Mika's "Grace Kelly"

Thanks to someone at Universal, whoever sent me Mika's 3 song EP because I love it! Here's the dude's story: I was born in lebanon and rasied in Paris and London, hopping from country to country like a footloose hippy with my four brothers and sisters.
Coming from different background to most I found no place at school and delved into music from an early age. I started writing songs as a kid, not because of grand ambitions but because it was an easy way to tell a story, a joke and often the truth. Tell the truth in a song and people are less pissed off than if you were to say it to their face.
I sent out my stories to anyone and everyone, not surprisingly I often got no reply. The further I got into music the more attention I was getting for my own song writing, I made a choice last year and decided to go for it.
'Life In Cartoon Motion' is my first record. It has a coming of age theme, and deals with my tranition from childhood to now. What's my sound? I guess it's in the writing. I apologuise in advance to the people whos stories and characters I have borrowed from. Remember, It's only a caricature.[Source]

Mika sounds like: "Think Beck via Queen and Elton John and a touch of Rufus W. Would love to blab about Harry Nillson but I fear no one will know what I'm talking about... but if you do, you'll know what I mean." Somehow they missed Madonna, Scissor Sisters, The Knife, Pet Shop Boys, and Soft Cell - most of all.

[mp3] Mika - Grace Kelly [/mp3]
This download is only good for the first 100 people.

But you could always watch it on YouTube if you miss out:


Mika performing "Grace Kelly" live with Jools Holland

From Arjanwrites.com: Interestingly, on "Grace Kelly" he touches upon the issue of his identity and what people either want or expect him to be. He sings, "I try to be like Grace Kelly. But all her looks were too sad. So I try a little Freddie. I've gone identity mad! (. . .) I could be anything you like." It seems like the last thing Mika want is to pigeonhole himself, whether it concerns his professional or private life.
Mika wrote "Grace Kelly" after he felt frustrated with record label executives that wanted him to change his sound to fit to the common pop mold. Mika refused and went his own way to write this song and a bunch of others. However, the label honchos came around and decided to sign Mika anyway after hearing the fabulous "Grace Kelly." How ironic. [Source]