Yesterday, I had the chance to hear P!nk‘s upcoming single, “Blow Me (One Last Kiss).” It’s massive. Here’s why.
Sounds like: P!nk’s latest plays like a natural progression from 2010’s Max Martin & Shellback-produced anthem “Raise Your Glass,” with some slicker production courtesy of the always incredible Greg Kurstin. While the chorus is a crashing pop-rock affair, the verses float above a lightly synthed-out lick of airy guitar, reminiscent of Modest Mouse‘s “Float On.” (In fact, I could almost swear it’s a sample.)
Every single inch of the song is melodic, yell-y and unbelievably catchy–essentially the greatest anthem Kelly Clarkson never recorded. It’s incredibly Kelly Clarkson, in the vein of “Since U Been Gone,” “Let Me Down” or “Don’t Let Me Stop You.” Sure, “Blow Me” is a Pink track–but there are points during the chorus where her voice is nearly indistinguishable from Clarkson’s own vocals. Is the fact that Greg Kurstin produced a few tracks off of Clarkson’s last studio album Stronger merely a coincidence? Doubtful.
Lyrics: She’s turned her weapon on bleach blonde bitches, bullies and assholes in the past, but now she’s back to firing bullets directly in between her own man’s eyes. But unlike her sing-songy, obnoxious 2008 post-separation anthem “So What?”, she’s dropped the “too school for cool” (dare I say it, cheesy!) lyricism, and now she’s just fucking angry—Missundaztood style (think “Just Like A Pill”): “Tie a knot in the rope/Trying to hold, trying to hold/But there’s nothing to grab, so I let go,” she cries out before the first chorus explodes.
And if “So What?” is defiance, “Blow Me” is resigned, bleary-eyed revenge: “I’ll dress nice, I’ll look good, I’ll go dancing alone/I’ll laugh, I’ll get drunk, I’ll take somebody home,” she promises (threatens?) at one point. Also: “I think that life’s too short for this/Want back my ignorance and bliss”? Incredible line.
Amazing chorus: “I think I’ve finally had enough/I think I maybe think too much/I think this might be it for us/Blow me one last kiss/You think I’m just as serious/I think you’re full of shit/My head is spinning, so/Blow me one last kiss.”
Radio factor: I’m assuming a clean version’s already been cut, because the censors will have her head for the original: “Just when it can’t get worse, I’ve had a shit day/You’ve had a shit day/We’ve had a shit day,” Pink yelps defiantly during the post-chorus. Oh, and there’s my favorite lyric: “Now I’m sick, whiskey dick, no more battles for me!” But potty-mouthed poetry aside, there’s nothing that’s going to stop Pink’s latest from topping the radio charts. (Her last single was called “Fuckin’ Perfect”–she’ll be fine.)
Final impression: While Pink’s no stranger to a good ol’ rebellious pop-rock anthem, “Blow Me”–cheeky title aside–is probably one of Pink’s most genuinely scowling offerings in years. It’s more jagged and raw than what she’s been releasing, yet just as much of an earworm–and that’s a very, very good thing.
Rest assured: This will be a song of the summer when it premieres on July 9.
EDIT: It’s here! Listen to “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” now!
