In celebration of Gay Pride, Love and Positive Energy – I decided to share some music videos that have thought provoking messages, are relevant in terms of the songs message or simply make you feel like you want to dance. Whether you identify as gay, straight, bisexual or transgender – let your true colours fly and do it without judging someone else’s authenticity. Now let’s celebrate PRIDE by spreading love and positive energy into the world:
NOTHING REALLY MATTERS (REMIX) – Madonna
YOU DON’T KNOW – Cyndi Lauper
FEEL WHAT YOU WANT – Kristine W
FREE – Ultra Nate
POWER OF LOVE – Deee-Lite
PROUD – Heather Small
MODERN LOVE – Rupaul
A LITTLE RESPECT (HMI Redux) – Erasure
AFTER ALL – Billie Ray Martin
GLASS & PATRON – FKA Twigs
BRING THE NOIZE – M.I.A.
LIGHT IN PLACES – Peaches
LIVING FOR LOVE (Remix) – Madonna
Let music move you towards creating positive change in the world. Allow LOVE into your heart and live with positive energy within your heart.
HAPPY PRIDE to everyone!!!
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
There are many musicians who have made an impact in pop culture. Artists that were game changers in their respective genres like – Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Billie Holiday, The Supremes, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Mary J. Blige and Sade. Today, not many artists have the same impact but have made stood considering today’s music is very generic. In an era where hip/hop and rap rules, there have been leaders and followers. Some of the artists making an impact today include – Rihanna, Beyoncé, Eminem, Lady Gaga and Drake. But what of those artists that somehow fly under the radar and that have contributed brilliant music? Such artists like – Faithless, Joi Cardwell, Billie Ray Martin, Roisin Murphy, The Knife, Deee-Lite, Oh Land, Robyn, Royksopp and Bjork.
Kristine Weitz – known as Kristine W, has been an active artist – mainly in the dance/club scene in North America. Her first commercially released single, “Feel What You Want” was a success in Europe and became her first of 8 consecutive Billboard Club Play #1 hits. Saying this, let’s take a look at her body of work. As mentioned, Kristine’s first number one hit on a Billboard Chart, was “Feel What You Want”. Since then, Kristine W has tallied 16 number one singles on Billboards Club Play Chart. As of April 2015, Kristine W is currently in the top 5 artists with most number one’s on this chart. Here is the current ranking of most number 1’s on Billboard’s Club Play
Madonna (44)
Beyoncé and Rihanna (22)
Janet Jackson (19)
Mariah Carey and Donna Summer (17)
Kristine W and Jennifer Lopez (16)
For an artist who hasn’t had much airplay on commercial/pop radio, it’s pretty amazing to be in a ranking with such high-profile artist such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and the Queen of Pop – Madonna. As a matter of fact, Kristine W was named Billboard’s # 3 artist of the 2000’s only behind Beyoncé and Madonna.
In my opinion, Kristine W, has released one of the best pop/dance/electronic albums – Land of the Living. This album is a perfect amalgamation of pop/jazz/club and electronic music. Land of the Living is a powerful and passionate album that comes from the heart and a place of love. It’s an album that has a message about perseverance, determination and becoming independent. Land of the Living reinforces that the dance community is not only about beats, fun and drugs but that it cares about social issues and is as legitimate as the other genres in pop culture.
Here is a bit of background surrounding Kristine W’s releases:
She has released 8 full-length albums: Perfect Beat (1986, re-released in 1994), Land of the Living (1996), Stronger (2000), Fly Again (2003), The Power of Music (2009), Straight Up With A Twist (2010), New and Number Ones (2012), New and Number Ones Club Hits Part One (2013), New and Number Ones Club Hits Part Two (2014).
Has officially released 20 singles.
All of her commercially released singles were # 1 singles on the Billboard Club Play Chart except, “I’ll Be Your Light” (2), “So Close To Me” (2), “Everything That I Got” (4) and “Love Come Home” (4). “Love Come Home” war originally released in 1994 and did not chart.
Her most successful charted single was, “One More Try” which hit Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and peaked at # 78.
Her album “Straight Up With A Twist” includes jazz and chill out reinterpretations of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven”, Donna Summer’s “On The Radio” and Eagles “Take It To The Limit”. It also includes reinterpretations of her own classic hits, “Wonder of It All”, “Stronger”, “Some Lovin”, and “Feel What You Want”.
I have had the opportunity of seeing Kristine W each time she has come to the Toronto, Ontario Canada region and even met her on several occasions. She really does give everything she’s got when performing and greeting her fans. I am inspired of how hard she works to get her music out to her fans especially without the backing of a major record label.
I continue to have much of her music on repeat on my phone, computer, home stereo and record player! Yes, I revisit and play vinyl as often as I can – the music is so crisp and clear on vinyl. It also provides that comforting ‘old school’ feeling of when the purchase of music was just as exciting as listening to it. I have many favorite singles from all of her albums. It’s hard to pick one song that is the best but, there is always one song I always go back to when I need motivation, inspiration and a reminder that LOVE can conquer anything. That song is “Let Love Reign”. Hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me. Here are the lyrics, YouTube audio follows:
Let Love Reign
There’s a kingdom that lives Maybe it’s only in my mind Where love reigns all the time Do you believe? I still believe
Our brother’s sleeping all alone in the park His head is resting on a pillow of hope Then he says dance for me, he gives me smiles for free He trades a joke for mine and the world is fine
And we let love reign We reach out, don’t be afraid Everything you do It will be coming back to you Let love reign
A rich man’s sitting on his velvet couch His kingdom rains until he’s drowned in my dreams And then he says sing for me, give me your song for free I’d trade his soul for mine if I could only make him kind
And he would let love reign We reach out, don’t be afraid Everything you do It’s coming back to you
There’s a kingdom of kindness where love is And a rainbow will come with the rain’s kiss And love remains when love reigns
Let love reign We reach out, don’t be afraid And everything you do It will be coming back to you
‘Cause only love reigns With my love reigns Everything you do Is coming back to you
I do believe that love remains I do believe that love reigns I do believe that love remains I do believe that love reigns
I do believe that love remains I do believe that love reigns I do believe that love remains I do believe that love reigns
I do believe I do believe I do believe Let our love reign
This song is from Kristine W’s 3rd official release, Stronger (2000). It also includes the hits, “Stronger”, “Clubland”, “Lovin’ You” and “All That Glitters”. You can purchase all of Kristine W’s music by visiting her official site: www.kristinew.com or via the iTunes store.
We are all responsible for spreading love and positive energy into the world ensuring that LOVE will reign.
Top Images – Covers of Kristine W’s first album (Land of the Living) and second album (Stronger)
Bottom Images – NoH8 campaign photo and the cover of her latest single, 2014’s “Love Come Home” remixes all available via Kristine W’s website, www.kristinew.biz
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
I am a big fan of music in its various formats and genres; some pop, rock, alternative, country, reggae, dance, house and electronica. Some of my favourite artists come from the house music/electronica genre like; Depeche Mode, Erasure, Kristine W, Ultra Nate, Madonna, The Human League, OMD, Billie Ray Martin, Massive Attack and Tricky – just to name a few.
The artists I named above have been instrumental in providing the ‘soundtrack to my life’ some more than others but one artist that has been consisted in providing music that has deeply resonated with me and the events of my life has been Sinead O’Connor. Ever since I heard her captivating voice as it softly sang the first verse of her underground alternative hit “Troy” form the ground-breaking album The Lion and the Cobra:
“I’ll remember it And Dublin in a rainstorm And sitting in the long grass in summer Keeping warm I’ll remember it Every restless night We were so young then We thought that everything We could possibly do was right Then we moved”
I was hooked right from the beginning – her voice was soft gentle and passionate at the start of the song but strong, defiant by the end. Since then, Sinead O’Connor has released albums that transcend all music genres from pop to reggae and topics ranging from love, religion and spirituality.
Due to Sinead’s outspoken nature and personal issues stemming from a troubled home-life and abuse endured by the hands of her mother, Sinead’s music career went from over-night success via her Prince-penned hit single, “Nothing Compares 2 U”, to becoming ostracized for making a very courageous statement about the Catholic church and their sexual abuse scandals.
Sinead’s latest effort is entitled; I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss. Her latest single, “Take Me To Church” is a rebirth of sorts. Sinead sings about not having regrets in being the woman she used to be and living authentically as the woman she is today. Here are the lyrics, followed by the video:
TAKE ME TO CHURCH
I don’t wanna love the way I loved before,
I don’t wanna love that way no more
What if I’ve been right and lost some storm?
I don’t want to write them anymore
I don’t wanna sing them the way I sang before
I don’t wanna sing that way no more,
What if I’ve been singing love songs before?
I don’t wanna sing them anymore,
I don’t wanna be that girl no more
I don’t wanna cry no more
I don’t wanna die no more
So get me down from this old tree,
Cut the rope and all from me
Sat me on the floor,
I’m the only one I should adore!
Take me to the church,
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Take me to the church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
Yeah, take me to church
Yeah, take me to church
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah, get me to church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
I’m gonna say souls of love and unforgiven ??
Sons of living, sons of calling in the night
It’s time to rise above the light
And love the only one you shouldn’t bite
??
So get me down from this old tree,
Cut the rope and all from me
Sat me on the floor,
I’m the only one I should adore!
Take me to the church,
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah take me to the church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
Yeah, take me to church
Yeah, take me to church
I’ve done so many bad things that hurts
Yeah, get me to church,
but not the ones that hurt
‘Cause that ain’t the truth
And that’s not what it’s worth
(O’Connor/Reynolds/Kearns)
Many critics are saying that Sinead is back in top form and that the album is a great ‘come-back’. For me, it isn’t a come-back album because I have enjoyed much of her under-rated work such as the amazing works of Universal Mother, Gospel Oak EP, the glorious Faith and Courage and the fantastic How About I Be Me (And You Be You)? If you haven’t been honoured in listening to any of her music after her so-called ‘break-down’, I would recommend opening your mind and your heart and taking the musical and emotional journey of what Sinead’s music and lyrics can provide you.
For more Sinead’s discography, tour and other information, please visit her official website at: www.sineadoconnor.com or like her Facebook page. You can purchase Sinead on the iTunes store via: http://www.apple.com/itunes
I am grateful for her music and wish her much peace, love and health because that is all her music has given me.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Thirteen years ago, Sinead O’Connor released an album entitled; Faith & Courage. For me, it is quite possibly her best album. The songs on this album seem to be written to heal, to forgive, to let go of resentment and anger and to embrace spirituality. I find when artists find spirituality – they tend to create some of their best work, for example; Madonna – Ray of Light, Alanis Morissette – Flavours of Entanglement and Sinead O’Connor – Faith & Courage.
Music is powerful and can lift your spirits – whether they were intended to do so or not. There are many songs that can send you to a higher place or just make you feel great and happy, songs such as;
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy
Deee-Lite – Love Is Everything/River of Freedom/Power of Love/Groove Is In The Heart
Vernessa Mitchell – This Joy
Enigma – Sadeness Part I/Rivers of Belief/Return To Innocence
Sandra – Love Is The Price/The Art of Love
Elton John – Sacrifice/Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word/Philadelphia Freedom
George Michael – Freedom/Faith/Move On/Star People
Kristine W – I’ll Be Your Light/Land of the Living/Stronger/Be Alright
Carrie Underwood – Jesus Take The Wheel
Ultra Nate – Free
Cyndi Lauper – Shine/You Don’t Know/True Colours
Billie Ray Martin – Your Loving Arms/Hands Up and Amen
Kylie Minogue – On A Night Like This/I Believe In You/All The Lovers
Mistress Barbara – Dance Me to the End of Love
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Katy Perry – Firework
Black Eyed Peas – I Got A Feeling/Where Is The Love
We all have songs that make us feel good and are therapeutic and this is a great thing. Music should help us forgive, remove resentments, release pain and anger but most of all, it should make you feel good.
Here is a song on Sinead O’Connor’s album that helps me release some of my ‘negative’ emotions. Here are the lyrics, the audio follows:
WHAT DOESN’T BELONG TO ME
The woman named Iris gave birth to the goddess
In her son who can’t say his name
Because of all the pain
I miss you, but I’m glad you’re gone
I want you but I’m not alone
I’m haunted by you
But I’ll get you gone if it takes me all my life long
Take back the pain you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back the shame you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
I’m Irish, I’m English, I’m Moslem, I’m Jewish,
I’m a girl, I’m a boy
And the goddess meant for me only joy
And real love requires you, give up those loves
Whom you think you love best
Love puts you through the test
And only loyal love will bring me happinessTake back the rage you gave me
Take back the hatred you gave me for me
Take back the anger that nearly killed me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
And real love requires you
Give up those loves
That you think you love best
Love puts you through the test
And only loyal love will bring you happiness
Take back the pain you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back the blame you gave me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
Take back what doesn’t belong to me
You can purchase all the singles/albums I mentioned above by visiting the individual artists web pages/sites or on iTunes.
I hope this blog gives you the motivation to reconnect with music the makes you feel good and allows you to release any negative emotions that you may be hanging onto.
Love, light and happiness.
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Do you remember what song played during your first kiss or your first break-up? Do you remember your the first song played at your wedding reception? (Mine was “Hung Up” by Madonna). Music was pivotal to the soundtrack of my life. My tastes crossed all genres but I preffered to listen to Electronic/Dance. Thinking about your life, what music was pivotal in helping you during the tough and not so tough moments in your life?
Here are 25 cds/albums that I would definitely need or have with me should I be stranded on island:
25: THE HUMAN LEAGUE – Hysteria (1984)
24: NEW ORDER – Substance (1987)
23: GEORGE MICHAEL – Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 (1990)
22: ULTRA NATE – Grime, Silk, & Thunder (2007)
21: UB40 – Labour of Love (1983)
20: DIDO – No Angel (1999)
19: TRICKY – Maxinquaye (1995)
18: JAMES BLAKE – James Blake (2011)
17: BILLIE RAY MARTIN – Deadline For My Memories (1995)
16: FLAVORS OF ENTANGLEMENT – ALANIS MORISSETTE (2008)
15: DAVE GAHAN – Hourglass (2007)
14: EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Temperamental (1999)
13: MASSIVE ATTACK – Protection (1994)
12: PEACHES – I Feel Cream (2009)
11: MISTRESS BARBARA – I’m No Human (2009)
10: DEEE-LITE – Dewdrops In The Garden (1994)
9: ERASURE – Erasure (1995)
8: DEPECHE MODE – Black Celebration (1986) and Violator (1990)
7: FAITHLESS – Outrospective (2001)
6: BJORK – Vespertine (2001)
5: SINEAD O’CONNOR – Faith & Courage (2000)
4: ERASURE – I Say, I Say, I Say (1994)
3: KRISTINE W – Land of the Living (1996)
2: MADONNA – American Life (2003)
1: MADONNA – Ray of Light (1998)
As Madonna once sang: “Music makes the people come together, yeah”
Together, we can make the world a more positive one!
Billie Ray Martin began her music career as a guest vocalists for Die Zwei (Miss Fit – 1984) and S’Express (1989). Her work continued as member of Electribe 101 from 1988 – 1990, releasing house classics; Talking with Myself, You’re Walking and Inside Out. Her solo career took off with the release of her classic dance track, Your Loving Arms – this song is what I chose for song of the week this week.
Your Loving Arms was released in 1994 and was an instant hit around clubs and dance floors around the world. Many consider this song an all-time classic of dance – personally, this song and the Sound Factory Remix is definitely in my top 5 of all-time! Deadline For My Memories, Billie Ray Martins first solo album, was mainly considered a ‘dance album’ but the musical influences are definitely tinged with soul and R&B. Billie Ray Martin’s voice is distinctive, unique and smooth. I always look forward to any new music that Billie Ray Martin releases, whether it is collaborations with other artists or dj’s or her amazing solo work – it is always fresh and innovative. Do you want to know why Billie Ray Martin is dubbed “the queen of electronic soul” – just take a listen to the music she has released.
The lyrics, audio and video (remix) of Your Loving Arms follow, hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
YOUR LOVING ARMS
So many times have I asked you to tell me
That I’m you’re girl
Time after time I have needed a reason
Just to get inside your world
So many times have I asked you to
ask me
How it feels to love
And when this love seems the only conclusion
That I’m guilty of
Baby then you
Put your loving arms around me
And it feels like shelter when you
Put your loving arms around me
And inside your arms I’m burning
Put your loving arms around me
And you whisper to me when you
Put your loving arms around me
And inside this love I’m yearning
Sometimes the way that you act makes me wonder,
What I am to you
And sometimes I can’t stand the way that I’m acting
To be part of the things you do
Often I ask you for too much of your time
Like I’m stealing
And when I dream of the fear that you’re leaving
And I reach out
My baby then you
Put your loving arms around me
And it feels like shelter when you
Put your loving arms around me
And inside your arms I’m burning
Put your loving arms around me
And you whisper to me when you
Put your loving arms around me
And inside this love I’m yearning
For Billie Ray Martin’s complete discography, shop, touring information, news, free downloads and more – please visit her official website:
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 