So American Idol champ Jordin Sparks (finally) has an official record deal (with Jive), and her debut single, "Tattoo," is set for an Aug. 27 release. What’s even more interesting to me, though, is Sparks’ choice of collaborator on "Tattoo": Amanda Ghost, whose 2000 debut, Ghost Stories, is still in regular rotation on my iPod. I never quite understood why her lead single, "Filthy Mind," didn’t catch on at U.S. radio, although perhaps the bleeding bathroom walls, girl-on-girl bathtub action, and exploding male-model chests featured in the accompanying video proved 1-800-TOO-MUCH for the folks at VH1?
Anyhow, following her solo failure, Ghost penned a couple of Top 40 hits for other artists, including the ubiquitous "You’re Beautiful" for James Blunt, and "Beautiful Liar," for Beyoncé and Shakira, but I still say it’s a shame she wasn’t rewarded for the far more aggressive sound she championed on "Filthy Mind."
Which brings me to two questions: Can anyone tell me why "Filthy Mind" wasn’t a huge hit? And is it just me, or would Sparks seriously have a hit on her hands if she covered Ghost’s winning "Cellophane" (which you can listen to after the jump)?
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Cellophane sounds like Jordin Sparks can do it.
Good question. “Filthy Mind” was a huge hit in some of the gay clubs in Chicago. I think it was ahead of it’s time. If it were released today, it might have a better chance. Although I don’t know that Jordin Sparks has the gravitas to convincingly cover ANYTHING by the sublime Amanda Ghost.
I agree that Jordin lacks the gravitas.
Wait, so THIS is the person responsible for “You’re beautiful”?!
Eh, I still attribute 97% of that song’s get-on-your-nerveness to Mr. Blunt.
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Ghost for years now and I’m happy that at last she’s being recogzined for her songcraft, even if she must add a little Sweet’n'Low to make it palitable for the pop masses.
Nevertheless, collaborations with Ms. Sparks, et al., are helping Amanda finance her new music like last year’s strikingly melodic “Blood on the Line” EP, so I say “Go on, girl!”
I have Ghost Stories — I think people might remember her most for the ballad “Silver Lining” — it was one of those big ballads they played on pivotal episodes of ER back when people still watched it. I think. Maybe I made that up
Wasn’t she Boy George’s protege? Maybe that hindered mainstream success. Anyway, I didn’t know she did Youre Beautiful. A failed pop star becoming a writing superstar… how very Cathy Dennis of her.
This song sucks!!!
That video was visually disturbing, loved it. I don’t think the masses were ready for Ms. Ghost, but at least she’s making that dough as a songwriter.
Cellophane is more radio friendly than Filthy Mind – not a title track mind you, but a solid sound for a larger audience. However, in world that likes labels & neat boxes (country, pop, rock, etc.) Jordin’s challenge will be defining her style. She is equally talented in multiple genres and will no doubt attempt to mix them up in future releases. That’s a tough rope to walk…. but she does have an “A” team working with her. I hope she pulls it off.
Slezak, you are the gayest thing alive..This song is awful by the way
So, after two years of “You’re Beautiful”, song in the style of SNL’s “Choppin Brocolli”, and the only redeeming thing about it was James Blunt’s singer/songwriter sincerity. AND HE DIDN’T EVEN WRITE IT? UGH.
Mr. Slezak – you tried to shove this song down our throats a couple of months ago for “summer”. We weren’t enamored with it then – the onset of “fall” hasn’t made it any more platable. Please hang your head in shame (and walk around the office with the Charlie Brown song playing in the background, ala Arrested Development)!
Michael, you keep referencing VH1. Remember, especially back in the mid 90’s, MTV was the top 40 video station; VH1 was more adult contemporary. The record companies weren’t worried about VH1; MTV mattered far more.
Oops! The song came from 2000! Scratch my last post. I need my morning coffee; clearly not awake yet. Lol.
I’d MUCH rather hear Blake Lewis cover “Filthy Mind.”
I agree completely and I just wrote an article about this in my blog http://bfeatherstone.blogspot.com/2007/10/song-of-day-3-amanda-ghost-filthy-mind.html
I do agree that Amanda is great as a solo artist, but I’m happy that she’s at least having success as a writer.
This song is amazing, as well as the video. However, I definitely think it was ahead of its time. This kind of hard, driving beat started in the 90s, but even by 2000 it was still not very mainstream.
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