Natasha Bedingfield - 'I Wanna Have Your Babies'
Reviewing a Tasha B'dingfield song ought to be easier than usual, right? I mean, we all know how she does it. She throws some chords together - generally the combination D-E-F. It's who she is, it's what she does, and she likes to lay it down for us. (Of course, that's when she's able to focus her attention, and she's not feeling too ADD.) So perhaps we could use that innate knowledge of Natasha's songwriting psyche to intelligently deconstruct the very essence of her latest work?
Or I could just witter on about it ramblingly and incoherently in the way that I always do. Yeah, let's go with that.
Put to one side any misconceptions that the title may have given you - it's not some sickeningly twee song about chocolate covered lovecakes or something, but actually a rather knowing comment on the battle of the sexes, and how women often feel a compulsion never to let men know they're interested lest they freak them out. Natasha Bedingfield: social philosopher of our times. IT'S FINALLY HAPPENED.
It's also a relief to see that all that time spent abroad between albums hasn't turned Natasha into some ghastly vapid Yankee Doodle Poodle (mentioning no names, JOSS STONE) and that she's kept the lyrical playfulness that made her first album such fun. I particularly like how the hums in the bridge aren't just included because they're catchy, but also because they symbolise the fact that she can't say what she's really thinking. (It's deep, honest.)
I also like the spirited "Oops! Did I say it out loud?" because songs with the word oops in them are almost invariably brilliant (see also: 'Oops!...I Did It Again', 'Oops Upside Your Head' and 'Oops (Oh My)'). The little bit of ad lib towards the end where Natasha babbles rabidly about babies popping up everywhere is also inspired.
Flipside: in true Bedingfield style, some of the lyrics are a little bit infantile ("I'm in a big big big big ocean"?) but the whole thing adds up to such a ridiculously summery joyful package that I officially don't care. Welcome back, Natasha. Pop has missed you.
Released: April 16th
(Steve Perkins)
Comments
I find this song wonderful to listen and I do this with a big grin on my face becos its wot very girl thinks off ultimately after the first couple of months together in a relationship. Fab work Tash.
luv it, luv it, luv it, its sooo true, every girl thinks it but dusnt dare say it! tash has put it into a song... amazingly!!
Terrible terrible - want to jump out the window everytime it comes on - someone put her back in her box PLEEEEEEEASE!!
How could you possibly have MISSED the great cameo by Nadine Coyle near the end???
i think the song is fab!!! but the music video is RUBBISH!!! Niv Niv.x