Before we get to Enrique Iglesias' ribald new single, let's think back to 1997. At that time, we were entering a brave new era when mainstream R&B singers could be just as lascivious and graphic in their lyrics as they were as people. No more clever metaphors, no more beating around the bush, and suddenly a lot more Parental Advisory stickers. Think back, if you dare, to R. Kelly's contribution to the Notorious B.I.G.'s second album, Life After Death. Yes, it was called "Fuck You Tonight," and that's what it's about. At the time, this was an extremely funny idea -- one of many from the mind of Robert Kelly. Even in jest, his honey-coated throat has no less sincerity than his recent transformation into a squeaky-clean crooner on (the far-better song) "When a Woman Loves."
But we're talking about Enrique now. In this libidinous fantasy of a video, many topless women writhe as Iglesias uses some the tried-and-true sex lyrical references ("put it on me," "give it to me"). And then it's the chorus of "Tonight, I'm fucking you."
As we've already discussed, this tactic is no longer shocking in itself. What it does hammer home is that the f word just sounds lousy when sung -- even Ludacris avoids using it during his verse until the lead-in to the chorus. So even if he doesn't mean to be rude, it's more about the word bouncing clumsily around inside a tin ear than any level of offense taken.
Sigh. Well if you didn't already skip to watching the nakedness, here it is.