Music Review: Rita Ora "I Will Never Let You Down"

Rita Ora

I Will Never Let You Down

Album: TBA

Year: 2014

           Rita Ora lets her boyfriend vent to her in the  good-natured  “I Will Never Let You Down.”

        A teasing guitar opens the single. setting a coaxing tone. He doesn’t say a word when he enters their home. He heads straight to the television and puts in his favorite video game. She lets shoot and blast computerized objects for an hour. Then, she gives him a hug and asks for a controller. As they play, she talks to him about his day. He says he’s had enough and wants to quit. She tells him she’ll support him in whatever he chooses. She wants him to be enjoy his life. It would bother her to see him become bitter and spiteful. (“Tell me baby what we're gonna do/I'll make it easy, got a lot to lose/Watch the sunlight, coming through/Open the window, let it shine on you.”)

           In the pre-chorus, she reaches for a tissue and blows her nose. Other than her cold, she has been able to function. But once she’s home, she’s been relying on him. He’s gone to the drugstore to pick up medicine and has lived on soup with her for a good part of the week. He hasn’t time to unwind and relax himself. His two-faced co-workers have really gotten to him. She tells him it annoys her, too. (“'Cause I've been sick and working all week/And I've been doing just fine/You've been tired of watching me/Forgot to have a good time, boy/You can’t take it, all these faces/Never keeping it real/I know exactly how you feel.”)

            In the chorus, she won’t disappoint him and will be there for him. (“When you say you've had enough/And you might just give it up/Oh, oh/I will never let you down/When you feeling low on love/I'll be what you dreaming of/Oh, oh/I will never let you down/Oh, oh/I will never let you down/Oh, oh/I will never let you down.”)

           She tells him to scream if he wants. He can feel free to let it out. He doesn’t have to feel self-conscious around her. She won’t judge him. (“There's a million ways to go/Don't be embarrassed if you lose control/On the rooftop, now you know/Your body's frozen and you lost your soul.”)

              The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

        In the bridge, she says they can make a weekend trip to the amusement park. He hasn’t been there since he started working. She tells him it’ll take his mind off everything. (“Let me take you where you never go/Have a little fun, it's the only way we know/Let me show you what you never see/You know how to love only when you're holding me.”)

                   The chorus is sung once.

                     An edited chorus ends the single. (“When you say you've had enough…I will never let you down.”)

            Ora’s lovable vocals take care of her boyfriend. He does so much for her already. It’s only fair she help him out now. She does not want their relationship to become one-sided. He deserves a day to himself and needs to know he’s appreciated, too.

             Calvin Harris’ lighthearted arrangement keeps up the spirit in a pleasant manner. However, it doesn’t ever truly let loose. It’s unfortunate for her that Harris has long peaked and seems to be holding back now.

             The mild  “I Will Never Let You Down” finds a niche for Ora in dance, although it’s not quite perfected yet.