Timbaland has an impressive record as a producer. Now he’s impressively successful as an artist two. This past week he had two singles in the top five on American Top 40: “The Way I Are” at number five, and “Apologize” at number one. The former is what one would expect from Timbaland: a well-produced hip-hop dance track. The latter, however, features One Republic, a light-alt rock band who wrote the track and star in Timbaland’s video. Timbaland’s new album, Shock Value, is filled with such interesting collaborations. While he features some of the usual suspects (Missy Elliott, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, and Dr. Dre), the album also features guest appearances by The Hives, Fall Out Boy, and Elton John (on piano).
She Wants Revenge, an 1980s-style alternative band heavily influenced by The Cure, Bauhaus, and similar bands, also makes an unexpected appearance on Timbaland’s album in the song “Time.” It’s a blend of hip-hop and retro alternative. The chorus features a Peter Hook-style bass line backing a vocal reminiscent of Peter Murphy or mid-1980s Dave Gahan.
She’s too invested on the hours that pass her by
I’d pay attention if I thought it was worth the time
I tell her easy, but her hands they find a way
Confusing passion for the love he never gave
Fall back on reasons that we know won’t stand a chance
Watching her shoulders like a memory from the past
I tell her easy but her hands they find a way
Confusing passion for the love he never gave
Nothing profound, to be sure, but you can almost hear the black lipstick and eyeliner through this portion of the song.