Get ready for the phrase "Am I being punk'd?" to re-enter your vocabulary! As rumored for over a year now, Ashton Kutcher is officially bringing back his 2003-2007 hidden-camera prank series for a new generation. Entertainment Weekly reports that 33-year-old Kutcher, the creator of the original hit series, will return as executive producer -- but probably not the host.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Usher's Next Album 'Soulful, Catchy,' Taio Cruz Teases
'He always wants there to be the soul in there,' Cruz tells MTV News about his 'Without You' collaborator.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias
Usher
Photo: Todd Williamson/ WireImage
Usher is hard at work on his next album. Set to work with fellow hitmaker Taio Cruz, the two already cooked up some magic with their David Guetta anthem "Without You," and it seems they are hoping to recapture that spirit for Usher's follow-up to 2010's Raymond v. Raymond.
"I saw Usher a few times, but I spoke to him at length at David [Guetta]'s house when we were in Ibiza [Spain]," he told MTV News in L.A. after his Jingle Ball set. "He has very specific ideas of where he wants to go musically and sound-wise."
Given that Usher has never shied away from exposing a bit of himself in his music, while also keeping the party going, Cruz wants to make sure they can connect the mind, body and soul for this next release. "He always wants there to be the soul in there," he explained. "I'm kind of, not the opposite, but I'm always like, 'Let's get straight to the point and be really clear with the message and be simple.'
"So we try to match those two worlds together: being soulful and, at the same time, catchy," he added.
Cruz can't yet discuss what they're working on: Besides "Without You," he said, "Everything else is secret."
Usher said he was drawn to the Guetta hit because he connected to it emotionally, explaining to MTV News recently what an important part that plays in his musical philosophy. "I think the world wanted a record like that. That [song] really spoke to the journey that I've actually been on in the last three years," he said. "Traveling all around the world, music sounds different. There's many different genres, and when you see R&B and pop and house, as well as electronic, come together, that's the reality of what music is."
Related Artists
Rihanna Slams Dutch Magazine For Calling Her "N" Word
Rihanna is very, very angry. After the fashion Dutch magazine Jackie published a style article calling her the ultimate "n---a bitch," the singer took to Twitter to give the editor her two cents -- or two words -- on the subject.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Watch: Ryan Gosling & Eva Mendes Star In A ?Funny Or Die? Xmas Video
Actors Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have previously flaunted their love affair at Disneyland, in parked cars and in Paris, France. Today we get to see them flaunt their lurve in a new Funny or Die video. OK, so maybe the couple aren’t really flaunting anything … but they are pretty funny together in this [...]
Jon Bon Jovi Dead?Or Alive?
Jon Bon Jovi dead? OMG people, Bon Jovi was the latest victim of the wicked internet hoax! He is alive and well, and living in New Jersey! These internet hoaxes are getting ridiculous! Bon Jovi is NOT dead! He took the about Facebook picture to prove he is alive and well. Check out BITTEN & BOUND to get more details. See Fergie and Josh Duhamel?s Christmas Card! – HAVE U HEARD! How flipping cute!!! I NEED MY FIX – New Trailer for 21 Jump Street Made Me Laugh! SWANKY CELEBS – Jennifer Lopez Reveals Daughter?s Health Scare: ?I Thought She Was Going To Die.? CELEB DIRTY LAUNDRY – Hugh Hefner Is Thankful Crystal Harris Dumped Him. CELEB SENIOR LAUNDRY – Gordon Ramsay?s Special Beckhams Christmas Cookbook. CELEB TEEN LAUNDRY – Teen Mom Amber Portwood Looking At A Cold Christmas In Jail. What a hot mess. THE HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP – NeNe Leakes: Cast on Glee! Another hot mess! DIVA ARTIST - Kanye kicks out Fan for throwing business card (video). Seriously? CELEB GURLZ – Kendall Jenner Working The Stripper Pole. OMG, WTF? This is gettin’ nasty! BUMPSHACK – Terrence Howard Nasty Divorce: Wife Michelle Ghent Is a Racist. BACKSEAT CUDDLER – [...]
Lady Gaga - Video Phone (Extended Remix)
- Artist: Lady Gaga
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Hype Williams
Michael Jackson - Beat It
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic Records
- Director: Bob Giraldi
- Album: If Ever...
Michael Jackson Doctor To Be Sentenced Today
Conrad Murray faces four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
By Gil Kaufman
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray will learn his fate Tuesday morning (November 29) in a Los Angeles courtroom. The cardiologist, who was found guilty of one felony count of involuntary manslaughter November 7, is facing up to four years in state prison in the death of the pop icon.
Though the jury reached a unanimous verdict in the case, due to recent changes in California law aimed at lessening prison overcrowding, experts told MTV News that it's unlikely Murray will spend much, if any, time behind federal bars.
At the time of the verdict, Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney Mike Cavalluzzi told MTV News it was too early to predict what kind of time Dr. Murray might do, calling the decision one of the toughest ones facing Judge Michael Pastor in the wake of the six-week trial.
"[Pastor] will have to seriously consider all of the mitigating factors which would lean toward Dr. Murray not doing any jail time and all of the aggravating factors that would lead toward him going to state prison," said Cavalluzzi, who was not involved in the case but has represented a number of clients facing felony charges. "It seems to me, at first blush, that any jail time wouldn't be appropriate in this case given the fact that Dr. Murray has no criminal record and there truly was no malice, no intent to actually harm Michael Jackson at all. What he was really doing was succumbing to the wishes of a patient, and unfortunately, that patient was not a person whose wishes should have been succumbed to."
After Murray was found guilty and swiftly sent to jail with no bail, his attorneys said they were planning to appeal the verdict. They will wait until after sentencing to do so, but either way, Murray will face the loss of his medical license in California. One of Murray's defense attorneys, Nareg Gourjian, said at the time that the doctor's team plans to ask for probation but expects his client to spend just "a little bit" of time in county jail.
Rooney Mara Talks Christmas Traditions with Jimmy Fallon
With her new movie "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" opening up in theaters today, Rooney Mara was last night's (December 19) guest on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon".
The 26-year-old actress turned up at NBC's Rockefeller Center looking adorable in a black and white mock neck slit Rodarte for Open Ceremony dress paired with black Prada ankle strap heels for the talk show appearance.
Aside from plugging her much-awaited motion picture, Miss Mara talked with Jimmy about sitting on Santa's lap during her family's Christmas Eve get-together.
Of the family tradition, Rooney dished, "There's over forty grandchildren and every Christmas Eve we go to their house [her grandparents] and they have Santa Claus come and we have to sit on his lap to get our present."
Curious as to who takes on the role of St. Nick, Fallon asked, "Is it just a stranger, like a drifter off the street or do you hire a real Santa Claus?"
"No, it's usually like one of my uncle's brothers or something," Mara replied before Jimmy chimed in, "So I guess it would be your uncle..."
Clarifying things up, Rooney said, "No, no. Not blood related," to which Fallon joked, "Oh, not blood-related? That's a rule [laughs]. You can't be blood-related or you can't play Santa!"
Gary Oldman Calls 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' Role 'Colossal'
Taking on the role of John le Carré's master spy, George Smiley, involves navigating two enormous obstacles. First, the legendary Alec Guinness claimed the character for himself in the beloved BBC miniseries of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" from 1979. Second, outside the more descriptive world of the novels, Smiley is a mystery, a silent, poker-faced [...]
Monday, December 19, 2011
Gilt Groupe Picks: Last Minute Gifts Your Kids Will Love
Check out these fun last minute gift ideas from Gilt Groupe Baby & Kids senior buyer, Melissa Keswin.
Britney Spears & Jason Trawick's Road to Romance
The couple announced their engagement on Dec. 16. Look back at how their relationship has blossomed
Audrina Patridge, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert Share Prom Memories
'Me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m.,' Ke$ha tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Audrina Patridge
Photo: MTV News
It's prom season, and that means high schoolers across this great land will be renting tuxes, buying fancy dresses and negotiating the details of their curfews with parents. So, before you take your pictures and get in your limos, we asked some Hollywood A-listers to recall their fondest prom memories.
"I had a great prom," Ne-Yo told MTV News. "I didn't get to go with who I wanted to go with. I got my second choice, but my second choice turned out to be the one I was supposed to be there with, so it turned out good."
Ke$ha, never one to say no to a party, had the best night of all her friends. "I went to prom with my gay best friend, and let me tell you, I had way more fun than anybody else at a prom with their boyfriends," she recalled. "Everybody else was, like, crying and drama and breaking up, and me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m."
"Hellcats" star Aly Michalka doesn't have a favorite prom memory — because she never went to prom. "I was homeschooled, so I don't even think we had a fake prom," she lamented. "Like, maybe we had a home-school prom and I wasn't invited?"
While everything always seems to be in peril on "The Vampire Diaries," star Nina Dobrev had a less tumultuous night: "Having everyone get together and such a final celebration [is what I remember]."
Romeo went big for his prom. "My senior prom, I remember I pulled up in my red Ferrari. I was feeling like James Bond," he said. "And it was one of the best nights of my life."
"My favorite prom memory was probably going shopping for a dress, and our boyfriends at the time dressed up as 'Dumb & Dumber,' " Audrina Patridge laughed. "And so we were like, 'We can't dress up dorky ... we have to look good.' "
Roots drummer ?uestlove made a big decision on the night of his prom: "June 2, 1989, was my very last haircut; prom haircut, totally butchered my hair. He butchered my hair, and I vowed never again to ever get in a barber chair, so I grew that Afro on my prom night."
Adam Lambert said his prom date was a 10, so he definitely had a fun night. "I had a great prom. I had an awesome time," he said. "I went with one of my best friends in high school. Her name was Lauren, and she was really hot. She wore a really hot red dress, so I felt like I had arm candy."
Share your prom memories in the comments below!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSunday, December 18, 2011
Usher Gets 'Emotional' On David Guetta's 'Without You'
DJ/producer calls their collabo the 'biggest record' on his just-released Nothing but the Beat.
By Akshay Bhansali
Usher
Photo: Todd Williamson/ WireImage
David Guetta recently told MTV News that the Usher collabo "Without You" is the "biggest record" on his just-released Nothing but the Beat.
It's a rather bold statement, considering his latest album also features Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, will.i.am, Akon, Timbaland, Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Hudson, just to name a few. But Guetta has a soft spot for the cinematic team-up with Ush, which he says is equal parts sentimental and hands-in-the-air euphoric.
"It's just totally emotional," Guetta said. "Some of the record is a proper ballad, and then it goes to that crazy dance beat. It's perfect for him, because he's famous for his ballads. And he's also now famous for those big club records that he comes with. He's an amazing dancer, so I felt like he was the artist that I needed."
Usher and Guetta first previewed the song in Ibiza, Spain, earlier this summer, with the crowd demanding an encore performance of the sure-to-be-hit song.
"It was amazing," Guetta gushed. "We were not supposed to do this. I always do these kinds of stupid things, playing records when I'm not supposed to play them. And Usher was so excited for this time to be in Ibiza performing in front of those people. He called me onstage and said, 'Come on. Let's do it.' So we did it, and, yeah, they loved it. We had to do it again! They asked for one more."
For some, the combination of Usher and Guetta might seem out of left field. While the DJ/producer works with a variety of artists, he has a pretty tight-knit musical family — but it may come as a surprise that Guetta has known Usher the longest.
"I actually speak very often about how thankful I am to will.i.am because he called me to produce 'I Gotta Feeling'; Akon, when we started to work together, because I wasn't famous in America; Kelly Rowland and all those guys that came to me when I was not known yet," Guetta said. "But I have to say that the very first time when someone big from America asked me if I want to work with him, it was Usher. Like, a really long time ago, but we never had the time to do it. So I was so happy to be finally in the studio with him, because he spotted me when I was really not famous yet."
Usher and Guetta already shot the video for "Without You" in Ibiza. The song will follow up Guetta's current single, "Little Bad Girl," which features Ludacris and Taio Cruz.
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Zac Efron Shows Off His New Tattoo, Mismatched Socks In Japan
Actor Zac Efron made his way to Japan this week to promote his new film New Year’s Eve, which embarrassingly BOMBED at the box office here in the US last weekend, and inadvertantly (on purpose?) showed off a new tattoo. At a press conference in Tokyo, Japan today, Zac showed off a tattoo on his [...]
Soap Dish: Lisa Rinna Returns To Days Of Our Lives
It is Soap Dish time my friends and this week I am dishing about the news that Lisa Rinna is returning to Days of Our Lives. You just might be surprised at what I have to say about this. By now I am sure you have all heard the news that Lisa Rinna will be reprising the role of Billie Reed, a role she created, on Days of Our Lives. In fact it was really the role that kind of made Hollywood stand up and take notice of the actress. I could give you a play by play about Lisa?s career but that isn?t really what this dish is about. Nope I really want to talk about her going back to Days because I can?t really decide how I feel about it. Nothing personal against Rinna but I just don?t see how she will fit in the canvas of the show right now. I mean they just had Carly come between Bo & Hope so you can?t really bring Billie on for that purpose. I guess you could but it would be stupid. Other than her love for Bo there wasn?t ever really much purpose to Billie, especially now that [...]
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Trent Reznor Talks New Album, New Baby With ?Rolling Stone? Magazine
Earlier this month, Trent Reznor released the soundtrack recording to the new David Fincher film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo … for which he received his second Golden Globe nomination earlier this week. A couple of weeks ago, Reznor revealed that he plans on writing new material for Nine Inch Nails in 2012 … [...]
Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Sentenced
Conrad Murray faces another hearing in January to potentially provide more than $101 million in restitution to the Jackson family.
Photo: Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Britney Spears' Femme Fatale: My Favorite 2011 Album
Spears reinforced her bad-girl persona with an ode to nightclubs and hot boys.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i>
Photo: Jive
To say that 2011 was an outstanding year for pop is a bit of an understatement. Rihanna wanted her fans to Talk That Talk, Lady Gaga was Born This Way, Demi Lovato declared herself Unbroken, and Beyoncé and Adele pledged their allegiance to the numbers 4 and 21.
But no album was as booty-shakingly fun as Britney Spears' Femme Fatale. The first time I heard the album, I was hooked. It reminded me why I fell in love with Britney and her music over a decade ago.
Quite possibly the best work of her career, Femme Fatale — which dropped in March — is a cohesive, sonically unwavering piece of dance pop. It makes no grandiose political statements, except Spears' pro stance on hot guys and dance clubs, and it certainly makes no apologies for just being a really, really good time.
It's thumping, sassy, loud and sexy. It's Britney Spears doing what she does best: cooing about dancing and boys over club beats and synths. She rounded up the best of the best on the production end of things (Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly and will.i.am, to name a few) and proved she still has what it takes to kill it from beginning to end. It's heavy on club anthems full of mind-bending beats and samples that add flair but never make it too busy.
At times, it's even self-referential. On "Inside Out," Spears drops lyrics from some of her biggest hits like " ... Baby One More Time" and "(You Drive Me) Crazy." There aren't many relevant artists with a catalogue deep enough or beloved enough to pull that off.
On "I Wanna Go," Spears reminds us that even though everyone is waiting for her to burst, she still wants to cut loose every once in a while. She's one of those people who can poke fun at her public image and be completely endearing while doing it.
You never count out a femme fatale; they're mysterious and wily, foxy and sexy. And 2011 confirmed the lesson pop culture can't seem to learn: You never count out Britney Spears. She is pop's ultimate femme fatale. Now go dance your butt off — it's what Britney would want.
What's your favorite album of 2011? Share your picks in the comments below!
MTV will reveal the best artists, songs and movies of the year. Come to MTV News each day to see more big reveals and check out more of MTV's Best of 2011 music, TV, movies and news coverage.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsBest Live MTV Performances Of 2011
You — the fans — voted for your favorite performances of the year, from VMA spectacles to Buzzworthy sets.
By MTV News staff
Beyonce performs at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: Getty Images
As we continue our weeklong look back on the year in music — MTV kicked things off on Monday with a list of the Best EDM Artists of 2011 — it was hard not to notice that the biggest stars in pop, rock and hip-hop put on some of their most buzzed-about performances — right on our stages.
From Adele's spine-tingling ballad at the VMAs to Two Door Cinema Club's rendition of the rollicking "What You Know" at Webster Hall, we culled 16 of the best performances of the last 12 months and you, the fans, voted for your favorites. Here, we present the top 10!
10. Odd Future, "Sandwitches," mtvU Woodie Awards
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All Loiter Squad, or Odd Future, for short, were one of this year's breakthrough acts. And when they hit the stage for this year's mtvU Woodie Awards, it was clear why. The performance started out tame enough. Tyler, the Creator's "Yonkers" kicked in and a little person impersonating Tyler approached the stage. The calm didn't last long, though, as the real Wolf Haley emerged and confronted the pint-size imposter. From that moment on, the raw, rambunctious, rabid energy that got OF noticed took over as Tyler, Hodgy Beats and the rest of the group launched into an unforgettable performance of "Sandwitches." — Steven Roberts
9. Adele, "Someone Like You," VMAs
Some artists surround themselves with dozens of dancers, seizure-inducing banks of flashing lights and other tricks when they take the stage. But when it comes to Adele's take on the heartbreaking second single from 21 at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, all it took was a grand piano, a single spotlight and some emotive hand gestures. Perfect. — Gil Kaufman
8. Jack's Mannequin, "Release Me," Buzzworthy Live
It doesn't get much more epic than a stripped-down performance right above Times Square. Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin did exactly that with his ode to growing up and settling down, "Release Me," for Buzzworthy's special live series. It's just McMahon, his shades and a piano, and we don't need much else. — Kevin P. Sullivan
7. Chris Brown, "Yeah 3X/ Beautiful People," VMAs
The white suit, the swagger, the strobing VMA stage and some gravity-defying aerial tricks are what defined Breezy's jaw-dropping dance clinic at this year's VMAs. His high-stepping kung fu waltz through Wu-Tang Clan, head-banging ode to Nirvana and mid-air flips again showed that Brown is at his best on an awards-show stage. — G.K.
6. Lil Wayne, "Nightmares of the Bottom," MTV2 "Unplugged"
For his MTV2 "Unplugged" debut in June, Birdman Jr. took the stage wearing a black sweatshirt, black sunglasses and a red fitted baseball cap. Backed by a full band, Wayne launched into his catalog of hits, taking the crowd to musical heights. But one highlight in particular was the MC's premiere of "Nightmares of the Bottom," an instant smash-in-the-making that details Wayne's rise to the top and unwillingness to fail. — Rob Markman
5. Two Door Cinema Club, "What You Know," New York
To say it was a big year for Two Door Cinema Club, the indie-rock group out of Northern Ireland, would be an enormous understatement. The band toured the U.S. for the first time, opening for Tokyo Police Club, and debuted on the American alternative charts with "What You Know." Two Door Cinema played the song at an MTV Hive-hosted performance at the Studio at Webster Hall. The screaming NYC fans seemed to approve. — K.S.
4. Beyoncé, VMAs
At this year's MTV Video Music Awards, Beyoncé hit the stage in a sparkly tux and a glowing smile that never faded as — in typical Sasha Fierce fashion — she worked the crowd. From the effervescent single "Love on Top" (from her critically acclaimed 4) to her nod to the Motown era, the performance was ebullient. But it was the very last moment in her set that ensured it would go down in the VMA annals. Mrs. Carter, with a little hip-hop swagger, dropped the mic, opened her jacket and revealed an adorable baby bump. Leave it to the Queen B to rock the house, make headlines and set Twitter records all at once. — Andrea Duncan-Mao
3. Mac Miller, "Knock Knock," Chicago
Mac Miller's live performance of "Knock Knock" in Chicago is a pretty good peek at what you're in for at one of his concerts: very little gravity, a lot of movement and fans who could easily understudy for the rapper because they know every word to every track. And it's the Pittsburgh 19-year-old's pumped-up, feel-good presence that helped him land on another coveted list this year: MTV News' Hottest Breakthrough MC contest. — Rya Backer
2. Paramore, "Brick by Boring Brick," "Fueled by Ramen 15"
Paramore are living proof that you can go home again and, in the process, rock so hard that fans will vote you to the #2 position on MTV's list. Clearly psyched to be rocking the stage as headliners for FBR's anniversary event in September, the band's take on "Brick by Boring Brick" was typical high-energy Paramore goodness. Bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York spun and lunged around the stage as singer Hayley Williams looked shot out of a canon, bouncing and pumping her fists as she let the audience handle the first verse of the tune. Williams took over the vocals soon enough in her breathless best, leaving enough space for the sweaty, ardent fans to chime in at strategic points. — Gil Kaufman
1. 30Seconds to Mars, "Hurricane," "Unplugged"
30 Seconds to Mars' award for the Best Live MTV Performance of 2011 comes on the heels of a globe-spanning, record-setting tour. And Just as they did at the group's closing show in New York, the Echelon demonstrated their devotion to the band ... by voting in force. 30STM's poll-winning "Unlugged" performance of "Hurricane" features acoustic guitars and Jared Leto's sparse vocals, but it also comes backed by a stirring string ensemble. The mood inside the studio is undeniably somber but, like pretty much everything 30STM do, there's a raging, revelatory undercurrent too. Their performance is very much a communal thing, one where a celebration never seems all that far off. — James Montgomery
All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year!
Related Videos Related ArtistsAudrina Patridge, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert Share Prom Memories
'Me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m.,' Ke$ha tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Audrina Patridge
Photo: MTV News
It's prom season, and that means high schoolers across this great land will be renting tuxes, buying fancy dresses and negotiating the details of their curfews with parents. So, before you take your pictures and get in your limos, we asked some Hollywood A-listers to recall their fondest prom memories.
"I had a great prom," Ne-Yo told MTV News. "I didn't get to go with who I wanted to go with. I got my second choice, but my second choice turned out to be the one I was supposed to be there with, so it turned out good."
Ke$ha, never one to say no to a party, had the best night of all her friends. "I went to prom with my gay best friend, and let me tell you, I had way more fun than anybody else at a prom with their boyfriends," she recalled. "Everybody else was, like, crying and drama and breaking up, and me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m."
"Hellcats" star Aly Michalka doesn't have a favorite prom memory — because she never went to prom. "I was homeschooled, so I don't even think we had a fake prom," she lamented. "Like, maybe we had a home-school prom and I wasn't invited?"
While everything always seems to be in peril on "The Vampire Diaries," star Nina Dobrev had a less tumultuous night: "Having everyone get together and such a final celebration [is what I remember]."
Romeo went big for his prom. "My senior prom, I remember I pulled up in my red Ferrari. I was feeling like James Bond," he said. "And it was one of the best nights of my life."
"My favorite prom memory was probably going shopping for a dress, and our boyfriends at the time dressed up as 'Dumb & Dumber,' " Audrina Patridge laughed. "And so we were like, 'We can't dress up dorky ... we have to look good.' "
Roots drummer ?uestlove made a big decision on the night of his prom: "June 2, 1989, was my very last haircut; prom haircut, totally butchered my hair. He butchered my hair, and I vowed never again to ever get in a barber chair, so I grew that Afro on my prom night."
Adam Lambert said his prom date was a 10, so he definitely had a fun night. "I had a great prom. I had an awesome time," he said. "I went with one of my best friends in high school. Her name was Lauren, and she was really hot. She wore a really hot red dress, so I felt like I had arm candy."
Share your prom memories in the comments below!
Related Videos Related ArtistsLady Gaga, Bono, Usher To Headline Bill Clinton Foundation Fundraiser
October 15 show will be streamed live over the Internet.
By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Even a dozen years removed from the White House, former president Bill Clinton still has that same superstar-attracting aura. That might explain why such bright lights as Lady Gaga, Bono and The Edge of U2, and Usher have signed on to perform at an October 15 party for Clinton at the Hollywood Bowl.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, details on the final list of performers and presenters are still being worked on, but an impressive list of movie and TV personalities are expected to sign on for the event, which is being billed as a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Clinton's nonprofit William J. Clinton Foundation.
To date, the foundation has raised more than $10 billion for some of the ex-president's most cherished causes, including HIV/AIDS treatment, economic empowerment, food aid and global health initiatives. The show, which will also serve as a birthday party celebration for the former Democratic leader (who turned 65 on August 19), will be broadcast exclusively by Yahoo, which will stream "A Decade of Difference: A Concert Celebrating 10 Years of the William J. Clinton Foundation" worldwide to a potential audience of millions.
Clinton continues to travel the world doing good works, though he turned his attention homeward over the weekend when he participated in the 10th anniversary ceremonies of the September 11 terror attacks. He announced on Sunday that he will team with Republican House Speaker John Boehner in a bipartisan effort to raise the final $10 million needed to complete the Fight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Related Photos Related ArtistsGolden Globe Noms Celebrated By Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep
Owen Wilson, Elton John, Zooey Deschanel and more react to nominations.
By Kara Warner
Leonardo DiCaprio
Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/ Getty Images
Setting aside the Golden Globe snubs and shockers for a moment, there's a lot of love flowing from the grateful chosen parties. MTV News has gotten very gracious and thrilled reactions from Globe nominees in film and television, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Elton John and David Duchovny.
"I'm honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association today," DiCaprio said in a statement after his nomination for Best Actor in a Drama for "J. Edgar." "I was extremely humbled to work alongside [director] Clint [Eastwood] and the entire cast of 'J. Edgar,' and am very excited to be recognized for my work on the film. Thank you."
"I'm thrilled to be included in this beautiful group of actors and actresses," 25-time nominee Meryl Streep said of her Best Actress in a Drama nomination for "The Iron Lady." "I'm very proud of our movie and look forward to seeing everyone at the party in January."
"It is an absolute honor to be nominated," said Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical nominee Owen Wilson in a statement, who also picked up a SAG nomination for his work in Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris." "It was a great movie to work on, and I couldn't be happier to be recognized by the HFPA."
"I'm very touched by the HFPA's recognition of 'The Descendants' among so many other fine films this year, and I'm particularly gratified by the inclusion of Shailene Woodley along with George Clooney for acting honors," writer/director Alexander Payne said in a statement of his Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay nominations for "The Descendants." "I'm looking forward to the Golden Globes dinner and hope they provide a low-sodium option."
Elton John received his second nomination for Best Original Song for "Hello Hello," which he wrote with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin for Disney's animated feature "Gnomeo & Juliet": "I am just thrilled that Bernie and I have been nominated for a Golden Globe. What a great end to a fantastic year!" John won the award in 1995 for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King."
Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, whose "The Skin I Live In" was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, might win the award for most gracious reaction so far: "I am very happy with my Golden Globe nomination for my latest film 'The Skin I Live In,' " he said in a statement. "The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has always been very generous with me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I'm competing with other foreign films that are so fabulous; I don't mind being defeated by any of them. For me, the award will be being at the Beverly Hilton sharing dinner and mineral water with so many people I admire."
Turning toward the land of television, first-time nominee Zooey Deschanel sent out her reaction via a re-tweet of congratulations from "Office" actress Mindy Kaling. "omg. OMG. speechless! RT @mindykaling OMG @ZooeyDeschanel U R SO GANGSTA #GoldenGlobes #gowntime."
Best Supporting Actress nominee Evan Rachel Wood also took to Twitter to express her enthusiasm. "The only time it's ok to wake me up at 5 30 In the morning is when you are telling me I have been nominated for my second golden globe!"
Best Actor in a TV Comedy Series David Duchovny seemed humbled to receive his fourth acting nomination for his work on "Californication." "The Hollywood Foreign Press has always been supportive," he said in a statement. "As always, I am grateful for the recognition, especially with so many fine actors in comedy all across television, and, most of all, happy for everyone on the show as we all share in this. And the HFPA throws by far the best party of the endless awards season."
Veteran thespian and two-time Globe winner Jeremy Irons picked up his sixth career nomination for "The Borgias," which Showtime renewed for a second season earlier this year.
"I am delighted to be nominated for my work in Neil Jordan's 'The Borgias.' In truth I know it reflects the tireless efforts and exceptional talents of all those who bring this splendid series to the screen," he said of his nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a drama series. "Without the magnificent work in the costume and set design, script writing, lighting and camera work, and the constant care in the direction, production, and marketing, this series would not have grabbed its audience as it appears to have done. That I am surrounded by a talented and dedicated cast is self-evident. But, of course, if you want to nominate anyone, and escape with your life, then you'd better first nominate the Pope."
Mireille Enos was nominated for Best Actress in a drama series for "The Killing," alongside actresses Claire Danes ("Homeland"), Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife"), Madeleine Stowe ("Revenge") and Callie Thorne ("Necessary Roughness").
"It feels like a very big deal," Enos told The Hollywood Reporter. "I wasn't expecting this at all. It feels really big. Now I need a really, really big dress."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Friday, December 16, 2011
Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones Unveil Supergroup
Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery
Dave Grohl (file)
Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Officially, Lollapalooza ended Sunday night in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from the Killers and Jane's Addiction. Unofficially, it ended very early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures.
To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of Foo Fighters frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere.
According to some reports, the Vultures actually turned down Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town.
Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called Never Deserved the Future, and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans).
The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Jim DeRogatis.
It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October.
Early Monday, a Crooked Vultures Twitter account, which had previously posted links to the band's official-looking Web site and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a Deserve the Future T-shirt. Cost: $30.
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Beyonce Talks Pregnancy Cravings on '20/20'
Singer says people keep trying to give her hot sauce and pickles.
Beyoncé
Photo: ABC
Root Beer, chicken wings, pickle juice, donuts, mac and cheese. Pregnant women have all kinds of odd cravings, but in an interview slated to air on Friday night on "20/20," Beyoncé told interviewer Katie Couric that she hasn't had those typical late-night urges during her pregnancy.
"Not really anything crazy," B told Couric. "I've read that I like ketchup on everything," she added, saying that the rumor is not true. And when Couric tried to confirm other Internet whispers about what the singer is allegedly making hubby Jay-Z rush out to the corner bodega for at 2 in the morning, Beyoncé said the wildest one is also not true.
"I also read that you like ice cream with hot chili sauce," Couric said. "Yeah, that's very strange," responded Beyoncé, who was dressed in flowing purple pants with a white pattern, a black leather jacket and black pregnancy top with a subtle blue design. "Is that true?" Couric pressed. "No it is not. I was on a plane and the flight attendant came and was like, 'I have your hot sauce and pickles and bananas.' I was like, 'That is absolutely disgusting, what are you doing?' He's like, 'I read it on the Internet.' "
When Couric asked the question everyone wants to know, whether she should get the singer a pink or blue baby gift, Beyoncé smiled and put her finger up to her mouth and gave a coy, "hmmm."
In another segment, Couric and Beyoncé take a stroll past New York's Roseland Ballroom, where the pop icon played the four shows earlier this year that became the subject of her just-released "Live at Roseland" DVD . "When I was here it was raining and there were thousands of people in their coats and umbrellas waiting outside for hours," she said of the summertime shows. "Which always feels a little overwhelming because I'm like, 'I hope I give them enough.' But everyone had a great time."
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Lady Gaga Is 'Fearless' In 'Marry The Night' Video
Born This Way collaborator Fernando Garibay calls the clip a 'thank you' to Gaga's label, Interscope.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa WhiteWolf
Lady Gaga
Photo: Joe Scarnici/ WireImage
Lady Gaga has said the 14-minute "Marry the Night" video is an avant-garde look at her early struggles before hitting it big, and frequent musical collaborator Fernando Garibay told MTV News he remembers seeing a lot of that strife that plays out in the clip.
"She directed the whole video. It was her concept from beginning to end," he said. "It was amazing to see. I was brought in to do the music for the video and additional scoring and such, and so I got to sit and watch the whole process. It's pretty spectacular. It's still breathtaking how much effort and input she has for concepts. ... I might be biased, but it's my favorite video so far. It looks great, and it captures the feeling of the song. It's her story."
So what exactly is that story? The video follows a fictionalized Gaga pursuing her dreams as a ballerina. After she's told to quit, she reinvents herself and becomes a pop sensation. It mirrors her real-life story of being dropped by Island/Def Jam before being signed to Interscope Records, and the rest is history.
"It wasn't easy — that's an understatement," Garibay said of Gaga's early days in the industry. "It wasn't easy for her to get started in the music business, and I was there early on when she was already taking extreme risks. And a lot of the stuff, it's tough to watch, 'cause I've seen that happen, some of those parts. And her honoring and paying homage to Interscope — 'cause it's great, 'cause it's our label and they were always believers in us, particularly her — so it's great to see that. It's like gratitude. It's like a 'thank you.' "
In the lead-up to the video, Garibay said his pop-star pal wasn't in any way scared to put so much of her life out there for public consumption.
"I don't think she's nervous at all," he said. "She's fearless. There's nothing to hide with her. She really put a lot of herself out there this time, but it's something we see all the time. It's nice for the public to see the story and what happened and the true expression of herself in video. It is very autobiographical. She's been wanting to tell the story, so she finally got the opportunity. So it'll be interesting to see what's gonna happen next with her vision."
What did you think of the "Marry the Night" video? Share your reviews in the comments!
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She's known for being in tip-top shape despite having given birth to four little ones, and Brooke Burke was aptly chosen to cover the January 2012 issue of Fitness magazine.
The "Dancing with the Stars" co-host posed for a tummy-revealing front page shot while chatting with the publication about her workout schedule and the importance of sleep.
Highlights from Miss Burke's interview are as follows. For more, be sure to visit Fitness!
On how often she works out:
"I try to get to a Pilates Plus class, which is an intense, fast-paced workout that's done on a special reformer machine, at least three times a week. I also go to the gym a couple of times. I do 15 minutes on the treadmill, walk�ing at a 3.5-mile-per-hour speed and a 15-grade incline, and then I do the 45-minute head-to-toe workout I designed with trainer Gregory Joujon-Roche for one of my new DVDs. I don't think you need more than an hour to do cardio and full-body toning. I don't have three hours a day to devote to my body, but I do have an hour five days a week."
On her diet secret:
"I don't ever skip meals. If you let yourself get too hungry, you'll start craving sugary, fatty foods, and you'll make bad choices."
On the trick to staying calm in the middle of the chaos:
"I wish I were always calm in the chaos. I have children with very strong personalities, and as elating as that is, it can also be deflating. There's a lot of action in my household, and sometimes I'm a referee all day long. Having a blended family is a challenge. Two of my children are with their father part of the week, so when they come home they want me all to themselves. Then my other two children, who have had me all to themselves, suddenly have to share me, and that can make them very needy. My business is crazy, too. There are so many moving parts to my life, nothing ever happens perfectly. I've learned to just roll with that."
On whether she gets enough sleep:
"No! My two youngest kids always end up in our bed in the middle of the night. I try to get six to eight hours a night, and one night a week I have to get a full eight hours. I think that sleep deprivation is a really bad thing for a woman, not only for her skin and eyes but also for her mood, memory, metabolism, energy, and sex drive. David and I have done "sleepcations," where we check into a hotel room simply to be alone and sleep."
Sandra Bullock Insists 'Gravity' Will 'Blow Your Mind'
Actress says 2012 Alfonso Cuarón film will be 'profoundly silent and big and loud.'
By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Sandra Bullock
Photo: MTV News
One of the great question marks of 2012 has to be Alfonso Cuarón's "Gravity." The Mexican director hasn't made a feature film since the widely loved sci-fi film "Children of Men" in 2006, and so far, we've only heard about casting drama from his follow-up effort.
After cycling through several stars, including Angelina Jolie and Robert Downey Jr., Cuarón finally landed his leads with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, but the news from the set stopped again soon after that.
When Bullock spoke with MTV News' Josh Horowitz while promoting "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," she finally shed some light on the mystery project. Whispers of the look and scale of the film have been some of the few details that have slipped through, and Bullock was certainly qualified to confirm the rumors.
"It is extraordinary, and I have the messed-up back to prove it," she said with a laugh, later adding that the film's technology will "blow your mind."
We also know the film's setting — space — and there's been talk of the isolation Bullock's character experiences throughout the film. Bullock spoke about working on the set and the rig she spent most of her days in.
"The first day of set, we're on a massive soundstage. All I see is this large, black arm. ... I realize that's what made the cars in Detroit," Bullock joked. "We called her 'Iris,' and she was on a long track, and there was a cube of lights with this metal contraption in it. They go, 'That's the light box where you're going to be.' "
Bullock said she was either locked in the box or strung up in a rigging system until Clooney arrived on set, but once he left, things returned to normal. "I never had a human being to interact with until George showed up, and when he left, it was like the great vacuum. It was isolation like I had never experienced in my life," she said.
When pressed to describe the tone of the film, Bullock struggled to pin down exactly how to describe it.
"It is going to be so profoundly silent and big and loud. I don't know how to explain it, because I have never seen anything like it. I never experienced anything like it," she said. "There are no words in my mental dictionary that can describe what this experience was, but once you see it, you're, you're just going to be like, 'Oh my f---ing God.' "
Check out everything we've got on "Gravity."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Beyonce, Britney Spears And More: 25 Best Songs Of 2011
We count down the year's most memorable musical moments, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery
Britney Spears on the cover of the "Till the World Ends" single
Photo: Jive
In 2011, we shuffled and shook it out. We found love and decided to dance until the world ends. We rolled in the deep and celebrated the boys with the booming systems. Shoot, at one point, we even went to Paris with Will Ferrell. It was, to say the very least, an interesting 12 months.
So, how else to sum up the year than with my picks for the 25 Best Songs of 2011: odes to partying and pumped-up kicks, songs of sadness and beauty, tunes about getting loaded and getting revenge. Pop, hip-hop, rock, bed-tronica, they're all here, and they're all important in some way, mostly because they all helped guide us through a rather tumultuous time. But that's enough from me, let's get to the songs. Oh, and I'd like to hear your picks too — drop me a line in the comments below. So now, on with the countdown.
25. Nicola Roberts, "Beat of My Drum": Supremely saccharine single from erstwhile Girls Aloud member mashes together every notable pop moment in recent history, yet somehow manages to be better that the sum of its parts. That's thanks mostly to the supercharged, sing-a-long chorus, where the whole thing comes together in a head-spinning rush. She should go solo more often.
24. Against Me!, "Russian Spies": Searing, surging punk from Gainesville lifers proves their time on Sire Records didn't soften them one bit. It only made them more resolute. And, strangely, sadder too.
23. Kreayshawn, "Gucci Gucci": Either the smartest song of 2011 or the dumbest, the beauty of "Gucci Gucci" — and Kreayshawn, for that matter — is that the answer is probably both. The goofy, horror-movie synth squiggle, the dollops of low-end whomp, the part where Kreay claims to have swag coming out her ovaries ... it's all good. Even if it's not.
22. Gospel Music, "This Town Doesn't Have Enough Bars for Both Of Us": Peppy, poppy, pocket-rock that laments the lack of quality drinking establishments in Owen Holmes' hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, and dares to ponder one of life's great post-breakup quandaries: When does our place become just my place? He's not smart enough to know the answer; instead, he spends his genius on barroom bon mots like, "I'm not drinking anymore/ But I'm not drinking any less." Works for me.
21. Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper": For about a week, this was the biggest song in the world (or the Internet), a fact that had nothing to do with irony, our nascent sense of superiority or kittens, and everything to do with the startling connection Lovato makes with the track itself. Oh, and the fact that she sings the absolute beejezus out of it. Given everything that's happened in Lovato's life, that connection makes sense, but it's the maturity she shows on the song — and that final, chill-inducing chorus — that opened eyes, and served notice. Welcome to the club, Demi.
20. Lykke Li, "Get Some": Overlooked, otherworldly single off Li's equally overlooked (and otherworldly) Wounded Rhymes album, this one is very much about sex. Thumping, bumping, panting ... and then Li pushes it all over the top with her smoldering, sumptuous vocals. The kind of song that requires a cigarette and a cold shower after repeat listens.
19. The Black Keys, "Lonely Boy": After spending portions of their breakout Brothers album getting slightly contemplative, the Keys roar back with "Lonely Boy," a song that only contemplates how best to make a guitar rev like a V-8 engine. A hard-charging, and even harder-chugging treat (with an equally hard-partying music video), it's the kind of classic claptrap you always knew they were capable of making.
18. Chris Brown, "Beautiful People": Folks can talk about Brown's hip-hop turn on "Look at Me Now," but this single represents his biggest reinvention to date. A slippery, shiny club track helmed by Benny Benassi, like most of Breezy's work it is undeniably sexy, but it's also subtly smart too. And that's where he made his biggest strides. Also, unlike "Look at Me Now," he doesn't even mention Mr. Miyagi once.
17. YACHT, "Dystopia (The Earth Is on Fire)": Every day the sky gets lower (lowerlowerlower!) And every day the flames get higher (higherhigherhigher!) So, with apologies to Rock Master Scott and the Dynamic Three, this disco duo just decide to let the motherf---er burn.
16. Washed Out, "Eyes be Closed": Massively ebbing and echoing bed-tronica (or, you know, "chillwave") from some dude in Perry, Georgia. Bonus: Sounds nothing like Perry, Georgia.
15. Lil Wayne, "6 Foot 7 Foot": Weezy and producer Bangladesh may still hate each other (or maybe they've made up, I can't remember), but there's no denying that both men are better off together. "6 Foot" starts with Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song," then twists it into something else entirely. Knotty and slightly seizure-inducing, it's like "A Milli" times, well, a million.
14. Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass": The unlikely champion of the Summer Jam Sweepstakes, it started life almost as an afterthought (a bonus track on the Pink Friday deluxe edition) and ended up being Nicki's breakthrough hit. Sometimes things just work out that way. Here's to the guys with the booming systems.
13. LMFAO, "Party Rock Anthem": It's either the stoopidest song in recent memory, or perhaps LMFAO's magnum opus (or maybe both), but why ponder points like that when the end result is this good. From its ebola-catchy hook to party-hearty machinations, this one is just begging to be blasted ... and shuffled to.
12. Foster The People, "Pumped Up Kicks": The year's catchiest rock tune was actually last year's catchiest too — it just took folks a while to realize it. Hazy, loping and scratchy like a mohair sweater, it recalls a headier era when bands wrote ultra-hooky singles about ultra-dark things (Eels' "Novocaine for the Soul," the Smashing Pumpkins' "Today," etc.) and earned repeated spins on radio as a result. Also known as the 1990s.
11. Rihanna, "We Found Love": A few weeks ago, someone told me that this would ultimately end up being Rihanna's signature hit and, at the time, I sort of laughed him off. I mean, did he remember "Umbrella"? But, the more I think about it, he may be right. Or at least on the right track. From the icy synth strains to Calvin Harris' hard-charging pre-chorus, it most certainly is the song that best represents pop, circa 2011, and given RiRi's standing in the field, perhaps in time, it will become her set-closing number too. For now, at least, I'm content to bask in "Love's" masterful mix of the carnal and, well, the club.
10. Britney Spears, "Till the World Ends": I have been accused (many times) of being a Brit basher and, sure, that's probably true, but not even I could deny this song. Super-charged star-burst synthesizers, robo-vocals and, of course, that iconic "Woah-Oh-Oh" chantalong, it's the party jam for the post-apocalyptic future. And because of all that, it's also an important song; not only a reminder that Britney is still capable of making truly terrific pop music, but that, really, she never stopped. And coming from one of her most ardent critics, that's high praise indeed.
09. Beyoncé, "Love on Top": You wanted a throwback jam, you've got a throwback jam. Big, bold, brassy and blissed-out, it represents everything B was going for on her 4 album, recalling roiling old R&B classics and the supreme diva-tude of the all-time greats. Sure, I could've gone for something like "Run the World (Girls)" or even "Countdown," but "Love on Top" is where it all clicks, sublimely so. Joy for days, which, given our dire times, made this one an absolute lifesaver. Oh, and as is the case with all of her best tunes, Beyoncé belts here. And really, what else do you need?
08. Nickelback, "Bottoms Up": Take away my cred card, but I am unapologetically in awe of this song. I wrote an entire column about its boozy brilliance earlier this year, but suffice to say, it is without a doubt the greatest thing Nickelback will ever do, in that they are first and foremost a party band, and this is their ultimate party jam: a song about getting supremely sh--faced, about drinking everything from Jim Beam to "straight gasoline," complete with a crushing, ALL-CAPS chorus and appropriately chugging riffs. Oh, and at one point, Chad Kroeger rhymes "bar" with "fire," mostly because he can. Hammer down, now and forever.
07. Bright Eyes, "The Ladder Song": For as much noise as Conor Oberst is capable of making, it's often the quieter moments where his rickety, ramshackle genius shines brightest. And "Ladder Song" — a heartbreakingly raw tribute to a friend who committed suicide — is not only his quietest, it's one of his best. Backed by little more than a piano and a handful of otherworldly room tones, Oberst plumbs the depths of despair, his voice reedy and wavering, and, when he reaches bottom, discovers there are small beauties that make life worth living. It's too bad, he ultimately laments, that his friend didn't discover them too. The year's most achingly beautiful song, by a hair-raising mile.
06. Drake, "Take Care": There are no shortage of memorable, mystifying moments on Drake's Take Care, but for me, none were quite as memorable (or mystifying) as the title track, which combines Jamie XX's sparse reworking of Gil Scot-Heron's "I'll Take Care Of U" with Rihanna's aching vocals and Drizzy's bleary-eyed boasts. The end result is a song that's so dark it's practically nocturnal, echoing and empty. Perhaps 2011's best example of a prime-time artist taking a major risk, it not only paid off in spades, it proved that Drake's more than just a pretty face. He's got brains, too ... even if most of the time he's too fried to realize it.
05. Florence and the Machine, "Shake It Out": Part regret-filled lament, part old-fashioned revival, "Shake It Out" is a prime example of just what makes Florence Welch so great. It's a heartrending song with an absolutely uplifting chorus, a mixture of somber metaphors and messages that ultimately decides to be an anthem for the downtrodden. It's ethereal, otherworldly and, yet, decidedly visceral, too. And when combined with Welch's hurricane vocals, it packs a punch few other songs could match. Be blown away.
04. Lady Gaga, "Heavy Metal Lover": Buried toward the back of Born This Way, "Lover" was just about the only song Gaga didn't release as a single this year, which is odd, considering it's far and away the best track on the album. A masterful mix of "Transformers"-size techno pump and supple, slipstream synthesizers, it pulses and twitches, expands and contracts, and is probably the best example of what we all hoped BTW would be. As an added bonus, "I want your whiskey mouth/ All over my blond south" was unquestionably the pick-up line of the year.
03. Jay-Z and Kanye West, "N---as in Paris": NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS, BUT IT'S PROVOCATIVE. IT GETS THE PEOPLE GOING.
02. Girls, "Vomit": A haunting, haunted song that follows frontman Chris Owens as he drifts through deserted city streets, ghostlike, searching for his long-lost love, "Vomit" most certainly is not an uplifting thing. But it never tries to be anything of the sort. Instead, over the course of six-and-a-half minutes, it is content to work itself up to a frothy, gospel-tinged peak — recalling Pink Floyd and Spiritualized — and as Owens begs "Come into my heart," you sort of realize that sometimes it's OK to go it alone. Or at least that's what you try to keep telling yourself.
01. Adele, "Rolling in the Deep": Not only the song of the year, it's also quite possibly the song of our time, which is an odd thing to say, considering "Deep" is about as artfully anachronistic as popular music gets: a crackling, breathy thing that roils along on little more than a stubby guitar and some primal pounding, it positively roars to life the second the chorus hits, powered entirely by Adele's prodigious pipes. No Auto-Tune, no mention of partying or material excess (and not even a single Will Ferrell sample), "Deep" is a throwback in every conceivable way to a time when artists actually sang (and sang about real, genuine emotions like sadness and anger), when a single could push an album for months and months at a time and, most of all, when people still bought music. And despite all that, it was still the crossover smash to end all crossover smashes, the song that not only dominated 2011, but defined it, too. Sort of gives you hope ... or makes you realize we truly are living in the strangest of times.
Did he get it right? Sound off on Bigger Than the Sound's Top 25 Songs of 2011 in the comments!
All this week, watch "AMTV" on MTV every day at 8 a.m. ET for our Best of 2011 lists. Then, come to MTVNews.com at 5 p.m. as we reveal our top picks of the year!
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