Last night EW threw its annual party for its EW 100 issue — on stands today! — at the cavernous Gotham Hall in Manhattan. I went for one reason: to watch Rihanna perform "Umbrella" in the flesh.
Pop music ain’t my beat at EW. I grew up on classical, then switched to your typical twenty-something white-dude indie rock sometime around college. Then, out at a party one June evening back in 2003, while drunk, I heard Beyonce’s "Crazy in Love" for the first time. Ever since, I’ve been moderately obsessed with the idea of the summer song — i.e., the infectious and inescapable pop tune will define and even mythologize the year’s three or four best months for sunshine, drinking, yakking, sweating, and all that rigmarole.
And now "Umbrella," according to my music-o-meter, is the truest, best summer song since "Crazy in Love." 2004? We heard "Yeah," by Usher, pretty good, but only that. (And since tainted forever by Hitch.) 2005? "Hollaback Girl" will be the first song I dance to at my wedding, I love that stupid ditty so much. But it came out in the spring. Disqualified. And last summer was a disaster. Timing is everything in a summer song, and no tune last year got it right. "Crazy" and "Sexy Back" were formidable, but they came out too late into the season, after the annoying "Promiscuous" had been anointed the S.S. by default. What a mess. It’s a big relief — given that I was starting to wonder if "Crazy in Love" was a fluke and I had it all wrong about the summer song — that "Umbrella" arrived perfectly timed to take over the season, and is awesome. And after the jump, "Rihanna" will sing it to us at the EW 100 party!
She hit the stage around 10:40, hair falling in two bewitching fronds down the sides of her face, and wearing that black leather-y sleeveless slingy top that she cavorts in at the beginning and end of the wonderful "Umbrella" video. In the clip, she sports two fingerless black gloves; last night she only had on one — very M.J. of her (decipher that as you will). If she walked on the tips of her toes, ballerina-style, like she also does in the video, I was standing too far back to see it. Her set was six songs long. I was only vaguely familiar with a few of the first five numbers, because one of the tenets of summer song-ery is that the summer song is a single, and knowing all the other songs on the album (or, in some cases, even other songs by the same artist) is dangerous, because it might only dilute the power of the summer single. So let’s just skip to the closer.
We were a few bars into "Umbrella" — it was certainly well after Rihanna asked us all to get the hands in the air — before I even realized, Hey, it’s on. The studio version begins with percussion and Jay-Z; the live version began with synth noise, out of which the familiar drumming quickly popped through. Jay-Z was sadly not in attendance, but his curiously short intro was not particularly missed — the song does just fine without it. "Umbrella" has great build; the chorus gets a little bit catchier each time Rihanna runs through it in the song, until we get to that great moment in the last third where she takes everything down a notch (I believe, in my limited pop-musical know-how, that this section might be called "the bridge"). She slow-jams for awhile, and then the sound gets bigger and bigger, until we burst back into the chorus again. This is the irresistible part of the video where suddenly she’s dancing (Madonna-style, circa "Vogue") in a shower of yellow sparks with an umbrella and a crew of hip-hop Gene Kellys, and this was the irresistible part in the live performance where the guitars and her voice got huge, her four backup dancers performed neat acrobatic moves with their prop umbrellas, and the song smashed its stamp on all us party people’s summers, 2007, forever. Rihanna is an amazing performer, and once "Umbrella" has loosed its grip on me I will go listen to everything else she’s ever done.
What do you think? Is "Umbrella’s this year’s summer song, and is it the best summer song since "Crazy in Love" or what? (Just don’t bring up "LoveStoned"; I’ve been listening to that song off the album for the past year; it’s DQ’ed.)
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I WAS going to bring up “LoveStoned” because, well, the song is amazing, is totally a summer song, and I’ve been waiting for its release since “FutureSex” dropped last year.
Anyway, I loathed Rhianna and her nasally non-voice until “Umbrella”; I’m always willing to retract my dismissals if an artist steps it up and/or can hook me, and she totally has. My current pick for song of the summer is not “Umbrella”, but track 3, “Don’t Stop the Music” from the same album. I’m addicted. (Hell, I’m actually hooked on the whole damn album, particularly the first five songs. Damn, she got me.)
I thought Promiscuous was more of a summer song than Umbrella is today. The whole Rihanna album is more of a summer cd.
DAAANG. EW threw a party and none of us got invited? Talk about a ‘dis! There wasn’t even a “trivia” section where readers could win tickets, no notice from Susan Karish so front row members could go, nothing. What’s with the lack of love, EW? Did the obsessive readers of the week get to go? Anyone?
Whenever it came out, Crazy qualified for last summer’s track. We talked with my main man Mike Slezak about that song for a few dayz it seemed.
As for Hollaback girl, it may have come out in Spring, but it was still a summer jam that was everywhere. I’ve got to disagree with the qualification criteria.
Finally, wasn’t “Stand by me” a big summer hit in the 80’s? The song was originally from the 60’s but got a new lease on life. Does it also get the DQ? Seems odd to me to attach to many rules to what’s a true “feel good hit of the summer” (in quotes because it’s also a the name of a kikazz song by Queens of the Stone age).
this song in like an aughts version of the hollies’ “bus stop.” i guess i can get behind it.
I DON’T CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS HER PERFROMANCES ARE STIFF AND TERRIBLE AND I KNOW THIS FIRST HAND. WHOEVER WROTE THIS BUT HAVE BEEN DEAF. HER VOICE IS SO HARD TO TAKE. SHE’S ALL PACKAGE WITH NO INSIDES. BEYONCE GAVE US CRAZY IN LOVE AND WHEN SHE PEFORMED THAT SONG SHE BROUGHT IT. I’M SORRY BUT I DID NOT GET THE SAME FEELING LAST NIGHT. SUMMER ANTHEM IS BETWEEN AKON OR BEYONCE CRAZY IN LOVE ALMOST NOTHING CAN TOP THAT.
I’ve been listening to the version of Umbrella without Jay-Z for a month or more now. Much better without him. And Ellipsian, I totally agree, “Don’t Stop the Music” is one of the hottest songs I’ve heard all year. How she managed to FINALLY pull off such a good CD (not just one popular single) is beyond me, but, I’m loving it!
“Don’t Stop The Music” would be a HUGE summer hit. Who are the people resposible for picking singles. Umbrella is a nice song, but didn’t it come out a long time ago? It’s more like a spring song. Once people hear the aforementioned “DSTM” they will jump on the Rihanna bandwagon fo’ shizzy.
I think peoples’ expectations of pop singers are way to high. It’s POP music for heaven’s sake…!
I thought EW dubbed “Ain’t No Other Man” last year’s “Crazy in Love.”
I think Rihanna’s “Breakin’ Dishes” is THE Sumer Song!
“Umbrella” can be the song of the summer until Rihanna releases “Shut Up and Drive.” And by the way, “Yeah!” came out in December 2003, so there’s no way it was the song of the summer of 2004.
Dear Gregory Kirschling, the Summer Song of 2005 is none other than WE BELONG TOGETHER by MARIAH CAREY! For the simple reason that it was the most played song of the summer! Duh! So what if it is a ballad?! You EW guys really hate Mariah because she’s so successful and talented! Ugh!
I was gonna say Ellipsian I was not a fan of Rihanna. I liked SOS, but hated Unfaithful. Then I heard Umbrella loved it. Copped the album, and you’re right the first five songs are awesome. Pick it up people.
i guess summer song’s aren’t usually performed by real singers… she isn’t the best live, far from it, actually. I really like the album, but also understand that it’s not meant to be heard live. As opposed to a Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson or Pink album. Is it not SAD that none of those three women have a “summer song”?…ah well, I love the album, love “umbrella” and life goes on.
If radio dj’s had brains, they would make “Never Again” song of the summer. But instead I have to hear that helium inhaling, teen dry- humping, fan throwing Akon on every station.
monee, what the heck are you talking about?!?! it’s called ’since u been gone’, and i also agree with the response post to you, ‘never again’ should DEFINITELY be this year’s summer song. blogger, greg k, has admitted that he knows not much about pop music. what a doof. and the rest of the people who like rihanna and her um brella ella ella hella crapola ’song’. she’s stealing your money right in front of your eyes as she plays dress up. sheesh. might as well go to a strip show if you like slutts lip synching and dancing like a hula to a taped track. you people disgust me.
I love Kelly Clarkson, just feel like saying it. Only three days until her album is blasting in my ears.
To all you kelly Clarkson fans. “Never Again” was releasd in APRIL, a spring month, so therfore can not be THE summer song, mostly because its also only peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart the week of its release. I’ve had the album for album 3 weeks now, and I’m sure the sales will speak for themselves when she doesn’t sell 350,000 the first week. The album “My Decmeber” is not terrible, but its not what her fans will expect. And before you argue with me, listen to the next single, “Sober” and tell me what man, woman and child are going to be singing along to THAT? Though i admire her stance, I ultimately think its going to blow up in her face, poor Kelly.
Everyone else singing the praises of Rihanna’s new cd, “GOOD GIRL GONE BAD” obviously know whats up. Her last two cds were okay, but this time, our girl finally gets it right! If you don’t own her new cd or the new Maroon 5, go do your music collection a favor and buy em, TODAY!
And while we’re on the topic of summer songs, I should have mentioned this in the Ipod Spot inspection item, but I purchased a cd last summer by a reggae artist named Elan “Together As One” on Interscope records. It was produced by No Doubt’s Tony Kanal, and failed to get much press or ANY radio airplay. When I tell you, it was my favorite cd of last summer, and is PERFECT for the beach or lounging by the pool…its SO worth picking up from iTunes. Best $9.99 you’d spend on a reggae album all year. And no, its not one of those reggae artists whose words you can’t understand. In fact, Elan used to be the vocalist for the Melody Makers. Its a true gem, that definitely got lost in last year’s shuffle!
i think you guys missed my point. i am rather upset that “Never Again” didn’t get its due. Since U Been Gone actually came out in October, otherwise, yeah, it was a great song. I can’t wait for My December to finally hit stores…to whoever said it, who CARES if it doesn’t sell 350,000 copies…besides, wasn’t Rihanna’s new album that didn’t go number one even with its supposed “summer song”…whatever. GO TEAM KELLY!!!
Not only is Umbrella THE summer song of 2007, her whole album is the summer album of 2007. With Breakin Dishes and Shut Up and Drive, the entire playlist flows from one great pop hit to another. Put the cd in, roll the windows down and speed across the highways and you’ll find yourself automatically in a dance party. Like my friend said, “I could lose my soul to this (music).” Go out and get the cd.
I understood what you said, and was agreeing with you. I’m mad it’s not on the radio a lot, especially since she has good convictions, and doesn’t sell out. I LOVE YOU KELLY!!!!!!!!!!
I’m with Monee…My summer song is STILL “Never Again” by Kelly Clarkson. I love Umbrella as much as the next cute 26 year old boy…but, Kelly is my summer love…
“Umbrella” is catchy, but has no heart. I have a feeling Rihanna just showed up to the studio to sing, while Kelly wrote and blasted her song with soul. She puts all idol contestants to shame.
oh, and to phil. Never Again was released in April, but I believe Umbrella was released in May. Summer begins in June.
Stephen, if any stations are STILL playing “Never Again” come mid-July, lets talk! And not for nothin, but I actually liked “Never Again” when it was released & actually HATED “Umbrella” the first thousand times I was subjected to it. I don’t hate Kelly, so for anyone thinking I’m hating on her…its just “Never Again” does not have the momentum to continue on its shelf life after the album drops next week. The single stalled & when you are of the superstar caliber that Kelly now resides in, thats unacceptable. Her record label has good reason to be worried about fans’ response to her new cd. The first single released sets the album up, & so technically right now, Kelly has a rocky road ahead of her. Rihanna on the other hand, can do no wrong right now, which is why I assume Def Jam is releasing “Shut Up & Drive” as the follow up single. Yes, its a drop-the-top summer cruising song, but it isolates her urban audience with the guitar riffs. “Don’t Stop The Music” would have been better.
And though pop stations have begun supporting “Shut Up & Drive”, don’t expect “Umbrella” to be going anywhere anytime soon, esp. with a new remix fetauring Chris Brown hitting the airwaves the past few weeks. And I also have to respect Rihanna cause when a friend and I interviewed her this past December, she was not only honest & frank, but funny as well. I respect Kelly’s outlook and stance in supporting this project to the image she is hoping for, but when she was elected the very first American Idol, it wasn’t because people wanted to hear dark, angry, scorned music from her. This album may be a passion project for her, but its dark undertones & vengeful lyrics are going to exclude alot of people who favor happier songs, such as some of the ones Rihanna recorded. I’m not saying all of Kelly’s fans are going to jump ship and be disappointed with her new disc, but I also don’t doubt that at some point, they’re going to have to re-release the new disc with new tracks to increase sales.
I understand what you are saying, (I am not picking a fight), but I think you are discredited a little because Kelly herself said the album probably wouldn’t sell well. (See EW’s interview in April). She needed to make the album for herself, which is what I respect. Also, she has better vocals than Rihanna. Rihanna can gve life to Umbrella and S.O.S., but give her no synthesizers and a ballad to sing, and she’s screwed. (Unfaithful, anyone?).
also, I resent that you said her projecting a different image than what Idol is about is “Unacceptable.” I much rather prefer her rebelling than Britney showing more and more mid-riff to sell more records.
being the post-whore that I am, I respect phil’s opinion and am sorry if I come off like an a**hole. Typing something means nothing if read the wrong way.
Hollaback Girl was the summer song of 2005? What universe were YOU living in? 15 Weeks at number one, and undeniably the ENTIRE SUMMER (except, you know, for that ONE week Carrie puked from AI and bought it up…but Mimi came back)…and still NO LOVE from the EW crowd? You guys really need more people like Bethonie on the staff. This unadulterated hate on Mimi has seriously got stop at some point.