Stop whatever you’re doing, Madge-aholics! Madonna’s new single from her upcoming Celebration hits collection (featuring Lil Wayne!) debuted online today in full. And it’s incredibly…. underwhelming.
Anyone hoping this collaboration with Wayne would mean a new direction for the 51-year-old superstar will be disappointed. “Revolver” is pretty standard Top 40 background listening—more of the same electro R&B she played around with on Hard Candy.
It’s not bad by any stretch, but it certainly won’t end up on the next greatest-hits collection she releases ten years from now.
The problem with “Revolver” is the droning melody—and chances are, Madonna agrees. If her detached, monotone singing is any indication, even she doesn’t seem terribly interested in the track.
In business terms, though, it’s a good move: “Celebration”—the other new song from her upcoming collection—is the ’80s dance throwback to please longtime fans, and this song should court younger listeners and do fairly well on the charts.
But let’s give praise where it’s due. One thing you have to give Madonna is her unerring knack for writing charmingly frivolous lyrics: “My love’s a revolver/My sex is a killer/Do you wanna die happy?”
I will die happy. But that’s because I’ll be listening to “Into the Groove” on my way out.
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ video: Watch it here
Madonna’s ‘Celebration’ track list revealed: Are the greatest hits all there?
Whitney Houston’s ‘Million Dollar Bill’ video: Watch it here
BET Award nominations announced; Will top nominee Kanye show?
Featuring Lil Wayne? Seriously? Fine, I give up, Madonna. As much as I love you, I am done defending you. You are an old hag clearly having a mid-life crisis.
She doesn’t need you anyway. The song is good and Lil’ Wayne is awesome.
I think it was…ok, not too bad though
Uh…auto-tune, random post-Timbo bleeps and bloops, Lil f—- Wayne…(sigh). Love the “Celebration” remixes. Call us when that new deal kicks in.
Ugh, I refused to listen to it… until your comment. I can’t believe she’s jumping on the auto-tune fad.
Ummm…she’s been using teh studio to manage her voice most of her career. Some supposed fan you are.
True enough. But this is clearly the bad auto-tune fad of the last few years.
I’m surprised. Madge usually writes her best stuff when breaking from dysfunctional marriages/relationships. Oh wait, she’s got Jesus on her short leash! That really needs to end so we get some good stuff out of her. Whatever, she’s still the queen.
when you’re trying to sound like rihanna, it’s time to pack it up.
Okay, so it’s predictably somewhat generic-sounding as an extra track on a greatest hits album — but, as someone who loved “Hard Candy,” I love this track too, I don’t care what you say!
Any relation to the underwhelming Guy Ritchie film “Revolver?”
Lil Wayne, step away from the guitar. Guitars are not bling and you only look cool with one IF you can play more than one note.
I actually love it and think it’s one of her best songs this decade (after Hung Up and Don’t Tell Me). Clearly Celebration was made for European radio and Revolver American since any Top-40 song bascially has to be hip hop/R&B sounding now in order to be a hit.
you got it Josh! Celebration for Europe, Revolver for the US
So you’re saying Europeans have decent taste in music, and American’s don’t? I won’t argue with that.
josh I Totally agree with you, it’s very clear that celebration is for europian fan, and revolver for american… Madonna such a smart girl!
Underwhelming? Are you getting high with Lil Wayne? I think the track is pretty damn good. Better than that Celebration crap she dropped on us.
Madonna and her manager have talked openly about their affinity for Britney’s Blackout album. This track is clearly inspired by that album, specifically Radar. From the way the vocals are distorted to the construction of the chorus to the overall way it has been produced, Revolver is so obviously Madona’s answer to Radar.
I think this is a fun and catchy song. Almost a lost track from BLACKOUT. Does not ring the “Hard Candy” bell for me. I hope this does well for her. A nice fun song for a Greatest Hits.
uh she this aint the first time she auto-tuned… she auto-tuned for the “music” album…
Madonna did not write this song — The Jackie Boyz did — and the original demo with RaVaughn was infinitely better than this version. Madonna crapped on what should have been an amazing pop song.
This track rocks! She started this sound with Die Another Day….