Britney Spears - 'If You Seek Amy'
Forgive me for taking the obvious, rather tabloidy approach to this review, but: oops! She did it again. Dame Britney, of course, has been courting controversy with this song and its suggestive lyrics (and if you want to know more about that, it's already been very well documented here and here by Fraser). My job, however, is to strip away the controversy around this song and work out whether it is actually any good.
Except you can't, not really. Because the whole point of this song is to be cheeky, titillating and blatant. I can't imagine the impression was ever for anyone to not guess the 'hidden' meaning in the lyrics (though a few notable commentators were convinced that the song was about Amy Winehouse at first) - essentially, Britney and Max Martin are playing a little game with us. Kind of "I know what I'm saying, and you know what I'm saying - d'you wanna make something of it?"
It's quite a juvenile sentiment, and therefore the melody is appropriately juvenile too - from the playground-style taunting of "na na na na na na na na" at the beginning, which basically underneath the majority of the song mixed with a thumping bit of synth, to the couldn't-be-bothered-to-think-of-any-lyrics-to-go-here build to the chorus of "ha ha hee hee ha ha ho".
That's just part of it, though - structurally the song is very interesting, because the verses, despite the chanting undercurrent, are rather soft and pleading. Britney's vocals sound as unnatural as ever, but once the chorus hits, it's like being hit by a double decker bus loaded with sass, as Brit thumbs her nose at her critics with a "love me, hate me, say what you want about me" refrain.
Once the middle eight hits, however, things get very subdued again - it's a nice counterpart to the brash, narcissistic chorus, maybe even a suggestion that through the numerous tabloid reports we've devoured over the years we've seen many different Britneys, all of whom are probably equally real - just like here, there's the domineering, aggressive Britney and the quieter, more vulnerable Britney.
Which leads nicely onto the video (there are clean versions out there, if you look hard enough), with its risquΓ© sequences of Britney dressed in not-very-much and clearly up to sordid shenanigans in a house with lots of similarly-attired friends - until the point two thirds in where she slips on a twinset, bouffants her hair like she's about to timetravel back to the 1950s, and walks outside to greet the paparazzi with her picture-perfect husband and kids.
At once it's a wry dig at the way people have questioned Britney's lifestyle, as well as also suggesting that those who race to criticise her are probably not so squeaky-clean themselves. The fact that it's bookended with mock news reports based on real 'outraged parent' items from US news channels is the cherry on the cake.
So what we have here is essentially something far cleverer than the initial cheap innuendo would have us believe. Either that or I've read far too much into it and it's exactly that - a cheap innuendo with one heck of an earworm of a melody built around it. And even if that's true, what's wrong with that?
Download: Out now
CD Released: May 4th
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music page
(Steve Perkins)
Comment number 1.
At 29th Apr 2009, Daniel wrote:I really like this song, I've never given it as much in-depth thought as you though, Steve. I've always thought of it as more as a fun, pop song to which little lyrical attention needed to be paid.
However, Now that you've analysed it, I'm not sure I like it so much. It's kinda like you've explained a good joke, and wrecked entirely.
Still though, I agree with you 4 star rating.
Nice review, Steve Perkins!
Oh, and one little question - How come not all of the reviewers have their own accounts? A few of you guys seem to just write in under Frasers account. Just wondering!
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Comment number 2.
At 29th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:The answer to your question is quite complicated, but let's just say only me and Vicki have access to the software and passwords.
Me because I do most of the work, and Vicki because I occasionally need to rest my weary head.
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Comment number 3.
At 29th Apr 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:I wont into my opinions on Miss. Spears because its not worth the energy typing. Suffice to say it gets a 1 star in my book.
BUT on the technicalities of the blog, why do all the older reviews show 0 comments, until you click them and they all come back?
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Comment number 4.
At 29th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Ah, that's easier to explain. It's because of something technical not doing what it should, and then suddenly doing it, because you've clicked on it.
Hope that clears things up!
Yours
Captain Vague
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Comment number 5.
At 29th Apr 2009, Daniel wrote:Captain Vague?
Are you Greg James' as Frequency's arch nemesis?
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Apr 2009, Daniel wrote:...And also, Thanks for letting me know...But, if the other reviewers all know your password, Fraser, then...Why can't they just have accounts of their own?
DannyBoy__ fighting for software justice of the ChartBlog team!
Jesus! We could form the new A-Team!
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Comment number 7.
At 29th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:I'll let you into a little production secret...they don't know my password.
It's confidential. I shouldn't even be talking about it. Shh!
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Comment number 8.
At 29th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:All I can say is what a fantastic , fantastic review !!
I must have read millions in my time and this one is absolutely superb !!
It sums the song up perfectly... and when I finally decide the exact music path that is offered to me, I could certainly be using this as a template to write reviews .
Seriously it's that good !
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Comment number 9.
At 29th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Still loving the review... I am also very happy that "We are the people " by Empire of the sun is now C listed at Radio 1.
I have been championing this band for ages with with limited success... the profile is huge in some parts of Europe and Oceania but cracking the UK was tricky.
(the album got to 21 and the previous single stalled at 64 )
However the momentum is building again and I am feeling more hopeful. (Now I need to get it B listed ) lol lol
I was wondering if we could have a separate posting site as like a sort of stream of consciousness (Curtains idea )
I mean, here I am getting all excited about Empire of the sun on Britneys single, but until you guys review Empire of the sun (counting down the days ...must be very close now !) I am having to try and hold it all in !!!
You know we could chat about anything and not have to wait until a review is done of said artist. What do you think Fraser ..... good idea ?
I promise no Snow Patrol !
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Comment number 10.
At 29th Apr 2009, Daniel wrote:Fraser?
Is it Password1?
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Comment number 11.
At 29th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Danny Fraser's password is"lightbody " lol
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Comment number 12.
At 29th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Danny..... you could always try :
HOUSECOAT
see if that works !
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Comment number 13.
At 29th Apr 2009, chimiratastic wrote:the fact that this writer thinks it "clever" speaks volumes... was this written by Katie or Kerry?
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Comment number 14.
At 29th Apr 2009, clarkesharp wrote:I wonder where Britney holds her orgytastic parties?
If I had the time I could use google street view to find out.
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Comment number 15.
At 29th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Trust me Freddie Mercury threw some amazin parties.. but my favourite modern day one would have to be Lady Gaga's........ absolutely wonderful !
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Comment number 16.
At 30th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Dear crongtong
The review above is of the highest order and an absolutely objective ,detailed analysis of a song that is a public talking point.
Although I am sure many people may not like the song .. in my opinion the review is 5 STARS !!
Anyway crongtong ,do share with us what you are liking in music right now.... would love to hear your thoughts.........
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Comment number 17.
At 30th Apr 2009, CurtainJerker wrote:Spirit, I don't think you need a "stream of consciousness" site so much as an Empire of the Sun fanboy site ;o)
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Comment number 18.
At 30th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Love you Curtains !
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Comment number 19.
At 30th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Spirit, have you head the ChartBlog Empire of the Sun interview?
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Comment number 20.
At 30th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Thanks Fraser...... I read it a while back.....
To me, they are a breath of fresh air, and their whole ethos epitomises why pop music can be so great !!
Everyone should check out the video... And Fraser's review is only days away !!
Can't wait....
No pressure Fraser !
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Comment number 21.
At 30th Apr 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Just marry them already :p
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Comment number 22.
At 1st May 2009, NOSH33N_x wrote:i love this song..xx
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Comment number 23.
At 4th May 2009, duffman22 wrote:Hmm. 6 commas and 2 dashes in 1 sentence? I'm bad at English but I know somethings not right there.
Also, you're reviewing a Britney Spears song, not writing a periodic novel, so why are you using such complicated language?
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Comment number 24.
At 4th May 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:You're right, we should save the really hard words for the intellectual bands like Bloc Party and Radiohead, right?
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Comment number 25.
At 7th May 2009, Azure107 wrote:This song loses it's entire meaning thanks to the pointless radio edit "If U See Amy"!!
Now it makes even less sense than the original "explicit" version. Congratulations! Idiots lol No wonder this song isn't ripping up the charts like it should be.
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