Taio Cruz - 'Break Your Heart'
Oh my days, Taio Cruz has done it. He's actually gone and done it. With new single 'Break Your Heart', he has done the unthinkable. The unimaginable. The unbelievable. He has officially created the Most Arrogant Song of 2009, despite the HUGE competition.
Yep, this song is more arrogant than 'Boom Boom Pow', more arrogant than 'It's Not Fair', heck, it's even more arrogant than 'Get Sexy'. And with lyrics like "If you fall for me, I'm not easy to please. I'm gonna tear you apart" and "I'm only gonna break your heart", it's even more arrogant than Chipmunk's infamous "with a face like this how could I be camera shy".
And that's saying something.
( Although it's massively cheesy, especially the cringeworthy start and the power-boat scenario, at least the girl is on level pegging with Taio in the ego stakes.)
Let's get one thing clear from the offset: this song is about breaking hearts but in ABSOLUTELY NO WAY is it about being heartbroken. Which, despite its conceitedness (did I mention it was arrogant?), is kinda good. Now, I love a "woe-is-me" emo track as much as the next haircut, but sometimes its fun to see an artist go "screw that! I'm hot! And that's more fun to sing about!". Especially when the song turns out to be actually, well, good (take note Pussycat Dolls).
Don't get me wrong, this song is a total cheese-fest, but in a weird way it's kind of beautiful. While it completely invests in the current Ibiza-inspired R&B trend, as pioneered by the likes of Dizzy Rascal, this song is taken to another level by the slick production, especially the beautiful, layered vocals that are reminiscent of OneRepublic/Timberland's 'Apologize'.
What's funny though is that, this song, for all its self-obsessions, doesn't actually sound like it should be, you know, self-obsessed. It's like the lyrics don't quite match the tone of the track in the same way that PussyCat Dolls song does, or even Will.i.Am's 'Heartbreaker' does.
However, unlike Will.i.Am's retrospective "oh well, soz about that whole breaking your heart thing, but you know, that's what I do", it's nice that Tiao has the decency to forewarn us that he'll break our hearts. You know, before he goes ahead and does.
Who says romance is dead?
Download: Out now
CD Released: September 14th
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Music page
(Vicki Lutas)
Comment number 1.
At 12th Sep 2009, Ss994 wrote:Did you just spell Dizzee Rascal wrong? LOL
Great review though.
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Comment number 2.
At 13th Sep 2009, Vicki wrote:oh POO.
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Comment number 3.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:[5.30] Since this is the "Chart Show" blog, may I comment on F & R's analysis of the album chart?
The Beatles are at No. 4 & Vera Lynn is No 1. So, what does that mean to the Chart Show presenters? Do they find it interesting that pop music, traditionally a young person's medium, is heavily populated by the deceased?
Err, no. They point out via their bezzie mate Calvin 'Arris (who is like, you know, totally tall), that Vera Lynn is old.
Phew - thanks for that penetrating insight. Couldn't a producer have written them something to say?
Oh no, wait, we're back to people texting in who might be No. 1. Do you know, I never tire of knowing who Big_Lizzie17 form Bootle thinks is going to be Number 1.
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Comment number 4.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:PS I enjoyed Reggie's insight on Jay-Z's recent gig at Madison Sq Gdn (which is in New York, he tells me).
Apparently it was a big gig - was it on Friday? - for something or other. Oh yeah, it was for 9/11, but then 9/11 was YEARS ago so not worth mentioning.
But the BIG debate, it appears, about Jay-Z's upcoming UK gig, is whether Mr Hudson is going to appear with him. Is that REALLY a big debate to anyone?
Is "Mr" Hudson that famous? There are people in his own house who don't know who he is.
When Fearne (soon!) goes, can she take poor old Reggie with her. How about this Frasier fella doing the top 40? He seems to know about music & have opinions about it. Oh, but he might not want to do the "Please text in" bogus inclusivity bit.
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Comment number 5.
At 13th Sep 2009, Daniel wrote:I just came online to see what Reggie's drivel would be but he doesn't seem to be around! Maybe he's took the hint?
Well done Reggie. Now go away.
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Comment number 6.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:Actually, they really cut back on the "Bob from Staines finks it will be Pixie for No1", and managed to be positive & interested in Temper Trap, despite them not having any band members who are teenage girls or in the Daily Star.
But the interview with those teenage bimbos ("Hi, we were put together & now Xenomania have some records for us to sing along to") was awful.
But Fearne is leaving WITHOUT taking Reggie (aw, poor Reggie) and he cannot be allowed to carry the program alone. He can't do a long prog on his own, and surely now Fearne has ditched him it's time for the R1 to do the same.
Surely E! TV will have a berth for him?
It would be interesting to make the Chart Show more focused on the music after years of sleb-fixated drift.
Funny that R1 have decided to replace older-than-you'd-expect intellectual lightweight Jo Wiley with, err, Fearne Cotton.
Nice of them not to mention "Shut Up & Drive" to that nice Pixie. She is a star though, natch.
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Sep 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:This comment has been referred to the moderators. Explain.
Gutted Ant.. what did that one say?
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Comment number 8.
At 13th Sep 2009, Daniel wrote:Nothing!
I reckon Reggie's removed it himself, He's sick of us haha
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Comment number 9.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:Ah, I wonder what I wrote that was removed.
And I was actually nice about them! They did, after all, seem positive about Temper Trap (who aren't in the Daily Star or contain band members that are teenage girls).
I'll try to split up the remainder of my post to see which bit get nixed...
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Comment number 10.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:I also made a slightly predictable comment about the older-than-you'd expect and a bit dim Jo Wiley being replaced by Fearne.
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Comment number 11.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:And wondered that since Fearne is going to daytime without Reggie (poor Reggie) what's going to happen?
You can't put Reggie on the radio for 150 minutes on his own, it's awful.
Can't really give him a new older sibling either so he has to be dust.
Would be interesting to have the chart show become less about sleb culture (eg that interview with the manufactured girlband) and have people deconstruct the songs as happens on this blog.
Indeed Frasier or Vicky would be ideal. Losing the "Brian from Bootle has texted in" element would be tremendous.
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Comment number 12.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:In fact there was less of the idiots texting in summaries later in the programme, so well done to those producers.
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Comment number 13.
At 13th Sep 2009, MozFoz wrote:Back to the song. Good for the moment, but for an artist who many have claimed to be the future of the British urban scene he's not doing a good job. Or we just have low standards. I mean even Jay Sean has made it in America. Departure was a decent album, so let's build on it, yeah?
Come on Cruz (come on Cruz, come on Cruz)
Hey
Ha :)
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Comment number 14.
At 13th Sep 2009, flatknees wrote:wh? am i going crazy or did this come out aaggeeess ago? is there a refrain that is used in another song? cuz i am sure i heard it a good while back..
i quite like the track, i am liking the fast synths in the background that do him and stryder well.. 3.5 pretty yellow stars from me..
also the beginning of the video works where he is walking along the pier as it seems different. then he makes the cardinal error and gets on a boat.
IDIOT!
the door was slammed shut on boat videos with The Lonely Island's watershed moment with the release of 'on a boat' and subsequently made sure that any video of similar genre afterward would never be as good.
also, i am sure cruz technically gets with a dude in the video...
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Comment number 15.
At 13th Sep 2009, ant_in_wales wrote:Wow, three comments removed, thank God we don't live in Iran, etc.
Clearly discussing Reggie's career prospects once Fearne leaves the Chart Show is not a suitable issue for the Chart Show Blog.
OK, we'll return to discussing a derivative song & video combo...
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Comment number 16.
At 13th Sep 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Im on a boat!
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Comment number 17.
At 13th Sep 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:And its ok Ant. Im sure that you can dicuss ex radio 1 presenters. SO give it a few months hopefully..
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Comment number 18.
At 16th Sep 2009, spirit wrote:This is a superior pop song , that has the pre requisite 4 strong hooks to guarantee a top 10 placing .
This song has a good time holiday feel which will contribute to it's success around Europe . I pick up the successful AKON vibe from this track that is a compliment to it's guaranteed sales success.
I firmly believe that if TAIO can beat off MADONNA'S Celebration , he can grab the number 1 spot this SUNDAY !
The only problem is , Madonna's TEAM , are putting some heavy artillery into the mix in the promotional war , so expect it to be a really close battle between these two !
( I would like to say that TAIO CRUZ is one of the nicest guys in pop that I have been fortunate to meet , with both a sweetness and understanding of his craft. Good luck MR CRUZ ! )
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Comment number 19.
At 16th Sep 2009, spirit wrote:Trust me MOZ , Taio's new album will build on DEPARTURE in terms of sales , songwriting and profile .
Just be patient , the new album is sounding good !
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Comment number 20.
At 16th Sep 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:This will completely hammer Madonna in the race. Easy.
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Comment number 21.
At 16th Sep 2009, spirit wrote:TAIO'S new album is called TWO .
This way out !
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Comment number 22.
At 20th Sep 2009, spirit wrote:TAIO CRUZ is NUMBER 1 !!!!
Spirit and Liam... high five !!!!!
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Comment number 23.
At 20th Sep 2009, spirit wrote:Fearne Cotton did her LAST chart show today !!!
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Comment number 24.
At 20th Sep 2009, spirit wrote:Quote from Reggie Yates today on the chart show , while he had Taio in the studio with him.
"Taio ... Amy from Doncaster has just texted in , she wants to know what colour pants you are wearing right now ! "
Seriously RADIO 1 , do you think this is what your listeners want?
NO NO NO NO !!
Anyone who reads this blog knows how much I love music , I cannot listen to Reggie doing the Chart Show anymore !
It's SO PAINFUL !!!
Where can we apply to present the chart show ?
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Comment number 25.
At 20th Sep 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:I don't listen to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio but I don't like Reggie! He should just stick with kids presenting, sure he was pretty good at that!
I also despise his presence on this blog! He is clearly not a writer, why is he here...?
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Comment number 26.
At 20th Sep 2009, -RachelS- wrote:Re: comment 24
Well, obviously it's what some of the listeners want, or they wouldn't text in and ask!
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Comment number 27.
At 21st Sep 2009, spirit wrote:Yeah , I agree Rachel , it made one listener very happy .
I just wonder about the hundreds that at that point , turned their radios off or moved to a different station .
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Comment number 28.
At 21st Sep 2009, spirit wrote:Apparently , I have just been informed that TAIO CRUZ'S new album will go by the name of ROKSTARR !
Release date 30/11
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