Damn Girl
December 14th, 2006 at 1:50 pm (Uncategorized)
Growing up Garret Keown was a big fan of Home Improvement’s Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Garret had posters of JTT all over his room, joined the fan club, and bought all the teen magazines featuring the pre-teen heart-throb. But like all lovesick 11 year olds must, Garret grew up and Garret moved on. Garret traveled the world, Garret moved away from home, Garret lived and loved and learned, but Garret never completely got over those intoxicating initials. Garret.
Garret Keown aka ”Garret” has submitted a Songstory entry all the way from KOREA where Garret is currently living with Garret’s wonderful girlfriend Harlene and teaching English. Check out Garret’s entry below the pics.
Damn Girl - Justin Timberlake By Garret Keown
Damn Girl,
I remember the time when Timberlake dropped his first solo album and Ben Young called me from a payphone in the middle of Gerrard Square.
“Garret, there‘s something I gotta tell you.“ “Yeah, what is it? You know you can tell me anything, right?“ “Okay, but you can‘t tell anybody.“ “Okay, Ben, what the hell is it?” “I like the Justin Timberlake album.“
At that time, I hadn‘t heard it, so I fell to the floor laughing and banged my forehead off the counter top on the way down. I still have the scar. Ben‘s masculine persona suddenly (sheded????) itself for a tighter t-shirt wearing, dance floor obsessed ”preno” and I thought I was seeing a new side of him. I did, however, know that the Neptunes had their fingerprints all over this Michael Jackson-esque project, which transformed little Justin into a credible pop star (in my opinion any ways). Do I like Justin Timberlake? The answer is sometimes. It‘s every grown man‘s guilty pleasure. I haven‘t really heard the new album, but this track, Damn Girl instantly made me say damn! Why the fuck does he have to make tracks that I like? But, the fact is, I like this song, a lot. It‘s produced by the sometimes incredibly talented WiLL.I.AM of BEP. There are definitely some similarities between this song and Amerie‘s 1Thing, but the funky drumming and organ riff bite is fine with me. I am not sure if Justin would be as well received as he has been if he wasn’t working with such creative producers, but having said that, I think this is a fine effort and a quality pop song.
Way to go Timberlake!
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Bryce said,
December 14, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Yes, I am not the only one! I have always thought Timberlake was better than your average pop star. And I totally agree that through working with avant garde producers he widens his appeal. From the first album I really like “Senorita” and the other single with the Clipse to a lesser extent. This track is nice, and once again, I am in agreement that the drums are reminiscent of Amerie’s “1 Thing” (which is not a bad thing as the drums in 1 Thing are amazing). I downloaded Futuresex/Lovesounds and also really like the single with TI (My Love) and another one called “what goes around/comes around.” Timberlake has a good voice, works with good producers, and generally makes good songs. One of those artists you love to hate: I mean, he used to be in N Sync. And I like how you said the “sometimes brilliant will.i.am” Garret, as often I don’t like what he does at all. Case in point, on this song he should’ve left the vocals to Mr. J Timberlake. Thinking about Justin Timberlake though makes me think about Timbaland, and that leads me to Nelly Furtado. In a way similar to Justin, I’ve always thought Furtado was decent. And even though her new album is a far cry from “I’m Like a Bird,” I really like everything I’ve heard off of it (really just the three singles). Promiscuous Girl is wicked, I like Maneater, and the newest single too, Say it right. Sorry, I know this post is about Justin, but I couldn’t stop myself. Pop music inerests me. And, the fact that Timbaland is, more than just a pop music virtuoso, also a bonafide hip hop producer, his newfound success and wider influence on hip hop production makes me think his music is kind of the “flagship.” It will be looked back upon as the quintessential sound for a certain era in hip hop, just like past producers (premier, pete rock, dilla, dr dre, and other examples are welcome)defined the sound of certain eras. Hopefully some sense can be made from all this rambling. Bottom line: not all “pop music” is bad, and this song exemplifies that. Good choice. Another newer will.i.am track I like is Common’s “I have a dream.” If you haven’t heard it, then maybe I’ll do a little write up and get it posted up here. Peace
tony said,
December 14, 2006 at 10:33 pm
My favourite Timbrelake is the one in Northern Ontario where I rented a cottage that one time. It got its name when, five nearly years ago, Justin Timberlake nearly drowned in it while trying to save Timbaland. The lake is in Timbaland Provincial Park.
You’re both right though, it is a good song. I love how he manages to scream “HO!” in most of his songs that I’ve heard. Sorry, that’s all the musical insight I can afford to give up these days.
HO!
Tony
garret said,
December 14, 2006 at 11:25 pm
That’s incredibly clever and fucking funny Tony. I agree that it would feel strange over analyzing a song by Justin Timberlake. Just brush the surface of the brain people. We’re not asking for much here.
songstory said,
December 15, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Tony, I disagree with Garret–I don’t really see the humour in your comment. Time to start juicing again. Maybe just a shot before posting to keep your wit levels up.
Bryce said,
December 15, 2006 at 12:51 pm
It’s pop so you can’t analyze it? Kind of ends up in a never ending cycle of angry futility, no? I mean, some people, myself included, don’t like a lot of pop music. So, if someone were to ask me, “why don’t you like it”? All I can say is, “it’s shitty”? By only brushing the surface you are simply perpetuating the shallow mindedness that went into the music. What’s the point of this post?
songstory said,
December 15, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Brycebag,
I agree with you completely that to refuse to analyze pop music perpetuates shallow mindedness. I like the way you put that. However, I don’t think anyone suggested that you CANNOT analyze it. I believe Garret was suggesting that people don’t have to overanalyze it, but he would encourage people to contribute their thoughts on the song, however, I’ll let Garret confirm if I’m on the right track there.
In case those of you who know me haven’t noticed, and I’m not sure how you could have missed it, I’m an analyzation freak. Love it. Do it all the time. Often to great extent over inconsequential matters. So in that vein, here is my analysis of “Damn Girl”.
I’m a big fan of barebones organ/drum instrumentation. Pop music often has a tendancy to gravitate towards over production–which i feel is at least in part a result of the artist being only marginally talented and requiring a lot of instrumentational support or ‘distraction’ if you will (see Britney Spears). When it comes to organic, barebones production however, it is the subtlties that make all the difference. For example, in “Damn Girl” the organ/drums is what stands out, but there are horns and bass. They are used sparingly though. Listen for the smooth bass line breakdown at 1:45.
I also enjoy the vocal layering employed here, and the way the falsetto is interupted when Timberlake sings “something bout cha” and “from Casanova”.
Now onto the lyrics. I have no problem with most of the lyrics in this song. Nor do I have a problem with Will.I.AM’s rap. There’s nothing brilliant or beautifully poetic going on, but that’s ok. The song is about a hot chick that makes you say damn. The lyrics should be complimentary and cocky and they are just that. I don’t however understand what the fuck Timberlake is saying in this part, and if anyone could fill me in I would appreciate it:
Don’t need no Lovie Air?/ Cause bitch your body’s there/
Sure this song is pop, sure this song is fun, sure this song is a James Brown rip-off. But if we let that stop us from enjoying music we’d all be stuck in Garret’s basement scratching mustard stains off our t-shirts and listening to Moondog records. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
ANALYSIS COMPLETE.
Bryce said,
December 15, 2006 at 3:29 pm
I think he says, “Don’t need no Loreal, cause bitch your body’s there”
mister joey junk said,
December 19, 2006 at 5:23 pm
decent track. i would enjoy it a little more if not for that damn annoying chorus. thats right. its fuckin annoying. in other words its shitty. but that may only be brushing the surface
garret said,
December 19, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Joell, are you nuts? The chorus is the best fucking part of the song. I need more chorus and less WILL I AM rapping. Are you sure you mean the chorus? The chorus makes the track. Think again my friend.
jj said,
December 20, 2006 at 11:37 am
I BROUGHT HEADPHONES TO WOOORK TODAY!!! why didn’t i do this earlier?????? i’ma hafta go with garret. chorus makes the song. i’m sorry, but i find jt’s falsetto vaguely irritating, and will.i.am sounds like he’s pouting the whole time. seriuosly. i also love the drums. personally, i think pop music can be fascinating, and there is definitely some good pop music out there. benny sings counts as pop, right?? and that shit is brilliant. that said, this is not my favourite jt song off his latest. that ‘my love’ song is. i honestly love it. maybe that’s because it’s closer to the shit i was hearing in montreal in bars n stuff. but they played it in 4 freres too, so… i digress. bryce, my mind also made the jump to nelly furtado via timbaland when i thought of jt. i’m not really sure what it means, but i find it interesting that in a lot of pop music (and maybe to a lesser extent hip hop), it is less about who is singing and more who is producing. granted, its up to the singer to seek out good producers, and collaborate well (which jt is quite adept at. so is madonna), but how much of that is actual artistry, and how much of that is marketing?? i guess there is a spectrum. from what i have read, nelly furtado is more on the ‘collaborates well with’ side, with madonna holding up the ‘it’s allll marketing baby’ end. but you know me, i just listen to what people tell me to, so…
tony said,
December 20, 2006 at 8:48 pm
Oh go soak your head.
garret said,
December 20, 2006 at 9:15 pm
JJ, “my love” is my 2nd favourite. I think you like it more than I because of the electro influence.
jj said,
December 21, 2006 at 11:23 am
yes garret that is exactly why. this is an example why you are one of my ‘go-to’ guys for music. not only can you tell me what to listen to, you can tell me why i like it. damn girl/don’t murdah d-d-don’t murdah who sings that? i get it stuck in my head everytime i see this post. its spankrock or someone i could link to through their myspace for sure (that is how i define music genres now).
jj said,
December 21, 2006 at 11:32 am
speaking of which, i just tried to look up jt on myspace. do you have any idea how many people have sites where they are impersonating justin? it’s kind of depressing. i guess no electronic social networking site is perfect. i just wanted to listen to ‘my love’ at work. is that too much to ask?