AR Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls Feat. Nicole Scherzinger - 'Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)'
Today is a momentous day, we've managed to uncover a new working definition of the word 'redundant', and best of all, it's related to pop music. This officially makes it a cool definition, of the sort that even book-shy teens can get excited about. Someone call Russell Brand! It's a sexy lexicography revolution!
Have you noticed the banner under which this song is being released? That's right, it's by A R Rahman, the man behind the (very very good) soundtrack to Slumdog Millionaire, and the Pussycat Dolls...only stop where you are a second, here come the redundant part.
Apparently we now have to call them the Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger, as if somewhere there is a Pussycat Dolls which does NOT feature Nicole Scherzinger, and it's important not to get the two confused. It's an especially bizarre change of branding, because as far as most music-minded people are concerned, Nicole Scherzinger IS the Pussycat Dolls, being the one who does the singing. The Pussycat Dolls ALWAYS feature Nicole Scherzinger, or they are not the Pussycat Dolls.
You could mention Diana Ross and the Supremes at this point, being a good example of a band whose lead singer came to dominate the band's public image, paving the way for her solo career. And certainly this song has a lot of Nicole and not much of anyone else.
(, at the video, of the video. In Vienna.)
Luckily, this is no bad thing, because the vocals appear as just another part of an intricate arrangement which includes booming percussion, delicate whispy strums on an instrument which sounds like a mandolin and almost certainly isn't, rave synths, and sudden changes in rhythm, where the tempo seems to half and then double every eight bars or so.
As a pop song, some of it is brilliant and some of it is faintly cheesy, but in the context of the film, when you've been dragged through a long, hard, gruelling story and come out the other side, this smashing together of different ideas and rhythms and cultures is dazzling.
And I suppose if you think of the band name thing as being closer in spirit to the credits on a film, where the same person can be the star, writer, executive producer and chief tea boy, it does sort of make sense.
It can't be long before that 'feat.' gets changed to 'starring', mind...
Download: Out now
CD Released: March 30th
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 24th Mar 2009, Daniel wrote:I think it's mint. Are lads allowed to like this music? lol!
It's good to hear some Bangra music in the charts as well.
I'm a fan of AR. Rahman on facebook already....
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Comment number 2.
At 24th Mar 2009, hackerjack wrote:The obvious inference is that it is paving the way for not only her solo career but also for the PCD girls to continue on without her.
Remember that this is a group that has already gone through many forms as a dance troupe so maybe we will see an ever rotating membership over the coming years.
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Comment number 3.
At 24th Mar 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:They have to find another singer though wouldnt they?
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Mar 2009, katieloum wrote:Haha this is so blatantly bandwaggoning (is that a word? 'tis now :P) the success of Slumdog Millionaire, but its actually not half bad :o
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Comment number 5.
At 25th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:It is so nice to post a comment on this RADIO 1 CHARTBLOG FEATURING................... FRASER MCALPINE !
I love the beat and the feel of this track ...... good song ..... excellent film !
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Comment number 6.
At 25th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:Oh HACKERJACK I think your comment is spot on regarding career paths..... NICOLE is gettin ready for the next step of her journey ....
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Comment number 7.
At 25th Mar 2009, Daniel wrote:I don't think she'll do much Solo though.
Didn't she release a solo single/album a while back? I seem to remember her doing promo for it. That went no where!
She is a superb singer but it seems she'll get no where without a troupe of sexy dancers and backing singers behind her.
Please correct me if she didn't try and launch a solo career but I'm sure she did...and it didn't go anywhere.
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Comment number 8.
At 25th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:I liked the song "SCREAM " she did with TIMBALAND.... I vaguely remember a solo single but like you.... it never stuck in my conscious mind for whatever reason.
I HATE THIS PART and WHATCHA THINK ABOUT THAT are good pop singles and now she has the added sheen of the LEWIS HAMILTON factor... so we will see......
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Comment number 9.
At 25th Mar 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Shes in the process of sorting out her solo career. According to Wikipedia she's actually recorded over 100 songs for it! Some of them ended up as Pussy Cat Doll records. Its expected some time this year.
Not much of a fan myself and to say she is a superb singer is a bit of a over statement surely?
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Comment number 10.
At 26th Mar 2009, Daniel wrote:Yeah, maybe superb is an overstatement.
She is good though!
100 songs!!! That'll be some album haha
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Comment number 11.
At 26th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:I must say DANNY I would buy your single if you had a sexy troupe of dancers behind you !
When is it released and what are your dancers like ?
(blonde, redhead , petite , posh cover all the bases )
Film it in the desert or a deserted race track.
OH the joys of pop music!!!
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Comment number 12.
At 27th Mar 2009, froggy_22 wrote:nicole has already had a shot at a solo career and she floped, looks like she needs the other 4 girls just as much as they need her (although to be fair Melody can sing as well, for some reason they just dont let her sing, she was originally meant to be the lead singer)
PS. how do i know so much about pussycat dolls, i dont even like them :S
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Comment number 13.
At 27th Mar 2009, Daniel wrote:I don't even know which one Melody is! I think on some level, that makes me much cooler than you. Lol :p
spiritwarrior, I'll sing infront of 4 sexy dancers if you like...I'm not wearing a corset though!!!
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Comment number 14.
At 27th Mar 2009, mynemesis wrote:"as if somewhere there is a Pussycat Dolls which does NOT feature Nicole Scherzinger"
That somewhere is Los Angeles. They perform at the Viper Room. The recording group that we know is an offshoot of the original group which was started as a burlesque act in 1995. Nicole only joined the group in 2003.
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Comment number 15.
At 28th Mar 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:Yup. They're not another pop band though, are they? Clearly the name change is nothing to do with the burlesque iteration of Brand PCD.
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Comment number 16.
At 29th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:The more I hear this song the more I like it !!!
It had hit written all over it...... so many good ingredients !!
NOW AT NUMBER 5 !
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Comment number 17.
At 29th Mar 2009, spirit wrote:DANNY if we are gonna get you in the TOP 5...........
STOP SCREAMING AND GET YOUR CORSET ON !!!!!!
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Comment number 18.
At 5th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:HEY THE DOLLS ARE NOW NUMBER 3 !!!
JAI HO !
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