"HABITS" - Haley with Scott Bradlee and PMJ

[mercfan3]

I don't love her tone, but she did a good job with that.

Here's Tove Lo singing it live. I was glad I decided to listen, I've found Meghan's live performances...underwhelming, but I like it when a singer can sound like a studio artist. And given the type of music Tove Lo sings, I expected her to need a lot of studio magic.

(BTW: Haley's video is third when you search "Tove Lo Habits" on youtube)




Also, if Haley were ever on The Voice..I'd be willing to bet she'd get a four chair turn..quickly.

[Tusk]

Merc, thanks for posting that, I enjoyed that performance. You're right, it's become a surprise, to me, when a performer manages to sound like the song you hear on the radio, and she did a good job on this one (For a split second, I thought that was Neara Russel, Haley's 1st keyboardist)

I'd just like to point out to those who snicker at my fondness for the Super Swedes, best selling group, worldwide, second only to the Beatles, known as ABBA that two of Haley's recent covers are from Swedish artists "Pathetic" by Erik Hassle and "Habits" by Tove Lo.... not to mention that Haley has written songs with and is currently writing songs with, Swedish song writer, Anders Grahn, co writer on "Better"

Guess maybe Haley knows the Swedes might know a thing or two about music ?

[john]

Haley's Habits reached 9000 "Likes".

[NUG]

It's still in the top 10 Jazz iTunes downloads.

[XAtlantic]

I guess Germany's Voice Judges like English-speaking songs Xatlantic:

Of course they do! We all do! (Having spent part of my childhood in the US, after return I was soooo in demand for translating song texts!)

Actually, one of the Voice of Germany judges the year of that video (last year) is from Ireland (Rea Garvey), another one from Finland (Samu Haber)! Both are popular here.

Truth be told, German casting shows are a total circus, you'd be very unimpressed - perhaps least so The Voice. The German equivalent of American Idol is all about backstory, drama, fabricated fights and revelations, candidate humiliation and jury self promotion. The only benefit for real talent is exposure, but it's a gamble most sane people won't risk. (Sorry, this is pretty off-topic ... as we wait for the next PMJ moves!)

I didn't like "Habits" as a song all that much in the beginning but now I can't get it out of my head, in a good way. I think Haley gives the lyrics a slant that works (for me) while I'm not so sure with Tove. Go Haley!

[john]

XAtlantic, thanks for the info. I always enjoy getting your perspective.

[john]

I've given some thought to the Haley-PMJ relationship and now believe that it is very likely Haley will do part of the tour with PMJ in Europe. Here are some of those thoughts ...

First, why would Scott want bring her along. Artistically it is a great match. Haley has a great voice, and singing jazz is right in her sweet spot. It seems that Scott appreciates this -- he could praise her without describing her as having a once in a generation voice. She fits and brings a lot to the table.

Haley brings a lot of recognition and accomplishment. She sang weekly in front of audiences of 18+ million people on Idol, and probably a bunch more when the show was aired in other countries. Performed with Tony Bennett, NOJO, at Carnegie, etc. She did a 50 city tour already with nightly shows. She recorded and released an album. Etc.

The idea has been advanced that Scott owes a lot to singers that have been with PMJ for a long time and their PMJ fans. But Robyn has been the lead vocalist on a lot of the PMJ videos -- by far more than anyone else -- and she's not going. That leaves a big hole as far as female vocalists go. I would guess that Morgan will take the spot of the primary female vocalist, but Scott has indicated there will be more.

As a simple measure of popularity, or at least recognition, consider the number of twitter followers for these these females who have performed with PMJ: Kate Davis (4100), Christina Gatti (2800), Robyn Anderson (5700), James Morgan (6700), and Ariana Savalas (8800). On the other hand, Haley has 195,000. Scott has to look forward as well as showing some loyalty to the past performers. He has moved from the NYC to LA, and changes are afoot. To Scott, it may seem that Casey and Haley have fallen into his lap.

PMJ has been a little side gig for most of the vocalists. They still need to do other gigs and/or maintain a day job. The European tour does not look like an opportunity to make money, it's more a matter of exposure. Some of the individual performers would likely get little personal meaningful publicity though it. Traveling around Europe certainly has its appeal, but probably won't be feasible for all.

From Haley's perspective, it is also a great match. It brings exposure to new fans and lots of potential. (If she does work with PMJ I hope she avoids some of the more gimmicky things they have be known for.) Haley is a star and could truly benefit from the exposure she would gain in Europe. Beyond the tour there is the potential for some great synergies in what Scott and Haley (and Casey) each has to offer. It's a qué será, será kind of moment.

We shall see.

[Miguel]

Scott...has moved from the NYC to LA, and changes are afoot. To Scott, it may seem that Casey and Haley have fallen into his lap.

PMJ has been a little side gig for most of the vocalists. They still need to do other gigs and/or maintain a day job. The European tour does not look like an opportunity to make money, it's more a matter of exposure. Some of the individual performers would likely get little personal meaningful publicity though it. Traveling around Europe certainly has its appeal, but probably won't be feasible for all.

From Haley's perspective, it is also a great match. It brings exposure to new fans and lots of potential. (If she does work with PMJ I hope she avoids some of the more gimmicky things they have be known for.) Haley is a star and could truly benefit from the exposure she would gain in Europe. Beyond the tour there is the potential for some great synergies in what Scott and Haley (and Casey) each has to offer. It's a qué será, será kind of moment.

I think Scott appreciates the talent and marketability of Haley and Casey. They certainly fit into his idea of a permanent variety show. But I wonder how open he is with the books and purse strings. How well will he compensate them? Right now, they all benefit from the exposure the other brings. And a free tour of Europe sounds like fun.

[john]

I think Scott appreciates the talent and marketability of Haley and Casey. They certainly fit into his idea of a permanent variety show. But I wonder how open he is with the books and purse strings. How well will he compensate them? Right now, they all benefit from the exposure the other brings. And a free tour of Europe sounds like fun.

I assume that compensation at this point is minimal and I would view the European tour as a matter of gaining exposure and some new experiences relevant to the business she is in. Beyond that who knows, but for now I think PMJ is a great opportunity. Haley will get a million views on her Habits video, which is something that hasn't happened in a long time.

[Tusk]

The song is an earworm to me that I don't mind burrowing in my head. I really like it

Artistry and exposure aside, I think "Habits" will be hampered somewhat for some of Haley's fans purely because of it's lyrical content. I can't imagine some parents looking forward to hearing their children singing some of the lyrics in the song, even if it is a popular song on radio/music stations ....

You could argue that "Stacy's Mom" has 'grown up' lyrics and content/context, but those lyrics aren't as blatantly 'pg-13' as are the lyrics in "Habits'

I love everything about this collaboration, personally, I get the juxtapositioning of dark lyrics against a beautiful, happy arrangement, even has the happy whistle. But I'm not a parent, tho I understand if they wished there was a way to hear less 'controversial' lyrics in her song