To say I'm not a fan of charity songs is putting it lightly. It's not just that the songs are bland, but they often seem more like promotion for the acts involved rather than promotion for the causes they are supposed to support. The biggest example is 1985's "We Are The World," which, to many, is one of the worst records ever recorded. Having this song chart with other records was a major mistake since people bought other records for the actual quality.
Still, USA for Africa organizers were so happy to announce that it was one of the biggest selling singles ever. Since "We Are The World," we've had more charity disasters such as "Hands Across America," "Voices That Care," and music's most disastrous single ever, Elton John's "England's Rose." Elton John's record, released immediately after the death of Princess Diana, came across as an exploitation of Princess Diana's death rather than a charity single. After all, calling the song a charity record, having people buy it for that purpose, and then using those sales to promote it as a "number one hit" not only left a bad taste, but it was the only way Elton could ever score a hit at the time.
Now, Madonna enters the Charity Hall of Fame (or Shame) with "Hey You" and when this record arrived in my email box, I really didn't want to listen to it. Madonna's last album, Confessions on a Dancefloor, sold over ten million copies worldwide. Her tour in support of the album was the most successful tour ever by a female artist. Her recent clothing line for H&M has been a major success, despite mixed reviews. So why does she have to do the charity gig now?
I was even more disappointed when I read that the song was produced with Pharrell Williams. He's a good producer, but Madonna has always been ahead of the game rather than jumping on the hit bandwagon. What's next, Madonna and Justin Timberlake? Oops! It looks like that's already happening. Anyhow, I hesitantly gave the song a spin and was surprisingly hooked the first time.
"Hey You" is about helping make the world a better place. She sings, "Hey you, don't you give up/It's not so bad, there's still a chance for us," at the opening and towards the end, sings the clichéd "First love yourself then you can love someone else" repeatedly. But even if the lyrics are slightly clichéd, Madonna gives her best vocal performance since the Evita years and adds feeling when the lyrics falter.
The production on this record is outstanding. It also proves that Madonna brings more to the table on her own records than her critics give her credit for because this sounds absolutely nothing like a song Pharrell Williams would produce. The acoustic guitars at the beginning lead to an instrumental chorus that is simple and touching. The production seems inspired by some of John Lennon's later records, especially "Imagine."
One can only hope that this is the sound Madonna will opt for on her next album rather than the rumored (gag) hip hop sound. "Hey You" is not scheduled to be released as a radio single as of yet, and that's a good choice. "Hey You" is far different than most of the songs played on radio stations today because it is actually a decent song. If Madonna is looking for any type of airplay, she needs to hire Rent-a-Rapper. For now, Madonna's fans can be happy that unlike many of her peers from the eighties, she is still a creative force to be reckoned with.
Written by Daryl D
source : blogcritics.org
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20 Comments
the song hey you it's beautiful!!!!
May 18, 2007 2:29 PMMadonna rocks....'Hey You' great song...great vocals...I love Madonna.
May 18, 2007 4:05 PM... well it didn't work for me AT ALL and I am sure this applies to many of us; it feels like one of the first Madonna’s songs she used to make as album ‘filler’.
I very much disagree with your conclusion in the blog, there is no genius involved in this track, no sound and no poetry... it's a poor attempt from an Artist that has given us so much in the past 25 years and that has constantly raised the bar of the international music scene.
I did not expect her to come with an outstanding single, as this being done for charity and also released so soon after ‘Confessions’ but I also didn't expect to be such a disaster, something that none of us would listen in a million years.
If it was not Madonna’s, probably we wouldn't be discussing or listening to this song but just bin it straight away!
I am convinced that as Madonna’s fun we should be honest and say when she does a poor job (something that doesn’t happen too often anyway!)
‘We are the world’ is a much much, much, much.. better track than this, especially if we consider it was released in the mid 80's, a completely different period from the one we are leaving now, when ‘trashy’ and ‘kitsch’ was fashionable...and would sell.
Nowadays we have new rhythms and ‘kitsch and cliché’ is outdated.
Also I struggle to believe that this track is coming from the same Artist that has recently released a masterpiece, a wonderful and unique album that is ‘Confessions’.
I am sure Madonna knows this is a bad track and for some reason we don't know, she wanted to release such a junk, hopefully to lower our expectations and deliver great stuff in her new cd.
I am looking forward to that
May 18, 2007 7:26 PMCheers,
Claudio
You can´t be serious with your last sentence, Claudio...?
May 18, 2007 8:36 PMClaudio, YES!!
May 18, 2007 9:54 PMI have to admit that the first time I heard the song I hated it. yeah, it was the first time that I listened and didn't like a Madonna song. I felt disapointed, but I listened the song once again, and again, and again...and I'm learning to like it.
May 18, 2007 11:16 PMI make mine the words from an amizing portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa: "primeiro estranha-se, depois entranha-se"
I can't really translate it, but is something like: first it is strange, then it is deep. something like that, but it does not make sense in english. =)
Hey You is a good song, but i dnt think its one of her best. But its still way better than most songs being produced now. Madonna is awesome!
May 18, 2007 11:30 PMHi Kristin,
well I am just a bit serious... I struggle to understand why she has done it, it is clear to everybody (in and out of the music business) that this is a bad track also, people must have adviced her on that... hence I am looking for a justification as she must have known...
May 19, 2007 12:25 PMClaudio, I understand and respect your decission of not liking the track of course .. but I felt bit confused of how you talk for Madonna "I am sure Madonna knows this is a bad track " ... would be interested in Madnna´s answer if you tell her this into her eyes :o)
Question: Would u dare ? :o)
May 19, 2007 3:29 PMDear Claudio
Don't forgat Madonna is the QUEEN and every song she makes is great and it goes to your heart.
May 19, 2007 5:04 PMAnd if you don't like this song it don't means that it's a bad song.
Kristin,
Everything has a reason in Madonna's word and there must be one behind this disaster, she is a maniac when it comes to planning, she knows exactly what she wants, how she wants it and how to make it right; the fact she has not done it in this occasion must have a ‘hidden’ reason... I wish I knew such reason and definitely I wish I had the opportunity to ask her this question…
Also, I was very specific in my comment saying it is not my personal view but something that most people would think of this track, having an objective view on the matter…
May 19, 2007 5:48 PMthis is the worst Madonna song, EVER! i almost vomited... and yes, i love Madonna, have since i was a wee lad, but that does not make her superhuman. she can write a bad song or two. and this one just happens to be the worst of them all... sorry. i was over the singer/songwriter thing years ago and it's old. move on Madonna, you do that best.
May 19, 2007 6:45 PMit´s not a really good song but some friends of mine who are not madonna´s friend told me that this was was actually a good track!
May 19, 2007 7:05 PMso...anyway now I ve been listening the song and there´s part very prince that is kind of cool.
I understand ... but there are also many people that like that song :o) It is so different of what Madonna has done so far, and in her case I really like changes, and this one was a very nice one. I truly like that song. TRULY !!!! And I truly missed something like that on THe Dancfloor album, cause for me there are few songs I would replace withis one :o)
May 20, 2007 8:47 AMAnd u know, actually, there is no song in this world, sang by Madonna or not, that all the people would like. There is always someone who like and who doesn´t like that specific song... E.G. you consider We Are The World as a good song ... hmmm, me really not. :o) For me it is very boring, but I am sure even then people were thinking that this song would change the world, the behaviour of people, I think there is no song healing the world, and open eyes of people . Sadly, even not the Madonna´s Hey You... though I love it :o) And though I would love to help to change,.... well, I guess you understood what I was trying to say with my poor English :o)
Cool Kristin,
to further clarify my point I think that in many cases we can talk about personal preferences and, where there are people that like something there are as many that don't... this is part of our human nature..
Though, while I agree this is often the case, unfortunately I don't think we can use this excuse here; the fact that so many people in this forum (clearly big Madonna's fun and only ready to triumph to a new song) don't like the song should give us an idea on what the general public will say...
I personally don't like 'we are the world' I just think it is a much better song then this... and my point was 'we are the world' was released in the mid 80's when such type of trashy music would sell...
Also Madonna, during that time, had a few 'Trashy' tracks but we all liked them (including me) and I am sure it would not be the same nowadays.
Anyway nice talk, I am glad at least somebody had some vibes from this track
May 20, 2007 12:06 PMTake Care and Best of Luck to you
Thx Claudio :o) Take care as well :)
May 20, 2007 2:40 PMIt is obvious you really do not like that song... :) but for me it is really NOT her worst song ever :) there are still people out there who like it :) Of course it is not Hung Up, Jump, Vogue, Like A Prayer, etc. but it is not her worst song... it is a different side of Madonna and I am happy she decided to do something else and trying something else. If you decide to vomit next time, I advice to take a pill next time :D
May 20, 2007 2:46 PMI was madly awaiting for "Her Madgesty's" very next move after the bouncy COAD & unfortunatelly I had to face this almost awfull song. I agree that SHE knows, this is not one of her great moments, but only a creative intermission before the big surprise with (Oh!) Timbaland & (Golden Touch) Justin.
September is not far away for the new "M" !!!
But I cannot stand her in other political songs ...
PS: "M" I-LOVE-YOU.-
May 20, 2007 11:31 PMI think most people don't like Madonna to sing ballad. This kind of song is similar to the ones in American Life album. No wonder that album sales was not so great.
Having said that, this song works for me and it actually moves me. Something about her voice and the melody that is just very typical Madonna. It works everytime, for me at least.
Some people are more into her upbeat material. For me, track like I Love New York is simply very bad. However, it still rocks to see her singing it in the concert. She may not always satisfy her fans everytime and all the time. But she will still be our Madonna that can surprise us with cool and catchy song sooner or later. That is why we all love Madonna :)
May 23, 2007 5:10 AMthis just aint madonna, no wonder it's free!! no more political songs.
May 23, 2007 5:35 AMLeave a comment