We at wiwibloggs.com have our favourite Eurovision alums. Back in Baku, Tooji invited us to stay in his hotel room. This was the start of a bond that remains unbroken today.
Unfortunately, Europeans threw shade on his entry, resulting in a last-place finish during the final. But hey, the guy advanced from the semis! Since then, Tooji has released the critically acclaimed track “Rebels“. It wowed the critics and our readers, and finished on our list of the Top 5 tracks of 2013. Well deserved!
His “Packin’ Guns” video continues with the black and white imagery of “Rebels”. However, this time Tooji rebrands as a warrior. He’s pumped up those arms, preserved his magazine cover looks, and is ready to battle. Dude is lookin’ butch and HOT! But there is no thrusting. This is a naughty but non-sexualised Tooji.
Tooji wrote this song as a response to his battle with anxiety and panic attacks. The song is a bit of therapy, and stems from the realisation that he’s able to free himself through laughter and play. He cast children, including his nephews, to help convey that.
Give that message, it would have been easy to drift into ballad territory. However, Tooji is clever enough to know the limitations of his vocal range, and the importance of remaining faithful to his trendy eurodance sound.
The genre is difficult to define, but whether it’s rap, R&B or pop, it is agressively fresh and slightly reminscent of Beyoncé. The group chant takes this pop-number into new territory. It’s an upbeat, engaging anthem—and one with a message. The dark fairytale at the start should tip you off. “Packin’ Guns” isn’t lethal. It’s a playful showcase of self-mockery, rebellion, and a warning about what happens when violence becomes commonplace.
Score 4./5
Packin’ Guns Lyrics:
They see us on the rooftop
They see us in the shades
They see us packin’ guns like we military made
99 solutions for what ever comes our way
Still we lookin’ fly like we ’bout to get laid
They see us unchained
They see us come alive
They see us dropping down like eagles in the sky
We in it for the kill
We ride or die
We ride or die
We ride or die
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns and your in my aim
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like we M.I.A
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
They see us in the streetlights
Find us in the dark
They see us running wild
Jumping on cars
We rockin’ fake gold like were ’bout to go hard
‘Bout to go hard
‘Bout to go hard
If your ready, Lock & load
Beat steady, drop it low
I’ll make you loose control
If your ready, Lock & load
Beat steady, drop it low
I’ll make you loose control
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Gunsand your in my aim
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like we M.I.A
Tonight we don’t give a damn
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
Put your hands up
Put your hands up
Tonight, Tonight
We Packin’ Guns, Packin’ Guns like
Put your hands up
Put your hands up
Tonight, Tonight
Deban Aderemi is our UK correspondent, and contributed this report from London. Follow him on Twitter @debanaderemi. Then follow Team Wiwi on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
My name is Nathan and not Paula Abdul, this song is pure rubbish. If this arrogant Tooji (regardless if he invited you to his hotel room or his theme park), I inherently do not like Tooji, as an artist, as a human being. Stay was his “one hit wonder” that I voted for because the other Norwegian entries were just plain bad. In response to Tooji’s song: I DON’T GIVE A DAMN about you!
Btw, Deban, you have finally come to your senses, is that score you’ve given a .4 (meaning 0.4) or 4.__?