I hope my Fri-day, Fri-day,which comes after Thursday and before Saturday and Sunday (who knew?), isn’t anything close to Rebecca Black’s.
On March 14, 2011, Black, who is 13 years old, released the song “Friday” as a single on iTunes. Yes, a song as horrible as this can be purchased.
Just about everything is wrong with the song. From the lyrics to the video to the vocals, it just sucks. There is only one truly positive thing I can say about the “Friday” video. Anytime you’re in the need for a laugh, just search Rebecca Black-Friday (OFFICIAL VIDEO) on YouTube, and you’re granted three minutes and 48 seconds of laughter.
For those of you who haven’t seen the video yet, let me fill you in on this viral hit. For those of you who have, allow yourselves to indulge in my scene-by-scene analysis.
The video starts with Black getting out of bed at 7:00 am. Mind you, her makeup is done already. She goes downstairs to “have her bowl” and she “gotta have cereal.” Whatever. She makes her way to the bus stop, which is marked with a yellow diamond sign that reads “BUS STOP.” How so realistic. Her four 13-year-old friends drive up in a convertible that seats five people. “Which seat can [she] ta-ke?” Jeez… tough one.
They reappear going to a party at 7:45 in different outfits in the next scene. Three girls are sitting on the top of the convertible… driving down a highway. Do the laws of physics not apply in California?
They finally reach the party. “Yeah!” They’re about to “[get] down on Friday.” The party miraculously turns into something like a concert. The crowd resembles a mini mosh pit with a bunch of tweens attempting to fist pump, but then even they realize how lame it is and let the fist-pumping die.
In between scenes of this “party,” a man driving a car down the highway starts rapping about driving fast behind a school bus on a Friday and “R-B.” Let me tell you, I think we got a new Pitbull in our midst. The end.
Oh wait, I forgot the part where Black explains to us the order of the days of the week. “Yesterday was Thursday,” “Today i-is Friday,” “Tomorrow is Saturday,” and “Sunday comes after-wards” are all included in the song. The Californian education system should be proud of their kindergarten curriculum.
However, the third grade curriculum isn’t as up to par. Perhaps the song writers were never taught that a complete sentence needs a verb. “We-we-we so excited/ We so excited.”
On top of the dragging video and lyrics, the vocals were, um…., unique. (A.K.A. I’ve never heard worse editing before.) Beware of Black’s voice; it sounds nasely and screechy at times.
Before you go bash “Friday” in the way I just did, please remember that, according to Wikipedia, Rebecca Black did not compose this song. Blame (or praise) this one on Clarence Jay and Patrice Wilson.
John • Mar 24, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Way to be harsh. Watch or listen to virtually ANY song and you’ll find plenty of grammar errors and music video continuity errors. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” isn’t a proper sentence either folks, but the Beatles are still a fine band. Or perhaps someone could explain to me what in God’s name is going on in Lady Gaga’s music video for “Pokerface”? Point being, this is an amateur music video that fails in ways plenty of real, popular music videos and songs do.
I think Kevin is correct in that this is SATIRE of the terribly low standards for music in modern times. The way an auto-tuned voice and a few rhythmic beats can become an entire song and earworm. The fact how many musicians these days make their money trying to see how many times they can drop an F-bomb while talking about illegal activities?
Not to mention you know, she’s THIRTEEN. You guys expect a fine, perfect music video from a thirteen-year-old who seems to be doing her first music video, ever? I mean, it’s on YouTube for God’s sake. YouTube is about uploading your stuff. It’s not like she’s on TV or anything!
@Rebecca Yun: The reason it’s such a hit is because it is so “terrible”. I haven’t heard a single positive note on this video besides Kevin’s. Just people making endless fun of a thirteen-year-old girl.
Rebecca Yun • Mar 25, 2011 at 10:39 PM
True, many of today’s hits are popular because they’re so terrible, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to like it. Today in school, they were playing Rebecca Black’s song during passing periods. Think of how many people groaned after the first few seconds played. I was one of them. It’s also really annoying, which doesn’t make me like it any better. I mean, yeah, it’s a fun song and all, but I think that more intellectual songs should get some attention rather than sit in the shadows while songs like “Friday” get the spotlight. You know what I mean?
Whoever • Apr 2, 2011 at 9:52 PM
@Rebecca Yun: I think you’re misinterpreting what John meant. I’m pretty sure what he’s saying is that the video and Rebecca Black are famous now because “it’s terrible.” “It’s terrible” as in it’s gone viral, and everyone’s made a huge fuss of hating on it. Not as in, terrible music is what people like these days therefore this is popular.
In all honesty, I’m pretty sure “popular” is the wrong word. Because this song is faaaar from being popular in the sense that a lot of people like it. When I saw it on YouTube I didn’t see a single positive comment.
…
Okay I saw maybe three. Big deal.
The point is, I don’t think there’s much point fussing over this song. We’re all pretty much in agreement here. The song is bad. Black’s voice is annoying. So why do we need to keep pointing it out? I get the occasional joke, but ranting and ragging on this song truly is a waste of time.
Also, come on, guys. She’s thirteen. And she’s getting freaking death threats from people for that video. I know I wouldn’t be able to handle that. So just leave it be.
Dan • Mar 20, 2011 at 12:40 AM
Watch the parody Saturday. It is amazing
kevin • Mar 19, 2011 at 10:24 PM
I, for one, find your review extremely short sighted. The song is obviously a critique on modern pop music. For such a young woman, Rebecca Black makes her critisisms surprisingly sublte. She uses intentionally bad lyrics (Sunday comes afterwards), incorrect grammar (we we we so excited), and a somewhat incoherent plotline (she’s waiting for the bus and then she gets in a car with her friends). Not only that, but by featuring that rappist she is taking a jab at Ludacris and Usher, two artists who lower themselves to performing with young children. Rebecca Black has proven that she is one of this nation’s foremost musical critics.
aditi • Mar 18, 2011 at 7:55 PM
As terrible as this song is, people need to understand that she is still very young. And a lot of people have been very mean to her by saying things like, “I hope you kill yourself.” I find that very mean.
Rebecca Yun • Mar 18, 2011 at 1:07 PM
I heard that song a few days ago and I can’t believe it’s actually made it that far. What’s up with her? HOW IN THE WORLD DOES SHE MAKE A SONG ABOUT THE DAYS OF THE WEEK AND THEN GET A BAJILLION HITS ON YOUTUBE?! These days, almost anything can be called music… ANYTHING.
I think it’s hilarious how one song affects a bunch of people. I was on Tumblr yesterday and there was this one post with Jigsaw (from the Saw movies) and a stadium. It said, “Rebecca Black, there is one chair that is not electrified. Find it.” I made a joke about it, saying, “HOW DO THEY KNOW MY NAME?!”.
Rebecca Black puts the name ‘Rebecca’ to shame! She makes everyone think that all girls named Rebecca are dumb…
Jack • Mar 17, 2011 at 10:47 PM
WE SO EXCITED! Bailamooooos.
Fatima • Mar 17, 2011 at 8:52 PM
This song was just.. amazingly horrific. I heard it, and I was just like “What is going on with music!?” It is like we are losing the great art of music or something. I really am disappointed..
I had no idea that Friday was before Saturday.
Pish Posh. Rebecca Black should just go teach Kindergarteners.
Hannah • Mar 17, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Well, then. I certainly will go and listen to that song and bash on it. I hope it’s as terrible as you make it sound~ xD