INSTEP Magzine

Baby One More Time
Britney Spears
Before the bad career moves and personal choices, Britney Spears had won the world over with just one single, 'Baby One More Time', released in late 1998. At that time, while a teeny-bopper with pop star dreams wasn't uncommon, one who actually reached those heights with just one song was a rarity.

'Baby One More Time' is a song about a girl regretting her decision to part ways with her sweetheart.
"I must confess/ That my loneliness/ Is killing me now." The song is a real catchy number, with a subtly funky tune and Spears' voice which somehow complements the remorseful lyrics.

The video was perhaps what caught the attention of adolescent boys and girls all over the world; a sweet looking schoolgirl made sassy with her blouse tied at the midriff was a novel look. Tying the blouse up so had been Spears' idea and the uniform she wears in the video is displayed at the Hard Rock Café & Casino in Las Vegas. 'Baby One More Time' has also been covered by Travis, Bowling For Soup and a very suspect 'cover' by Marilyn Manson is available online as well.

Tell Him
The Exciters
Bert Berns had written 'Tell Him', as 'Tell Her', but somehow has been credited on this song as Bert Russell. 'Tell Him' is a song with a lot of punch. Dusty Springlfield once remarked that it was 'Tell Him' that her motivated her to make the move from Folk to Rock and Soul.

The exciters had originally been called the Masterettes and the group originally consisted of Brenda Reid on lead, Sylvia Williams, Lillian Walker, and Carol Johnson. They were discovered by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller who had been so excited by the talent these girls possessed that they renamed them The Exciters. 'Tell Him' made it up to number four on Billboard U.S. Charts after entering them in December 1962.
I know something about love, you've gotta want it bad/ If that guys got into your blood/ Go out and get him. 'Tell Him' oozes with the happy positivity of someone who knows what they want and will get it too.


Hey Jude The Beatles "Hey Jude/ Don't make it bad/ Take a sad song and make it better/ Remember to let her into your heart/ Then you can start to make it better." Paul McCartney had written 'Hey Jude' for John Lennon's son Julian while Lennon and wife Cynthia Powell were ending their marriage. The lyrics originally were 'Hey Jules', but McCartney changed it to Jude later on as it was easier to sing. John Lennon thought 'Hey Jude' was meant for him, as it was written during his divorce and he had just met Yoko Ono. Lots of other people thought it was a subliminal message to McCartney himself as he was ending his relationship with long-term girlfriend, Jane Asher. More than anything though, 'Hey Jude' is one of the most uplifting songs ever written and composed, it opens with McCartney's voice accompanied by piano and further musical detail is added as the song progresses. The lyrics are quite poignant too: "And any time you feel the pain, hey, Jude, refrain/ Don't carry the world upon your shoulders/ Well don't you know that its a fool who plays it cool/ By making his world a little colder."

Ice Box Omarian 'Ice Box' is the second single from former boy band B2K's lead singer's second album and features the talented Timbaland for backup vocals. Call it yet another success by Timbaland but the song has managed to take a peak position of number 12 in the billboard top 100, making it Omarian's first major hit. The song is a departure from his previous singles and is a mid-tempo number. Sixteen remixes of the song have been released, including the web-wide attentive Davenport Remix. The main remix features Usher, Busta Rhymes, Fabolous and Jim Jones. The single's physical CD release had been canceled in the UK, but because the song had such success on the charts, it was decided that the physical release would go ahead. It was released in March 2007. The song was later remixed, featuring hip-hop and R&B artist Usher. The remix chronicles Omarion's feelings and thoughts after the infidelity of his girlfriend while Usher advises him.