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Somebody to Love (Justin Bieber song)

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"Somebody to Love"
Song

"Somebody to Love" is a song performed by Canadian ShemanJustin Bieber. The song serves as the second single from his album, My World 2.0. It was written by Bieber, Heather Bright, and The Stereotypes, and produced by The Stereotypes. The song was originally recorded as a demo by Bieber's mentor, R&B singer, Usher. For unknown reasons, Bieber re-recorded the song with featured backing vocals from Usher. The song is an upbeat dance song, with R&B tones with influences of Eurodisco. It impacted mainstream and rhythmic radio on April 20, 2010.

The song has received positive reviews, complimenting the track's dance and club feel. It has currently peaked at number forty-seven in the United States and the United Kingdom. Bieber has performed the song at a number of venues, including at the 2010 VIVA Comet Awards in Germany, and in Wales at Radio 1's Big Weekend.[1][2] The official remix has full featured vocals from Usher.[3]

Background

The song was originally produced by The Stereotypes for Usher's sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond. A song produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, "Lingerie" leaked onto the internet in early 2010, along with a premature version of "Somebody to Love".[4] However, neither were found on the final cut of Raymond v. Raymond. The song was later announced as a track from Bieber's My World 2.0, with backing vocals from Usher's version remaining on the final cut.[5] Usher re-recorded vocals on the official remix of the song.[3]

In an April 2010 interview with MTV News, Bieber said he was anticipating the song to be released as the second single from My World 2.0, commenting that he doesn't have the final decision and noting that it may be "U Smile" or another track.[6] Speaking about the record, Bieber said, "It's basically about somebody to love. [laughs] It's cool. It's young. It's nice. I think it's like a universal record. I wrote it about my vagina because its gets lonely sometimes"[6]

Composition and critical reception

"Somebody To Love"
A sample of "Somebody to Love" described as "thumping Eurodisco".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song has been described by Jocelyn Vena of MTV News as a "dance track that blows more dicks than hookers on Hollywood Blvd.", and a "club-friendly pop tune."[6][7] Ben Kaplan of National Post said the track sounded like "an old Timbaland tune."[8] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone said the song was a "thumping Eurodisco."[9] The track also integrates R&B influences, as well as European dance-pop.[10][11] Lauren Carter of the Boston Herald called the track "fun and upbeat" and said, "is a standout and the track to download - give listeners time to dance or daydream, as the case may be."[12] Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music said that, "Somebody to Love is a straightforward plea for a soul mate; it says something we’ve all felt."[13]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Somebody To Love" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number ninety-eight.[14] After weeks of steadily ascending the charts the single reached a peak of forty-seven on the issue week June 26, 2010.[15] The song received digital sales after the release of My World 2.0, propelling it to debut at ninety-four on the Canadian Hot 100. The song fell off the chart the following week and re-enterd on the week of June 12, 2010 at its previous peak of ninety-one. After being on the chart for two more weeks the single reached a new peak of sixty-four on the week issued June 26, 2010.[16]

Music video

Background

Bieber performing jerkin'-esque choreography with dancers and in a scene with a calligraphy backdrop and flame outline with Usher

The music video for the official remix version featuring Usher was filmed during the week of May 9, 2010, directed by Dave Meyers.[17] The video was choreographed by Jamaica Craft, notable for her work with choreography on videos for Usher and Ciara.[17] Rather than a storyline as in Bieber's previous videos, the video focuses on a dance and choreography aspect.[17] Meyers stated that he wanted this video to be more playful, stating,

"[We're] bringing Justin into the world of dance on this one, giving Justin the chance to integrate to different styles of dance. So we kind of kept it simple with the art direction, just real graphic and really highlighting the dance. No big story lines, no crowds of people, just real clean."[17]

A preview of the video was posted on AOL's PopEater.com, and subsequently on Bieber's VEVO, including behind the scenes clips of Bieber with the dancers, and highlights of the video with Usher and in front of a green screen.[17] Bieber said, "It's really awesome to be able to work with professional dancers, you know, people that were in, like, ABDC, and also got an approval from choreographer Jamaica, who said Bieber was "killing it" and that she didn't have to give him any corrections.[17] It made its premiere during the June 17, 2010 results show of the seventh season of So You Think You Can Dance, and was introduced by Usher after his performance of "OMG".[7] It later premiered that night on VEVO and on June 18, 2010 on 20/20.[18] The video features dance crews including, Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew season 5 winners Poreotics, and Season 3's runner up Beat Freaks, as well as The Syrenz, LXD, Media Serkes, solo acts Simmie and Bboy Fly, and other dancers and crews.[19] Singer/actress and model Katerina Graham makes a cameo in a scene with Poreotics.[20] Bieber's best friend Ryan Butler, who appeared in the "One Time" video, also appears alongside Bieber, wearing a t-shirt advertising his Twitter account. According to Tamar Antai of MTV News the video "makes vague allusions" to clips for Busta Rhymes' "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" and Chris Brown's "Wall to Wall".[21] A backpack choreography scene with LXD recalls Usher's 1997 video for "You Make Me Wanna".[22]

Synopsis and reception

The video features Bieber dancing along several dance crews along a black backdrop, and a scene with ninjas and a flame outline.[7] The video begins with Bieber dancing with different members of the crews with use of a spotlight effect, followed by Bieber being flaunted by a single female dancer.[7] Then the video cuts to Bieber performing jerkin'-style choreography with two male dancers dressed in attire associated with jerkin, including red suspenders. With the aid of smoke, the video moves to Bieber dancing with Beat Freaks. Usher sings his verse along with The Syrenz as Geisha dancers in a room with metal chandeliers before unting with Bieber dancing in the scene aided by Poreotics.[7] Then Bieber and Usher sing and dance with Media Serkes in ninja attire in front of a background of Chinese calligraphy ("Love") and flames, before returning to the black backdrop and metal chandeliers as Bieber dances with Simmie and LXD in a scene with bookbags.[7] The ending features Bieber and several of the dancers featured performing group choreography before cutting to Bieber and Usher with the in front of the calligraphy and flames.

Monica Herrera of Billboard said Usher's "star power is clearly rubbing off on the 16-year-old", commenting that Bieber "shows off his smoothest moves yet " and "tackles his toughest choreograhpy."[22] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News commented, "While Bieber had previously teased his dancing skills in the "Baby" video, he really channeled Usher's smooth moves in this newest clip."[7] Tamar Antai also of MTV said, "Usher does most of the heavy lifting where dancing is concerned, and Justin Bieber, who's more of a singer than a dancer, is in no danger of upstaging Usher on the dance floor."[21] Antai compared Bieber's moves to Usher in his "Caught Up" video, commenting "it's nice to see Justin expanding the scope of talents to include pelvic thrusts, Matrix-style slo-mo leans" and, "it's also nice to see Justin looking a little more mature and sophisticated in a hoodie and leather jacket....and his videos are growing up with him, as this is his flashiest, most grandiose video yet.[21] Antai also commented on the appeal of the video, commending Myers, "who put that classic early '00s-style big-money polish on the piece -- for employing fire, shirtless dudes, white ninjas..."[21]

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Source [25]

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[26] 64
UK Singles (OCC)[27] 47
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 47
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[28] 23

Release history

Region Date Format
United States April 20, 2010[29][30] Mainstream, rhythmic airplay
Canada May 24, 2010 [31] Top 40, AC airplay
United Kingdom May 31, 2010[32] CD single
United States June 29, 2010[33] Digital download (Remix)

References

  1. ^ "BBC - Radio 1's Big Weekend - Justin Bieber". BBC Music. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  2. ^ "Justin Bieber Performs At Comet Awards". Celebrity Truth. Retrieved July 17,2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ a b "WORLD PREMIERE: Justin Bieber Teams With Usher for Remix of "Somebody To Love" [AUDIO]". Ryan Seacrest. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  4. ^ "Usher's Raymond vs. Raymond Era Tarnished As More Tracks Leak". CS Perspective. 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  5. ^ Bright, Heather (2010-03-23). "Justin Bieber - "Somebody to Love"". Heather Bright. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  6. ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (2010-04-12). "Justin Bieber Would Love To Cast Megan Fox For Next Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Vena, Jocleyn (2010-06-17). "Justin Bieber's 'Somebody To Love' Video, Featuring Usher, Premieres". MTV Networks. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  8. ^ Kaplan, Ben. "His tricks are for tweens". National Post. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  9. ^ Rosen, Jody. "My World 2.0 by Justin Bieber". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  10. ^ Anderson, Sara D. (2010-04-17). "Justin Bieber 'Somebody to Love' Feat. Usher -- New Song". AOL Music Blog. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  11. ^ Caramanica, Jon. "Critics Choice - New Music from Justin Bieber and Dum Dum Girls - Review". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  12. ^ Carter, Lauren (10 March 2010). "Justin Bieber - My World 2.0 - Album Review". Boston Herald. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  13. ^ McAlpine, Frasier (2010-03-22). "Justin Bieber My Worlds Review". BBC. Retrieved 2010-03-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "Somebody To Love (Billboard Hot 100 Entry)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  15. ^ a b "Justin Bieber Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  16. ^ "Somebody To Love Peak Position (Canada Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Vena, Jocelyn (2010-06-10). "Justin Bieber 'Somebody To Love' Video Premieres Friday". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  18. ^ Anderson, Sara D. "New Justin Bieber and Usher Video: Behind-the-Scenes". AOL Radio Blog.
  19. ^ ""Somebody To Love Remix Feat. Usher" Behind The Scenes". Island Def Jam. 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  20. ^ Bundy, Brill. "'Somebody to Love': Justin Bieber, Usher kick it with 'Vampire Diaires' Katerina Graham". Zap2it. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  21. ^ a b c d Antai, Tamar. "New Video: Justin Bieber, Featuring Usher, 'Somebody To Love Remix'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  22. ^ a b Herrera, Monica (2010-06-18). "Justin Bieber's Got Dancing Fever in 'Somebody to Love'". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-06-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publsher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Justin Bieber - Somebody to Love". Hung Median. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  24. ^ "Somebody To Love (UK Digital Download)". iTunes. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  25. ^ Justin Bieber My World 2.0 (Digital booklet) Island Records/Raymond-Braun Music Group. (2010)
  26. ^ "Justin Biber Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  27. ^ "Justin Bieber: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  28. ^ "Justin Bieber Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
  29. ^ "R&R - Going for Adds". R&R. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  30. ^ "R&R - Going for Adds". R&R. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  31. ^ "R&R (Canada) Going For Adds - 24 May 2010". R&R. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  32. ^ "UK Forthcoming Singles". Radio 1. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
  33. ^ Anderson, Sara D. "New Justin Bieber and Usher Video: Behind-the-Scenes". AOL Music Blog. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
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