Music Review: Jessica Simpson "A Public Affair"

A Public Affair
Album: A Public Affair
Year: 2006

Jessica Simpson splurges on her friends and revels in her single status in the cavalier “A Public Affair.”

Spangly synths open the single, setting a lustrous tone. In the first verse, her night begins at 10 p.m. It’s time to call her friends and get ready for an evening of dancing, drinking, and doing whomever she pleases. She no longer has anyone to check in with or ask permission to go somewhere. She decides to do what people least expect of her and forget her goody-two-shoes image.

“Here go the street lights, the night's officially on/I got the green light to do what ever we want/Gonna stand outside the box and put the rules on hold.”

In the pre-chorus, she says they are driving everywhere in a stretch white Hummer limousine. Nothing is off-limits for her anymore.

“Tonight/Carte blanche, first class for the evening/Ready, set, go.”

In the chorus, she says the paparazzi can snap and shout all they want. It’s a night Page Six will be scramble to find a source and talk about it the next day.

“All the girls stepping out for a public affair (All night, that's right 'cause the party don't stop)/All the cameras come out for a public affair (Who cares, let's rock, 'cause the party don't stop).”

In the second verse, she notices a good-looking guy staring at her. She’s open to making out on the dance floor or holding close. He’s got everything to gain by coming to her table.

“Hey baby, I see you looking over here baby/Are you gonna keep looking or get up/And talk to me/Here's an opportunity that you don't wanna miss.”

In the pre-chorus, she has made the reservations at each club and restraurant they will go to. Everything’s on her.

“Tonight/Got the plans first class for the evening/Ready, set, go.”

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, she says she’s releasing herself as well as her friends from the pressure of fame and celebrity. They are normal people just hanging out 7 a.m.

“Do what you wanna do, tonight the world does not exist/No, no, no/Move how you wanna move, all my girls work it out like this/Give me room to shake, shake, shake.”

The chorus is sung again.

In the second bridge, beat gets sparkly and she tells everyone to have fun. “All night don't stop/Who cares, let's rock?/Who cares, let's rock?/All night don't stop (don't stop, don't stop)/Who cares, let's rock.”

Then, the “oh, ah’s” of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell sample play.

The sample plays through the final refrain of the chorus.

Simpson officially sheds her virginal image. All that’s missing is an admission of possible cheating on Lachey. She loves what celebrity is able to bring her: immediate friends (even if they are on her payroll), expensive clothing and attention whatever she steps out of the house.

The sheeny, tacky synths are straight from the 80s. The beginning is reminscient of Madonna’s “Holiday” and is changed just slightly to avoid legal ramifications. The “Ain’t No Enough High Enough” is an excessive, unnecessary addition. It’s there just because it’s disco and fits the style of the record company was aiming to copy.

Simpson’s loose vocals are balmy and casual. While her breathy phrasing has been out of laziness (“These Boots” for example), it’s suitable for the light beats. Anything louder would’ve made the single shrill.

“A Public Affair” is not without its flaws but Simpson has found a comfortable niche in the dance genre.

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