On a recent episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden, rock icons Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo made a special appearance, causing quite a buzz among the audience. Host James Corden couldn’t contain his excitement as he introduced the legendary duo, referring to them as “icons, icons, icons” and basking in their presence. The talk show was filled with laughter, anecdotes, and of course, discussions about music.
One topic that came up was the resurgence of power ballads. Corden asked his guests about their favorite 80s power ballads, and the conversation took off from there. White Snake’s “Is This Love” was a definite crowd-pleaser, as was Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” However, the conversation got interesting when Benatar and Giraldo shared their personal preferences.
Giraldo mentioned a song that holds a special place within the band, but it was Benatar’s response that caught everyone’s attention. She admitted to liking a song but couldn’t recall its title. After a bit of back-and-forth, Benatar finally remembered the song – “Sometimes When We Touch,” a powerful and emotional tune. The lyrics, though a little strange, resonate with Benatar on a deeper level. She expressed how the song’s vulnerability and emotional release can be seen as a positive thing.
The discussion then shifted to the current music scene. Corden boldly stated that they don’t make power ballads like they used to. He humorously added, “I don’t want to sound like a dad, but they don’t make them like that anymore.” Both Benatar and Giraldo agreed, acknowledging the lack of hairy-chested singers belting out emotional ballads.
But who could revive the power ballad? Corden proposed the idea that Harry Styles might be the one to bring back the genre. With his exceptional vocal range showcased in songs like “Sign of the Times,” Styles has the potential to deliver a captivating power ballad if he finds the perfect song to showcase his talent.
The conversation continued, contemplating whether younger artists like Dua Lipa could also bring back the power ballad. However, the consensus seemed to be that their looks and popularity overshadowed the raw emotion needed to truly deliver a power ballad.
While the talk show segment on power ballads was an entertaining one, the show moved on to other topics. Corden cleverly transitioned to discussing former President Donald Trump’s announcement of his third campaign for the White House. Touching on everyday news, the talk show swiftly moved from music to political updates.
Additionally, the talk show briefly mentioned the ongoing issue with the January 6 committee, which is considering holding Trump in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena. This tough talk from Congress might not faze Trump, who has a reputation for disregarding subpoenas.
In lighter news, it was revealed that the world’s population reached 8 billion, thanks to none other than Nick Cannon. Jokes were made about all 8 billion people simultaneously trying to buy Taylor Swift tickets.
Adding a touch of humor, the talk show highlighted a 50-year-old Chinese man named Uncle Chen who ran a marathon while chain-smoking cigarettes. Surprisingly, he completed the marathon an hour faster than the average man of his age, leaving everyone impressed.
Finally, the talk show shared a comical moment involving the mascot for the upcoming Paris 2024 summer games. The mascots were meant to depict three-cornered hats worn during the French Revolution, but they received some bemused reactions and comparisons to cookies or dumplings instead.
Overall, this episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden provided a delightful mix of entertainment, news, and comedic moments. From iconic rock stars reminiscing about power ballads to discussing current events, the show kept its audience engaged throughout.
