"L.A. Love (La La)" - Fergie - Pop Song Review

Hot 100: 63

Pop Radioplay: 21

It has been a while since Fergie was on a hit song by herself.  The Dutchess was released in 2006 and had two years of pop singles that came from the album.  I have always been neutral on Fergie. She is one of those artists  you don’t want to admit you like, but unfortunately like. 

In terms of pop radio time, Fergie last single on the radio was in 2011 with the Black Eyed Peas.  I am sure you forgot about that album, The Beginning. Trust me it was not good at all. In my opinion too much of will.i.am and Fergie on the album. Those two other guys of the Black Eyed Peas never get any exposure anymore.

Fergie has always been one of the highlights of the Black Eyed Peas, so maybe she’ll makes something good.  She really made the Black Eyed Peas turn from minor success story to major success globally.  Link below is the new single , “L.A. Love (La La).”

Oh! This is an urban flavor song. My expectations are dropping faster than the recession of 2008 for this song. 

Production wise this is another DJ Mustard production, the hottest producer in hip hop and probably pop music in the future.  It shares some similarities with Tinashe's song, "2 On" in terms of the bassline. I feel like it is missing excitement in the song when it gets to the chorus. Overall the song production feels uninspired to me.  

Fergie vocals are blah here. She sticks with that annoying voice from "London Bridge" and applys here again. I never like that tonal quality of Fergie. She is not a thug at all, and in fact is the complete opposite of it.  The song itself is catchy after a few listens, but not one of those songs you want in your head.

Originally I thought the lyrics would be about Los Angeles from Fergie point of view.  I wouldn't mind another city anthem if it relates to the city, and their viewpoint. We don't get that here. Instead we get a insert city here, and add urban slang to fill three minutes.  As always let's analyze the lyrics. 

"Uh, tell 'em where I'm from
Finger on the pump, make the sixth straight jump from SoCal"

Fergie is "gunning" down the competition.  This urban form Fergie is not working for me at all. Fergie is not an urban artist at all.

"Hollywood to the slums
Chronic smoke get burnt by the California sun"

Fergie tells the listener of LA wide range demographic of rich to the poor. This line is important because this is the last time LA is ever mention in the rest of the song except in the chorus. We are only four lines into the song not including the chorus.

"Just got to New York like a gnat on a jet

To London, to Brazil, to Quebec
Like the whole damn world took effect to Ferg
Tell 'em"
Yes, Fergie I remember you took over the world with that last album. It was six singles deep though, I think most pop music fans forgot about it.  This is the start of the city shout outs. I am surprised those crazy French Canadians got a shout out, eh.

"Lay back, slow down
Better represent when we come to your town
So lay back, slow down
What you represent when we come to your town
Say, get in with the business
I'ma be there in a minute"

Your city is important too, just not enough for a shout out from Fergie. Sorry Scranton.

"L.A. Got the people saying (la la la la la)

Brooklyn saying (la la la la la)
Hacienda saying (la la la la la)
Vegas saying (la la la la la)
Rio saying (la la la la la)
Tokyo saying (la la la la la)
Down under saying (la la la la la)
Miami saying (la la la la la)
Jamaica"

Normal saying (la la la la la)

Boring OR saying (la la la la)

Bacon, IN saying (la la la... yum)

Intercourse PA saying (la la la to Climax PA)

Pretty catchy city names if I say so myself.

Uh, tell 'em where I'm at
From the plaques to the uh uh
Everything fat
Got Mustard on a track

Fergie meaning behing "plaques" is awards. Once again stupid hip hop non slang. We already know DJ Mustard made the track from the audio watermark earlier. Pretty sure he isn't going away anytime soon from production.

"You on that Cali shit (la la la la la)
Puff it, feel whatever (la la la la la)
You like to like it (la la la la la)
We legalizing it (la la la la la)"

When did Fergie become such an advocator for weed? I don't care if people smoke it, but it is odd coming from her. 

I am done with this song. There isn't much to it besides more city shout outs, and urban slang you heard before.  This is a major disappointment song, and while I didn't have a high hopes for a Fergie comeback single being good; this is worse than I originally thought.  Everything about it is weak, boring, or awful.  I hope Fergie might change course here on the album.  

Final Score: (1.5/5)

Production: Uninteresting, and uninspired.

Lyrics: Boring, and don't suit Fergie at all. This is song about LA not the world. Make sure you are giving the people what the title tells them.

Vocals: Bad.

The remix version with YG is odd combination, but at least he stays on topic about LA. This YG guy might be sticking around longer if DJ Mustard remains indemand producer.