“Tonight”: Enrique Iglesias Transformed

He's hot, I'm aware.

Enrique Iglesias epitomizes today’s pop music trend: Sex Sells.

Ten years ago, “Hero” was one of the hugest hits in the country. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Its soulful lyrics and beautiful melody are still remembered today – heck, my uncle has it as his ring tone, and many other men who want to be ‘heroes’ probably do too. Same idea with the women who wish to be whisked away by the ‘hero’ type. This song isn’t about sex, or clubbing, or going wild at strip clubs: it’s a love song. If you don’t believe me, here’s part of the chorus:

“I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away”

Isn’t that something you want your boyfriend to say to you?

Now, ten years later, he’s utilizing heavily synthesized beats and electronically modified vocals to escalate the popularity of his songs. I’m going to focus on “Tonight”, his latest single.

“Tonight (I’m Fu***** You)”, better known as “Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)”, has achieved notable status within the United States – on Billboard, its reached number three on the Hot 100 chart, and number one on the Hot Club Dance, Pop, and Radio song charts. The good thing about the song is that it’s catchy. Plain and simple. Pop-lovers, party-goers, and club-frequenters probably love this song, or at least its beat.

Then you get into the nitty gritty. The lyrics. You can infer by reading the title that this song isn’t about holding hands or counting flower petals. No, it’s about – well, you know what it’s about. I’ve already mentioned what it’s about in this post one time too many, and if you still can’t figure it out, it’s essentially everything “Hero” is not.

Here are the lyrics of the chorus to further my point:

“But tonight I’m loving you
Ohh you know
That tonight I’m loving you
Ohh you know
That tonight I’m loving you
Ohh you know
That tonight I’m loving you “

I’m aware of the lack of variation within those lines. And yet this song is still being played on the radio ten times a day. Don’t get me started on the music video – that thing should be blocked from teens and children under the age of 16 (or banned in general).

No, I don’t hate Enrique Iglesias. I’m actually a fan of him and his music. I just cannot stand “Tonight”: it’s completely processed, ostentatiously sexual… does he even sing?

Image via mp3lyricsmania.com

Image via sheetmusicplus.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He doesn’t look like he’s aged – it almost seems as if he’s gotten younger. As they say, some men become more attractive with time… the funny thing is that he’s old enough to be the father of some of his teenage fans (he’s 31!).

What are your thoughts on Enrique Iglesias or “Tonight”?

A Fanboy’s Perspective of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”

“No matter gay, straight or bi
lesbian, transgendered life
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white or beige
chola or orient made
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born to be brave”

- Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”.

 

 

 

 

 

Those are my favorite lyrics from Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” – now at six weeks as number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This is Gaga’s longest-lasting single to this date, with over 24.4 million views on Youtube. I have to say that while I absolutely LOVE the message and how people are accepting the song as a whole, I feel that musically “Born This Way” is lacking compared to her previous singles.

I’m a huge Gaga fan, and I have evidence to substantiate it:
1) I sing “Just Dance” and “Poker Face” randomly and without warning.
2) I cannot discuss relationships without bringing in “Bad Romance”.
3) When someone mentions board games, card games, mind games, etc., it automatically calls for “LoveGame”.
4) I cited Gaga’s full name (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) in an article I wrote for my school newspaper.
5) I write Gaga related things everywhere: on school supplies, homework, my friends’ belongings, etc.
6) Here are where Lady Gaga’s songs stand on my IPod’s 25 Most Played List:
- “Poker Face” at #2
- “Just Dance” at #3
- “Paparazzi” at #7
- “Bad Romance” at #10
- “LoveGame” at #15
- “Telephone” at #16
- “Monster” at #25

So I can say without hesitation that I adore Gaga – if it wasn’t for those catchy K-Pop songs, “Poker Face” and “Just Dance” would be #1 and #2.

Yet, “Born This Way” doesn’t have the same addictive quality as her other songs. The song is fun to listen to, but it doesn’t make you listen to it, and by that I mean I could turn off the radio while the song is halfway through without bothering to stop for the other half. Don’t get me wrong, I REALLY LIKE the song, just not with the same intensity her past releases.

The video is also really really really really really a bit odd:

I think I get the concept, with the born this way and rebirth theme, but to me it’s truly impossible to understand the music video completely. I’ve at least liked her other music videos, but with this one, it’s more like a “I’ll just say that I like it and stick to the song itself” type of thing.

Final verdict: Love the message, like the song, accept the video. Hoping for several more hits once her album is released on May 23 (two days before my birthday!)

What do you guys think of “Born This Way”? I know a myriad of people who love everything about it, but others who abhor it.