How good is 'American Boy' by Estelle?

seriously whats dumb about them? guys in rap do that kind of objectification all the time. this is pretty gentle stuff really

they make her sound dumb (nb: I don't actually believe that, what I really think is that they make her sound awkward rather than dumb, but to use the argument at hand) because she can't carry them off

there's a catchy summery house beat and estelle's voice is serviceable and utterly unremarkable, which is all i need out of a house song in the middle of fuckin august. that's more than enough reason for me to like this. lol @ lyric crit

-- BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Thursday, 14 August 2008 18:22 (1 hour ago) Link

I've said this before, but it was much better when it WAS just a catchy, summery house jam.

i love this song so much, and everytime this thread bumps i start singing it!

she can't carry them off

-- The Reverend, Thursday, August 14, 2008 7:47 PM (23 seconds ago) Bookmark Link

I don't agree, I think she delivers them with a coyness appropriate to an essentially insubstantial summer crush on a boy who'll be leaving when the season ends. It's an infatuation, why should we expect lyrics or a delivery with emotional depth when infatuation is all about surface obsession?

the fuck-it blaness of the vox sounds right on to me

(wait but are you guys talking about some remix or something? i don't know remixes)

there was a neat remix on palm out - the Estaw American Grill Fix

the fuck-it blaness of the vox sounds right on to me

-- Surmounter, Thursday, August 14, 2008 7:56 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Link

yes!!

lawl

Estelle and Adele are reportedly planning on collaborating.

The pair, each nominated for Grammy Awards this year, are keen to record a song together.

Both artists are currently working on their new albums and Estelle has said that working with the 'Chasing Pavements' singer would be "dope".

"I'm really excited to start working on my next album," she told The Sun. "I'm going to go totally left field and surprise a lot of people.

"I'm going to hit it out the ball park with this one. I’m thinking a mix of Coldplay and Marvin Gaye."

Gayeplay

I don't agree, I think she delivers them with a coyness appropriate to an essentially insubstantial summer crush on a boy who'll be leaving when the season ends. It's an infatuation, why should we expect lyrics or a delivery with emotional depth when infatuation is all about surface obsession?

― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:55 PM Bookmark

You're missing what I was trying to say. I wasn't saying she needed to invest more into the lyrics, I was saying she doesn't sound believable singing them.

Also, her voice sounds shrill and harmful to my ears.

Missy would have been able to sell those lyrics, imo.

There's also the Kanye problem, too. Dude is way smackable on this track.

lol dude u crazy

I wasn't that way before this awful, awful, unlistenable, atrociously bad song.

*lazy crackpipe jibe*

I would politely disagree with that, but I'll be hoping you're right cuz dro is my ninja

― Preview of the Matrix 12, Friday, March 28, 2008 5:14 PM (8 months ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

i still like this song

/lex

http://www.newstatesman.com/music/2008/12/estelle-british-black-paxman

^^ omg at url, preamble for another ridiculous patronizing article.

It's unfair to expect musicians to act as spokespeople for their generation, but with Estelle Swaray (she dropped the surname for showbiz reasons) it seems that black British youth has found an articulate new voice.

almost feel sorry for her as she's set up for a fall on this one. the new statesman (or guardian) never has to find a single 'articulate new voice' for white upper-middle class youth -- that would be ridiculous.

So, is there anyone on the British political stage who has inspired her? "I think Tony Blair had promise at the start." But he messed up? "He followed Bush."

estelle has nothing more or less to say about anything than any other singer, and again the whole article is a vehicle for more paternalistic grime-is-the-voice-of-the-streets bollocks.

The words and sounds that crackle from pirate radio transmitters and across broadband connections, or reverberate around dingy clubs like Mass in Brixton, south London - one of the venues where Estelle first performed - have a creativity that gives the lie to the casual dismissal of young people, of whatever race, as brainless "hoodies".

why the fuck he's going on about grime is unclear. but what is all this shit?

Racism or not, there is an insidious prejudice in British society that treats urban youth culture as the amusing result of a multicultural experiment, as opposed to a thriving reality for millions of people.

what is he talking about exactly? where is this unfair treatment of 'urban youth culture', and does he really mean millions? are they 'thriving'?

Racism or not, there is an insidious prejudice in British society that treats urban youth culture as the amusing result of a multicultural experiment, as opposed to a thriving reality for millions of people.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2008/jul/29/bouncytechnomeetsterribler

in the comments for that:

Tombot
04 Aug 08, 1:55pm

Well it's nice to know you can all sit safe in your overpriced London apartments in the knowledge that "everyone" in the North West listens to this. Now piss off and listen to some cheeky cheeky mockney songster, you fackin' slaaaag!

Maybe it's etc.

So is the music in this song sampled from Kool & The Gang (or something) or is it all original instrumentation?

when i went to london, all i could sing in my head was this song.

i would walk down the street all happy like "WHO'S KILLING THEM IN THE UUUUUUU KAY"

did the barman give you funny look when you asked for a pint of Ribena?

@billstevejim: it's will.i.am's "Impatient".

did the barman give you funny look when you asked for a pint of Ribena?

― Timezilla vs Mechadistance (blueski), Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:13 AM (26 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

I was all "look at this peacoat tell me he's broke"

I also got a new raincoat, which was close enough

I have a peacoat now, it is excellent.

feelin the fuck out of this new single w/ sean paul

i approve of more sean paul singles in 09 http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/Lordofsith/fonz.jpg

I have heard this song three times today (put it on on my ipod on the bus, and my co-worker has since played it twice.) I think the Pips at they Gladdyst is the best line, possibly ever.

just in case anyone was wondering, her new single prod. by david guetta is AWFUL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjBdgCndImw

such an ugly sounding song

I'm Scotland based, and a few weeks ago I met an American and ended up in his flat making out with him. He had music on and this came on on shuffle and I started giggling because I'm so immature ("omg ur my american boy lolololol") and he totally didn't get it. Plus it wasn't really that fun an experience, so now when I hear this song I can't warm to it at all.

sounded great in 2008, not so much in 2010.

new song w/ rick ross is dope imo

surprided j0rdan s hate this song so much

don't like this song (break my heart)

i still love that single w/ sean paul

really learned to love estelle via uk funky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JTS0duTEIc

"american boy" is just really sonically irritating to me -- the mix of the beat & her voice not to mention one of kanye's most annoying moments is something i just really can't stand

i don't hate estelle by any means but that's just one THOSE songs for me idk

beat is a lot uglier & like, squawkier than i remembered tbh

"american boy" is just really sonically irritating to me -- the mix of the beat & her voice not to mention one of kanye's most annoying moments is something i just really can't stand

― J0rdan S., Tuesday, April 19, 2011 12:01 AM (7 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

nothing pre-mbtdf is one of kanye's most irritating moments imo

the beat was better on william's album