Jay-Z's cameo in the LCD display gets me every time.

AOL QT link

         

"Look at me, I'm incredibly rich and every girl on the planet wants me."

This guy used to make interesting pop music, now it seems that's all he has to say.

         

That seems to be the most common criticism aimed at hip hop or r&b by white people and (maybe more accurately) folks who were raised on alternative rock and roll. The idea that Pharrell makes music that isn't "interesting" because of its theme, seems like a criticism that's based mostly on your rockcentric expectations for music. Let's face it, if Pharrell covered themes that you thought were worthy of your time as a listener, he'd probably just be checking off a list of standards that most white people look for when evaluating a singer-songwriter. If you're over the age of 30, that standard is probably embodied by Bob Dylan or Jon Lennon. If you're still in grad school, its probably about the same, but with a pinch of Isaac Brock or that squat guy from Death Cab.

         

Worst rebuttal ever. What's really telling is that you've managed to disregard any legitimate criticism of a genre you like by falling back on 'you don't understand it, whitey'.

         

this track never gets old for me. pharrell can (and has) manufactured nonsense and i'll eat it up.

re: the "legitmacy" of this music -- jamie cullum covered this song. to me, that cancels out any issue someone might have with its theme or content. if you don't like this approach, you might like cullum's. i prefer this one.

         

maybe you misunderstand. i like rap and r&b. the song's okay, if a lot less exciting than the stuff he used to put out (he's no Timbaland)...but if you can find one other message behind the video than the one I'm saying - well, congratulations, professor.

Watch it again: every shot says "I have giant flat-screen TVs, a tricked-out minimalist pad with a skate ramp, and the coolest dudes hanging out with me like Sean Paul and Jay-Z. And if you've got the right invitation, you'll end up in my bed by the end of this song." Blecch. Do the ladies really like this kind of condescension?

         

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was calling a dude out for being racist, and it really wasn't a "rebuttal", I was just trying to put this song/video in its context.

I think the video is a really good visual estimation of what the song is about, and I think thats fine. I don't think Pharrell should have to pretend that he's doing anything more than making a club hit that people can dance to and hum in the car. I also don't think that lowers the value of the song. It's still a fantastic pop song with a great melody, a distinctive style, and a sexiness that doesn't feel contrived or gratuitous.

And yes, the video does have a heavily materialistic bent, but 99% of all music videos can be found guilty in that department. And yes, the girls seem a little too excited by his lavish lifestyle. And yes, the cute groupie girl's trucker hat turns the whole things into an early 00's time capsule. But I do like the stylistic choices, and the breezy feel of the whole production. It takes some interesting chances and has a lot of personality.

         

fungible, do you think this is a new pharrell track?

         

people please, stop posting mtv crap on this site.

         

Great song. Video is really well shot and stylized. I think if there's any criticism that can be levelled at this vid it's that it heavily rips off Romanek.

That said, it's still a great vid, and it goes really well with the track. 2003-Mar 2005 was Paul Hunter's time to shine.

         

the song is ok, but surely the worst fuckn video i ever did see yet. Or perhaps Im missing the point? Could it be that the genius that is Pharrel has decided to make the most cutting edge, insightful and crisp parody of the bling bling, 21st century American decadence r&b genre yet? If so, he has suceeded. I know everyone in the world must surely strive for a flatscreen tv's of clouds (and themselves) all over their house, so they can woo young girls like some kinda adolescent wet dream, but c'mon - is this art? Or is it just advertising with a funk soundtrack?

         

that is probably one of my favorites r&b/hip hop songs of the past few years. it never gets old and like pharrell or not you have to admit it's a pretty good, catchy song.