Music Review: 3LW & Loon "I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)"

I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)
Album: A Girl Can Mack
Year: 2002

Kiely Williams goes home with an ex-con in the scuzzy “I Do (Wanna Get Close You).”

Tinny synths and a clunky bass open the single, setting a shoddy tone. In the intro, 3LW “yeah’s” and “uh huh’s” for about a minute. Loon says he likes to repetition the “uh huh’s” and enjoys the beat. He says it’s 3LW and it’s a song from P. Diddy.

“ Yeah {Uh}, uh-huh/Yeah, uh-huh {Uh}/Yeah, uh-huh {Uh)/Yeah, uh-huh {I like this}/Yeah, uh-huh {And another one}/Yeah, uh-huh {And another one}/Yeah, uh-huh {Bad Boy, 3LW, let's go}/Yeah, uh-huh.”

In the first verse, Williams says he arrived to the club like he was royalty. She scoffed at his bravado and headed towards the back door of the VIP lounge. But Loon kept looking at her, holding her gaze. She sees him, running his tongue over lips, and is attracted to him. She walks up to him and says the DJ will keep her friends busy tonight by dancing. In the meantime, they can drink and talk.

“Rode up in the club like what/I got the VIP on lock down/Then I saw you starin' at me/The way we started to the back/You make me think that you're the one/Lickin' your lips at me for fun/While the DJ's makin' 'em sweat/Won't you come step to me.”

In the chorus, she tells him that if he wants to make out or have sex, all he has to do is let her know when. She mentions that if money isn’t an object to him, then she’s interested in him. She also says that if he’s spontaneous, then she will spend time with him.

“If you wanna get down, baby, I do/Holler at me, baby, uh-huh/If you're rollin' deep tonight/Then I do wanna know you/But if you wanna get down, baby, it's cool/Holler at me, baby, uh-huh/If your love is ridiculous/Then I do wanna get close to you.”

In the second verse, she is an awe of the gold necklace around his neck and the rings on his fingers. His designer clothes and his charm are attractive to her. He’s a smooth talker and knows what exactly what to say. She’s already imagining kissing him on her couch. She’s excited and now wants to let loose. She wants to take him to the affluent part of the city. She asks him to buy her something.

“Your ice, your gear, your sex appeal/Your game so tight, you got me feenin'/Wantin' you alone with me/Is the illest fantasy/You make me feel like wylin' out/Showin' you what it's about, yeah/Got it goin' on uptown/Now let me see you work it out on me.”

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, Loon stops paying attention to her and begins to flirt with her one of her friends. Williams is taken aback and tries to think of ways to get him to notice her again. He’s perfect for her. She asks him if he does like her. Loon raps he could give her memorable orgasms. He tells her they can hang out at his house. He tells her he just got of jail and wants to have sex. He’s been deprived of affection from a female for a long time. He says he’s not selling drugs anymore and wants to settle down. He says she’s marriage material and isn’t looking for the shallow women anymore. He adds that there’s more to him than his luxury cars and necklaces. He says for her to stay with the status quo and believe in herself.

“I'm sure you had me to get her, baby/Baby, how can I just make you see/I'm the only one you need/So please let me know right now/'Cause it's true ('Cause it's true), I want you (I want you)/Say that you want me too/Come on, yeah/Ladies and gentlemen/I know I could make you scream like a woman supposed to/Seems like you wanna get closer/Well, boo here's the ticket, come through, we could kick it/One hun' twenty, five foot two, my view with the sickest/It's true, been convicted, I'm probably needin' a girl/In other words, ma, I'm due for some kisses, I'm due for some huggin'/And all them dudes that be buggin', I ain't with it/I'm through the thuggin', I'm due for some lovin'/I need a wife in my life and ma, you're lookin' like you're due for a husband/I choose not to love 'em/These chicks runnin' around actin' like straight fools in the public/Let's move with the subject because I came with a better plot/Just play the game and you'll never flop/It's in your brain, you already hot/But you ain't close to my face, so you better stop.”

The chorus is sung twice.

In the outro, Loon “yeah’s” and breathes heavily.

“That's cool, don't stop/Ah-hah/Yeah/Yeah/Uh-huh, uh-huh/I like this.”

The tinny synth solo closes the single.

Williams could care less about his personality. She wants to ensnare a rich guy and marry him. Then, use his money to buy clothes and whatever she desires. Loon, on the other hand, wants to redeem himself and move on from his criminal past. He would like to start a family with a nice girl. While the song centers around Williams, Loon ends up being the most interesting character.

Williams’ puerile, nymphet vocals are trivial and preying. She’s likely getting into the bar with a fake I.D. and making out with much older men. All the while, she never reveals her true age. It’s quite disturbing. She’s like a live action Bratz doll. Loon, however, is unaware of her true age and believes her to be at least 21. He’s naïve and self-conscious. He’s cautious to not offend anyone. Nonetheless, his monotone delivery is forgettable.

The rundown arrangement muddies its tatty beats and greases the flickering synths. The sleazy atmosphere seeps into the notes, seeking trouble.

The grime from “I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)” is impossible to stomach.

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