Tag Archives: Music

Music Video of the Day: Can I Go Now? by Jennifer Love Hewitt (2003, dir by Liz Friedlander)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Don’t mess with Jennifer Love Hewitt!

I’ve always liked Jennifer Love Hewitt, largely because we’re both Texas girls, we both have what others seem to consider to be an unusual sense of humor, and I imagine that we both share the same struggle when it comes to having to remind men that our eyes are up here.  Of course, for all that we have in common, a huge difference between the two of us is that Jennifer Love Hewitt can actually sing whereas I can barely carry a tune.  (That said, I’ve always felt that my karaoke version of All Time High was better than all the other karaoke versions.)  Jennifer Love Hewitt has released four albums, which is four more than I’ve released.

Can I Go Now? was the second single to be released from her 2003 album, BareNaked.  In the video, Jennifer fights with her boyfriend, she leaves her boyfriend, she returns to her boyfriend, she leaves her boyfriend …. it’s a never-ending cycle of coming and going so I guess the answer to the question is that you can really never leave.  At one point, she joins her boyfriend in the shower and he kind of gets weird about it.  I’m not really sure what to make of this guy, as he seems to be a little bit whiny and mopey.  The apartment’s a bit too cluttered for my tastes as well.  I’m just saying that I would definitely leave and not return until he found a place that had a wall between the kitchen and the living room.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Skydive by O-Town (2014, dir by ????)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Aren’t wind farms romantic!?

Actually, wind farms are not at all romantic.  Instead, they are big ugly eyesores that usually ruin an otherwise perfect view.  They kill hundreds of birds a year and they also don’t generate as much power as advertised.  I know that we’re all supposed to love wind farms but, to me, they always bring to mind a dystopian hellscape.  Seeing them off the side of the road is like seeing an abandoned oil derrick.  They’re just creepy.

Don’t tell that to the boys from O-Town, though.  To them, there’s nothing more romantic than running around a wind farm and singing about how they’re going to skydive into their girlfriend’s heart.  If you are going to skydive, I would suggest doing it away from a wind farm because can you imagine accidentally landing on one of those monstrous windmill things?  And even if the members of O-Town do avoid the windmills, there are also a lot of powerlines in this video.  Maybe, instead of going to a wind farm, they could have celebrated their anniversary at a nice restaurant.

My sister swears that O-Town stood for Orgasm Town but actually, it was a reference to the band being from Orlando.  If they’re from Orlando, why are they in the middle of the desert?  If I was that close to Disney World, you wouldn’t find me running around some wind farm.  You would find me in line to enter the Haunted Mansion for the 100th time.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Shadow by Ashlee Simpson (2004, dir by Liz Friedlander)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Poor Ashlee Simpson.  I mean, she danced one stupid jig on Saturday Night Live and the world has never let her forget it.  Of course, I would probably be more on Ashlee’s side if she hadn’t initially blamed her band for the screw-up.  That wasn’t nice but, at the time, Ashlee was only 19 and the amount of ridicule that was directed her way was more than a little over-the-top.  She probably handled it better than I would have at that age.

Today’s music video of the day comes to us from Ashlee Simpson.

In Shadow, Ashlee sings about existing in someone else’s shadow and the struggle to find your real identity.  Needless to say, it’s usually assumed that this song is about being the younger sister of Jessica Simpson but Ashlee has insisted that it’s just about finding yourself.  Personally, I think it can be both.  The video features a happy blonde Ashlee co-existing with an angrier brunette Ashlee.  It’s easy to see the blonde Ashlee as being a stand-in for Jessica, though I think blonde Ashlee is more meant to represent the pressure on Ashlee to be as popular as her sister.

If it sounds like I’ve given this video too much, all I can say is that I’ve got sisters and I can relate.

Enjoy!

Music Video Of The Day: Sweetest Sin by Jessica Simpson (2003, dir by Dean Paraskevopoulos)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

For today’s music video of the day, we travel back to the innocent days of 2003!  That was the year when Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey taught a generation about the meaning of love.  Or something like that.

In this video, Jessica Simpsons sings about the “sweetest sin,” which was apparently having sex with your husband.  Today, it’s easy to forget all the attention that was given to the marriage of Jessica and Nick and how every story about the couple found room to mention that Jessica “waited” until marriage.  (Whether Nick waited never seemed to be much of a concern.)  Looking back on it, it was actually a bit creepy the way that singers like Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, the Jonas Brothers, and so many others were sold as being both sex symbols and icons of chastity.  Both sex and virginity were big money makers in the early aughts.

Of course, Jessica herself always came across as being genuinely sweet.  The recording of this song was actually featured on an episode of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.  The episode was famous for a scene in which the Columbia Record execs ordered Jessica to “simplify” the song so that it would be easier for her fans to sing along with.  Jessica broke into tears but Nick volunteered to help her out.  Viewers were so busy going, “Awwwwww!” that it’s possible they missed just how messed up it was that Jessica didn’t really have any control over her music.  That’s another thing about the early aughts.  It was a time when managers and record execs openly bragged about dumbing down music and everyone acted like that was totally acceptable.  (Just think about Lou Pearlman, going on national televison and literally salivating over the idea of putting together another vaguely anonymous boy band.)

The video features Jessica and Nick on the beach and they sure do look like their in love!  Of course, Nick disappears at the end of the video so …. well, that couldn’t represent anything, could it?  I mean, there’s no need to read between the lines here, is there?  Two years after this video was shot, Jessica filed for divorce and true love died.  Actually, that’s being a little overdramatic.  Still, it was kind of sad.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Wings by Jonas Brothers (2023, dir by ????)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Well, someone’s having fun as February comes to an end.  Personally, I can’t wait for March!  The year really doesn’t start for me until after the Oscars finally bring the previous year to the end.  Once the winner for 2022’s best picture is announced on March 12th, it’ll finally feel like 2023 to me and it will be time to celebrate.

For now, enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Crystal Ball by Verdena (2023, dir by Roberto Cinardi)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I like this video, mostly because I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the weirdness of cults lately.  This video has the feel of some extremely disturbing video that you might come across in a compound that had just been raided by the ATF.

Enjoy!

The NAACP Image Awards Honor Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

The NAACP Image Awards were handed out last night.  You can find the nominees here and the winners below!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Angela Bassett

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Motion Picture
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Will Smith – Emancipation (Apple)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Viola Davis – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Tenoch Huerta – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
The Inspection (A24)

Outstanding International Motion Picture
Bantú Mama (ARRAY)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Jalyn Hall – TILL (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Wendell & Wild (Netflix)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
Keke Palmer – Lightyear (Walt Disney Studios)

Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)

Dear Mama… (Film Independent)

Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
More Than I Want To Remember (MTV Entertainment Studios)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Ericka Nicole Malone – Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (Hulu)

TELEVISION + STREAMING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series
P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Nicco Annan – P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Loretta Devine – P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Morris Chestnut – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Niecy Nash-Betts – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Keith David – From Scratch (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Nia Long – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)

Outstanding Talk Series
Sherri (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Children’s Program
Tab Time (YouTube Originals)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)
Ja’Siah Young – Raising Dion (Netflix)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Jennifer Hudson – The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Tabitha Brown – Tab Time (YouTube Originals)

Outstanding Guest Performance
Glynn Turman – Queen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

Outstanding Animated Series
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)
Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
Between The Scenes – The Daily Show (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction
Daring Simone Biles (Snap)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding New Artist
Coco Jones – ICU (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Male Artist
Chris Brown – Breezy (Deluxe) (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Female Artist
Beyoncé – Renaissance (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
Kingdom Book One – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (Tribl Records, Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Inspiration)

Outstanding International Song
No Woman No Cry – Tems (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
Lift Me Up – Rihanna (Def Jam Recordings)

Outstanding Album
Renaissance – Beyoncé (Parkwood/Columbia Records)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan (Hollywood Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
Positive – Erica Campbell (My Block Inc.)

Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental
JID014 (Jazz is Dead) – Henry Franklin, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge

Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal
Legacy – Adam Blackstone (BASSic Black Entertainment Records / Anderson Music Group / Empire)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
Cuff It – Beyoncé (Columbia Record/Parkwood Entertainment)

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
Hotel Lobby – Quavo, Takeoff (Motown Records/Quality Control Music)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
Silk Sonic – Love’s Train (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Chris Brown feat. Wizkid – Call Me Every Day (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

DOCUMENTARY CATEGORIES

Outstanding Documentary (Film)
Civil (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)
Everything’s Gonna be All White (Showtime)

WRITING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Brittani Nichols – Abbott Elementary – “Student Transfer” (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Marissa Jo Cerar – Women of the Movement – “Episode 101” (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams – Entergalactic (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Ryan Coogler – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

DIRECTING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Angela Barnes – Atlanta – “The Homeliest Little Horse” (FX)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Giancarlo Esposito – Better Call Saul – “Axe and Grind” (AMC)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Anton Cropper – Fantasy Football (Paramount+)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Reginald Hudlin – Sidney (Apple TV+)

LITERARY CATEGORIES

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
Take My Hand – Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction
Finding Me – Viola Davis (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen – George McCalman (HarperCollins)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography
Scenes from My Life – Raphael G. Warnock (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration – Tracey Lewis-Giggetts (Gallery/Simon and Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
To the Realization of Perfect Helplessness – Robin Coste Lewis (Alfred A. Knopf)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
Stacey’s Remarkable Books – Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas (HarperCollins – Balzer + Bray)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
Cookies & Milk – Shawn Amos (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

PODCAST CATEGORIES

Outstanding News and Information Podcast
Beyond the Scenes – The Daily Show (Central Productions, LLC)

Outstanding Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast
Therapy for Black Girls (Therapy for Black Girls)

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast
LeVar Burton Reads (SiriusXM’s Stitcher Studios)

Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast
Two Funny Mamas (Mocha Podcasts Network)

COSTUME DESIGN, MAKE-UP & HAIRSTYLING CATEGORIES

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)
Ruth Carter – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film)
Debi Young, Sandra Linn, Ngozi Olandu Young, Gina Bateman – We Own This City (HBO Max)

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)
Camille Friend – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
@KevOnStage – Kevin Fredericks

Music Video of the Day: Bath County by Wednesday (2023, dir by Karly Hartzman)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Welcome to the parts of the world that aren’t often featured in media.  Though I’m a city girl, I’ve got enough family living in the country that some of these places look very familiar to me.

Enjoy!