Music Review: Brenda K. Starr "What You See Is What You Get"
Brenda K. Starr
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
What You See Is What You Get
Album: Brenda K. Starr
Year: 1988
Brenda K. Starr tells her crush she’s approachable in the vigorous “What You See Is What You Get.”
Brazen drum machines open the single, setting a spunky tone. Starr says “I” and “Time,” which are echoed.
The swanky synths have a solo.
In the first chorus, only the background singers are heard. In it, they assert that she is true to her personality. She’s going to be herself.
The swanky synths have another solo.
In the first verse, she says he’s been observing her, trying to figure her out. He has asked her occansional silly questions to find a reason to talk to her. She’s decided to break the ice.
In the pre-chorus, he has stereotyped her as unattainable and with someone else. Sometimes, he can read her flirting well and talks to her. At other times, he backs off, thinking he’s made her uncomfortable. She wonders if her perception of her is either shy or intimidating. She thinks, in order to move forward, she should have a conversation with him.
In the second chorus, she joins the background singers. She adds she’s not going to exaggerate or dumb herself down to appeal to people.
In the second verse, she invites him to sit closer to her and talk to her. He can tell jokes or voice his opinion about politics. It would be better than him trying to figure her out.
In the pre-chorus, she says whenever he chooses to open herself up to her, he will know what she’s about first.
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, a variation of the chorus starts it.
Next, another swanky solo follows.
Then, there is a Spanish section. Due to the obscurity of the single, lyrics couldn’t be found on the Internet. But from what little, I could guess she’s saying, is included. From what I could gather she’s saying “I want your love.” Feel free to post corrections if anyone is familiar with this song.
The second pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.
At the end, she adibs parts of the chorus.
A gleaming electric guitar solo ends the single.
After exchanging only long looks and shy grins with the guy, Starr wants to get to know him. However, he seems to be afraid of her, thinking she may be leading him on. She’s determined to erase any perception he has of her and talk to him.
Starr’s extroverted, irrepressible vocals are self-confident and honest. She is who she says she is, no argument about it at all.
The striking arrangement teems with excitement, igniting a giddy adrenaline rush. Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam and Lisa Stansfield may have been considered cream of the crop of the freestyle genre. However, they cannot match the combined sophiscation and the simplicity of the single.
The overlooked “What You See Is You Get” is a superior freestyle gem.
Album: Brenda K. Starr
Year: 1988
Brenda K. Starr tells her crush she’s approachable in the vigorous “What You See Is What You Get.”
Brazen drum machines open the single, setting a spunky tone. Starr says “I” and “Time,” which are echoed.
“I (I, I, I)/Time (time, time, time).”
The swanky synths have a solo.
In the first chorus, only the background singers are heard. In it, they assert that she is true to her personality. She’s going to be herself.
“What you see is what you get/What you get is everything now, honey/What you see is what you get/Nothing more and nothing less.”
The swanky synths have another solo.
In the first verse, she says he’s been observing her, trying to figure her out. He has asked her occansional silly questions to find a reason to talk to her. She’s decided to break the ice.
“I (I, I, I) oh I’ve been watching your eyes looking for someone/Time, time after time, I might as well just try to change the song.”
In the pre-chorus, he has stereotyped her as unattainable and with someone else. Sometimes, he can read her flirting well and talks to her. At other times, he backs off, thinking he’s made her uncomfortable. She wonders if her perception of her is either shy or intimidating. She thinks, in order to move forward, she should have a conversation with him.
“You think I’m this/You think I’m that/I wonder why you stop and go/Do you think I’m weak/Do you think I’m strong/I think I’d ought to let you know.”
In the second chorus, she joins the background singers. She adds she’s not going to exaggerate or dumb herself down to appeal to people.
“What you see is what you get, baby/What you get is everything now, honey/What you see is what you get, sugar/Nothing more and nothing less/No!”
In the second verse, she invites him to sit closer to her and talk to her. He can tell jokes or voice his opinion about politics. It would be better than him trying to figure her out.
“Oh (oh, oh, oh) move closer, baby, c’mon keep me company/Say, do anything, but you’re tired of rearranging me.”
In the pre-chorus, she says whenever he chooses to open herself up to her, he will know what she’s about first.
“‘Cause I may be this/Cause I may be that/But I don’t know why you stop and go/If you decide to make up your mind/I think I’d ought to let you know.”
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, a variation of the chorus starts it.
“What you see is whatcha/What you see is whatcha/What you see is whatcha/What you see is whatcha/Get, get, get, get/Hot!”
Next, another swanky solo follows.
Then, there is a Spanish section. Due to the obscurity of the single, lyrics couldn’t be found on the Internet. But from what little, I could guess she’s saying, is included. From what I could gather she’s saying “I want your love.” Feel free to post corrections if anyone is familiar with this song.
The second pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.
At the end, she adibs parts of the chorus.
“Less/Nothing more, nothing less/No, no.”
A gleaming electric guitar solo ends the single.
After exchanging only long looks and shy grins with the guy, Starr wants to get to know him. However, he seems to be afraid of her, thinking she may be leading him on. She’s determined to erase any perception he has of her and talk to him.
Starr’s extroverted, irrepressible vocals are self-confident and honest. She is who she says she is, no argument about it at all.
The striking arrangement teems with excitement, igniting a giddy adrenaline rush. Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam and Lisa Stansfield may have been considered cream of the crop of the freestyle genre. However, they cannot match the combined sophiscation and the simplicity of the single.
The overlooked “What You See Is You Get” is a superior freestyle gem.