Cannes Film Festival 2013

Listen: Katy Perry's sad, acoustic version of 'The One That Got Away'

Plus, Perry gets her own version of 'The Sims'

Listen: Katy Perry's sad, acoustic version of 'The One That Got Away'
Credit: AP Photo

In Katy Perry’s continued bid to propel “The One That Got Away” to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, she has released another version of the song.

The new version, produced by Jon Brion, is an acoustic, stripped down version that focuses on the sadness of the lost love. Brion’s nimble, light touch keeps the song from getting too dragged down in the sorrow.  The track is for sale on iTunes for 99 cents.

That means fans can buy the original version, the remix featuring B.o.B., and now this edition (there are also some pretty nifty dance remixes of the song out there). Purchase of any of the three counts toward her chart position, which is a combination of sales and radio play. The song is No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, after peaking, so far, at No. 3.

[More after the jump...]

Listen: Bon Iver and The Chieftains on 'Down in the Willow Garden'

Has a murder ballad ever sounded so lovely?

<p>Bon Iver's Justin Vernon</p>

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon

Bon Iver and the Chieftains make death sound beautiful on their remake of the traditional murder ballad “Down In the Willow Garden.”

The song, which appears on the Chieftains’ 50th anniversary album, “Voice of Ages,” spins a tale of a man about to be hanged for poisoning, stabbing and then dumping his lover’s body in the river. It’s been recorded by everyone from Charlie Monroe to the Everly Brothers to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and now it’s the Grammy-nominated  Bon Iver’s turn. His take is haunting and mournful, as a murder ballad should be. It is also unexpectedly lovely, expecially because of the Chieftains’ instrumentation. It's streaming at Pitchfork.

Lady Antebellum and Band Perry join Keith Urban for All for the Hall

Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town and Thompson Square also on April benefit bill

<p>Keith Urban</p>

Keith Urban

Credit: AP Photo

While Taylor Swift is off sticking it to her ex-boyfriends, Keith Urban will be joined by Lady Antebellum, Pistol Annies, The Band Perry and many more for the annual All For The Hall concert, April 10.

The concert, which takes place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Other artists on the bill include Vince Gill, Alabama, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Thompson Square and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Wilco takes a year off from Solid Sound Festival, vows 2013 return

Band cites launch of new label and touring for hiatus

<p>Jeff Tweedy</p>

Jeff Tweedy

Wilco will return with its Solid Sound Festival in 2013 after taking this year off.

The group announced the hiatus on its website, but added that the band will play a summer concert to benefit MASS MoCA, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Mass.

Solid Sound Festival 3 will take place June 21-23, 2013 at MASS MoCa.

Wilco introduced the Solid Sound Festival in 2010, with the first event featuring the band as well as such acts as Mavis Staples, The Autumn Defense , The Nels Cline Singers and Kristen Schaal.

Watch: Madonna reveals details on new album's 'light and dark' sides

Plus: Sniping from and at Elton John

<p>Madonna at the Golden Globes</p>

Madonna at the Golden Globes

Credit: AP Photo

Madonna revealed more details about “M.D.N.A.” last night at the Golden Globes, in between swipes at Elton John and talking about her win for “Masterpiece” from “W.E.”

As we’ve previously reported, French producer Martin Solveig produced the majority of the album, out in March. “I love his sound. It’s really fresh, doesn’t sound like anybody else’s,” Madge said backstage. “I would say his music is happy. It puts a smile on your face.”

[More after the jump...]

Was Lana Del Rey's 'Saturday Night Live' performance a career killer?

Is Lady Gaga the only one who gets to reinvent herself?

<p>Lana Del Rey performs on "Saturday Night Live".</p>

Lana Del Rey performs on "Saturday Night Live".

Credit: NBC

For Interscope Records, which will release Lana Del Rey’s major label debut on Jan. 31, the good news is there’s lots and lots of discussion about Del Rey clogging the internet today following her performance on “Saturday Night Live” last night.

The bad news is most of it is horrible.

If you already knew who Lana Del Rey was, chances are pretty good last night’s performances did nothing to make you want to investigate her further. If you had never heard of her before last night, there was little in her awkward, uncomfortable appearance that is likely to make you seek out the album, the perhaps unfortunately titled "Born To Die,"  when it drops.

[More after the jump...]

Watch: 'Joyful Noise's' Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan talk working with icons

Just how intimidating is it to duet with Dolly Parton?

<p> </p>
<div id="myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;"> </div>

 

Jeremy Jordan gets thrown in the deep end in “Joyful Noise,” which opens today. The Broadway vet makes his movie debut in the film and holds his own playing against such icons as Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. Plus, he plays the love interest of KeKe Palmer, who, at 18, may have more film experience than the other three combined. She certainly has poise, as she shows in this interview.

Palmer, whose rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” is one of the film’s musical highlights, and Jordan share a sweet chemistry on screen and their connection was evident during our short interview with them as well.

In the interview above, Jordan, who is headed back to Broadway to star in “Newsies,”  talks about sharing a piano bench and a song with Parton, while Palmer confesses that she has sassed her mom, just like her character does with Queen Latifah, who plays her movie mom. The film was a reunion for Palmer and Queen Latifah, who worked together when Palmer was 9 in "Beauty Shop." 
 

Does Adele make it to sweet 16 on the Billboard 200?

What act that you've likely never heard of comes in at No. 2?

<p>The cover of Adele's "21"</p>
<div id="myEventWatcherDiv" style="display:none;"> </div>

The cover of Adele's "21"

In a now familiar refrain, it’s Adele’s “21” for the win next week as the title is poised to spend its 16th non-consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

The British singer’s sophomore set could top the 100,000 mark again next week, according to Hits Daily Double, giving it a huge margin of David Crowder Band’s “Give Us Rest,” which is predicted to sell around 45,000, to come in at No. 2

Watch: Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars play 'Hunger Game's' 'Safe and Sound'

Swifty shows up at the duo's Nashville show

Watch: Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars play 'Hunger Game's' 'Safe and Sound'

Taylor Swift, who brought up guest artist after guest artist during her recent tour, got to crash someone else's show last night:  She joined  The Civil Wars to perform “Safe and Sound,” their duet from “Hunger Games”  on stage for the pair's sold-out show at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

[More after the jump...]

Watch: Madonna swats at Lady Gaga on 'GMA'

But she saves her true wrath for Newsweek

<p>Madonna on "Good Morning America"</p>

Madonna on "Good Morning America"

What is she wearing? That was the first question I thought when I watched the below excerpt from Madonna’s interview with “Good Morning America” that aired today.

Money can’t buy taste and the fake cheerleader outfit with silver fringe and "WE" necklace distracted me so much that I almost couldn't focus on what she was saying.  The interview is largely a snore in which Cynthia McFadden tries to be titillating by asking if Madonna’s recent kiss with Nicki Minaj included tongue, but Madonna is really having none of it.

[More after the jump...]

Get Instant Alerts on Music News

Recent Activity on Facebook
Most Popular on Facebook
Top Stories From Around the Web