What is the point?
On Usher’s new album, “Coming Home,” the R&B star covers Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl.” He calls it “A-Town Girl” — meaning Atlanta — and then adds 9 other writers to the credits besides Joel.
Again, why? Because it’s one of maybe two songs on the new album that has a discernible chorus or melody. The rest of the collection is the usual mish mash of material that’s instantly forgettable.
You’d think after all this time, Usher would get the idea and record actual songs by songwriters. Eight seems to be the magic number, although some of these non tunes have just six or seven writers. There are two tracks previously available in other places including the excellent “Risk it All,” written by HER (Gabi Wilson) for the movie “The Color Purple.”
The only other track that stands out is called “Keep on Dancin'” with five songwriters. But it least it has a normal structure and it sticks in your head.
This isn’t to say that Usher won’t have a successful Super Bowl show on Sunday. He’s got enough older hits to get through, and he can throw in these two as well. But if he’s going to have everyone in the Las Vegas arena singing “Uptown Girl,” he might as well include Billy Joel as his special guest. There’s a reason Billy is back this week with a hot new record and Grammy appearance. The good songs and songwriters never go away.
“Coming Home” is self-released by Usher and LA Reid, and not on a regular label. The distributor is the new Apple backed company, Gamma. Apple is also underwriting the half time show on Sunday. But the computer giant probably won’t be able to use these lyrics in its commercials, like: “Won’t just open your legs (Ooh-ooh) / And then leave you for dead (Oh)”
this one is classic, too: I seen a million girls, but ain’t seen none like you
I got options, baby, but you still the one I choose
That’s the way to make a girl feel special!
