The Bottom Line
Jordin Sparks is throwing some serious elbows here to take her place in the top ranks of past American Idol champions. Rihanna and Beyonce will be looking over their shoulders, too. "Battlefield" is the kind of song that screams instant hit from the first time you listen. Major credit goes both to producer and co-songwriter Ryan Tedder and Jordin herself who is a stellar singer with a golden personality to match.
Pros
- Jordin's exciting, declaiming vocals
- Huge, all-stops out chorus with towering chimes
- Sparse break that inspires goosebumps
Cons
- Lacking a bit in originality of the concept
Description
- Written by Wayne Wilkins, Ryan Tedder, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters
- Produced by Ryan Tedder
- Released May 2009 by Jive Records
Guide Review - Jordin Sparks - "Battlefield"
Ryan Tedder, leader of the band OneRepublic, and a songwriter and a producer on his own, is clearly one of the top new talents to emerge in mainstream pop over the past five years. Hot on the heels of his work with Beyonce on "Halo" landing in the top five, there is a real possibility that he will reach the hit range with "Battlefield" of his towering work on Leona Lewis' American breakthrough "Bleeding Love." However, it is important to remember that Jordin Sparks is no minor talent, and she proves it here. From the first notes she is clearly in a vocal zone.
Romantic strife is nothing new or original as pop song subject matter, and much of the lyrical content here isn't exactly memorable. However, the question coupled with a declaration, "Why does love always feel like a battlefield? You better go and get your armor," will stick. It is also part of the song's multiple goosebump moments. The sheer aural power here does make most concerns about lyrics nearly moot.
A chart-topping hit, possibly in both the US and UK, seems almost a sure thing with "Battlefield." It will sound great on pop radio and could easily be remixed into a smash for dance clubs. This may indeed be the sound of summer 2009.
