“Take It Like A Man (Nikno Club Remix)” by Cher
This remix of Cher’s 2013 song “Take It Like A Man” is from a digital-only release that contained a whopping eight different remixes of the song. It was just like the 90s when artists would release CD maxi singles and I would buy them religiously and then proceed to never listen to them because as it turns out, 9 minute remixes with a minute and a half of vocals are not that great to listen to unless you’re under the influence at a club. These are actually pretty good for the most part in that they maintain the structure of the song but alter the instrumentation around it. According to iTunes I had only listened to this one other time prior to listening to it this morning, but it’s really good!
“Pavement Cracks” by Annie Lennox
My biggest memory associated with this song is that the album was released right around my birthday the year I turned 31. That this is over 20 years ago blows my mind but that’s not the point. Anyway, for my 31st birthday, my partner bought me a car stereo with a CD player in it. We had actually saved the money and bought it outright instead of putting it on a credit card. Approximately one week later, someone broke into our car and stole the stereo. I think the only CD I had actually played on it was Annie Lennox’s Bare album. I love the album but I always think of that when I listen to it, so it’s a little bit bittersweet.
“Let Me Be The One” by Exposé
Oh man, I loved Exposé back in the day. A staple of my sophomore year of high school, I remember being legitimately shocked that they did not end up a one hit wonder. The thing I remember about this song is how at the beginning it sounds like bones rattling before the synths kick in. Gioia Bruno sure could belt and said belting is present in full force on “Let Me Be The One.” (Full disclosure: the actual track that shuffled up in iTunes was the UK 7” mix, but Spotify does not have the expanded version of Exposure, so this will have to suffice.)
“Gambler (Extended Dance Mix)” by Madonna
Talk about a forgotten Madonna track. I would say that even Madonna has likely forgotten about it except from the sounds of it, the only reason it’s streaming is because of Madonna herself demanding it be put on streaming services. I always loved this track - I had it on a 45 along with “Crazy For You” which I’m pretty sure was a reissue or something because my official 45 of “Crazy For You” has a Berlin track as the B-side. Anyway, I would have killed for her to have performed this on The Celebration Tour but alas, it was not meant to be.
“Make It Happen (Live at MTV Unplugged)” by Mariah Carey
When Mariah Carey debuted in 1990, I loved her. By the mid 90s, I hated her. But a few years back I listened to her memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, and my respect for her grew three sizes that day. Nowadays I may not like everything she’s done, but I can at least see where she was coming from when she made the albums she made. “Make It Happen” was from my first period of Mariah love, and this live version of the Emotions track is top notch of course. I do feel bad that she has been reduced to a perennial Christmas song in the minds of many - my daughter, upon hearing “Always Be My Baby” or something said “oh she has songs other than ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’?” - but I’m sure she laughs all the way to the bank.
“Face Down” by Katie Todd Band
I don’t have a ton to say about “Face Down” because honestly, according to my iTunes play counts and last.fm stats, this morning was the first time I have ever played it. Its origins in my iTunes library are similarly murky, although I suspect it was from an mp3 blog or something someone sent me that I never got around to listening to. Back then I was definitely an MP3 hoarder (I still am to be honest, but with streaming, the game has most certainly changed.) “Face Down” is a pleasant slice of pop that is pretty inoffensive but is also ultimately pretty forgettable.
What’s in your heavy rotation this week? Let me know in the comments!