Tag: 2000

#ThrowbackThursday: Bloodhound Gang – ‘The Bad Touch’

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Who doesn’t remember this song from 20 years ago?! Bloodhound Gang released ‘The Bad Touch’ in the UK back in April 2000 and, with their unique brand of comedic hip-hop that had slightly punk rock tendencies too, the band went on to score a Top 5 hit, reaching Number 4 in the UK Charts.

The quintet filmed a rather hilarious video to accompany the track too – seeing the band dressed in “MonkeyRat” costumes causing havoc around Paris by capturing various stereotypes and putting them in a cage before releasing them to dance in formation with their captives.

The video caused some controversy due to some versions featuring a French gay couple being hit over the heads with baguettes, however lead singer, Jimmy Pop was quoted a saying, “I would give any gay man two tickets to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical of his choice if he could describe exactly who’s going to become violent based on that scene”.[1] Is this “gay bashing” or simply a bit of light-hearted comedy? I’d suggest the latter given the rather witty nature of a lot of their back catalogue and if titles of their albums, such as Hooray For Boobies, are anything to go by.

What are your thoughts of this band’s banterous single, 20 years on? Did you love or hate it back then? What do you think of it now? Do you have a #ThrowbackThursday track from 20 years ago, to recommend us? Please leave your thoughts or song suggestions in a comment or via social media.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘The Bad Touch can be downloaded off iTunes now – https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-bad-touch/1440807607?i=1440808397

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#ThrowbackThursday: Gabrielle – ‘Rise’

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Soulful singer and songwriter, Gabrielle, relesed her single, ‘Rise’ in January 2000. The song (written by Gabrielle, Ollie Dagois and Ferdy Unger-Hamilton and produced by Jonny Dollar), was the second single to be taken from her third, studio album of the same title, Rise.

The track became notable for the rare, authorised use of a Bob Dylan sample (taken from his 1973-song ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’. Apparently, Dylan liked ‘Rise’ so much, that he allowed Gabrielle to use the sample for free, while receiving a co-writer credit for providing the song’s chord progression and vocal sample.

The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and stayed there for two weeks, acroos January and February 2000, becoming her second chart-topper.

This is such a soulful song that for the era of mainstream pop, it actually stood out quite significantly for her different vibe, making her stand out as an artist in that era. Subsequently, this track has a rather timeless feel to it.

The music video (Directed by Kevin Godley) sees the singer singing whilst spectating at a boxing match – a nice visual metaphor to accompany the song.

What are your thoughts of this soulful singer’s 2000 hit? Are you still a fan 20 years on? Do you have a #ThrowbackThursday track to recommend us? Please leave your thoughts or song suggestions in a comment or via social media.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘Rise’ can be downloaded off iTunes now – https://music.apple.com/gb/album/rise/1440911935?i=1440911940

#ThrowbackThursday: Crazy Town – ‘Butterfly’

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Crazy Town are an American rock/rap band who were formed in 1995 by Bret Mazur and Seth Binzer. ‘Butterfly’ is the band’s best known single, which reached Number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2000, which in turn prompted the release of their debut album, The Gift of Game, that went on to sell over 1.5 million units.

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The guitar melody which opens the song is a head-bopping, body-swaying beat that is followed up by a high hat, drum beat and of course vocals.  Even though the lyrics could be argued to be rather simplistic; “Come, my lady. Come, come, my lady. You’re my butterfly. Sugar. Baby.” There is no denying that ‘Butterfly’ is an extremely catchy, throwback tune.

The music video for the song was directed by the team who worked on the well-known movie, The Matrix as well as What Dreams May Come. The video depicts the band in a fantasy, make-believe forest surrounded by butterflies. The fantasy, magical vibe continues as Shifty’s star tattoo flies off into the air, as well as two women sporting butterfly wings, walking around in the forest.

What are your thoughts of this massive hit track? Have you got a #ThrowbackThursday track to recommend us? Please leave your thoughts or song suggestions in a comment or via social media.

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‘Butterfly’ can be downloaded off iTunes now – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/butterfly/203303461?i=203304621

#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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#FeelGoodFriday: Toploader – ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’

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Toploader are a band from Eastbourne (not far from where I’m based, in Brighton), consisting of four members now; Joseph Washbourn, Dan Hipgrave, Matt Knight and Rob Green.

Released in February 2000, this song is now over 15 years old…would you believe it?! Sure this song may not be a recent release but damn it’s a good song! I never get tired of this and it’s such a happy, uplifting song for our #FeelGoodFriday track this week!

Did you know, this song is actually a cover?! The original was by a band called King Harvest!

What did you think of this song when it was released? What do you think of it now? Please share your #FeelGoodFriday track in a comment below.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ is of course available on iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/dancing-in-the-moonlight/id273399881?i=273400021

#ThrowbackThursday: True Steppers – ‘Out Of Your Mind’ featuring Dane Bowers & Victoria Beckham

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True Steppers were a UK Garage duo from 1999-2000, consisting of Jonny Lisners and Andy Lysandrou. The pair had success in April 2000 with the release of Buggin’, a collaboration with Dane Bowers which reached Number 6 in the charts.

It was then in August 2000, they once again teamed up with Bowers but were also joined by Victoria Beckham, for the massive tune which was ‘Out Of Your Mind’. The song was their biggest hit, reaching Number 2 in the charts, but their follow-up singles and album failed to chart highly.

Do you remember this song? What were you upto in your life when it was released? Got any similar Garage tracks to share with us? Comment below.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘Out Of Your Mind’ is available for download now – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/out-your-mind-feat.-victoria/id907558233?i=907558554

#ThrowbackThursday: Sonique – ‘If Feels So Good’

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Sonique originally released ‘It Feels So Good’ in 1998, reaching just 24 in the charts, but upon its re-release in May 2000, the single rocketed to Number 1, where it stayed for 3 consecutive weeks. The Guinness Book of Records confirmed that at the time, Sonique was the first British female to stay at number one for three weeks since Kate Bush in 1978.

The singer was also known for her stand-out appearance – her short hair and leather jacket open over her rather bare body. It was quite iconic at the time!

Anyone remember this song? Have you got any good memories of this song? Please share in the comment below.

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘It Feels So Good’ can be bought from iTunes now – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/it-feels-so-good/id14419447?i=14419482

#ThrowbackThursday: The Supermen Lovers – ‘Starlight’ featuring Mani Hoffman

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This week’s #ThrowbackThursday is a bit of a one-hit wonder in terms of big releases for this artist, as this is The Supermen Lovers’ (aka Guillaume Atlan) most well-known release.

Guillaume started The Supermen Lovers project back in 2000 when he quickly wrote and recored his debut single, ‘Starlight’, with Mani Hoffman, which was released in September 2001. This song was later included on his debut album, ‘The Player’, which was released in 2002.

‘Starlight’ received positive reviews and reached Number 2 in the UK charts.

Not only was the song incredible, but the music video was pretty memorable too! Directed by French animator, Numero 6 (who also directed Super Furry Animals’ ‘It’s Not The End Of The World?’ the following year), the video sees a “potato” man writing and recording ‘Starlight’ in his bedroom before attempting to get a record contract. He meets a mouse, Mexican skeletons and aliens along the way; it’s well worth a watch!

Matt – Muzik Speaks
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‘Starlight’ is available to purchase on iTunes, right now! – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/starlight-radio-edit-feat./id279296572?i=279296579

#ThrowbackThursday: Bomfunk MCs – ‘Freestyler’

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This song is AMAZING! I remember when this came out back in 2000; my first year of secondary school! It’s blend of electronica, hip hop and drum & bass was so unique for its time and the reason this track has longevity!

The song’s iconic “whale-like sounds” really made it stand out and the video was quirky and cool too. The song charted at Number 2 in the UK and I even remember buying their album, just for this song!

Bomfunk MCs were a Finnish breakbeat hip hop group comprised of several members throughout their time, but fronted by Raymond Ebanks AKA B. O. Dubb. The group actually had 3 albums but only their first, In Stereo, found mild success in the UK.

Anyway, this song is to be pumped loudly and enjoyed to its fullest…live it up like it’s Y2K again!

Who else remembers this song?! Were you a fan of it?! Please share this post and reply below with your ‘Throwback Thursday’ song for the week.

Matt – Muzik Speaks