Music Review: Whitney Houston "Whatchulookinat"
Whitney Houston
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Whatchulookinat
Album: Just Whitney
Year: 2002
Whitney Houston blames the media for her career decline in the hot-tempered "Whatchulookinat."
Producer Muhammad 2 G opens the single with his intro. In it, he tells Houston that she has to retialiate against the paparazzi and the press for stalking her and writing awful things about her. Houston "well, well's" and randomly says her husband's first name. It sets a paranoid tone.
In the chorus, she wonders why the press is always following her. She asserts that she's going to be herself and there's nothing wrong with it. She tells to find something better to do and leave her alone. They print stuff about her that is false and she feels suffocated by it.
In the first verse, she thinks the press is out to get her. If they don’t have any interest in her anymore, why are they still printing stories about her? She's not actively seeking publicity. She's just doing her job. She tells the press that they aren't affecting her in anyway. She brushes off their criticisms like it was lint off her shoulder.
In the pre-chorus, it didn't occur to her that the press would turn on her. After all, it was the same newspapers and magazines which lauded her in the past. She didn't think they would write negative stories on her at all.
The chorus is sung again.
In the second verse, she says she’s a celebrity and the press should appreciate her. She's a legend and one of the greatest voices. She says she has legions of fans and they have none. Neener, neener. She says the reporters and tabloids pick and pick for something bad about her. However, she says it's her turn and she's going to exact revenge for ruining her career.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
In the bridge, she says the press is painting her as a druggie and has-been. She tells them they are dumb and idiotic. They know nothing about her and are attempting to divert her attention from music. She says they have to cut it out. It’s libelous and unethical considering they are making money off tearing her down. She tells them that God loves her, not them and she’s fine on her own.
The chorus is sung twice.
In the outro, Muhammad 2 G says the press should take a long, hard look at themselves and realize they are evil people! Unlike Houston, who is an angel.
Houston's hissyfit only serves to alienate the very people who made her career – the press. It will result in even more negative stories. The fact is, with this song, she kisses away any hope of a comeback. First, she feels entitled to control what they write about her. She wants positive stories which portray her as the sweet girl in the 80s. In reality, she can't She opened that can of worms all by herself as soon as she made her relationship with Bobby Brown her entire image. Secondly, she thinks she can be a celebrity when it's convenient for her. It's not. Once she goes outside her door, she's Whitney Houston, Inc. She's a brand.
Houston hasn't been able to reconcile her public image as a business. It's as though it never occurred her. It pains her that she is no longer untouchable by the press (even though she says it doesn't.) She wants to be 80s Whitney, but without the image. She hasn't realized she can't be both personas without the criticism.
In the 80s, she had an elegant voice. However, the wear and tear is evident. Her accusatory vocals are frail and inconsistent, which is disappointing. Her vocals are normal in the first verse. Then, in the second verse, they are low and incoherent.
The R&B arrangement is aiming for a modern, young feel. But Houston is tired and out of place. She lacks the chutzpah and the energy to convey her anger.
"Whatchulookinat" is a dim-witted trainwreck.
Album: Just Whitney
Year: 2002
Whitney Houston blames the media for her career decline in the hot-tempered "Whatchulookinat."
Producer Muhammad 2 G opens the single with his intro. In it, he tells Houston that she has to retialiate against the paparazzi and the press for stalking her and writing awful things about her. Houston "well, well's" and randomly says her husband's first name. It sets a paranoid tone.
"It's time for you to strike back/They're lookin' at you/Whitney Houston/Muhammad 2 G/They're watching your every move/Bobby/They're watching you."
In the chorus, she wonders why the press is always following her. She asserts that she's going to be herself and there's nothing wrong with it. She tells to find something better to do and leave her alone. They print stuff about her that is false and she feels suffocated by it.
"Why you lookin' at me/Don't get mad at me/Cause I'm still gonna be me/(Tell me, Tell me, Tell me)/Whatchulookinat/(Tell me, Tell me, Tell me)/Whatchulookinat/I feel your eyes on me/You been telling lies on me/(Tell me, Tell me, Tell me)/Whatchulookinat/(Tell me, Tell me, Tell me).”
In the first verse, she thinks the press is out to get her. If they don’t have any interest in her anymore, why are they still printing stories about her? She's not actively seeking publicity. She's just doing her job. She tells the press that they aren't affecting her in anyway. She brushes off their criticisms like it was lint off her shoulder.
“See I don't understand/Why you keep peepin' me/When you don't even like me/You're after me and my man/Don't think you're stressing me/Cause your lies don't excite me, no no.”
In the pre-chorus, it didn't occur to her that the press would turn on her. After all, it was the same newspapers and magazines which lauded her in the past. She didn't think they would write negative stories on her at all.
"(Never thought)/Never thought, Never thought/(Never knew)/Never knew that you would do this to me/Do this to me/(Try to ruin me) Ruin me/(Be my enemy) Be my enemy/(Never thought)/Never thought, Never thought, Never thought/(That you) That you/Would act as if you're cool with me/So why you lookin' at me."
The chorus is sung again.
In the second verse, she says she’s a celebrity and the press should appreciate her. She's a legend and one of the greatest voices. She says she has legions of fans and they have none. Neener, neener. She says the reporters and tabloids pick and pick for something bad about her. However, she says it's her turn and she's going to exact revenge for ruining her career.
"Oh you know you're wrong/Don't wanna respect my song/But it's okay 'cause either way/My following is real strong/You try so hard to show the whole world what I do/Now I'm turning the cameras back on you/Same spotlight that once gave me fame/Trying to dirty up Whitney's name."
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
In the bridge, she says the press is painting her as a druggie and has-been. She tells them they are dumb and idiotic. They know nothing about her and are attempting to divert her attention from music. She says they have to cut it out. It’s libelous and unethical considering they are making money off tearing her down. She tells them that God loves her, not them and she’s fine on her own.
"Messing with my reputation/Ain't even got no education/Trying to mess with my concentration/Don't even have a clue of what I'mfacing/All you know you need to stop it/Defaming my name for a profit/God is the reason my soul is free/And I don't need you looking at me.”
The chorus is sung twice.
In the outro, Muhammad 2 G says the press should take a long, hard look at themselves and realize they are evil people! Unlike Houston, who is an angel.
"Look atcha self."
Houston's hissyfit only serves to alienate the very people who made her career – the press. It will result in even more negative stories. The fact is, with this song, she kisses away any hope of a comeback. First, she feels entitled to control what they write about her. She wants positive stories which portray her as the sweet girl in the 80s. In reality, she can't She opened that can of worms all by herself as soon as she made her relationship with Bobby Brown her entire image. Secondly, she thinks she can be a celebrity when it's convenient for her. It's not. Once she goes outside her door, she's Whitney Houston, Inc. She's a brand.
Houston hasn't been able to reconcile her public image as a business. It's as though it never occurred her. It pains her that she is no longer untouchable by the press (even though she says it doesn't.) She wants to be 80s Whitney, but without the image. She hasn't realized she can't be both personas without the criticism.
In the 80s, she had an elegant voice. However, the wear and tear is evident. Her accusatory vocals are frail and inconsistent, which is disappointing. Her vocals are normal in the first verse. Then, in the second verse, they are low and incoherent.
The R&B arrangement is aiming for a modern, young feel. But Houston is tired and out of place. She lacks the chutzpah and the energy to convey her anger.
"Whatchulookinat" is a dim-witted trainwreck.