popbox
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Post by popbox on May 8, 2015 17:12:09 GMT -5
There's definitely things that could've been handled better about this era so far, but I also think it's just natural/inevitable that she'd have a truly under-performing era eventually. From AGLM - Unapologetic- each sold at least 1 million - each produced at least 2 Top 10 Hot 100 hits (including at least 1 No. 1) Nobody can keep up that kind of steady success for decade after decade. By NO means am I saying her career is "over", just that she isn't always going to do as well as she'd been doing for basically 10 years straight. That's pretty insane when you look at. Her continued consistent success for so long has been very impressive. Probably the most impressive since Mariah's 90-98 run (that was definitely bigger though). And RiRi is right around the same point in her career as Mariah was when it started winding down. Though I don't expect Rihanna's success to flatline for half a decade like Mariah's did. But her success winding down only does make sense at this point.
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Post by Love Plastic Love on May 8, 2015 17:21:46 GMT -5
Someone before criticized the song for being too simple and, whether I agree or not, I think where Rihanna shines is taking simplicity and elevating it. Like, We Found Love, lyrically, is pretty basic. The song itself is good, but nothing we hadn't heard before at that point. However, something about the moment really took it to the next level of popularity-the video, Rihanna's situation, her vocals, the production working with that. They needed that moment again here, but squandered it by promoting Tidal more than her song. Like someone else said, it is a good video that plays directly into national concerns right now and I think if hyped/promoted a bit differently it could have connected. Maybe not huge, but this basically doesn't even feel like a single to me. Low video views, sales languishing, no one is talking about it except for us. That could have been avoided, but I guess pumping up Tidal was more important to them.
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allow that
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Post by allow that on May 8, 2015 17:59:48 GMT -5
Everyone seems to be blaming Tidal for this song's tepid performance and while I agree it was a dipshit move, I can't pretend for one moment that this song wouldn't be blowing up in spite of that if it was an undeniable banger.
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hitseeker.
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Post by hitseeker. on May 8, 2015 18:14:52 GMT -5
There's definitely things that could've been handled better about this era so far, but I also think it's just natural/inevitable that she'd have a truly under-performing era eventually. From AGLM - Unapologetic- each sold at least 1 million - each produced at least 2 Top 10 Hot 100 hits (including at least 1 No. 1) Nobody can keep up that kind of steady success for decade after decade. By NO means am I saying her career is "over", just that she isn't always going to do as well as she'd been doing for basically 10 years straight. The album isn't out yet so she can still pull that off (FFS already went Top10) Not saying that she will, but it isn't out of the picture just yet. But yes: she's getting older and will peak eventually just like every female pop diva. I just don't see it happening in a few more years tbh (or I could be wrong...). Everyone seems to be blaming Tidal for this song's tepid performance and while I agree it was a dipshit move, I can't pretend for one moment that this song wouldn't be blowing up in spite of that if it was an undeniable banger. Maybe it wouldn't have blown up straight to #1 right away, but it would have stood a better chance, I think. It would also have benefitted from a bigger promotional push. They really squandered this song's chances on Tidal and it's a shame because it's a nice little one and Rihanna seems happy about it and to have released it. Oh well...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2015 21:36:46 GMT -5
Everyone seems to be blaming Tidal for this song's tepid performance and while I agree it was a dipshit move, I can't pretend for one moment that this song wouldn't be blowing up in spite of that if it was an undeniable banger. There are generally three types of songs in the world: those so undeniable that smashing is inevitable; those so bad that they're going nowhere; and all the songs in between - they're not bad enough to say they have no chance, but they're not going to lift off on their own. whether it be through strategic ad placement or a promo blitz or just an aggressive radio push the biggest hits generally having something nudging them along to their peak. Very few songs are really so undeniable that I could honestly say i believe they took off wholly on their own. That's a rarity reserved for viral and much-buzzed about sensations (the US tends to pick up on a lot of imported hits that way), and the occasional from-nowhere hit that no one was expecting. A lot more songs - good or even great songs - fall in the in between area than most people would think or want to admit, even coming from someone of Rihanna's star status. AO is that kind of song, imo. I don't think anyone is saying "but for Tidal *shakes fist* this would be smashing right now" but "This song has the potential to do something, but they're screwing it up by not doing shit with it at all." Or put another way, I hope no one really believes that Diamonds was just SO great that it became a hit on its own merits. It was a left turn for her, and in fact it had almost as mixed a reaction initially as AO seems to have now. Its video was also pretty average. But it became a hit because it's a good enough song which her label put its full support behind, something AO isn't getting right now. Even BBHMM has had more at this point, despite not (yet) having a vid. FFS and BBHMM both had direction and focus which is why I still kind of side eye anyone who tries to put down BBHMM as being a 'mess.' AO is the only R8 song so far that deserves that criticism. Tidal by itself isn't the blame for AO's struggles, in fact it's the only actual attempt at 'promotion' they've given this song IMO. It's just that the failure of Tidal to do anything for AO ironically encapsulates the otherwise almost complete inattention that literally everyone has been giving it, from the fans to the labels to Rihanna herself so far (despite her seeming legitimately excited about it). It also hints at the anathema that Tidal is on star power in general and is probably as strong a caution sign as any for any other artist considering tying a new, major release to it. I hope that blurb HDD posted about Tidal getting an advance exclusive of R8 isn't true.
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SPRΞΞ
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Post by SPRΞΞ on May 8, 2015 23:44:40 GMT -5
No need for essays, it's really just a flop song. 4th single before album title plz.
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NeRD
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Post by NeRD on May 8, 2015 23:47:14 GMT -5
No need for essays, it's really just a flop song. 4th single before album title plz. Right. We just need those kinds of songs with a simple beat, hook, and processed to the T to be whored to death by Pop radio right?
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hitseeker.
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Post by hitseeker. on May 9, 2015 2:49:13 GMT -5
No need for essays, it's really just a flop song. 4th single before album title plz. This type of posts and attitude is just so wrong on various levels. So what if it is a "flop song"? Is it inappropriate to discuss what may have led to it and share our views and inputs? Your post added nothing to the discussion.
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hitseeker.
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Post by hitseeker. on May 9, 2015 6:10:57 GMT -5
Pop: 40 36 RIHANNA American Oxygen 1664 1258 406 5.785
+21 Spins -83 Bullet +0.114 AI
iTunes: #157
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NeRD
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Post by NeRD on May 9, 2015 9:02:00 GMT -5
No need for essays, it's really just a flop song. 4th single before album title plz. This type of posts and attitude is just so wrong on various levels. So what if it is a "flop song"? Is it inappropriate to discuss what may have led to it and share our views and inputs? Your post added nothing to the discussion. Are you surprised though?
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SPRΞΞ
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Post by SPRΞΞ on May 9, 2015 11:56:30 GMT -5
Sorry for that post. Was a little harsh I admit. My apologies.
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xykes
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Post by xykes on May 9, 2015 13:38:09 GMT -5
No need for essays, it's really just a flop song. 4th single before album title plz. It's amazing how people criticize pop artists for doing stuff like FFS, BBHMM, and AO...without realizing that they're the ones inspiring songs like FFS, BBHMM, and AO. Getting told to "sit down, shut up, and make predictable dance pop hits" over and over will make a person with any sense of artistic pride DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2015 13:58:39 GMT -5
Everyone seems to be blaming Tidal for this song's tepid performance and while I agree it was a dipshit move, I can't pretend for one moment that this song wouldn't be blowing up in spite of that if it was an undeniable banger. Right? In everyone's haste to drag Tidal for the one millionth time, we have collectively overlooked that this song is doo doo.
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jjose712
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Post by jjose712 on May 9, 2015 14:43:18 GMT -5
Frankly, i know it's Rihanna, and she usually take the charts by storm, but sometimes it's needed a little patience. Russian Roulette was a hit everywhere, because in any other country they changed the single just because the start was not stellar.
I'm not impressed with the song (and even less with the previous singles) but all this drama is pointless. With a little promo this should climb on itunes and then we'll see
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divasummer
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Post by divasummer on May 9, 2015 19:58:17 GMT -5
Something about this song is a little lackluster in my opinion. I'm usually PUMPED for new RiRi but this era so far hasn't been doing it for me besides "Bitch Better Have My Money"
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slamina
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Post by slamina on May 9, 2015 21:20:24 GMT -5
Something about this song is a little lackluster in my opinion. I'm usually PUMPED for new RiRi but this era so far hasn't been doing it for me besides "Bitch Better Have My Money" Ya, I agree. This is shaping up to be a flop era for Rih. I don't think she needs to make predictable dance hits. She can make good, catchy pop music without being generic or predictable. "Rude Boy" is the perfect example. It was fresh, catchy, and had Rihanna's flair but was still far from generic because no one could pull it off like she did. What she has been delivering lately just doesn't live up to her past classic hits and it's frustrating to see.
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KissMyAxe
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Post by KissMyAxe on May 9, 2015 23:20:03 GMT -5
Something about this song is a little lackluster in my opinion. I'm usually PUMPED for new RiRi but this era so far hasn't been doing it for me besides "Bitch Better Have My Money" Ya, I agree. This is shaping up to be a flop era for Rih. I don't think she needs to make predictable dance hits. She can make good, catchy pop music without being generic or predictable. "Rude Boy" is the perfect example. It was fresh, catchy, and had Rihanna's flair but was still far from generic because no one could pull it off like she did. What she has been delivering lately just doesn't live up to her past classic hits and it's frustrating to see. OMG I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS POST
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hitseeker.
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Post by hitseeker. on May 10, 2015 6:06:12 GMT -5
Pop: 36 34 RIHANNA American Oxygen 1681 1369 312 5.945
+17 Spins -94 Bullet +0.160 AI
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NeRD
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Post by NeRD on May 10, 2015 8:50:52 GMT -5
They need to think long and hard about the next move.
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jjose712
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Post by jjose712 on May 10, 2015 12:51:13 GMT -5
They need to think long and hard about the next move. That's true. Right now this is nothing more than an anecdote, but once they have a date release for the album they need to carefully chose the single and make it happen
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skizzo
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Post by skizzo on May 10, 2015 14:53:46 GMT -5
This single has been "cancelled" in the UK, whatever that means. The song however is still available on I-Tunes. The problem is its only gotten 5 spins on radio in a month and sales are near 0.
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xykes
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Post by xykes on May 11, 2015 0:23:04 GMT -5
This single has been "cancelled" in the UK, whatever that means. The song however is still available on I-Tunes. The problem is its only gotten 5 spins on radio in a month and sales are near 0. Not sure what the prospects of a song called "American Oxygen" would be in the UK...?
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pnobelysk
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Post by pnobelysk on May 11, 2015 1:09:59 GMT -5
This single has been "cancelled" in the UK, whatever that means. The song however is still available on I-Tunes. The problem is its only gotten 5 spins on radio in a month and sales are near 0. Not sure what the prospects of a song called "American Oxygen" would be in the UK...? To be fair party in the USA was a bit hit there , idk this for sure but I assume Empire State of mind and California gurls did well there too
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Enigma.
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Post by Enigma. on May 11, 2015 5:04:57 GMT -5
I'm definitely with Spree here in that sense that no need to defend this song... It was released, didn't do much, let's move on. Maybe it was a flop but who cares
I'm worried about this era as a whole, nobody knows what they're doing. The style on 45S video was spot on, BBHMM is a great single but the whole era doesn't seem to have a proper clue.. there's not much to look forward to any more.
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jjose712
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Post by jjose712 on May 11, 2015 5:52:28 GMT -5
Not sure what the prospects of a song called "American Oxygen" would be in the UK...? To be fair party in the USA was a bit hit there , idk this for sure but I assume Empire State of mind and California gurls did well there too But to be honest, those are way better tittles, because Miley was partying in the USA, Empire State of mind was the typical song about a city, and California gurls, well that was about girls from California. The tittle of this song is a little ridiculous because American oxygen is exactly the same that in the rest of the world. There's no distinctive particularity of O2 molecules in the USA that made them different from the O2 of the rest of the world. I know for a song or poetry you take the images beyond the words, but this one falls flat
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hitseeker.
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Post by hitseeker. on May 11, 2015 6:05:17 GMT -5
Pop: 35 34 RIHANNA American Oxygen 1751 1434 317 6.182
+70 Spins +5 Bullet +0.237 AI
iTunes: #158
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skizzo
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Post by skizzo on May 11, 2015 6:55:07 GMT -5
Seriously, the title of the song? Now we're just grasping at straws to understand why this isnt a success overseas (or in the US for that matter). It just isnt a distinctive song.
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ILLUSION
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Post by ILLUSION on May 11, 2015 8:25:22 GMT -5
Ouch. They've dropped 3 singles now, 2 of which have underperformed as of right now, and no album release yet? What's the next move?
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YourFaveIsAFlop
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Post by YourFaveIsAFlop on May 11, 2015 9:53:10 GMT -5
There are a lot of reasons for this not being successful, from the change direction she's taken musically in general with the songs this far to the messy rollout of it being a Tidal "exclusive" that wasn't exclusive at all.
But the biggest problem is that the song is weak for a single. The production is messy and sounds awful on radio. Plus the song is over 5 minutes long, which is really hard for pop radio to get behind. If they had cut it down to under 4 minutes I have no doubt it would be doing better at radio.
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allow that
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Post by allow that on May 11, 2015 10:07:02 GMT -5
Seriously, the title of the song? Now we're just grasping at straws to understand why this isnt a success overseas (or in the US for that matter). It just isnt a distinctive song. LMAO, right? I read this and I'm like... this can't even be a serious discussion. It reminds me of Mario's initial "none of the writers are even American" comment. Must we all be so boxed in to only engage songs that reference the country we call our home?
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