Music Review: Ashlee Simpson "Invisible"

Ashlee Simpson

Invisible

Album: N/A

Year:  2006

       The Ohio-based band, Jaded Era, wrote “Invisible” in 2003 and released it independently. In 2006, it was covered by Ashlee Simpson, gaining the band some exposure.

Kira Leyden of Jaded Era struggles to find her place at college in the knowing “Invisible.”

            An attentive guitar opens the single, setting a inquisitive tone. She was told college would be better than high school. So far,Leydenhas gone to from class to class in a lecture hall filled with hundreds of students. If she decided to skip neither her professors nor any of her classmates would’ve even noticed. She’s one person in a couple thousands. Her face blurs with everyone else’s. While she’s washing laundry in the dorms, she drops her basket underneath her with her clothes and books going all over the place. The few people that are in there look but don’t stop folding their own clothes to help. She walks back to her dorm, shaking her head. After living at college for the few past months, she’s learned to expect their behavior. She believes their self-involvement will catch up with them someday. (“Like a grain on the beach/Like a star in the sky/Far too many to count with the naked eye/They won’t see you/Go ahead/Walk on by/You don’t know I’m alive/Maybe one day you’ll find/You should open your eyes/You don’t know me.”)

           In the chorus, she has since joined a band and is currently playing the local bars around the campus. While she’s on break, one of the people from her hall runs up to her and tells her she loved her singing. She remembered seeing her in the laundry room. She always had the coolest clothes. Leyden nods, says thank you and returns back to the stage. (“You’re the one who looked right through me/Now you’re saying that you knew me/When I was invisible/And you’re the one who walked right through me/Now you’re saying that you knew me/When I was invisible.”)

         A simple “hi” would’ve been enough. Instead, people chose to go one building to another, not paying attention. She has since lowered her expectations. People only want to talk about themselves and engage in small talk. She’s learned to steer clear of those people. Even if she were to get into a long discussion with them, they won’t be listening to a word she said. They know her as a singer, not their classmate. (“Little things adding up/Try so hard not to rush/Giving in, letting go of the world we know/They won’t see you/Force it down/Lose the taste/They all think it’s a waste/We don’t need to believe every word they say, now/They don’t know me.”)

       The chorus is sung again.

        In the bridge, she understands people are going through own dramas and try to figure out who they are. However, it’s not an excuse to be rude and self-centered. She confronts the girl after the show, saying she did remember her and recounted the entire incident. The girl turned red and quickly apologized. Leyden believes the girl will think twice now if she’s sees someone who may need a friend.  (“It’s so easy to be lost/But maybe you’re not lost at all/Do you recognize me?/Do you know who I am?/Do you see me now?/Do you see me now?”)

         The chorus is sung again.

 It’s the end of their show and people are clapping. However, she knows they will forget her once the night is over. (“I’m invisible/I’m invisible.”)

     Leyden’s astute, bold vocals are provoking, calling for action against people who believe they are better than other people. She wants to be valued and heard as much as everyone else.

        Given the independent nature of the song, the brusque guitar arrangement works in its favor, reinforcing its individuality.

        The capable “Invisible” stands up for itself and others.
 
       

      Ashlee Simpson, however, attacks her critics in her resentful cover of “Invisible.”

     An adorned guitar opens the single, setting a clean tone. She’s heard a lot of people talk about her. They’ve never even met but assume to know her from watching her on television. (“Like a grain on the beach..you don’t know me.”)

       In the chorus, she’s back in the press again and everyone is being polite to her. She knows they will turn on her the minute she does something wrong. (“You’re the one who looked right through me..when I was invisible.”)

          She plays along but doesn’t get close. She’s only a story to them. If they don’t like what she said, they’ll make up something else instead to sell their magazines and newspapers. (“Little things adding up.. they don’t know me.”)

         The chorus is sung again.

       In the bridge, she says she won’t them let tear her down. (“It’s so easy to be lost/But maybe you’re not lost at all.. do you see me now?”)

        The chorus is sung again.

        It’s because of the press that no one cares about her. (“I’m invisible, I’m invisible.”)

       Simpson’s helpless, accusing  vocals are pointed. However, the blade is dull, making little impact.

     The brusque arrangement is still there. However it’s been caked in makeup and has had its rough edges refined.

      With Simpson, the selfish “Invisible” blames everyone else for its problems.

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