X Factor UK - My Favourite X Factor Live Performances Of All Time! - Volume 2

Last week, I listed my favourite first auditions ever on the X Factor. This week it's live performances! There's always that one performance during the live shows that I play on repeat because of how mesmerised I am by the vocal. Well in this volume I am going to list some of them!

Louisa Johnson - Man's World (Series 12, Semi Final)

This is the recent live performance that I most remember. Season 12 is quite a blur for me because it doesn't particularly stand out as a series. I only really remember 4th Impact and Louisa Johnson being who I considered the best.

I love this performance, it is phenomenal. Miss Johnson was full of confidence with complete control of her voice and her voice really gelled well with the song. It was nice to hear a woman singing a man's song and because of this the performance in itself was unique. There's one note in particular she belts out and she impressively holds that note to near perfection. I still rewatch this performance because it's that great. Not forgetting the fact that Louisa was only 17 at the time. Bravo!

Alexandra Burke and Beyonce - Listen (Series 5, The Final)

Wow, wow, wow! I remember standing up and applauding along with the judges when they had finished this performance. This is perhaps my favourite and definitely the most memorable performance ever on the X Factor. Why? Because of BEYONCE! Beyonce is an incredible singer and Alexandra Burke held her own with her deep and powerful vocals. It was a special moment that the X Factor hasn't been able to recapture.

4th Impact - Work It Out (Series 12, Week 3)

I loved 4th Impact ever since their first audition where they sung 'Bang Bang' by Jessie J. I remember waiting for that standout performance from them that could top that first performance and it came in the form of Beyonce's first hit, 'Work it Out'. It amazed me how they could dance so energetically and retain their powerful vocals. These girls were full of sass, performing as seasoned performers.

James Arthur - Feeling Good (Series 9, The Final)

James Arthur's performances were perfection. Every week he had the performance of the night but this is the performance that stands out for me. I love this song by Nina Simone and James Arthur's version was great. Again, it was a reversal of roles as Arthur was taking on a woman's song but it worked. The passion he poured into the song showed in his voice, which meshed well with the hard rock style.

Jahmene Douglas - Let it Be (Series 9, The Final)

Hauntingly beautiful and chilling is how I would describe this performance. The choir really adds to the epic scale but Jahmene's voice is pitch perfect. The humble, shy and quiet chap really knew how to hit a high note. Shamazing, as Nicole Scherzinger would say.

Stacey Solomon - Who Wants To Live Forever - (Series 6, Week 10)

I still remember this performance for that last big note that Stacey Solomon hit. She was someone I really rooted behind because of her big voice and this was definitely her best performance on the show.

Leona Lewis - Without You & Every other Live Performance (Series 3, 2006)

Leona Lewis' performances every week were flawless. People used to describe her as the next Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey because of her vocals and with her performances it was easy to see why. I chose 'Without You' because of that double big last note at the end which sent chills down my spine. However all of Leona Lewis' performances were something special. Some of the songs she performed on the live shows include, 'I Have Nothing', 'I Will Always Love You' and 'All by Myself'. 

Well that's my list! What were some of your favourite performances on the live shows? Let me know in the comments section!! Thanks for reading!

Can't Get This Out Of My Head! Songs on Repeat! (7th Edition)

So it has been a while but I am back with another edition of 'Can't Get This Out Of My Head!' You can check out the last edition here!

If you are unsure of what you stumbled across let me explain. Each of these contain a list of songs that I have been listening to on repeat as of late. Last time, I was listening to songs such as 'Switch Up' by R Kelly and '679' by Fetty Wap. This time, the list is a little different and we go old school (noughties style) So here they are, the songs that I currently have on repeat!

Dreamgirls - And I am Telling You

From the Album Dreamgirls, Deluxe Edition (2005)

Though I haven't watched Dreamgirls (yet), I have heard a few versions of this song on talent show the X Factor. I was watching a performance from Alexandra Burke (who won series 5 of the X Factor) who performed a song on one of the live shows called 'Listen' with BEYONCE. She also just so happens to be the woman who performed the song in the films. It's a standout performance, which you can watch here if you haven't already seen it (And I recommend that you do because it is amazing). 

I think 'And I am Telling You' was listed in the similar videos section columned to the right of Youtube and I clicked on it as you do. Jennifer Hudson, the woman who sings this song has such powerful vocals and you can tell that she is singing from the core of her heart. The passion in her voice as she belts the notes that she does gives me shivers. I find myself imitating her, pretending that it's me who is actually gifted with these vocals. (One can only dream).

Mariah Carey - Obsessed

From the Album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (2009)

I remember how Mariah Carey was on a role in this period, releasing a succession of songs that had me hooked. These include hits 'Shake it Off', 'It's Like That' and 'We Belong Together'. I like this song because it has a catchy chorus. It's also a relatable song for those who may feel attacked by someone who always talks about you or seeks to put you down constantly. Go girl!

Mariah Carey - We Belong Together

The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)

So yeah, I've been listening to a few Mariah Carey Songs (don't judge me, I'm only human). I'm usually not big on slow songs, but this song is one of the exceptions. Why? Because it has a nice beat and once again, the chorus is catchy. If the song's catchy then they've already pulled me in! 

Evanescence - Bring Me To Life

Fallen (2003)

I'm really going back in time with this one, but I love this song because of Amy's voice who is the lead vocalist. Her voice really does bring this song to life. I'm sorry, I had to.

Britney Spears - Oops!... I did It Again

Oops!...I Did It Again (2000)

I loved Britney Spears back in the day and sometimes I like to listen to her really early songs. I hadn't heard this song in ages, so I decided to have a listen and I have no regrets. I always loved the last two/three chorus' in Britney's older songs because of the build up after the bridge. A sure classic.

Well that's my list of the songs I currently have on repeat. I haven't listened to newer songs as of late so I will get to that! perhaps next time my list of songs will be more 'updated' shall we say. 

What songs are you currently listening to? Be sure to let me know in the comments section! Thanks for reading! 

X Factor UK - My Favourite First Auditions Of All Time - Volume 1

Hello!! Welcome!!!

With the return of X Factor 2016 (a whopping series 13!), I am going to bring you the first volume in a series of volumes that I will be blogging throughout this years X Factor live shows!

In the first volume, I will be listing my personal favourite and most memorable first auditions throughout the years. There have been quite a variety of contestants from series 1 all the way up until now. Even to this day, there are a few first auditions that have always stuck with me. Others require a rewatch on youtube to remember the greatness of it, but nevertheless the list I have chosen make for great (and bad) first auditions. Check it out!

Ant and Seb (Series 5)

Song Choice: Peter Andre - Mysterious Girl

Ant and Seb are no question my favourite X Factor audition of all time. Despite the duo featuring on the X Factor all the way back in 2008, they are the two people I always remember and perhaps for the wrong reasons.
Whilst Seb is a decent singer, even if his vocals were a little weak, it's Ant that makes this audition an instant classic.
Ant describes the act as a 'P Diddy and Usher' and with this comparison you would expect something quite spectacular, wouldn't you? However, their audition proved to be a different story. Ant and Seb sung their own version of Peter Andre's Mysterious girl, with Ant ad-libbing as Seb sung the verse and chorus. I will never forget Ant's infamous 'Come on move ya body, come on move ya body', said with little to no enthusiasm. The judges reaction pretty much summed up how I felt about that audition.

Cher Lloyd (Series 7)

Song Choice: Keri Hilson - Turn My Swag On

Cher Lloyd is definitely my favourite 'good' audition, because I felt like she added something different to the live auditions that perhaps others were lacking. When Cher Lloyd first entered the stage and spoke to the judges, she came across as timid and shy. As soon as she started to sing she literally 'turned her swag on', owning the stage like she was already a senior performer. She chose a song that was different to standard song choices on X Factor and she made it her own!

4th Power/Impact (Series 12) 

Song Choice: Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang

4th Power, now known as 4th Impact were similar to Cher Lloyd. How? Well, when these girls were on stage talking to the judges, they were shy, timid and star struck to be on stage in front of such a large audience. Then one of the girls begun to sing and delivered the first line of the song that must have sent shivers through the judges and audiences' spines. I don't think anyone expected the girls to be as good as they were, with each girl's voice a powerhouse as they dominated that stage.

JLS (Series 5)

Song Choice: Shai - If I Ever Fall In Love

I was a fan of JLS from their very first audition. I had to listen back to their first audition to remember why exactly I loved them so much, but I was quickly reminded. These boys harmonies were unlike any other boy band I had seen on the X Factor. It also helps that each guy in group are easy on the eye.

James Arthur (Series 9)

Song Choice: Tulisa - Young

James Arthur was another favourite of mine. I am usually not a massive fan of artists performing acoustic versions of songs (I am an upbeat song kinda girl) but James Arthur made it work for him. He sung Tulisa's song 'Young' (who was a judge on the show at the time) and managed to turn the summer hit into his own, with his uniquely soulful voice giving the song its own meaning entirely.

Danyl Johnson (Series 6)

Song Choice: The Beatles - With a Little Help From My Friends

I'd long forgotten about this audition as I haven't heard from Danyl Johnson in recent years, but I remember loving this audition when I first heard it. He was the last person who was being seen that day, so I can assume the judges were tired and ready to call it a day. What came out of this man's mouth was something sensational. His voice is reminiscent to Will Young's, which is distinctive and passionate with soul. Danyl Johnson displayed amazing control over his voice, bringing the song to an amazing climax.

What were your favourite first auditions? Were any of my choices the same as yours? Let me know in the comments!

Next week's volume will focus on my favourite X Factor Live performances from the live shows, so make sure you check back next Saturday! Thanks for reading! :)