Dear Jason Derulo:
Let’s get the awkward bit out of the way first. I really didn’t like your first single, “Whatcha Say.” Really. Did. Not. Like. It. But kudos to you, kid, for having a #1 hit on your first time out.
Clearly a lot of other folks dug the song, and don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Imogen Heap. So it was cool to hear those super-sized chunks of “Hide And Seek,” but I didn’t much care for your bits in between. Every time I heard “Whatcha Say,” I would tell myself there was a silver lining, hoping that discerning listeners would seek out Heap’s music in response to the generous sampling (a la Eminem/Dido). I assume the Grammy winner‘s pockets were lined with a fair share of the riches that came from having a heavy hand in your #1 tune, right?
That Heap’s appearance on “Whatcha Say” didn’t merit a “featuring” credit is a travesty (Dido got one), but for someone whose name was under the title, you didn’t bring a lot to that particular party. The star of “Whatcha Say” was the hook that was the sample, and you were basically a supporting player. Or “playa,” since the song’s apologetic-cheater theme was another reason I was less than enthusiastic about hearing whatcha had to say.
Now don’t worry, I’m moving on to the positive part. First, an apology. Because of “Whatcha Say,” I initially overlooked your second single, “In My Head.” Then I heard it. And then I read that you said it was chosen as the follow-up to show another side of you as an artist. Well, smartly played, because I find the dancier side of Derulo miles more appealing.
Don’t get me wrong. “In My Head” is still ridiculously derivative, even if there’s no sample this time. No, it’s not that the intro sounds like the start to King Missile’s “Detachable Penis,” though it totally does. Rather, I think I’m speaking for most of America when I say I enjoyed “In My Head” the first time around. You know, when it was called “Just Dance.”
But you say Lady Gaga is a fan of yours, and if she’s too busy making lady sandwiches with Beyoncé to complain, why should I? After all, way back when, The Four Tops issued “It’s The Same Old Song,” boldly featuring a similar melody and chord progression as their previous #1 hit, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).” Though it was literally the same old song, The Four Tops still took it to #5. (And lest we forget, Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” grabbed the same bassline two decades later.)
So if “In My Head” is a close cousin to “Just Dance,” good for you for borrowing from the recent best. It’s working. “In My Head” is back up at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is now officially your second platinum-selling single. I can’t help myself, I like it. Hear here:
And Jason, might I suggest continuing your chart success by selecting “Fallen” and “Love Hangover” as your third and fourth singles? Winners, both.
Best of luck in your future endeavors in modern pop.
Purchase Jason Derulo – “In My Head” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.
