Music Review: Gwyneth Paltrow & Huey Lewis "Cruisin'"
Gwyneth Paltrow & Huey Lewis
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Cruisin'
Album: Duets Soundtrack
Year: 2000
According to soulwalking.co.uk, Smokey Robinson was as much a buisnessman as he was a singer/songwriter. In 1961, he became vice president of the Motown label. Robinson did Artist & Representation (A&R) work, like auditioning acts that would like to be on the Motown label. He also promoted other acts as well, including Mary Wells. He helped lead her to a two year string of hit singles from 1962 to 1964.
He was also heavily involved with the Miracles as well. In addition to singing lead, he also wrote the hits "I Second That Emotion"and "The Tracks Of My Tears" as well as others.
In 1972, he would start his solo career. In 1979, he hit #1 on the Billboard charts with the delicate "Cruisin'."
Loving strings and pleasant guitars open the single, setting a carefree tone. Robinson suggests they drive to a park. He reassures that he didn't use her for sex. He intends to have a relationship with her. He's in love with her and offers her the world.
In the chorus, he says she should relax and enjoy the music playing on the radio. He says they will have a great romance. There isn't anyone else he would rather be talking about nothing and everything with. The drive will allow them to get to know each other and share memories.
In the second verse, he says they have the entire night to learn to themselves. She's safe with him and has nothing to worry about. Her secrets will remain with him. As they talk, their relationship becomes intimate and deeper.
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, the female background singers sing "cruise with me, baby, cruise." Robinson says they should enjoy every moment together. He implies they should consummate their relationship. He can't believe he has a girl so wonderful.
The chorus is sung twice to end the single.
Robinson is a perfect gentleman in the single. He's spontaneous and idealistic regarding relationships. From his point of view, they know they have feelings for each other. They should be developed. His girlfriend is uncertain, given the speed of their whirlwind romance. However, she believes that he's truly looking out for her best interests.
Robinson's vocals are light and peaceful. He means no harm. His lucid, honeyed voice is heart fluttering.
"Cruisin'" is a valentine for die hard romantics everywhere.
In 2000, Gwyneth Paltrow's career seemed unstoppable. She had won an Oscar two years for "Shakespeare In Love." She had rebounded with then A-Lister Ben Affleck. Magazine Vanity Fair salivated all over fashions, calling her an icon.
Then, "Duets," directed by her father, Bruce Paltrow, was released. From there, her career started its descent.
Gwyneth duets with Huey Lewis in their befuddled cover of "Cruisin'."
Smarmy keyboards and guitar open the single, setting an off-putting tone. Lewis and Gwyneth alternate lyrics in the verses. Lewis is first. He says they should take a ride somewhere and just drive. She says it should be far away. Lewis tells her to not to get the wrong idea. She understands. Both agree that their relationship will be lasting. They will see each other again.
The original chorus is divided up into two sections. The first half is now a pre-chorus, continuing the same instrumentation as the verse. Paltrow sings the section. She tells him to relax and enjoy the day they are having together.
Album: Duets Soundtrack
Year: 2000
According to soulwalking.co.uk, Smokey Robinson was as much a buisnessman as he was a singer/songwriter. In 1961, he became vice president of the Motown label. Robinson did Artist & Representation (A&R) work, like auditioning acts that would like to be on the Motown label. He also promoted other acts as well, including Mary Wells. He helped lead her to a two year string of hit singles from 1962 to 1964.
He was also heavily involved with the Miracles as well. In addition to singing lead, he also wrote the hits "I Second That Emotion"and "The Tracks Of My Tears" as well as others.
In 1972, he would start his solo career. In 1979, he hit #1 on the Billboard charts with the delicate "Cruisin'."
Loving strings and pleasant guitars open the single, setting a carefree tone. Robinson suggests they drive to a park. He reassures that he didn't use her for sex. He intends to have a relationship with her. He's in love with her and offers her the world.
"Baby let's cruise, away from here /Don't be confused, the way is clear /And if you want it you got it forever /This is not a one night stand, baby, yeah so ."
In the chorus, he says she should relax and enjoy the music playing on the radio. He says they will have a great romance. There isn't anyone else he would rather be talking about nothing and everything with. The drive will allow them to get to know each other and share memories.
"Let the music take your mind, oh /Just release and you will find /You're gonna fly away /Glad you're goin' my way /I love it when we're cruisin' together/The music is played for love/Cruisin' is made for love/I love it when we're cruisin' together."
In the second verse, he says they have the entire night to learn to themselves. She's safe with him and has nothing to worry about. Her secrets will remain with him. As they talk, their relationship becomes intimate and deeper.
" Baby tonight belongs to us/Everything's right, do what you must/
And inch by inch we get closer and closer/To every little part of each other ooh baby, yeah so."
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, the female background singers sing "cruise with me, baby, cruise." Robinson says they should enjoy every moment together. He implies they should consummate their relationship. He can't believe he has a girl so wonderful.
"Baby let's cruise/Let's flow, let's glide/Oh let's open up, and go inside/And if you want it you got it forever/I can just stay there inside you/And love you baby."
The chorus is sung twice to end the single.
Robinson is a perfect gentleman in the single. He's spontaneous and idealistic regarding relationships. From his point of view, they know they have feelings for each other. They should be developed. His girlfriend is uncertain, given the speed of their whirlwind romance. However, she believes that he's truly looking out for her best interests.
Robinson's vocals are light and peaceful. He means no harm. His lucid, honeyed voice is heart fluttering.
"Cruisin'" is a valentine for die hard romantics everywhere.
In 2000, Gwyneth Paltrow's career seemed unstoppable. She had won an Oscar two years for "Shakespeare In Love." She had rebounded with then A-Lister Ben Affleck. Magazine Vanity Fair salivated all over fashions, calling her an icon.
Then, "Duets," directed by her father, Bruce Paltrow, was released. From there, her career started its descent.
Gwyneth duets with Huey Lewis in their befuddled cover of "Cruisin'."
Smarmy keyboards and guitar open the single, setting an off-putting tone. Lewis and Gwyneth alternate lyrics in the verses. Lewis is first. He says they should take a ride somewhere and just drive. She says it should be far away. Lewis tells her to not to get the wrong idea. She understands. Both agree that their relationship will be lasting. They will see each other again.
"Baby let's cruise, away from here/Don't be confused, the way is clear/And if you want it you got it forever/This is not a one night stand, baby, yeah so ."
The original chorus is divided up into two sections. The first half is now a pre-chorus, continuing the same instrumentation as the verse. Paltrow sings the section. She tells him to relax and enjoy the day they are having together.
"Let the music take your mind, oh/Just release and you will find."
In the chorus, both say the drive allows them to reconnect and form a relationship. The drives are their bonding times."You're gonna fly away /Glad you're goin' my way /I love it when we're cruisin' together/The music is played for love/Cruisin' is made for love/I love it when we're cruisin' together."
In the second verse, Lewis says they have the entire night and she finishes with, to them. He says the situation is great. She tells him that he is free to be himself. Both say their relationship has become friendly. Slowly, they are starting to feel like a father and daughter." Baby tonight belongs to us/Everything's right, do what you must/ And inch by inch we get closer and closer/To every little part of each other ooh baby, yeah so."
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, she asks him to join her on a Sunday drive."Cruise with me, baby, oh." The bridge is extended by 20 seconds to have Paltrow show off her belting skills.
A slight lyric change. Originally the lyric was "inside," suggesting sex. However, it's changed to "beside" to mean friendship. Paltrow then says that they should go wherever the day takes them. They should reveal everthing to each other, even if it's scary. She says she could remain with her father all day and"Baby let's cruise/Let's flow, let's glide/Oh let's open up, and go inside/And if you want it you got it forever/I can just stay here beside you/And love you baby."
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice to end the single.
"Cruisin'" is a faulty choice as a theme song for a father and daughter looking to build a relationship. From the onset, the use of "one night stand" is still sung, making it inapproriate. It gives the impression that the relationship is still about a courtship. Outside of the context of the movie, it doesn't matter. It can stand alone. However, it's supposed to tie into the movie and advertise it via radio. It should be relevant and straightforward, regarding the plot.
Although Lewis is the stronger singer, Paltrow has the bulk of the vocals. Lewis is passionate and paternal. He puts his own stamp on the song in the little time he has. Meanwhile, she sticks close to Robinson's phrasing. In turn, she's chivalrous and amatory. She also adds extra notes and springs at every chance to linger on when possible. Her vocals are pretty but ultimately, bland. She tries to belt, however, her range is limited and she can't sustain it. Also, her enuciation is horrible. The word "cruisin'" becomes "croo-sin."
"Cruisin'" is a vanity single for Gwyneth and nothing more.