Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week
Today's song is one of my favorite songs from my childhood, "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland. This song and era really is so interesting for me because Furtado created an entire new persona that was sexy and different from her bohemian self with "Whoa, Nelly!" or "Folklore." We would never really see this vivacious personality again as Furtado went back to her former sound after the "Loose" era. I remember listening to "Maneater" after my oldest brother told me how great it was and I was hypnotized the song and I kept listening to it. I would feel the same way when listening to "Promiscuous" with the back and forth between Furtado and Timbaland and of course, the hook. Timbaland apparently seemed to be the man behind Furtado's new image, sound and the production that turned this song into such an earworm.
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| Single Cover for "Promiscuous (feat. Timbaland) |
The lyrics are a metaphorical ping pong game between our promiscuous subjects. Timbaland wants Furtado for the night but she won't budge. The iconic intro begins with Furtado asking Timbaland "Am I throwin' you off?" which he denies, allowing Furtado to act up. Timbaland begins to flirt with Furtado and notices she's all alone without a man. Furtado essentially tells him that he won't find a wife this late in the night and to give up. Timbaland knows because all he wants is a piece of Furtado. Furtado isn't surprised by that but she wants to know that if by morning, Timbaland will still respect her. Timbaland gives her a maybe and wonders why respect is such a big deal if she's alone. He's interested in her because she "[seems] so innocent" but Furtado wants to take her time with this relationship. The chorus begins and Timbaland reveals that her knows her reputation and isn't wanting more than a night with the "..promiscuous girl..." Furtado knows his reputation too and is primed and ready for the "...promiscuous boy..." Timbaland calls out the tease but Furtado doesn't care because she can play games all night.
Furtado begins with some poetry, flattering Timbaland and he flirts back. Furtado them says that she is out of Timbaland's league but her can still get some love if he can "...handle it..." Timbaland compare himself to Thomas Crown from "The Thomas Crown Affair" Furtado is pleased and wants them to get busy as soon as possible. Timbaland then responds how he wants to be in a relationship with her but she cheekily replies "...so does everybody else." Timbaland then lets Furtado know that the relationship can be secret while the sex life is public but this offends her as she asks "What kind of girl do you take me for?" Timbaland responds as the chorus begins again. Each of them realize what they've said by the bridge and are telling each other "Don't get mad, don't be mean." Timbaland tries to win her back and say he actual does want a relationship with Furtado but right now she just want him in her bed. Timbaland doesn't need any more explanation and teases Furtado as she's ready to take him for a ride. Timbaland and Furtado are matching vibes and melodies by the end of the song and we can imagine what happens at the end of the night
The video for "Promiscuous" isn't too special, it's exactly what you think it would like like though. The video features Furtado and Timbaland in the club dancing and speaking to different men and women with different colored scenes. Something I really like during the second verse is that they are calling each other on the phone, people always compare the song to a chat on the phone with Furtado and Timbaland even calling the song "The Blackberry Song" in reference to the phone popular at the time.
Timbaland is truly a god when it comes music production, he brought Furtado to a new extreme and was the background for music during the 2000s. It's a shame that Furtado never mad music like this again but music is forever and so is Furtado and "Loose."
I give "Promiscuous" 5 text messages out of 5
I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Promiscuous"? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below.
I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.
Take Care,
Jonathan
