N.E.R.D - Lapdance

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I've seen the video for this on MTV loads, and it's. I assume its produced by the Neptunes, and in fact I seem to remember Tim talking about it on Skykicking. However, I've never seen it in the shops - does anyone know if it's been releasing the UK?

― Robin, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Out next week or the week after, I think. Produced by the Neptunes? You could say that. It is the Neptunes, under their other name. The album, "In Search Of" is out in June or July. I like the album a lot. "Bobby James" will probably be the next "Bombs Over Baghdad", "Thong Song", "Survivor" etc. (in other words, a song which is good but still manages to be vastly overrated by Freaky Trigger).

― Greg, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Greg! What am I hearing?! "Bombs Over Baghdad" was SO NOT overrated by Freaky Trigger! What, are we having a whiplash-inducing reversal now 'cause Reynolds didn't like it? Surely you must have meant "Try Again"...

― Ian White, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

To me, "Up Middle Finger" is more innovative, confrontational, exciting or whatever than "BOB". Maybe I'm just the only one who didn't spunk over "BOB". At least I'm not the only one who thinks "Survivor" isn't all that and a bag of french fries.

― Greg, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Don't worry, Greg, you're not alone. I think I roused Fred's ire months back when I didn't go off on "B.O.B." as being perfection or something.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

I don't think much of "Survivor" either but then my opinion counts for little in these matters.

― Josh, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

I think I know what Greg means. I think he means good singles which have been overrated as "tokenistic" favourites from particular genres by the more dilletantish.

And I can see his point, though Tom is far too lovely to be tarred with such a brush.

― Robin Carmody, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Currently on my third listen to "Lapdance". It's good, though it still sounds *slightly* Neptunes-by-numbers. That is better than most-people-by-numbers, of course.

― Robin Carmody, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

That was basically my response, Robin. And it's a problem that I think occurs a fair number of times on the album, because N*E*R*D as a personality just don't match Kelis or Mystikal or Ludacris etc. etc, so all the songs just sound like The Neptunes with some guys on top. Plus, I would recommend that their clavinet be retired to a pasture, with a medal for many years honourable service but a court order preventing its return.

As for "Bobby James"... really, Greg? It's one of the better tracks, but what about it makes it susceptible to iconic status? The 'meaning'? I thought we were above/beneath that.

― Tim, Thursday, 24 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

"Bobby James" is just a bit different to the rest. I can see it getting picked up on. The flanger's nice, fuck the lyrics. I seem to remember Tim's review of "Lapdance" being pretty good. I had a great reason why I liked "Lapdance" (which I think might do well in the UK - Sarah Cox has been going crazy about it like it wasn't just "Superthug part II") but I've forgotten it now.

― Greg, Friday, 25 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Heaven forbid anyone should be moved by a song because of the words. We're all above that.

― Patrick, Friday, 25 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

My rule of thumb, Patrick, is that if a song has great words but indifferent or terrible music, I'll just read the damn thing. If a song has great music but the worst attempts at poesy ever, then it's still utterly listenable because the music is great.

That's just me, admittedly.

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 25 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Ned - That's pretty much my take on lyrics as well, but what Tim seems to be saying is that it's ridiculous to pay any attention whatsoever to the meaning and lyrics of a song. I need lyrics to be supported by memorable music for them to make an impact on me as well, but they're for damn sure part of what I like about a lot of songs.

― Patrick, Friday, 25 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

Patrick, you're jumping to conclusions. "Above/beneath" was referring to the fact that we're talking about the *Neptunes* here. Producers of such fine additions to the sum total of human knowledge as "Shake Ya Ass", "I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me)", "Southern Hospitality" and, well, "Lapdance". Thus I would presume that the people most likely to champion a Neptunes track are people who have either "risen above" lyrical/thematic concerns or are too stupid to "get" lyrics. You can look at either way and a number of ways more. All of which is ignoring the fact that it's a joke.

Listening to "Bobby James" again, I note the extended bossa nova section at the end, which is kinda cool but not enough for me to go gaga. Meanwhile Guru's "Supa Love" (produced by Neptunes and largely sung by Kelis) was on TV and I'm reminded of how much it kicks ass - minimal, countryesque, clodhopping groove that just oozes sex. Can't wait for the next Kelis album.

― Tim, Friday, 25 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

We're on the same wavelength, Tim. Repeated listens to "Lapdance" and "Bobby James" have me liking them but not regarding them as in any way the height of the Neptunes' achievement. I'd also agree with Tim that they might be more interesting with a dominant personality.

However the more Sara Cox plays "Lapdance", the better. Five years ago, there was - as a rule - no black pop on the Radio 1 breakfast show. Oh, how far have we come.

― Robin Carmody, Friday, 25 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

The album's actually out in mid-August. Bit too long after the single, if you ask me.

― Greg, Saturday, 26 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

I didn't overrate B.O.B., so there. I might have a flick through the archives and find some stuff I *did* overrate, though.

"Lapdance" - the single - on first listen struck me as interesting precisely because of the lyrics. I can't remember the last time I heard "politicians" mentioned on a street-rap track. Musically it was pleasant and I think it'll grow on me.

― Tom, Tuesday, 29 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-five years ago)

three weeks pass...

Who was that chick Vida in the video? I've been looking and I can't find anything on her.

― Rob Wheelie, Saturday, 23 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Her name is Vita and yes she was in the video.You might know she is part of the Ja Rule fronted "Murderers" which also includes Black Child,Tah Murder and 01.On the Murderers album she has a song called very originally "Vita,Vita,Vita"(!)Her most notable performances have been on the album version of "We Dont Give A F*ck" and Ja Rules "Put It On Me".Just a lil info for that bredrin that wanted to know bout her!Try checkin her website(or one of them) http://vitaonline.cjb.net/ Peace Camillo

― Camillo M., Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I thought the girl's name was Lil' Mo; but I recieved this information from a not always reliable source.

'Lapdance' is great because it sounds a lot like another excellent 'hard beat' song, Superthug, plus the message is pretty clever, plus they ride bikes in the video instead of Bentleys, plus they wear caps instead of Bandanas.

― L, Friday, 29 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

twenty years pass...

The first album is one of my favorites ever, I enjoyed the momentum the erm "real instruments" gave the music, and the second one I liked a lot more than most people (especially on here) so this is pretty :(
― deej., Monday, March 21, 2005 12:56 PM (sixteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink

deej! do you still feel this way! bc i do

spymob version of the first record a total fucking classic 10/10 20 years on

― STOCK FIST-PUMPER BRAD (BradNelson), Sunday, 20 March 2022 19:12 (four years ago)

“Bobby James” is a fucking jam

― brimstead, Sunday, 20 March 2022 20:40 (four years ago)

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