Cellophane | 3BOPS

On the 34^th edition of 3BOPS, we select three awesome songs that are associated with CELLOPHANE in some form or fashion.  

On 3BOPS, we are totally dedicated to keeping things L-I-T-E! Similar to 5ive Songs, there’s a topic and a short blurb, only with THREE songs instead of FIVE.  Yes, it’s a playlist, but it’s a miniature playlist that shouldn’t take much time to consume.  On the 34^th edition of 3BOPS, we select three awesome songs that are associated with CELLOPHANE in some form or fashion.

1. FKA twigs, “Cellophane”

💿  MAGDALENE • 🏷  Young Turks Recordings Ltd. • 📅  2019

Question(s): “Didn’t I do it for you? / Why don’t I do it for you? / Why won’t you do it for me / When all I do is for you?” Matters of the heart, ladies and gentlemen – always a superb topic for a memorable song, period.  Furthermore, minimalism itself carries more weight than you might give it credit for.  🎙 FKA twigs certainly packed a punch on 🎵 “Cellophane,” a minimal, alternative/ alt R&B gem from her album, 💿 MAGDAELENE.  The ballad, co-written and co-produced by FKA twigs, 🎛 Michael Uzowuru, and 🎛 Jeff Kleinman, closes MAGDALENE stunningly.

Clearly, FKA twigs simply can’t put her feelings for someone she cared about behind her.  It’s easy to hang on to every colorful note that she sings.  FKA twigs does a little bit of everything from a vocal standpoint, sliding into notes, singing breathily, while fully supporting and belting at other times. It’s a truly complete, haunting, and artistic performance to say the least. What is clear is that the performance is drenched in vulnerability, representing her desire and hope about what appears to be a relationship that didn’t end up working out.  She seems to question her own adequacy, though she shouldn’t.

“And I just want to feel you’re there
And I don’t want to share our love
I try, but I get overwhelmed
All wrapped in cellophane, the feelings that we had.”

Also appears on 🔽:

• 51 Best Songs of 2019
• Day 27: FKA twigs, Cellophane | 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶
• 30-Day Song Challenge 🎶: The Complete Playlist

2. BabyJake, “Blue Cellophane”

💿  Don’t give me problems, give me wine • 🏷  SRV LabelCo • 📅 2020

🎙  BabyJake (Jake Herring) captivates with his honest, emotional single, 🎵  “Blue Cellophane” (💿  Don’t give me problems, give me wine). Best described as a pop record, “Blue Cellophane” also incorporates rock influence.  The production is a selling point, additionally adding a refreshing retro element.  Also, accentuating and headlining the distinctness of “Blue Cellophane” are colorful, nuanced vocals by Herring. During select moments, he gets a lift from soulful, harmonized backing vocals, further heightening the overall aesthetic.

“When I come down / I can’t feel a thing inside except my bones…” Those are some pretty honest lyrics right there.  Later, on the second verse, it begins similarly: “When I come down / I don’t ever feel okay, I feel afraid.” Damn. With the production and vocals serving as major pros of “Blue Cellophane,” the songwriting certainly can’t be ignored. Herring clearly experiences legit pain. On the chorus, the centerpiece, he fully unleashes the extent of emotions, searching for an escape, while ‘blue cellophane’ providing temporary relief:

“If I’ll ever be painless
If I lessen my dose
Man, I wanna go places
That most people don’t go
Blue cellophane, my own escape, I’ll be fine till it’s gone
Will I ever be painless?
Or will I go on?”

3. Chris Malinchak, “Cellophane”

🎵 “Cellophane” • 🏷 Ultra • 📅 2021

“Ooh, a storm’s a-comin’ / Ooh, and there’s nothing you can do / Nothing you can do.” Noted 🎙 Chris Malinchak – noted.  Malinchak is one of those DJ/dance producer guys, who produces this 2021 cellophane number, titled – wait for it – 🎵 “Cellophane.”  While he handles the boards by himself, constructing a hella groovy, sickening backdrop (those keys and synths, including the warm brass), he co-writes alongside 🎼✍ Harriet Starling.  There are some pretty sweet lyrics, particularly on the verses. The vocals are uncredited, though we assume Starling is responsible party for those gorgeous vocals that adorn that backdrop.

So, where does the plastic – that cellophane come into play? That would be on the centerpiece of this certified bop – the chorus:

“Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Black shadow bullets over you
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Cellophane kisses, now you’re through.”

The final chorus features a bit more variance, adding the line, “White scars, there’s nothing you can do.” Regardless, all of this 2021 song screams H-I-T, NO CAP!

Cellophane: 3BOPS No. 34 (2021) [📷: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Nadezhda Diskant from Pexels, SRV LabelCo, Ultra, Wilson Blanco from Pixabay, Young Turks Recordings Ltd.]