Rihanna's new single Stay

Rihanna's new single Stay will be available to download on the 7th January 2013, and I have to admit I am loving it. The Barbadian star has not thrilled me in a while - with latest dance track singles such as We Found Love ( high end production and little vocal talent or skill) But, it was did well in the charts and after a few hearings it grew on me too. Unfortunately, after the hundredth time on the radio it began to bore me and like most over played songs, made me want to turn the channel over.

Diamonds,  her other latest single was also hit, and again I liked it. But, it didn't make me want to play it again and again at home whilst I was washing up or instead of doing that long overdue essay. Stay for the first time in a while excited me. It's a slow song, the lyrics actually have meaning, and her vocals are at last shining again.

I especially like these lyrics:

Ohhh the reason I hold on
Ohhh cause I need this hole gone
Funny you're the broken one but I'm the only one who needed saving
Cause when you never see the light it's hard to know which one of us is caving

Nice use of rhyme, and the piano riff is simple but effective,. She is stripped back and raw, just like the old says with Unfaithful.

Here is a clip as she sung it on the X Factor finals last Saturday evening on ITV1 followed by We Found Love.  No matter what people say, you cannot deny she is a versatile artist, she sells records and gets the crowds going.

What do you think about her new single?

The Power of James Arthur

X Factor 2012 has brought it's ups and it's downs. But, for me, there has been one continuous great artist who has performed his best week after week. James Arthur.

His performance last night was incredible as he sung the beautiful Power of Love by Gabrielle Aplin. This was his first ballad, and he truly nailed it. He has a tortured way about him as he sungs, always puts maximum emotion into his songs, and always makes me questions if I prefer the original. I love love love the original of this song, but I have to say, his version gives me shivers too!

Here it is:

For the semi- finals, he has done everything he can in my opinion in getting to those much wanted finals. Ella left a few weeks ago and I was devastated. But, seeing this performance today I am happy James stayed. (Not that Ella was amazing and did not deserve to be in the bottom two)


So, there it is. James Arthur to win, please. Jahmene second and please, please, please let Christopher go tonight.

X Factor 2012 Returns With More Drama

X Factor 2012 judges: Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa, and Gary Barlow

It's back. X Factor 2012 is on our TV screens every Saturday night and it's riveting us once again. But, is it entertaining us for the right reasons? Last Saturday we saw as Gary Barlow storming off as his act Caroline Poole was the first contestant to be eliminated.  It shocked the nation as Louis Walsh let the decision go to deadlock between Caroline and the controversial Essex contestant  Rylan Clark.

So who did you think should have gone? Caroline Poole was gorgeous and had a country finesse to her voice which made her stand out in the competition, and I think most would agree, she was a definite contender this year. Then we have Rylan. Funny, I think hilarious, Camp, oh definitely, but great singer? Absolutely not. His survival song, One Night Only by the legendary Beyonce, was a disaster.  He could barely reach the higher notes and it was clear, or so we thought, that he would be going. Take a look if you want to go through the pain again.

Caroline then went on to sing There You'll Be by Faith Hill, and she was pitch and performance perfect. So what is happening? My real concern is whether X Factor is really about the talent anymore? We've seen great stars such as Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Ollie Murs make a success out of themselves and they all have obvious talent. But the we have also had acts such as Jedward appear on the show and last very close to the end! We still keep watching, I myself still can't wait for the show each week, but it is starting to become more abou entertaining and getting the viewer to laugh more than sit and feel the shivers at the stunning voices before us. What do you turn it on for? Laughter or to see great singers? I think it must be a bit of both, but the public have definitely backed up my point last week. Rylan is in, let's just hope he keeps us laughing, because it can start to become a joke when great acts and talents are then lost.

My favourite acts this X Factor are:





Ella Henderson (although I think she should be called Ella, she is amazing and only 16!)

Jade Ellis

James Arthur












Jahmene Douglas (please Louis pronounce his name correctly)







I think these have the most versatility and can definitely win the show.  Bring on tonight for more drama, laughter and hopefully more great talent.

Rebecca Ferguson Too Good To Lose

Rebecca Ferguson's new single Too Good To Lose once again shows off her stunning vocals. This is her second single from her debut album, Heaven. The 25 year old X Factor runner up wrote the songs herself as is a true example of REAL talent that has come from The X Factor.  Not only beautiful, her lyrics and melodies are really likable and catchy. Here is the new single, sung live, which was released last week

Click here for a review of her album, Heaven: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/q2wx

Heaven was released 5th December 2011

Leona Lewis new single NIN's 'Hurt'

The fabulous Leona Lewis has released the 1994's Nine Inch Nail's song, Hurt. The classic, famously covered by Mr Johnny Cash himself was released on the 9th December.

She sang the deep and meaningful cover on the X Factor final show, and then last night on The Royal Variety Show. There is no doubt that the X Factor winner is brilliantly talented.

Leona Lewis says, "I actually am a great fan of the song and a big fan of the Johnny Cash version." and "It's reflective of a place where I was at. When I recorded it it was healing to get it out."
(Newsbeat)

Here Leona singing on the X Factor 2011:

Here is a review from NME of Hurt


The Hackney raised singer will be releasing her third album, Glassheart and will we will be able to buy it Spring 2012. Cannot wait.