Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Certain Songs #1306: N.E.R.D. – “Lapdance” | Medialoper

Album: In Search of…
Year: 2001

I’m pretty sure I first encountered this funk-rock-rap hybrid on one of the random video shows that I would still tune into during the early part of the century. I think it may have been VH1 who had a weekly show where they would play a bunch of new videos, but I can’t really remember.

All I know is that at some point I saw the censored version of the video for “Lapdance,” and while I was vaguely aware of The Neptunes, and I knew that they had made a record as N.E.R.D, it still hadn’t crossed my radar.

But while I remained wary of rap-rock and weary of nu-metal and all of that stuff that was clogging the airwaves in the early 2000s, I instantly fell in love with “Lapdance,” which balanced a tough-as-nails riff, extremely funky drums and more than one hook.

I also enjoyed the lyrical turnaround that set up the chorus. The first two verses are Pharrell Williams declaring just how hard he is — a big-dicked motorcycling outlaw (which they take the piss out in the video put putting the whole crew on kids bikes) — before completely out of left field, he brings in a crushing analogy.

I’m just straight ill
Ridin’ my motorcycle down the streets
While politicians is soundin’ like strippers to me
They keep sayin’ but I don’t want to hear it

Which sets up the main hook, as sung by rapper Vita, equating the promises of strippers to the promises of politicians.

Ooh, baby, you want me?
Ooh, baby, you want me?
Ooh, baby, you want me?
Well, you can get this lap dance here for free
Well, you can get this lap dance here for free
Well, you can get this lap dance here for free
Ooh, baby, you want me?
Well, you can get this lap dance here for free

Uh-huh. That’s gonna happen. The great thing about “Lapdance” is that you don’t even have to know that there are political overtones to the song to enjoy that massive hook, because you can just tell that there ain’t no such thing as a free lapdance, that her promise is made to be broken.

Sorry dude. Maybe better luck next time.

Interestingly enough, there were two versions of In Search of… the original version that came out in Europe in 2001, which was full of electronic beats and synths, as well the one that came out here in 2002, which was re-recorded with live instruments.

Of course, the video that I first saw is from the original release, but the one I’m writing about is from the much rougher 2002 version.

“Lapdance” (2002 version)

“Lapdance” (2001 video)

“Lapdance” Live at Pinkpop, 2001

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