Here are my thoughts on some recently-released pop songs. Feel free to comment on whether you agree or disagree with my views, or if you have anything else to add!
1. “Safe and Sound” by Taylor Swift: I described this song in an earlier post about Taylor Swift as “emotional, haunting, and memorable.” The video validates this critique of the song, as it adds another layer of complexity to what is a pretty clear song. There’s an air of eeriness and uncertainty as Swift progresses through the video – the setting evokes a chilly and uncomfortable (in a good way) feel, and it’s powerful in its simplicity. Swift appears striking despite not wearing any makeup and plays the part of a ghostly, pure young adult well.
In an interview Swift stated that they shot the video in a cemetery, the grave site of a couple who died in the nineteenth century. And here she is, sitting on a gravestone...
2. “Give Me All Your Luvin’” by Madonna (feat. Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.): I’m not sure what I expected before listening to this song, especially since I had never been a big Madonna fan in the past. Nevertheless, this song is bad. And by bad, I mean dreadfully dull, painful to listen to, and almost anachronistic in a way. It’s pure bubblegum pop without any substance – entirely auto-tuned, lacking a hook (I refuse to count that cheerleading nonsense as a hook), missing a catchy chorus, and overall something even I would be embarrassed to be caught listening to. There is something wrong when Nicki Minaj’s verse is the best part of a non-club song… something very, very wrong. At least her Half Time show performance went well.
She definitely doesn't look her age (53!) in the video, I'll give her that.
3. “Glad You Came” by The Wanted: Go British boy bands! I should’ve included One Direction in this post, ha. Maybe in the future. Anyway, “Glad You Came” is a pretty standard club song, with lots of auto-tune as well as references to drinking and partying and sex. It’s one of those songs you listen to on the radio, maybe download it off of your computer, and forget about it a few days later. At least there is eye-candy available… (check out the video if interested, I didn’t obtain the most appealing screenshot)
They look rugged.
Thoughts? Perhaps I’ll do more of these mini-song reviews, they’re quite convenient.
the quiet voice 
Whoaaa, I did not know Taylor Swift came out with “Safe and Sound” and .that it’s going to be in the soundtrack for The Hunger Games. This makes me more excited to see it! I agree with you that the song is emotional and haunting, and I honestly had not expected something like this from her. The song and the music video definitely create this eerie feeling that matches the mood in The Hunger Games.
That Madonna song was just boring….so boring and generic sounding. I can’t believe she’s 53. And that music video was wow. Fake breastfeeding? and Nicki Minaj just scares me so I didn’t even like that part. It made the song less boring, but still. As a person who likes bad things, I didn’t even like this.
“Glad You Came” is a nice, catchy song that I wouldn’t mind listening to, but it’s not something I would put on my favorites list. The music video was entertaining. I think I like debauchery being portrayed on screen, but not in real life. Also, it’s a nice change to see a boy band where none of the members could cross-dress and look prettier than 95% of the female population.
Please do more song reviews! I wouldn’t mind reviews of older songs especially if they came with music videos. Watching crazy stuff happen in music videos is always fun.
Yep, it does match the mood of the Hunger Games! Which comes out in less than a month… woo!
I know, the Madonna video didn’t really entertain me either. The inclusion of Minaj and M.I.A. felt a little forced – like trying to make Madonna seem more “bad” and “young” than she actually is. Eh.
Also, that’s an interesting comment that I didn’t think of myself – that the members of The Wanted are pretty not pretty compared to many members of other boy bands. Especially K-Pop boy groups. Good point.
I will try to do more in the future! There are so many pop songs to cover, I will do my best. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hey Thomas …Thanks to you again…I never heard the Safe And Sound…This song has got a different voice of TS…Its sweeter…And the lyrics …marvelous…Just loved it…
Isn’t it wonderful? Thanks for stopping by!