Someone, somewhere told Jessica Simpson to don some turquoise jewelry, some cowboy boots and a big ’ol belt buckle to make the leap from flailing pop singer to country music star. It was probably the same person who told her to pucker her lips and get her brewski on with a no-name beer called Stampede Light, but that’s not the point. The point is that Jessica Simpson is a country music singer now, and her new album features a duet with Dolly Parton that has some seriously bizarre lady-lovin’ lyrics.

On the title track, Jessica sings to Dolly: "Lying here beside you in the dark/I feel the steady rhythm of your heart/Feel your face against my shoulder/Breath upon my skin/Embers barely smoldered/I make love to you again."

Then she and Dolly join their voices: “Do you know how beautiful you are here in the afterglow ... Do you know how much it means to me/The way you make me feel/Like I could soar the heavens/Gathering shooting stars/Place them in a bouquet/In a rainbow-studded jar." … continue reading

In case you haven’t heard, Jessica Simpson has a country album due out in September. Yes, you read that right.

As an admitted fan of country music, I have mixed feelings about the move. Simpson doesn’t have the best track record as an artist, so I haven’t been too convinced that a change in genre will do her much good. But, the release of her first country single is changing lots of minds.

I’m still not entirely sure what to think, but I do have to admit that “Come on Over” is a bit catchy. (You can hear it on Simpson’s MySpace page.) Her voice is still too airy for my taste, but since I have already been caught singing along to the song, I can’t hate on it too much. It’s still too early to tell whether Simpson’s genre-jumping will pay off or not, but let’s look at some others who have successfully made the leap. … continue reading

In a recent interview, Joan Jett was asked how she felt about the Britney Spears cover of her iconic rock hit, "I Love Rock 'N Roll."

"I've never even heard Britney's version," Jett said. "I mean, I've obviously heard about it, but I never understood that whole idea I mean, people usually cover a song that says something about them, but I doubt she loves rock 'n roll. Maybe she likes songs."

The woman has a point – sometimes musicians cover odd songs to be ironic (i.e. Alanis covering "My Humps"), but I'm thinking Britney (or her record company) thought the song would give her an edge (the songstress also covered the Rolling Stones "Satisfaction.") But Spears is definitely an easy target. There are tons of other artists who try their best to do a great rendition of someone else's song when it just sort of falls flat.

Hilary Duff doing "My Generation"

Duff doing The Who? Their '60s song was taken and poppified for a younger generation that doesn't appreciate what the lyrics mean whatsoever. Can't you see the tweens cooing, "Things they do look awful cold/Yeah, I hope I die before I get old."

Madonna doing "American Pie"

Sorry, Madge: I just didn't dig it. The song is a legendary folk tune and your voice doesn't do it justice. Maybe this is her revenge on artists who have covered her greatest hits. At any rate, she should stick with her originals (pre-1995, please.) … continue reading