Will Smith
Album: Lost and Found
Song: Switch
Reviewed by: Krystal Burns
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Band
I’ll always think of him as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but Will Smith has come a long way from the TV sitcom that made him a household name. Born in Philadelphia, Willard Christopher Smith Jr. met up with DJ Jeff Townes (also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff) when he was only sixteen. The two became fast friends and joined musical forces. In 1987 they released their debut album, Rock the House and several successful albums followed. LP, Big Willie Style was Smith’s first solo debut and included hits such as “Just the Two of Us” and “Miami.” In addition to his musical career, Will Smith has also made a name for himself on the big screen with films such as “Independence Day,” “Men in Black,” and most recently “Hitch.”
The Music
“Switch” was released as a single February 15th of this year, closely coinciding with the debut of his new movie “Hitch.” However, his upcoming album “Lost and Found” will be in stores at the end of March 2005.
The Song
Will Smith continues to be the clean-cut alternative to his competition. There is surprisingly no bad language or sexual references; in fact, it seems that Will Smith is making a conscious effort to back track the music industry’s moral decline and even encouraging others to do the same. And while the overall message of the song is positive, it is what it is: it’s a song about clubbing.
In the song, Will is at a dance club watching others dance and “gettin’ jiggy wit it” himself. Almost like a diary, the song chronicles his random reactions to different people, things that typically go on at a club, and whatever else might come to mind.
Will challenges issues of modesty, or lack there of, in the first verse when he says to someone, “It’s a club girl, why you arrived naked?” As if to say, I’m not impressed, put some clothes on! Ironically in the music video none of the girls seem to wearing much at all. And later in the same verse he says, “Girl on the floor, all her friends around her/ I mean real clean, ain’t gotta touch or nothing.” In this case he’s encouraging girls that they don’t have to be suggestive to be attractive. And again, be warned that the video implies another story.
In this verse he also throws in a line about the importance of buying an album rather than downloading it, describes a girl as sexy, and says, “Gimme a drink,” possibly referring to alcohol.
The second verse focus’ more on Will’s presence on the dance floor. He insists he’s just a regular guy who likes to bust a move every now and then. “Why is it that when y’all see me at the party/ Ya’ll be like, ‘Ooh, he a movie star/ he ain’t supposed to be out on the floor with everybody’…” But he reminds us that he’s always been “first one in, last one out.”
The last verse addresses the wall-flower types at dances. Yeah, I’ve been there. “Oh, you just gonna stand there, huh/ What you too cute to dance, or you scared?” He then goes on to give a little lesson in the switch-a-roo dance. I tried it and failed miserably. Oh, well! I guess I’ll continue as a wall-flower.
The song in itself is a step in the right direction for rap and hip/hop, and I truly admire Will Smith as a secular artist for so far maintaining a positive presence in the music industry. I hope that is a pattern we will continue to see and others will follow as well.
How you feel about dancing and dance clubs is a different issue. And one that I encourage you to pray about and talk to other’s about as well. As Christians we know that our priority in life should be to glorify God in everything we do. Think about whether or not a dance party is glorifying to God. The answer may be yes or no, or maybe it depends on who is throwing the party, who you are going with, or who is going to be there. Ask God to give you the wisdom to make a choice that will glorify him. Also be careful in how you dance. Be sure to honor God with your body by being practicing modesty in actions, speech, and appearances.
“Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
So What Do You Think?
1. What are your impressions of Will Smith as a musician? And as an
actor?
2. Are you looking forward to his upcoming album?
3. Do you like to dance?
4. Any idea how to do the switch-a-roo?
5. What is your view of clubbing?