After a stint on Nashville Star in 2007, Whitney Duncan entered the country music parade (thanks to Warner Bros. Records) with her first single, “When I Said I Would”. Duncan was raised on rock and roll and contemporary country, and those elements are evidents on this uptempo track about leaving bad love behind.
The production is a little glossy, and the guitar licks are far from country, but that fits right in with the mainstream audience that Duncan is targeting. Her vocal is strongest when the hook surrounds it, yet it’s undistinctive and just a little thin around the verses. The whole point of the song seems to be to reach the catchy chorus, and it’s that chorus that is the redeeming part of the song. It is infectious, yes, but it does leave the listener hungry for a little more substance after a few spins.
Not a classic in the pantheon of done-me-wrong songs, but it’s not too objectionable either.
Written by Whitney Duncan, Gordie Sampson and John Shanks
Grade: C
Listen: When I Said I Would
Buy: When I Said I Would
I downloaded this song when it was the free single of the week on itunes and liked it the first time I heard it. But, really, the more I listened to it the more I liked it. The chorus is infectious and her voice is very distinguishable, which is refreshing in today’s country market! It’s nice to hear a cool voice singing a cool song.
Eww.. real audio.. that’s a no no. :(
I agree that it’s infectious but It very weak lyricaly and vocally.
I’m not sure Whitney will even be able to get on the charts with this one.
Weak lyrically and vocally? What are u smokin? The song is not meant to be brain surgery, it’s just a fun song with a great melody. Her vocals are amazing! I’m 100% positive it will make the charts…we’ll see who’s right.
jordan, i checked out your page and no wonder you don’t like this song. You like BAD (and uncommercial) music.
I didn’t say I didn’t like it, I actually do but I doubt that it’ll make the charts. It has a few things going against it.
1. It’s not all that great vocally because it doesn’t stand out. I think she has a voice but her performance on this one is either weak or drowned out.
2. This will be the fourth artist Warner Bros. tries to launch from Nashville star and they haven’t had any luck yet, so why would Whitney have much better luck?
3. It’s already been out for a few months yet it hasn’t even charted yet, which isn’t usually a good sign.
4. A lot of people grew tired of her on Nashville Star and felt that she over stayed her welcome. Also when she was picked up and Angela Hacker was dropped people didn’t look at her highly afterwards.
5. She’s a female artist. While this shouldn’t matter it does as very few female artists get radio airplay. The last new female to make the top 10 was Taylor Swift back in 2006 (correct me if I’m wrong). While quite a few male artists have made top 10 since then.
it does have a few things going for it though. It has a catchy chours, it is similar in style to what radio currently plays, she’s good looking, and I’m thinking Warner Bros. wants to have one female star in their roster and Whitney’s their best bet, so she’ll get the support.
Also…
JR. O. – I don’t smoke.
Mark – I like everything so don’t even go there.
nashvile star is stupid. who watches that show anyway? this chick rocks and so does “WHEN I SAID I WOULD”.
Okay, Guys, it’s cool to disagree, but please do it respectfuly.
Ahh, now I see where the new comment policy came from ;)
Marc,
All starts to come together, doesn’t it?
Hey, I’m just following the policy.:)
Marc,
If you’re suggesting that I wrote it though, I didn’t. I support it 100%, however.
It’s a regular contry-pop song fit for radio. Lyrics are simple, melody is pretty good, vocals are okay. And she managed a record deal when Angela Hacker didn’t because her label was tyring to capitalize on the young, blond, successful female country singer like Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, and Whitney fits these qualifications. (Julianne Hough’s label is also trying the same thing.)Overall, the song is okay.
I’m sorry if I’ve somehow contributed to Kevin having to put the comment policy in place. I was just defending my thoughts on this song.
Before people start making comparisons just because she is pretty and blonde how about doing your research (whitneyduncan.com)? Whitney co-wrote her WHOLE record, plays the guitar, has been in Nashville writing and recording for 9 years, and has a truly unique voice…So she didn’t just manage a record deal, she DESERVED a record deal…and she didn’t win a reality tv show to get it! This song will be a HIT, no doubt!
C Really??? i give this song an A+++
She reminds me of Shania. Might be as big as her too!
Jordan,
You absolutely did not contribute to the need for acomment policy. This thread had nothing to do with it. Actually, it has been in conception for months. As everyone may have noticed, this site has been revamped quite a bit. This is just another change that has been implemented.
Okay, back on topic. I don’t actually have much to say about this song because it doesn’t leave an impression with me either way, which is probably not what an artist wants, I suppose.
Well I was wrong she got on the charts this week.