Weekend Supplement March 4th 2012: I think it's amazing (Danny Saucedo)...

I am in Spain for a week so no doubt as you read this I will be sucking in my gut and trying to pretend I have a six pack as I saunter along the sea front. Ah the joys of a sunnier clime. Anyway, it would be very remiss of me to leave you hanging and not draw your attention to the phenom song below (most of you will have already heard it however, but that's never stopped me before has it?!) Less dwelling on my rhetorical questions, more reading. Onward!

Danny Saucedo ~ Amazing:

The quality of boy pop from Sweden just seems to get higher every year. You can always rely on people like Mans Zelmerlow, Ola, Neo, Darin and Eric Saade to hit it out the ballpark with each subsequent release. Indeed, as the chart below shows I'm still revelling in immensicles pop tracks from Eric and Darin. Add Danny Saucedo to that list with his utterly brilliant melodifestivalen entry, Amazing. By the time you read this, you'll know whether he is actually representing Sweden or not at Eurovision, but regardless of the outcome - along with Darin's Nobody Knows - this is one of the most euphoric and jubilant pop songs of the year. It's one of those songs that can't fail to put you in a better mood and has you smiling from start to finish. It kicks off the party vibe with these convivial "whoa ha ho" chants by Danny before a pogo-ing synth comes in to tell that he's feeling great, he's feeling awesome. And it is so joyous that it makes you feel great and awesome. I also love how the music enhances the lyrics of the song - for example when he sings "it's like a force, pulling me in", this propulsive, mesmerising beat kicks in and leads the song into this absolutely massive, thrusting, rave like a ninny chorus - all stabbing synth chords and an ibiza-esque crashing, crescendoing instrumental backdrop. As if to mix things up even more, there's this bonkers, trippy dubstep breakdown catapulting the song into it's final chorus run through - and it's this off kilter pause that makes the final few moments even more celebratory than before. Fab. For an alternative take on the song and one that certainly showcases Danny's singing ability, check out the heavenly piano-vocal version below. It brings out a whole new ever so delicate melody to the tune and gives it a more intimate, romantic feel. I'm totally sold. DREAMY SIGH...

If you like this, try these:

• Madonna ~ Amazing: Ooo wasn't this meant to be a single from Music? It certainly wasn't in the UK (to my knowledge) but totally should have been. Sleek, chic, lady dance pop that sparkled from start to finish - and still sounds great today. It IS amazing...
• George Michael ~ Amazing: A fine fine single from George circa 2004 that was a shimmering triumph from beginning to end. Sleek chic bloke dance pop that still sounds great today. It IS amazing... (not to repeat myself or anything...)
• Westlife ~ Amazing: Ooo Westlife WERE sometimes amazing. Their legacy will never die, etc. Bet they are a bit annoyed The Wanted got that top 5 hit though... This is quite pleasant in a chugging sort of way :)
• Matt Cardle ~ Amazing: Aw it's nice that he's still going isn't it??!

Top 21 songs of the week:

21 ~ Olly Murs, Oh My Goodness (NE)
20 ~ Nicola Roberts, Yo Yo
19 ~ Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up
18 ~ Scissor Sisters, Shady Love
17 ~ Nicki Minaj, Starships (NE)
16 ~ Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe (NE)
15 ~ William Young, Losing Myself
14 ~ Marcus Collins/Ben L'Oncle Soul, 7 Nation Army
13 ~ Le Kid, Human Behaviour
12 ~ Little Jackie, 31 Flavours
11 ~ Christopher, Nothing in Common
10 ~ Stooshe, Love Me
09 ~ fun, We Are Young
08 ~ JLS, Proud
07 ~ Simon Curtis, Starlight
06 ~ Madonna, Give Me All Ur Luvin'
05 ~ Eric Saade, Love Is Calling
04 ~ Marie Serneholt, Salt n Pepper
03 ~ Danny Saucedo, Amazing (NE)/(ACOUSTIC VID)
02 ~ Darin, Nobody Know
01 ~ Smash Cast, Let Me Be Your Star (4 weeks)