Go-go goes Pop

BirthaBlue4 · #1 01-07-2005, 11:02 PM

For those out here in the DC area, Go-Go has gone pop. They made a copy of Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me. I just heard it like last week and didn not know it was a phenomenon. My friend worked at Downtown Lockeroom and said people were DYING for the album. She even had people wanting to buy the Ashlee version when the go-go was out of stock.

Do you think that this will start a trend that will boost record sales for pop artists that would have otherwise been unknown to "Go-Go" heads? Will this help Go-Go go national? Do you forsee these pop artists using go-go? Ludacris used Rare Essesnce (I think, or one of them) to perform Roll Out on Jay Leno a while back. What do you think will help Go-Go hit the map?

Sidebar, the girl singing it sounds like crap as usual

Lil' Hannah · #2 01-08-2005, 11:41 AM

I've heard it and I don't really like it. It sounds like watered down go-go. I also sort of like go-go being a DC area thing...I don't know if I'd really want it to go national. I hope that covering pop songs doesn't become a trend.

BlueReign · #3 01-08-2005, 01:41 PM

I believe that if Go-Go were to go national it would have by now. It's a D.C. thang and can best be appreciated "live". It didn't pick up and appeal nationally back in the 80's because it is a type of sound that sounds best live. My opinion.

TRSimon · #4 01-09-2005, 03:04 PM

I have liked Go-Go ever since I first heard it in high school. I'm not a big fan of what's her name, so I'll take your word for it.

I think that it is really neat how just about every major metro area in the US has its own sound, though.

NinjaPoodle · #5 01-10-2005, 01:50 PM

Can someone explain what go-go is?

treblk · #6 01-10-2005, 01:56 PM

I love that song..didn't know it was Ashlee's song until now.
I agree with BlueReign that it's best heard live. If it were to go national, it would have done so by now.

But Go-go has always sampled from pop songs. Case in point, one of the bands sampled Sisqo' Thong Song and it was HOT

Go-go has also sampled some west coast songs that were good too.

Lil' Hannah · #7 01-10-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NinjaPoodle
Can someone explain what go-go is?

I'm sure someone can describe it better than I can, but it's sort of like funk combined with spoken word, and is heavy on percussion. Some bands have original songs, but a lot of bands do cover songs, mostly hip-hop.

The Washingtonian did an article on go-go.

Quote:

The main thing to know about urban music: Washington is both the cradle and the capital of go-go. It was born here, was bred here, and has continued to thrive here for more than 25 years.

Maybe more than any other musical genre, go-go must be experienced live to be appreciated. That stands to reason: Go-go began as a form of live house music meant to keep an uninterrupted, down-home groove going on the dance floor. Add in the back-and-forth between band and crowd—reminiscent of the call-and-response in many African-American church sermons—and you get an immediate, communal feeling that binds everyone together in a funky, syncopated here and now.

TheWriter · #8 01-10-2005, 02:39 PM

I'm not a big fan of go-go but I have heard the go-go version of "Pieces of me" and I like it. I think it's cool. There are a couple of other go-go songs that sample other hit songs that I like also(the names of them I don't recall).

Being from Baltimore, I know that there are "Baltimore Club" songs that sample recent hits. ETA: ALL Baltimore Club songs are samples..but anyway. I have friends from NY/NJ that think certain songs are okay(both gogo and club).

Also my roommate from college (from frederick,MD) loves Baltimore club and she is not fan of go-go.

An artist may use go-go if they happen to be performing a concert in the DC area, otherwise I think it is a regional thing and it depends on the person.

GuardsHerLips · #9 01-10-2005, 06:48 PM

I agree, I feel that Go-Go will never catch on like it should. I love Go-Go...I mean how many actual bands are out there now? It's easy to sit and lay down tracks using equipment, but it takes time and dedication to perform a song using nothing but drums, congo's, a keyboard, a cowbell and a mic.....and ya'll know they be playing forever!!!

But Rare Essence kinda copied off of Lizzen Band with "Pieces of Me" . Lizzen Band always sings Pop and Neo-Soul stuff over a Go-Go beat

and on another note... I respect Lil Jon for putting that Go-Go track on his new album...

I don't see what's wrong with Go-Go music..... Now GOING to a Go-Go that's something different.....LOL

Oh Yeah, NinjaPoodle:
Some other popular songs that are actually Go-Go songs are

Crazy in Love by Beyonce
It's Love by Jill Scott

(hope that helps)