Just an hour ago, Radio One premiered “Ambitions,” the debut single of last year’s X-Factor winner Joe McElderry, which you can hear in full on his YouTube channel.

The track is actually a cover of a song (also titled “Ambitions”) released in 2009 by Norwegian pop troupe, Donkeyboy.

This isn’t a very obvious ‘modern pop’ track–it’s neither a big ballad, an uninspired attempt at rock, nor a dance-pop stomper–which makes this a slightly more sophisticated attempt than–oh, say, a RedOne production. I like that.

I’m also pretty wild about the lyrics, especially during the chorus: “And if somebody’s going to make it, then this somebody ought to be you / And if somebody’s going to fake it, then this somebody, somebody is you. / If it’s me that was going to take it, then I know that it wouldn’t be straight / And I keep telling my reflection, ambitions are already starting to fade.”

It’s also better than “Promise This.”

The overwhelmingly attractive young man’s single will be released for download on October 10, with a debut album to follow on October 25.

Christ on a Christmas cracker–the 2010 BRIT Award nominations are in!

I can’t believe it’s time already for the ceremony to begin once again. It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in my bed watching in disbelief as Gaga robo-danced her way on stage with pieces of shattered china plates glued to her lady bits. Ahh, memories.

As per usual (see 2009), I’ve gone ahead and bolded my favorites for the crown and added a few insightful comments and/or snooty one-liners to the end of each category.

And awayyy we go! (Thanks to The Guardian for the full list of nominees.)

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