Music Review: Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj "Bang Bang"

Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

Bang Bang

Album: TBA

Year: 2014

              Jessie J and Ariana Grande compete for the same guy as Nicki Minaj enjoys the action in the awesome  “Bang Bang.”

           Sassy bass opens the single, setting a vivacious tone.  Jessie J sees her crush walk with Grande. She says although Grande has a great butt. However, she is able to turn him with her body, too. She says dirty talk and props can only go far. He needs to have someone that will look out for him. (“She got a body like an hourglass/But I can give it to you all the time/She got a booty like a Cadillac/But I can send you into overdrive (You've been waiting for that, step on up, swing your bat)/See, anybody could be bad to you/You need a good girl to blow your mind, yeah.”)

           In the chorus, Jessie J sashays down the hall, her eyes focused on him. She knows he’s falling for her. She winks at him and thinks that one day he will follow her to her car. Then, they will sleep together. (“Bang bang into the room (I know you want it)/Bang bang all over you (I’ll let you have it)/Wait a minute let me take you there (ah)/Wait a minute 'til you (ahhh, hey!)/Bang bang there goes your heart (I know you want it)/Back, back seat of my car (I’ll let you have it)/Wait a minute let me take you there (ah)/Wait a minute 'til you (ahhh, hey!”).

           Grande says Jessie J is sweet but oh so innocent. He needs to have someone with experience. He can say they he’s a good lover. However, she knows exactly what to do. She mentions that all girls are nice. However, it takes a special girl to get a guy excited. (“She might've let you hold her hand in school/But I'mma show you how to graduate/No, I don't need to hear you talk the talk/Just come and show me what your momma gave, oh yeah (You've got a very big shhh, mouth but don’t say a thing)/See anybody could be good to you/You need a bad girl to blow your mind.”)

           Grande joins Jessie J during the chorus.

             Minaj says she’s got the both of them beat. She says they will travel to Italy and have plenty of money. She says they will have sex all the time. (“You know what, girls?/Let me show you how to do it/It’s Myx moscato, it’s frizz in a bottle/It’s Nicki full throttle, it’s oh, oh/Swimming in The Grotto, we winning in the lotto/We dipping in the powder blue, four door/Kitten so good, it's dripping on wood/Get a ride in the engine that could go/Batman, robbin' it, bang bang, cockin' it/Queen Nicki dominant, prominent/It's me, Jessie, and Ari, if they test me, they sorry/Ride his uh like a Harley then pull off in his Ferrari/If he hanging we banging, phone ranging, he slanging/It ain't karaoke night but get the mic ‘cause I'm singing.”)

         In the bridge, Jessie J and Minaj spell out the song’s title. (“Uh, B to the A to the N to the G to the uh/B to the A to the N to the G to the hey (See, anybody could be good to you, you need a bad girl to blow your mind.”)

         The chorus is sung again with Grande. Over the chorus, Minaj repeats “bang bang.”

         Jessie J’s strapping vocals won’t take no for an answer. Statusesque and in control, she outright owns it. After nipping at the mainstream, she takes a huge bite into it. She wants the success and major stardom.

         Grande’s voluptous vocals purr, providing a contrast to Jessie J. She edges further into an adult direction. It is the most sexual she has been in her lyrics so far. Nonetheless, she handles it well. She also doesn’t try to take over, either and lets Jessie J have her moment.

         Minaj’s speedy rap spins the words all at once and doesn’t let up. She’s clearly having a great time, playing around with the words. Her adlibs over the chorus at the end are cute and spirited.  Now, Nicki, please get rid the attitude and Iggy Azalea, ok?

        The  frisky  “Bang Bang” is a boost for all three ladies: Jessie J gets her much deserved comeback, Minaj finally gets a chance to chart again and Grande has another hit single.