"Bust Your Windows" came out in 2008 when I was actually five years old. It is one of those songs that was always playing on the radio and as I got older, I kept playing the song. I think it is the aftermath of a horrible breakup where you acknowledge everything that happened and what you did. One review from Reddit's pop music community says, "Lyrically, "Bust Your Windows" could be described as the sequel and aftermath to Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats,"' (R/popheads - [throwback] Jazmine Sullivan - bust your windows). This review put into words my thoughts. Jazmine Sullivan says that she does not regret what she did, but she has self-awareness.
Click Here to listen to "Bust Your Windows" by Jazmine Sullivan - September 16, 2008, USA
Basic Information
"Bust Your Windows" is written by Jazmine Sullivan and Salaam Remi. Salaam Remi is also the producer of the song. The song is technically a midtempo R&B ballad, but it has a tango rhythm and a moderate Latin beat. "Bust Your Windows" was also nominated in 2009 for a Grammy in Best R&B Song. Afterwards, there have been a lot of covers and remixes of the song. One of the most known covers of the song is in the television show Glee sung by Amber Riley.
Rhythm
The attention grabber of the song is the opening rhythm. There is a vengeful and angry feeling given from the song. There is a tango rhythm, and the song is described to have a moderate Latin beat. The rhythm is constant throughout the whole song with repeating beats and string sequence. The song is actually sampled from "Bad Man Waltz." "Bad Man Waltz" is written by Salaam Remi who is the producer of "Bust Your Windows." Her song is also described as dark and dramatic. The song is described as "...a unison string/woodwind line that continually evolves throughout the song and a very simple vocal harmony mix that moves into a call and response against Jazmine's pleas," (Bust your windows). This song as well has a slower rhythm, it is more of a talking speed. It allows for emphasis on words such as the last word of each line. This includes Jazmine extending the words car, mark, crowbar and dark.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song itself tell a story. The lyrics make you feel Jazmine's feelings of anger, hurt and resentment. She is telling her feelings of being cheated on. The guy broke her heart so she wants to break something on his, which would be his car. It is basically her getting retribution for being wronged. As the song goes on though, she is becoming more self-aware of her feelings and what happened. The song is more of the aftermath of the cheating. She sings in the outro, "Even though all that you did to me was much worse, I had to do something to make you hurt, yeah, oh but why am I still crying? Why am I the one who's still crying?" She expresses that she realized breaking his car windows did not help her feelings. She still is heartbroken. I think my favorite verse of the song is "You see you can't just play with people's feelings, tell them you love them and don't mean it, you'll probably say that it was juvenile, but I think that I deserve to smile."
Timbre
The timbre of Jazmine's voice brings strong feelings to the song. I think that her timbre is mostly smooth and breathy. Although in some ways I think that it could be considered mellow. She is not using too high of a range but is staying in minor key. As well I think that she is in the mezzo voice timbre. Although, resources state that she is a mezzo-soprano.
Tone
The tone of the lyrics is dark and somewhat harsh. I think that Jazmine's tone does a good job of making you feel her feelings. In a way I think that she has a sarcastic tone. I think it depends on how you interpret the lyrics. Her tone of voice gives off that she is okay with her choices and wanted to hurt the guy with material things. Towards the end of the song her tone changes and you feel more of how heartbroken she is.
Dynamic
The dynamic of the song is mezzo-piano. The song is not considered a loud song. I think it is one of the quieter vengeful breakup songs. Instead of screaming how hurt she is, Jazmine takes a darker approach. The song is not too loud where it is over powerful, and where you cannot hear the tango beat in the background as well. I like how she is doing more of a talking-singing, but you still understand her hurt and her want for revenge.
Final Thoughts
"Bust Your Windows" has many positive reviews including a positive review from Billboard. This song peaked at number 4 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart. The song ended up spending a total of 15 weeks on the charts. A review from The New Year Times says, "It's a stellar revenge tune, as sassy and unexpected as Carrie Underwood's 'Before He Cheats,' and an indicator that unlike most soul divas, Ms. Sullivan cuts her misery with a dash of whimsy," (Caramanica Critics' choice; Jazmine Sullivan). This song did incredibly well and was compared to the massive amount of breakup songs written by different artists in different genres.
I think this song will forever hold a spot in my playlist. It has forever been a go to song for whatever I am feeling. I like how it is not a "make you cry" break up song but more of a "break his stuff" song. In a way I think it could feel empowering, but it mostly helps get the anger out.
References
Hello Noelia,
ReplyDeleteLet me start by saying that Jasmine Sullivan is one of my favorite artists, with a beautiful raspy voice that changed the game in 2008. I loved how you explained the dynamic in the song and hearing the mezzo-piano, but I would say the violin, in the beginning, is what grabbed my attention. The tone in her voice, you felt the lyrics in when she said, "You can never feel how I felt that day" and "Why am I the only one still crying." I agree that her voice brings strong feelings throughout the song showing the emotion of pain. And I enjoyed learning her voice is mezzo-soprano. This song will always be a part of my playlist as well. It has helped me in the past with feeling revengeful during a breakup. Excellent blog post. I enjoyed it!!