Music Review: Blake Lewis "You Give Love A Bad Name"

Blake Lewis

You Give Love A Bad Name

Album: Blake Lewis EP

Year: 2007

          Blake Lewis doesn’t mind his controlling girlfriend in the critical  “You Give Love A Bad Name.”

               In the intro, he says that with one wink from her, he was a goner for her. She mostly cares about her looks and appearances. She is absolutely frustrating to be in a relationship with but the sex is great, though. (“Shot through the heart/And you're to blame/Darling you give love/A bad name.”

                  Bawdy synths follow, setting an amorous tone.

              He says when they first started dating, she purred into the phone. She would run excitedly to him, a huge grin on her face. Then, once they moved in together, she told him he hung out with his friends too much and whined “you don’t spend that much time with me.” She’s liable to do or say anything to get what she wants. She’ll smear him to their friends, spreading lies. Nonetheless, he cares about her and she has a really hot body. He can’t just leave. (“An angel's smile is what you sell/You promised me heaven/And put me through hell/Chains of love got a hold on me/When passion's a prison/You can't break free./You're a loaded gun/There's nowhere to run/No one can save me/The damage is done.”)

             In the chorus, the guitar returns to the arrangement, now conflicted. He’s the henpecked boyfriend. She’s the well-loved girlfriend. Sometimes he wishes it were different. (“Shot through the heart/And you're to blame/You give love a bad name. (Bad name)/I play my part and you play your game/You give love a bad name. (Bad name)/You give love a bad name.”)

            She’s obsessed with her cosmetics. They litter the counter of their bathroom. He does not dare touch them. But sometimes, he thinks of putting switching the brushes. He misses the sweet girl he first fell for. (“Paint your smile on your lips/Blood red nails on your fingertips/A school boy's dream, you act so shy/Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye/You're a loaded gun/There's nowhere to run/No one can save me/The damage is done”

           The chorus is sung again.

          In the bridge, he beatboxes and scats a bit, repeating “name” a couple times.

           The chorus is sung again.

          He repeats “you give love a bad name” four times to end the single.

           Lewis’ prudish vocals think the bad girl is really cool at first. However, he begins to resent her, as she has become difficult and has taken over his life. She is ruining his life and needs to pay. Nonetheless, he forgets he willingly catered to her.

            There are some changes. The chorus is shortened. However, the major addition is the beatboxing and bawdy synths. Both are out of place. It tries too hard to make it edgy and new. The guitar is still there, which is a small piece of good, but it’s toned down. After the synths, though, it’s whiplash.

         The severe “You Give Love A Bad Name” takes the single way too seriously, taking away all of its fun.