Earlier this month, I asked all of you to share your 10 Most Played Songs of 2006 with your fellow PopWatchers — which made for some interesting reading, to say the least. One post that caught my attention was from a reader named cyberghandi, who listed Mika’s "Relax, Take It Easy" at No. 3, with the declaration that "this guy will BLOW UP in 2007, mark my words."
The next day, Billboard.com ran a story about — yep, you guessed it — Mika, pegged to "Relax" entering the Hot Dance Club Play chart at No. 44; the article also noted that the singer’s Web site was home to a "secret society" of cartoon characters (!) that tied in to the title of his forthcoming CD, Life in Cartoon Motion, due March 30.
Needless to say, I headed to Mika’s MySpace page to ch-ch-check him out, and found myself grooving to "Relax, Take It Easy" the way Teletubbies enjoy their daily videoclips: Again! Again! Again! But not all my coworkers shared my enthusiasm for the tune — or at least not for me playing it 17 times in a row. One editor sent me an IM asking, "What’s that ‘waaah-waaa-weee-waaah-wooo’ noise coming from your office?" Minutes later, I looked up to find another standing in my office doorway, giving me a pained look. Thus, I decided to relax, take it easy, and take a couple weeks off from Mika.
Yesterday, I went back and listened to "Relax, Take It Easy" with fresh ears — and what they heard was a decidedly tasty confection. That skittish little synth line gets under my skin like too much caffeine, and Mika’s falsetto certainly gives Mr. Timberlake a run for his money. But I’m just one man. One man with a penchant for hitting the "repeat" button and drinking too much Diet Dr. Pepper. So I need you to tell me, PopWatchers: Is Mika music’s next big thing, or its next big irritant? I know you’ve got something to say, so click here, listen to "Relax," then do your thing in the comments section below.
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I read the Billboard article as well – I do like “Relax” but I actually like “Grace Kelly” a bit more – don’t know why!
I agree with fredric, I like “Grace Kelly” better also. It makes me want to skip! I can’t wait until the album is released.
That’s who sings that song. It’s been driving me crazy trying to figure out who sings a particular song for days. Well it turns out it’s this guy’s song called “Grace Kelly.” It’s been getting radio play up here in Canada. As for “Relax” I quite like it. Don’t think it will take off in America though. And this guy reminds sounds a whole lot like the Scissor Sisters.
It’s catchy, melodic and well-sung. It’s got no chance on American radio. Clear Channel has no place in its line up for dance music (hello, Madonna?). His best marketing opportunity would be for Paris Hilton to mention/befriend/endorse him. Unfortunately, that’s what it’s come to.
Oh, Slezak. You made my day!
Many many thanks for the Mika-exposure. It has begun…
I agree with the comments Mika probably won’t make it in the USA (cfr. Scissor Sisters, Daan & Basement Jaxx). But considering where I’m writing from I don’t mind all that much.
I have an important case coming up but if all else fails I will die a happy man: I was once mentioned in Popwatch. Hm… Greetings from a stuffy office in a stuffy Brussels firm. I hope the senior partners don’t bookmark ew.com.
Also worth checking out: Paolo Nutini & James Morisson!
cyberghandi = Anthony M.
Insanely catchy. I might have to play it over & over & over again…
thanks for introducing me….Grace Kelly is a better song, though.
I L-O-V-E love this song! Thanks Mr. Slezak for exposing me to more music (I visited some of your top 10 itunes list last night and bought a few). I will check to see if Mika is available on iTunes tonight, and if not, I will try to wait patiently….
OMG I discovered his myspace page last night! I was thinking right allong those lines… Will be big in England and europe and then maybe in a few months or years, we’ll hear about him! Maybe! I like Relax a bit better than Grace Kelly, but Grace Kelly has such a unique sound. The cartoon thing is brillant!
Sadly, I think he may get first exposure here because he is cute and dreamy!
Eh…it’s okay, but this genre is not really my cup of tea.
George Michael must be furious that such a pretty boy has ripped off not only his signature fairy-pop sound but his vocal technique as well.
Skip this derivative and slightly grating production for the Scissor Sisters, who nail the disco-fun-time music for dance-happy hipsters much better.
That’s pretty good…I don’t think I’d play it over and over again,though.
Okay, I just listened to “Grace Kelly,” and I COULD listen to that over and over! LOL
The first notes of the song sound like the 80’s hit, “I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight”, who sang that song?
Michael, this sounds Borat-ian to me, big hit one month, forgotten the next.
Michael,
I don’t hear it. Maybe you are being swayed by his boyish good looks.
Oh my god!!! Freddie Mercury and Barry Gibb had a love child!
“Relax” is one of the hottest dance tracks to come out in awhile and will go #1 on that chart. It’s been an automatic floor filler since we first started playing it. The Moran/Rigg remix barely resembles the original song but nicely retains the vocals for referencing the original, much like with the Paris Hilton dance remixes. It’s really gonna be huge in gay clubs where this sound is very popular (ala Kevin Aviance).
Hot release!
He does sound like Scissor Sisters although they certainly have the edge. He is pretty good though. I like Grace Kelly better too. Very catchy. I don’t get why these types of songs and bands like Scissor Sisters don’t do well but Fergalicious and other completely unlistenable junk does well. I am an 80’s child but love today’s music–just nothing they play on the radio.
Love Mika. I’ve had him as my myspace song for months now. And who turned me on to him. Perez Hilton. lol. love that.
The songs I’ve heard from Mika – “Grace Kelly,” and “Relax” (he has another song on iTunes not yet mentioned here, called “Love Today”) are great. They’re catchy, bouncy, very Scissor Sisters-esque…i.e., he has no chance in the U.S. Maybe maybe maybe if he recuts “Relax” with a Ludacris rap inserted in the middle, he’d have a decent shot. Other than that, I predict we should get used to enjoying him on our own personal listening devices. Having a number one hit in the gay clubs pretty much guarantees mainstream obscurity. Trying not to be bitter, but it’s happened to so many of my faves before!!
Today was the first time i listened to that and i have to say its way better than justin dumb timberlake!
I’m with those who like “Grace Kelly” better than “Relax” – definitely an earworm to download.
Hhmm not my fave, although i hated SexyBack at first too, and then of course, couldn’t stop listening to it (until now that it’s overplayed hehe), but anyway, i think he sort of looks like Ace Young, not my fav, but loved the write up, you kill me!
I’m not really feelin’ it. Too Euro-Pop for me. Does sound a bit like the BeeGees. I guess I don’t see myself ever dancing to this type of music. Makes me think of disco balls, strobe lights and fog machines… I’ll take Fergalicious over this (don’t hate, it’s just a preference).
Umm, is it just me or is that a song a shameless rip off of the tune of “I just died in your arms tonight”?!? This Mika dude better save his money, i smell a lawsuit coming on.
“Grace Kelly” is my new MySpace song.
I LOVE IT! Got turned on to Mika by the Perez Hilton site and have listed to the clips like 700 times. March cant come soon enough for me.
i also agree “grace kelly” is better than “relax” and “billy brown” comes in second, then “relax”, but overall, i love the beatles meet the 00’s sound. it’s really cool
There is no question that Mika is going to be the next big thing!
Just been watching a video interview with him over at the fan club (http://www.mikafanclub.com)!
He is going to rule 2007!
Peace all
Dave
Isn’t the song relax song a cover from back in time? who maade the original? plz mail me
Magnus