6 Things: Songs I Recorded From the Radio

Maybe it's because I spent a long weekend at my parents house rummaging through old CDs from when I was younger, but I'm feeling extra nostalgic this morning.

So, to embrace those mid-to-late-nineties tingles inside of me I'd like to share with you the music videos of six songs I used to record from the radio onto cassette tapes when I was in middle school. Enjoy!

Why Bravo's 'Platinum Hit' Is No One-Hit Wonder

By Sean Martin, Contributing Writer

One of this summer's freshest competition series, Platinum Hit -- which unfortunately did not become a hit for the network -- comes to an end tonight at 8pm on Bravo. The three remaining singer-songwriters are incredibly talented and extremely unique. The finalists are Sonyae Elise, the R&B/Hip Hop writer from Newark, NJ, Scotty Granger, the Pop/R&B song writer from New Orleans and Jes Hudak, the Pop/Soul song writer from upstate New York.


Scotty Granger, Sonyae Elise and Jes Hudak
When Bravo announced Platinum Hit earlier in the year, I had my doubts. What would make me want to watch song writers write songs? How is that going to hold my attention? Luckily, the concept for the series turned out to be a good one. And the casting didn’t hurt either. The group assembled for season one was diverse, with a bunch of big personalities (a necessity for reality TV). More importantly, the group was talented and the viewing audience this summer was treated to some really fantastic songs and performances.

Before I jump into my favorite songs of the summer, I want to put it out there that I know absolutely nothing about song writing. Several times, my favorite song was the one the judges liked the least -- usually Kara DioGaurdi, who I felt was particularly nasty. I prefer how a song sounds -- not necessarily the thought behind the lyrics. I’m your average music listener, which I think is important for a show like Platinum Hit. Although, I guess that’s why Ellen Degeneres was brought on board for American Idol and we all know how that worked out.

So, with the show's finale dropping tonight I thought I'd share my six favorite songs from Platinum Hit -- in no particular order:

6 Things: Pop Songs with Whistling

Music buffs lately have been saying that the saxophone is having a renaissance in pop music, which is arguably true with recent hits like "Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)". Plus, there's been a heightened focus on the wood wind after the recent death of sax legend Clarence Clemons.

But there's another popular sound in pop hits that needs its spotlight, too: The whistle.

Pop staples like Britney Spears and Maroon 5 have both embraced the whistle in their latest singles, but the puckered-lip sound is nothing new to the radio. Check out my six favorite songs featuring a whistle-filled hook.

6 Things: My Favorite Kylie Minogue Videos

Nothing brings me more joy than a new tune from Kylie Minogue. And although she may not have any new songs out at the moment, I did get to see Ms. Minogue live in concert last night as part of the American leg of her Aphrodite Les Folies tour (and I'm going again tonight!)

To celebrate -- and to immediately improve your mood -- please enjoy my six favorite Kylie videos, in no particular order.

6 Things: My Favorite Britney Spears Videos

Although we've received nearly two weeks of sneak peeks, Britney Spears will fully debut just debuted her new music video for "Hold It Against Me" at 9:56pm on MTV. which you can watch right here. And because there is so much Brit Brit discussion to have, MTV.com will hold an hour-long discussion following the premiere with special guests breaking down the new video and looking forward to what we can expect from the album Femme Fatale.


Thinking of a new Britney Spears video had me reminiscing about the good ol' days of Brit when she was really selling it in her music videos. So, to celebrate the release of the "Hold It Against Me" video please enjoy my six favorite Britney Spears videos, in no particular order.

Happy Birthday, Carolyn!

Today is my best buddy and vlog partner Carolyn's birthday! She is really my tried and true homey, and to celebrate her turning another year older (I won't say how old for fear of beating) I've put together a post with some of our best vlogs.

We've done a ton of videos together, be these are the six that really make me laugh out loud!












You can view all of our videos on YouTube, and you should go visit her site Serendipity & Spark and leave her some birthday love!

6 Things: My Favorite YouTube Clips

In honor of YouTube's fifth birthday many media outlets are compiling lists of the best/favorite viral web clips out there. Even YouTube itself is having some major names like Conan O'Brien share their favorite videos.

I've been uploading clips and making YouTube vlogs since December 2006 so I figured I'd get in on the action and share my six favorite clips to date.

6 Things: My Favorite Melanie C Videos

Yes, she was 20% of the biggest girl group of all time, but Melanie C (aka Sporty Spice) has had massive solo success in the UK and Europe. With five -- yes, five! -- albums of her own she's had a bunch of singles and videos out, but beyond "I Turn To You" most have gone unheard and unseen by us folks here in the States.

So, without further ado, please enjoy my six favorite Melanie C videos, in no particular order.

6 Things: Victoria Beckham Music Videos

Long gone are the days when the world remembers Victoria Beckham for her musical prowess. Now she is more known for her pin-thin figure, stylish outfits and stud of a husband, David Beckham. And yes, everyone knows that she was 1/5 of the biggest girl group of all time, but not many people outside of the UK know that she had a go at a solo career post-Spice Girls.

Vicky B. had only did one solo album (each of the other girls had at least 2, with Melanie C having 4) before she decided to put away singing for good (she didn't even do a solo on the Spice Girls tour, she only walked the catwalk). So let's take a look at my 6 fave Victoria Beckham solo videos.

Not Such an Innocent Girl


A Mind of Its Own


Out of Your Mind (True Steppers f. Victoria Beckham)


Let Your Head Go (really funny)


This Groove


OK, so Victoria only has 5 solo videos, so here's a clip from her special that should have been a series Victoria Beckham: Coming to America


Do you think Victoria could ever make it back to music, or should she stick to fashion/scowling?

6 Things: My Favorite Christmas Ornaments

At my house our Christmas tree is one of those mix-and-match kind.  We don't have a big set or ornaments to decorate with, they're all random ones members of my family have picked up from various travels or to commemorate special occasions.  My favorite thing about it is remembering what each ornament stands for and talking about the memories.  So, here are my six favorites!


This is Foghorn Leghorn. He's the first ornament my parents bought together after I was born. He's always the first ornament to go on the tree.

Shortly after Foghorn came my first Christmas ornament. Look at that lil' nugget!

We have a bunch of these bead ones that I made at my babysitters when I was 2 or 3 years old. This is a weird Santa.

I bought this ornament when I was a Page at NBC to mark my first real job and my move to New York City.

This is my brother, Drew, and a pic of him from preschool. It always makes me chuckle.

And the crowning jewel--My second grade yearbook photo on top of a pine cone angle. Glorious.
 
Do you have any ornaments that are really special to you or your family? Tell me about 'em!

6 Things: Radio 1 Live Lounge Covers

People reading this in the States are probably unfamiliar, but in the UK BBC's Radio 1 does a Live Lounge with popular recording artists. Besides performing acoustic versions of their own hits, the artists often do covers of other artists' songs.

Please take a few minutes out of your day to listen to six of my favorite covers from the Live Lounge...


The Saturdays covering The Four Season's "Beggin'"



Sam Sparro covering Estelle's "American Boy"



Jordin Sparks covering Katy Perry's "Hot N' Cold"



Paramore covering Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody"



Snow Patrol covering Madonna's "Ray of Light"



Katy Perry covering MGMT's "Electric Feel"
There are hundreds more covers out there, so please share your favorites, too!

6 Things: My Favorite T-Shirts

As the cold weather starts to blow through New York City I unfortunately have been forced to pull out the sweaters and jackets from my closet. But before I completely bundle up for winter I'd like to share my six favorite t-shirts currently in my wardrobe.


Space shuttle V-neck I got on the street in SoHo


Boom boxes from Urban Outfitters


Phi Mu '03 Date Party shirt from college (love it)


Kids' tee ball shirt I got at Goodwill for $.50 in college


Guitar tee from Yellow Rat Bastard


"Golden Boy" My soooo-soft tee from American Apparel

Do you have a tee that is your go-to comfy shirt? What's it look like?

6 Things: My Fave Pat & Carolyn Pix

In honor of my real-life best friend's wedding tomorrow I've decided to share 6 of my favorite photos from our vlogs. Each week before we vlog we normally take some goofy photos to get warmed up. These are my faves:


Pat-tron and Carolbot


Faces for radio


Matching shirts/Snuggie-look-alikes


"Tay, you and Brad have to get along..."


We love Jesus, but we drink a little...


Don't innerrup, rue.
Can't wait to see the goofy pix from the wedding!

6 Things: Awesome My Little Ponies

This is so squee-worthy!

To do this I must reveal my secret childhood love my My Little Ponies, but these were too cool not to suck it up and share. Artist Mari Kasurinen has crafted some amazing My Little Pony replicas of some of pop cultures coolest characters. These are my faves:


Lady Gaga


The Bride from Kill Bill


The Joker


Princess Leia


Spock


Edward Scissor Hands

You can see more of Kasurinen's work on her website. How cool are they?!

6 Things: Awesome Music Mash-Ups

I'm all about finding great remixes of songs, but what I find the most enjoyable is when two songs are mashed together and sound better than either original. Sometimes you hear one song over another's beat and it just works. Check out 6 of my favorite mash-ups and enjoy...

Beyonce and Tom Petty (fantastic)


Kelly Clarkson and Coldplay (totally changes the song's feeling)


Britney Spears and Katy Perry (perfect fit)


Spice Girls and Lady Gaga (2 of my faves combined!)


Rick Astley and Nirvana (genius)


Franz Ferdinand and Kelis (rockin' fun)


I've already hear an AWESOME mash-up of Beck's "Loser" with Scissor Sister's "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" but it's not on YouTube. I know there are a ton of other awesome mash-ups out there (like Danger Mouse's Grey Album which mashes Jay Z's Black Album with the Beatles White Album) so please send them my way!