| "Dumb Blonde" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byAvril Lavigne featuringNicki Minaj | ||||
| from the albumHead Above Water | ||||
| Released | February 12, 2019 (2019-02-12) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:34 | |||
| Label | BMG | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Mitch Allan | |||
| Avril Lavigne singles chronology | ||||
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| Nicki Minaj singles chronology | ||||
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| Lyric video | ||||
| "Dumb Blonde" onYouTube | ||||
"Dumb Blonde" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriterAvril Lavigne featuring rapperNicki Minaj. It was released on February 12, 2019, and serves as the third single from her sixth studio album,Head Above Water (2019). The song was originally recorded by Lavigne as a solo artist, but was later recorded with an additional verse written and performed by Minaj. The solo version of the song is featured on physical editions of the album.
"Dumb Blonde" was written by Lavigne, Minaj and its producersMitch Allan, andBonnie McKee. It is apower pop andhip hop song that is about self-love and female empowerment. Several music critics labeled it a "feminist anthem".[1][2][3]
On December 7, 2018, Lavigne revealed the final tracklist for her sixth studio album,Head Above Water, that included a solo song titled "Dumb Blonde" as track number five.[4] On February 7, 2019, the album's track listing onAmazon was updated, confirming that the song features rapperNicki Minaj. In fact, the song was 26 seconds longer than when it originally appeared on music platforms (3:08 to 3:34), which suggests that Minaj's verse was added in the last minute.[5] That day, Lavigne teased the track by unveiling a nine-second-long snippet along with a statement detailing themes that inspired the concept. On February 11, Chinese streaming serviceXiami confirmed that the joint track is set to be released the following day as the album's third single.[6] The official cover art, that features Lavigne sucking a lollipop, plays up a "dumb blonde" stereotype.[7]
"Dumb Blonde" is a "fiery"[8][9] and "plucky"[10] mix ofpop,[11]power pop,[12]hip hop,[13] and music with a strong influence ofpunk rock mixed withurban[14] and elements ofpop punk,[13] which was written by Lavigne with Minaj,Mitch Allan, andBonnie McKee; while its production done by Allan alongside McKee, Chris Baseford, and Scott Robinson. The track is three minutes and thirty-four seconds long.[15] Lavigne described it as "the mostuptempo song on the album."[16] The song's instrumentation features heavy guitar synths,[17] an "infectious" drumline[18] and "driving" beats.[10] Similarities were noted between the song and American rock artistsJoan Jett andSleigh Bells, as well as Lavigne's own 2007 albumThe Best Damn Thing (specifically, its lead single, "Girlfriend"),[10][19] while the vocals were compared to American punk rock bandM.I.A.[20][18] Lyrically, it's a "self-empowerment anthem"[18] and "a sassy clap-back to a man who underestimated her",[21] which deals with "the idea that people might think [Lavigne]'s not as smart as she is based on the way she looks".[12] Minaj's verse features references to her 2014 albumThe Pinkprint and single "No Frauds".[12]
About the song's concept and idea, Lavigne toldEntertainment Weekly: "It's something I actually went through where I had an experience with someone calling me a dumb blonde. I was like, 'Ooh that's a good concept and title.' It started as a misogynist intimidated by my independence. I just thought that was really unfair."[22] In anInstagram post, she continues: "I brought it to Bonnie McKee and Mitch Allan, who helped me bring it to life. [...] I was belittled and made to feel bad for who I was: A leader, someone with a vision and opinions, someone who has strength, desire, passion and goals. [...] Fuckstereotypes. [...] Yes, women should build each other up, but so should men and women."[6]
"Dumb Blonde" was met with mixed to negative reception, with most critics calling it "a failed attempt at agirl power anthem". Notably,Forbes magazine named the song the 4th worst song of 2019.[23] Similarly, Callie Ahlgrim ofInsider ranked "Dumb Blonde" among the worst songs of 2019, calling it "deeply uninspired" and criticizing Lavigne's decision to collaborate with Nicki Minaj.[24] Brittany Spanos fromRolling Stone complimented the song's "empowerment" theme and described it as "the power pop kiss-off" track.[25] Nick Levine fromNME, while reviewingHead Above Water, called the song "a sassy clap-back to a man who underestimated her."[26] Allison Bowsher fromMuch considered that the song is "the rock pop sensibilities of the early ’90s, with an infectious drum line backing and call and answer chorus that is begging to be blasted from every radio station." She also praised Lavigne's decision to collaborate with Minaj and said that "Minaj is the perfect collaborator for the new single, bringing her own style of bravado and badassness (we’re making it a word) that could make “Dumb Blonde” a huge hit for both artists."[27]
Ian Gavan, in his review forNylon, wrote that "Dumb Blonde" was "a newfeministpep rally anthem". He praised commercial and public appeal of the song, as well as Minaj's rap section: "Just because she's cute and sweet, doesn't mean she incompetent".[1] Lucas Villa ofAXS also complimented Minaj's performance and characterized her verse as "explosive".[28] Alex Darus ofAlternative Press praised the overall composition and saw that "Minaj's feature feels like a perfect fit".[29]
Madelin Roth ofMTV proclaimed Lavigne and Minaj "the hottest power pop duo today".[30] Katherine Gillespie ofPaper praised "Dumb Blonde" and added that "it somehow manages to combine every genre Lavigne has ever dabbled in over the course of a prolific pop-punk career."[31] In a review forComplex, Tara Mahadevan claimed that the song and the lyrics were "uplifting" and "empowering".[32]Exclaim!'s Josiah Hughes published a rave review and called the song "punk pop banger".[33]Rap Up applauded track's encouraging lyrical message.[34]
Ming Lee Newcomb ofConsequence of Sound described "Dumb Blonde" as "cheeky, drum-heavy track". She noted that "song solidifies thesk8er girl's effort to make a cultural comeback".[35] Israel Daramota ofSpin praised "anthemic" nature of the composition.[36] He felt that "['Dumb Blonde']'s percussion-based track owes a lot more toGwen Stefani's 'Hollaback Girl' mold, but it also captures the sneering attitude found on Lavigne's best known tracks." Glenn Rowley fromBillboard called the song a "fiery collaboration".[37] While reviewing "Dumb Blonde", Melody Lau fromCBC Music complemented the idea of challenging 'dumb blonde' stereotypes.[38] Mike Nied fromIdolator made the observation that "Dumb Blonde" was one of the "sort of fiery banger that deserves plenty of radio play."[39]
Alex Zidel ofHotNewHipHop gave a positive review and expected "Dumb Blonde" to be "iconic as both the artists behind it". He considered the song was "a definitely a feel-good joint" between Lavigne and Minaj.[40]
On February 15, 2019, Lavigne released on herYouTube channel her first live performance of the song on the Honda Stage at Henson Recording Studios, from a partnership betweeniHeartRadio andHonda.[41]On June 17, 2019, Lavigne performed a short version of the song at theRadio Disney ARDYS Awards 2019 along with shorter versions of previous hits, "Sk8er Boi", "Complicated" and "Head Above Water" respectively. Avril Lavigne also performed the song on her Head Above Water Tour 2019.[citation needed]
"Dumb Blonde" debuted at number 92 on theCanadian Hot 100 chart,[42] number 24 on the US Pop Digital Song Sales chart, number 14 on the Japan Hot Overseas,[43] number 22 on theUK Independent Singles Chart,[44] and number 16 on the New Zealand Hot Singles. Overall, "Dumb Blonde" moderately peaked in seven countries component charts, making it the second chart successful single on the album behind 2018 lead single "Head Above Water".
The song was included in the second trailer forThe Hustle.[citation needed]
Credits and personnel adapted fromHead Above Water albumliner notes.[15]
Management
Personnel
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[45] | 92 |
| Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[46] | 63 |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[47] | 14 |
| Lithuania (AGATA)[48] | 93 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[49] | 16 |
| UK Indie (OCC)[50] | 22 |
| USPop Digital Songs (Billboard)[51] | 24 |
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | February 12, 2019 | Original | BMG | [9] | |
| Italy | February 15, 2019 | Radioairplay | [52] | ||
| Japan | June 3, 2019 | Digital download | Solo | [53] |
Meanwhile, the latter is a plucky pop/rap fusion that channels the Canadian's brattiest material.[dead link]
Avril Lavigne has recruited Nicki Minaj for the power pop kiss-off "Dumb Blonde."
"Dumb Blonde" sees Avril join forces with Nicki Minaj, and the final result is a pop-punk/hip-hop blend
Dumb Blonde"; a blend of punk rock and urban carries the track on an easygoing instrumental journey.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)But Lavigne has not turned her back on rock as heavy guitar riffs set "Dumb Blonde" apart.
Lavigne has captured the infectious energy and raw emotion that helped make her a household name back in the early 2000s with her debut albumLet Go. A self-empowerment anthem that works for people with any hair colour, "Dumb Blonde" has the rock pop sensibilities of the early '90s, with an infectious drum line backing and call and answer chorus that is begging to be blasted from every radio station.
La noticia de la canción no es el rap de Nicki Minaj con sus esperables autorreferencias, sino el sonido rockero de la grabación, a medio camino entre Joan Jett y Sleigh Bells, con algunos puntos en que la voz de Avril lleva todo un filtro con el copyright de M.I.A.
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