Tinchy Stryder - 'You're Not Alone'
Tinchy, can we have a word? We just wanted to check that everything's okay, that you're not struggling to adjust to life as a pop star. The other kids aren't picking on you or anything, are they? We wouldn't normally ask, but it just seems that you seem a bit reluctant to strike out on your own, and usually prefer to have someone to hold your hand. We mean, you had Taio Cruz for 'Take Me Back', then you had all of N-Dubz for 'Take Me Back', and you had that nice Amelle Berrabah from the Sugababes helping out on 'Never Leave You'.
Fair enough, you haven't really got a big name guesting on this single, which is definitely a positive step forwards in terms of self-sufficience, but...well, you are seeking cover underneath a top dance hit from the 1990s, aren't you? And okay, so you've got someone else doing the vocals on it rather than directly sampling the ones on the original, but - well, that refrain is rather unmistakeable, isn't it?
(. A scarf and no coat? His mum must be FUMING.)
It's not that we mind, really, because the work you're doing is great, and it's not like you're not putting the effort in for your own parts, but it's just that we can't help wondering what it means that you always need a bit of help from somebody else to get those singles out there. Is it that you don't have the confidence in your own abilities? Because the pop counsellor's door is always open if you ever need a pep talk.
Like we said: we're not angry, we're just concerned. You've done some fine work on the verses here, but we think you could've come up with a chorus by yourself if you really put your mind to it. Still, at least you're showing a healthy awareness of the classics of yesteryear, and you're producing good work with them, so we know you're paying attention in class.
Well, if you're sure you're okay, then that's fine. Chin up, believe in yourself, and remember: you know where we are if you need us.
Download: Out now
CD Released:October 26th
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Steve Perkins)
Comment number 1.
At 25th Oct 2009, Bilaal wrote:1st person to comment ;)
1st comment for my profile! :)
That's a little harsh on Tinchy, right?
It's the blantant truth though :P
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Oct 2009, flatknees wrote:yea it is true.. and with 1st comment i am suprised u didn't pick up on tinchy and n-dubz doing 'take me back'...
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Oct 2009, kutox wrote:i have to agree. it's been a great year for Tinchy, and he's had some great songs, but to be honest they are enjoyable as much for the production and the singers who sing the choruses than Tinchy himself.
and didn't you mean N-Dubz for Number 1, not Take Me Back?
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:Love your humour Flatknees ! :)
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Comment number 5.
At 25th Oct 2009, spirit wrote:Well let's look at Tinchey's positions ...
Take me back - TOP 3
Number 1 - NUMBER 1
Never leave you - NUMBER 1
Catch 22 ( The album ) - NUMBER 3
One of the best breakthroughs of 2009 , with some really catchy , memorable ,well produced pop singles , complimented by a sell out tour.
The use of OLIVE'S number 1 , You're not alone , is a shrewd masterstroke , that will yield another hit , and increase interest in it's parent album.
Tinchy , congratulations for an excellent 2009 , all your hard work paid off !
Bravo sir !
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Comment number 6.
At 25th Oct 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:Yeah, what is it with rappers having to rely so much on singers for their choruses and hiding behind samples?
I still love this song though!
To me it sounds that bit more ominous than his previous 3 singles. Probably cos the video displays Tinchy hanging around a cold dark empty city!
Anyway, well done Tinchy! You're best single from CATCH 22 so far! I love it! 4/5!
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Comment number 7.
At 28th Oct 2009, Bilaal wrote:tinchy and n-dubz didn't do take me back. tinchy featured with taio cruz in take me back
the only rappers which come to mind at the time of typing is probably Jay-Z. He can produce music which only him in it and rap hardcore and it'll chart!
rappers depending on singers with the chorus isn't their fault. it's just how it is now a days. they wanna get paid and the public don't mind!
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Comment number 8.
At 29th Oct 2009, CurtainJerker wrote:Four stars? For this pap?
The ONLY good parts about this are the parts copied from the original, and even those are totally diluted and done much less well. And then he's basically tacked it on to that same beat that he used for Take Me Back and Number 1.
I'm all for the original song getting some attention, and I hope that this does well so that Olive get some extra money for it, because I think it was an amazing song. But honestly, this is one of those cases you mentioned in that Mpho review ages ago, where you hear a new song borrowing elements from an old song, and all it makes you want to do is go back and listen to the old song.
Thumbs down.
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Comment number 9.
At 11th Nov 2009, Anthony wrote:this verson has killed the orginal what do record company's think they are playing at turning classic dance tunes into rubbish!!!
Bring on the classic dance tunes any day!
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