At first glance, the video for Daughtry’s "Home" (this season’s American Idol sendoff-montage theme) could be dismissed as a hastily assembled, budget-conscious effort, what with its grainy concert footage, backstage glimpses, and shots of road signs taken from the band’s tour bus. And yet, paired with the wistful lyrics about being away from the ones you love and the urge to get back to ‘em ("The miles are getting longer it seems/The closer I get to you"), the images get imbued with emotional relevance. Could it be Chris’ wife, back home in North Carolina, whom he’s chatting with on his cellphone? And as a bonus, we get to see the band’s eponymous lead singer doing something he rarely does: smiling! That wasn’t so hard, was it, Chris?
On the other hand, I’m not beaming over Gwen Stefani’s unimaginative "4in the Morning." Haven’t we already seen Gwen lolling about in whitebedsheets in No Doubt’s "Underneath It All"video? Okay, yeah, she sips tea, takes a bath, and goes for alate-night car ride here, too, but there’s something disappointingabout seeing one of the biggest stars in music recycling images from avideo that’s only five years old. Sure, the single’s more enjoyablethan previous efforts from her latest disc, the ghastly "Wind It Up"and the so-so "The Sweet Escape," but truth be told, I’m ready for Gwento get back with her bandmates and put the solo thing on hold forawhile. What say you, PopWatchers?
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Thanks, Slezak. I need a break from Gwen and I think Chris Daughtry is an over-serious egoist, so I’ll be skipping these until someday when they are in my face and I can’t escape, but thanks anyway. I couldn’t bear to see my fave EW writer’s blog go without comment, even on a Friday afternoon. And even though we finally disagree about something (did you SEE how the behind-the-scenes blogger reported that Chris Richardson is the best hugger in the final seven?? Can you please like him NOW??).
I actually kind of like the Gwen Stefani video, ‘4 in the Morning’ is the best single off of Gwen’s album so you are right in that the song is better then the video for the song. As far as Daughtry’s ‘Home’ goes, he’s a great singer but the video did leave me feeling a little empty. I ca think of a million better versions I would have liked to see of ‘Home’. As far as Chris Richardson, you are 100 percent correct. The guy comes from the Taylor Hicks school of music, and I don’t mean that as a compliment. God willing, he’ll be the one to go next week. His attempt to play on the country’s emotions, with his ridiculously ill-timed Virginia Tech shout-out, apparently worked. Here’s hoping America isn’t so easily manipulated next week.
I am in agreement about his ego, but to be honest, I like the fact that it is not a big production. This gave Chris the feel of being down to earth. And it does fit the song. I wont take anything away from his singing because he really can sing. He just needs to get a grip on his ego. Maybe his ego is a mask for insecurity, who knows?
The Daughtry video is a perfect portrayal of the emotion in the song….I smiled the whole time I watched it. Chris is doing what he loves in front of the people he loves (and who love him) and we get to see him enjoying himself with his band buddies. The camaraderie there is plain to see. The is nothing egotistical in the least about Chris Daughtry……he is the most down-to-earth singer out there today. You only need to go to the official Daughtry website and watch/listen to a few of his blogs to understand how level headed, centered, family oriented and appreciative of his fans he truly is.
BTW, Slezak, could we lay off the overuse of “eponymous”? You’re beginning to sound like Randy Jackson with his “dawg” for every other word.
Even though I expected something with a bigger budget for the “Home” video, that video fit the sentiment of the song, so it works.
I’ve avoided most of Gwen’s solo work because of its awfulness so I hadn’t heard “4 In The Morning” before. I actually like this song but do agree that the video was a bit of a rehash. It was a mix of “Underneath It All” and hints of “Cool”
Ego or no ego, I really liked the throw-back feel to the Daughtry video — no FX, no bling, no hoochie girls, no product placement (I’m lookin’ at you, Gwen Stefani…).
Gwen Stefani said “4 In The Morning” is her favorite song on her new album. Which made me go “WTF??”
It’s a really horrible song I have to say. It reminds me of one of those horribly bad slow dance songs at proms. ugh.
If she wanted a more deep and personal song I would’ve gone for the [much much] better and all together great “Early Winter”
The videos wouldn’t work for me [effing buffering], but one question-are the Harajuku girls in it?
:]]
The only song I like off of Gwen’s new album is “Yummy.” I’ve never fully understood why Gwen solo career has met with such monumental success. I mean, yea, she’s trying to be quirky and innovative, an admirable endeavor…but should you really get props if most of the time it doesn’t work?
Bring back No Doubt, stat !!And umm… Thanks !
I actually didn’t think “The Sweet Escape” (the album) was that bad. Yes, I was caught off-guard at first by how weird and wacky “Wind It Up” was, but I actually grew to like it (even if dancing to it at a club seemed pretty near impossible due to the weird beat). “The Sweet Escape” (the song), on the other hand, was a favorite of mine from the start. While I like “4 in the Morning” as a song, I do think the video itself is kind of meh… but is it just me or is Gwen wearing the same outfit when she’s getting into the limo as she did when she was on “American Idol”?
I miss No Doubt.
I am truly confused about people who constantly refer to Chris Daughtry as having a big ego. I have never observed him do anything that would indicate that. If you read the notes on the Daughtry CD, you see how grateful and humble he is about the success that he has had. He seems to be a serious guy, but there is nothing wrong with being serious about family and music and the other things that are important to him. I was happy to see him smiling and having a good time in this video, though. Everybody needs a good laugh to get through the day. Thanks a lot for this–I love the CD and can’t wait to see each of the videos that will come from it.
I love the DAUGHTRY video! The song is about a musician who is on the road and is anxious to get back to his family and hometown for he misses them. I think the “low budget” feel of the video was on purpose to give it that grainy feel of being on the road then going home. If it appeared “glossy”, the video would come across as fake. It definitely has the right feel.
The funniest comment of all is talking about Chris smiling. I have NEVER seen so many critics wonder about a rock artist smiling before like they do about Chris Daughtry. Do any critics give Eddie Vedder or Chris Cornell grief about whether they smile or not? Heck no. Why critics wonder about Chris smiling is because he comes from a show in which smiling and acting like a buffoon every week is considered a plus. The reality is that rock stars don’t smile and they rarely get crap about this except for Chris Daughtry. At least in this video you see that Chris is multi-dimensional.
Bravo DAUGHTRY!!!
I love the DAUGHTRY video! The song is about a musician who is on the road and is anxious to get back to his family and hometown for he misses them. I think the “low budget” feel of the video was on purpose to give it that grainy feel of being on the road then going home. If it appeared “glossy”, the video would come across as fake. It definitely has the right feel.
The funniest comment of all is talking about Chris smiling. I have NEVER seen so many critics wonder about a rock artist smiling before like they do about Chris Daughtry. Do any critics give Eddie Vedder or Chris Cornell grief about whether they smile or not? Heck no. Why critics wonder about Chris smiling is because he comes from a show in which smiling and acting like a buffoon every week is considered a plus. The reality is that rock stars don’t smile and they rarely get crap about this except for Chris Daughtry. At least in this video you see that Chris is multi-dimensional.
Bravo DAUGHTRY!!!
i think this persson is obsess with chris and smiling get over it the video is great and his fans love it and it will be #1 you abnacious pig.
Personally, I’m disappointed in Gwen. I don’t like the new album and I don’t understand why someone known for quirky dancey pop/rock suddenly has to do a ballad just to prove they’re a “serious artist”. I liked the old Gwen better. Oh yeah, I love broody, serious men, so Chris D. is alright in my book. I like his music, too.
Ok, so “4 IN THE MORNING” was never one of my fave tracks on “The Sweet Escape” and I dunno what she was thinkin. I mean she got the title track to be a hit, when everyone kinda scratched their heads when she released “Wind It Up” with an equally outlandish video. I like “The Sweet Escape” and I wish most would NOT look at the album as a collection of throw away tracks from “L.A.M.B.”, with a few new goodies thrown in. But I have to agree with another popwatch poster, if Stefani wanted to stay dominant on the radio this summer, “Yummy” would have been the prime choice for a sure-fire summer single. There are already numerous bootleg dance remixes of the track, and is the OBVIOUS stand-out song on the cd that everyone who has heard it seems to love. I dunno if they’re waiting to try and prolong the life of this cd as long as possible, but until we get to THAT video, I guess this Sophie Muller romp in the bed sheets with Gwen will have to suffice. “Yummy” needs to be released ASAP!
Word,Maritza! Well said!
I believe the video captures the song
beautifully, touring, performing, chilling, yearning to get HOME, love the “doc” feel, and I don’t WHAT is up
w/the “EGO” comments?
I”l take my hot rock stars w/a side of cool attitude, and a healthy ego!
BRAVO, Maritza! You said it all and very well, girlfriend. (especially the part about AI promoting buffoons…aren’t we happy that Chris DIDN’T win??!!??)
And I agree with y’all, too, sam and Lucykitty………glad to see some Daughtry fans posting here
Michael, I agree with that Gwen is better off with No Doubt than on her own, but I wouldn’t count on a reunion, anyn more than I would count on Beyonce reuniting Destiny’s Child. Can you say ‘I want the whole spotlight’? Having said that, this is a cool song, and watching Gwen roll around in bed or in a bathtub is ALWAYS a good thing!
As for Daughtry, good song and video. Hmmmm, anyone remember(or care) who WON last season’s Idol? Hee Hee..
Did anyone else, at first glance, think the director for Gwen’s video “4 in the Morning” must’ve been Sofia Coppola, with the countless shots of sun beams shining and Gwen wistfully staring out a car window (every one of Sofia’s movies begins and ends with a carride)? I researched it and found out it was longtime No Doubt/Gwen vid director Sophie Muller, but Sophie owes Sofia an explanation!
Daughtry’s new video was shot almost entirely in his hometown, Greensboro, NC. They gave a free concert downtown and over 20,000 people showed up! So, yes, it has a hometown feel because that is what it was…and that was probably his wife on the phone!
I totally think we need some more No Doubt! I haven’t really liked any of Gwen’s latest stuff, and maybe getting back with her bandmates would improve music a bit.
Enjoy Daughtry’s music, that being said, the video is nothing but a re-make of, Bon Jovi’s “Wanted” video (which is a classic) and having met him twice can attest to the fact that he does have a major chip on his shoulder a little early here. He is all ego with some talent. We’ll see what happens with a little more time.
I think both of Gwen’s solo projects are filled with excellent pop music. I agree that this video isn’t very exciting, but you have to admit she looks unbelievablely beautiful in every shot – and that makes it easy to watch for me. I think Yummy should be the next single, and if it is I bet the video will be very fun.
Actually, No Doubt is going to do another album after Gwen’s tour…if they can tolerate her now. But they have been planning it.
4 in the Morning isn’t a bad song – if anything, though, I would’ve released it as the fifth single. I agree with Phil and Gabby that “Yummy” should be next – it makes for a great summer song. Then, I would release “Early Winter” – it’s the strongest song on the CD, in my opinion. Perfect for autumn or…an early winter.
I LOVE 4 In The Morning. For some reason she is just a target right now for critics. I commend her effort to break away from her band and actually do something different, and she’ll be back at it with No Doubt soon enough, so if you don’t like her pop solo career, chill out!…No Doubt will be back. As for that other girl that broke away from the boys for a solo attempt…how does Fergie’s music sound any different from Black Eyed Peas…it doesn’t…and Fergie, we get it you can spell. I have no idea why Fergie is praised by EW and Gwen torn apart when Gwen’s the real deal….w/ No Doubt and on her own.
Ugh, could never stand No Doubt, but I’m loving Gwen Stefani solo. Her voice has changed completely. That wavering thing she did with her voice with No Doubt made me want to pull a van Gogh. And faux-ska…ugh. Stay solo, please!!
Joe C…gwen and the guys have already met for lunch to discuss the new album…and the band has been jamming trying to come up with ideas. No Doubt is coming back….they’ve all publically stated that.
-No Doubt Fan Forumer RockSteadyVybes