US Chart Roundup: Ellie Goulding's "Lights" Sure Took Its Sweet Time...

Seventeen years, four months and 23 days after Ellie Goulding's single "Lights" was released, the song finally makes its way into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, as it moves up to #6 this week.Okay, the song wasn't really released that long ago. But I vividly recall writing about the music video way back in January 2011, and Goulding first performing "Lights" live on American TV in May that year. At any rate, the song has far exceeded the success...

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Pet Shop Boys' New Single "Winner": Hear 30 Seconds

"You're a winner, I'm a winner, this is all happening so fast," Neil Tennant sings on the chorus of new Pet Shop Boys single "Winner." A 30-second clip has made its way online, via the German Amazon site. But you can hear it below:Interesting that they're leading Elysium off with a ballad-type number. But it sounds uplifting and...Olympics-inspired, even?The full song gets its world premiere on BBC2 Monday morning, before it hits iTunes on Tuesday....

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Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen's "Good Time" Is...

I really dug Owl City's "Take It All Away," a song off his spring EP Shooting Star. And it's true, I kind of overlooked his new pair-up with Carly Rae Jepsen "Good Time" when it surfaced last week. But it was officially added to iTunes today, so better late than never.The song is catchy enough, and I can totally see tween glitter meltdown on the gay disco runway happening for some with this. But if I'm being honest, it's a bit flimsy, and is probably...

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Pet Shop Boys' First 'Elysium' Single Is "Winner"

Pet Shop Boys have announced that the first single off upcoming LP Elysium is called "Winner," and that it will debut on UK radio (The Ken Bruce Show on BBC Radio 2) on Monday (July 2) morning, with the song being added to iTunes the following day.Then, waaay later in the summer, on August 6,  a physical CD single containing three B-sides and two digital bundles with remixes and bonus tracks will be released.  Also coming next week: the...

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Paris Hilton Debuts Soulful Track "Last Night" During Stellar DJ Set At Sao Paolo's Pop Festival

Paris Hilton has finally come out of her musical hibernation to save us all from croak-throated amateurs like Adele. During her amazing DJ set over the weekend at the Pop Festival in Sao Paolo, the soul legend premiered her new track "Last Night," a collaboration with Pitbull/"Give Me Everything" producer Afrojack.Never mind the fact that Paris accidentally hit play on Rihanna's "We Found Love" at the same time (causing it to collide with the first...

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'Robyn Is Here' Is Now 15

In happier anniversary news this week (happier than Michael Jackson's death, at least), Robyn's debut album Robyn Is Here turns 15 this week (in the US). It was originally released here on June 24, 1997.Check out Moogaboo's fab writeup for Idolator's Backtracking series. Likewise, in case you missed them, Xolondon did pieces on Annie Lennox's Diva and En Vogue's Funky Divas — both of which are now 20 — recent...

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Michael Jackson Did Three Years Ago This Week

Christ, time flies by quickly. Michael Jackson died three years ago yesterday (June 25), and in light of that, I did a list of his 10 Best Songs Radio Forgot for Idolator. At the time, I was freelancing at ABC.com, the website for the TV network, and writing/re-writing online bios for the cast members of shows like Desperate Housewives, Brothers And Sisters and Lost, as well as doing recaps for Ugly Betty.Life was so different then. Life will no...

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UK Chart Roundup: I Hope Stooshe Flushe The Saturdays Down The Toilet

Finally, a UK girl group that doesn't make me want to ram a brick trowel into my eardrums. The UK Top 10: 1. "Payphone" - Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa *new* *1 week*2. "Call My Name" - Cheryl 3. ""Whistle" - Flo Rida4. "Black Heart" - Stooshe *new* 5. "Princess Of China" - Coldplay feat. Rihanna6. "Feel The Love" - Rudimental feat. John Newman 7. "We Are Young" - fun. feat. Janelle Monae8. "Call Me Maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen 9. "Scream" - Usher10. "Picking...

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Kylie Minogue: "You Must Respect The Goddess"

Idolator sat down with Kylie Minogue while she was in L.A. this week, and while I couldn't be there, I provided the questions for the interview (it hasn't run yet). My co-worker Erika surprised me with this video, though. The back story is this: for Kylie's birthday last month, we did a gallery of her style evolution over the years. There was one racy photo of Kylie performing live in the early '90s, and I protested, "We can't use that! You must RESPECT the Goddess!"It was a joke, but lo and behold — it turned into the above vid...

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Kylie Minogue On 'Chelsea Lately'

I guess I can't have up the clips of Kylie Minogue on The Soup on Wednesday night and not post her appearance on Chelsea Lately. She's officially the Queen of the E! channel this week, as she'll also be on Fashion Police tonight.Anyway, below she talks to Chelsea Handler about the usual: the Diamond Jubilee performance, touring, her boyfriend, e...

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'The Soup': Kylie Minogue Cues Up Ryan Gosling Video & Eats Joe Manganiello's Doritos

I'd been looking for a reason to post that video of 10-year-old Ryan Gosling dancing at a talent show in 1991 to C+C Music Factory, and, well, Kylie Minogue has given me the reason to via her visit to The Soup. The best YouTube user comment about this clip: "Why did Kylie stand in a hole?"And then there's this trashola segment, where Kylie eats a Dorito off True Blood and Magic Mike stud Joe Manganiello's stomach. Kinda gross, actually — sorry.Um,...

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US Chart Roundup: Carly Rae Is Still #1, Grouplove Rise & Matchbox Twenty Return

With Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" in its second week at #1 on the Hot 100, Billboard points out that this marks the first time three consecutive artists — in this case Jepsen, Gotye and fun. — have seen their debut US singles hit the top of the chart since 1977. Unfortunately, this means that every time you flip on the radio, one of those damn songs is on. I just might officially be completely over all three.A quick check-in on the latest British...

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Pink Announces Single "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)", Co-Written By Greg Kurstin

Pink's first single from her upcoming sixth LP will be "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)", a co-write she did with Greg Kurstin (Kylie Minogue "Wow," Lily Allen "The Fear," etc.). According to the below video announcement, it'll be out July 9. (If the video is acting up, watch it here.)It's about time this broad got back to mus...

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MNEK's Cover Of Kylie Minogue's "Put Yourself In My Place" Is Pretty Decent

PopJustice has alerted the music masses to the fact that 17-year-old Londoner MNEK (who penned The Saturdays' "All Fired Up") has done a complete reworking of Kylie Minogue's 1994 single "Put Yourself In My Place." To put some perspective in its place, MNEK was born on November 9, 1994, which just happens to be five days before Kylie's original "Put Yourself In My Place" single was released in the UK.Note that you can download MNEK's moody version...

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Pop Goddess Heidi Montag Is Back With "Heartbeat"

There's new music from a pop legend on iTunes this week, and, no, I'm not talking about Fiona Apple or Smashing Pumpkins. It's music force Heidi Montag, who's back with an EP called Dreams Come True that contains shit she's already released over the past couple years — EXCEPT for a new-ish song called "Heartbeat" (a rough demo leaked in January 2011).The song is a hot mess of synths and hip hop beats, and it's not nearly as fun as her previous addictive...

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Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" Video Closes Out Two-Year 'Teenage Dream' Era

Two years ago, "California Gurls" kicked off Katy Perry's Teenage Dream era. The single became her second #1 on the Hot 100 (following 2008's "I Kissed A Girl"), and she subsequently went on to become a superstar. The further chart-topping hits "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "E.T." and "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" followed, while "The One That Got Away" peaked at #3.Then came the album's Complete Confection re-release this past March, which spawned...

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Madonna Shoots "Turn Up The Radio" Video In Florence, Italy

Yes, Ye Olde Vampyre fans, it seems the MDNA campaign isn't six feet under just yet. Madge was snapped by manager Guy Oseary while shooting the video for third single "Turn Up The Radio" in Florence yesterday.Am I the only one who thought Madonna was the old hooker in torn stockings sucking on a hookah in the back of the car? Turns out that's not her — she's on the right, in the cheap Village People get-up. Meanwhile, this was me in Florence four...

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Kelly Rowland's Video For Rum Jam "Summer Dreaming"

The Real Talent From Destiny's Child Kelly Rowland has a new video out for some Bacardi rum 150th anniversary tie-in she's doing called "Summer Dreaming" (it's a remake of a song by Kate Yanai that went to #1 in Germany in 1991). The song itself is pretty generic dance fodder — the beat is kinda cheap, and it sounds like a whole four minutes were spent writing down lyrics ("Come on over, let's have some fun, just dancing in the morning sun") on a...

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Mika's "Celebrate" And "Make You Happy": Catching Up

So I was in France for nine days, and didn't have time to stop and listen to these new Mika tracks from upcoming third album The Origin Of Love until now, because, quite frankly, I was too busy walking till my feet ached so my ass doesn't get fat from eating pastry after pastry over there.So here's a bit of a catch up for me, and anyone else whose eyes glazed over when they first saw the word "Mika." First of all, new single "Celebrate" sounds like...

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UK Chart Post: Cheryl Cole's Second Decent Solo Single, "Call My Name", Is Rightfully #1

Apparently Cheryl Cole is all classy and ultra-famous now, and only goes by her first name, as evidenced by her billing on her third #1 single in the UK, "Call My Name." I've been a fan of this Calvin Harris-produced jam since it first sauntered into the pop lexicon back in April, and so I'm not to vexed to see this vocal torturess achieve some success this time around. "Call My Name" is now Cheryl's third solo chart-topper in her home country, and...

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US Chart Roundup: Carly Rae Jepsen Closes The Deal With "Call Me Maybe"

The inevitable has happened — Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" is the new #1 song on the Hot 100, and it only took me stepping out of the country for this feat to happen. Well, not really — the 26-year-old (!) Canadian bimbette has been hovering at #2 for weeks, and it was only a matter of time before "Somebody That I Used To Know" finally ran out of steam. Meanwhile, look out Bieber: my prediction about your pop protege is coming true."Call Me...

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Cheryl Cole Teams Up With Will.i.am For Dumbstep Track "Craziest Things"

Just when you were thinking, well, surely not everything will.i.am touches turns to shit, along comes Cheryl Cole's new tune "Craziest Things."On a scale from one to ten, I give it "cockroach-infested snatch."Au revo...

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Kylie Minogue Covers 'Glamour' UK, Talks About PWL Days

My friend/travel companion AGirlAndHerCity picked up a copy of the July issue of Glamour UK at Heathrow — the one with Kylie Minogue on the cover, where she talks about performing at the upcoming Hit Factory Live fest — and she gave it to me upon meeting up in Paris yesterday.Here's an excerpt:"I can't divulge...oh, I'll tell you," she blurts. "At the PWL Hyde Park gig...I'm going to sing 'Especially For You' with Jason Donovan. I don't think we'll...

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Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album 'Elysium'

More info on Pet Shop Boys' new album, following the surfacing of new track "Invisible" over the weekend: it's called Elysium and, as was expected, will be out in September.Also, "Invisible" is not a single, but merely a track "to give an idea of the album’s sound," their official site notes:...a short film for the album track “Invisible”... was made by renowned Los Angeles artist/film-maker Brian Bress. Like several tracks on Elysium, “Invisible”...

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UK Chart Roundup: Gary Barlow Lands First Solo #1 In 15 Years

Gary Barlow racks up his third solo #1 single on the UK chart with "Sing" in the same week the parent EP retains its hold atop the album chart. Last week "Sing" debuted at #11, but has now jumped to the top following Gary's performance of the Queen's official Diamond Jubilee song outside Buckingham Palace earlier in the week.Meanwhile, the last time Gaz hit the top by himself in his home country was in 1997, when the Madonna and Shep Pettibone co-write...

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Pet Shop Boys Premiere New Song "Invisible"

The first new Pet Shop Boys song from, presumably, their upcoming Andrew Dawson-produced 11th studio album (due out in the fall) has arrived, and it's called "Invisible". Keep in mind it's probably not the lead single (though if it is, it's as unconventional as the video for "Home And Dry" was) — and likely a teaser track to whet the appetite.That said, "Invisible" is the Boys at their most beautiful. The song is a slow, moody synth number with Neil...

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Saint Etienne's "I've Got Your Music" Single Info

Above you'll see the art for Saint Etienne's second Words And Music By Saint Etienne single, "I've Got Your Music." (And with a little luck, you'll see me in the video!)And here is the info on the formats, B-sides, poster, etc:We can confirm that the new single I've Got Your Music will be released on 25th June 2012 on 7", 12" and digital download EP.The 12" and digital EP come with remixes by the amazing Golden Filter and Leo Zero plus the previously...

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US Chart Roundup: Rihanna Has Really Big Hits

It's an eighth week for Gotye atop the Hot 100 with "Somebody That I Used To Know," which basically means that even if he never has another hit after this, he'll probably never have to flip burgers for a living.Recent American Idol winner Phillip Phillips debuted at #10 last week with his coronation song "Home," but now sees the upbeat guitar tune drop all the way down to #41. This makes way for Rihanna's "Where Have You Been" to slip up to #9, thus...

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Kylie Minogue Performs Medley Of Hits At Diamond Jubilee Concert

Kylie Minogue's medley of jams at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert in London on Monday was clearly one of the night's highlights. The Aussie hit-maker tore through "Spinning Around," "Can't Get You Out Of My Head," "Step Back In Time" and "All The Lovers" while first wearing a black jacket, then tossing it off to reveal a hot little bustier/corset/dress number.This broad, who invited street dance crew Flawless on stage for "Step Back In Time,"...

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Cheryl Cole Butchers "Need You Now" (With Gary Barlow) At Diamond Jubilee Concert

There's no kind way to put this: Cheryl Cole sounded like a drunk whore passing a watermelon through her vagina while warbling through Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" with Gary Barlow at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in London tonight.Poor Gaz held his own on the duet, but Cheryl, who never fails to sound like a sea lion getting fucked by an iceberg when attempting live vocals, should have been put out of her misery by having a cane yank her ass off...

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Coldplay & RIhanna's "Princess Of China Video": Wait, Aren't Ninjas & Geishas Japanese?

Beautifully shot by directors Adria Petty and Alan Bibby. But where are the Viet Cong soldiers and a little girl playing a viol...

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'Pete Waterman Presents The Hit Factory': Tracklisting

The Facebook page for that Pete Waterman Presents The Hit Factory compilation (out July 9) finally got 1,000 likes, and the tracklist was posted yesterday. If you already own the 2005 Stock Aitken Waterman Gold set, this three-disc package is worth it for the third CD only.I will say that it's bizarre to include Steps' "Heartbeat". True, it went to #1 as a double A-side with "Tragedy," but the latter proved to be the far more popular of the two,...

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UK Chart Roundup: Gary Barlow Has A Royal Diamond Jubilee Debut With 'Sing' EP

Gary Barlow's Diamond Jubilee tune "Sing" may have settled for a debut just outside of the Top 10 (at #11) on the UK single chart, but its parent EP has entered at #1 on the album roundup.The rainy jubilee celebration is of course happening today in a very grey London, and the Buckingham Palace-held Diamond Jubilee Concert, which Barlow, Elton John and Paul McCartney are performing at, goes down tomorrow. Here's Queen Elizabeth II's fleet of boats...

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Kylie Minogue To Duet (Not Do It) With Jason Donovan

No one will be surprised to find that "very special duet 23 years in the making" set to happen at the PWL Hit Factory Live fest in London's Hyde Park on July 11 is going to be Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan doing "Especially For You." According to the grapevine that is PopJustice via Contactmusic via Glamour magazine, Kylie confirmed she'll be taking the stage with her old Neighbours mate.Meanwhile, the above box set, Pete Waterman Presents The...

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