Well now, aren’t we all so special?

I’m not ashamed to admit to enjoying some pretty cheesy pop tunes. On some of these pop artists, I agree with many music critics who say that they are manufactured fluff, but others I believe are bringing a little more to the table.  Lately, I’ve had a workout/running mix that includes Lady Gaga, P!nk, Katy Perry, and Ke$ha. All of whom currently have songs out about being special or being yourself. NPR’s Soundcheck recently had a discussion about whether or not these women are the new gay icons or just pandering to a gay audience. The general consensus among guests and callers was that Gaga had earned her stripes, but Perry and Ke$ha, not so much. Pink was up for debate. I agreed and wondered, why was it that these white women felt the need to establish themselves with songs about being genuinely different, as in and P!nk’s “Raise Your Glass” or being special in Katy Perry’s “Firework” or just being yourself as in Lady Gaga’s  “Born This Way” or choosing your lifestyle as in “W R Who We R” from Ke$ha?   Were they special? And would any of them be around in ten years?

A SWIK Workout Mix

The past few weeks at work were so busy that I could barely breathe, let alone put some thoughts down about new music. Hence, no SWIK post last week. When I get this busy and feel like I’m just hanging on by a thread, the one thing that I try to do is get to the gym. Either take the dance class (see Trina and Madonna posts) or go for a run. Due to meetings that kept me at the office long after dance class and sunset, it was a hopeless week for working out. Dance class is the one place where I think about absolutely nothing else. I have to concentrate to learn the routine and keep up. We move fast so I get a good workout and the music motivates me to push myself. Running on the other hand, I don’t particularly like. I try to think of it as a chance to listen to new music, but it has to be music that keeps me motivated, to essentially imagine that I’m dancing. I tend to like fast and catchy pop tunes and hip-hop for running. Honestly, this is where my inner top 40 pop teenager comes out. Last week, I didn’t manage to get my sneakers on until Saturday. Here’s what was on my iPod as I attempted move my body after all the madness.