From the soundtrack of 'Beavis & Butthead Do America' (which isn't the world's strongest opening gambit), 'Ain't Nobody' is a cover of the 1984 Rufus & Chaka Khan dance classic. Not just a cover version mind - a rap cover version, which is a statement that by itself puts me on caution from the threat of what that might entail. The Fugees have already conveniently demonstrated the two main directions this could go and, unfortunately, 'Ain't Nobody' is more 'Killing Me Softly' than 'Ready Or Not'.
Chaka Khan's vocal on the original is the secular gospel celebration of finding that special someone directed to that special someone. This re-working throws a lead weighted net over the uplift by adding a very workmanlike rap of smarmy smooth talk ("I'm the best when it comes to makin' love all night, throw your butterscotch body beneath the red light") that you just know LL spins to all the girls and by itself it puts a crack in the once clear bell of the chorus until it no longer rings true and serves to compres the song until it's as flatly drawn as Beavis and Butthead themselves. All very lazy, all very forgettable - the main point of interest of 'Ain't Nobody' is as an illustration of how quickly the novelty of seeing rap at number one has faded.
No comments:
Post a Comment