ordinary pop songs and why they're great.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

 
"Smiley Faces" by Gnarls Barkley.

Never heard of it until Louisa Lytton used it for her jive on Strictly Come Dancing. Was suckered in by the three chords that provide the intro. Then heard the original and was disappointed they didn't form a greater part of the song. But they're there behind the chorus, well, behind the word "face" in the chorus anyway. So there's the hook, but then you hear the lyrics - they're brilliant, a little therapy session in a song. Okay the middle section's a bit trite "here's a summary of something that you can smile about..." but funny with it. Nice phrasing, the flow of the words with the melody. Killer bass too, not as killer as "Trick Me" by Kelis but getting there.