Amy Winehouse - 'Back To Black'
I want to give Amy Winehouse a hug - there, I've said it. It might seem a little unorthodox, given that she doesn't look the most tactile or approachable of pop stars. She's no or anything, not that I'm planning for this to turn into the Famewhores Weekly: Popstars With Whom I've Had Actual Bodily Contact edition [Steve! Let it go! - Fraser]. But let's look at the evidence - 'Rehab' chronicled her longterm friendship with The Bottle, 'You Know I'm No Good' saw her address her self-perceived inability to commit and growing sense of inadequacy, and now this: a song so relentlessly depressed that even Tori Amos might feel compelled to poke it in the ribs and whisper "cheer up, eh? It can't be THAT bad." So yes, I think Amy is in desperate need of a hug from someone, and if no one else wants to volunteer, I'll put myself out there.
Thing is, gut-wrenching depression and acts of genius go hand-in-hand quite often, and this is no exception. For my money, this is easily the stand out track on her current album for its sheer depth and lushness. The backing orchestra appears to contain every instrument known to man (I'm sure if I looked in the small print there'd be a musician credited as the kitchen sink player), but as hypnotic as the piano-led chorus and the mournful strings are, the true star here is Amy's broken, emotive voice - every single bit of angst, pain and heartbreak that went into the writing of this song rings out on the vocal.
If it hasn't done so already, this looks set to become the Emo Breakup Music of choice for dumpees everywhere (even though it does this song a disservice to reduce its status to that of just a 'breakup song') because if you want to wallow with what Xander Harris once called "the music of pain" (admittedly he was talking about country music at the time, but whatever), it's hard to think of a better example.
The only real negative I can find in this song is that it's really not a good idea to listen to it if you're in a sunny mood - it's the most complete buzzkill I've encountered in a long time. Something that only a hug from a pop star could put right. Did I mention I've met Hilary Duff?
Download: Out now
CD Released: April 30th
(Steve Perkins)
Comments
4 stars????
This song is A-MA-ZING!
16 STARS AT LEAST!
I just am in love withy Amy 'God' Winehouse.
Mwah, Amy.
Sean,
xx
i love listening to your music it is very good??
Love this song. and yes, a small % is that due to break up issues *sigh* But it is still a class class song.
had to comment due to the obscure (well kind of) Buffy reference. fantatstc :-)
i hate your song there are old soz
I love this song. It should be at least a gazillion stars.
I love Amy Winehouse, and love this tune and the album. If people stayed out of her affairs im sure she would be so pissed off all time.
Top tune
This track, like the rest on her album of the same name, is a work of genius. I listen to this album all morning on my iPod and Back to Black sounds good no matter what mood I'm in. Top Track from a Top Artist.
D xXx
Amy is a top singer and the back 2 bkack album is just one iv never been able to turn off.. her voice the music and her on vidio god i luv her..a top class act...may she get bigger and bigger and even better..may this album be the start of many from amy and my the singles get bigget too...ps love the beehive image you have now made yourself amy an icon with a sexy image please keep it ..
zaran xx
I think you are forgetting an important pub factor in your assessment of popstars' huggability- Amy might well buy you a drink if you gave her a hug! :D
Otherwise, awesome review and equally awesome song.
I think Amy Winehouse is amazing! Each one of her songs are unique and I think she really does have talent and shes only 22! (I think!) I think they are easy to listen to yet not boring and it is such a great album. I would definitley give her a hug because ok she may be an alchy but she seems really sweet and besides she is a very talented singer and songwriter. Lets hope this is just the beginning of her musical success.
Melissa
The Goddes of the Southeren Sky
To Amy Winehouse with exhilaration
Where the dog has his way.
Do they know
Do they really know
How many times
I slept on the grass
Under the naked stars
But I know the smile
Of the southern girl
Who came to me
With the basket
Full of miracles
Pretending to be
Inocent and generous
She was wearing the oriole
Like Greek goddess
Of a sudden death
Telling me
I was waiting for you
For so long
To undo my curse
Being alone as a sterile cocoon
Under the moon
Of the sotheren sky
And that is why
I am going to take
Your breath A way
And make you asleep.
Amy rocks. I freaking love this album.
I love the song "You Know I'm No Good". Does anyone know the name of the Haitian producer that the guitar came from? What else have producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi worked on?
Thanks.
Amy, I heard you by accident and feel in love!!!!!!! I'm an ex-pro wrestler and wondered around utube one day and saw your video back to black. Wooooooooo!!!! That was it!
I'm by nature a hard rock lover- you know being aggressive by nature but YOU opened up a side to me that I never thought anyone else felt. Your music is great!! Such a big fan!! Don't let fame spoil you. You too smart and hott!!
Wish I could meet yeah!
Ric