Hi all! Sorry, but since I'm a little pressed for time today, it'll be a quick post; that doesn't mean the song's any less good, but it is less creative choice of singer. Anna Sahlene, or Sahlene as she went by for a while, is a Swedish singer who took Estonia to third place at Eurovision singing "Runaway" in 2002, but so far has criminally never made it out of the semifinals (not even to the second chance round) in Melodifestivalen, despite being a fantastic live performer and having had some great songs, though there's one of her two entries I prefer--and it's the one I'm posting today. If you've not heard anything else by her, though, I strongly recommend picking up her album It's Been A While (available on iTunes stores throughout the world); it's incredibly consistent and a truly great pop album. In fact, with such an abundance of great tracks on it, it's sort of a shame that I'm posting one of her best known songs, but I love it so much that I can't help it.We're Unbreakable--sigh. I love this song. It works whether you're in a good mood or a bad one, whether you're just in the mood to sing along to something great or need some cheering up. It's once again one of those songs I don't want to call pop-rock because, though it's got guitars, they're just a part of the instrumentation, not particularly in your face or the overwhelming impression you leave the song with, so I'm not sure what to call it--just pop with guitars, I guess. "We're Unbreakable" is strongly upbeat in just the right fashion to never be annoying. In short, it's a fantastic pop song.
To buy Anna Sahlene's album It's Been A While, go here (physical; or check eBay) or here (digital) or visit iTunes, but remember that she was going by just "Sahlene" at the time. It's very much worth it--I guess it's a "girl pop" album, but that doesn't mean it's just for girls by any stretch. She went on to release Photograph afterwards, in a very different style, and then switch styles again for Melodifestivalen 2006, going disco. I really wish she'd release another album...though seeing her performing "Holding Out For A Hero" helped a little. Last I read she was due to star in a movie, I think.
Next up: maybe another female Swedish singer.
13 comments:
ooo i have heard lots about this little lady but never gotten round to checking her out. I am rather impressed with the holding out for a hero version she did. I kinda love that song secretly...
I think it's worth buying just for the amazing 'House' - surely one of the most inventive lyrics ever.
I love Anna to death. I have all of her singles and albums, including the ones she did with Rhythm Avenue.
She's simply amazing... and so beautiful. *sigh*
I also prefer Anna on the poppier side. "Photograph" has too much generic R&B/dance, though I am momentarily entertained by hearing her sing "I've got the creeps all over my body!"
She Is amazing!
The Sahlene Rocks (and pops!).
The Creeps mix by Soundfactory is amazzzzzzzzzzzing.
Has anybody seen the documentary "Estonia Dreams of Eurovision", a semi-comic look at the ESC coming to Tallinn? Sahlene is the hapless butt of Gerli Padar's taunting backstage at the national finals when it is pointed out how much "Runaway" is just a ripoff of "I Believe I Can Fly".
I love that song pretty openly ;) I think it's one of those things I love to hear modern singers do versions of.
The lyrics to "House" are fantastic--I wish more people knew it so I could randomly quote it.
I love her--haven't heard any of her Rhythm Avenue stuff--I take it it's worth looking into then? She's gorgeous--and I'm not sure why, but I get the impression she'd be sweet and down to earth as well.
Yeah, I definitely prefer It's Been A While to Photograph, but then "This Woman" was another complete change in style towards a direction I'd love to hear more from (if going back to her earlier sound is out of the question). No, I haven't seen it...or heard of it! I didn't even know such a thing existed, but I'd actually be really interested to see it.
Woah! Robpop, I knew you'd written about it on DSTP, about how the backing track was the same as an Ann Winsborn song, but that was before I was reading blogs, so I didn't have it. I just bought it from iTunes--it's fantastic! I can't believe I haven't heard more people raving about it!
I love her,even though I sadly only have about 3 of her songs :( Runaway was an excellent Eurovision songs,one of my favourites from the past 5 or so years.And I can't believe someone mentioned Estonia Dreams of Eurovision,I loved that documentary!Particularly the bits with Tanel Padar :)
PPG, the guy who wrote that was my much loved American mate Steve........he used to write on DSTP. He wrote that article.
:-(
It is an amazing remix though.
"Estonia Dreams of Eurovision" is a documentary that plays once in a while in the US on Sundance Channel and takes place in the winter between the ESC in Copenhagen which was won by Dave Benton and Tanel Padar singing for Estonia, and the next year's contest that Tallinn was hosting.
It's a bit sarcastic and quite funny, and deals with young Tanel's being a pop star in Estonia with no real future, his failed romance with fellow Estonian star Ines (they were the local version of Britney and Justin T. at the time)and his sister Gerli's coming back to Estonia from Finland to try to inherit the title at the National Finals. She comes across as funny and pretty bitchy.
This year when Gerli finally made it to the ESC with "Partners in Crime" and wowed the Eurofans with her drunken antics at the clubs, I was not too surprised. After seeing the film, I knew that girl is TROUBLE...
Rachel, you only have three of her songs? We may have to remedy that ;) And didn't I tell you I was going to send you a Feminem song a while back, too--I completely forgot until now!
Awww...I had no idea he was American! And at least on the plus side, you have a lot of friends/bloggers who post with you with good taste!
That sounds AMAZING; the topic alone is enough to make me interested. I need to see it--now I'm going to have to go see if I know anyone who gets the Sundance channel!
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