throwback thursday

Continuing on with my 90's theme... this week it's about one week. Chickity china the Chinese chicken. Say what?!

One of my absolute favourite songs that is on extremely high rotation to this day, on the iPod. I think I listen to this song every day. Yes, it's that good.

Now, I'm trying to remember, as with all my throwbacks, what was happening to me at the time the song was 'in vogue'. Ok, a quick look on Wikipedia tells me that this song peaked in 1998-1999. Ah, the start of high school. Probably not the best of times, if I was to be honest. The first few years of high school, in my opinion, are not that fun. Let's face it. You're at the bottom of the ladder, far from the leader of the pack and all that jazz. Nevertheless, life was carefree, responsibilities were limited. You only had to worry about homework (if that, really). Maybe a bit of peer pressure but nothing like what kids are facing today, I'm sure (pretty sure I wouldn't survive if I was in school today).

Anyway, enjoy, pretend you're a pimply, greasy long haired 14 year old, head banging head lolling. Why? Because it's fun.

throwback thursday

I've been listening to a lot of 90's mixes lately. I'm not sure why... possibly because that's when music was good?

I think in almost every mix I listen to (thanks 8 tracks), they feature Third Eye Blind's Semi-Charmed Life. I'm pretty sure this was the song that introduced me to other artists other than Hanson (please forgive me, I was 12 when this song came out).

Looking up the song lyrics, the song is actually about drugs. Now as a back-then 12 year old, I'm pretty sure I didn't know this. That's ok, still an awesome song that despite its sad lyrics, gets me in a good mood. One of those songs that's good when you have a mundane task set in front of you. This'll liven things up.

throwback thursday

It's the remix to ignition, hot and fresh out the kitchen...

Yeps, a classic. In my humble opinion, the Ignition remix is much better than the original. I mean, with the original song you knew it was downright dirty. But with the remix, being all hot and fresh out the kitchen, it was a bit of fun.

Come on admit it. With lyrics like sippin on coke and rum, I'm like so what I'm drunk, it's the freakin weekend baby I'm about to have me some fun... You can't help but bounce, just like when R. Kelly tells us to, oh about 10 times. I'm not sure what he means by bouncin on 24's though...

I'd also just like to point out that this song is 10 YEARS OLD. Jeez. But let me just point out that RnB was so much better in the 90's.

Holler. Can I get a toot toot?

hump day afternoon dee-lights

Wednesday. It's the day that is smack bang in the middle of the work week. Good in many ways but the main reason why I love Wednesdays is you've already worked two days of the working week (good for you) and only have two days left after it. It's the midpoint. Neutral, neither agree nor disagree. You can tell I work in market research can't you...

Focus. See? Such an issue by Wednesday...

The Super Bowl was on earlier this week and whilst I haven't watched it, I bet Beyonce's performance was world class, and live. No lip-syncing in this one I assume. Another great thing about her performance (so I'm told) is the Destiny's Child Reunion. Yeah! Bring Michelle and Kelly back! I believe they're also releasing an album this year. I can't wait. They prove that even 10 years on, they've still got it. In spades.

Happy hump day!

hump day afternoon dee-light

This week is all about report writing. Meeting deadlines. Delivering insight. Which can be hard for someone like me. Someone that gets easily distracted, procrastinates and needs a little extra thinking time to write about brands and their personalities. I digress.

I am a person that is much more focused in the morning. I am, without a doubt, a morning person. I must admit, since moving to Melbourne I have become much less of a morning person but I think I've got my morning mojo back. My brain works really well until it hits about 3.00pm or 3.30pm, depending on the day. As soon as the clock strikes 3, it's like my brain tries to tell me "Camilla, I can't go on anymore...must eat chocolate to function further..."

Most days I avoid the temptation of chocolate, instead reaching for a pastry or biscuit. I'm not sure which is worse! It's the sugar I tell you... need. sugar. to sustain.

Again, I digress! Once it hits 3.00pm that's when you'll usually find me also reaching for my headphones and plugging in... to some music! So if like me, you're finding yourself somewhat lethargic mid week, using food as a means of procrastination or just in need of a midday / mid-week boogie, Little Red's Rock It does the trick nicely I say.

Happy hump day!

a night with ben folds

What. A. Night.

Before Friday night, I was a fan. Not a massive fan but I definitely had an appreciation for his music. After seeing Ben Folds live, I walked away with such admiration for this man. Ben Folds recorded doesn't do him justice. His voice live is amazing, he's a literary genius and genuinely funny. A great showman. Polished, yet relaxed and the best bit of the night - he and his band came back on for an encore! Now, you don't see big artists doing that much these days.

Also can I just say how AMAZING the Palais is? It was the perfect place for a gig like Ben Folds. Not so much for the Wombats I heard (how can you dance in your seat?!) 

So I leave you with a video of Ben Fold's version of Ke$ha's Sleazy. An amazing cover, if not totally random.

P.S. I have the utmost respect for Kate Miller-Heidke, who supported Ben Folds on his tour. She is one amazing talent from Brisbane (Brisbane represent!!) The things she can do with her voice - and oh, what a voice. Such control! She truly performs with such a simplistic style and grace yet very much holds her own on the stage. So I leave you, finally, with the most funniest song Kate did on the night - a song about old flames on Facebook. Good to see she's keeping up with social media.

hump day afternoon dee-light

And it's Wednesday again (I know right?!)

Last weekend I was looking through my limited CD collection that I brought with me when I moved to Melbourne. Most of it is "old music" - music from the 90's or early 00's. Feeling all ghetto, I wanted some old R'n'B. Not that new stuff they call R'n'B on the radio now. More electronic than melodic. I wanted some smooth tunes or fat bass lines, like old Usher, Boyz II Men, Bone Thugs & Harmony, heck 98 Degrees (do they count as R'n'B??)

I was ecstatic when I came across Usher's 2004 album Confessions in my CD collection. Who doesn't love singing along to Confessions, Burn (probably my favourite track on the album) and dancing along to Caught Up and of course, probably the most well-known song on the album - Yeah!

What I love about R'n'B from the 90's and 00's is that it is totally acceptable for middle class white or asian folk (actually anyone other than African Americans) to pretend to be all ghetto. It's ok to throw your hands up and go Yeah! and sing about shortys, boos, bootys, yell out rowl (yes, according to Ludacris, it is a word) and generally act like you probably never would normally. And can I just point out Taio Cruz, who likes to say his name in the beginning of almost every song on his album, you're not the first. Usher did it too. Way back when it was still fresh.

Happy hump day!

an honourable mention

The last time I took part in a singing Eisteddfod was when I was 12. I remember I competed in the Under 13s solo. I sang 'Doing What Comes Naturally' from Annie Got Your Gun. My singing teacher and I even choreographed a routine. I had so much fun but at the same time felt a lot of pressure. Tonight,, at the Boorondara Eisteddfod, it was no different. Ok so we didn't have any choreography to remember but I think everyone felt a lot of pressure. Singing in an adult choir, particularly in one where people like to sing for fun and are not used to being on stage can be quite challenging and of course, daunting. While I'm no pro to performing, I just remember that it's a bit of fun. Let's face it. We're not performing brain surgery. No one will die (maybe of embarrassment though) if we sing a few wrong notes. It's not a life or death situation. I don't mean to be dismissive, but I've performed enough to not get my knickers in a knot. Unfortunately I think for some, nerves got the better of them. We started off a bit shaky and off-key in Sign your Name but kicked arse in Drive my Car. Despite the shaky start, we did get an honourable mention at the end of the night. Winning.

I must say though that tonight, the competition was fierce. There was a great mix of all male, all female and of course, mixed choirs. The most enthralling, ethereal and magical performance for me was an all male group that performed Shenandoah - most possibly one of my favourite pieces of all time. The most unusual song performed was Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil. A classic but acapella style? Interesting. The coolest part of that song was the Asian beat boxer. Boo to the Chorister though that was also singing with her choir. I didn't know that was allowed! They tied for first place. And what do you know? A quick search on You Tube tells me the winning choir have loaded a video of them performing Beds are Burning last year.

 
And on that note, all choirs did really well and it was a fun night. Can't wait to do it all again.

hump day afternoon dee-light

Groove is in the heart. Oh yes, I went there. I am pretty sure I first heard this song when I was six. My mum bought one of those compilation tapes (yes a mixed tape! One we didn't have to make ourselves!) for our neighbour's birthday and of course, we also had to have the same one. How was it fair that our little friend got to have a mixed tape with cool songs and my sister and I got nothing? (yes, we were very selfish, self-centred little girls. At times, not much has changed...) Anyway, if memory serves me well, it had all the great hits, Taylor Dayne, New Kids on the Block, perhaps also a little bit of Robert Palmer? My mind is a bit hazy. Looking back, it was about twenty years ago...

Right, back to the song. This song, without a doubt, always, and I mean always, puts a smile on my dial and a little groove in my step. How can it not with one liners like he’s not vicious or malicious, just de-lovely and delicious. De-lovely? Awesome. Ke$ha, sorry to break it to you but you didn’t start a revolution with neck-a-lace. So 2000 and late.

I also love that this song is a little bit naughty. Imagine lip-synching the chills that you spill up my back, keep me filled with satisfaction when we’re done, satisfaction of what’s to come with your best ‘come hither’ face, directed at a very attractive person of the opposite sex. Booyah.

Also, one word for the video clip: wow. It is that psychedelic I feel like my head is still spinning.
They sure don’t make songs or video clips like they used to. Happy hump day!