Jason Derulo - 'In My Head'
The follow-up to a smash hit debut is often tricky. Do you provide more of the same, to consolidate your fanbase and establish your sound, or stretch out a bit, to encourage people who weren't bowled over the first time? The former is less risky, but could pigeon-hole you as a certain type of artist, and the latter could do nothing but ensure you the status of a one-hit wonder.
So, it's kind of admirable that Jason has not just stuck out another slow jam, or gone in search of another astonishing a capella sample, like the Imogen Heap one in 'Whatcha Say'. He could, for example, have nabbed a slice of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana - the X Factor 'dramatic montage' music - looped it, whacked in a couple of verses about a girl he has done wrong and some handclaps and bishbashbosh, another global hit.
As it is, moving on shows a certain amount of backbone, and backbone is all that separates us from the lobster and his kin.
(. Yup, forget swanky clubs, ladies, the real place to meet that special someone is the car park outside a corner shop.)
This does not mean I was rooting for an all-new rock-ish direction. The rock is not something just anyone can do, as anyone who has seen the will attest. One thing the rock does not enjoy, for example, is being used as an exotic dressing on a pumped up pop jam. Especially if the elements which have been designated as the rock are clearly taken from a toy guitar with badly-spelled buttons which trigger such noises as 'widly-widly-jam', 'rock gitar cords' and 'backbaet'.
He does, however, get credit for writing a song which basically admits the thing we've all been secretly thinking about those RnB songs about approaching a girl in a club and talking her into bed - it's all a fantasy. Jason is basically a one-man Lynx advert, where the version of reality he would most like to see happen is straight out of a 14-year-old boy's ideal of what girls are really like.
The difference is, as a grown man, he can admit that it's all just made up. He's not really a teacher in the art of love, he's a singer. And if he was, would he REALLY suggest that skipping foreplay was a good idea? He would not. What he's done here is capture a young man's internal monologue, and put it into a song, so that actual real young men in a club can sidle up to girls they fancy and mouth the words. And the girls can slap them in the face, OR wait until Ke$ha comes on and get them back.
Who says music can't bring people together?
Download: Out now
CD Released: February 22nd
´óÏó´«Ã½ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 20th Feb 2010, Russell wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 20th Feb 2010, OddOne wrote:I really didn't like 'Watcha Say', really, really didn't like it, so when I first heard this song I was pleasantly surprised at how much better it is. Not only because it's faster, catchier and all-together more listenable, but also because it's instrumentation is far suuperior than that heard on 'Watcha Say'.
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Comment number 3.
At 20th Feb 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:I think enjoyment of this song depends on whether you liked 'Watcha Say' or not, I didn't like it and therefore enjoy this song a lot more. Personally I believe that pop stars should always try to do catchy, upbeat songs if they don't have the ability to write a good slow song.
P.S: On the video there's a tag saying 'Get In My Head On Itunes Now!' which to me just sounds a bit wierd.
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Comment number 4.
At 20th Feb 2010, thranjax wrote:Actually Russell it is probably easier due to the exposure. Try three coats of extra durable. It isn't that expensive!
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Comment number 5.
At 20th Feb 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:Oh yeah I forgot, it's technically a rip off of Just Dance, but at least it's a good rip off.
P.S: Also the video is a rip off of Justin Timberlake's Like I Love You video but who cares, it's pop music!
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Comment number 6.
At 21st Feb 2010, jonesybcfc wrote:On a positive note, its better than What Do You Say, to give it its real grammatical title.
I'm not sure about the lyrics though- In my head/I see you all over me...
Excuse me?
And i feel kinda sorry for the black guy with the mini afro at the start of the video, he's just trying to get his end away and then suddenly a popular singer walks out of his local convinience store and steals his bird without a single apology or recognition.
And WHY OH WHY does he, and a few other singers as well, insist on singing they're name at the start of every song? Who do you think you are?! My iPod speech recognition thingy works perfectly well thank you, if i didnt have eyes to see what song i was listening to my bloody self...
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Comment number 7.
At 21st Feb 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Haha, Jonesy I have just written up my thoughts on singles being released tomorrow and agree completely with you on the Jason Derulo screeching his name at the start.
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Comment number 8.
At 21st Feb 2010, spirit wrote:Clever use of a plug there Randy !
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Comment number 9.
At 26th Feb 2010, spirit wrote:This song oozes commercial appeal , and I can see it challenging the peak position of Whatcha Say, which climbed as high as number 3 .
Expect a high new entry , and a possible challenge to Dizzee and Florence for number 1 .
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Comment number 10.
At 27th Feb 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:If the Irish chart is any indicator of what's to happen on Sunday evening then this song will be Number 3!
Crazy, I know.
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Comment number 11.
At 27th Feb 2010, OddOne wrote:I'll be honest, I'd expect this song to do even better than 'Watcha Say': 'In My Head' is already on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1 A-List, so it's getting more airplay, ('Watcha Say' only made the B-List) and also it's just a better song. It's nice to see him do an uptempo song, that isn't soley R&B.
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Comment number 12.
At 28th Feb 2010, spirit wrote:At 9 !
Woah ! Jason Derulo is Number 1 !!!!!
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Comment number 13.
At 28th Feb 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Wow, really! I'm shocked. Didn't think its good enough of commercial enough for Number 1 or Top 3 even. Woah indeed!
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Comment number 14.
At 28th Feb 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:*sigh* and to think that I thought I'd like this weeks no.1 (obviously I'm referring to You Got The Dirtee Love not Rude Boy)
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Comment number 15.
At 28th Feb 2010, jonesybcfc wrote:Ellie Goulding number 4 and this number 1??????????????
explain, Britain.
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Comment number 16.
At 28th Feb 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:When I saw claims this was even going to go top 5 I was going to poo poo them. Number one!?!??! You're having a laugh!!
Im also surprised Florence/Dizzee's track kept enough momentum up to stay in the top 5. Thought it was just for the Brit's week people would download it.
Im ALSO surprised Rhianna made the top 5. I mean really people?? Its shocking.
Im ALSO ALSO surprised that, despite being REALLY GOOD, Alicia Keys is top 5. I'm pretty bored of that track and all it's many versions.. obviously Britain isnt.
I thought Timberland might have stayed higher this week.
Guess I'm losing my touch .. not that I ever had it.
Yay for Ellie Goulding. Clearly the best track in the top 5, if not top 10 (competition from Fireflies in my book for that title).
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Comment number 17.
At 3rd Mar 2010, mangsy wrote:I just have to get this one up there again. Jason Derulo... aaargh!
WHAT´S WRONG WITH PEOPLE???
The worst kind of dross that anyone could make up in their sleep. And then in the morning understand that it just ain´t good enough to actually record. If you have any scruples, that is.
I know that it´s Number One. The British public have lost their world famous knack for recognizing good pop music. Sob.
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Comment number 18.
At 19th Apr 2010, Andrew Smiths wrote:what's up with all this crap!
want to see a real genious video?
here we are!
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Comment number 19.
At 19th Apr 2010, MartinG wrote:To Andrew Smiths, thanks for suggesting this video, it's absolutely brilliant!
Never heard of them but will definetely search for more and go to see them live in London as soon as I can!
good stuff!
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Comment number 20.
At 19th Apr 2010, Andrew Smiths wrote:so you like it?Found out about the cellophane flowers through a friend of mine who is obsessed and I have to say...I am getting there toO!A
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Comment number 21.
At 8th Jun 2010, babes wrote:he is the best singer in the world
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Comment number 22.
At 8th Jun 2010, babes wrote:he is really fit and a good singer
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Comment number 23.
At 12th Jun 2010, thranjax wrote:Oh, he's really fit? It must be good then.
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