Single Review: Sugarland, “Stuck Like Glue”
arland-Stuck-Like-Glue-300×300.jpg” alt=”” width=”160″ height=”160″ />I could write a few paragraphs about why I love this song, but what’s the point?
They don’t sing the praises of Bubble Yum and S’Mores in Food & Wine magazine, but boy, do those treats taste good.
So you’ll have to look for the country connoisseur perspective elsewhere. All I have to say about “Stuck Like Glue” is this:
Listening to it makes me very happy.
Written by Kristian Bush, Shy Carter, Kevin Griffin, and Jennifer Nettles
Grade: A
Listen: Stuck Like Glue
I’m a moderate fan, like B+ or so. I just want more percussion in the chorus. And any station which plays the reggae-free edit immediately loses my respect.
The video is pretty incredible, too:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDPw_qjhtM
KJC- I loved the song after 3 listens, it and the video make me very VERY happy. ^^
I love the simpleness and fun that radiates from the track.
I wasn’t sure what to think about the reggae sounding part, but I like it after a while.
I was reading in Entertainment Weekly how Jennifer Nettles and the producers didn’t intend for it to sound reggae, they actually intended it to be like spoken word-ish.
Love it and Love Sugarland!
A
The other day I heard the reggea-free version on my local country station, and boy did that put me in a bad mood! The reggae rap is my favorite part. The song is just not the same without it. But more importantly, that kind of creative expression is something that should be encouraged in country music, and you won’t encourage it by editing it out.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes Bubble Yum and S’Mores!
That video rivals “Love the Way You Lie” on the disturbing scale.
I haven’t seen the “Love the Way You Lie” video, but I sure do love the “Stuck Like Glue” video. Granted, it was disturbing, but in a funny kind of way. I love how Jennifer Nettles pulls of that character. And who knew she could dance like that?
Amen to this review. It makes me happy. The Reggae breakdown is what sold it for me. It’s so out there and Nettles sounds like she’s having so much fun that I fell in love with the song.
“It makes me happy” – sometimes that’s just all there is to say! :D
I actually have to agree. This song has the inexplicable ability to make me happy too. Especially while watching the video, which I agree is fantastic. It’s hilarious and Jennifer does a great job with her character.
And I totally agree about not having respect for the stations that cut out the reggae rap part. I don’t even know if I like it or not yet, but it still deserves to be played on the radio just as much as the rest of the song!
So basically, I agree with what everyone else has said so far.
Count me as another agree-er. I picked this one up on iTunes the other day. Wasn’t crazy about it the first listen, but it has grown on me (stuck to me like glue?). Their songs just make me happy, and this one is especially pleasing. I don’t care if it’s “real” country or not. :-)
But then, I loved “Wild at Heart”, so what do I know?
Even though I love it, I would agree with people who don’t think it’s country.
Why the hell can’t we ever get a country song on the radio or pushed into the mainstream. If you want to sing Reggae, then go bleepin sing it. As a country song, with no country instrumentation or sound to it, I think it sucks. I think I’ll stick my ears closed with glue every-time this song comes on. Another pop (+ other genre sound) travesty aborting country radio and the music as a genre. Rock me to a steel gutair, don’t drum me up some funky beats or drum machines.
It sickens me that artists still putting out good country music can’t get airplay but Top 40 pop artists like Sugarlame can’t get their bubblegum, um, reggae, played on the radio and pushed by the record labels.
Sunny Sweeney anyone?
Songs like this just get on the Fightin’ Side of Me and make me want to just Walk the Line. Now excuse me but I’ll Try to put my Rose Colored Glasses on, continue my quest to get to Amarillo by Morning, so I can find out why Katie Looks at Tommy like I still look at you and then get back to Lynda.
(Whispering voice)
Shhhhhhh, don’t tell anyone, but those little teases of songs above, those are real country songs; why, because they have country instrumentation.
The first time I heard it, I hated it for about 30 seconds. Now I love it. But seriously…if you’re not a fan of Nettles’ voice, steer clear of this song.
Not gonna lie, as much as I like the song, I wish it was targeted to a different genre. Same goes with Lady A’s “Need You Now” too. I like a lot of songs that don’t sound country, but I do fall under the philosophy of wanting to know that I’m listening to a country station if I turn to a country station. Then again, Nettle’s voice might be too twangy for any other genre. It’s hard for me to remove myself from her voice enough to know at this point.
Mike,
Nice play on country titles, even if I don’t personally like all of them.:)
The song has been growing on me, but the video is what really sold me. Jennifer plays a great stalker.
…right then, a few days ago i rated this song: “…possibly the catchiest fluff of all times…” and i’m sticking to it.
however, the video is even catchier. christian bush comes across like a modern day, slightly dark sort of “harvey” and jennifer nettles’ performance would yield her an oscar-nomination from my part. i couldn’t agree more with andrew. terrific fun, twang and new hairstyle.
i’ve got to get this stupid smile off my face till work starts.
wow.. I like “Stay” but I like this more. :)
After watching the video for Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iDPw_qjhtM
I was left wondering could this video could do damage to Sugarland’s career, the same way Lari White’s video for “Wild At Heart” left her career in ruins.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLKV_z09b1I
…
I like both videos and never understood those that bashed Lari for her video and now those that are bashing Sugarland for this new one.
I consider “Stuck Like Glue” to be pop-fluff with ambition, lyrically it’s not up to all that much, but man sonically this song is amazing! And I know it’s been said so many times and by now it’s become cliché, but Jennifer Nettles sounds like she’s having an absolute blast! She is hands down the best female intepretive singer in mainstream country at the moment. And its video is the best video of 2010 so far in my opinion.
First she borrows a Beyonce song, now a Beyonce dance? Someone’s a crazy fan!
This was not an immediate win for me, but I’m on board now. We may be witnessing the eventual crossover of Sugarland, as this song sounds like it belongs right alongside Train and Travie McCoy on pop radio with that ukelele sound.
It’s been a long time since I saw the Lari White video. I never thought it was all that controversial, but I can see how some people would be offended by it – particularly the use of the word ‘crazy’ in the chorus. But considering it’s set in an insane asylum, and considering she portrayed herslef as one of them, I think it was certainly more self-deprecating than poking fun at the mentally handicapped. Also, I don’t see any parallels to Lari White’s video and Sugarland’s new one.
Getting back to ‘Stuck Like Glue’, I really enjoy it myself. I really like Kevin’s apprach to reviewing it – no five-dollar words or complicated concepts of why reggae-rap with an infectous melody hooks you, you just know it does. It hooks me too. And I like it.
J. R.
Lari’s video was pulled from CMT after complaints that it was an inappropriate portrayal of Mental Illness for a video treatment. Lari was not an established artist, only having a few hit songs prior to Wild At Heart, it stalled her career to the point that she left country music and released the best album of her career “Green-eyed Soul” in 2001.
From comments I’ve read on a few websites, there are those that find stalking and kidnapping inappropriate subject matter for a video treatment also.
Hence the comparison, though Sugarland is very well established and 14 years have passed. And though there could be some form of backlash, it probably would only put a very small dent in their career trajectory. Like John said above, I feel this could be a cross-over vehicle for Sugarland as it does have the Cobie Caillat, Jason Mraz, Train, etc, vibe. Though the “twang” in Jennifer Nettles voice could still be the deal breaker for pop radio and like “Stay” may only be a marginal cross-over hit which could derail any cross-over success.
As for the song, I love it especially the reggae break, which I agree that those stations that are cutting it out lose all respect. I think the video concept is excellent and hysterically funny, but can understand those that might be offended, just like those that were offended at Lari’s video. You can’t please everyone…
There are vague similarities, self-deprecating humor, dancing and the abrupt endings.
I didn’t think the White video was a big deal when I first saw it back in ’96 or so. Looking at it now, I’d describe it as being in spectacularly bad taste.
The Sugarland clip really threw me off the first time I saw it, but watching it on TV instead of the computer, it comes off as more surreal and fantasy-like. Nettles could definitely moonlight as an actress. I’m enjoying it more now, but I can see how others would find it offensive.
I hated the Kathy Mattea video for “Walking Away a Winner”, which still surprises me when I see it. It also features a kidnapping, along with burning down the trailer because, I dunno, he watches TV too much and doesn’t help with the dishes?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNNgGgP_4M0
The “Stuck Like Glue” video by Sugarland sends out a message that says it’s okay to try to run over someone, stalk them, kidnap them, tie them up, then beat them up in the end. These are serious issues these days and should not be taken lightly. Sugarland has a lot of followers so they should be sending out more positive messages that represent them in a better light than disturbing ones.
@ Michele,
I agree with you that this video could send out this message. I had the same reaction when I first saw it. But I think it has so many ridiculous and surreal elements in it – hello, dance sequence – that it comes off cartoonish. In a good way.
As videos go, I was more disturbed – far more disturbed – by the Eminem/Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie.” It’s a great song with a powerful message, but the video comes way too close to glamorizing domestic violence. I worry about the message that it sends, just because it blurs the line too much between love and abuse.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U
The tricky thing about mainstream art is that the whole “what message does this send to kids” thing comes into play in a way it doesn’t for art that is consumed mostly by adults. We wouldn’t worry about an opera with adult themes because we’d know very few kids would see it anyway.
Removing my concern for the youth, I think the “Love the Way You Lie” video is very good. It speaks to the complex nature of abusive relationships, which are rarely simple “good guy, bad guy” scenarios with easy solutions. The line between love and abuse is often blurred in those relationships, so as an adult, the video just strikes me as incredibly honest. If no young person ever saw it – though millions undoubtedly will – I wouldn’t see it as anything but good art.
I feel the same way about my (very) guilty pleasure Ke$ha, whose shtick is being a trashy/bratty/slutty party girl. An adult recognizes that that’s an exaggerated pose, delivered with a wink for silly escapist value. Who knows what a kid thinks? I imitated all kinds of stupid stuff when I was a kid.
It’s a very difficult matter, because on one hand, we can’t expect all artists to serve as role models. One the other, this material is more accessible to kids than ever. Increasingly difficult as it is, the burden still comes down on the parents to monitor what their kids are exposed to.
@ Music Man
Like John said above, I feel this could be a cross-over vehicle for Sugarland as it does have the Cobie Caillat, Jason Mraz, Train, etc, vibe. Though the “twang” in Jennifer Nettles voice could still be the deal breaker for pop radio and like “Stay” may only be a marginal cross-over hit which could derail any cross-over success.
________________________
Speaking as a pop fan who’s fairly new to the country scene, I just can’t get around Jennifer’s voice. I wish I could because I really love everything else about Sugarland.
On the Sugarland video…
The thought never even occurred to me that the video could be construed as glorifying kidnapping. I know it was all in good fun. At any rate, I don’t personally think there’s much of a risk of that video damaging Sugarland’s career, especially considering how enormously popular they are right now.
On the Kathy Mattea video…
I don’t think the humor was pulled off quite as effectivly as in the Sugarland video. In the “Stuck Like Glue” video, Jennifer was kidnapping the guy because she had a crush on him, but in the “W.A.A.W” video, Kathy was kidnapping the guy out of anger, which was not as funny to me (though I do love that song).
On the Lari White video…
I can easily see why it offended some people, but I did like it more than I care to admit! But since Lari never achieved the same high level of popularity as Sugarland, I think Sugarland is probably more likely to get away with a slightly controversial video.
@ Danni – The song has a Train vibe to it because Brandon Bush (keyboardist from Train)is Kristian’s brother.
Song is catchy, but it is pop.
Video is amazing :)
Thanks Rachel. :)
I like Sugarland but did not like this song or video. Too much pop/reggae for me!
I suppose the most charitable thing I could say about this song, which I only heard for the first time on the radio yesterday, is that it isn’t any worse than anything else on mainstream country radio–which really isn’t saying a whole lot.
Then again, I’ve never been much for Sugarland. And I think it’s because Jennifer Nettles’ “twang”, especially when she phrases words ending in “ow” and stretching them out, really sets my teeth on edge. I know she’s a favorite of a lot of people here, but I have to confess I’m not in that group.
While I get what people mean, I just think it’s ironic that “twang” is what Nettles is most criticized for as a country music artist.
I like the twang in most country voices, most notably Jennifer Nettles and Reba McEntire. The only time it annoys me is when it’s exaggerated to the point where more emphasis is placed on the twangy drawl than on actual vocal talent. Examples: Justin Moore, Matt Kennon, Ashton Shepherd.
I can’t help but be impressed that Terri Clark is Canadian, but can put on a twang that sounds so natural (to me, at least).
I can accept the twang and/or drawl in country, but, as Ben says, it can get in the way of the importance of just phrasing a song right. And sometimes it can seem like a deliberate, exaggerated attempt at sounding “country”, which is an instant turn-off for me.
This song is absolutely terrible and shouldn’t even be considered country. That reggae rap junk in the middle interlude of the song makes me want to drive head on into oncoming traffic. Who the hell does she think she is? And since when is beat boxing considered at all country? Sugarland, you went south with this one; and not the good country south…
Grade F
I guess there is some “beat boxing” in this song. That’s kind of awesome.
Ben,
I actually like the twanged up voices that you use to make your point (though I don’t like Moore’s songs, but like Shepherd’s), so I guess the more the twang, the better the voice for me.
I do like Ashton Shepherd’s style, since it is very country, so I might warm up to her voice eventually. I actually liked “Sounds So Good” quite a bit.
The only problem I have with the voices I mentioned is that the drawl doesn’t sound natural, at least not to my ear. But that’s just my point of view.
@Angry Country Song (who does indeed sound quite angry)
I sure can see where you’re coming from here. It’s a given that not everybody will like reggae rap and beat-boxing in country songs, but I have to give Sugarland credit for having the guts to try it. It may not be traditionally country, but I like it because of the creativity and personality it shows. I think that kind of creativity is something that should be encouraged among today’s mainstream country artists. And frankly, I would rather hear reggae rap than hear one more “I’m so country” anthem. However, if other country stars follow suit, and reggae rap becomes a popular trend in country music, then I suppose it might get old after awhile!
lisining to this song made me go out and buy nail polish remover ond pure it on my radio
just wate till some two bit moron
puts two “lovebirds” singing that song
on youtube i can se it now…
oh wate that was just a nightmare