Category: Throwback Threesday

#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday: Avril Lavigne – ‘Complicated’, ‘Sk8er Boi’ & ‘I’m With You’

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Avril Lavigne – ‘Complicated’

Avril Lavigne first burst onto the scene with her infectious, mellow pop rock single, ‘Complicated’ back in May 2002 (15 years ago!!!) and it skyrocketed to the Top 3 spots all around the globe!

The music video was fun and saw Lavigne crashing a mall and getting up to mischief but also performing scenes in a skate park – such an iconic look for the singer.

The song was also nominated for two Grammy Awards and featured on her debut album, Let Go.

Avril Lavigne – ‘Sk8er Boi’

Then, later in 2002, Avril Lavigne released her follow-up single, and one of my favourite songs of hers, ‘Sk8er Boi’. This song was also a huge commercial success for her around the globe and also scored her a Grammy nomination in 2003.

A much more upbeat track to her debut, and far more punky, the video is equally as mischievous, if not more so; the singer sets up a guerilla performance which people flock to, causing chaos and anarchy in the streets. The police try to track her down as she smashes her guitar through a windscreen, before a police copter hovers over her. It’s such an epic video for an awesome, catchy yet punchy song. That green t-shirt and red tie combo had fan girls emulating her across the globe.

Avril Lavigne – ‘I’m With You’

Lastly, ‘I’m With You’ was the third single from her debut album and another favourite of mine. It was the first ballad Avril Lavigne released as a single and scored her yet another Grammy nomination in 2004. It’s a song that’s brimming with passion and even has hints of country to it; an epic song.

The music video sees Lavigne spend a lot of time alone, wandering the streets in search of someone. It is interspersed with party footage but all shot in slow-motion, making it look all the more spectacular.

This song just went on to cement the diversity Avril Lavigne has in her songwriting – she is just awesome. End of.

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#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday: Craig David

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Craig David has had some amazing songs in his time! Since we featured his latest track ‘One More Time‘ earlier this week, it seemed like a good idea to revisit some of his older songs for #ThrowbackThursday, coz man has the guy had some hits!

‘7 Days’ was released 16 years ago, back in 2000, and was taken from his debut album ‘Born To Do It’ and it reached Number 1 in the UK charts…that’s because it’s awesome! A true R&B song which shows off David’ vocal abilities well, this song was destined for success, with a modest video too!

Craig David – ‘7 Days’

It was then in 2002 that Craig David released the first single from his follow-up album, ‘What’s Your Flava?’ Many people might have found the lyrics a little cringy; comparing girls to ice cream flavours, but the song is catchy as hell!

It went on to reach Number 8 in the UK charts and saw him add a touch of dance to his R&B sound.

Craig David – ‘What’s Your Flava?’

Then in 2003, Craig David released his second song from the album Slicker Than Your Average, called ‘Hidden Agenda’.

Although this song reached Number 10 in the UK charts (not as good as his previous releases), I have chosen to feature this as the third song, because I feel it was a bit of a hidden gem. It’s much less obviously catchy than his other singles but is one of my favourite songs of his.

Whilst the song still remains R&B at heart, its use of guitar is calming and unique and really captivates me every time I hear it. It also saw Craig David team up with previous collaborator and Artful Dodger producer, Mark Hill.

It was then in 2010 that Craig David appeared to take a break from music, but thankfully, he’s back and 2016 looks set to be an awesome year for him!

Craig David – ‘Hidden Agenda’

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#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday: Lady Sovereign

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Man, I miss Lady Sovereign! She’s been off the scene since about 2009 now, but she had some awesome songs, so this one’s for SOV!

In 2005, Lady Sov released her second single, ‘9 To 5’, which gained her much popularity on certain TV channels, even though it reached only Number 33 in the UK charts. It was also taken from her debut album, ‘Public Warning’ which was released on Def Jam. The song also contains a sample from the British film, Time Bandits and went on to be remixed by the British indie band, The Ordinary Boys – which went on to reach Number 6 in the UK charts!

Lady Sovereign – ‘9 To 5’

It was then in 2006 that Lady Sovereign released her fourth single from Public Warning, ‘Love Me Or Hate Me’, which was another big song for her! It was featured in the US television series’, The O.C. and Ugly Betty as well as in the video game, Need For Speed: Carbon.

The video for the song sees Sov appearing in Tetris-style blocks and acting out certain lyrics to the song.

Lady Sovereign – ‘Love Me Or Hate Me’

The last song I’m featuring today, was actually the first official single release for Lady Sovereign, from her debut album Public Warning and saw her sign to Def Jam Recordings shortly after. Similarly to ‘Love Me Or Hate Me’ it too was featured on The O.C. and CSI: NY and in the video game Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition.

This song is just good, fun grime and doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s what makes it great!

Lady Sovereign – ‘Random’

What do you think of Lady Sovereign? Were you a fan? Do you miss her?! I do…come back SOV! What would your #ThrowbackThursday choice be? Share it with us in a comment or on social media.

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#ThrowbackThursday: Muzik Speaks’ 1st Birthday Playlist

In celebration of our 1st Birthday this week, we’ve been bringing you special playlists and today is our #ThrowbackThursday playlist! Enjoy 🙂

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Muzik Speaks turned 1 year old this week and to celebrate this milestone, we’ve been giving you themed playlists, for each day this week. The playlists contain all of the songs we’ve featured on our blog during the past year, all themed around the corresponding day.

Today, it’s #ThrowbackThursday and our playlist can be found below.

If you want to download the songs and use a custom cover for them, here’s one we’ve made for you 🙂

ThrowbackThursday Cover.jpg

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Follow the playlist – https://open.spotify.com/user/muzik5peaks/playlist/78G7XoUb7u1KkIuTGzBI9L

#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday – Adam & The Ants

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Released back in 1981, ‘Stand and Deliver’ reached Number 1 in the UK charts, with its glam punk, new wave sound.

The video was iconic and pictured Adam Ant and the band dressed in highwayman gear – the style of the band, certainly helped promote the band’s popularity and made them stand out from the rest.

Adam & The Ants – ‘Stand And Deliver’

Following the success of their previous single, Adam and the Ants released the title-track from their third album, and scored their second UK Number 1 in a row.

Still in the same glam punk style and genre, Adam Ant made a reappearance as the highwayman in the video, however dressed early-on, as a male Cinderella. Not quite as catchy as ‘Stand and Deliver’ but still packs a punch.

Adam & The Ants – ‘Prince Charming’

It was in 1982 that Adam Ant broke away from his band and released his first, incredible, solo single, ‘Goody Two Shoes’.

The single also rocketed to Number 1 in the UK charts and scored him, his third Number 1 in the space of a year.

The video breaks away from some of the highwayman imager, however still maintains the fantastic glam punk style and this song is catchy as hell! I defy anyone not to adore this incredible song!

Adam Ant – ‘Goody Two Shoes’

What do you think of Adam Ant? Were you a fan back in the day? Have I just introduced you to his work; what are your thoughts? I can’t get enough of these tracks right now, so please share this link on your social media accounts.

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#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday: Eminem

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Released back in 2000, ‘The Real Slim Shady’ was the first single to be taken from Eminem‘s The Marshall Mathers LP. It was Eminem‘s first single to reach Number 1 in the UK charts and its tongue-in-cheek nature might well have been some of the reason for its huge success. In addition, the music video corresponded with the lyrical content, which further added to appeal of the song.

It was an incredible track and truly was the track to springboard for his career, here in the UK.

Eminem – ‘The Real Slim Shady’

‘The Way I Am’ was the second single to be taken from The Marshall Mathers LP and it took a much darker tone than ‘The Real Slim Shady’. This track was solely written and produced by Marshall Mathers which might explain its more emotionally-driven sound.

The song took jabs at various people he felt were putting pressure on him to achieve greater success. He also brought up the media backlash that Marilyn Manson faced after the shootings at Columbine High School – something which it would appear Mathers felt was unjust.

The song reach Number 8 in the UK charts, but fans appreciate his more mature lyrical content.

Eminem – ‘The Way I Am’

In 2002, Eminem released a feature film called 8 Mile which was very loosely connected with his own upbringing, but filled with entirely fictional events. He wrote the theme song for the movie, which was ‘Lose Yourself’.

The song went on to receive several awards including the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song – an award which is well deserved. The song had some of Eminem‘s best rapping to date – his passion shone through spectacularly. What an incredible song!

Eminem – ‘Lose Yourself’

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#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday: Disney’s Mary Poppins

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Oh Mary Poppins; what a truly sensational film! I recently re-watched the film for the first time in many years and I had forgotten just how magical it was! The music is incredible too; Julie Andrew’s voice is a force to be reckoned with!

The story is adapted and loosely based on some of the novels by UK author, P. L. Travers. Travers had several meetings with Walt Disney to discuss how he was and was not allowed to produce the film in relation to her character, Mary Poppins. These rather challenging meetings have since been turned into a film themselves, Saving Mr Banks.

The first song I want to include (‘Sister Suffragette’) is one which is based on the political movements at the time the film was set and shows Mrs Banks in support of the Suffragette’s in her own boisterous way.

Mary Poppins – ‘Sister Suffragette’

‘The Life I Lead’ is the next song and it also relates to way life was back then. It sees a rather detached yet forceful father, who wants the have children and wants the best for them, but wants no hand in raising them. This rather tongue-in-cheek song is amusing and proves to be another stand-out track for me.

Mary Poppins – ‘The Life I Lead’

Lastly is the rather obvious track, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’; it’s a global favourite from the film and encompasses all the joys the film holds. Julie Andrews’ delivery of the song is perfect and cements the film in everyone’s minds. I don’t think it matters how many times you hear this song, it’s still as brilliant as the first time I heard it. It’s timeless.

Mary Poppins – ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’

What do you think of Mary Poppins? Have you got any different, favourite tracks from the film? Please share this with others on your social media accounts, thanks!

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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The Mary Poppins soundtrack is available for download now – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/mary-poppins-50th-anniversary/id738030537

#ThrowbackThursday / #ThrowbackThreesday: Missy Elliott

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Missy Elliott Banner

This week’s #ThrowbackThursday post is a special #ThrowbackThreesday (like May’s Will Smith post).

I decided that I wanted to post a Missy Elliott track this week but couldn’t decide which one to choose; I was left with 3 epic tunes of hers to share so thought, why not share them all!

Back in 2001, Missy Elliott really broke into the UK mainstream, with her Top 5 hit, ‘Get Ur Freak On’ (taken from her 2001 album, ‘Miss E… So Addictive’). The track was produced by Timbaland and has a heavy bhangra influence, featuring spoken words in both Japanese and Hindi.

Missy Elliott – ‘Get Ur Freak On’

This track was later followed up by another Top 10 hit, in 2002, ‘Work It’ (taken from her 2002 album, ‘Under Construction’) and this song became notable for her use of backwards lyrics, an elephant sound to block out an expletive and the use of the term ‘badonkadonk’.

Also produced by Timbaland, this is a massive song by all accounts!

Missy Elliott – ‘Work It’

Finally of the three Missy Elliott tracks, is ‘Lose Control’, which was released in 2005 and the lead single from her album, ‘The Cookbook’. Missy Elliott herself produced this song and it features guest vocals from Ciara and Fatman Scoop, which really add to the song. Fatman Scoop’s shouts and Ciara’s attempts to rap, really enhance the song to perfection.

The song also features samples from Cybotron‘s ‘Clear’ and Hot Streak‘s ‘Body Work’ and produced another Top 10 hit for Missy E!

Missy Elliott – ‘Lose Contol’ featuring Ciara & Fatman Scoop

Have you enjoyed reliving these huge Missy Elliott hits? You still love them?! Please share the link to this post with your social media chums.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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#ThrowbackThursday: Artful Dodger – ‘Re-Rewind’ featuring Craig David

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artful-dodger-bakcground

Who doesn’t know this song?! It was such a big song back when it was released in 1999, scoring a Number 2 in the UK charts!

The song not only helped bring Garage music to the mainstream, but it launched Craig David‘s career and even prompted Leigh Francis (aka Keith Lemon) to create his own sketch show, Bo’ Selecta!

The song was one of the very first to be released by Relentless Records and it went on to establish them as pioneers within the UK music industry, going on to release songs by the likes of Joss Stone, So Solid Crew, KT Tunstall, Roll Deep and Chris Malinchak.

The duo originally consisted of Pete Devereux and Mark Hill, however both have since left, leaving Hill’s collaborators MC Alistair and DJ Dave Low to carry on the Artful Dodger name.

Did you used to love this track? Are you still loving this song? Please share online and spread the love.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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