"Dumb Blonde" is the fifth track and the third single from Avril Lavigne's sixth studio album, Head Above Water (2019). It was released on February 12, 2019 through BMG Records. It features American rapper, Nicki Minaj. A solo version of the song is featured on the physical editions of the album.
Background[]
On December 7, 2018, Lavigne revealed the final tracklist for her sixth studio album, Head Above Water, that included a solo song titled "Dumb Blonde" as the track number five.[1] On February 7, 2019, the album's tracklisting on Amazon was updated, confirming that the song features Nicki Minaj. In fact, the song was 26-seconds longer than when it first originally appeared on music platforms (3:08 to 3:34) – which suggests that Minaj’s verse was added in the last minute.[2] That day, Lavigne teased the track by unveiling a nine-second long snippet along with a statement detailing themes that inspired the concept. On February 11, Chinese streaming service Xiami confirmed that the joint track is set to be released the following day as the album's third single.[3] The official cover art, that features Lavigne sucking a lollipop, plays up a "dumb blonde" stereotype.[4]
Critical reception[]
Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone complimented the song's "empowerment" theme and described it as "the power pop kiss-off" track.[5] Nick Levine from NME, while reviewing Head Above Water, called the song "a sassy clap-back to a man who underestimated her."[6] Allison Bowsher from Much considered that the song is "the rock pop sensibilities of the early ’90s, with an infectious drum line backing and call and answer chorus that is begging to be blasted from every radio station." She also praised Lavigne's decision to collaborate with Minaj and said that "[Minaj] is the perfect collaborator for the new single, bringing her own style of bravado and badassness (we’re making it a word) that could make “Dumb Blonde” a huge hit for both artists."[7]
Ian Gavan, in his review for Nylon, wrote that "Dumb Blonde" was "a new feminist pep rally anthem". He praised commercial and public appeal of the song, as well as Minaj's rap section: "Just because she's cute and sweet, doesn't mean she incompetent".[8] Lucas Villa out AXS also complimented Minaj's performance and characterized her verse as "explosive".[9] Alex Darus of Alternative Press praised the overall composition and saw that "Minaj's feature feels like a perfect fit".[10]
Madelin Roth of MTV proclaimed Lavigne and Minaj "the hottest power pop duo today".[11] Katherine Gillespie of Paper praised "Dumb Blonde" and added that "it somehow manages to combine every genre Lavigne has ever dabbled in over the course of a prolific pop-punk career."[12] In a review for Complex, Tara Mahadevan claimed that the song and the lyrics were "uplifting" and "empowering".[13] Exclaim!'s Josiah Hughes published a rave review and called the song "punk pop banger".[14] Rap Up applauded track's encouraging lyrical message.[15]
Ming Lee Newcomb of Consequence of Sound described "Dumb Blonde" as "cheeky, drum-heavy track". She noted that "song solidifies the sk8er girl’s effort to make a cultural comeback".[16] Israel Daramota of Spin praised "anthemic" nature of the composition.[17] He felt that "['Dumb Blonde']'s percussion-based track owes a lot more to Gwen Stefani’s "Hollaback Girl" mold, but it also captures the sneering attitude found on Lavigne’s best known tracks." Glenn Rowley from Billboard called the song a "fiery collaboration".[18] While reviewing "Dumb Blonde", Melody Lau from CBC Music complemented the idea of challenging 'dumb blonde' stereotypes.[19] Mike Nied from Idolator made the observation that "Dumb Blonde" was one of the "sort of fiery banger that deserves plenty of radio play."[20]
Alex Zidel of HotNewHipHop gave a positive review and expected "Dumb Blonde" to be "iconic as both the artists behind it". He considered the song was "a definitely a feel-good joint" between Lavigne and Minaj.[21]
Live performances[]
On February 15, 2019, Lavigne released on her YouTube channel her first live performance of the song on the Honda Stage at Henson Recording Studios, from a partnership between iHeartRadio and Honda.[22]
Gallery[]
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Nicki Minaj]
Young Money
[Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
I ain't no dumb blonde
I ain't no stupid Barbie doll
I got my game on
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
[Verse 1: Avril Lavigne]
Well, there you go again tellin' me where I belong
You put me on the bench, don't think that I can play strong
So quick to condescend, well, you think I'm empty, I'm not
You won't be so confident when I'm crushin' you from the top (Oh)
[Pre-Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
I'm a babe, I'm a boss and I'm makin' this money (Uh-huh)
I can flip like a switch and I cut like a blade (Try to get it now)
I can sting like a bee, but I'm sweeter than honey (Uh-huh)
And I'm quick as a whip so get outta my way (Come and get it now)
[Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
I ain't no dumb blonde
I ain't no stupid Barbie doll
I got my game on (Just watch me)
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
I ain't no dumb blonde (Nuh-uh)
I am a freaking cherry bomb (That's right)
I'll be your icon
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
[Post-Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
Stand up everybody
Get up, say it loud
We're bombshells raisin' hell now
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
Stand up everybody
Get up, say it loud
We're bombshells raisin' hell now
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
[Verse 2: Avril Lavigne]
Well, there you go again, you're talkin' down on me (Huh)
I may look innocent, don't underestimate me (Uh-uh)
I'm gold, I'm platinum, don't you know I'm outta your league? (I'm so outta your league)
Step back, your time is up, sit down, I'm takin' the lead (Oh)
[Pre-Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
I'm a babe, I'm a boss and I'm makin' this money (Uh-huh)
I can flip like a switch and I cut like a blade (Try to get it now)
I can sting like a bee, but I'm sweeter than honey (Uh-huh)
And I'm quick as a whip so get outta my way (Come and get it now)
[Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
I ain't no dumb blonde
I ain't no stupid Barbie doll
I got my game on (Just watch me)
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
I ain't no dumb blonde (Nuh-uh)
I am a freaking cherry bomb (That's right)
I'll be your icon
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
[Post-Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
Stand up everybody
Get up, say it loud
We're bombshells raisin' hell now
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
Stand up everybody
Get up, say it loud
We're bombshells raisin' hell now
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
[Verse 3: Nicki Minaj]
Yo, I ain't playin', but I won the cup
Came through heavy on it in the Bentley truck (Uh-huh)
It was me, young Avril, security tucked (Okay)
In the back just in case one of y'all run up (Rrr)
One of y'all, um, um, all of y'all be stuck (Uh-huh)
When you see a young queen in the flesh, what's up? (What up?)
All the hatin' you was doin' got the Barbie poppin'
Now all of them wanna be a Barbie, I'm watchin'
But you never gon' stop me, never gon' top me
Millions on millions, they never gon' dock me (What else?)
I am the prototype, the pinkprint (Uh-huh)
And no, I don't want no frauds, wink, wink
[Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
(Oh, no)
I ain't no dumb blonde
I ain't no stupid Barbie doll (Hell no)
I got my game on
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
I ain't no dumb blonde (Nuh-uh)
I am a freaking cherry bomb (That's right)
I'll be your icon (Just watch me)
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
[Post-Chorus: Avril Lavigne]
Stand up everybody (Stand up)
Get up, say it loud (Get loud)
We're bombshells raisin' hell now
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
Stand up everybody (Come on)
Get up, say it loud (Let's go)
We're bombshells raisin' hell now
Watch me, watch me, watch me prove you wrong
Trivia[]
- The song was included on The Hustle soundtrack and was officially used as the theme song for the second trailer.
- There is an edited version of the song for the radio station Radio Disney, with the lyrics "bombshells, raising hell now" being replaced by what can be heard as "bombshells, getting down now", and "I am a freaking cherry bomb" becoming "I am a ticking cherry bomb".
References[]
- ↑ Here's Avril Lavigne Shares Tracklist, Cover Art For Head Above Water
- ↑ Nicki Minaj Reportedly Takes Shots At Cardi B On Avril Lavigne Collab, “Dumb Blonde”
- ↑ Avril Lavigne Gets Cheeky For Nicki Minaj-Featured "Dumb Blonde" Cover Art
- ↑ New Single? Avril Lavigne Links Up With Nicki Minaj On “Dumb Blonde”
- ↑ Hear Avril Lavigne, Nicki Minaj Prove Haters Wrong on ‘Dumb Blonde’
- ↑ Avril Lavigne – 'Head Above Water' review
- ↑ Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj's 'Dumb Blonde' Is The Collaboration We Didn't Know We Wanted
- ↑ Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj Just Made A New Feminist Pep Rally Anthem
- ↑ Listen: Avril Lavigne drops bombshell single 'Dumb Blonde' with Nicki Minaj
- ↑ Avril Lavigne drops new track with Nicki Minaj
- ↑ Avril Lavigne And Nicki Minaj's 'Dumb Blonde' Is Like The Sassy Sister Of 'Hollaback Girl'
- ↑ Listen to Nicki Minaj and Avril Lavigne Raise Hell
- ↑ Hear Nicki Minaj on Avril Lavigne's New Song "Dumb Blonde"
- ↑ Avril Lavigne Teams Up with Nicki Minaj for Punk Pop Banger "Dumb Blonde"
- ↑ New Music: Avril Lavigne feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Dumb Blonde'
- ↑ Avril Lavigne joined by Nicki Minaj on new track “Dumb Blonde”: Stream
- ↑ Avril Lavigne - "Dumb Blonde" (Ft. Nicki Minaj)
- ↑ Avril Lavigne & Nicki Minaj Drop Fiery Collaboration 'Dumb Blonde': Listen
- ↑ Avril Lavigne and Nicki Minaj challenge 'dumb blonde' stereotypes on new collaboration: listen
- ↑ Avril Lavigne & Nicki Minaj Drop Sassy New Single "Dumb Blonde"
- ↑ Nicki Minaj Laces Avril Lavigne's "Dumb Blonde" With Her Signature Style
- ↑ Avril Lavigne "Dumb Blonde" (Live from Honda Stage at Henson Recording Studios)
| This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors). |