MY TOP 10: Soundtrack Songs — 6. Mary J. Blige “Not Gon’ Cry”

For those who don’t know, I was a film major.  It was my dream to direct music videos.  I wasn’t even interested in feature films.  I thought I’d be happy doing just music videos.   Don’t get me wrong.  I love film and music.  With this countdown I combine both loves.

This MY TOP 10 features songs that either equaled or transcended the pop cultural significance of the films from whence they came.  It’s less about the movies and more about the songs.  I’m including 5 male and 5 female performers and alternating between them to keep things fair and balanced.  I’m starting off with a woman so a man can be on top. 

Just flipping the script from how I ran thangs with February’s MY TOP 10 (Sexiest Videos for those of you who don’t know) where a woman lead the pack.

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6. Mary J. Blige “Not Gon’ Cry” from Waiting to Exhale 

The whole Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack is good.  Produced by Babyface and featuring an all-female ensemble, he did a good job of not only creating great songs, but giving each featured artist a song that was their style and made them sound like themselves.  This particular track is like the theme of the film and really gets to the heart of the main character’s story and plight.  The pain and emotion in Mary’s voice is what really sells this song.  Granted, it’s a woman’s perspective, but who cannot empathize with the circumstance that’s being conveyed in the lyrics.

 

Kendra Ross is Babyface’s Special Guest This Friday at Arena Theatre — Houston

Kendra Ross, our first SXSW pop quiz artist of this month’s special popolio SXSW coverage, is playing with none other than Babyface this coming Friday in Houston at the Arena Theatre at 8PM.  Also, I did go to her showcase here in Austin last Wednesday and took some pics, so those will be coming soon.  Maybe today.  Keep your fingers crossed and check for those. 

 

MY TOP 10: Madonna Videos — 3. “Take a Bow”

I originally posted this on my MySpace Blog on October 25, 2006.  This is what I said then:

“I couldn’t find this video on MySpace, so here’s a link to it on YouTube.com.

This is from the album, Bedtime Stories, Madonna’s return to her R&B roots.  She worked a lot with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Dallas Austin on this album to get an R&B sound.  This particular song/video features guest vocals from Babyface as a matter of fact.

Enjoy.”

3. “Take a Bow” from Bedtime Stories Released: December 6, 1994

This became an instant Madonna classic.  Those who hadn’t listened to Madonna in awhile or ever before where listening again or for the first time.  A nice duet, though it isn’t billed as one, Babyface features nicely.  Though more back-up singer then full-on second lead, it works.

Sometimes a sweet song is just a sweet song.  I’ve said on a recent Single and Listening review that sometimes bells and whistles aren’t needed and a song can stand on its own.  Romantically so, this stands.  Those who criticize Madonna for not being able to really sing must admit this has a nice delivery.

The video concept has gone down in history as a her bid for the Evita leading role, that was in pre-production at the time.  She won it and created, arguably, her most memorable role.  A sexy video, it was nice that she flipped the script on the lyrics and didn’t directly interpret the love affair described within.  The object of affection being a bullfighter and not an actor or performer of some sort was refreshing.