Music Review: "Dynamite" (CD single)
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there's one bad word (the f-bomb)
on the unedited version of the song. Even though the tune is
about partying, the song stays away from mentions of sex,
drinking, and irresponsibility. There's a bit of an attitude to
some of the lines, but there's not enough bravado to push the
single into off-limits territory for older kids.
- Families can talk about how alcohol is used in the media to represent a good time. This song talks a lot about "going to the club," but it doesn't mention drinking. Can you think of some songs that promote drinking as a way to feel good and be sexy? What messages do songs like these send to young listeners?
- "I'm wearing all my favorite brands, brands, brands, brands." Do you feel pressure to wear the right brands of clothing? Do you feel pressure to wear certain labels or styles of clothing? How does what someone wears affect her social standing? Do you think the media helps perpetuate this way of thinking?
- Talk about songs that include a lot of bragging. Do you think it's cool to be so arrogant, or can it be annoying? What happens if you act that way with friends or family?
Hey it's Taio Cruz, and he's in the club! Watch out, as he needs plenty of room to wave his hands and show off his designer clothes. On "DYNAMITE," Cruz tells listeners that his presence is going to be explosive. And with pulsing techno beats and a bit of auto-tune thrown in for good measure, Cruz's party is hard to miss, although it's not one little kids should be invited to. There's an edited version available, which removes the one f-bomb.
Here's a single with some shining moments and some downright silly lyrics. Apparently Cruz can be quite the animated dancer, with lyrics like. "Give me some space for both my hands, hands, hands, hands," and at another moment the British-pop producer/singer goes Calypso with "I throw my hands up in the air sometimes, saying 'ay-oh,' gotta let go." Again with the hands? But there are some inspired moments as well, like the hypnotically-philosophical deeper lines "Cause it goes on and on and on. And it goes on and on and on" that feature a cool '80s sound. Overall, the song works because it's constantly changing things up, like a dancer with one too many moves.
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