Iconic 80's: Poison

Rewind 30 years ago, back to 1980s. Back to the decade of high-waisted jeans, big hair, and mismatched earrings. And, back to the explosion of rock and the hair bands. Many iconic bands and artists were big in this era and are still popular today. These icons include Queen, Madonna, Michael Jackson, AC/DC, Beastie Boys, Def Leopard, Joan Jet, Ozzy Osborne, Poison, and many more. 

Poison, one among these treasured bands of the '80s, was formed in 1983. Although, this band didn't get big until later in the decade. The Poison crew members were Bret Michaels, Matt Smith, Rikki Rocket, and Bobby Dall. Their biggest hits were, "Nothin' But a Good Time", "Talk Dirty to Me", "Unskinny Bop", and "Every Rose Has Its Thorn". 

When one is dealing with heartbreak or simply going through a challenging time, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", is the perfect song. The melody takes on the softer scene of rock'n'roll. Meanwhile, the lyrics talk about heartbreak and disappointment. 

Unfortunately, life is full of both heartache and disappointment. Life never happens as we plan; it's full of unexpected twists and turns. And, love doesn't always happen like we want either. Various life events or catastrophes can occur and people can change.

Despite the grief or the thorns that are placed in our way, life and love are the roses, beautiful even with its imperfections. Nothing in this life is perfect. We all make mistakes and choices that may hurt ourselves or the ones we love. But, that's how we learn and become better individuals. 

Life is all about perspective. We have all heard the saying "the glass is either half-empty or half-full". Abraham Lincoln said, "We can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Every rose has its thorn. Without sorrow, we wouldn't know the sweetness of happiness. And, vice versa. Without happiness, we wouldn't know the bitterness of sorrow. It's our choice how we perceive these thorns and roses.  We can see life and love in two ways; we can be grateful for the good things that have come our way despite the bad, or be bitter of the bad things in life despite of the good. 

Kick-start Weekend

The word Friday is sweet music to the ears. Especially, after a taxing week of work, school, or chaos in any form, Friday seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Friday means the gauntlet of the week is over. And, Friday means the beginning of exciting endeavors, movie/TV episode binging, or kicking back and relaxing. No matter how you are kick-starting your weekend, be sure to check out the newest music releases for today.

Day after day, various celebrities helped assist Justin Bieber with the outstretched countdown for his single, What Do You Mean. Thirty days and many celebrities later, Justin Bieber's song is finally here. Today, his new single hit online music stores. Biebs also released a lyric video on YouTube.

For how much publicity this new single got, I was disappointed. If I was an eager fan being tantalized by the elongated countdown, I would've felt short-changed and disheartened once I heard the song. The song itself is fine. What Do You Mean has an interesting sound, but just isn't outstanding. In my humble opinion, I thought the song sounded monotonous. I kept waiting for the beat to drop, pick up speed, or whatever to spruce things up, but it never did. Justin Bieber has come a long ways and I'm sure he worked long hours on that song. But, I am just not in love with it. So, before you buy the song, I would suggest to listen to the lyric video.

Another music release for today is The Weeknd's newest album, Beauty Behind the Madness. Compared to What Do You Mean, Beauty Behind the Madness had almost no publicity. Personally, I have yet to hear a song by The Weeknd that I don't like. With that in mind, I went ahead and bought the album. I'm still working through it, but so far, so good. This album has The Weeknd's signiture sound and distint timbre. All in all, I would highly suggest to check out his new album. Especially, if you are a fan of The Weeknd. (This album does contain explicit content. Check out the clean version if you prefer.)

No matter how you may spend your weekend, do it with flair and with good tunes. Check out the newest music from Justin Bieber and The Weeknd. Also, check out all the newest singles and albums that have been released this past week. Happy weekend and enjoy!

The Weeknd

"When you're traveling constantly, every day you become inspired and it shows in my work, sonically, lyrically, visually. Conversations with women with different accents and stories told in those accents. I like to create characters based on different people I've met and relationships. I like to tell stories loosely based on real-life events." --The Weeknd

Life can be beautiful, full of love and vigor. But, life has its dark side as well. Life can be ugly and foreboding. The Weeknd has captured theses two aspects of life in his music. In many of his songs, he spins a tale of pain and that searching for love through his unique lyrics and rhythms. 

Abel Tesfaye, more famously known as The Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 2010, he began to upload music onto YouTube under the stage name, The Weeknd. The next year he released several mixtapes. It was 2012 when The Weeknd released his first album, Trilogy, He released Trilogy through the Republic Records and his very own label XO. In 2013, The Weeknd release his debut studio album, Kiss Land. Some of his big hits from that album were Kiss Land* and Live For*. The Weeknd's music exploded with his song, Earned it, for the infamous movie, 50 Shades of Gray. Now, fans anxiously wait for his next album, Beauty Behind the Madness, which is expected to be released this Friday, August 28, 2015. The songs Often*, Earned it, and my personal favorite, The Hills* are some of the big singles from his upcoming album, and the song, Can't Feel My Face has become his number one hit.

Yesterday, August 24, 2015, The Weeknd just released the music video for the song, Tell Your Friends, from his album, Beauty Behind the Madness. This music video falls on the darker side of the spectrum, but you can tell he had fun it. This song, Tell Your Friends, has a great beat, like the rest of The Weeknd's work. Also, this song is explicit, so if you are sensitive to such music, be warned. Be sure to check out The Weeknd's newest music video below and his album, Beauty Behind the Madness, on Friday. Enjoy!

*Songs contain explicit content. I tried to mark all of the song that were explicit, but proceed with care. 

5 Seconds of Summer

Summer is a time for sun kissed skin, smoldering days, and starry night skies. Summer is a time for new adventures, untouched views, and wild endeavors. Yet, like all good things, eventually it must come to an end. August and summer is quickly coming to a close, while September is slowly creeping among us along with cooler weather.

"The first week of August hangs at the very top of the summer, top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from the balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white lawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color." --Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting.

Even though the excitement and exuberance of summer is fading into the chills of autumn, there is one way we can still get a taste of the summer-- 5 Seconds of Summer. There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who are in denial of liking 5 Seconds of Summer, and those who have accepted the fact that they like 5 Seconds of Summer.

There are a lot of crazy fan girls out there. Personally, I know a few. The fan girl life revolves around the band, 5 Seconds of Summer, or 5SOS. I had a hard time remembering their names, meanwhile these girls memorized the birthdays, heights, and shoe sizes for each band member. But, like every other girl out there, we have consciously, or subconsciously, chosen a favorite. I quickly came to the realization that my favorite was not everyone else's. My favorite is Michael Clifford (took me a while to figure out his name), and in my wildest dreams we would hang out.

But, my wildest dreams aren't something to go into and are besides the point. Recently, 5 Seconds of Summer released another song titled, Fly Away*, from their upcoming album, Sounds Good Feels Good. In my humble opinion, this song is far better than their new single She's Kinda Hot. Fly Away is catchy and up beat. Thousands of anxious fans await 5 Seconds of Summer's new album, Sounds Good Feels Good to be released October 23, 2015.

*5 Seconds of Summer is keeping a tight lid on Fly Away. I found a lot of covers on YouTube, but none were actually of the band singing. So, if the link doesn't work check out iTunes or Google Play and listen to Fly Away.

Newly Discovered

The famous Ray Charles once described music to be a part of himself. "I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me--like food or water."

Many individuals, artists, composers, and song writers would agree with this quote. For some, music isn't just something they love. It's something that is simply a part of them. It's what drives people. And, in a way, music can grant immortality. The human body alone cannot last; it ages and decays with time. But, music has and will always exist. Music can turn a talented human being into a legend that can last forever. 

Artists today are driven or were once driven by this passion for music. That's why we are constantly hearing new music from our favorite artists or new, upcoming ones. The music industry is constantly changing.

It's that time again. I have found songs that are new to me and song that are climbing up on the charts. The songs below are songs that I have newly discovered and love. Granted, not all of the songs are newly released. Some of the songs may contain explicit content, so proceed with caution. I hope you enjoy!

Again by Fetty Wap *Explicit* Again by Fetty Wap is my new favorite. This song has great rhythm and I absolutely love its unique sound.

Wait For Life by Lana Del Rey & Emilie Haynie I recently discovered this song and love it. Of course, I love most songs by Lana Del Rey. This song has a much different sound from her other songs.

Alright by Kendrick Lamar *Explicit* Kendrick Lamar always has that unique sound his fans love. The music video to this song is very interesting also.

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko I'm not against lesbians or gays, but I'm not usually one who sponsors it. But, I love this song and the music video is cute. I couldn't help smiling at the end. 

Burning House by Cam I for one am not a fan of country. But, it had unique sound and wasn't too hill billy for me.

Growing Up feat. Ed Sheeran by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Currently there has been some beef about his incorrect references, but this song is good. And, Ed Sheeran gives a different twist the typical Macklemore sound.

I Know by Big Sean *Explicit* I heard this song on the radio, so it's not necessarily new. But, this song is a good jam. Big Sean is at it once more with good beats.

Wicked Games by The Weeknd *Explicit* This song is definitely not new by any means. This song came out in 2012, I believe. But, it doesn't change the fact that this is a good song, and I have recently discovered it. True Weeknd fans have already heard this song.

Twenty Eight by The Weeknd *Explicit* Also, this is not a new song. I discovered it a few months back, and I absolutely love it! The Weeknd always has great beats and lyrics.

Stitches by Shawn Mendes I'm not much of a Shawn Mendes fan. But, his song Stitches is catchy and has a fun beat.

Hotline Bling by Drake Most big Drake fans have already heard this. I am not, but I am still a fan of Drake and his work. 

Locked Away feat. Adam Levine by R. City I, among many other young ladies, love Adam Levine. He is perfection. And, the song has good rhythm. 

Rae Sremmurd

The sound of the word Monday is enough to make one cringe. And, alarms blaring Monday morning is enough reason to put anyone in a lousy mood for the day.  Mondays don't nearly hold the same excitement as Friday does. But, Rae Sremmurd is breaking the mold of the dull Monday blues. Today, Rae Sremmurd has just released the music video for Drinks On Us, and has a dark, wild side to the club scene.

Rae Sremmurd has a unique party vibe. And, they have been blowing up the radios. These two brothers, Khalif "Swae Lee" Brown and Aaquil "Slim Jimmy" Brown, first started off producing music in their home. They would play for parties and at local bars. This duo originally went by St8 Boyz, Ear Drummers, and then finally, Rae Sremmurd, which is Ear Drummers backwards.

In 2014, Rae Sremmurd had officially arrived. Their biggest hits were No Flex Zone, No Type, and Thow Sum Mo feat. Nicki Minaj. Rae Sremmurd was being played on every radio throughout the nation. Their unexpected beats and sound has become a new favorite for hip-hop lovers. 

In 2015, Rae Sremmurd has released This Could Be Us, which is my personal favorite. Rae Sremmurd shows no sign of slowing down. These brothers are here and here to stay.

So, break away from the boring Monday routine. Make this Monday a little less monotonous. Click the link and check out Rae Sremmurd's new music video for Drinks On Us. Enjoy!

The Queen Bee

August 16, 1958, a pop star sensation was born. Yet, over the next 57 years, this queen has yet to lose her spunk and is still a music icon today. She is best known for pushing limits and her provocative flair. She is the original Material Girl. Some of her biggest hits were Like A Prayer, Vogue, Into The Groove, and Like A Virgin. If you're still wondering who this woman is, I'll tell you; It is the one and only, Madonna.

Today, Madonna is 57 years young and is still looking better than ever. Earlier this year, Madonna was on the cover of the Rolling Stones, after releasing her newest album, Rebel Heart. In the article, Madonna opened up about growing up as a youth, raising kids, and refusing to conform with age. Madonna stated, "Women my age have accepted they're not allowed to behave a certain way. I never followed the rules. I'm not going to start now."

Madonna also talked about how everyone has tried to pigeon hole her to one characteristic. Yet, in reality, she, along with every other human being, is made up of all different kinds of characteristics. Madonna also explained how she is both a spiritual and sexual person. "There's no law that says that you cannot be a spiritual person and a sexual person. In fact, if you have the right consciousness, sex is like a prayer. It can be a divine experience. So why do they have to be disassociated with one another?"

Towards the end of the interview, the interviewer asked "Do you think about mortality?" Madonna  replied beautifully, saying, "In some respects I will never die. Because art is immortal. What we leave behind and what we create--the energy that we put out into the world is eternal. The physical body is assembled just like a chair or a building or a flower, but the revolutions we start, the people we affect and inspire, that is eternal. So, in that respect, we do achieve immorality, and that makes me less fearful."

After reading the interview and Madonna's remarks, I quickly realized that I had more in common with this pop-star queen than I thought. Granted, I'm not nearly as talented nor successful as Madonna (who is?), but I concluded that we had similar views, thoughts, and ideas. And, like Madonna, I am a rebel at heart. 

Her album, Rebel Heart, contains music that is fresh, real, and the usual Madonna provocation. The music video for the song, B**ch, I'm Madonna feat. Nicki Minaj, encapsulates Madonna's attitude. Also, the music video is fun and carefree. Below are links to the songs on her album, Rebel Heart. Proceed with caution and enjoy!

Living for Love

Ghosttown

B**ch, I'm Madonna feat. Nicki Minaj

Illuminati

Holy Water

Wash All Over Me