Let me preface my remarks about JC Chasez’s new single, ”Until Yesterday” (co-written by fellow ‘N Sync alum Justin Timberlake) by saying that I’m probably one of 11 people on the planet who still listens to the guy’s first solo disc, 2004’s Schizophrenic. And while ”Until Yesterday” (click here to hear it streaming at AOL Music) has an undeniably driving beat and a sticks-in-your-head melody that converge and build to a very dramatic crescendo (a la ”Cry Me a River”), the lyrics of this single give me uncomfortable cause for pause. Aren’t there ways to sing about paternity drama without resorting to screechingly un-poetic lines like, ”The baby’s not my blood type”? And seriously, JC, when the line ”If you play with fire, then you’ll get burned” is the leadoff batter for your chorus, then perhaps it’s time to set down the pen and back away from the obvious clichés.
What do you think of Chasez’s latest stab at solo stardom? You know you’ve got an opinion, so quit tryin’ to be shy!
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Also found JC’s first solo project more ambitious than Justin’s. Guess the formula for success is to copy other artists, e.g. Michael Jackson, Prince.
This is so coincidental. I just listened to the song of his website through a link on Billboard.com. I have the exact opinion as Mr. Slezak. That songs lyrics are pretty trite. While I was listening I had the feeling I was at a bad poetry reading. I can’t believe a record label would let that stuff go. “Billie Jean” is the way to write a question of paternity song. Sorry JC.
You say Justin co-wrote it but it’s JC who is being slapped for the lyrics? Umm ok…
I may be one of the 11 people out there who prefer JC to Justin. I think his voice is gorgeous (not the high-pitched, and sometimes whiny soprano that Justin has). I don’t know what he’s doing wrong, because if he could pick the right stuff he’d be big. But so far…
not into it, once again.
I like it.. and I hate how many people are praising Justin’s Futuresex/lovesounds when JC was the first one to experiment outside of the boyband/RnB/lite formula that Justin stuck with for his first solo.
I think JC has mad talent that he isn’t being given credit to but I guess idiocy wins ones again in America, land of the dense.
I’m part of that 11…
I really enjoyed JC’s first album…
And I just announced it…
Everyone, please agree with Mario or you will be reduced to ashes.
At least he is better looking than Timberfake.
I don’t know what is the problem….!! First, is just a song and JC said in interview that he made some funny or different to another lyrics and Until Yesterday is one of them….
There are many songs that the lyric are very stranges and sometimes very stupid like London Brigde but like it anyway maybe becuase the rythm..!!! even the Sexyback song has a stupid lyric too that even in the chorus tired alittle bit because repeat the same thing many times.!!!.. so u don’t anything about the lyric because in fact could be a real thing sometimes anyway..!!!
I think is song is great I really like it..!!!
Don’t you know that Justin is God and can’t do no wrong? Funny how author of this blog slams only JC for writing lyrics but at the same time mentions Justin co-wrote it. Talk about kissing ass.
The song is supposed to be tongue and cheek. JC said that it’s a humorous Jerry Springer type song and not supposed to be a literary masterpiece. What pop song is? It’s a great melody, beat and vocals that make a song a hit and Until Yesterday has all those elements. Also, I love Schizo and still listen to it today. It’s one of the best overlooked pop records I’ve ever listened to.
Add me to the tally of the 11 who still listen to his first solo album. I think JC is vastly superior to Justin and his Schizophrenic is superior to Justin’s albums. In fact, Justin’s Sexyback is just a pale imitation of some of the songs on Schizophrenic. Why is he getting credit for something JC already did and did better?
Anyway, back to the song…I think it is catchy as hell. It’s been stuck in my head since I’ve heard it.
And come on, it’s a POP song, not a great work of literature. What pop songs have great lyrics nowadays? It’s all about the beat and the music. There’s nothing wrong with the lyrics anyway. They’re over the top but they’re meant to be! Don’t take them so seriously. JC’s not. He’s said it’s meant to be a Jerry Springer soap opera!
I hope the song does well. JC totally deserves Justin-level success.
I’m also one of those 11, and I’ll go even farther to say that when I first listened to JT’s new album, it reminded me of Schitzophrenic.
That said, this new track is pretty abysmal. Painful lyrics, uncatchy, and awkward. To date, I think JC’s best song was “blowin me up with her love.” Dude can sing, but something’s wrong with his taste in tunes…
I like JC. I always thought he was the more talented vocally of the bunch, and definitely the hottest, even way back in Mickey Mouse clubs, he was definitely yummy then.
If you think that his best song is Blowin Me Up, then I’m 100% sure you haven’t heard the whole album
I hope his new CD will be targeted at more adult audience because teenyboopers can only appreciate songs like SexyBack, Stars Are Blind or London Bridge.
I thought I was the only one who thought that Justin’s FS/LS sounded like JC’s Schizophrenic. I like the new song, but I want to hear the rest of the album first before I ake any real kind of judgement.
Oh yes. Justin MUST be a superior lyricist. Just look how he masterfully rhymes back/act/back/and slack. Honestly, Sexyback would be absolutely nothing without Timbaland and the beat. At least JC’s song has some depth to it. It is a welcome change to the junk playing on the radio these days.
I think if you’re going to slam the writing of a song then you need to slam ALL the writers of the song. Yes the lyrics could have been more cleverly put together. But should it be a suprise that they aren’t? Look at Sexy Back; there are what, 6 lines in the entire song sung over and over again?
Americans obviously don’t care about lyrics and this tune has a great beat and build to the end. It SHOULD do okay. But we’ll see…
I’m glad it’s not another overproduced song with heavy beats!
Slezak, this is the second time you’ve made my day in about 5 minutes. First, you call out “Betty”’s nephew as a futuregay, then you admit to loving JC’s first disc (I’m one of those 11 peeps)…you are too cute!
Anyway, the single…it’s not bad, but not in the same league as his first solo efforts.
I still listen to Schizophrenic and I think everything JC’s done has been far better than anything JT will ever do. JT’s just overhyped. His nasaly voice & melon head is just unbearable. JC is just a pure talent. He can actually sing & write. So to the writer of this article: JC’s not the only person credited for writing this song. Check your sh*t before you start slamming someone.
JC’s style has always been more interesting and more experimental than Justin’s. Sure, some of his lyrics are cliché. But come on, name one pop song that doesn’t use clichés. I think JC can get away with it because he usually writes songs that aren’t cliché to begin with. I mean, “Space Cowboy” and “Digital Getdown” off No Strings Attached.. who else in 2000 (or ever) was writing songs about space travel and cybersex? He uses lyrics, even cliché lines, in a more interesting way to create a song that hasn’t been done before. Even the songs he wrote and produced for other groups always had a slightly angry edge to them.. not the stereotypical “I love you baby, you drive me crazy” pop songs.
There have already been more than 11 replies to this by people who prefer JC to Justin. In fact, JC’s last album was extremely well-received by critics, despite its lack of commercial success. Not to sound all conspiracy theorist, but I really think the promotion had a lot to do with it. Jive picked their baby and it was Justin. But Justin himself even said in a recent interview that he thought JC had the best voice of any of them, and by “them” he meant all boy bands. JC had a lot more to do with the writing and production of *NSync’s albums, and sang lead as much if not more than Justin, yet Justin’s always gotten the credit. I don’t mean for that to sound bitter, because I think for the most part it’s been in JC’s best interest to have it that way. I just wish more people would give JC a chance instead of seeing him as a Justin wannabe.
I love all of JC’s music. He is direct and poetic at the same time, or in different tracks. **Schizophrenic was an ingenious album for that reason. That cd is always in my stereo.** If he expressed his lyrics with lots of metaphors to be more illusive, you would critisize him about not understanding his message. When he uses direct language and slang, you downgrade his artistic ability. Make up your mind! I think it’s great that he can do both. His music appeals to everyone. Seriously, society says we’re tired of the same hum-drum sound of the Top 40 songs, but when someone comes along with a new & fresh vibe you try to cast him away. I like “Until Yesterday”; the groove is new, and its content is true about the majority of America today. I love the song, and cant wait until the new album comes out!!
I’m thinking of riding down the flighline of the naval air station I work out of with a huge banner flailing from the back of my pimped out ride that reads: SLEZAK ROCKS!
I am a proud member of the 11-club, that happily bought JC’s debut solo album upon its release. I actually found it to be a higher quality album than Justin’s in terms of creativity, ambition, and style. Not to say I don’t enjoy BOTH, but I think JC’s was a better, WAY underrated, and definitely underappreciated album.
Hrm, I think a duel is in mind. A fight between the two. In a ring.
With a body oil of some kind.
>>drools like Homer<<
Azia: The “writer of this article” has a name, which is Michael (Slezak if you nasty). And Slezak credited a co-author of the song in the very FIRST sentence of the friggin’ article. So how ’bout you bother to actually READ his “sh*t” before YOU start slamming him?
Now that I’ve regulated… I’m sooo rooting for Mr. Chasez. He took some chances with “Schizophrenic” (some of which pained me), but his record was certainly more musically daring than “Justified”. I don’t know that I’m feelin’ this new song (the “play with fire” cliche really burns my muffins), but I’ll be there when the album drops.
Oh…and to all you Timberlake haters: I remind you that beyond being friends, J.C. and Justin are colleagues. And they still work together. And Justin’s pawprints are reportedly all over a number of potential songs slated for J.C.’s new album. So you either decide that J.C.’s got bad taste, or you get over it and just enjoy something for being good, regardless of the ingredients.
Another example is Nelly Furtado’ lyrics in her new album… is a little corny and strange lyrics too… and the people don’t care.. like it anyway..!!! so the lyrics is not the f**** problem..!!! JC is great!!!
Nando,
Your snark wasn’t necessary, most people here already agree that JC doesn’t get enough recognition vs Justin, but thanks for proving my statement. How does it feel to be one of the millions of dense americans?
I really love “Until Yesterday.” I think it’s catchy and different. Although, it’s not the kind of song I would feel comfortable singing along to if I saw him in concert; that’d be weird. I like being able to sing to his songs that are meaningful, like Build My World, or something. But other than that, I like his new sound.