Music Review: Nick Jonas "Jealous"

Nick Jonas

Jealous

Album: Nick Jonas

Year: 2014

        Nick Jonas micromanages his relationship in the  paranoid “Jealous.”

         Flossy synths open the single, setting a slick tone. The guy won’t stop staring at her. Ever since he sat down, he has locked his on his girlfriend. It doesn’t help that she’s looking back. at him, either. He puts his coffee cup down and tells her . She shrugs and says it’s nothing. The guy probably recongnizes them from television. He points out that the guy is checking only her out. She giggles and says that it’s flattering but not a big deal. He then wonders if he’s enough for her. She cares about him and says she’s dating her celebrity crush. However, he thinks everyone outgrows their celebrity crush they had as a twelve-year-old. (“I don’t like the way he’s looking at you/I’m starting to think you want him too/Am I crazy? Have I lost ya?/Even though I know you love me/Can’t help it.”)

            In the pre-chorus, he stands up and tells his girlfriend he’ll be right back. He walks over to the guy, he sticks his chin up and puts his chest out. His girlfriend tells him to not to go over there and let it go. (“I turn my cheek, music up/And I’m puffing my chest/I’m getting ready to face you/Can call me obsessed.”)

         In the chorus, he’s not angry at his girlfriend. However, if a guy doesn’t  back off, he is entitled to say something. She’s gorgeous and friendly. Men openly flirt with her when he’s around. It gets to him awhile. (“It’s not your fault that they hover/I mean no disrespect/It’s my right to be hellish/I still get jealous/Cause you’re too sexy, beautiful/And everybody wants a taste/That’s why (that’s why)/I still get jealous/Cause you’re too sexy, beautiful/And everybody wants a taste/That’s why (that’s why/I still get jealous.”)

            He reads through her Twitter feed after she posts some photos of herself. Men write: fuck me, will you go out with me, you’re hot, etc. It’s the same ones she sent to him earlier. He wants to be the only one to see it. He doesn’t want to see her harassed or get stalked by some of the creeps. But he knows it may came across to her as clingy and insecure. (“I wish you didn’t have to post it all/I wish you’d save a little bit just for me/Protective or possessive (yeah)/Call it passive or aggressive.”)

            The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

             In the bridge, she’s the only person he wants around him all the time. He is the one who saw her first. He also mentions that she has noticed that she gets upset when girls approach him. She glares at the girls and gets snotty towards them. (“You’re the only one invited/I said there’s no one else for you/Cause you know I get excited (yeah)/When you get jealous too.”)

                      The pre-chorus is sung again.

                       An extended chorus is sung to end the single. (“It’s not your fault that they hover…Oh (that’s why)/I still get jealous/Oh (that’s why)/I still get jealous.”)

                       Jonas’ glib vocals  smooth over the topic by complimenting her and saying it’s not really her. However, but it’s said in a way that totally means her. In the first verse, it’s understandable. But to confront the guy  for staring is taking it too far. The second verse, though, is problematic. It bothers him that he feels like he has to share her. Nonetheless, she’s a public figure just like him. By his logic, he shouldn’t be posting anything online, either. He wants privacy but then again, writing about a song about it and making it his first single voids his complaints.

          The prickly  “Jealous” can try to mask the craziness but it’s still there.