Music Review: Little Mix "Salute"

Little Mix

Salute

Album: Salute

Year: 2014

           The young women of Little Mix encourage women to band together in the solid             “Salute.”

       A warning siren opens the single, setting a striking tone. Jesy Nelson says she’s looking for women who will support to each other. She knows they are out there. They are the fashionistas, the busy moms and the artistic. Jade Thirlwall repeats it.  (“Ladies all across the world/Listen up, we're looking for recruits/

If you with me, let me see your hands/Stand up and salute/Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots/Representing all the women, salute, salute!/Ladies all across the world/Listen up, we're looking for recruits/If you with me, let me see your hands/Stand up and salute/Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots/Representing all the women, salute, salute!”)

          In the chorus, they say they shouldn’t have to hide who they are. They are women who will look out for each other and keep the ones sniffing around for trouble in line. (“It's who we are/We don't need no camouflage/It's the female federal/And we're taking off/If you with me, women let me hear you say/Ladies all across the world/Listen up, we're looking for recruits/If you with me, let me see your hands/Stand up and salute/Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots/Representing all the women, salute, salute/Attention! (Salute)/Attention! (Salute)/Attention! (Huh!)/Representing all the women, salute, salute!”)

       Leigh-Anne Pinnick says women who will stand up to other women have to say something. Otherwise, it’s going to make their words okay. However, they can’t stoop to their level. All they have to do is to be blunt with them and call them out. They don’t depend on a men’s opinion of them. Perrie Edwards repeats it. (“Sisters we are everywhere/Warriors, your country needs you/If you ready ladies, better keep steady/Ready, aim, shoot it/Don't need ammunition, on a mission/And we'll hit you with the truth/Divas, Queens, we don't need no man, salute!”)

             The chorus is sung again.

              In the bridge, they say women are more than their bodies. They are human. Society can devalue women. However, it can’t stop women from fighting against it. (“You think we're just pretty things/You couldn't be more wrong (We standing strong, we carry on)/Knock us but we keep moving on (we're moving up, yeah)/Can't stop a hurricane, ladies it's time to awake (yeah!)/Attention!/Attention!/Individuals!/Originals!/Huh!/Let me hear you say.”)

         A shortened chorus is sung. (“Ladies all across the world/Listen up, we're looking for recruits/If you with me, let me see your hands/Stand up and salute/Get your killer heels, sneakers, pumps or lace up your boots/Representing all the women, salute, salute/Attention! (Salute)/Attention! (Salute).Attention! (Huh!)/Representing all the women, salute, salute!/(Ladies, the time has come, the war has begun. Let us stand together/And remember, men fight great, but women are great fighters.”)

         In the final section, they say “representing all women, salute, salute!” to end the single.

        Little Mix’s hardworking vocals keep the energy level up and maintain the raw intensity throughout. Nelson, though, should get credit for starting out strong. Thirlwall, Pinnick and Edwards then follow suit.  On screen, it seems repetitve but once heard, the beat moves incredibly fast that it’s hardly noticeable.

         Women standing up to men is a common theme. Women fighting against women isn’t talked about as much. Some men may treat women inhuman. However, it’s even worse for the women who buy into the misogny and act the same way. Little Mix at least attempt to address it.

        The consistent “Salute” has a relevant message that a women from any present generation can understand.