Flight-Attendant Pop

[koganbot]

More wtf from Korea, Sunny Hill's "Darling Of All Hearts," which I described on Rolling Country as "sorta Irish folk-country flight-attendant pop" - though Mat points out on K-pop 2013 that "featuring" star Hareem plays the Swedish nyckelharpa (no doubt worth five times as much as the Irish pennywhistle he also plays*) and that the vocals in the "

Comments

[ext_878085]

I can't think of any American act of the last fifty years that could pull off something like this

I think songs similar to this were possible in the early to mid-80's. This type of light, breezy genre mash-up reminds me of stuff Cyndi Lauper attempted on her enjoyable but not totally successful second album (True Colors) and it even reminds me of stuff from Madonna's "True Blue" record. It was also a time when songs like Huey Lewis's "Hip to be Square" and Billy Joel's "The Longest Time" and "Uptown Girl" could be huge hits. Not that I love those songs but they sort of have a similar feel, if not sound, incorporating older musical genres and styles into current sounds in a fun way. I don't think something like this could be a hit now in the US but possibly in the UK.

I have not loved Sunny Hill's songs in the past and I don't think this is going to be the one to change my mind but I do love the sound of this track and the video is definitely fun.

[koganbot]

What I had in mind - what I don't think translates to America - is the "We are here to serve you" smile of the women and the melody. Americans always insist on a wise-cracking toughness to even their most "wholesome" girls. I'm thinking of Ginger Rogers as a prototype. And Madonna and Cyndi were playing with not being wholesome.

The thing about Sunny Hill is that they're not being compliant good-hostess types, but they're in a context where compliant good hostess is a viable type, and they use that type to come across as something strong and not compliant while nonetheless being as light and as engaging as the music.

Kylie Minogue's "I Should Be So Lucky" might fit the type, though it's not as musically varied as "Darling Of All Hearts." Of course, Kylie's Australian, not American, but she had a couple of hits here.

[ext_878085]

Yes, we do insist on wise-cracking toughness. Your clarification makes it harder to think of an American singer fitting the type you mention without going all the way back to late period Doris Day (one of my faves).

I just watched the "True Blue" video and I do think it is an example of Madonna playing with the idea of being wholesome, both visually and musically, even though most of her work from that time and after was her playing with not being wholesome. Melodically, I think the song manages the "We are here to serve you" aspect as well, though I think her song "Cherish" is a better example and better song in general. Watching the Madonna video, I realize how little meaning I usually take away from videos. Generally, I find videos distract from my enjoyment of good songs though sometimes they help mediocre songs.

[ext_878085]

Your title "Flight Attendant Pop" and mentioning Kylie reminds me that there is a Kylie song that sort of has an airline theme ("Light Years") and in concert she acts as a flight attendant. Unfortunately, I can't find a clip online. However, she has another song called "Love Boat" that would fit the title "Cruise Director Pop" where she descends to the stage on a giant anchor. But of course, she's Australian and these songs are not hits in the US.

http://youtu.be/l2r0lj3CI2U

[koganbot]

Then there's Britney's "Toxic," which isn't at all what I have in mind, but she is a flight attendant.