N-Dubz - 'Ouch'
There are lots of different reasons for why some songs work. Sometimes the lyrics have to take a back seat to the soaring melody and general air of loveliness, sometimes, even thought the tune isn't all that, it's all about the words, sometimes it's all about the singing. You very rarely get a perfect lyric matched to a perfect melody and perfect delivery, and even if you did, it wouldn't win everyone over. This is just one of the reasons why music is a bazillion per cent more complicated (and fun) than sport.
I mention all this because N-Dubz have made a record which goes to the extremes of failure and success, and demands that you, the listener, make a decision about which bits are most important to you. If it's the bits which are good, you're laughing. If not, run away!
What I mean is this, there's a point, about half-way through, where you have to willingly give in to the story and forget about the song. That's mainly because it there's not much in the way of a vocal hook to hang on to, apart from that little "a ha ha ha" bit, which is sort of the chorus. Otherwise Tulisa has a melody which only suits the words she has in front of her at the time, and it doesn't get repeated unless the words do.
The focal point of the song, and the reason why it does not suck (if that is what you believe to be true), is the story and the way they deliver each line as if they actually are the people in the song. There's more passion, fire and proper acting going on here than in 10 episodes of EastEnders, and no light-hearted comic relief from Pat's earrings either.
It's really impressive to hear a song which manages to get across both sides of a row without flinching or trying to resolve it all at the end. Neither the cheated girl or the cheating man is won over by the arguments put forward by the other side, both know they're looking over the cliff edge and wondering whether to jump, and who knows who is going to win in the end?
So, you have to forgive the occasional over-the-top lyric - that first line is unintentionally hilarious, partly cos of the DEADLY SERIOUSNESS with which Tulisa explains that she's back home from being on tour - and the lack of any form of rhythm to the words in the verses, because the story overrides everything. And it's a good 'un.
It certainly beats the one in those Basshunter videos...
Download: Out now
CD Released: October 6th
(Fraser McAlpine)
PS: Listen to the ChartBlog interview with Dappy, right here...
PPS: And watch all three of them pulling ChartBlog questions out of Dappy's Hat...
Comment number 1.
At 6th Oct 2008, Paul McCluskey wrote:To any of you who were listening to the Chart Show yesterday.
Wouldn't you definitely say that the voice in the N-Dubz track, Ouch, sounds just like Fearne "I'm Annika Anwar" Cotton?
She tends to deny knowledge of this and I also texted in to the show to suggest that Fearne appear on stage for 91Èȱ¬ Switch Live and when N-Dubz come on for her to do the voice bit. Everybody would love it, and she'd steal the show, but she refuses to do it. Can anyone persuade her? Reggie tried and had no luck, I tried, she just said 'no' - it's a tricky one..
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