How much European is TOO European?

I have to tell you something; I don't understand why American people can't cope with European music.

Why is that, you say? Right now there are tons of European acts on the Billboard charts; The Beatles were from the UK; Adele was the most sold artist a couple of years ago on US and she's also British; and so on. You get the point.

However, how come that they always receive different treatment on videos, singles and the like, when they come from Europe?

I have several examples on this, and I'm not going to bore you with useless data, so check out those videos and watch for yourself how different are things from Europe (UK, especifically) once they get the "American treatment":


ALL SAINTS - "NEVER EVER"

UK Version



US Version



I mean, what was the point? The UK version was in accord to the song, and the US version looks like a demonstration on special effects on Hollywood, and some random flowers and animals. And that was it.




ACE OF BASE

UK Version - "Life is a Flower"






US Version - "Whenever You're Near Me"





Basically, another song, another tempo, another everything. "Whenever..." wasn't even a proper single. I know "Life is a Flower" sounds so corny on paper, but it was a good song. Why they thought Americans wouldn't like it, we'll never know.




LEONA LEWIS - "BLEEDING LOVE"

UK Version






US Version





OK, in this case, American version is better and more in tune with the song. But why is the need to make different videos for a song about a heartbreak? We all understand the concept, which in the US version is loud and clear. UK version is more cryptic, I guess.




NATASHA BEDINGFIELD - "THESE WORDS"

UK Version






US Version





Maybe, and this is just a guess, they wouldn't want people to take Natasha as a Pink clone, as seen in the first video. Or maybe, the cheesy effect of multiple Natasha's threw them off. But clearly, UK version is less generic and got soul.




CHER LLOYD - "WANT U BACK"

UK Version






US Version




I know they were supposed to portray Cher as a sassy, salacious girl because they didn't know her from UK's "X Factor", but the American version is pure nonsense. UK's more fun, if you ask me. But thanks for getting rid of that awful rap, I guess.




JOHN NEWMAN - "LOVE ME AGAIN"

UK Version






US Version





In the obsession to tell a story, many sins are portrayed here. Meanwhile the first video is stylish, simple and classic, on the US version we have the old "Romeo and Julieta" treatment that is yawning, really. And the ending? Please don't make me. Just don't.



What can we infer here? It is obvious that things are different on both continets, but we all can agree that music and its message is the same. So I don't really see the need to make various videos for different approches, if the music is the same. Unless you really, really, are doing something inappropiate on the European version.

But really, how am I complaining? We have two videos for the same price, so it's a win-win, isn't it?

What a difference a year can make....

Looking back, this has been a pretty good year in music. But we're still expecting that song that blow us away and make us swoon all over. But in the meantime, let's take a look back at what some of our favorite artists (and some others) were doing on July 2013, and how they are doing today. This should be fun.


ROBIN THICKE

July 2013: He was enjoying the success of "Blurred Lines", of course, song of the summer 2013, and ready to drop his then new album, also titled "Blurred Lines". He was the flavor of the month, with a beautiful wife, and things seemed pretty well for him, after years of struggling making a mark on the world of music. Only good things seemed to come in his way.

July 2014: "Blurred Lines" proved to be a one-trick pony for him, although the album was full of good tunes, but none of them made the same impression on the general public. He twerked along Miley, got accused of misoginy by his lyrics, get separated from his wife, and made an embarrasingly new album ("Paula") as a plea for forgiveness, but really, no "Blurred Lines" here. Not even "Lost Without U". Only sad, pathetic and shameful tunes. Oh, and also, got eviscerated on Twitter, but again, who doesn't?






BEYONCÉ

via

July 2013: She was in the middle of a world tour, and giving several teases of new music and a much awaited album, which fans (including me, of course) were waiting impatiently. In the meantime, she was having fun, and maybe (maybe) mocking all of us who were really growing desperate for our dosis of new Bey's music.

July 2014: Of course, it's her year. Dropping a full self-titled new album out of nowhere, with her corresponding music videos, and embarking on a new tour with her husband. Of course, nothing is perfect, and after all the hoopla about her now infamous elevator brawl between her sister, Solange, and her husband, and an implying accusation of cheating towards Jay Z, they have done nothing to harm her image and her reigning on pop. After all, she's Queen B, y'all.

IGGY AZALEA

Via

July 2013: She was still an unknown commodity on the US, but the UK was well aware of her antics. She was about to embark on an Australian tour (where she is from) as an opening act for Beyoncé, Her still untitled album was supposed to drop at the time, but the label decided to postpone it, much to her disdain. But things were about to get interesting for her, obviously.

July 2014: Well. First off, she managed to tie The Beatles as a new artist having a No. 1 and 2 with her official first single (the omnipresent "Fancy" featuring Charli XCX and Ariana Grande's "Problem" as a featured artist) on Billboard Charts. And then, being the first female rapper (yes, she IS a rapper, an australian white one) to be at the top of Billboard for 6 weeks in a row. And, obviously, being dissed by Nicki Minaj, but again, who doesn't? 

MARIAH CAREY

Via

July 2013: Mariah was on the verge of having her second big comeback, via releasing her expected album which she entitled "The Art of Letting Go", but she postponed it for some reason. The album was already well awaited after "#Beautiful", that song with Miguel which was just great. And after a much publicised gig on American Idol, along with "Frenemy" Nicki Minaj (both hated it), thing went all sour.

July 2014: Finally, she released her new album, with the astounding name "Me.I Am Mariah: The Elusive Chanteuse" (no kidding here). That title certainly didn't pick the interest of the general public, since it's the first Mariah release to not achieve 100,000 copies at the first week, making it a lowest in her career. The bad thing? The album is really good, much better than 2009's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" (Oh, Mariah, you and your titles). Maybe she should go back to name her albums on a single word. They have been the most succesful.

SAM SMITH

Via

July 2013: Sam already made a No.1 hit with "La La La", a Naughty Boy track, on the UK, and it was about time to start making music on his own. He was unknown at the time on the US, but it was very clear that great things were ahead of him.

July 2014: And ideed great things came for him. He released his album, "In The Lonely Hour", which went to No. 1 on the UK and No. 2 on the US. He's now friend with Taylor Swift, with granted, made him kind of famous on the US and of course it helped to create a lot of buzz around him. But clearly, this guy is talented, and deserving of the success he is having.

So yes, a year can be a difference between success and failure. And it definitely a lot of things can happen in such a tiny frame of time. So remember: you can still find love, become rich and have a great career in music one year from now. What are you waiting for? Go get it! But remember: hard work is always part of the ecuation. Simple as that. Cheers!

Looking over my shoulder
I was so much younger then
I can't believe what happened
A year ago today

Delta Goodrem, "A Year Ago Today".