The Bottom Line
Yes, it may be a little much for those with high level sensitivity to bad words in pop songs, but, take away the language, and "F**k You!" remains one of the most catchy and clever pop hits of the year. Ignore societal concerns about the specific words and sing along. You will realize just how good the song is. Bruno Mars and his production team the Smeezingtons continue a seriously hot streak of pop hits.
Pros
- Cee Lo Green's authoritative and appropriately emotional vocals
- Seriously clever wordplay
- Neo-Motown production and arrangement
Cons
- No negatives worth mentioning
Description
- Written by Cee-Lo Green, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and Brody Brown
- Produced by the Smeezingtons
- Released August 2010 by Elektra
Guide Review - Cee Lo Green - "F**k You!"
Poor Cee Lo, as he explains in the lyrics, the boyfriend of the girl of his dreams is more Xbox, and he's more Atari. The difference in affection that seems tied to monetary well-being is enough to make him simply blurt out, "F**k you!" Some well-meaning voices whisper in his ear that she is simply a gold digger, but that still is not quite enough to soothe Cee Lo's broken heart. Cleverness abounds here lyrically and musically.
The arresting words are nestled in bright, catchy neo-Motown sounds. Organic churchy organ, sax, chorus, and funky guitar all add to the authenticity of emotion expressed in Cee Lo Green's authoritative vocals that slip into upper range at each expression of pain. The use of expletives in lyrics was enough to gain instant notoriety, but the musical quality is what has kept this song climbing the US pop charts and registering with radio programmers both in the original uncut version and a "safe for radio" version called "Forget You."
It has been four years since Cee Lo Green peformed the lead vocals on Gnarls Barkley's massive breakthrough single "Crazy." "F**k You!" is the true follow up at last to that landmark. Cee Lo Green's vocals are unique enough that both records seem cut from a similar creative cloth. However, this time around it is hot young singer, songwriter and producer Bruno Mars and his team the Smeezingtons that are the studio wizards. Bruno Mars has a way of bringing retro pop sounds directly into the present which is paying off with huge rewards including a chart topping placing for his debut single "Just the Way You Are." He is deserving of accolades for bringing the unique voice of Cee Lo Green back to the pop mainstream in one of the best pop singles of the year.
