Music: Beyoncé

 
We interrupt 2013 to bring you Beyoncé. Mrs. Carter dropped her fifth (visual) album directly to iTunes last week - a complete surprise to both her fans and the industry.
 
"I didn’t want to release my music the way I’ve done it,” she said. “I am bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans. There’s so much that gets between the music, the artist and the fans. I felt like I didn’t want anybody to give the message when my record is coming out. I just want this to come out when it’s ready and from me to my fans.”
 

Video: Work

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Video: Pour It Up (Explicit)

In a very close second for my favorite artist of all time, Rihanna embraces everything that I love about music. She's a fashion heavy hitter, she breaks the mold, she puts out really good music and she's Unapologetic about it all.

Which makes it the perfect title for her seventh studio album. An album that she is still releasing singles from over a year later! While everyone is putting out new material, Rihanna is still celebrating the musical genius of this album. It's no wonder she was just named an icon at the American Music Awards.

Music: Applause Live on GMA

Sometimes I wonder if there are subconscious messages that influence me to choose certain topics for this blog. Before Lady Gaga performed "Applause" in the theatrical style of The Wizard of Oz on Good Morning America, I was already considering a Storybook theme.

Music: White Rabbit

Continuing with my Storybook theme and my Alice's Adventures In Wonderland focus, have the White Rabbit sound the trumpets and let me present to you "White Rabbit" from Jefferson Airplane.

Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco who became pioneers of psychedelic rock. They were also the first band from the San Francisco scene who achieved mainstream success with their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow. Psychedelic indeed.

Music: What You Waiting For?

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock. It is one of my favorite elements in music when an artist puts out a song that is directly inspired by their own life or feelings. "What You Waiting For?" is a brilliant example of this.

Music: Free Fallin

Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Oh and an American musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor and frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who has sold over sixty million albums.

Music: Run The World (Girls)

 
This video may not be set in the jungle, well your typical jungle. There are scenes that look like they are on an African desert (actually the Mojave Desert). But, it's Wild factor is off the charts! And there are lions!

Music: Girl Gone Wild

We can't go Wild without some Madonna! What better title from her extensive catalog than the one that explains it all, "Girl Gone Wild". And what better day than the Queen of Pop's 55th birthday?

Music: I'm A Slave 4 U (Live)

Welcome to the jungle...on the MTV VMA's stage! Complete with lions, snakes, and dancers outfitted to resemble all the other creatures of a Wild and sexy jungle.

Music: Boyz

I'm sure you've all heard "Paper Planes" from M.I.A.'s second studio album, Kala. The single put M.I.A. into the mainstream after a successful career "underground". But, the first single from Kala and one of the many highlights is "Boyz".

Music: Love Lockdown

 
Oh Kanye. I like to compare the persona of Kanye West to that of a crying baby. It stresses you out but you still give it attention.
 

Music: Undisclosed Desires

Matthew Bellamy of Muse wrote "Undisclosed Desires" for their fifth studio album, The Resistance. He describes it as "quite a personal song about me and my girlfriend".

Indeed I would describe the lyric content of "Undisclosed Desires" as pretty raw and almost devouring in it's intensity. Think Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" but romantic.

Music: Baby I Love U!

My favorite Jennifer Lopez album of her career, This is me...Then. And another one of my favorite songs celebrating Romance, "Baby I Love U!".

This is me...Then was suggested as a title by then fiance Ben Affleck (remember Bennifer? Remember that engagement ring?!) and Lopez thought it perfect. It captured the very essence of what she wanted the album to represent which was a window into who she was at the time. And who she was was a girl head over heels.

Music: Black & Gold

It only seems fitting after seeing India Mahdavi's bedroom vision of pink, black, and gold that I share some more "Black & Gold". This time from Mr. Sam Sparro.

Music: Cherish The Day

I mean...could I do a month of features on Romance and not mention Sade? Here's a fun fact: Sade actually refers to the entire band, named after lead singer Sade Adu. Depending on who you talk to Sade is pronounced a variety of ways but my research says the correct pronunciation is "shah-DAY". No matter how you say it, you'll hear "Love".

Music: I Still Believe

While we are on the subject of Marilyn Monroe, a look at a song covered by an artist who not only greatly admires Monroe but also chose to channel the iconic actress for her music video for "I Still Believe".

Mariah Carey was actually a backup singer on the original version of "I Still Believe" for Brenda K. Starr in 1988. Later, in 1998 Carey chose to cover the song for her album #1's as a tribute to Starr who had helped jumpstart her career. It was the third single from the album.

Music: The One

Okay, if I were able to narrow down my favorite love songs to a "Top 5" this one would be near the top. There are a few different versions of Kylie Minogue's "The One" floating around in the music world but the one you are about to hear is my favorite.

Music: Wicked Game

Since we just learned about the mischevious ways of Cupid let's explore a different kind of love song. One that "drips with a sorrowfully conflicted tone about unrequited love".

Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" was released in 1989 but didn't become a hit until 1990 when it was featured in the film Wild at Heart. It was the first commerical hit for Isaak reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991.

Video: Greyhound

"Greyhound" is the third single from Swedish House Mafia's album, Until Now. The video revolves around the concept of three, since there are three members of SHM (three cars, three greyhounds, the three primary colors). Groups of elaborately dressed people arrive in the desert to sip cocktails and watch three mechanical greyhouds race. The costumes take note from "Masquerade Motel" which is the theme of SHM's "One Last Tour".