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Playlist, Youthography's monthly offering features high rotation songs we think are important indicators of contemporary youth culture. After an extended holiday, Playlist is back on the scene in 2007 showing you our post-Valentine's Day resentment. We're kind of over this Hallmark holiday, so we've created a list of new releases (and a couple classics) that have that “romance ain't what it's cracked up to be ” message, as well use our typical selection of relevant music from the last 6 weeks.

You'll hear from us again on the last week of March with a standard edition of Playlist.

Due to the timeliness of these articles, some of these links will expire quickly. We therefore recommend accessing them immediately before they disappear!

Youthography's Top Picks for February 2007

Justin Timberlake, “What Goes Around...Comes Around ” (Futuresex/Lovesounds, Jive)
To add to the current popularity of Justin Timberlake as a respected artist and Scarlett Johansson as one of the most desirable women in Hollywood, the two have joined “sexy forces ” to create an incredibly hot video. They were trying to cash in on the Valentine's Day timing but we're pretty sure this was going to look good whenever it was released: Justin and ScarJo are one hot duo. This video has been rumoured to be the reason JT split with his long-time girlfriend, Cammie D, only adding more speculation to the action in this video. Is the heat they're projecting real? Is this enough to make us forget “The Island ”? The video, which is over 9 minutes, plays out like a short movie. And are we the only ones who think this is a sequel (or prequel) to the “Cry My a River ” video?
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Trick Daddy, “Let's Go ” (Thug Matrimony: Married to the Streets, Atlantic / WEA)
Youthography hearts Ozzy & Sharon! Ozzfest is now free! The hard rock tour will start in L.A on July 7 and hit 25 other cities. Whether the prince of darkness is bringing his troupe to Canada is unknown at this point...but the announcement of the “freefest ” symbolized a refreshingly positive reaction by the music industry to the way young people are taking control of music. Featured bands, so far, include System of a Down, Disturbed, and many more - enough to fill two stages. Rock on Ozzy and Sharon! Your fans thank you! And Trick Daddy, one of the pioneers of Southern Hip Hop, thanks you, too, because he's sampling your seminal metal track “Crazy Train ” in this, his latest hit. We won't bore you with any further explanations about mash-ups and the increasing metal/hip-hop connection - we'll just tell you that this is better than Linkin Park.
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Beyoncé, “Listen ” (Dreamgirls OST, Sony)
The soundtrack has been a big hit but Beyoncé may not be so happy. Aside from the fact that this song expresses her character's anger at someone who is letting her down, she's also lost the love in real life: no Oscar nomination for her performance in “Dreamgirls, ” and due to Academy rules for songwriters (only three names allowed) she's been dropped of the nominees list for this song, as well. It's enough to make any diva angry as hell!
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Christine Aguilera, “At Last ” (LIVE)
Okay, so we're not all negative. Valentine's may be overrated, but we know a great song when we hear it. “At Last ” was originally performed by Etta James in 1961 and continues to be a classic. We're giving you the sassy cover by Xtina and we love its romantic quality. We can't help but want to turn the lights down, the volume up and gaze into your eyes...oh, go with it! Even for those who glare at the commercialism of Valentine's Day, “At Last ” is one song that helps us remember why we created the stupid holiday in the first place - to be with the ones we love.
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Also Playing

J Geils Band, “Love Stinks ” (Best of, American)
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Amy Winehouse, “You Know I'm No Good ”
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Fall Out Boy, “This Ain't A Scene, It's an Arms Race ” (Infinity on High, Island)
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Gwen Stefani, “The Sweet Escape ” (The Sweet Escape, Interscope Records)
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The Killers, “Read My Mind ” (Sam's Town, Island)
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Bloc Party ,“I Still Remember ” (Weekend in the City, VICE)
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Fergie, “Glamorous ” (The Dutchess, Interscope Records)
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The Decemberists - “O Valencia! ” (The Crane Wife, Capitol)
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Die! Die! Die! “Year Nine Yeah ” (Independent)
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Sloths! - SNL Digital Short
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For more information on Youthography’s Playlist, please contact Mike D'Abramo at 416 206 1256 x241 or email
dabramo@youthography.com.Youthography is Canada's most significant young consumer marketing and communications consultancy-offering full service research, strategy, marketing and advertising for a wide array of companies, brands, products and institutions.