Really, you should be listening to music every day, but thanks to Twitter, Monday has become the best day of the week to discover new songs, show some love to the tune currently dominating your iPod playlist and quietly judge the listening habits of your closest friends. yes, it’s #MusicMonday, one of Twitter’s most enduring trending topic. hence “MTV News’ #MusicMonday,” a weekly look at the songs we’re obsessing about here in the Newsroom. Here’s what’s on our playlists right now.

Jim Cantiello, MTV News Correspondent: “She Wolf, Shakira’s jaw-droppingly wild and deliciously unpredictable new CD, is one of my favorite pop albums of the year (if not the decade — yes, I said decade). The standout Shakira song for me is “Mon Amour,” a playfully nasty kiss-off. In the song, the she Wolf hopes her ex and his new lover have a horrible relationship-ruining vacation in Paris. The brilliantly-specific lyrics elevate the song to dizzying heights of lover-scorned insanity. “Hope the French fleas eat you both alive/ And your room smells and the toilet doesn’t flush.” love it. Even better? The track’s new wave sound mashes influences as varied as the Cure, the Beach Boys and Cyndi Lauper. as far as “Pissed Off Ex-Girlfriend” anthems go, “Mon Amour” belongs right up there with Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U been Gone” and Alanis’ “You Oughta Know.” can I get an amen? (Or at least an “Awooooo?”)”

Kyle Anderson, Newsroom Blog Editor: “Lately, my brain is melted daily by the self-titled debut album from them crooked Vultures, the supergroup that brings together Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. The most brain-meltingest song on the album is a track called ‘Mind Eraser, No Chaser.’ Like the best Queens of the Stone Age tunes, it’s probably about taking copious amounts of drugs (or at least contemplating taking copious amounts of drugs), and it’s got an incredibly heavy riff. It’s also one of the few spots on the album that features Grohl’s vocals. The back half of the record gets a little too psychedelic, but I haven’t found a better first six songs on a rock record this year.”

Jocelyn Vena, MTV News Pop Writer: “Sure the song leaked a few weeks back, but that doesn’t mean John Mayer and Taylor Swift’s ‘Half of my Heart’ is any less catchy. Harkening back to Mayer’s Room for Squares days, the song combines his keen knack for writing perfect pop love songs with Swift’s sweet vocals. They make ‘Half of my Heart’ a perfect pop duet in a world where there are too few. when these two halves combine, they make a lovely whole.”

Joel Hanek, MTV News Production Assistant: “My Music Monday is Blakroc’s ‘Ain’t nothing Like you (Hoochie Coo).’ They’re comprised of the Black Keys and a bunch of different rappers. This one has Mos Def, and it’s excellent. Ohio represent!”

Gabrielle’s Outlook, Music — By Gabrielle Clark on November 24, 2009 at 2:07 pm

If you’ve watched a car commercial in the past decade I guarantee that you’ve heard something of mr. Scruff’s.

Andy Carthy is a British DJ and musician who chose his stage name from the state of his facial hair. He has gained most of his renown for being featured in car commercials and various television spots. mr. Scruff has been active since 1994 and released his latest album this year.

His genre varies widely, encompassing anything from jazz, hip-hop, electronic, funk and soul, or combinations of them, making a truly awesome sound. He really likes tea, and has a reputation as being the DJ with the tea shop. Carthy also draws the most adorable album art for all his CDs, most of which feature fish, another of his favorite things.

He’s released six studio albums to date, his first one, the eponymous “Mr. Scruff”, released in 1997, “Keep It Unreal” released in 1999, Trouser Jazz released in 2002, “Mrs. Cruff”, a redo of mr. Scruff with more tracks, released in 2005, “Ninja Tune”, released last year, and “Bonus Bait”, released on February 9th of this year.

I’ve heard his music tons of times, but I only found out his name a few days ago after hearing something of his one night last week. The jazz tones he uses are exquisite, and he uses elements of the aforementioned trip-hop and electronica to compose his tunes.

My personal favorites include “Get a move On”, which has been featured in commercials for Volvo and Lincoln (and has a wonderful saxophone loop), and most recently, a bump for the Adult Swim segment of Cartoon Network, “Spandex Man”, featured in top Gear, and “Trollmarch”, an upbeat song with nice drums mixed into the electronic sound that sounds something out the Looney Tunes universe.

Most of his music is available for free listening at imeem.com/artists/mr_scruff/, and his website is at mrscruff.com.

1. Cougar: Rhinelander — Crossing progressive, technical rock with ethereal, Gregorian chant-like vocals qualifies this Madison, Wisconsin-based 5-piece band for the title of “alternative.” Stream the track below or download the MP3 from RCRD LBL.

2. Jeremy Fisher: Scar That never Heals — Super feel-good harmonious sunshine about a mysterious gun-running lady.

3. Citay: Careful With That Hat — Hailing from San Francisco, Citay recalls the city’s sound of 40 years ago perhaps moreso than of today’s. great vocal harmonies and psychedelic strains infuse the jam-rock track you can download for free at the Fader.

4. Polvo: right the Relation — You don’t need a perfect SAT score to enjoy Polvo’s brand of surreal math rock. Check out a new video from the Chapel Hill, North Carolina quartet below.

5. Festizio: Every Now and Again — Right-click to download this track from San Francisco’s Festizio, who you can also check out on Facebook.

6. Elizabeth & the Catapult: Taller Children — Fun video for a track that reminds us of something important about “growing up.”

Elizabeth & the Catapult :: TALLER CHILDREN

elizabeth & the catapult | MySpace Music Videos

7. Field Music: Measure — Combining Beatles-esque harmonies and hooks with strings and acoustic guitar, this duo of brothers from Sunderland, England offers a free download at Spinner.com.

8. Dream Pilots: Comedown — Check out the video from the Norwegian rockers’ track “Comedown” below, or right-click for a free download courtesy of Quality Junk.

9. Brian Jonestown Massacre: who killed Sgt. Pepper? — the new album from the psychedelic San Franciscan alt-rockers won’t be officially released until January 1 of next year, but you can stream the entire thing now at the band’s website. [via Rock on the Streets]

10. Grizzly Bear: Ready, Able — This insane claymation video from Brooklyn’s experimental rock outfit Grizzly Bear is like Gumby on acid, with a wistful ethereal soundtrack.

Swiss orders Polanski kept in jail; bail, house arrests offers deemed to pose flight risk

October 20th, 2009 Swiss court orders Polanski kept in jailBELLINZONA, Switzerland — Director Roman Polanski has lost an appeal to be freed from a Swiss prison ahead of his possible extradition to the United States for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl. the Swiss Criminal Court said Tuesday releasing Polanski on bail or under house arrest posed a high risk of flight.

Uruguay announces its biggest drug seizure so far

October 16th, 2009 MONTEVIDEO – Uruguayan authorities confiscated some 2,000 kg of cocaine at a small marina on the outskirts of Montevideo, the biggest drug haul in the history of the South American nation. Coast guard sources said the seizure followed a six-week investigation that led to a yacht anchored on the Santa Lucia River in the town of Santiago Vazquez.

Swiss banker, lawyer charged with helping clients evade US taxes

August 20th, 2009 Swiss banker, lawyer face US tax charges in probeMIAMI — a Swiss banker and a lawyer are the latest to face U.S. criminal charges in a wide-ranging international tax evasion investigation.

Swiss police uncover child pornography ring involving 2,000 people in 78 countries

June 28th, 2009 Swiss police uncover int’l child pornography ringBERN, Switzerland — Swiss police say they have uncovered a child pornography ring involving more than 2,000 people in 78 countries. Federal Police spokeswoman Eva Zwahlen says authorities were monitoring a Web site with a provider in the Swiss canton Vaud, acting on a tip from Interpol.

Philippine police rescue Swiss Red Cross worker, Italian volunteer still held by militants

April 17th, 2009 Philippine police rescue Red Cross workerMANILA, Philippines — Officials in the Philippines say police have rescued a Red Cross worker from his al-Qaida-linked kidnappers three months after he and two colleagues were kidnapped on a southern island. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde says that according to “verified reports,” Andreas Notter from Switzerland was rescued in Indanan township on Jolo island early Saturday.

Tom Hanks comes to New Orleans for opening of new WWII Museum theater and 4-D documentary film

November 4th, 2009 NEW ORLEANS — Tom Hanks is scheduled to be there when the National World War II Museum in New Orleans debuts the war film he produced to immerse audiences with all their senses in key battles. The film “Beyond All Boundaries” will be shown exclusively at the museum’s new Victory Theater, which includes elements billed as “4-D” such as wind and shaking seats to accent vintage footage from Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Bulge playing on a 120-foot-wide screen.

Pearl Jam Say Goodbye to Philadephia Venue In Style

November 3rd, 2009 Rockers PEARL JAM became the latest act to close a fabled music venue on Halloween night (31Oct09) when they performed the final show at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group played four sold out nights at the Spectrum and closed the venue with a three hour-and-35-minute set.

John Still Too Ill For Stage Return

October 27th, 2009 SIR ELTON JOHN is still too ill to return to his touring duties – the singer has cancelled another concert as he battles a nasty bout of influenza. The superstar was forced to scrap gigs in Sheffield and Newcastle, England on Friday (23Oct09) and Saturday (24Oct09) after doctors ordered him to rest up.

Dr. No Dies at 91

October 21st, 2009 JAMES BOND’s original nemesis DR. NO has died – the actor JOSEPH WISEMAN passed away on Monday (19Oct09).

Cornell Reunites Temple of The Dog at Pearl Jam Show

October 8th, 2009 Grunge supergroup TEMPLE OF THE DOG briefly reformed in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (06Oct09) when CHRIS CORNELL joined PEARL JAM onstage. The former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman formed the band in the early 1990s with the musicians that were to become Pearl Jam – and they released one album.

Austin City Limits Festival – The Big Stink

October 5th, 2009 Music fans who attended the third and final day of this weekend’s (02-04Oct09) Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas were left filthy and smelly when heavy rain obliterated the Zilker Park site, and brought sewage to the surface. according to local newspaper the Austin-American Statesman, organisers have shut the park down for two weeks as they work to revamp newly-laid grassland ruined by festivalgoers.

Vedder & Pearl Jam Rock Austin All Weekend Long

October 5th, 2009 PEARL JAM took over Austin, Texas at the weekend to celebrate their first number one U.S. album in 13 years with a trio of showstopping appearances.

Pearl Jam Return to The top of The U.s. Album Chart after 13 Years

September 30th, 2009 PEARL JAM have scored their first U.S. number one album in 13 years by ending JAY-Z’s run at the top of the charts.

Affleck and Garner Plan Another Movie Collaboration

September 30th, 2009 BEN AFFLECK and JENNIFER GARNER are making plans for their first movie collaboration in six years. The couple first met on the set of 2001 movie Pearl Harbor but didn’t start dating until they were reunited for 2003 film Daredevil.

Bernal ‘legalise Drugs’

September 3rd, 2009 GAEL GARCIA BERNAL has called for the legalisation of drugs in his native Mexico – to end the country’s bloody civil unrest. The Motorcycle Diaries star is adamant the majority of street battles in the North American country are sparked by the trade in illicit narcotics.

MJ’s mum ‘devastated’ over bitter court battles

August 23rd, 2009 LONDON – after losing two bitter court battles, Michael Jackson’s mother grieving mum Katherine is at breaking point. On Friday, Katherine, 79, failed to stop plans by entertainment giant AEG to cash in by exhibiting her son’s personal items.

Matthews Pregnant

August 18th, 2009 former CATATONIA frontwoman CERYS MATTHEWS is pregnant with her third child at the age of 40. The Welsh singer already has two kids with ex-husband Seth Riddle, who she split from in 2007 after four years of marriage.

Daisy Lowe’s cervical cancer scare

July 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON – English model Daisy Lowe lived a nightmare after being faced with a cervical cancer scare earlier this year. The daughter of singer Pearl Lowe and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale learnt she would have to undergo surgery after pre-cancerous cells were found during her routine check-up in may.

Japan’s royal couple head to Canada, Hawaii to reach out to Japanese immigrants

July 3rd, 2009 Japan’s royal couple head to Canada, HawaiiTOKYO — Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hope to reach out to Americans and Canadians of Japanese ancestry during a two-week tour that began Friday, but they won’t be going to Pearl Harbor. “Both Canada and the state of Hawaii are home to many people of Japanese ancestry,” Akihito said in a statement ahead of the trip.

Jackson’s shock death may start long series of legal battles, says lawyer

June 27th, 2009 LONDON – The Jacksons’ family lawyer Brian Oxman has said King of Pop Michael’s sudden death at the age of 50 could be the start of a long series of legal battles. While on CBS’s Early Show, Oxman said the remains of his fortune, his property and his children could all be fought over in court, reports Sky News.

Welcome, music fans! Today marks another installment of Free Music Monday for your listening pleasure. We’re celebrating the #musicmonday tradition on Twitter with 10 tracks, albums, or playlists from around the web. Last week we ran a special hip-hop edition, and this week celebrates creative covers, remixes, and mashups.

We also take submissions from you, dear readers, so if you’d like us to showcase your music or tracks from artists you represent, head on to the end of this feature for details on how to submit music to us for consideration.

And now, let’s get rolling with the list!

1. Pamplamoose: Beat It — Check out the excellent indie rock cover of the late, great Michael Jackson’s smash 80s hit in the embedded video below. These cats do a number of other awesome covers set to recording footage; find more in their YouTube channel (their Single Ladies version is also great) [via Gawker.tv]

2. White Panda: Sweetest Fascination — Mashing up Wyclef Jean with Alphabeat, this White Panda track is available as a free MP3 download along with a bunch of other great recent tracks from The Music Ninja.

3. John Mayer: Inner City Blues — Mr. Mayer does Marvin Gaye with soul and scratching, from live album As/Is. Download it with a right-click and check out other tracks from this playlist at Tympanogram. [via MOG]

4. RJD2: Smoke and Mirrors — Among other recognizable snippets, this RJD2 track features Marion Black’s “Who Knows” as its main lyrical theme. Stream it below.

5. Dr. Fox’s Old Timey String Band: Kids (MGMT) — For a radical departure from the original ultra-modern electro-pop tune from MGMT, check out this spartan string and vocal traditional cover; download it for free from The Torture Garden.

6. The Gossip: Heavy Cross (Tom Stephan Remix) — Download this four-to-the-floor club-infused remix of The Gossip’s Heavy Cross from Dance Floor Mayhem. [via Hype Machine]

7. Dinah Washington: Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby? (Rae & Christian Remix) — This remix of the jazz classic is from the first installment in the hugely successful Verve Remixed album series. Stream the track below, and pick up the original album or the complete box set with all 4 editions on LaLa.

8. Halo Remix feat. NESRA, KAP10 & Mista Cane — Check out this remixed rendition of Beyonce’sbeyonce hit Halo via stream or free MP3 download from box.net.

9. David Bowie: Fame 90 (Hip Hop Mix) — Somewhat less straight up hip-hop and more funkalicious electro, this remix is one of several remixes of Bowie’s Fame offered up for your free download over at The Lost Turntable.

10. 8-Bit Ninjas: Push It — How about a retro video game downsampled robotic cover of Salt-n-Pepa 1987’s hit single? You got it!

Thanks for tuning in, music fans! If you like this feature, please give us a push by sending it to your music-loving friends. You can always find the latest edition of this feature on the Free Music Monday tag page. We’ve appended the list of past Special Edition themed Free Music Mondays at the end of this post in case you’d like to check out any of the back catalog.

Big thanks to everyone for all the excellent submissions we’re getting. If you sent us tracks and we haven’t featured them yet, stay tuned for a future Free Music Monday. If you’d like to submit tracks for yourself or an artist you represent, give us a shout at barb AT mashable DOT com. Be sure to send us either a link to an embeddable stream and/or let us know which track(s) you’re willing to provide as a free MP3 download. Thanks everyone!

Free Music Monday Back Catalogue

- Electronica Edition
- Hip-hop Edition
- Labor Day Edition
- Live Edition
- Rock and Pop Edition
- Singer-Songwriter Edition
- Your Submissions Edition