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Enrique Iglesias ft. Ciara - 'Taking Back My Love'

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Fraser McAlpine | 14:10 UK time, Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Enrique IglesiasIf you remember yesterday, we were thinking about how important it is for a singer to put some personality into their voice, and to sing as if they mean the things they are singing about. Gaslight Anthem are one extreme, straining and huffing away about real things just like real folks do. And at the other end of the spectrum is Enrique, a man who, despite sobbing every single line in every single song he ever does, never, ever, ever, ever, sounds like there is any relation between the words he is singing and how he really feels.

(. You'd think rich pop star types would be able to afford to have the lights on when it gets dark, wouldn't you?)

Vocally, Enrique has one emotional pitch. He could be singing about waking up in a randy mood, he could be singing about the eternal bliss of meeting his forever soul-mate, he could be singing about the wheels on a bus, and how they basically go round, and also round, and he will always sound as if he is about to burst into tears.

This is not necessarily a problem. Plenty of singers sound deliberately hysterical, or indeed mono-emotional - it's not like Corey Taylor from Slipknot ever breaks into a sexy croon like Barry White, is it? And if you give Enrique a decent ballad like 'Hero', it's entirely appropriate for him to furrow his brow and look longingly into a camera, lower lip a-quiver.

This, however, isn't that kind of song. It's a bit frosty and cold, putting a sheet of glass between the listener and the song, but it's also a howl of outrage against a dying relationship. Actually, it's TWO howls of outrage, as Ciara's got some things she wants to say too (although she's a lot calmer. Almost too calm, really). And the both of them have a lot of howling to get through, as they repeat the title over and over again, under their pane of glass, like some kind of musical zoo exhibit.

It's hard to get involved with what's going on, because he's still sobbing and she's all frosty and they do hammer that one chorus line into the ground. But because he's very very hot, and they rub up against each other in the video, it kind of makes sense if you don't listen to the lyrics too hard.

Do you think Enrique sobs when he sings everything? He must be brilliant to have around at birthday parties.

Two starsDownload: Out now
CD Released: March 23rd

(Fraser McAlpine)

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Enrique! Ciara! I love songs where they introduce each other at the start. It is a good idea to make it clear which is which. With most pop stars it might be a good idea to remind them what their names are occasionally as well, where to stand, to breath sometimes etc..

  • Comment number 2.

    HEY... I was reading this review and thought "oh he is gonna give sobbin ENRIQUE a low one and then....... WOW 5 STARS !
    Talk about a big twist at the end !

    One of the most important things a successful pop songs got to have is a memorable hook and this song has got it !!! Its a shame it is only one line... but hey it's a good pop song , weird it's only number 54 in the charts !

    Where are ENRIQUES fans ? ............. maybe they will be buying his GREATEST HITS for MOTHERS DAY !

  • Comment number 3.

    Bah...that's what you get when you spent too long playing on Twitter to pay proper attention to what you're doing.

    Sorry, have amended the star rating now...

  • Comment number 4.

    I would be quite pleased if one of my kids got me Enrique's greatest hits for mother's day.

    I think this song's great actually, too. Then again I generally think everything Enrique Iglesias does whilst wearing that 'I'm tortured yet romantic' face is great and Ciara is absolutely scorching in the video so rly.


  • Comment number 5.

    i do like the song and i like Ciara, but i dont understand why shes whispering :S

  • Comment number 6.

    After reading froggy's comment I have an irrepressible urge to shout
    "There's only one way to find out....FIGHTT"

  • Comment number 7.

    HEY this track is now number 30 in the singles chart !

    Own up which of you lovely ladies bought 10,000 copies ? lol

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