I Love the 90's (Part 2)

So this is the fun part. Part 1 was songs that are classics, by artists who in most circles would be considered talented. This list contains people who might be considered a talent or a pity excuse for something we call music. Some of these you won't even know by name, but when you listen you will be filled with memories and question why on earth this music even got airplay. Enjoy this list of my top 25 one hit wonders.

25. Creed – Every Song By Them

We hate them yet we still know all the words.

24. Corona - Rhythm of the Night

I believe I heard this while I was still in Russia.

23. Tal Bachman – She’s So High

We sing along to this man, yet we have no clue who he is.

22. Real McCoy – Another Night

Listening to the lead male singer makes me ponder his existence.

21. The Wallflowers – One Headlight

The name might not be familier, but we all know this song.

20. La Bouche – Be My Lover

I will not be your lover.

19. Papa Roach – Last Resort

Even though Papa has released more music, nothing will compare to this.

18. Eagle Eye Cherry – Save Tonight

We only know the chorus. And that’s enough for us.

17. Semisonic – Closing Time

I thought this song was by Green Day up until a year ago.

16. Uncle Kracker – Follow Me

Uncle Kracker sounds like the name of a bad rapper.

15. No Mercy – Where Do You Go

Yet another Europop song that somehow became a cult classic.

14. Amber – This is Your Night

Da-bada-bada-tip-top ne is the beginning of this song. Hmm....

13. Sugar Ray – When It’s Over (Also: Fly & Every Morning)

I don’t know why…but we love it. Along with “Fly” & “Every Morning”

12. Chumbawamba – Tub Thumping (I Get Knocked Down)

90's party with jean shorts.

11. Blues Traveller – Run-Around

Basically a rip-off of Hootie & the Blowfish.

10. Vertical Horizon – Everything You Want

Typical 90’s alternative rock, yet they are still around…somehow…

09. Eiffel 65 – Blue

My friend actually owned this CD. Wow.

08. Aqua – Barbie Girl

They STILL release music. HOW?

07. Various Artists – Macarena

We barely know the words but we know the hand movements.

06. The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony

Good song or bad song? Who knows.

05. Smash Mouth – All Star

This can be played at parties. You may or not be cool playing it though. “Walking On The Sun” & “Then The Morning Comes” are favorites also.

04. Haddaway – What is Love

Night at the Roxbury. Will Farrell. Kris Kattan. Classic.

03. Deep Blue Something – Breakfast at Tiffany’s

This song is covered so much I don’t even know who the real artist is.

02. Hootie & The Blowfish – I Only Wanna Be With You (Also: Let Her Cry & Time)

Their CD “Cracked Rear View” is the 15^th best-selling cd of all time in America. Probably one of the best “few hit wonder" bands of all time.

01. Crazytown – Butterfly

This was the theme to 6^th grade for me. The video makes this song even more ridiculous than it is. Here you go.

Blink 182 Concert at Midwest Bank Ampitheatre

As an avid concert goer I like to make sure that when I go see a band I am as close as I can possibly be to get the full experience. When I decided to go see Blink 182 I realized my best bet was to get lawn seats. (Mainly because pit sold out and was expensive). This was my first time seeing Blink 182 and my first time at Midwest Bank Ampitheatre. The opening act, Manchester Orchestra got a few cheers but they knew they had to get off the stage quickly. When My Chemical Romance came on, it was pretty hard to hear them. As I was told earlier, the sound at Midwest Bank is not that good. Regardless, MCR put on a great show and were pretty good live. They played what they needed to play but unfortunately only played about 11 songs before Blink came out. I've been to many concerts, of all genres, of all crowds, but this was truly special. When Blink came out, the audience erupted. There were over 20,000 people at this concert and every single person was on their feet. There were definitely some memorable moments.

- The guy next to me drunkenly bragging about the amount of times he's seen Blink and how they are not that good live. (He was wrong)

-The amount of drunk people that were dancing, moshing, falling, and screaming was hilarious and amazing to see.

-The 2 people who passed out and need medical attention in front of me.

-The 5 or 6 plus girls who I saw with just their bra on, and one girl who basically flashed everyone.

-Blink playing all their classic songs, in a 20+ song set which included: All the small things, First date, The rock show, What's my age again, I miss you, and their new single Up all night.

- Tom leaving the stage because he had to piss and constantly telling the fans how much he had drank.

-THIS was the BEST part: When they came out for their encore, Travis Barker and his drumset were put on a giant pole which floated across the entire pit area while he played a drum solo for 5 min from his album "Can A Drummer Get Some". This was unbelievable and I had never seen anything like it. It was even cooler because 40 of Travis' family members were in the audience. I posted a video below.

You can find the entire setlist here: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/blink-182/2011/first-midwest-bank-amphitheatre-tinley-park-il-43d0ef27.html

Here are some pics and videos from the show. This was truly an amazing show and seeing Blink brought me back to my younger years. I recommend seeing them to anyone. 9.5/10

My Chemical Romance playing "Welcome to the Black Parade"

Over 22,000 people at the concert

Blink playing their new single "Up All Night" from the album "Neighborhoods"

Finishing up their set

Getting ready to see BLINK 182!

I Love the 90's (Part 1)

If you are like me and grew up in the 90's there are a lot of things you will remember from those days. Nickelodeon, Boy Meets World, Yo-Yo's, Crazybones, Pokemon cards, and of course 90's music. I'm not just talking about classics like Nirvana, Dr. Dre, and Goo Goo Dolls. I'm talking about those one hit wonders that if heard today are so terrible even though we somehow managed to accept that music into our society. Hearing it now of course brings back memories of when your mom used to buy you stuff or when movie theaters were the cool hangout. Who could forget classic times of going to Chuck N Cheese. Let these songs live in our memories as what childhood was like and what music shouldn't be like. Here is part one of 90's music: A look at the top 20 Classic Hits from the 90's.

Classics

20. Green Day – When I Come Around

Even though I hate this band I had to put them in here.

19. Will Smith – Getting Jiggy Wit It

Just because Will Smith is awesome.

18. Lifehouse – Hanging By a Moment

They are almost a one hit wonder, but they've stuck around.

17. Fuel – Hemmorage (In my Hands)

Same comments as Lifehouse.

16. DMX – Party Up In Here

God gon' make me lose my mind.

15. Train – Drops of Jupiter

Definitely a classic.

14. Ace of Base – All That She Wants

This makes me think of Russia. And get sad.

13. Jimmy Eat World – The Middle

Everyone who grew up in the late 90's knows this classic

12. Outkast – Ms. Jackson

Pure Outkast. Gotta love it.

11. Bone Thugs N Harmony – Notorious Thugs (Ft. Biggie)

This is here for the Bone Thug fans. (This obviously includes me)

10. Jay-Z – Big Pimpin

Major hit from Jay-Z.

09. Biggie – Mo Money, Mo Problems

I believe this song became a favorite long after Biggie was gone.

08. Matchbox 20 – 3 AM

Any song by Matchbox 20 was classic back then. This includes "Bent" and "Push"

07. 2 Pac – Changes

It's 2 Pac. Enough said.

06. Nirvana – Smells like teen spirit

It's Nirvana. Enough said.

05. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication

For a band that's been around for almost 30 years, this is their most popular.

04. Third Eye Blind – Semi-Charmed Life

The epitome of 90's alternative rock. "Jumper" and "Never Let You Go" should be here too.

03. Dr. Dre – Next Episode & Still D.R.E.

2 songs by DRE. Just because they are still playin at parties.

02. Eminem – My Name Is…

Any song Eminem makes is going to be on a list of top songs. This is just his first classic.

01. The Goo Goo Dolls – Slide

This song is covered by every band and is synonymous with the 90's. As is "Iris" & "Broadway". Here is the video for slide.

Goo Goo Dolls - Slide

- Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

KING

Its summer. If you are like me, you like to enjoy listening to relaxing music at this point of the year. For most this might include Reggae, Alternative, Classic Rock, with a little bit of Hip-Hop as well. Dave Matthews, Sublime, Tom Petty...and of course O.A.R. are always summer time favorites. People seem to be divided on their thoughts on O.A.R. these days. Some people love them, some people say they sold out and hate them, and some people simply stopped listening after Stories of a Stranger came out. Thats all acceptable. My question is - how do you go from liking a group to all of a sudden giving up on them completely? Some people give up on on an artist because of their actions. Just because Chris Brown beats up women, Akon likes underage girls, and Michael Jackson enjoyed touching little boys doesn't reflect on their musical talent. Just beacause a group changes, or in most cases matures with time, doesn't mean they sold out. How long can you hear the same music for? Everything adapts and changes with time - as does music. This brings me to my point. O.A.R. has been a favorite of mine for a while now. I love their older music. I love their newer music. They are incredible live. But some people have given up on them and my point here is not to tell you to go listen to every band you liked before. My point here is not to ressurect O.A.R. and bring back their older fans. My point is to tell you - don't give up on your favorite artists just beause their music starts to change. O.A.R. recently released a new album entitled King. At first listen it sounded different than their older music. However, after listening a few times through, I noticed why it sounded different. It had better production, a fresher sound, and good combination of their older and newer style. In fact, this CD resurrected their older sound. All in all the new CD is great. As a new fan, an old fan, or a LOYAL fan - King is solid all the way through. Give O.A.R. a chance if you haven't been. Attend their concert, they put on a hell of a show.

Notable Songs:

Heaven - Their lead single is catchy and embodies O.A.R.'s newer style.

Taking on the World Today - Lyrically and musically sounds a lot like their old music.

Not For Me - Just great all around song. It gets stuck in your head

Gotta Live - Also very similar to their older music. Great solo's in the song.

Heavy Heart - Great lyrics, great song

Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes - Amazing song, looks to be their next single

2nd Chances

When I first heard "Rehab" I hated the voice, the song, and thought it was terribly overrated. I haven't necessarily changed my opinion on it, but with the news of Amy Winehouse's passing I decided to take a look at her music. Maybe this was because she is Jewish and I gotta support the tribe. Maybe it was because I was bored. After I listened, I was very surprised - I actually enjoyed her music. It was ironic the two videos I watched were for the songs "You Know I'm No Good" and "Back to Black". Both seem to be a foreshadowing for what eventually happened to Amy. I realize why I was curious to listen to her now. Just like a book, you can't judge music by its cover, or by listening to a song one time through. I wanted to listen to her music because I wanted to give her a second chance. It's unfortunate that life didn't.

Here are the videos to the songs mentioned above. Give them a chance, you may enjoy.

"You Know I'm No Good"

"Back to Black"