Well Hello, Monday! Where’d you sneak up from? I swear the days are screaming by faster and faster. To make sure this day isn’t already over before it begins, and since I ended up making this post the longest one yet for MMMM, let’s jump right into the fun music, shall we?
Our Spotlight Dancer, RoryBore from A Time Out for Mom would like us to do Guys and Dolls theme! Songs about or with either Man, Boy, Girl, Woman in the title. So let’s have some fun!
First up is an artist who is usually part of a duo, but they’re both doing a few solo things right now (and rest assured, the duo has not broken up – they’ll be back at it together again soon).
This single has a funky yet sultry feel, with confessional lyrics and a touch of danger. The music video was shot in New York City, and the artist plays a dual role as the blonde mistress and the dark haired wife.
The song is about a woman who is bamboozled into getting involved with another woman’s man, and shows the remorse of the mistress who didn’t know her man was already taken.
As she sings the lyrics, “I don’t want to be that girl, with your guy / To fool you, make you cry / Wreck it all, for one night / To be with him when he should be with you” her face begins to show determination — lots of it. She seeks out the other dark-haired woman in the bathroom to confess her wrongdoings face to face.
The video is the perfect visual portrayal of an affair that really wasn’t supposed to be an affair at all. And everything about it — the wardrobe, acting, mood, was incredibly well-done.
Here’s the gorgeous Jennifer Nettles with “That Girl”:
Next up is an artist I’ve always loved and admired, especially when she went through a rough patch in her life and managed to emerge from the flames even stronger for it. This particular song was written during her early years as her seventh single, and won a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2000.
The artist headlined the Super Bowl XXXVII Halftime show opening her set with this particular song, and the song itself was used to comic effect in a 2004 Chevy Colorado TV commercial. The song was also performed by American Idol winner Carrie Underwood during the fourth season, and by Britney Spears in Crossroads.
The music video was shot in New York City and is a role-reversed version of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”. The video won the MuchMoreMusic Video of the Year award at the MuchMusic Video Awards in 2000.
Here’s the stunning Shania Twain with “Man! I Feel Like A Woman”:
Next up is an artist who has always been a little unconventional in just about everything. This particular song was written for her second studio album in 2008 and is the lead single.
The song received generally mixed reviews from music critics, praising its sound and structure while highly criticizing its lyrical content. The song drew controversy for its irreverent lyrics and was notably criticized by numerous critics and singers.
The music video features the artist in a setting inspired by burlesque and Moulin Rouge styles. It features her real life friend and DJ, Mia Moretti, Markus Molinari’s cat Bella and a then unknown Kesha in the music video. The song was performed and a nominee at the 51st Grammy Awards, and was also nominated for Favorite Song at the 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards.
The song and its controversial theme met with strong resistance at the label – they didn’t want to put it on the album, because they felt it was never going to get played on the radio. They weren’t sure how to sell it, and wondered how it would be played in the Bible belt.
One of the label’s radio promoters had a big hand in convincing people to believe in the record and helped push the single on the radio. The first station to pick it up and take a chance was 107.5 The River in Nashville. After playing it for three days they were inundated with enthusiastic calls.
Here’s the inimitable Katy Perry with “I Kissed A Girl”:
Next up is a song I’ve shared before, but it’s so worth sharing again. With the chorus of “chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit,” and lyrics about Bocephus, honky-tonks, and being “backwoods legit,” it’s pretty clear this latest single isn’t aimed at those that typically listen to National Public Radio. Ahem.
It’s definitely a good-natured spin on rural culture, hitting on every “red-red-red-red-red-red redneck” cliché in the book with “dirt roads,” “ice cold beer,” and “girls sweet as Dixie crystal” who “deserve a whistle.” And for those of us who actually have a sense of humor (and appreciate this artist) understand that the artist himself is poking fun at the clichés with a nudge-nudge, wink-wink.
I love that the video takes the concept even further and blows up some of the song’s silly details to almost cartoonish proportions, all in the name of good fun. Take for instance the truck the artist is driving – it’s not just any old four-wheel drive, it’s ridiculously huge, a bright red behemoth that looks like it’s as tall as a house.
And while he’s drinking one of those sung about ice cold beers, he’s not just surrounded by people at his house party, he’s also surrounded by a tractor, a cow, and a pig. I love his sense of humor.
Helping him out with the song are all three Pistol Annies, one of which happens to be his wife, Miranda Lambert. Love them all! Here’s Blake Shelton featuring Pistol Annies & Friends with “Boys ‘Round Here”:
Last, but certainly not least, is yet another favorite artist who happens to stand 6-feet, 6-inches tall. Those of you who watch Celebrity Apprentice will recognize him since he was on there for two different seasons, winning the most recent one.
His trademark baritone has powered countless hits to the top of the charts and turned albums into Platinum plaques, selling over 10 million albums, cumulatively.
The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a television personality, actor, author, spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Program, the American Red Cross and has performed seven USO Tours.
In his 2007 autobiography, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck, the former oil-rigger recounted his rise to fame, brushes with death, and battles with personal demons.
He also explains just how the world’s biggest alpha-male handles fatherhood with five daughters.
The pinkie finger on his left hand is permanently crooked to fit around the neck of a guitar. Years ago he accidentally cut off the finger on a job, and asked the doctors to reattach it in a useful position to make up for losing the ability to move it.
He got his big break while singing at Tillie’s & Lucy’s Pub in Nashville, when he was spotted by the president of Capitol Records’ country division and quickly signed to a recording contract.
Here’s the always impressive Trace Adkins with “Ladies Love Country Boys”:
That’s a wrap for this week – I’m still fighting the internet connection as a basement dweller (I’m now looking into router boosters to see if we can boost the signal instead of this “now you see it, now you don’t” mode of the internet connection) so not to sound like a broken record, but as soon as I’m able, I’ll be swinging by your place for a visit!
Have a great Monday!
Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:
I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohorts, Callie from JAmericanSpice, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and Naila Moon at Just the Stuff Ya Know.
Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!
The awesome Run DMT also hosts Music Monday (who graciously helps out with our hostessing every time we need it, and who I had the privilege of meeting in person at BlogHer – she’s even more adorable than I imagined):
I love Shania.
Everyone has found such awesome toonz!!
Happy Monday.
A Daft Scots Lass would like you to read ..Spotlight Dancer
Nice choices I bet Jennifer Nettles has a sting in her tail 😉
Have a tanfastic week ahead 😉
stevebethere would like you to read ..Music Monday – Retro 29
You never fail to please with your country picks week after week. I like Jennifer Nettles’ new-to-me “That Girl”. You & I were thinking alike with Shania Twain this morning. I just love that song! It makes me wanna get up and dance every time I hear it. Trace Adkins I just love. I fell in like with him while he was on Celebrity Apprentice. He’s just a good ole country boy who is big as bear, but appears to be gentle as a lamb. I guess it’s because he’s the daddy of 5 girls. That little tid-bit about his pinkie is interesting. I didn’t know the story behind till now. You so rock, girlfriend! I just LOVE your style!
Cathy Kennedy would like you to read ..Love these oldies my absolute favourite out of the…
Woo baby! Forget the country music, I just like looking at Shania Twain’s guitar player . . . times four. I’ll just put country music on mute and goggle at the good looking man who’s probably close to my son’s age! 😉
Joyce would like you to read ..Musical Monday Meets Numa Numa
Nothing is cuter that listening to Bruiser sing the Chew Tobacco, spit line form Boys Round Here. He does it quite well.
VandyJ would like you to read ..Where did that Weekend go?
Well, aren’t you the sign of the times! All up to date & everything! Way ta go girl. Blake Shelton is a new country favorite of mine because I’ve been a big fan of “The Voice” lately! He’s too funny & it’s cool to kind of get to know the man & not the singer so to speak. Love the choices though girlfriend and Katy Perry I believe that was the song that shot off her career wasn’t it. Oh yeah, luv rockin’ with y’all! Hope things are running smoothly for ya. I’m peeking in every now & then to see if anything new is up! Big hello to the Princess & the duke. How’s your King doin? Has he found that perfect job yet? Hope so… he will! You guys will be rockin’ in no time with your own place I’m sure! Pray to St. Anthony. Hugs and now LET’S ROCK! You know how to pick em’!
XmasDolly would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves Me
HA – love that Ladies Country Boys video!! great song and video….and also True!! LOL
Shania – that’s my home town girl!
but Jennifer is quickly becoming a new fave. love her style
Rorybore would like you to read ..Monday’s Music: Company’s Coming
I got to meet Shania Twain at a concert one time… um, not the most friendliest of little ladies
Rebecca Jo would like you to read ..What a wash out!!!
You really rolled out some of my favorites. I still think Shania is great and Blake is so nice… All good songs.
Happy Monday!
Lynn would like you to read ..A Devilish Monday Music Moves Me
Great songs for this week. “That Girl” – wasn’t there a TV series with that title starring Marlo Thomas? I remember watching reruns of it after school.
Danielle Royalegacy would like you to read ..Marvelous Music Monday – Oh Boy! Buddy Holly 4Ms – October 7, 2013
Great set of tunes,i have not heard “Man,I feel like a woman\” in a long time. and while I was listening to it a chevy truck Colorado commercial started running in my head the one where TJ Thyne was singing along with it on the radio.I’d add the commercial here with the comment but I was told no I could not by your system
Mike Golch would like you to read ..Awww…Monday
Fun Girlie, woman picks! I liked the first one, “That Girl”. It had a fun little backbeat.
Run DMT would like you to read ..Music Monday: It’s Halloween. No Bones About It!
Blake is so talented.
I’ve always enjoyed your selections Stacy.
Thank you.
Have a great week!
Hope all is going well with the house and all.