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She Ain't You

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"She Ain't You"
Song

"She Ain't You" is a song by American recording artist Chris Brown. The mid-tempo R&B, pop-flavored ballad was written by Brown, Jean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia, Kevin McCall and Jason Boyd, and was produced by Free School. It was sent to urban contemporary radio in the United States on March 28, 2011, as the fourth US single from Brown's fourth studio album, F.A.M.E. (2011). Musically, "She Ain't You" samples Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" (1983), and contains a portion of SWV's "Right Here" (1993), with lyrics of Brown falling in and out of love. The song received a mixed response from critics.

In the United States, "She Ain't You" reached number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number twenty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted in the top-thirty in Australia and New Zealand. An accompanying music video was directed by Colin Tilley, and sees Brown paying tribute to Michael Jackson. The song has been performed at the 2011 BET Awards, and on The Today Show.

Background and composition

"She Ain't You" was written by Brown, Jean Baptiste, Ryan Buendia, Kevin McCall and Jason Boyd, and was produced by Free School.[1] It was recorded at Stadium Red Studios in New York City—and Brian Springer mixed the song at The Record Plant—a studio in Los Angeles, California.[1] Springer was assisted by Iain Findlay and Mark Beaven.[1] Amber Streeter of R&B girl group RichGirl performed background vocals on the song.[1] The song was sent to urban contemporary radio in the United States on March 28, 2011.[2] It also impacted rhythmic contemporary radio on April 19, 2011,[3] and contemporary hit radio on May 31, 2011.[4] A remix of "She Ain't You" featuring SWV premiered online on June 10, 2011.[5]

"She Ain't You" is a mid-tempo[6] R&B, pop-flavored ballad,[7][8] featuring electronic and calm beats.[9] The song samples Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" (1983), and contains a portion of SWV's "Right Here" (1993).[1] It also makes use of the drums.[8] According to Najah Goldstein from WXRK, it is "reminiscent of a 90's R&B love song."[10] According to Scott Shetler from AOL Music, on the song, "Brown sings that he's found a new girl, but he's not happy because he still prefers his ex."[6] Hannah Ash from The Harber Herald noted that the line: "With you I had a bad romance", could be a reference to Lady Gaga's single "Bad Romance" (2009).[9] Ash also noted that the song contains "slow and pouty vocals."[9]

Critical reception

Sarah Rodman from The Boston Globe wrote that the song "is totally shameless and completely effective" as it "derives much of its charm from a hefty sample of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature".[11] Joanne Dorken from MTV UK wrote that the sample gave "the tune an instant eighties feel".[8] Najah Goldstein from WXRK wrote that the song is "shows a much softer side of Chris Brown."[10] Goldstein further added that its "definitely a song for the ladies ... maybe even for pop star Rihanna."[10] Margaret Wappler from Los Angeles Times wrote that "the sentiment of the song is refreshingly complex."[12] Hannah Ash from The Harber Herald wrote that on F.A.M.E., "She Ain't You" and "Up to You" are "the perfect sweet and cute love songs".[9] While reviewing the album, Sean Fennessey from The Washington Post wrote that "a more appropriate application appears on "She Ain’t You", which interpolates Michael Jackson's "Human Nature." Jackson has long been the emotional, physical and musical forebear to Brown. But on "She Ain’t You" he begs the comparison, and it isn’t pretty."[13] Jon Caramanica from The New York Times wrote that Brown "has a really charmless way with a lyric, as on "She Ain’t You" —"When I’m with her it's only 'bout the sex / With you I had a bad romance / And if I could just trade her in I would"—and a voice nowhere near strong enough to make up for it."[14]

Chart performance

On the issue dated April 2, 2011, "She Ain't You" debuted at number seventy-five on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.[15] The song peaked at number five on the issue dated June 18, 2011,[16] and has spent twenty weeks on the chart.[17] On the issue dated April 30, 2011, "She Ain't You" debuted at number ninety on the Billboard Hot 100,[18] and peaked at number twenty-seven on the issue dated August 6, 2011.[19] On the Australian Singles Chart, "She Ain't You" debuted at number thirty-four on June 13, 2011, and later peaked at number twenty-seven.[20] The song was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 35,000 units.[21] On the New Zealand Singles Chart, "She Ain't You" debuted at number thirty-seven, and later peaked at number twenty-seven.[22] It spent a total of seven weeks on the chart.[22]

Music video

Brown's tribute to Michael Jackson was praised by critics.

The music video for "She Ain't You" was directed by Colin Tilley,[23] and premiered on May 2, 2011.[24] Throughout the video, Brown pays tribute to Michael Jackson, and performs his iconic dance moves.[25] The video opens with a dedication, saying, "Dedicated to my biggest inspiration of all time ... I Love You. R.I.P. Michael Jackson. 08/29/58 – 06/25/09."[25] Brown then appears in a '80s-styled white suit and a black fedora,[25] performing choreography with male and female dancers against a wall of neon lights.[23] Brown's outfit has been noted for its similarities to the one Jackson wore in his music video for "Smooth Criminal" (1988).[25][24] In between this scene, Brown can also be seen wearing a black suit while dancing in front of a backdrop of dark clouds. Amber Streeter and Brown appear separately during the song's chorus where they are surrounded by gold butterflies. More scenes of Brown performing choreography are shown during the second verse. He also appears outdoors splashing in a pool of water.[23] The video ends showing Brown flying through the air.

A writer for Rap-Up wrote that the video showcased what Brown does best – "dance".[23] Anthony Osei from Complex magazine wrote, "If anyone can do a great Michael Jackson tribute, it's Chris Brown."[26] A writer for DesiHits wrote that the video brought the same magic from his tribute to Jackson at the 2010 BET Awards, and added that it included "great lighting and even better choreography."[27] Robbie Daw from Idolator found the video "mildly enjoyable".[28] Brad Wete from Entertainment Weekly called Brown's dancing "tremendous" and wrote, "You'd be hard pressed trying to find a singer out there with enough dancing abilities to even attempt a proper Jackson tribute. Brown is one of the few—if not the only."[29]

Live performances

On June 26, 2011, Brown performed "She Ain't You" along with "Look at Me Now" and "Paper, Scissors, Rock" at the 2011 BET Awards.[30] The performance started off with Brown performing "She Ain't You" in a gray suit with voluminous pant legs and a cape fashioned out of a jacket.[30] He then switched his outfit to a black jumpsuit and performed "Look at Me Now", as a group of dancers in similarly street black hoodies joined him on stage.[30] Busta Rhymes later appeared from a brightly lit cube flanked by dancers in eerie, transparent masks illuminated by blinking lights.[30] Brown ended the performance with "Paper, Scissors, Rock".[30] On July 15, 2011, Brown performed "She Ain't You" in front of 18,000 fans at the Rockefeller Plaza in New York City as part of The Today Show concert series.[31] For the performance, Brown wore a white shirt and a black and gold vest with black pants.[31]

Credits and personnel

Charts and certifications

Radio add dates

Country Date Format Label
United States March 28, 2011[2] Urban contemporary radio Jive Records
April 19, 2011[3] Rhythmic contemporary radio
May 31, 2011[4] Contemporary hit radio

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f F.A.M.E. (Media notes). Jive Records. 2011. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "Chris Brown – She Ain't You". Frequencynews.com. March 28, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on May 26, 2011.
  5. ^ "New Music: Chris Brown f/ SWV – 'She Ain't You (Remix)'". Rap Up. Devin Lazerine. June 10, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Shetler, Scott (March 25, 2011). "Chris Brown, 'She Ain't You' – New Song". AOL Radio. AOL. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  7. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (March 21, 2011). "Review: Brown Has R&B on Lock, but What About Pop?". ABC News. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c Dorken, Joanne (March 16, 2011). "Chris Brown 'F.A.M.E.' – Track By Track Review". MTV UK. MTV Networks. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d Ash, Hannah (April 25, 2011). "Chris Brown F.A.M.E. review". The Harber Herald. Har-Ber High School. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c Goldstein, Najah (May 3, 2011). "Chris Brown's "She Ain't You" Music Video". WXRK. CBS Radio. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  11. ^ Rodman, Sarah (March 22, 2011). "Chris Brown – "F.A.M.E."". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  12. ^ Wappler, Margaret (March 22, 2011). "Album review: Chris Brown's 'F.A.M.E.' – Pop & Hiss". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  13. ^ Fennessey, Sean (March 21, 2011). "Chris Brown's 'F.A.M.E.': A defiant double-down on musical aggression". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  14. ^ Caramanica, Jon (March 21, 2011). "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  15. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of April 2, 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 2, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  16. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of June 18, 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 18, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  17. ^ a b c d e "She Ain't You – Chris Brown". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  18. ^ "Hot 100: Week of April 30, 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 30, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  19. ^ "Chris Brown Hot 100 Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "Chris Brown – She Ain't You". ARIA Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011.
  22. ^ a b c "Chris Brown – She Ain't You". New Zealand Singles Chart. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  23. ^ a b c d "Video: Chris Brown – 'She Ain't You'". Rap Up. Devin Lazerine. May 2, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  24. ^ a b Osorio, Kim (May 2, 2011). "Chris Brown Salutes M.J. in New Video". Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  25. ^ a b c d Corner, Lewis (May 3, 2011). "Chris Brown pays tribute to Michael Jackson". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  26. ^ Osei, Anthony (May 2, 2011). "Video: Chris Brown "She Ain't You"". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  27. ^ "Chris Brown Admits 'She Ain't You'". DesiHits. May 2, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  28. ^ Daw, Robbie (May 2, 2011). "Chris Brown Pays Homage To MJ Via SWV With 'She Ain't You' Video". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  29. ^ Wete, Brad (May 2, 2011). "Chris Brown pays homage to his idol Michael Jackson in 'She Ain't You' video". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  30. ^ a b c d e Ziegbe, Mawuse (June 26, 2011). "Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes Rip Avant-Garde BET Awards Performance". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  31. ^ a b "Chris Brown Ignites Rockefeller Plaza for 'Today' Show (Video)". Rap Up. Devin Lazerine. July 15, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  32. ^ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart – 27/6/2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011.
  33. ^ "RADIO TOP100 Oficiálna: She Ain't You". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
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