H.E.R. was the musical guest tonight with host Adele. Both songs were stellar. But the first, her new single, "Damage," immediately made my ears crop up. She sampled Herb Alpert's "Making Love In The Rain," produced by Jam & Lewis (and the original had vocals by Janet Jackson and Lisa Keith), from Herb's album Keep Your Eye On Me.

The video and single for "Damage" are out now: https://smarturl.it/xDamage
Here's the SNL performance: https://www.youtube.com/w...PwIWU3xzQ4
Here's Herb's song, for those that don't know it: https://www.youtube.com/w...LmIN6oy7xo

The 2nd song H.E.R. sang was called "Hold On." https://www.youtube.com/w...JbQiqrKN4c
SNL performance of "Hold On": https://www.youtube.com/w...Cxi5mZ94v4

Jimmy Kimmel performance of "Damage": https://www.youtube.com/w...mJJ_xLMvME

[Edited 10/28/20 19:56pm]

inovio said:

Average talent. Subpar. Why didn't Adele perform? She's a fraud. Sold all those records but can't have an impressive LIVE performance. Must be nice using the privilage.

Is she THAT bad?

CynicKill said:

JoeBala said:

CynicKill said:

inovio said:

JoeBala said:

inovio said:

[sliced for a prick comments]

Was just joking, but can you sing and play better?

No, they can't. It's a garbage comment and I count it as such. They'd probably say the same shit about Esparanza Spalding.

Back to H.E.R., she must be worth something in talent, since she paid tribute to Prince on that special. I forgot to mention that guitar she's playing is her own custom edition that's out there. I hope and trust we'll be seeing a lot more of her in the near and distant future.

By the way, to negative Nancy over there, Adele was the host, not the musical guest, but she did sing during one of the skits. Maybe if you took off your chastity belt, you could concentrate a little mo' betta.

TrivialPursuit said:

JoeBala said:

inovio said:

It was okay

I like H.E.R. She has talent and I always enjoy watching her perform on tv.

I saw H.E.R. open for Badu last year, she was OK. Personally I have a hard time understanding what she is singing but people seemed to dig it. I liked that she integrated her guitar skills into the second performance. When I saw her live she did a take on the guitar solo from Purple Rain which was nice if not a bit confusing (she didn't sing the song, just did the guitar bit). I wouldn't buy her album personally but to each their own. Idk why but I always confuse her with SZA, equally disappointing live. Maybe its the initials.

Hadn't heard her before S.N.L., but both songs left me with the sense that there's a little Prince in her -- the melodies, the arrangements, the performance (however subdued). I even said as much to the person I was watching with -- not the kind of compliment I hand out often I liked her a lot.

[Edited 10/28/20 1:18am]

dustoff said:

I saw her on a different show this year where little-known songwriters were auditioning songs for H.E.R. to record.


One of the songwriters on a different episode was actually a local girl.


Anyways, H.E.R. definitely name-checked Prince as a short-cut to describe a style or vibe she was going for in molding the song, as they get to make suggestions (co-write).

I haven't been knocked on my ass by H.E.R. quite yet but I did BUY her two new songs performed on SNL because it is at least closer to something I enjoy.

dustoff said:

Hadn't heard her before S.N.L., but both songs left me with the sense that there's a little Prince in her -- the melodies, the arrangements, the performance (however subdued). I even said as much to the person I was watching with -- not the kind of compliment I hand out often I liked her a lot.

H.E.R. second number reminded me more of "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" by D'Angelo than anything else, but everyone said that was a Prince tribute too.

So........ what song though? "Insatiable"?

inovio said:

Average talent. Subpar. Why didn't Adele perform? She's a fraud. Sold all those records but can't have an impressive LIVE performance. Must be nice using the privilage.

she actually did. Making yourself look like a bit of a dolt.

dustoff said:

StrangeButTrue said:

Zannaloaf said:

Cinny said:

H.E.R. second number reminded me more of "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" by D'Angelo than anything else, but everyone said that was a Prince tribute too.

So........ what song though? "Insatiable"?

I don't think there has to be a specific song that every song has to sound like to be a tribute. She's not copying Prince song for song. I think you'd agree that no artist worth their salt would do that anyway.

I tend to think that artists who want to dip into that sauce always go for a classic like "Do Me, Baby," "Adore," or "International Lover" to try and nip at a little bit. H.E.R.'s song "Hold On" could be anywhere on that spectrum, if it's on it at all.

Besides, D'Angelo emulated Prince's style a lot, so if H.E.R. is emulating D, then...

before her performance on SNL last week, I had MAYBE heard of the name "H.E.R." once or twice..

normally when the musical guest comes on SNL, that's when I go to the restroom or get a snack or whatever..

but once I saw this nubian musician - with actual musical talent & proficency

(which I NEVER presume in today's "pop music climate")

I was pleasantly surprised.

.

I may even double back & listen to the 2 (I believe?) albums she's released so far..