Calvin Harris v The Saturdays Pop Slam!

Two of the biggest pop stars in the universe

are about to go into battle.

Dance music master, Calvin Harris,

takes on girl band legends, The Saturdays.

There can only be one winner, so stay right here.

I'm Amberley Lobo and this is Pop Slam!

Going head-to-head, we've got...

I want to see your hands in the air!

..Calvin Harris.

He's the singer, DJ, and producer everyone wants to work with.

And it's made him one of music's highest ever earners.

But how will he fair against...

# So when I speak, listen This is my decision... #

..girl band queens, The Saturdays.

They look great, they sound great,

and their videos have racked up more than 100 million online views.

# I'm going to lift to lift it higher... #

It's going to be a massive Pop Slam!

Whose team are you on?

Team Calvin or Team Saturdays?

# Keep on messing up the words. #

I'll be delving into the lives of these megastars

to see who has what it takes to win

the most coveted prize in pop music -

the Ambo.

There's only one way to win the Ambo,

and that's by getting as many of my Ambo points as possible.

I'll be dishing them out over three slamming rounds of pop-aucity.

Where I meet the people who knew the stars back in the day,

then I check out how hard they've been working.

And finally, I scrutinise their style.

All before the big moment.

And the winner of the Ambo is...

You might not agree with the outcome.

That's OK. If not, get online to the CBBC website and have your say.

But seriously, who do you think will win?

I mean, Calvin produces such great music and look at him, he's so tall.

I love tall people.

But then there's The Saturdays, who are so cool and they're a girl band.

I've always wanted to be in a girl band.

Well, there's only one way to sort it.

It's time for Pop Slam!

Round One - Pop Potential.

This is all about how our stars made it.

MUSIC: "I Just Can't Get Enough" by The Saturdays

Before they became The Saturdays,

Frankie, Mollie, Una, Rochelle and Vanessa

were just five kids from across the UK and Ireland

who dreamt of making it big.

MUSIC: "Flashback" by Calvin Harris

Meanwhile, before Calvin Harris became the multimillion pound DJ,

he was writing electropop on his home computer in Dumfries, Scotland.

So how did Calvin and The Saturdays

make it all the way to the top of the charts?

First up, it's the girls.

# Go, go, go

# It's time to make a move and we both know... #

Want to know how The Saturdays became a band?

Actually, don't answer that cos I'm going to tell you anyway.

Firstly, let's start with London's very own Mollie King.

Let's pretend Mollie is this brown sauce. Go with me on this, OK?

Back in 2004 when Mollie was just 19,

her career was going downhill fast...

And that's because she was in the British Junior Ski Team.

But her heart was still in singing.

Right, that's Mollie done.

So what about Una Foden? Well, this little pepper represents Una.

She grew up in County Tipperary, in Ireland.

She tried everything before settling on music.

I'm talking swimming, waitressing, banking, she was a swimming coach,

medical secretary and then finally she got into singing-songwriting.

Not only that, but here's Una doing backing vocals

for the Irish entry in the 2006 Eurovision song contest.

They came 10th.

But we don't really talk about that. So that's Una.

This little saltshaker is Vanessa White.

Now, Vanessa grew up in Somerset, in England,

before moving over to London to attend the world-famous

Sylvia Young Theatre School,

and was a solo singer when she saw the ad to be in a girl band.

So that's Vanessa White.

And that leaves us to our last two...

Frankie and Rochelle. Now, these two actually did know each other. How?

Well, they were in a band together.

At the age of 11, they were in a group called S Club Juniors.

# One step closer to Heaven... #

100% for real.

Back in 2001, Frankie and Rachelle were part of the S Club Juniors.

This band of eight talented kids were massive

and scored six top-ten hits.

Yes, that's really Rochelle,

and that's really Frankie.

And guess what, I've tracked down Stacy to give me all the goss.

-Hi.

-Hi, how's it going?

-Great, thank you.

S Club Juniors, give us all the goss. How did it all happen?

Well, basically, there was a TV show which was aired on CBBC.

It was called S Club Search.

S Club Search was a TV talent show which toured Britain

looking for kids to form a mini version

of the huge pop group S Club 7.

Imagine being in school one day

and in front of millions of people on TV the next.

That's what happened to Frankie and Rochelle.

Did you have an inkling that you guys might have been picked

to be in the band

-or was it just totally out of nowhere?

-No. We had no idea.

Number 36, Francesca.

So, from the get go, you won the competition and you went touring.

-Is that right?

-Yes. It was crazy.

I think we had to pinch ourselves every day

that it was actually happening.

It's just... It was a whirlwind.

# And it's taking all of my strength to keep me here... #

So what were Frankie and Rochelle like?

Very lively.

Very loud personalities.

Lovely, them.

This disgusting thing. Looks like something my nan would wear.

It's horrible.

OK, knowledge test.

Mi-mi-mi.

-SHE SINGS:

-One step closer to heaven, baby, means...

-SHE SINGS: One step closer to you.

-Oh, oh, oh.

-Yay.

-Let's form a band.

-What do you say?

-I think we should.

S Club 9.

That's five massive Ambo points for Rochelle and Frankie's

successful pop career before they'd even finished school.

# Tell me, baby, in the night Do you think of me? #

Back to The Saturdays and let's fast-forward to 2007,

when the girls had grown up and were all ready for a new challenge.

The five finally came together after they successfully auditioned

to join a new girl band.

We're kind of on a mission at the minute to bring pop back

and our first single is very poppy and very dancy.

-We just want to bring fun music back, don't we?

-Yeah.

# If this is love then I don't want to know what is

# I won't say another word... #

In July 2008, the girls first single,

If This Is Love, went straight into the top ten.

For arriving in the charts in style, take two Ambo points.

And that was just the start for our five girls.

Do you know what I think I need now?

A trip to Scotland and some Calvin time.

MUSIC: "It Was Acceptable In The '80s" by Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris is one of the most recognisable names in pop.

But get this - the superstar DJ wasn't born Calvin.

Back in the '80s, he was named Adam Wiles.

# I've got love for you if you were born in the '80s, the '80s. #

Right here is where Adam, AKA Calvin, grew up.

Who'd have thought the 14-year-old who made dance tunes on his computer

would go on to become one of the most successful dance acts ever.

This is how Adam became Calvin.

# I've got hugs for you if you were born in the '80s. Yeah. #

As a kid, Adam was obsessed with music.

But it was bands like Nirvana that he was into.

MUSIC: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

But things are about to change

when he got his hands on one of these bad boys.

Yep, am Omega 500.

Soon, he started playing around with the sound effects

and before he knew it, he was creating his own tunes.

For getting that old thing to somehow make music,

I'm giving Adam two Ambo points.

Fast forward four years and Adam, sorry, Calvin, had made it, right?

Well, not quite.

See, the thing is, he realised he needed the latest technology

to take his music to the next level.

So, to save up, he got a job here at this fish processing plant,

and some of his mates have agreed to take me on a tour

and give me the low down.

-Take me to the fish.

-OK.

This is the very factory floor where Adam/Calvin

used to put in the hours.

No way, guys! Check it out. This is exactly what Adam would have done.

-Can I have it go?

-No.

Mind if I join you here?

I caught up with one of his old workmates, Colin.

So, is this one of the jobs Adam would have had?

Yes, for a little while, yes.

What was he like when you first saw him?

A very quiet, very introvert man.

Oh, really?

And you've obviously heard a little bit of his music.

-What do you think of his music?

-Very good. I like his music.

-It's nice to see someone from our town doing well.

-Yeah.

Do you reckon this work might have inspired some of his songs?

Oh, I don't know about that.

I don't know, like, I was thinking we are very close, so...

-SHE SINGS:

-I feel so close to you right now. It's a force field...

I can see it. I think he got it from here.

Well, Colin, thank you so much for the chat.

I don't want to hug you cos then I'll contaminate you.

Jokes, jokes, jokes, get here.

Now, let's go wash up. We're going to clean you up. Come on.

# I feel so close to you right now... #

Colin, what a ledge.

Adam nets three Ambo points for putting in the hours

at the fish factory and doing loads of other part-time jobs.

And after a while, Adam managed to save the £4,000

he needed to buy new recording equipment

and head to London to try and get a record deal.

# There's not stopping us right now I feel so close to you right now. #

So Adam moved to London

and he decided it was time for a bit of a name change as well.

He wanted something a little bit mysterious,

so Adam Wiles became Calvin Harris.

Ooh! Mystery guy.

For picking a legendary name, have an Ambo point, Calvin.

After finally getting signed in 2006,

Calvin got to work the following year on his first album. Whoo!

But not for himself. Actually, for my old Aussie mate, Kylie Minogue.

She liked his style and who wouldn't?

So she asked him to help her out on some tracks

for her latest album, like this one.

-SHE SINGS:

-How does it feel in my arms?

# How does it feel in my arms? #

Writing songs for Kylie, awesome.

Have three Ambo points for helping out a fellow Aussie.

Then, in 2007, it was Calvin's big moment when he released

his first album, and it smashed straight into the top ten.

Ha, that's actually pretty big news.

I better call Calvin and let him know.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

What's up? What's up, what's up, what's up, what's up?!

Calvin, it's Ambo.

-Nan, hi. How's bingo?

-Yeah, good.

Anyway, anyways...

Big news. You've made it and you're a massive deal now.

-Do you think you can handle it?

-Yeah, I'll be fine.

OK, you suit yourself. Keep it real, though, hey.

Nan, I've got to go. OK. OK, bye.

Oh, actually, before you go, next time you're in town let me know.

-LINE GOES DEAD

-Give me a bell and we'll... Hello?

Oh, he accidentally hung up on me. I wonder why he was calling me Nan.

Anyway, the fact still remains that Calvin was now huge,

and I bet he was bouncing.

MUSIC: "Bounce" by Calvin Harris feat. Kelis

So how are the scores looking at the end of Round One?

Calvin has nine Ambo points

and The Saturdays are hot on his heels with seven.

Everything to play for.

Now that we know how our stars made it,

let's check out how hard they've been working since then.

It's time for Round Two.

Round Two - Pop Success.

This is all about what our stars have been up to

to make sure they stay at the top of the charts.

When it comes to hard work, The Saturdays are all about it.

In their first year, they claim to have had only two days off.

Girls, I feel your pain.

MUSIC: "Issues" by The Saturdays

Wow, only two days off in one year.

But, within those 12 months, the girls had released five singles

from their debut album, Chasing Lights.

That's five pop videos to shoot

and constant interviews and TV appearances.

Oh, yeah, they also were continually gigging,

and even squeezed in a UK arena tour

supporting fellow girl band, Girls Aloud.

Non-stop music-making wins The Sats three ambo points.

And they're not the only ones who have been putting in the hours.

Calvin's also been working hard to get to the top of the charts.

He's literally just churned out hit after hit after hit.

He's not about making tunes that are going to be, like, bubblers

or just album tracks, and that's what he's about.

He's about hits.

MUSIC: "Under Control" by Calvin Harris

If there was ever any doubt of how big Calvin has become,

check this out.

In 2013, money magazine Forbes

listed Calvin as the highest-paid DJ in the world.

Get this, in one year he earned over £25 million.

Whoa, I need to become a DJ.

MUSIC: "You Used To Hold Me" by Calvin Harris

Serious earnings means serious Ambo points. Three, in fact.

So with all those hits,

you'd think Calvin would be a really good singer, right?

Well, let me tell you a little secret.

(He's not a very good singer.)

Ah!

On his first two albums,

I Created Disco and Ready For The Weekend,

Calvin did nearly all his own vocals.

He can hold a note, but by his own admission, he's no Beyonce.

To take his music to the next level, he came up with a brilliant plan.

Lucky for Calvin, by the time he released his third album,

18 Months, he'd become so popular that he was able to say...

"Oh, why don't I ditch this whole me singing vibe

"and get other artists who can actually sing on my album instead.

"Ha! Dear Ms Goulding, I wrote this amazing song

"about love and holding hands.

"I would totes love you to sing it. XOXO, Calvin. Send."

# I take a deep breath every time I pass your door

# I know you're there but I can't see you any more... #

Calvin's plan worked big time.

He had Florence Welch, Tinie Tempah,

and even megastar Rihanna on the album.

# We found love in a hopeless place... #

18 Months racked up an amazing nine, yes, nine, top ten hits.

That's a UK record, friends.

So I'm giving Calvin three Ambo points.

There's no doubt he has got the Midas touch.

He's collaborated with so many massive recording artists

and the more people he collaborates with, the more other people

want to collaborate with him.

# How do you think I feel when you call my name? #

And luckily for everyone else in pop,

Calvin is so hard-working that he's created massive tunes

for stars like Cheryl Cole, Example and Dizzee Rascal.

Oh, would somebody please give that man two bonus Ambo points

for sharing the love?

MUSIC: "30 Days" by The Saturdays

But hang on. Let's not forget The Saturdays.

These ladies sure know how to put the effort in too.

# When I get to you... #

When it comes to being pros on tour, the girls are seriously committed.

For instance, when they were onstage in Dundee,

Vanessa tripped down some stairs

and seriously injured her ankle. Show over, right? Well, not quite.

What happened next was incredible.

Now, unfortunately there's no video footage

but I can recreate it for you.

First, I'm just going to need a stage... Let's put that there.

Need some stairs.

And Vanessa.

-SHE SINGS:

-All fired up, I feel alive.

I'm fired up, I feel alive. All fired... Oh!

Oh, my ankle. Oh, it's seriously hurt.

I'm fine and I feel alive. Oh!

Vanessa, this is your manager speaking.

-I need you to get back out there.

-I can't.

-Yes, you can.

-No, I can't.

-You're right, I'll help you.

-SHE SINGS:

-All fired up, I feel alive. I feel alive!

Look, I'm not 100% sure that that's how it went down,

but Vanessa did get back out there

and performed in front of everyone in a wheelchair.

Have three Ambo points.

# We going to be better together

# So what's up, baby? What about us? #

The Sats have the commitment down

but unbelievably they hadn't won the ultimate prize in pop -

a number one.

In 2012, their hard work finally paid off

when after 11 top-ten singles,

they finally landed that elusive UK number one with What About Us.

# What about us? #

I think they've had like 12, 13, 14 singles and they're all genius.

Every time I hear a new single, I'm like,

"This is my new favourite Saturdays song."

Ladies, take two Ambo points for getting to the top of the charts.

The question is... How is all this hard work affected

those all-important record sales?

Let's take a looksie.

# Sometimes I miss hurting you... #

The Saturdays have sold a massive 4.3 million records in the UK.

Good work, ladies.

# Why can't I realise

# I'm fighting for my life... #

But the clear winner in the numbers game

is Calvin Harris with a staggering 8.3 million record sales.

That earns him three Ambo points and two points going to The Saturdays.

So what does that mean for the scores?

Calvin's mega record sales

have edged him ahead

and he now leads on 20 Ambo points

with The Saturdays

in a hot pursuit on 17.

Don't agree? You know what to do. Get online and have your say.

We've seen our stars' pop potential and how hard they worked at it,

but now that they've reached the dizzy heights of superstardom,

let's see how glamorously outrageous they've become.

Round Three, what you've got?

Round Three - Pop Style.

This is all about our celebrities' lives.

Clothes, cars, pets or whatever else they splash their cash on.

# You're not a lady if you're always on your knees

# Shouldn't have to beg a gentleman, so please be gentle, please

# Oh, you're beautiful

# Oh, I hope you know... #

The Saturdays are glam. Fact!

And I'm about to meet the guy who makes The Saturdays

look like The Saturdays. Exciting!

# Oh, if you can't see

# Then maybe he's not meant to be... #

Now, Frank, you're The Saturdays' actual stylist. I'm a bit of a fan.

How do I get their look?

Well, you're lucky because I've got

some of their actual clothes here with me.

So we can talk through them.

As you can see, it's super bright and colourful

cos that's basically what The Saturdays are all about.

# You had his baby, so you might got him for now

# He already had the milk, so why would he go buy the cow? #

How do you pick who has what kind of look?

Cos they're all a little bit different.

Well, they do that for me

because they all have their own personalities

and I never try to sort of hide who they really are.

MUSIC: "Not Giving Up" by The Saturdays

Although The Sats are famous for their bright colours,

when Frank was asked to style the video for Not Giving Up,

he made a big call to dress the girls all in black.

Say what?

-These are Una's leggings from the video.

-Oh, they are awesome!

# Hit me so hard I don't know where

# Starstruck up in the air

# Got me, got me with my eyes wide open... #

This is Mollie's belt which we had made specially for her.

That is so cool.

In the video when the lights are on this,

it reflects on the shiny, glossy surface.

# I'll be your rock of gold... #

I'm so in love with The Sats' style.

Take four Ambo points for all-around style-tasticness.

# I get all the girls I get all the girls. #

But what's about Calvin's look?

Over the years, we've watched him transform in front of our very eyes.

Calvin Harris' career has gone like that.

So have his looks because if you look

at how he used to appear, he looked quite geeky.

He was quite pale.

He was this guy from Dumfries.

Looked like he never got out of his bedroom.

And suddenly, you saw him in one of his videos in LA

and I just thought, "Is this the same person?"

You go to LA, everybody is very, very sparkly looking.

Everybody looks like 1 million all of the time.

He's an international brand now, so he has to fit in with that.

So...he looks good.

-But, he's just got money now. Lots of it.

-Yeah.

-In fact, millions.

Calvin's got the LA look and the LA bank balance,

so there's only one place he was going to live.

Welcome to the Hollywood Hills!

Calvin moved here in 2013

and splashed a cool £4 million on an eco-friendly house

complete with an infinity pool overlooking the Sunset Boulevard.

I can see why he did that.

For going all LA cool on us, take four Ambo points.

# Forever is over and my heart's not going to break... #

Meanwhile, The Saturday girls have been spending up big

on heaps of things like designer bags...

Oh, probably a bit better than this one.

# Cos if I don't get up now I may never escape

# Your power is fading away... #

And dogs. Hello. Lots of dogs.

Oh, sorry. You can have your dog back now.

So, get this. At last count, the girls had nine dogs between them.

It's like a dog overload.

Firstly, there's Vanessa, who has Peaches the Pomeranian

and George, the little toy poodle.

Then there's Rochelle, who also has a Pomeranian called Tiger

and a Yorkshire called Pudding.

Then, there's Una, who has Bonner the terrier,

and Jackson the Jack Russell cross pug and it keeps going!

Frankie also has two dogs.

She has Presley the pug and Pixie the Chihuahua.

And last but not least, Mollie.

And thank goodness she only has one dog.

A little Maltese called Alfie.

All I'm saying is I would hate to be on their tour bus

cos it would stink.

# Over, my heart's not going to break... #

That's two Ambo points for super cute pooches.

And on that four-legged note, we're done with Round Three.

We're at the end of Pop Slam and it has been amazing!

But, we still have this bad boy to give away.

So who has won the Ambo?

Will it be The Saturdays or Calvin Harris?

SHE GASPS

Let's look back at what we've learnt.

We've seen Calvin Harris go from bedroom DJ

to be one of the biggest names in dance music.

And we've seen The Sats go from pop kids to pop queens.

Both are super hard workers but who's got the most points

to win this Pop Slam?

Well, ladies and gentlemen,

it's the moment we've all been waiting for.

The points have been counted and independently verified by me.

And the winner of the Ambo is...

It's Calvin Harris! Oh, get out of here. Come here, big guy.

I'm so proud of you. You look about as excited as you must be feeling.

Let's see some more of you in action.

MUSIC: "Summer" by Calvin Harris

What's up? What's up, what's up, what's up? What is up?

What is up with you, Calvin?! Guess what, you have just won Pop Slam.

I'm not even kidding. I'm actually holding your trophy.

It's gold, it's glittery.

You know what, I can actually send a photo on my phone

to your phone of the trophy cos it is amazing.

I would put it on my wall if I were you. How are you feeling?

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