B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars - 'Nothin' On You'
Interesting fact: This wasn't originally suppose to be a B.o.B song: it was written with Lupe Fiasco in mind. The idea was that Lupe would provide a cerebral spin on Bruno Mars's sighing claims of eternal devotion, some kind of crossword-puzzler's version of romance, possibly including anagrams, palindromes and other dazzling forms of wordplay.
It took an intervention from the-man-we-should-all-just-go-back-to-calling-Bobby-Ray's producer to change the direction of the tune. So now it's Bruno that takes the high ground - emotionally and musically, while Bob provides the physical heat and grit. He's all accent and silliness, half-shouting his lines about Wonder Woman, paying taxes, and having a bit of a coy joke about Mr Fantastic's stretchy body-parts.
It might not be educational, but it's a hell of a lot of fun.
(. It's a ripping yarn.)
Now, it would be a dereliction of duty if I didn't helpfully point out that the song you are currently hammering your own forehead in order to place, the song which shares the same melodic launchpad as the start of this song, is 'The Scientist' by Coldplay. When Bruno sings "beautiful girls, all over the world", the voice in the back of your mind belongs to Chris Martin, and he's singing (in a slightly lower voice) "come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry".
Luckily, at this point the two tunes take different paths, and they're BOTH good. Where Chris's rises and falls gently, like the ribs of a dog that is dreaming about running on a beach, Bruno's tune monkey-swings up to the rafters, blowing cobwebs out of the way and re-arranging the chandeliers.
Put these things together - or rather, allow them to STAY together, you didn't make this thing any more than I did - and you've got a ridiculously charming and goofy sort of a song. I'm not saying it wouldn't have been as good with Lupe spinning a verbal web over the top, but it's hard to see how it could've been better.
Download: Out now
CD Released: May 17th
(Fraser McAlpine)
"Musically, this song is a true delight."
"He even manages to make a Nintendo 64 reference sound romantic, which, if you'd asked me yesterday, I would have told you was impossible."
"I got a feeling this is guna be my summer track!"
Comment number 1.
At 11th May 2010, U14429597 wrote:5 stars says it all really. It WILL be number one, his album 'The adventures of Bobby Ray' will be one of the biggest of the year and I''m 100% sure the next single 'Airplanes' with the gorgeous Hayley Williams will be even bigger than this song!
But thats just me...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 11th May 2010, Stokey Sue wrote:Topic tracker on the home page linked me to this as an article on Medicine
Hmmm
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 11th May 2010, Haducon2 wrote:This was number one in the US a few weeks ago, and will probably mirror that success here.
Plus, B.O.B can actually rap, unlike many new hip-hop artists breaking through.
My favourite bit in this song has to be the chorus, as I'm a big Bruno Mars fan.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 11th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Yes. I downloaded B.o.B.'s album and it really is a fantastic hip-hop album that really has major crossover appeal into other markets. Nothin' On You is a lovely mid-tempo Summer tune thanks to Bruno Mars soft, romantic chorus. A good choice of lead single. Seeing as Airplanes has cracked the US Top 10 without a music video is quite an achievement. I think the song is an epic future classic - can't wait 'til it's released over here.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 11th May 2010, Haducon2 wrote:Airplanes is a cracking song, and so is the second part which also features eminem.
Is his album released here yet? If not, when's it scheduled? I'd quite like to get it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 11th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Okay, so I'll admit it, I downloaded the album for free but I do intend to buy it when it's released here on 31 May.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 12th May 2010, spirit wrote:Fantastic song .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 12th May 2010, kingshleppy wrote:Airplanes is AMAZING!!! Hayley Williams, can you do no wrong?? Plus, B.o.B does a great job as usual, one to watch methinks...Beautiful Girls hasn't grabbed me yet, but give it time and I'll be on here raving about it like a loony.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 13th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:She really can't Kingshleppy. I love that Hayley Williams, gorgeous woman and super talented. If Paramore go on hiatus or split up (hopefully not!), she would have no trouble forging a solo career. I see her as a much more warmer and likeable Gwen Stefani.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 14th May 2010, Knoxx wrote:I love Paramore, I only really started listening to them when I heard their ballad "The only exception" but they are so good.
Gwen is great though, the alice in wonderland style video is great too! She should have stayed solo.
This song is really likable, a song to hum to! :D
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 14th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:*faints with shock and outrage at Knoxx's statement that Gwen should have stayed solo* Oh no you didn't! :D I really enjoyed Gwen's solo career also but I'm glad she's back with No Doubt though because they are AMAZING! Liam will back me up on that.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 16th May 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:I'm bored to tears of this song already. It's not going away for a long time is it?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 16th May 2010, spirit wrote:Certainly not .
It's a song that will captivate hundreds of thousands of people , and will be a cert for the top 5 .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 16th May 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:bit of an understatement this will be going straight to no.1
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 16th May 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:Yeah come on Spirit, safe bets are last year. Number 1 for sure.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 16th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 16th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Ummm why is my comment moderated Chart Blog. All I said was that this song is very radio friendly and I can see why Liam is bored of it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 17th May 2010, jonesybcfc wrote:Because it had the word 'Liam' in it, they don't like him at all. Or me. In fact this will probably be removed as well.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 17th May 2010, RandomEnigma wrote:Discrimination against Liams or what?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 1st Jun 2010, spirit wrote:Because , Dizzee has just released the deluxe version of Tongue n Cheek , which contains Dirtee Disco , and a lot of people will buy that , I can certainly see B.O.B returning to the number 1 spot , as there is still a lot of love out there for the track.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 1st Jun 2010, OddOne wrote:'Nothin' On You' is still atop the digital downloads chart; has been since last Thursday, even though 'Dirtee Disco' sold more physcial copies.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 1st Jun 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:Dizzee splashing the cash in again there. Boo.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 4th Jun 2010, spirit wrote:B.O.B and David Guetta fighting for the number 1 single . . . .
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 4th Jun 2010, OddOne wrote:Guetta still holds the top spot for downloads, but will B.o.B. sell more physical copies? I hope not.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)