Analyzing Drake’s unintentionally hilarious new single
Since Drake’s songs are so heavy with beats and bass, the overflow of sexiness often distracts from the lyrics. Luckily, we were able to see through the steam to break down his Auto-Tune-tastic single “Shut It Down,” which leaked out over the weekend. The analysis after the jump.
These girls have nothing on you. Uh. Say baby, I had to mention that if you were a star you’d be the one I’m searching for. All the girls they got attention but I just always feel like they’re in need of something you got.
Actually, stars are giant masses of burning gas. Still, Drake sees that diamond in the rough, meaning a lonely teenage girl with allowance money to spend on iTunes downloads.
It’s obvious you’re pretty, heard that you’re a student working weekends in the city, trying to take you out girl, hope you’re not too busy and if there’s nothing wrong, got this little song for you to get ready to.
Aside from Drake’s penchant for run-on sentences, he appreciates a working girl—what kind, he doesn’t specify.
Put those fucking heels on and work it girl. Let that mirror show you what you’re doing. Put that fucking dress on and work it kind of vicious like somebody’s taking pictures.
It’s like he’s Tyra Banks reminding ladies to smize when photographers are present. Girls, remember to pose H2T!
Shut it down, down, down. You would shut it down, down, down. You be the baddest girl around, round, round. They notice, they notice. You would shut it down, down, down. You would shut it down, down, down. You be the baddest girl around, round, round. They notice, they notice. You would shut it. They notice. These girls ain’t got nothing on you, nothing on you.
The word “down” accounts for 18 per cent of the chorus. Shut what down, we don’t know—probably the club or the house lights in preparation for Earth Hour. Notice at the end he sings “You would shut it.” That’s because he just wants to dance with his date, not hear about her shift at Foot Locker.
What you need, I can be your everything. Them other niggas just wanna hit but if they had it wouldn’t know what to do with it.
Jimmy would never use the n-word. Just sayin’.
You shut that motherfucker down, down. Ice cream conversations they all want the scoop. You shut that motherfucker down, down, down. Oh yeah, oh yes indeed, you shut it down, down. Drizzy, the American Dream.
The bit about ice cream and getting the scoop is tied with 50 Cent’s “I love you like a fat kid loves cake” in terms of ridiculous gastronomical metaphors. The American Dream? ET Canada will not be happy. The song ends with more commands to shut it down.
All right, we’re not exactly Drake’s demographic: we’re not 16-year-old girls, and we are turned off by comma splices.
• Drake – Shut It Down feat. The-Dream [YouTube]
This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. Total waste of time. Oh, and stop hating, its a good song.
Yeah this is a lame/not funny article. For top 40 pop shit, Drake is cool. Who’s Jimmy?
This lacked analysis, decent writing, a point and any redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Keep hiring writers who “specialize” in “anything you can throw at them.”
there are too many things wrong with this article.
come on Karen, had you even listened to a hip hop track before 2009?
and now you are dissecting Drake lyrics? albeit was a light-hearted attempt at a humourous post but I think you replaced the humour with pathetic, innacurate criticisms.
your biggest complaint seems to be the grammatical errors within said hip hop song, and to that I would like to point out that no respected/accepted scale in the history of the genre has ever used grammatical accurateness as a factor in ratings/reviews. this is also why my entire comment is written using lower case, runs on on occassion, and comma splices,
also I think some research would show that his demographic is not strictly teen girls, and I would guess that they are not even his largest demographic.
I am embarrassed to even be commenting on this as I am sure you’re goal was to jump on the Drake bandwaggon and get as many hits/responses off of your coverline/article, but I just wanted you to know that I do not respect this one bit.
“The American Dream” you’re referring to would be the guy who’s singing that part of the song (not Drake) and the guy who’s name is in the song credits (see the part after “feat.”). Do some research, or keep this garbage on your twitter/facebook/blog/whatever.
This lady should really be fired just for this article. Some of the lyrics are wrong, your analysis is garbage…horrible journalism.
I’m not a fan of Drake but this is just horrible. Toronto Life do you want me to write an article on how bad this article was? Now that would be something. Please go to school or get yourself a nice day job because you’re definitely not a writer.
1. This is a terrible article.
1. Drake can sing. Check out this auto-tune reference track he did for Jamie Foxx called “Fall for Your Type” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXFdnk7eMR0.
Edit: I meant to say auto-tune free reference track. It’s all his own voice. Kid can sing.
The article isn’t bad but you unfortunately made an undeniable mistake. You belittled Toronto’s pride and joy in a Toronto news publication. The action just seems like poor politics.
don’t hate because Drake isn’t into J-list ‘pop art’ freelance writers… it’s okay…
and i agree with Alex – how are you going to battle Toronto’s own? this guy shouts out Toronto EVERYWHERE he goes!
This is quite a touchy subject for many of you. I thought it was a little humorous. You take it for what it’s worth. I like Drake as much as the rest of you and agree that he is Toronto’s golden boy and help put this city on the map for the hip-hop world. Drake is as commercial as they get in hip-hop, which is exactly how this song sounds–sure it will sell millions and appeal to a large demographic who like commercial hip-hop but it opens the doors to articles and plugs like the one made by Karon. Unless all of you are related to the guy or have some vested interest in him I would suggest taking his life a little less serious and finding a hobby to re-direct the time and energy you use up defending the guy.
This is a real sad attempt of critiquing a good song. First learn how to “speall” and then i can take your opinion a little bit more serious. It reminded me of “Brand New” from So Far Gone, and at the time people were critical of hearing a raper singing so much. Yet, when it was all set and done the man got two Grammy nods and had the many critics like yourself praising him for releasing the greatest mixtape to date.
@The_Flash, I don’t think that some are taking his life a little too serious, I just think that they are pointing out a bad review. Everyone has opinions, and they chose to express them. You took the time out to express your opinion, so maybe you need a hobby as well, or is it okay for you to do it, because you’re not defending him. BTW, I’m not all that into the song either, but this so called break down of the song is just a little idiotic.
oh gosh…this really was a waste of time article…he is very talented…SUPER talented…maybe not for you – but stop the hating
i’ve posted this song on my entertainment site idea girl consulting wordpress.
this seems to be the new style of hip hop where they slow down the music and lyrics..
I’ve noticed this on several new artists…
I call it chill out music…
This junky writing makes me want to quit my subscription to Toronto Life Magazine. Does the New Yorker tear up Jay-Z? Dont think so… Enough with the snobbery. Toronto is in need of a relevant magazine.