Christina Aguilera is one of a rare breed of female pop stars who would rather her music and impeccable style do the talking instead of cheap PR stunts such as shaving her platinum blonde locks bald in full public view, ever so fashionable stints in rehab and not so cheap one week marriages.
Co-written by Aguilera and Linda Perry (Gwen Stefani, Jewel), ‘Candyman’ is the third single from the US singer’s critically acclaimed Back to Basics album which combined elements of early/ mid 20th century music and contemporary R&B to sizzling effect.
The track was originally pencilled in as the second single to be released until her record label insisted on the ballad ‘Hurt’ in the hopes it would replicate the global success of 2002’s ‘Beautiful’. It remains Aguilera’s favourite track on the album.
They say:
About: “Christina Aguilera continues to demonstrate she is one of the top female artists in the business.”
Billboard: “Few popular vocalists could pull off such a feat.”
We say:
‘Candyman’ sounds like you’ve just walked into a ‘40s themed American restaurant, the Andrews Sisters’ ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ playing on the jukebox and Betty Grable, Judy Garland and Rita Hayworth doppelgangers serving the jitterbug crowd strawberry milkshakes.
Of course, this being the new and improved Christina Aguilera, ‘Candyman’ is no out and out retread of other folks’ past achievements. The feisty diva spices up the retro brass and swing with a funky drum loop while the rampant sexual innuendo would have left most ‘40s women clutching the Bible.
“Well, by now I’m getting all bothered and hot/ When he kissed my mouth he really hit the spot/ He got lips like sugar cane/ Good things come for boys who wait,” she sings, delivered with a knowing wink.
Even saucier is the music video for the single in which Aguilera salutes the troops and tips her hat to the Andrews Sisters and aforementioned pin up queens in various sexy outfits.
But aside from looking and sounding great, ‘Candyman’ captures an artist mastering her craft, not afraid of taking risks and using all available mediums to get her message across, however trivial. She’s a pop star in the truest sense.
Like this? Try these:
The Andrews Sisters – Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
The Puppini Sisters – Tu Vo Fa L’Americano
RELEASED
Out now
LABEL
RCA
POSTED...
Sat 24 Mar 2007 at 6:23pm
