Please Come Back!

I have a hard time of letting go. When a certain musical act comes into my life, and rocks the crap out of it, I want them to stay forever. However they decide for some reason or another to just abandon me. I know they may have personal issues, management issues or bigger dreams - but how dare they! You can't delight me and then disappoint me; that is not how it works. I invest a lot of time into listening to music, it has taken me a lifetime to perfect the unskippable playlist.

Call me selfish, but I want more. I need more. They create this magic and I don't think it is unreasonable of me to want them to make more, they have it in them and I believe in them. So it is now 2016 and I would like to put forward the six individual acts I would love to make a comeback, in fact don't even call it a comeback - call it the next phase of their brilliance.

Michelle Branch
Last Single - 'Loud Music' released June 10, 2011
Last Full Album - 'Hotel Paper' released June 24, 2003
I know she has released 2 EPs since 'Hotel Paper' but I need more. I want a full album, with music videos and a tour. Since her last full release she has had a family. She has had a life outside of music and that's all great but please come back!! I need her beautiful voice breathing new music into my life.

Stacie Orrico
Last Single - 'So Simple' released January 26, 2007
Last Full Album - 'Beautiful Awakening' released August 14, 2006
Where did she go? What happened? She released three great albums, songs that sung for a generation and then poof nothing. Having a quick stalking session I can see she has released an EP in 2014 on Soundcloud - thanks for letting me know Stacie! Now I need the full album and a tour thank you very much.

Avril Lavigne
Last Single - 'Fly' (Charity Single for The Special Olympics) released April 16, 2015
Last Full Album - 'Avril Lavigne' released November 1, 2013
I feel kind of bad for demanding new music from her, we all know about her recent health issues and I wish her nothing but the best. For selfish reasons I really want to hear new stuff from her. She is a gifted songwriter and a beautiful singer in my eyes. She should be back on top where she belongs and teach these other wannabes how it is done.

Vanessa Carlton
Last Single - 'House of Seven Swords' released October 2015
Last Full Album - 'Liberman' released October 23, 2015
Okay, so it wasn't until I started to research where she was that I realised that she released some stuff recently (really need to get on the ball more). However I still want a 2016 comeback - a comeback of the Vanessa I loved. I want piano ballads and pop hits again. I guess she has grown and developed as an artist and I still love her - I just can't let go of '1000 Miles' and 'White Houses'.

N-Dubz
Last Single - 'Morning Star' released March 14, 2011
Last Full Album - 'Love.Live.Life' released November 29, 2010 
Scoff at me, turn your nose up, I don't care. I loved this group so much! My guilty pleasure. They had a sound all of their own and they did all on their own. There is a respect that they deserve because they were a completely self made band. They paid for their own music videos, they produced/wrote all their own stuff and paid for distribution. They never apologised because they worked hard to create their sound. After all the trouble they have gone through in their lives it is time to go back to their roots. These guys need to get back in the studio together again, dust off the blueprints of their original success and start all over. I would love to hear a new N-Dubz song!

The Saturdays
Last Single - 'What Are You Waiting For?' released August 10, 2014
Last Full Album - 'Living for the Weekend' released October 14 2013
I called it as soon as they took their break - they weren't coming back soon. It has been nearly 2 dark years. They are all distracted with their solo projects that they haven't even discussed a comeback. I am going to be 40 and be surprised to see The Saturdays 20 Year Reunion Special on TV somewhere aren't I? Since they have left us behind Little Mix and Fifth Harmony have taken the reins (I ain't mad), The Saturdays will get forgotten about by a lot of folk - not me - if they don't do something soon!

My Top 10 British Girl Groups

I just finished watching a 'Top 10 Girl Groups' video on the old YouTube. I was pleased with the results but I kind of feel we Brits were extremely unrepresented. The British music scene has always been at the forefront, we churn out the best and the most talented. If you want to argue; read my list and then come for me. I am about to make a lot of valid points that, and I am sorry, will prove how right I am. Us Brits are unmatched when it comes to pop! I wanted to make a Top 10 list of my own, but it is giving me an anxiety rash trying to think of an order. So, you may not agree with the placement (and neither will I in about 14 minutes), but enjoy and thank me later for infiltrating your ears with the beautiful sounds of these British gals.

10. Neon Jungle

These are the newest girls on my list, but they have made a major impact on my life and playlists. They screamed on to the scene with 'Trouble' just over a year ago. Since then they have had 3 top 20 singles and a top 10 album. I am excited for what they do next because they have such an edge and a style that I really enjoy.

9. Atomic Kitten

Things weren't looking too good for the kittens when they first started out. Given one last chance before they were to be dropped from their record label, they released 'Whole Again'. Then BANG they exploded. Two number one albums and three number one singles in the UK alone. These ladies were fun, had a little bit drama along the way but they came back on 'The Big Reunion' with original member, Kerry Katona, and just reminded us all of the magic - and lets face it they were biggest stars of the show.

8. B*Witched

I may have just broken the only rule I set myself for this list - they aren't British. However you can't deny the connection they had to my fair island. Their first four singles went in straight at number one! This was unheard of for a girl group (except the Spice Girls of course). They made denim on denim cool, and there wasn't one British kid who didn't try the irish jig at the school disco. It was unfortunate circumstances that led them to leave the music industry but thank the gods that ITV2 brought them back for 'The Big Reunion'.

7. Mis-Teeq

I was infatuated with these three ladies. They created a connection from urban to pop music. Alesha Dixon's MCing skills are unmatched. I learnt every single freaking word of everyone of her raps. I can still be found to this day casually rapping 'I said get up, get up it's a one night stand, here I come again ....'. It was infectious. The only reason they stopped making music was because their record company went bankrupt (not the Mis-teeq ladie's fault!) I just hope they take advantage of the nostalgia people are loving and finally reunite.

6. Little Mix

The first band to ever win The X Factor! Two number one singles! Sold out worldwide tour! These ladies are unstoppable. Creating anthemic girl power songs with a style all of their own they have become the face of British girl groups. I had the honour of seeing these ladies live and they are a force. Their vocals are flawless! Don't believe me? Then watch them sing 'Good Enough' from their last tour on YouTube. You're welcome.

5. All Saints

These women were labelled the alternative to the Spice Girls, and as a die hard Spice Boy I wouldn't give them the time of day. However if I am honest to my family and friends (its time) - I was a huge fan, I just kept it on the down low. 'Never Ever' and 'Pure Shores' were and still are some of my favourite songs of all time. I knew all the words to Nicole's little speech at the beginning of 'Never Ever' and I would recite it daily. They had 5 UK number ones, charted in America and had one of the best comeback singles of all time in 2006 (see above). Plus a little side note - How good is Melanie on The X Factor New Zealand? Putting Natalia Kills in her place - yes gawd.

4. The Saturdays

Okay before I start the ass kissing, I just found out 'Higher' was released five years ago - once again age just punched me in the face. Wipe away my tears and away I go. I love The Saturdays. They are a guilty pleasure that I don't actually feel bad about. You name me a good song and I can name a Saturday equivalent. They just created happy, dance music. Everyone knows the words to most of the songs. No they won't go down in the history books for songwriting, but who cares. They were fun and crowd pleasers. 16 top 20 singles proves that.

3. Girls Aloud

Another girl band that should be celebrated for giving us fun, unadulterated instant pop classics. They churned out song after song that could fill a dance floor or give a young lad such as myself a private iPod playlist he could enjoy without fear of ridicule. I have had the honour of seeing these ladies live and they were phenomenal. It was a giant party with the worlds greatest soundtrack. Two number one albums and four number one singles, they were perfect and had an undeniable sound all of their own.

2. Sugababes

Forget the drama with line up changes, that's old news and the jokes are boring. Lets just look at the work these six ladies created. Between them they have two number one albums, six number one singles and a combined 8 million records sold in the UK alone. They also had major success in Australia and the rest of Europe with a Brit award to boot. They have mixed many different genres of music within their discography and there isn't one song I would skip. Right now they are on a 'hiatus' but I think we all know thats it for the babes and its a major shame.

Notable Mentions

Cleopatra

Honeyz

Booty Love

Mutya Keisha Siobhan

Stooshe

Precious

M.O

The 411

Alisha's Attic

Number 1

Spice Girls

How it started

 I mean, who else? Who else has achieved the world wide success these ladies did? They came, they saw and they fucking conquered! You couldn't move for Spice Girls memorabilia in the late 90's. Lets put their success into a nice little list.

Three UK Number one albums.

One Greatest Hits album

Nine UK Number One Singles

Five BRIT Awards 

Three American Music Awards

Three MTV Europe Music Awards

One MTV Video Music Awards

Three World Music Awards

Three consecutive Christmas number one singles.

"Wannabe" is the most successful song released by an all-female group.

$77 Million Dollars at the box office for 'Spice World'

'Spice' is the 18th biggest-selling album of all time in the UK

It is also the biggest-selling album of all time by a girl group, with sales of 28 million copies worldwide. 

A musical written around their music.

In total they have sold over 85 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling female group of all time, one of the best-selling pop groups of all time, and the biggest British pop phenomenon since Beatlemania.

Bow down Bitches!

The Saturdays - My Finest Selection

Incase you haven't read my blog before I should let you in on something - I have a huge love for girlbands. There is something so amazing when a group of girls/women get together, belt out a tune, maybe pop a few moves and in some cases wear cohesive outfits. Arguably the biggest girlband in England today is The Saturdays. Una, Rochelle, Frankie, Mollie and Vanessa have been constant fixtures on the UK Top 40 for the last 6 years. Over this time they have amassed 19 top 40 singles, 5 top 10 albums and had 4 sellout tours. The Saturdays definitely have their own sound, there is no denying it is them when you hear one of their tunes, they are fun, exciting and gorgeous. So as I do I have created a short list as a favour from me to you of my top 10 favourite The Saturdays songs - lets go -

10. Missing You (Headlines!, 2010)
This was the first single released from their 3rd album, Headlines! A slower song then what we are used to but pushed along by the amazing vocals of Vanessa belting out those top notes and ad libs. It reached number 3.

9. Work (Chasing Lights, 2009)
The final release from their debut album, and in my opinion a seriously overlooked song. It is one of their worst performing songs only peaking at 22. This song gave Mollie a chance to shine as she had the first verse. It is such a power song and really was top 10 worthy.

8. Forever Is Over (Wordshaker, 2009)
This was the first single from the EP Wordshaker. After a disappointing chart position with 'Work' this rode high in the charts peaking at number 2. Una for me really dominates this song, her raspiness sells it - love the bridge aswell when they all take a line each. These girls can sing.

7. Issues (Chasing Lights, 2009)
Their first foray in to ballads - and they nailed it. This song spoke to a lot of us who were feeling mistreated and yet couldn't explain our feelings. This song is beautiful and an anthem for a lot of people 'Me and my heart we have issues'. Peaked at number 4.

6. All Fired Up (On Your Radar, 2011)
If there is one thing this group can do it is fill a dance floor. This song is one of many to get people up and knocking heels. A proper fist pumping, miming till you strain your mouth song. You can't help but feel energised when hearing this song, and England liked it aswell - it charted at number 3. Also fashion wise probably one of my favourite videos.

5. Ego (Wordshaker!, 2010)
This song just has so many killer lines that many of us want to shout at that one obnoxious person who needs to be put in their place. Plus the video is hella cool, who doesn't love 5 beautiful girls in superhero spandex? This song charted at number 9 - should have been a number 1 in my eyes.

4. Notorious (On Your Radar, 2011)
If I was a girl (some may argue I already am) this would definitely be my anthem. I would have it as my alarm, my running song, my getting ready song and my first request at the club. 'I'm a outlaw. I'm the big boss. I'm a gangster on the dancefloor. (N-n-notorious) I'm a outlaw. I'm the big boss. I'm a gangster on the dancefloor' I mean what girl doesn't wanna scream this!?

3. What About Us (Living For The Weekend, 2013)
THIER FIRST NUMBER 1!! And it was well passed due! They have had many a killer song but this is the one that got the attention, and I couldn't be more happy for them. It is pure pop perfection. Did it need Sean Paul? No, I don't think it did but I got why - it got the song a lot more heed. Still slays me how Rochelle sings 'suffocating', and if you say you sing it in your own accent then you are lying (fyi Jesus hates liars).

2. Up (Chasing Lights, 2008)
It was their second ever single and I fell in love instantly. I was once even told it was wrote in a genius way as it only uses 4 notes or something - I could be completely wrong but someone did say something (I have no music knowledge). This video still tried to use the whole one colour for each girl thing, and it is extremely cute. A very empowering song for the ladies of the world. Reached number 5.

Unfortunately for some reason YouTube won't let me put this video on the blog - so search for it, and thank me later

1. Here it is, my favourite Saturday's song. It came out in 2010. There are two versions of it, one with Flo Rida and then a better version without Flo Rida. It reached number 10 in the charts, we all agree it should have been number 1!! The video is shot on a fake New York street. It is from the album 'Headlines!'. You know which song I mean, it is of course

HIGHER

Una's voice kills me when she reaches the top note.

I always shout Vanessa's first line 'I'm doing nothing'.

All the girls get a solo line.

They all look gorgeous in the video, styling is on point.

There we have it, my top 10 (arguably the definitive top 10 if you will). The Saturdays have delighted our ears for a few years now and I sincerely hope this isn't the end of them. Sad to say a Greatest Hits album normally signals the beginning of the end. I myself can't wait to go see them live again and shake my ass off. Before I do however I just wanted to give one last shout out to another Saturday's song. It is an unreleased track, but I think it was possibly the best song on their first album. So check it out below, it's called 'Fall'.

Return Of The Girlbands

For a while it seemed like Little Mix and The Saturdays were having to hold the fort down when it came to girlbands. However we can now all take a joint sigh of relief - we have some more girlbands breaking through. There has always been a hole in the music industry where girlbands just couldn't make the cut. Ever since the Spice Girls, Sugababes, Pussycat Dolls, Destiny's Child and Girls Aloud all left us to fend for ourselves we have needed a group of females to come out and kick the boyband's arses. Little Mix and The Saturdays have done a dame good job but they need a little help. And lets face it, The Saturday's next album is a Greatest Hits, this is normally the beginning of the end. They will say that they are going on a break and we all know what that means. The Spice Girl's break lasted 7 years and they only came back with one single and one tour, Girls Aloud's break lasted 3 years and they only came back with one single and one tour and Destiny's Child's break is currently on it's 7th year. 

So now we have a bunch of new ladies ready to take the stage. I have shortlisted 4 girlbands that I am quite excited about. Lets go -

Neon Jungle

This british 4 piece have already made waves with two singles in the top 10 and a 3rd released this week already in the iTunes top 10. I like these girls because they have an edge about them. They aren't singing your generic pop music, they have more of a dubstep vibe about them. Although saying that my favourite song so far is 'Louder', its a pop ballad that really showcases their voices. And yes, all four of them can sing. I was a bit unsure of them when I first heard them with their song 'Trouble' as I wasn't quite sure why they were shouting at me, but I have warmed to them in a big way and I am very excited for their album.

M.O

Another british band we should be taking notice of. Once again they are taking a step away from the happy pop music and they are bringing a more urban vibe. I first heard them as a soundtrack on a TV show and had to find the song instantly. The song was 'Ain't Got Time', the chorus was so catchy and I guarantee that with one listen you will be singing the words as you walk around town. The single didn't do great in the charts but I am happy to say it hasn't stopped them, they are releasing new music and videos as I type.

Fifth Harmony

You may already know who these are as they were finalists in last years The X Factor US. They were put together on the show after all auditioning solo, and what a great idea it was (except maybe Camila, she kind of shines on her own). I fell in love with their voices straight after hearing them sing Shontelle's 'Impossible' - if you get the chance YouTube it. They released a couple of songs after leaving that were extremely pop and sold them to a tween market. However their latest single 'Bo$$' is showing some growth, some may argue too much growth but at the end of the day they aren't stepping on Miley's toes with this song - its fun, very powering for a female and a good time.

GRL

I can almost guarantee that you have heard these ladies sing, or at least one of them. These are the five girls singing behind Pitbull in his song 'Wild Wild Love' and the blonde lady is the singer on LMFAO's single 'Party Rock Anthem'. However they no longer have Feat. infront of their names and they have released music on their own. There has been a lot of comparison to the Pussycat Dolls - it's an easy one to make as they have the same creator, Miss Robin Antin. And to be honest I don't think they should be judged for this, the Pussycat Dolls are no longer around so why not bring 5 fresh faces to come and fill the void. They are fun and I absolutely love their latest single 'Ugly Heart'. I have a feeling these grl's will be around for a bit, I mean Britney Spears has already given her approval and who are we to argue with Queen Pop herself.

Supergroups!

Inspired by the formation of McFly and Busted as one big supergroup; I thought I would create some that world needs/wants. Before you say, yes they are all female. I can't help it; I love a good female singing voice.

Little Saturday
A combination of Little Mix and The Saturdays. Unfortunately we live in a world where there can only be one raining girl band at a time, fortunately for us when one goes quiet the other one steps in - so they both get chart success and the attention they deserve. Combining these two groups would be genius, it was give us one amazing girl band that would be unrivalled! They are pure pop fun and they deserve more than what we give them.

DCTLC
What would happen if you put the two biggest selling girl groups of all time together in the same room? Magic I am sure of it. Separately they have dominated - together they would conquer. The tour would be a spectacle and would sell out in minutes the world round. Just like TLC were going to at the American Music Awards (but didn't!) they should hologram in a Left Eye and it would literally be the best show on Earth! I am actually getting excited and its not even happening - it was created by me, boredom, 4 am and Photoshop.

Jessie, Paloma, Adele, Ellie and Florence
Arguably the five best voices we have birthed in this country in the last few years. Just now I thought about Emeli Sande as a sixth member - chills. The shows would be epic and beyond any vocal performances anyone has ever seen, Separately they have sold out arenas - together they could sell out stadiums around the freaking world. I need this to happen, I am too excited for it not to happen.

I'm With The Band

I am going to lose some major man points (not that I had a whole lot to begin with) but I feel like it is time to make this statement. I love Girl Bands. I own a bunch of their albums, I watch all of their music videos and I pretty much know most the words to all the songs (including some of the dance moves, something I am not 100% proud of).

I am not sure if it is a feminist portion of my brain that loves them so much, but I support them so much. I want to see a girl group do well. When they get a number 1 I do feel proud. For example when The Saturdays got their first number 1 I told people as if it was my own personal news, I wanted/needed people to know. When a girl group enters a talent competition I instantly want them to win (can you imagine my happiness when Little Mix won 'The X Factor'!) Some of my favourite concerts I have ever been to were girl bands (Spice Girls and Destiny's Child in particular).

I often feel alone in my love for girl bands. They aren't a popular thing to admit you like. I will get the occasional 'oh yeah, I liked that one song' but never 'I love their album!'. Girl bands come and go so quickly because it so hard for them to get a fanbase. Younger girls who these bands are marketed for only want to fully support the new hit boy band and then younger boys will never admit to liking them for fear of ridicule. Older folk won't even give them the time of day, instead casting them off as girls being used for their appearance and having no talent.

So as a favour from me to you I thought I would create a little playlist of girl band songs for you to fall in love with and join my crusade to get them the respect they deserve. So here goes -

Spice Girls - Let Love Lead The Way

Destiny's Child - Through With Love

Sugababes - Ugly

Little Mix - Cannonball

Girls Aloud - Sexy! No No No ...

2NE1 - Lonely

Stooshe - Black Heart

The Saturdays - Fall

Atomic Kitten - Someone Like Me

En Vogue - Free Your Mind

All Saints - Pure Shores

TLC - Dear Lie

The Pussycat Dolls - I Hate This Part

B*Witched - Blame It On The Weatherman

Honeyz - Won't Take It Lying Down

Eternal - I Wanna Be The Only One

Cleopatra - Touch Of Love

YouTube them, Spotify them and bask in the girl group goodness. These are probably the more slower songs by these bands but they are some of my favourites.