Soul Cynic
The Importance of Listening To the Words
As I was explaining to someone earlier today, sometimes when you don't like something, you don't have to list the reasons. When certain songs do not appeal to you as a listener, you can spend an inordinate amount of time doing an inventory of the work's shortcomings, which leaves you vulnerable to accusations of hating or not getting it, or you can simply use the most honest reason: "I'm not feeling it." Unfortunately, when you're in the business of editorializing music, this isn't an option. The casual listener has it a bit easier, but can still fall into the trap of damaging his/her own credibility. This strange phenomenon manifests itself currently in Dwele's choice of a first single from Sketches Of A Man.
It astounds me that, exactly a year later, there exists among us a few that believe "I'm Cheatin'" is about infidelity, and have relied upon that misguided logic to write off the song and in some cases, the entire album. Granted, my entire argument relies on personal experience since most documented reviews of the album or song correctly point out the composition's intentions. But Dwele himself has been saddled with the unappealing task of qualifying the song at concerts because he got so much flack for it via Myspace and perhaps a few other communication mediums.
The single isn't a Pop song, but it still doesn't require us to be "smart" or seek any hidden meaning or subtext. The point is clearly stated when the chorus evolves to "I'm cheating on my girl with my girl." Perhaps Dwele overestimated the patience of his fanbase or incorrectly believed most people can understand what he's saying when he employs decidedly "delicate" vocals. Or, he knew exactly what he was doing by choosing a single that would inspire the most knee-jerk controversy while hoping the actual lyrics would eventually absorb any assumptions based on title alone, effectively placing him back into that safe loverman territory while gaining him slightly more exposure. My vote goes to the latter, but it seems to have backfired.
This isn't about those of us that are disappointed with the album as a whole--people that have been listening to Dwele for years, "got" the song and were still underwhelmed by the album's execution. A case can certainly be made for the beat or vocals not being up to standard, since that falls under "personal preference." Personal preference is never not a valid argument. However, basing certain opinions or actions on facts that do not exist is lazy. There are songs released every day that have so much going on for them that the lyrics are an afterthought. But with "I'm Cheatin'" the instrumentation is so laid-back and typical that you basically have to listen to the words to begin experiencing the song.
Words are important. To what degree depends on the artist or the song. But we still have a responsibility as listeners to listen. Have our attention spans, even as adults and lovers of R&B, become so short that a simple song title is enough to inspire blind dissent?
Tags: dwele
Comments
Humph... Before I begin please acknowledge Dwele is one of the most inspirational artists of my generation and a musical idol beyond comprehension... In my opinion of course.
Lewis Carter | February 22, 2009 3:20 PM | PermalinkBut... Lyrically... I do not feel this is Dweles strong point... His vocal talents is up their with anyone in the music industry but with regards to his actual song writing... can we not agree that it is not of the same standard? I seen Dwele at the Jazz Cafe London (I live in Birmingham, England) and was blown away by how amazing he was, the most outstanding vocal talent I have ever witnessed.
If everyone loved music for its lyrical talent alone... Eric Roberson would simply be the biggest selling artist of all time... His song writing skills paint a picture beyond anyone I have ever heard.
Is it just me... Or if you was asked the question could Erro write a better song using the same concept the answer would have to be yes??? Or at least he would deliver the message clearer and just as clever.
I appreciate Dwele and listen to him for his smooth beats amazing voice... BUT.. On several occasions I have thought his song writing to be weak compared to his rivals, hence Erro writing for him in the past.
The reason we enjoy different artist is because they offer different aspects, I don't feel there is a perfect artist... Erro, as you may have gathered is my favourite artist, is no where near as vocally strong as Dwele... So I enjoy the artists to their strengths and in some respects accept their weaknesses.
Is that what not makes music so interesting and diverse enjoying what one artist offers and another one does not? Comparing and enjoying.... & wishing for a collaboration that will make the perfect song???
And herein lies the problem with our music listening masses today. THEY DON"T LISTEN. Someone said back in '97 that "the dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum".
June | February 20, 2009 9:02 AM | PermalinkFunny you bring this up..I will admit the very first time I heard the song, I was a tad upset and shocked that Dwele would release 'such a single', totally tuning out the chorus change at the end. Luckily I saw the video before hearing the song again on the radio and actually listened. Once I got it, I LOVED the concept and felt so silly for not listening the 1st time, because the change is so blatant. I agree with chynadoll that many of our expectations have been lowered, at least by mainstream standards, and it truly sucks.
miss concrete jungle | February 19, 2009 10:13 AM | PermalinkI would first like to say i enjoyed that album, it's good riding music. i also liked the single and waas never confused by the lyrics. i thought it clever and entertaining. even a lil inspirational. ladies we got to switch it up for our mem from time to time
digginme | February 18, 2009 11:06 PM | Permalinkthis is such a necessary post, nOva. our collective attention span is probably at an all-time low. not only do people not listen, they don't read . . . they don't comprehend. too many people want to be spoon fed, and strangely enough, when they ARE spoon fed, they often don't even realize it (as in the Dwele case).
this reminds me a lot of the infamous "Bills, Bills, Bills" joint by Destiny's Child. so many people (brothers, mostly) initially thought this was just a gold digger's anthem, where Beyonce & Co. were just blindly asking a dude to "pay their bills." it was either that, or the song was interpreted as open season on no good, trifling men. the song was really neither of those things. if i recall correctly, it was about one specific dude (real or not) who was being a leech (unlike TLC's "No Scrubs"). "Bills . . ." was so widely misinterpreted when it came out, and there was quite the backlash. people were so quick to react that comprehension sadly fell by the wayside.
Bey's husband said it best (and i paraphrase): "do you listen to music . . . or do you just skim through it?"
i can't lump everyone in the same category, though. perhaps there is just so much bad writing going on in the genre that generally, we expect less and don't bother. that may be a small part of it. that's kind of a cop out though. as you mentioned, listeners have a responsibility to listen, and not unlike the apathetic non-voter, you can't complain if you fail to do so.
dar | February 18, 2009 8:35 PM | PermalinkI remember Dwele doing an interview when he first released this song and he clearly stated that this song was not about infidelity. It was about the two sides of the same girl, his girl. But I also remember hearing people(mostly women) declare they didn't like the song because it was about cheating. If you listen to the words, you can plainly see what he's singing about.
If our attention spans have been shortened, I think it has to do with our expectations being lowered in terms of what we expect from artists in terms of lyrical content. Depending on the artist, I don't expect much from a lot of the popular music today other than the "hot beat of the moment".
chynadoll | February 18, 2009 8:11 PM | Permalink