Ten Fictional Songs That Are Bops Part II

 

I previously wrote a blog about fictional songs. More importantly fictional songs that are bops, and will have you loving it like it's a real song. So I decided to do a follow up blog, since you know the choices are endless. Without further ado, part II of Ten Fictional Songs That Are Bops.

10. Spell On You

The Hex Girls were a fictional band in 1999's Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost. Mistaken as witches, they are just goth girls trying to make an impact with their band. While they performed a few songs in the film, Spell On You is a bon a fide fictional hit. It goes triple platinum in my house during the fall leading up to Halloween.

9. You Belong With Me

Many people don't know this but Tyler James Williams of Everybody Hate's Chris and Abbott Elementary fame, actually has bars. He put them on display in 2012's Disney Channel Movie Let It Shine. A adaptation of the 1800's play Cyrano de Bergerac, CoCo Jones, Courtney B. Vance, and Trevor Jackson also star in the film. In this particular song You Belong With Me has a catchy teen bopper/hip hop beat to feed the ear's of the channels target audience. 

8. Dance With Me Tonight

The B-side of That Thing You Do in the universe of the film. It in itself is a standout track and tonally different from That Thing You Do. This song is more upbeat and has a mean guitar riff in the middle of it. The lyrics of the song are about asking a young lady to party on the dance floor, and that is exactly what this song could do. Get a party and whole lot of dancing started.

7. Friends Forever

In season 4 of Saved By The Bell, episode 22 Rockumentary features Zack having a dream about the group's band achieving worldwide success. Zack Attack the band is on top of the world, and are even subjects of a documentary by legendary Casey Kasem. As they achieve more success, the jealousy and infighting occurs until the group disbands.

Then in the magic of 30 minutes the group reunites, and releases a new episode about friendship. Friends Forever is quite campy looking back, but the show itself is campy so that's not shocking. However if you need a little reminder how important friends are, give it a listen.

6. Be Alone Tonight

People often forget that Tisha Campbell can actually sing, and she put her singing prowess on display in Spike Lee's School Daze. As the lead singer of the Gamma Ray's sorority and the quartet her and her groupmates strut across stage while beind sultry and seductive. As she belt's out her notes, clamoring for her man to stay the night with her.

The song is definitely a fictional song classic and has that old R&B feel to it. You can envision any R&B female singer hitting these same notes and providing the same feels to the listeners.

Side note Jasmine Guy sings backup on this track as a Gamma Ray, but it's a shame she didn't have a solo part. As she can sing pretty damn good herself.

5. Going Up

In 2010's Get Him To The Greek Jonah Hill's character Aaron Green has one job, get Rock Legend Aldous Snow played by Russell Brand to a concert. Despite some hijinks Aldous successfully get's to the concert and lays out his heart and soul to the audience. He kick's things off this song, that is actually inspiring. The song's message is about moving past life's punches and even when you feel down, you'll come back up.

A good message for anybody who's listening really, and that makes it a bop.

4. Make Up Your Mind

In season 5 two-part premiere of Fresh Prince, Ashley becomes a one-hit wonder through the success of her song Make Up Your Mind. The song is the personification of 90's era R&B, hip-hop infused and a perfect dance track. Tatyana Ali who is also a very talented singer really embodied the aura of a rising pop star every time she sung the track. Many fan's of the song have it on their playlists, which is a testament to how infectious the song is 30 years later.

3. Something He Can Feel

Legendary musician Curtis Mayfield composed this classic song that has become the centerpiece of 1976's Sparkle. Sung by the motown-esque trio of Sisters, Sister & The Sisters. Taking the tone of song's from that era, it's a sultry love R&B ballad with a hint of gospel in it (more common than you think). You really feel the cast putting their all into the vocals and the drumming background Mayfield crafted keeps you hypnotized the entire time. 

While Aretha Franklin performed the song for the original soundtrack, in the early 90's En Vogue did their own cover of the song. Which highlights how influential as a fictional song it is.

2. In The Middle

In my last blog I shouted out my favorite song from The Five Heartbeats, Night's Like This which is untouchable as far as fictional songs in my opinion. This blog I have to give credit to another favorite of mine from the movie, In The Middle. While Night's Like This is more 60's soulful doo-wop, this song is 70's inspired to fit the time period at that point in the movie. 

The opening keyboard riff let's you know it's time to get out your seats and dance, which most people do when hearing it. It is one of those song's that you can play on a Saturday while your cleaning and pass down to younger generations, as if it is a real jam.

1. He Still Loves Me

I have this song on my inspirational playlist, cause that's what it does for me. Sung by a chorus led by Beyonce, The O'Jays, Angie Stone, and Montell Jordan in the 2003 film Fighting Temptations, the song hit's you in the feels. Since the core of the movie focuses around a church choir, the song is of the gospel genre. You feel the pain of the chorus, as well as the weight being lifted off their shoulders as they sing about their imperfections. Knowing that although they are imperfect, God loves them regardless.

How can you not be moved by a song like that? So when I'm being hard on myself or just something to pick me up, I play this song. 

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My Top 10 Christmas songs

 Turkey Day is upon us and right on it's back is Christmas. If you haven't already put up your Christmas decorations, now's the time. While some folks may already have holiday music in full rotation while cooking. If you haven't already, fire up those Christmas playlists to get in the holiday spirit. I decided to switch thing's up a bit and share my 10 favorite Christmas song's, although I no longer play Christmas song's around the clock during this time of the year like I use to. These 10 song's will get some airtime this year, here we go.

10. Cyndi Lauper-Feels like Christmas

This jingle by Cyndi Lauper was released on her 1993 album Hat Full Of Stars. I first remember hearing it in the '93 film Life With Mikey starring Michael J. Fox, which Lauper had a role in. It's a catchy jingle with many influences in the crafting of it from pop to Irish bag pipes. It may not be everyone's cup of tea when it comes to Christmas music, but damnit it works for me.

9. Savage Garden-Last Christmas

I know many people consider Wham's verison of Last Christmas to be the holy grail of that song. I however love this version by Darren Hayes of the band Savage Garden. His version released in 1999, updated the beat to create in my opinion a vibe. The pain in his voice is felt more in this version and it just hit's your soul.

8. TLC-Sleigh Ride

This song by TLC is just the epitome of a New Jack Swing style Christmas song. It was on the Laface Records Christmas Compilation album, and can be heard in the background in the toy store in Home Alone 2. It has a catchy beat, it's playful, and Left Eye has a easy to rap along to verse. It's all about having a good time and enjoying the holidays, which at this point in my life is all I want during this time of the year. 

7. Darlene Love-All Alone On Christmas

Another song featured in Home Alone 2, it's played during the montage where Kevin enjoys New York City. Sung by Darlene Love (Danny Glover's wife in the Lethal Weapon series), she has a powerful soulful voice that perfectly aligns with the jazz and blues heavy beat.

6. Toni Braxton-Holiday Celebrate

This lover's Christmas song  by Toni Braxton is not widely known, but it should be. Using her sultry voice, Toni Braxton perfectly blends love and relationships with celebrating the holidays. And reminds folks it is something special when you have both. 

5. Alexander O'Neal-Our First Christmas

Another song celebrating love and Christmas this time by soulful Alexander O'Neal. This song should be a required listen for any new couples that are celebrating Christmas together for the first time. And for long time couples to help keep the spark alive get under that mistletoe, because you will two step to this in your kitchen.

4. Jackson 5-Merry Little Christmas

This timeless song by The Jackson 5 should be on every Christmas playlist. Jermaine Jackson take's the lead on this one and does a perfect rendition of Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas. What makes this song stand out though, is in the last minute and a half of the song when the beat get's more uptempo and the Jackson's put their own spin on the song. Making you get up and dance. 

3. Jackson 5- Up On The House Top

Another Jackson Jam off of their Christmas album, this one is my favorite off that album. It explains what all the brother's are getting that night as they hear Santa Claus coming. The beat is a bop in itself and just get's you in the mood to put up all your decorations and get in the spirit of Christmas.

2. Sounds Of Blackness-Soul Holiday

This Christmas song is a Black household staple and must be played religiously from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's likely family holiday heirlooms at this point. Performed by Sounds Of Blackness, it is Gospel, R&B, and soul music all in one. It literally touches your soul as it explains what most people look forward to during the holidays, food, family, and good times with those you cherish.

1. Stevie Wonder-Christmas means to me

Sung by the legendary Stevie Wonder during the legendary era of Motown, this song is just so addictive in my opinion. It's lighthearted, brings plenty of joy to listeners, makes you dance and above else highlights some of the most important thing's about Christmas. The little thing's that make it special and festive. Simply put I love this song. 

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Ten Fictional Songs That Are Bop's

 

Music, we all love it and even if you have two left feet we all enjoy doing a little two step to music. Music is so powerful, that there are several fictional songs out there that are just as good if not dare I say better than several real songs. With that here are 10 fake songs that are a bop, get ready to add them to your playlist if you haven't already.

10. Pop! Goes My Heart

The 2007 romantic comedy Music & Lyrics stars Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant, with Grant playing a former pop heartthrob who was on top of the world in the 80's. The film opens with a music video of the fictional song Pop! Goes My Heart complete with a astounding 80's look. Parodying groups like Wham!, everything about the music video and song scream 80's, the checkerboard background. The synth pop beat and the cheesy chorus that is catchy. 

9. Sugar High

This little known fictional song is an original  performed for the cult 90's classic Empire Records. The song is portrayed by cast members Coyote Shivers a real life musician who played Berko in the film, and Renee Zellwenger before her big break in Jerry Maguire the following year. It's performed during a fundraising scene to save the record store that's the subject of the film. It's a rock song that jams and is very catchy.

8. The Hardest Part Of Breaking Up

In 2000 amid the pop frenzy and boy band craze, MTV developed a original movie and later a television series about a fictional boy band 2Ge+her. Utilizing the tropes of boy bands from the heartthrob to the bad boy to fill out the band's roster. In support of the series, the band released an album that was actually very popular. With the lead song being The Hardest Part Of Breaking Up, which is essentially about getting your stuff back from your ex. It's a very silly song, that fits in with the time period and is very catchy.

7. Peaches 

Last years Super Mario Bros. movie was a quality adaption of the classic video game franchise. A highlight of the film was Bowser's solo performance professing his love for the princess Peaches. Jack Black really gave his all into the song, and really made you feel he was in love. You hear this song and you are guaranteed to walk around and randomly sing "peaches, peaches, peaches".

6. Hard Out Here For A Pimp

2005's Hustle & Flow was Terrance Howard's breakout role after almost two decades in Hollywood. His raw portrayal as a Memphis pimp just trying to make it, resonated with audiences who are just trying to make it too. The signature song of the film Hard Out For A Pimp is just as raw and gritty, with everyone's pain felt in the song. The song was so popular and well received it won Best Original Song for the Academy Award's in 2006. The hard hitting beat also made it easy to crank that joint up in your car on a warm summer day.

5. Straight Outta Locash

Chris Rock's classic 1993 spoof on the hip hop gangsta culture CB4 is a hilarious and very real film. The premise being middle class suburban Black kids cosplaying as gangstas to launch successful rap careers. To kick off their rap career, CB4 releases Straight Outta Locash which itself is a spoof of legendary rap group N.W.A. song Straight Outta Compton. It is one of the best fictional hip hop songs ever created, one may even think it's a legit song if they aren't laughing from the lyrics.

4.That Thing You Do

1996's That Thing You Do! perfectly captured the era of 1960's culture and music. Following a band named The Wonders who are one-hit wonders. The group's song That Thing You Do! sweeps the nation in a matter of month's and the band goes on an exciting journey thanks to the song's success. Almost 30 years later, the fictious song is still a head bopper when you hear it. 

3.Scotty Doesn't Know 

While 2004's EuroTrip is a raunchy sometimes crass movie that is actually funny, the highlight of the film is no doubt the song poking fun at main character's Scott lack of awareness his ex-girlfriend was a slut. Scotty Doesn't Know, which made even funnier when Matt Damon cameo's in the film to perform the song. It even is a running joke in the song, with a club  cover  played  overseas. The song is so wrong, but so catchy Scotty just doesnt know.

2. Nights Like This

Robert Townsend's 1991 classic The Five Heartbeats had many folks questioning if the group really existed. The story is loosely based on old school r&b group The Dell's, but the Five Heartbeats is fictional. The film boasts several original hits showcasing the group's ascension to the top of the music world. The best song performed by the group is Night's Like This, r&b group After 7 performed the song for the soundtrack. The soulful doo wop song about a break up just hits you in the feels and have you thinking your apart of the group crying. 

1. Eye 2 Eye

Honestly, what other fictional song could be number one? The energetic song performed by fictional superstar Powerline Eye 2 Eye or I 2 I is a chart topper. It has went quadruple platinum in my house since 1995 when A Goofy Movie was released. Performed by Tevin Campbell when the song plays you really can't help but get up and dance. And almost 30 years later it is still beloved, I wore a Powerline t-shirt a couple weeks ago and got several compliments with one person even mentioning the song instantly became stuck in their head. That just goes to show how great that song is.

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Diddy, Vince McMahon, & the NFL

  It’s playoff time in the NFL, and after a rough season fueled by protests, fans picking their sides in the protest and choosing to stay away, 45 and his vendetta against the NFL, over saturation, and fan remarks that the product has fallen off. The NFL is hoping for some very good playoff matches that will bring fans back.
  In the meantime there are two things that are possibly brewing that could change the NFL, or provide some stiff competition. I’m talking Diddy's bid to buy the Carolina Panthers and rumblings that Vince McMahon is angling to bring the XFL back.
  Diddy buying the Panthers would be a event of historic proportions that would deserve all kinds of praise and parties. I truly believe it would put Diddy over the hump to Billionaire status, but for the culture having a black owner in a league dominated by black players could really help address several issues between players and owners. Throw in Diddy becoming the second youngest owner in the NFL, he would be able to connect to a lot of the players, more than the current owners ever can. He may be able to convince the powers that be, to bring a little more showmanship to the game. It could also help usher in a new age of sports ownership, I believe Diddy is smart enough to let football people do football work. But he surely would put his spin on the Panthers, and breathe new life into it. He’ll face opposition from other owners of the “old guard” but I’m sure he’s ready for that.
  Vince McMahon revitalizing the XFL, if done right could bring serious competition to the NFL. The first time around it tried to go overboard with the extreme aspect of football, which ended up injuring some players unnecessarily and suffered from having mostly second rate players or has-beens. The anticipation for the XFL was initially high, but quickly deflated as the season went on.
   There are a few things that were successful the first time in the XFL, the overview camera angle which years later the NFL implemented, and letting the players place nicknames on the back of their jerseys to stand out. In today's NFL where players are often punished for standing out and showing personality that would be a welcome change.
   There are several players still in their prime who are out of the NFL preview, but still have more than enough in the tank. If the XFL can acquire enough playmakers, tone down the extremeness of their rules which was the wave the first time around, and make player safety a priority. They would actually have a chance at being more successful this time around and being an true alternative to the NFL. Of course there will be people who will doubt it because it’s not the NFL, and others who will use Vince McMahon’s association with wrestling as knock not to watch it, but if there is quality, consistent gameplay those factors will become nonexistent.
   Vince McMahon is a very competitive guy, and he wants to be known as more than just a wrestling promoter. A revamped XFL could be his chance to show he can be successful businessman outside the NFL.
    Diddy is the man, ambitious, a go-getter, game changer and a motivator. If these two gentlemen get what they want, professional football will definitely change...for better or worst only time would tell.

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Biopic overdose

  This past Monday lifetime premiered their latest biopic “Searching For Neverland” based on Michael Jackson’s later years of his life told through his bodyguards eyes. It was a farrrrr cry above the mid 2000s Michael Jackson starring Flex Alexander, but it was a typical lifetime production.
  In watching the movie I thought about something, are we about to reach a point of market saturation regarding biopics?  Whether we like to admit it or not we all enjoy learning a bit more about celebrities and the paths they took to reach success and anything they endured on their level of success. With that though comes some biopics being produced for folks who don't need them or who’s story is not yet complete to tell an engaging fully fleshed story.
  After the New Edition Story was released in January creating the trifecta of biopics along with The Jacksons: An American Dream, and The Temptations. We as fans started asking what’s the next story to be told? What I have seen coming down the pipeline shows Hollywood's reliance on following trends. Rumors or a Jodeci biopic being developed surfaced after the New Edition film released. There are two biopics in development for Xscape which no disrespect to that group but I don't know if they have a compelling enough story to tell. Dionne Warwick, tv one is supposedly developing a biopic on Debarge which if done right could be very interesting. A biopic about Bobby Browns story aside from New Edition, Outkast is rumored to have one in the works, Master P, Faith Evans, Bobbi Kristina is getting a biopic told through her eyes.
  There are also biopics that the subject deserves their story being told. Othe big budget scale we have “All eyez on me” based on the life of Tupac released later this month which I believe has the potential to be a very good film.  Richard Pryors biopic has been stagnant for years, along with a biopic of Marvin Gaye. Michael K. Williams (Omar from The Wire) is slated to play Miles Davis. Jennifer Hudson has been rumored to play Aretha Franklin in a movie. Jamie Foxx as Mike Tyson. The Supremes deserve a biopic, Whitney Houston deserves another proper biopic.
   With multiple biopics in the work projects become watered down and films are rushed to capitalize on a recent craze. Also throw in the fact when there is no participation from the subject of the biopic or their estate, it leaves a mostly hearsay sometimes silly depiction. Throw into account when the producers can't obtain the music rights….it’s not even worth making the movie at that point. We all saw the Aaliyah movie and saw how that turned out.
    I love a good biopic as much as anyone especially when I'm a fan of that artist. Sitting down for a few hours seeing their path all the while jamming to their music or recalling certain events I remember shown in the film are always fun. I just hope they are done with care and planned out so that we as an audience don't suffer from biopic overdose and eventually turn away for good.
 

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