It’s been said before and I’ll say it again – you already know some of the singer-songwriter Bonnie McKee’s songs, but that’s not to say you’ll necessarily know her. The self-proclaimed popstar-in-training is the songwriter responsible for some of the biggest hit songs over the last few years, penning over eight #1 songs for Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Taio Cruz. Not to mention the numerous other popular bops released by Ke$ha and Rita Ora. She’s even been nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Song of the Year” category for co-writing Katy Perry’s “Roar”. Bonnie’s songwriting accolades are inarguable, and she could happily rest upon her laurels if it weren’t for her own insatiable desire to become a singer herself.
In 2004 she released her debut album Trouble to little success and was subsequently dropped from her label. The album’s slower, poetic and emotive style lacked the Bonnie-isms and double-entendre lyrics she later picked up through her 9 years of songwriting. In 2013, she began the difficult transition back into the spotlight carefully positioning herself as a new pop-girl with a retro-throwback style, which she has called “street chic” combining thrift-store items with luxury brands and always wearing designer shoes.
In 2004 she released her debut album Trouble to little success and was subsequently dropped from her label. The album’s slower, poetic and emotive style lacked the Bonnie-isms and double-entendre lyrics she later picked up through her 9 years of songwriting. In 2013, she began the difficult transition back into the spotlight carefully positioning herself as a new pop-girl with a retro-throwback style, which she has called “street chic” combining thrift-store items with luxury brands and always wearing designer shoes.
She released the first single “American Girl” from her upcoming spring 2014 album in late July, 2013. The song was a nostalgic nod to Bonnie’s teenage self and shone a nostalgic light upon the things she considers particularly American eg. 7-Eleven, slurpees, vending machines. However, despite the song’s seemingly pop-perfect sound, style and formula it only achieved minor success charting most significantly at 25 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart and with limited radio play. Many have pointed the finger at the similarities to the song’s overt similarities to Katy Perry’s sound and style (technically Bonnie’s considering the abrupt musical style change from Katy’s debut and sophomore album, when Bonnie began to write for her). Other reasons have been that the song was released too late in the American summer to catch on as a summer anthem. Whatever the reason, the song’ failure to top the charts was a disappointment to Bonnie. She had unashamedly expressed on her short-lived YouTube series ‘Breaking Bonnie’ that the goal was to take the song all the way to the top. Not even a viral video featuring a kaleidoscope of celebrities such as Ke$ha, Macklemore, Kathy Griffin, Kiss, George Takei and many others gave the song the attention it deserved (though it certainly garnered recognition in the blogosphere).
For now Bonnie McKee remains a bubbling-under pop-act, perfecting her craft for another shot at the top with her upcoming visual EP ahead of her sophomore album’s spring release. If her “inbetwingle” (between singles, her word) buzz song “Sleepwalker” is a sign of things to come, with its darker tones and Michael Jackson throwback zombie-themed video, then I’m more than here for it. Keep your ears tuned for new music from the popsicle-orange haired artiste because I have a good feeling she’s not gonna throw in the towel any time soon.
For now Bonnie McKee remains a bubbling-under pop-act, perfecting her craft for another shot at the top with her upcoming visual EP ahead of her sophomore album’s spring release. If her “inbetwingle” (between singles, her word) buzz song “Sleepwalker” is a sign of things to come, with its darker tones and Michael Jackson throwback zombie-themed video, then I’m more than here for it. Keep your ears tuned for new music from the popsicle-orange haired artiste because I have a good feeling she’s not gonna throw in the towel any time soon.
[ TheFashionSpot , Image: Daily Mail ]