Barefaced Cheek - My Top 10 Noughties Pop Tartlets

So, I have a worry that tonight's blog post might alienate those of my readers who have decent taste in what might be termed `proper` music. Because tonight's blog post is dedicated to those ladies who make me shamelessly want to dance round my handbag, alcopop in hand....

In case you missed it (if so, how very dare you) I turned 30 a couple of days ago *and* I got a new job and hence, I've been listening to a lot of pop music. Mostly, when I'm feeling generally ambivalent about life I listen to a regular diet of indie/rock/metal/emo-y stuff. However when I am feeling mega cheery, not only do the 80's tracks get a regular play on my ipod, but all the good-time girl pop music gets downloaded on my Spotify! So this post is a list of my favourite noughties pop tartlets - and my current favourite of their tracks.

1) Lady Gaga
I was a late convert to Lady No-Pants as she is known in this house. But she clearly stunned me with her love gun, her crazy outfits and most importantly, the sheer ear-worminess of her songs. Poker Face, Bad Romance, Just Dance, Paparazzi, even Born This Way (which I hated when I first heard it, just on principle). But something about her sheer guts, energy and determination to stand out and be creative with her image has taken me hostage. She's like the pop version of Bjork sometimes - the songs, lyrics, costumes wouldn't work on anyone else - but on her they are magic. I don't know where she's going with it all but I'm glad to be along for the ride - and you can be sure I'm not bluffin with my muffin....
Anyway my current favourite song is the genius duet with Beyonce - Telephone. It rocks. Simples.

2) Shakira
I can't really explain why I like Ms Lovely Hips so much I just do....maybe it's because she can out-shimmy Beyonce in Beautiful Liar, maybe it's because her `breasts are small and humble`, maybe it's because she's half Lebanese half Colombian. Her voice has an amazing wail-y quality and I just can't get enough. My favourite song of hers is Suerte (the original Spanish language version of Whenever, Wherever) but currently, I am LOVING She-Wolf. Let me out so I can breathe. Thanks!

3) Kylie Minogue
I think Ms Minogue did it all for us when she released Can't Get You Out of My Head. Possibly the best name for a pop song - ever. And then we got the loveliness that is Kylie in her gold hotpants in Spinning Around and the album Fever. But my current fave is All The Lovers - which reminds me of a friend's wedding last summer. Anyway, all awesome pop songs from and awesome woman. With a tiny bottom.

4) Britney Spears
I don't really know what to say about Britney - she's just not possible to sum up in a few sentences. She's not the best singer, or the best dancer, or the best looking, or clearly the sanest person on earth. And some of her more recent songs have been a bit hit + miss. But goddammit she's got something about her. Ever since Baby One More Time (which I know yes, is 90's) she's just kicked ass. I particularly like Toxic, Piece of Me, Womanizer and Everytime. But her current single Til The World Ends and the even more awesome femme fatale remix with Ke$ha and Nicki Minaj rocks!



5) Rihanna
Yeah, see I wasn't sure about Rihanna at first, but I quite liked Pon De Replay - it just kind of stuck in my head. When all the stuff with Chris Brown hit the papers - and the picture of her poor bruised face - I really felt for her, she's so young and clearly talented. Since then she's gone from strength to strength (aside from the godawful Umbrellaellaellaella ad infinitum). Of her recent stuff I love Disturbia, Don't Stop The Music, Shut Up & Drive, S&M and of course Only Girl In The World.....

6) Sugababes
Well, really, this entry is just for one song. This song......Freak Like Me. This song wins on so many levels - great video, great mix of two awesome original songs. I didn't like much of the Sugababes oeuvre to be honest - at least I didn't like the cool trendy stuff I should have liked. Instead I preferred Push The Button, Round Round, Hole In The Head and....er, well that's it. Now that all the original members have been replaced by Atomic Kitten wannabes I don't like any of their stuff. But I do like Mutya's duet with Amy Winehouse and this track by Siobhan Donaghy.

7) The Pussycat Dolls
Again, they only really merit an entry for the entertaining ear worm dross that was Don't Cha I love this song. I'm pretty sure that I shouldn't like The Pussycat Dolls. As far as I can see they are glorified strippers and I'm not sure what message they send out to young girls. But clearly I have no morals when it comes to decent pop music, regardless of the sentiment. This song was EVERYWHERE and it did make me giggle. I also liked this and this by the PCD.

8) X-tina
Sorry but I had to spell it like that. I'm also sitting at home in a thong, chaps and a bikini top. Oh wait, no I'm not. I hated Genie in a Bottle. I thought Ms Aguilera was a low rent Britney. And then Dirrty came out and kicked Britney's pert little buttocks. This, X-tina said, was how the big girls did it. No school uniforms here.....I love this song. I know I shouldn't but I do. Plus, the disgustingly filthy video was directed by the camptastic David LaChapelle. According to Wikipedia the theme was `post-apocalyptic orgy`....I think they succeeded hahaha. I also love this, this and this by X-tina. yeahhh grrrr

9) Beyonce
Well, anyone remember Glasto 2011? I really was not sure AT ALL as many of my tweets will testify. But then she cracked open the Destiny's Child stuff and the rest was history. She was, to quote a friend, AMAZEBALLS. I love a lot of her stuff - it's so great to dance to - but particularly (and there are no surprises here), Naughty Girl, Run The World, Crazy in Love and quite obviously, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).

10) J-Lo
I love J-Lo, I always have, since my first year at uni. I think I just fell a bit in love with how beautiful she was - this was about 10/12 years ago and if you think she's fit now, back then she was all over FHM and she was STUNNING. So yes, a bit of a girl crush. Her music from On The 6 was very different from my staple diet of Garbage, REM, U2, Oasis and some trance-y type stuff. If You Had My Love, Waiting for Tonight and specially Play had me totally addicted. I loved this remix with Ja-Rule (what happened to him...)and also Get Right but mostly I'm a currently loving On The Floor ft. pitbull

So that's it for my naughty girls. These are the songs I listen to when I'm really happy and excited. Or alternatively, when I'm at the gym/running. I know I've probably missed loads of people off this list. ..but my list, my blog, my rules....Let me know who'd be on your list!

Thank you and good night

Stupidgirl has left building

PS This post is for all the girls I've danced round my handbag with. You should know who you are but if not then the following is just a few of you....Katie B, Alia M, Sara G, Lucy M, Robyn G, Stella L, Suzie R, Claire W, Cheryl W, Sarah B, Mel C (!), Rachel B......thank you ladies. I think we've shown them how it should be done!!