User:PSA/overhaul reception

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Critics commented on Carey's vocal performance and Dupri's rapping. Many praised Carey's subdued, more low-key voice in the song[1][2]—writing for the Popular Music and Society journal, Vincent Stephens thought that "Sweetheart" was one of her best R&B songs partly because of this singing style. Ron Rollins of the Dayton Daily News considered her choice of vocals a testament to her confidence in her singing abilities: "you find yourself straining to hear more of her, which is a neat trick [...] the mark of a fearless, and undeniable, talent."[3] Meanwhile, Andrew Unterbeger of Billboard liked Dupri's ad-libs, writing that his contributions helped make the cover better than the original.[4] Other reviewers commented on how well Dupri's rapping complemented Carey's singing, with some arguing that Carey's performance stood out more than JD's.[5][6] The Baltimore Sun's J. D. Considine said "Carey's effortless carnality makes Jermaine Dupri's sex-obsessed rap seem almost silly".[7] In contrast, Time's Christopher John Farley felt that the two complemented each other well.[8] The incorporation of hip-hop elements in "Sweetheart" was also analyzed. In the views of Spin's Amy Linden and Boston Globe's Joan Anderman, even though the song tries to appeal to fans of hip-hop and rap music, its hip-hop influences come across as sanitized.[9][10]

Another topic of commentary was the song's sensual nature.[11] Critics likened Carey's personality in "Sweetheart" to that of a vixen, a dirtier version of Lisa Lisa, and a submissive Barbie doll.[note 1] Others gauged how explicit the song's lyrics were: one critic opined that it was toned-down compared to other tracks on Life in 1472,[note 2] while for another, it was more explicit than most songs that discussed sex.[note 3] Some argued that "Sweetheart" was suited well for erotic dancing, being called "booty-bouncing" and a strip club anthem.[note 4] In a mixed review, Los Angeles Times critic Natalie Nichols thought that while Carey's vocals were "sexier and more human than contemporaries Celine Dion and Whitney Houston", "Sweetheart" was too similar to her other works in terms of lyrical themes for it to be memorable.[17] Scott L. Miley of The Indianapolis Star said Carey's attempts to be flirty were ineffective and "unflattering".[18]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ By Larry Flick of Billboard,[5] Vivian Host of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,[12] and David Browne of Entertainment Weekly,[13] respectively.
  2. ^ Specifically, Richard Harrington of The Washington Post.[14]
  3. ^ Specifically, Tom Moon of The Philadelphia Inquirer.[15]
  4. ^ By Vivian Host of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[12] and Brian McCollum of Detroit Free Press,[16] respectively.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Single Reviews". Bristol Post. October 29, 1998. p. 12.
  2. ^ Ex, Kris (September 1998). "Jermaine Dupri Life in 1472". Vibe. p. 284. Retrieved October 18, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Rollins, Ron (November 27, 1998). "Recordings on Review". Go!. Dayton Daily News. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Unterberger, Andrew (October 5, 2020). "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2002. {{cite magazine}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; May 19, 2022 suggested (help)
  5. ^ a b Flick, Larry, ed. (September 12, 1998). "Singles". Billboard. p. 32. ProQuest 1506071948.
  6. ^ "Single Reviews". Music Week. September 26, 1998. p. 12.
  7. ^ Considine, J. D. (November 17, 1998). "Carey Queen of Charts". The Baltimore Sun. p. 5E – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Farley, Christopher John (July 20, 1998). "The Hit Man of Atlanta". Time. p. 63 – via Archive.org.
  9. ^ Anderman, Joan (November 27, 1998). "Dueling Divas". The Boston Globe. p. D17 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Linden, Amy (September 1, 1998). "Jermaine Dupri". Spin. p. 191. ProQuest 1286544209.
  11. ^ Hall, Jeff (August 14, 1998). "Dupri's First Solo Effort Is Up and Down Affair". Courier-Post. p. 9E – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b Host, Vivian (August 7, 1998). "For the Record". Weekend Mag. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Dallas Morning News. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Browne, David (July 31, 1998). "Jermaine Dupri Presents Life in 1472". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020.
  14. ^ Harrington, Richard (August 5, 1998). "Jermaine Dupri Presents Jermaine Dupri". The Washington Post. p. C5. ProQuest 1619984113.
  15. ^ Moon, Tom (July 28, 1998). "2 Producers Learn Humility". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D4 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ McCollum, Brian (November 17, 1998). "Mariah Carey Collects Her Hits". Detroit Free Press. p. 3E – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Nichols, Natalie (November 8, 1998). "Record Rack". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022.
  18. ^ Miley, Scott L. (August 9, 1998). "Record Picks". The Indianapolis Star. p. I4 – via Newspapers.com.
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