Criticize (song)

"Criticize" is a song written by Alexander O'Neal and Jellybean Johnson and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It is the second single from the singer's second solo album, Hearsay (1987). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Lisa Keith. Following the successful chart performances of the Hearsay single "Fake", "Criticize" was released as the album's second single.

Meaning

The songs lyrics are a personal commentary, critical of a nagging ex-lover, who criticizes his "friends", "ideals", "lifestyle", and "feeling[s]".

Release

The song was O'Neal's biggest hit in Britain, where it reached No. 4 in the United Kingdom and on the R&B chart in O'Neal's native United States. It was also one of his only two hits to chart in the Republic of Ireland (reaching No. 14). "Criticize" reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In popular culture

The song is featured in the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto IV on the in-game radio station "The Vibe 98.8".

Song

A song is a single (and often standalone) work of music intended to be sung by the human voice with distinct and fixed pitches and patterns using sound and silence and a variety of forms that often include the repetition of sections. Written words created specifically for music or for which music is specifically created, are called lyrics. If a pre-existing poem is set to composed music in classical music it is an art song. Songs that are sung on repeated pitches without distinct contours and patterns that rise and fall are called chants. Songs in a simple style that are learned informally are often referred to as folk songs. Songs that are composed for professional singers are called popular songs. These songs, which have broad appeal, are often composed by professional songwriters, composers and lyricists. Art songs are composed by trained classical composers for concert performances. Songs are performed live and recorded. Songs may also appear in plays, musical theatre, stage shows of any form, and within operas.

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Song (disambiguation)

A song is a musical composition for voice or voices.

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