A triumphant comeback

If you asked me a month ago how the idea of a Madonna-Justin Timberlake duet struck me, I'd tell you, "Like my own personal hell." The two of them annoy me so much that choosing between them would be like choosing between blindness and deafness. Together, that would seem to yield pop experience with all the anguish of a Hellen Keller-like existence, minus the opportunity for blissful retreat.

But no, I was wrong. I'm so glad that I gave a chance to "4 Minutes," the first single from Madonna's Hard Candy and one of several Justin/Timbaland collaborations on the album. Not that I wouldn't have, anyway -- for someone who's as bothered by social injustice as I am, hating something out of principle (even if that something is as negligible as a pop song) is flat-out hypocritical. Plus, to hate blindly would be to merely invert the mechanism within some very vocal Madonna fans that drives me so crazy, which is the blind love. And since I was wished death via AIDS, among hexes, the last time I expressed that (way back when this blog still had its baby legs), the last thing I want to do is act like one of those people.

Now that I'm done patting myself on the back, allow me to dole out more pats for Madonna, Justin and Timberland for the tremendous song they've created. "4 Minutes" is amazing, addictive and if not better than, then a wonderful representation of the sum of its parts: this ain't no Helen Keller, it's a straight-up Voltron formation. Present are so many concepts that tend to annoy me Madonna's output of the past 15 years or so: she's so far past telling us what's cool (back in the day, when she showed the world the Lower East Side and vouging) that she's now telling us what we already like. (Like, seriously? It took her this long to hook up with Timbaland? And oooh, how edgy, busting out the Timberlake.) The track itself doesn't trail blaze, it doesn't even sound particularly now -- it's a combo of the colorless just-dancey-enough-to-not-offend-the-menopausal breaky stuff Tim did for Nelly Furtado two years ago (like in "Promiscuous") and the marching band/drumline sound that flared up R&B radio for a minute even before that (best represented by Destiny's Child's "Lose My Breath"). Its lyrics are of such little consequence (sample: "(Madonna:) Come on boy / I've been waiting for somebody / To pick up my stroll (Justin:) Well don't waste time Give me a sign Tell me how you wanna roll (Madonna:) I want somebody to speed it up for me / Then take it down slow / There's enough room for both...") that they might as well go something like, "We're sitting here / in a booth / After signing paperwork regarding our collaboration / Singing into a microphone / A song that will be released and hopefully resurrect Madonna's career in the U.S. market although she still sells well in Europe and such."

But I guess this is a case of (pop) stars aligning because all of those elements are, in fact, the song's strengths. I kid with the "We're sitting here / in a booth..." bit, but really, "4 Minutes" is not very far from being that self-referential. The title refers to the song's length and I'm taking the hook ("We only got 4 minutes to save the world!") as a verbalization of the burden a pop star takes on with each single. But don't let those horns fool you -- they soar so high, they could leap a building in a single bound, but Madonna, Justin and Timbaland (who symbolize, however loosely, the past, present and future of pop music, respectively) aren't out to save the world. They're out to take it over. "4 Minutes" is maniacally engineered to be consumed and adored, from its not-overly-hip production to the fact that Justin gets to sing the gorgeous, heart-stopping hook on a record that supposedly belongs to Madonna. He is, after all, the bigger star, the safe bet, the no-brainer. There's a simultaneously by-any-means-necessary and self-aware philosophy to hitmaking that's going on, and I can't help but admire the savvy of everyone involved.

"4 Minutes" may implicitly comment on public taste or the state of pop in '08, but the song's biggest feat is that it manages to pull out every stop imaginable without seeming desperate or cluttered. This is because in the end, the song is about nothing more than itself. It's like a Warhol of a Warhol, and I'm genuinely excited to see what will come of this pop-Voltron's next 11 minutes.

Comments

[Addis]

In the words of Hellen Keller,

::.:..: ..:..::. ..:. ::.:..::.:

[Bart]

I don't know... I'm usually one of those people that loves everything she does, but is this really a "Madonna" song? It seems like she's mostly the backup vocals...

[david]

quite simply, agreed. on all points. what could have been a complete disaster is one of the most infectious, exciting tunes of the year. good on all 3!

[faith]

meh...its a fun track...i just come here for rich!

[Laura @ Hungry and Frozen]

I find JT distinctly unlikeable (I know, 'excellent production', 'he's a great dancer!', 'he's self-deprecating!') but I certainly believe you that this song is highly listenable. Interesting points about Madonna's leeching onto what is so hot right now...and I love your interpretation of their lyrics. More please!

[MizoFizo]

When did I pass into bizzaro world? Rich, writing love for a "Madonna" song? Who'd a thunk?

As always, your analysis of the song is brillarious. I can't wait to see what you think of the rest of the album.

Has Madonna set her trap carefully enough this time to gain America's attention once more? Interesting times will be coming soon....

[Mik]

I caught a snippet of this song the other day, not enough to decide if I liked it or not though. Great write up. Plus, kudos to you for having enough self-awareness not to be one who automatically dislikes something without giving it a listen.

Rich, I enjoy your writing...but I couldn't help but comment about the Helen Keller refrences. I apologize in advance if this commentary seems unwarranted. I find Helen Keller really fascinating, mainly because, growing up, I knew about her or at least what her persona had been distilled down to. To me, Keller symbolized inability. Yet, I didn't really know or care to, until recently, what an amazing, intelligent woman she was; she was really engaged in social causes, learning, and life, in general. So, if Justin can try and bring sexy back, well, I'm gonna try and bring Helen back.

Speaking of Justin, i like the video he did for Elton John's 'this train don't stop there anymore'.

[Kenna]

sounds to me like Tim and or Madonna have been listening to M.I.A., maybe it's the drums and horns? I agree though, it's good.

[rustyspigot]

Eh, I don't like it. Maybe after a few drinks I'd like it better, but I can say that about pretty much anything.

[Alex Cypher]

How dare you say that Justin is the biggest star ?

How dare you ?

How could you do that ?

How could you do such a thing ?

How dare you ?

I wish you a slow death, I wish you Alzheimer, I wish you will be forced to sit through every Madonna movies out there, I wish your kids will see the end of America as we know it

[Bigpikchur.blogspot.com]

They must have put all of the thought into the song (which I also love but couldn't have written a review as craftily as you can!) and didn't leave anything for the packaging of the CD and all of it's parts. I'm a graphic designer and I cringe everytime I see both the cover of the CD and the artwork they're using for the "4 minutes..." single. Whatever agency came up with it ought to be spanked.
Jules
House of Jules

[Mark]

The song is a grower... c'mon, Madonna rocks! I think her last album was great

[Jess]

Eh. Madonna's a guest, there isn't much of a melody, and the production is a redux of Timbaland's work the past few years. I don't get the hype.

[Jos]

I already don;t care much about this new Madonna album, the new song and the leaks of last year (candy shop and beat goes on) just proved me how desperate she is of pleasing the american audience. Actually, I'm kinda hopeful as to what direction she'll take when her new deal with LiveNation starts... that should be interesting to watch! and listen :)

[eva]

its aaaight... i agree with he who said its barely her song, and really all it did was remind me of "lose my breath"

when are you gonna review portishead??? i await your opinions like i await for every monday's antm recap!!

[ac]

So sweet couple ,seems they are famous on a online dating site ~~~~~Mixedfriends.com ,I saw their hottest photos on that site many times.

[chloe smith]

I heard that she is seeking rich men on http://www.uniformedcupid.com in these days ---- reported by the magazine , she uploaded some of her hot and half naked pictures over there.Just go and check it out.

[Smitty]

I HOPE YOU GET AIDS BITCH!!! Just kidding hun, but couldnt disagree more with ur review. confessions was much better than this new shit. but i live in europe, ur from america, different strokes for different folks i guess.

[Fourinxchange]

Shocking (Blue)!

Frankly, I found this track to be as sterile as my friend after his vasectomy.

I was rooting for you Rich, as a fellow Non-Madonna Gay I expected something brash about this single.
Hopefully, this is just some pre-emptive April Fool's trickery...
....

[John T]

I think it's totally OK to hate pop stars on principle.

[AZ]

I'm a pop neophyte, but I dunno, it sounds like a Britney single to me...

[David]

I'm shocked!

I hate it, so so much.

I'm just sick of hearing the same stuff. This doesn't sound any different to me than everything else that's circulating at the moment. Madonna always seemed to define trends... now she's just riding one that's getting old to me.

Anyway, I hate her and all her friends.

[Daniel]

*ahem*

Madonna's last album kinda sold more copies worldwide than Justin's did. Just sayin'.

I'm a Madonna fan and hungrily awaiting the new album, but I'm with Jules on the cover graphics. For someone who bases so much of her appeal on her visual presence, this shit is NOT up to snuff. She looks pretty "special" on the album cover.

[Johan]

Rich, I think the song is terrible and could not disagree with you more!

I like the song and I hear this is the weakest track on the album...I wonder what she has in store for us?