Who am I? What do I believe in? And has my soul become possessed by an adult-contemporary demon? Because, the thing is, I just listened to the new Mary J. Blige single, "Just Fine," and I do not get it. I do not get it at all. Maybe it’s the dated hand-claps that sounded better on Lumidee back in 2003. Maybe it’s the absence of a strong melody (so crucial for keeping Mary J’s vocals on point). Maybe I just prefer a heartbroken MJB fighting against the odds. Or maybe it’s because the lyrics here sound like they were torn from Dr. Phil’s seventh-grade notebook. "No time for mopin’ around, are you kiddin’?/ Ain’t no time for negative vibes, ’cause I’m winnin." I know Mary don’t need no hateration, holleration in this dancerie, but, seriously? Ugh!
Meanwhile, Celine Dion’s latest, "Taking Chances," is actually — how do I put this? — pretty good! The funny thing is, in spite of all her success on the pop charts, Dion has become synonymous with uncool in recent years. In defense of the Hipness Police, Dion did team up with Anne Geddes on 2004’s Miracle, and spent several years performing inside a humidified bubble on the Las Vegas stage. But "Taking Chances" reveals a more restrained side of Dion. I’ve listened to the track three times now, and not once was I able to conjure up a vision of the singer histrionically beating her chest during the chorus. True, I also couldn’t conjure up a vision of the song landing on my iPod, but it beats the crap out of the inferior "Just Fine." There, I said it!
What do you think, PopWatchers? Give both tracks a listen and tell me if I’m right, or if I’ll be spending time dangling over the fiery pit of musical hell.
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I still pick Mary. To me, if it sounds dated at all, it is like an 80’s R&B throwback. And I find that a good thing. Shouldn’t be the lead single, won’t be a huge hit, but I’ll listen to anything Mary sings.
I’d rather pick neither, but if you had my head in a vice I’d have to say Celine. Mary J’s sounds like a Janet Jackson reject (circa “All for You”)
Celine is a good singer and so is Mary, but both songs stink! I would not purchase either one of these disasters in the making.
PoliB: That is one sad statement you have just made, because Janet Jackson is a mediocre singer at best. At least Mary J Blige can sing, too bad the song is awful.
I’m with Slezak. Mary’s might grow on me but it is not impressive on first listen. Celine’s, on the other hand, made me repeat several times. Easily one of the best she’s recorded.
Love the Eurythmics allusion/stolen words in the lyrics of Celine’s song. It sounds like a country-pop ballad, but I think Celine carries it off well. I wouldn’t buy it, but if I heard it on the radio, I might not change the channel.
Did anyone else have an obnoxious voice interject “you are now listening to…” throughout Mary J’s song? Or did I do something wrong?
who is that in that picture, and what has she done with celine?
I like both, but am willing to bet my life Celine’s song is the new “Suddenly I See” and will be used in every preview for romantic comedies.
some answers:
1) that stupid “you’re listening to” voice comes over so you can’t copy the song or trade it or whatever the kids do now
2) yeah the celine song is already being used for some show on cbs, i don’t remember which one.
that said, i like both for different reasons. i like mary’s BECAUSE of the retro feel. it’s fun and not full of drama like mary usually does. big hit? maybe not, but oh well. i like celine’s song too. it’s not overblown and diva-ish. it’s just a good pop-message song. i like the picture too, very “hair-raising”? so the worng word, but oh well. i do hear celine does a freakin’ awesome cover of heart’s “alone” on the new CD though, and i love that song. i’ll be buying both cd’s i’m sure. michael, you should do a snap judgement for natasha bedingfield’s new song”love like this” with sean kingston. now THAT is gonna be huge. later
Celine’s takes the cake. Heffa can blow with her voice. Amazing song.
Mary! I love Mary but I’m usually a Mariah fanatic, but this song is fire! I love the retro feel of this song. I also like Celine, but at the same time she annoy’s the hell outta me…does that make sense?
Okay, so she doesn’t annoy me, but sometimes she makes me go ugh! Her song is actually really good as well, but I probably wouldn’t buy it.
This is the first English language Celine song I can say I really like. I love how it shows off her incredible range and she sings it with a lot of emotion. The Mary song is good, but it’s not vintage Mary. I vote for Celine (and being a Montrealer, I never thought I’d ever say that!).
I wouldn’t say Dion is synonomous with “uncool” so much as she is with “cheese”.
Completely right. Celine’s song is very good. My wife, when first listening to it said “Is that Kelly Clarkson?” Which is a sign that the song has a younger rhythm that you would expect from CD.
Sometimes, you should just ignore who the artist is and listen. I’ve put away my anti-Celine prejudice — at least for this song. No way you’ll catch me singing the Titanic theme.
All right, Slezak. The gauntlet’s been thrown down. How DARE you besmurch the genius that is MJB? Her song is far better than Celine’s? I mean, what was up with that whispery, off-key thing she was doing? It was more annoying than anything. Mary’s song is upbeat and positive. I know that’s a lot to take in for you fair-weather Mary lovers. Not everyone can handle a happy Mary. True fans, like myself, know that a happy Mary can turn a song just as well as a sad Mary. Slezak, I’m going to be like your mom now: I’m not mad at you, just disappointed.
why all the Celine hate? You can’t say ‘off-key’ when you speak of this woman. Heck, I’m not crazy about her either but the gal NEVER, and I mean NEVER goes off-key! Get yer ears in tune girl!!!
Ummm… so did you hit your head?? Bad call – MJB’s is better.
I love Celine…her voice is so fantastic! She may be a bit dorky, but I think it comes across as sincere. I saw her in Vegas and she really seemed to be enjoying herself and the interaction with the audience.
Slezak, I love you. I really do. I’d propose if you weren’t already married. But I have to disagree this time…MJB has Celine beat this time. 1st, Celine’s is a remake, and I’d take original over remade anyday. Second, MJB’s has a great upbeat tempo that is really catchy. She just gets better with time, and this is a true example of this. Vocals are on point, and she does a great job. Even better on the second listen. Usually right there with you, but sorry, not this time.
I have to agree with you, Slezak. Celine’s is most definitely better.
Look I like both ladies just fine..but Britneys song “Gimmie More” is more fun.Celine’s voice is not as appealing on “Taking Chances”maybe its the range or key that its sung.Mary”s song is fun but fluff.What I really want to hear is that”Grown Woman” song they played at the end of the Entourage episode she was on..now that song was hot
I’ve been listening to this song all week and loving it. I had NO idea it was Celine Dion.
Celine Dion is one of the most successful – and talented – female recording artists of all time. Comparing her to Mary J is insulting on its own.
I have never understood the backlash against Celine. Her voice is awesome! Oh, well, enough peole like her – according to Forbes, she earned $45 million last year. I am not sure what Mary J earned, as she didn’t make the “100 Most Powerful Celebrities” list, but I doubt it’s even close.
I have to agree with Slezak on this one. MJB needs the melodrama to cover the fact that she is dark-side-of-the-moon-far from pitch perfect. This song shows the weakness of her voice. Celine, on the other hand, is learning that she doesn’t have to indulge in histronics to be compelling, which is a very nice change for her.
Brainiac- Putting Celine and Mary in the same sentence is INSULTING? Give me a break. Really, Celine has a great voice, but she is hardly the female musician to end all female musicians. And Mary isn’t Britney Spears or Christina Milian. And last time I checked, earning power does not equal talent. Your comment was hyperbole at its worst.
The backlash probably is related to the Titanic song that wa splayed ad nauseum in ‘97-’98
Someone else said that Mary J’s song sounds like a Janet Jackson-reject, adn I think that’s dead on actually. It definitely sounds like a Janet song (not that Janet is a good singer in comparison to anyone). That being said, it is fun, but it’s not impressive and I don’t think it will be a hit.
I loved the Celine song…
This is ridiculous. Celine Dion STOLE Platinum Weird’s song “Taking Chances.” I would MAYBE think differently if there was something original about her version but there’s nothing. The music is the same and she’s forcing her voice to sound like Kara DioGuardi (lead singer for Platinum Weird) and she can’t; she sounds like she’s dying. Literally, there’s no comparison. DOWNLOAD PLATINUM WEIRD’S VERSION RIGHT NOW!!! You’ll see what I mean.