Hello! I hope you are well. This is 'Can't Get This Out Of My Head! Songs on Repeat!' where I list the songs I currently have on repeat, the title speaks for itself! You can check out the 7th Edition right here http://natalyaeonline.blogspot.com/2016/10/cant-get-this-out-of-my-head-songs-on.html. The songs on my list include the likes of Mariah Carey and Evanescence so like I said, check it out! As of late, I have been listening to Skepta. I wouldn't say that I was a specialist in grime or that listening to grime was my thing, but I decided upon expanding my music tastes to gain some further knowledge on the subject. As someone who is studying Music Technology and Radio Broadcasting, I would say that it is important to have a wide range of musical tastes. Truth be told, I have been listening to the radio station Capital Xtra as of late and they played Skepta's hit song 'Shutdown' one day. After I heard this 'banger' of a tune, I decided to listen to some more of his music. With that being said, here is the current songs I currently have on repeat!
Skepta - Shutdown
From the album Konnichiwa (2015)
Okay, so I've heard this song before, but I've never properly listened to the song and its lyrics. What can I say about it? It's catchy as hell, especially the chorus. It also has that kinda vibe to it that just makes you want to go crazy, rave and jump till the roof falls off.
Skepta ft D Double E and ASAP Nast - Ladies Hit Squad
This song has a more laid back vibe to it. It's slow and sexy and the first verse in particular is firreeee. I particularly like the rhymes which makes it easy to learn the verses.
Bruno Mars - 24k Magic
(2016)
I love this song. It's upbeat, funky and very reminiscent of a song Bruno Mars was featured in called Uptown Funk. This style suits Bruno Mars perfectly and the video captures the essence of this song.
WSTRN - In2
(2015)
This is one of those songs that didn't grab me the first time I heard it, but the more I heard it the more it grew on me and before I knew it this song was on repeat. It's along the same lines of Fetty's Wap's '679'. Have a listen! It's always nice when you can sing along to the chorus to the song despite the rest of it being rapped.
Some other notable songs on the list include Skepta's 'Man' and Trey Songz 'Foreign' featuring Justin Bieber (This may have been on one of the previous lists) but that is it!
Thank you for reading and be sure to check back soon for another edition of 'Can't Get This Out Of My Head! Songs on Repeat!'
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @NatalyaEBlogs!!!
Two great things happened on Friday. For one I attended my very FIRST WWE Live event at the Wembley Arena. The first thing that happened in the morning however was very unexpected.
AOL
So on Wednesday (last Wednesday) I attended a live recording of the UK TV show Catchphrase with my friend. We had fun at the event and afterwards my friend asked me to look up any other shows that she liked (Family Fortunes, Countdown, Deal or no Deal) we could see for free tickets (yes, they are free!). I had a look on the website SRO Audiences on Thursday evening and saw free tickets going for The Bella Twins at Build Series Ldn, which was for the very next day in the morning. I think it was past 9 on Thursday evening and I was feeling a little gutted. I wanted to see The Bella Twins in person, but I had to sign up to be put on a waiting list for the tickets. I thought I was too late and almost didn't sign up to get a ticket. I thought they probably would have sold out or not have seen my name registered in time. After all I previously signed up for tickets to the Graham Norton show and got nothing back.
After contemplation, I signed up anyway on the off chance that they could still send me a ticket. Around two hours later I checked my gmail and had received an email from SRO Audiences with my ticket. Result! I mean, I had planned to make a start on one of my assignments on Friday before attending WWE Live later in the day but it was the Bella Twins! When was I ever gonna get an opportunity to see them again?
I left my house just after 9 and arrived at my location by half 10 where a small queue had gathered.
I'm in the corner
After a long wait we were finally let inside. I expected someone to allocate seats to us so I lined up behind a queue to take my seat. However, we could grab any seat we wanted. There were a bunch of seats that were quite close to the front stage but instead of grabbing one of them I waited in the line. I almost didn't get a seat and I had to settle for a seat in the corner near the back. Opportunity missed. I spent a little while miffed about my decision, forgetting that in London it's a man eats man world but hey, what's a girl gonna do? I still met The Bella Twins, it's cool. They talked about their WWE Careers, their show Total Bellas and answered some questions from the audience. It was a unique experience.
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!
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!
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! :)
This is one of those debatable topics about whether or not you believe it's okay for a baby to have their ears pierced.
More than 41,000 people signed a petition to ban baby ear piercings, believing that it was a form of child cruelty. They weren't alone in thinking this. Dr Christian of 'Embarrassing Bodies' fame, tweeted 'NO, IT IS CHILD ABUSE,' in response to the question.
Is it a form of child abuse? I mean, a baby cannot make the choice of whether or not they want their ears pierced. Rather, it is a decision made by their parent or parents. A baby may experience pain in the name of fashion, culture and vanity which is considered unnecessary by others. A baby also cannot look after their ear piercings. They may catch an ear infection, or cause damage to their ear lobes by ripping earrings out of their ears. It's understandable that people may be against the practice.
Personally, I had my ears pierced at a few months old. I cannot relate to those that say baby piercings are a form of child abuse. I have no recollection of getting my ears pierced. In fact, I do not remember most of my younger years. On reflection, I am actually glad that I got my ears pierced at an age where I cannot remember getting them. I think I would have been too scared to get them at a teenage age. Even now, I would love to get piercings at the top of my ears but I have delayed getting them for years because I am afraid of the pain I might feel.
I do not want to go into detail of child abuse, but it is a subject I will touch upon. Child abuse is a traumatic experience that I imagine will affect a child going on into their adult and teenage years. I cannot imagine ear piercings to create the same effect. Maybe I am wrong. I have not had a bad experience from my ear piercings as a baby, but perhaps there have been others who have.
What do you think? Are you against it? For? Neutral? Let me know!
Hello and welcome to my blog! If this is your first time visiting, then be sure to check out the other stuff I have on here! I have a number of posts and 'series' on here to hopefully keep you entertained!
Anyway, I have written this blog post because it has hit the news recently that actress Sheridan Smith is taking four weeks off from theatre production Funny Girl due to stress and exhaustion. This was after Smith had missed three performances of her show in a row, rumoured by some to be because of her drinking.
Sheridan Smith
Stress is not uncommon, we all go through it. Work gets on top of us, the stress of adulthood, bills, family troubles, relationships....it doesn't matter what it is because we all experience stress at some point in our lives and some more than others.
I think stress can often be undermined in that it's perhaps not viewed as an illness, but stress can be extremely detrimental to your health. Mental illnesses in general are difficult because it's not visible. It's easy to see a bruise, a cut or a physical injury, but no one can read or experience the thoughts which you carry around with you on a daily basis. It is because of this that it's easy to be misunderstood. Unless someone knows you extremely well or cares deeply for you, they are not going to realise the differences in your character and they are certainly not going to realise that there is any sort of problem unless you talk about it.
Personally I find stress difficult to handle at times. When you go through things without sharing your problems or venting your stress and it builds, it's only a matter of time before the volcano erupts. Pent up frustrations and emotions roll into one and it all comes flooding out at once. The situation seems bigger then it may actually be and it all becomes a bit too much. That's why it's important to deal with these stresses before it all becomes a bit too much.
I haven't followed Sheridan Smith's works all that much but what I do know about her is that this girl is on TV all the time. She seems like an incredibly hardworking actress who is constantly filling the boots of a new role and deserves the much needed break. Hopefully she is able to make a full recovery and do what she does best!
So what do you think? How do you handle stress? Let me know!
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out my other blog posts and follow! :)
