Swagger Jagger Dividing Opinion
-
To say Cher Lloyd’s debut single Swagger Jagger (released July 31) has polarised opinion since a “old rough demo” was leaked online ahead of its official first radio play last month would be an understatement – it’s set the internet social media alight.
Indeed, it is hard to think of a record since Spice Girls’ Wannabe which has so divided opinion. MW asked the players involved what they think of the reaction?
A&R consultant Savan Kotecha: “It’s interesting to me the whole perception of Cher – what people don’t seem to like her for is what I like her for! We, in the US, see it as confidence whereas they (in the UK) see it as arrogance. I didn’t expect it to be so polarising. It’s online bullying really, and it’s mostly adults which is the sad thing, 40/50-year-old men and women saying the most vile things.
We knew it would be a risk with the lyrics, but we knew with such a diverse album we could take risks. We have all had enough hits to know we can take risks,... that’s the kind of negativity you want, indifference is what you don’t want.”
Syco Music MD Sonny Takhar: “I have never worked a record which has polarised public opinion to such an extent. It is the most viral video – 4m views in three weeks – and there is an incredible amount of attention and anticipation on Cher, as with all great artists. It is unprecedented and this continues from what we saw on the show. She targeted a defined teenage audience as opposed to a mass audience. We have absolutely no regrets on the choice of single. This is an ‘event’ record.”
Artist Cher Lloyd: “I always knew that I wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Like every artist out there, you either like them or you don’t. It just makes we want to go out and perform even harder for the people that do like me and my music. We all made the decision that Swagger Jagger should be my first single. I am very proud of the track and it was one of the first tracks I recorded and I instantly loved it. I think the song lyrics highlight what’s happening now. People will keep writing/tweeting about me, even if they love or hate me.”
-
To say Cher Lloyd’s debut single Swagger Jagger (released July 31) has polarised opinion since a “old rough demo” was leaked online ahead of its official first radio play last month would be an understatement – it’s set the internet social media alight.
Indeed, it is hard to think of a record since Spice Girls’ Wannabe which has so divided opinion. MW asked the players involved what they think of the reaction?
A&R consultant Savan Kotecha: “It’s interesting to me the whole perception of Cher – what people don’t seem to like her for is what I like her for! We, in the US, see it as confidence whereas they (in the UK) see it as arrogance. I didn’t expect it to be so polarising. It’s online bullying really, and it’s mostly adults which is the sad thing, 40/50-year-old men and women saying the most vile things.
We knew it would be a risk with the lyrics, but we knew with such a diverse album we could take risks. We have all had enough hits to know we can take risks,... that’s the kind of negativity you want, indifference is what you don’t want.”
Syco Music MD Sonny Takhar: “I have never worked a record which has polarised public opinion to such an extent. It is the most viral video – 4m views in three weeks – and there is an incredible amount of attention and anticipation on Cher, as with all great artists. It is unprecedented and this continues from what we saw on the show. She targeted a defined teenage audience as opposed to a mass audience. We have absolutely no regrets on the choice of single. This is an ‘event’ record.”
Artist Cher Lloyd: “I always knew that I wasn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Like every artist out there, you either like them or you don’t. It just makes we want to go out and perform even harder for the people that do like me and my music. We all made the decision that Swagger Jagger should be my first single. I am very proud of the track and it was one of the first tracks I recorded and I instantly loved it. I think the song lyrics highlight what’s happening now. People will keep writing/tweeting about me, even if they love or hate me.”