I am sure most of you have heard this song by now... "Love Lockdown" by Kanye West... and no.. I am not going to comment on the lyrical meaning of the song... I believe it is quite obvious... and he has even commented that its a symbol of going "where your heart takes you"...

Well, that aside, take a listen at the song once again with the video...


Lots of people have slammed Kanye regarding this song... since it is not a typical rap and uses the auto-tuner... and that it does not fit with his lyrical style and wit... well... here I am to defend the song...

1) The auto-tuner is just his shift towards the electronica style.. this shift is already seen in his previous hit "Stronger"...

2) Although this song is not a rap... and now really an interesting array or play with words... it is still quite a tight piece...

a) Sing along to the song. You will realise that most phrases are paced at 4-5 words, and each standing as an independent sentence. And that the phonics follow a monotonous beat.

b) If you sing along, you will also notice that it is quite a "downer" song. This is due to the clever use of subconscious "sighing". Each sentence in the verses ends with a word that requires your mouth to form an "O" and breathe out air when pronouncing it. This is the exact same motion as a sigh.

c)Only the chorus breaks from that trend, with the words "Keep", "Lock", "Down", which are sharp short words that can't really be stretched. This combined with the upbeat drumming, changes the mood. Adds to the meaning of the lyrics, that it has to end.

3) Finally the video uses some clever techniques to bring the mood.

a) Interesting use of white and being minimalistic in the setting to focus on the singer (it is really a nice colour for him, like his glasses in "Stronger") and create that sense of detachment.

b) Nice use of tribes to contrast. How on the surface one can look calm and peaceful, yet underneath it all.. there is such a struggle.. like the tribes at war. Love how it also ties in that despite how the modern man has evolved, there are some things like emotions that remain raw and very similar to that of our tribal forefathers. That underneath it all, that primal instinct still exists.

c) Interesting that almost most of the tribal dancers/warriors are men. And the only 2 main females dancing around... are depicted as larger and towering/untouchables. Even more interesting is that the females are body-painted with Nazca Lines and together with the spaceships... give that feel of another world. Like with aliens... we sometimes wish that we can understand them and co-inhabit.. but chances are... we are better off alone.. away from each other... ties in with the theme of the song.

d) I love how the song starts and ends with a soft drum beat. Much like the song "Teardrops" by Massive Attack (Many might know this as the House MD theme song). Yes, it is a catchy tune, but it is also very similar to the human heart-beat... and when you take it together with the final scene, where he curls up into the fetal position... it really resembles a scene of a fetus in the mother's womb... one of the most protective areas in the world... and a symbol of protecting yourself from the rest of the world.