James Charles, Can We Just Be Friends | Song Review 🎵

“Can We Just Be Friends,” the second single released by beauty influencer James Charles is a respectable pop single, though doesn’t necessarily move the needle.

“Was I dumb and naïve to believe / That you wanted me? Can you tell me please?” The success achieved by some influencers is impressive. These social media personalities have been able to carve out careers for themselves, sometimes, seemingly out of nowhere.  A viral post or video can open up doors.  James Charles (James Charles Dickinson) has amassed major success as a beauty influencer, makeup artist, and YouTube personality.  The openly gay influencer has also amassed his fair share of controversy… We’ll steer clear of that, however. Charles’ latest endeavors involve singing.  If you’ve followed his YouTube videos in the past, it’s no secret Charles could sing.  The question is, does that translate into a viable pop artist? In his second single, “Can We Just Be Friends”, Charles seeks to prove his musicianship.  Does he succeed, like so many of his other endeavors have? Um…

“They say insanity is to do something / About a million times and hope it comes out differently,” James Charles sings in the second verse of “Can We Just Be Friends”, continuing, “I guess that I’m insane / Are you entertained?” Relatable – no qualms there. Starting with the pros regarding the song, the theme – love and those pesky matters of the heart – never grow old.  While the writing isn’t the second coming (Charles and Noah Davis write), Charles makes his points loud and clear. Furthermore, he possesses a respectable singing voice.  He has a fine tone idiomatic of pop.  Does he distinguish himself from mainstream pop artists? No, but he ‘hits the right notes.’ Regarding the production (Colin Foote and Alex Borel), the instrumental is respectable, checking off a list of ‘non-negotiables’ when it comes to the genre.  The backdrop, again, isn’t earth-shattering, but sound. So, does Charles come out triumphant on “Can We Just Be Friends”? It’s not bad, but, it needed something more to make it memorable and truly great.  Others, particularly his fans, will eat it up / enjoy it more than me.

James Charles // “Can We Just Be Friends” // James Charles Productions // 2024

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; James Charles Productions; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]