T-Pain showed off his non-auto tuned singing skills on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno last night with one of the tracks off his new album, “5 O’Clock.” The song is a sexy ode to the crack of dawn, and between T-Pain’s breathy vocal and the adorable little thing singing the female part at the side of the stage, the whole performance is inspiring us to loosen our collars. There’s a bit of a retro R&B throw back happening here too, with purple tinted lighting, a full band and some harmonizing backup singers with synchronized dance moves. The song itself is pretty catchy — we’re expecting it will be a staple for party playlists this winter, and we’re definitely hoping there will be a club-inspired remix for the festive season.
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Tuned In: Iron & Wine Play Their Twilight Song, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth (Wedding Version)”, On Leno
To Iron & Wine fans, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” might be deemed a bit old for Sam Beam to be promoting (it’s two albums old), but for Twilight fans, it all makes perfect sense. The song, chosen specifically by Kristen Stewart herself (fan girl!) for the film, features in Twilight: Breaking Dawn (Part 1), as the “Wedding Version.” Beam played this version of the classic song last night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and in true Iron & Wine style, the song was simply moving. With Beam’s mesmerising vocals, the soft lighting and live strings, the performance left our romantic hearts skipping a beat or two.
Tuned In: Usher And David Guetta Perform “Without You” On Jimmy Kimmel
Promoting his hit single “Without You,” David Guetta appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, joined by Usher, who brough some serious dance moves to the stage. Spinning, u-turning and collar-popping, Usher employed all the signature moves he’s known for, all the while singing over Guetta’s trancetastic beats. With a team of back-up dancers, flashing lights, psychedelic visualizations and shooting flames, the stage was transformed into a Euro-techno party with Usher and Guetta revving up the audience. No wonder this song is shooting towards the top of our VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown!
Tuned In: She & Him Get Us Into The Holiday Spirit With “The Christmas Waltz”
She & Him performed “The Christmas Waltz” on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno last night, and it was a very warm, cozy, understated affair. On a set designed to look like all your cuddliest Christmas dreams come true—trees draped in fairy lights, comfy couches and stockings by a mock fireplace—it was just a little bit magical. With Zooey Deschanel crooning in the dreamy way she does, it was a case of being transported back in time, or even to Santa’s Christmas village in the North Pole. It’s not even December yet, but She & Him have us swooning for a white, romantic Christmas.
Tuned In: Nickelback Burn Jimmy Kimmel To The Ground (With Music, Not Fire)
We’ve had Nickelback fever since we previewed the band’s video for “When We Stand Together” last month. Nickelback’s performance last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live did nothing to abate our fever, either — with Chad Kroeger‘s raw vocal and a stage literally set alight by theatrical flame throwers, Nickelback burned the house to the ground. With their awesome performance of “Burn It To The Ground,” not because they actually set fire to anything (other than our hearts, figuratively speaking). Nickelback’s roaring, metal sound was decidedly harder than their post-grunge beginnings, and even from behind a screen we couldn’t help but do a sneaky head bang.
Tuned In: M83′s “Midnight City” Soars On Fallon
M83‘s lead single from their new album Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming has an almost unstoppable momentum behind it, and it’s not showing any sign of slowing down. The song has already appeared on a Victoria’s Secret commercial and on the end credits for HBO’s How To Make It In America, and last night the band performed the electronic hit live on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. On stage last night (after being introduced by a giddy Fallon) M83 gave an energetic performance — we never thought that watching electronic music live could be so compelling. There was even live saxophone, and we’ve got to say, it’s rare that we’ve seen a saxophonist rock that hard!
Tuned In: Estelle Joins Gym Class Heroes For “Stereo Hearts” On Leno
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Look, we know the Gym Class Heroes track “Stereo Hearts” features Adam Levine, and we’re defintely fans, but the band’s performance last night on Leno with Estelle singing Levine’s parts… well… it was pretty amazing! Estelle brings a summery soulfulness to the song with her gravelly vocals, and the female voice adds an extra layer to the track — a certain mystique and romance. Not to mention how beautiful Estelle looked in a red maxi-dress (we’re sure you’d look just as pretty in a dress too, Adam!). Should Adam Levine be afraid?
Tuned In: Lykke Li Is Transformative On Letterman
Swedish songstress Lykke Li performed “Silent My Song” from her newest album, Wounded Rhymes, on Letterman last night. Ignore Letterman’s cringe-worthy introduction to the performance, and you’ll find a hauntingly different Lykke Li. Experimenting with a darker side in Wounded Rhymes, Lykke Li metamorphosed from the saccharine sounds of Youth Novel with an naturalness that is soul baring in its honesty. From “Get Some” to “Sadness Is A Blessing” and now “Silent My Song,” Lykke Li is turned inside out in a marvelously macabre transformation.
Tuned In: The Foo Fighters And Joan Jett Don’t Give A Damn About Their Reputation On Letterman
Tuned In: The Kooks Rock Out On Leno
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