worst Avril Lavigine Lyrics:

By: Brian Cotnoir

I remember when I first saw Avril Lavigne on TV back when I was in middle school.  She was this cute, but fun looking Punk-Pop Princess, who wrote and sang her own songs.  She was the exact opposite of other female popstars of the time like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera...then two albums later she completely contradicted everything she claimed on her first album, and became everything she implied she would never become; a pop music diva sellout. It’s so weird how the songs she wrote and recorded when she was 17 are so much deeper and better than the songs she writes as an adult...maybe marrying Chad Kroeger just sucked out all her remaining talent(?).  Well today I am here to countdown the worst lyrics Avril Lavigine has written to date.

5.) Anything but Ordinary

This song is called “Anything But Ordinary”, but these lyrics are pretty ordinary (ordinarily bad to be more specific).  Just the opening line alone:

“Sometimes I get so weird/I even freak myself out/I laugh myself to sleep it’s my lullaby”

Those lines sound like something a moody teenager would post on their MySpace Page back in the early 2000’s.  That’s just awful 

4.) Happy Ending

From one brooding emo girl song to another one.  This songs title may sound like a dirty massage parlor story, but actually it sounds more like a bad poem you’d find in an angsty 12-year-old girls diary.  The worst lyrical offender in “Happy Ending” is:

“This is the hardest story that I’ve ever told/No Hope or love or glory/Happy Ending’s gone forevermore”

Wow, she sounds like she’s really trying to force an Edgar Allen Poe reference there.  One thing’s for certain, when this song finally comes to an end, it’s a happy ending for all who are forced to listen to it.

3.) Hello Kitty

Of course Avril Lavigine would have a song about “Hello Kitty”; I mean it’s approximately 1/3 of the merchandise sold at the Hot Topic where she buys all her clothes, but man oh man is this this a bad song.  Just take a look at these lyrics:

“Come come Kitty Kitty/you’re so pretty pretty/Don’t go Kitty Kitty/play with me”

This is God Awful case of Cultural Misappropriation.  It has next to nothing to do with the Hello Kitty brand.  It sounds more like a song a cat owner makes up and says to their cat when they want their cut to stop being a jerk and come sit with them.  These song lyrics are so moronic and cheesy that it makes “Smelly Cat” from “Friends” sound like freaking Mozart!

I'd rather hear "Goodbye, Avril!"

2.) Girlfriend

Okay, seriously how the hell did Avril Lavigne go from writing a well thought out song like “Complicated” when she was 17 and then revert back to this preteen garbage.  I refuse to believe that any self-respecting adult could write anything this bad.  This song (once again) sounds like it was written by a 12-year-old.

“Hey, hey, you, you I don’t like your girlfriend/no way, no way, I think you need a new one/hey, hey, you, you I could be your girlfriend/Hey, hey, you, you, I know that you like me/no way, no way, no, no it’s not a secret/hey, hey, you, you I want to be your girlfriend”

Okay Avril, I level with you: No...I do not want you to be my girlfriend.  I’d rather you just shut the f*ck up!  For someone who claimed they weren’t Preppy on their debut album and the importance of being honest and true to yourself you’ve certain come a long way to contradict every single thing your first album stood for.  

1.) Sk8er Boi

I’m so glad people don’t type like they used to on AIM anymore.  Hey remember back when Avril first came onto the scene and she presented herself as a Skate Punk Rocker? Well if it wasn’t obvious to you then maybe her song “Sk8er Boi” could make it more obvious for you.  It’s the story of a Skater Boy who once dated a Preppy girl and how her friends didn’t approve of him, and so she broke up with him, and now Avril’s with said Skater Boy and the two of them are happy. Okay, but seriously this:

“He was a skater boy/she said see you later boy/she had a pretty face/but her head was up in space/she needed to come back down to earth”???

What the hell Avril?  That is one of the worst rhyming clusters I’ve ever heard in a song.  This song is bad, which is to be expected of Ms. Lavgine, and it’s kind of sad.  She started out as a strong, independent, pop rock icon, but quickly switched over to the generic soulless, pop princess music genre.  For Shame on you Avril Lavigine, for shame!

The Top 5 Worst Nirvana Lyrics