Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 18:19, 18 February 2010

"Like a Surgeon" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Written by The-Dream and produced by Tricky Stewart, the song serves as the album's third single (fourth overall) in the United States whilst "Work" is released in international markets.

The single's promotion began with MTV. During a commercial for the album, Ciara sang part of the song in acapella. It was also featured as the track of the day on June 17, 2009 on Radio 1's website. So far it has been released through airplay on June 15, 2009 and peaked at 59 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart.

Single release and chart performance

It was first confirmed on Ciara's official Twitter page that she would be filming videos for two singles simulatiously although at that time it was not clear which singles would be released. Now it is confirmed that "Work" will be released to International markets while "Like a Surgeon" will receive the video and single treatment in North America. It was released to radio on June 15, 2009.

Prior to its release, the single debuted 92 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the June 13, 2009 issue of Billboard magazine, based solely on its single confirmation and radio airplay.

Although initially confirmed to receive a video and full single treatment, as of October 2009 the song was only released to selected US radio stations. Despite Ciara's tour comments having finished the song has not received a video nor was it released for purchase, charting solely on radio airplay.

Critical reception

"Like a Surgeon" received generally mixed reviews, Slant Magazine said that "The only major disaster is "Like a Surgeon," which is filled with creepy, ill-conceived metaphors for sex". New York Times said that "The welcome dash of female sexual aggression on “Like a Surgeon” is an unexpected twist". All music said "On the hypnotically winding "Like a Surgeon", the-Dream provides some of his best, gimmicky, post-R. Kelly similes and metaphors, delivered by Ciara with all the necessary arrogance: "I appreciate your recovery time, but you need a physical one more time". The Boston Globe said that "The droning, hook-free "Like a Surgeon" not an A-game effort for songwriting team Tricky and The-Dream". Pitchfork Media said that "The-Dream and Tricky Stewart tend to fill their tracks with empty spaces, and Ciara's voice needs hall-of-mirrors production to really register, so slight, minimal tracks like "Ciara to the Stage" and "Like a Surgeon" leave her sounding stranded". Dotmusic said " 'Like A Surgeon' and 'Pucker Up' make a lot of noise, piling on synths, stutters and bleeps, but are neither killer club tunes nor decent pop". BBC Music said that "Only Like A Surgeon with its somewhat bizarre sex/hospital metaphors may leave you at a loss for words".

But Billboard, gave the song a very positive review, by saying that 'Surgeon' finds the young siren operating under the guise of a sexual braggart on a song that sounds like it may have been modeled after the late Aaliyah's more ambitious album tracks. Tricky Stewart creates a tense production template for the singer to explore a darker, sexier side than listeners may be used to hearing from her. Plodding synth lines, an unusual bassline and a stop-and-go rhythm add up to one of Ciara's most interesting singles to date".

Charts

References

1. "New Music - Track Of The Day (Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: Top 40 Music Station ::: Promo Releases)". Radio1.gr. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
2. "Like a Surgeon Release Date". Radio1.gr. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
3. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 6-13-09
4. "Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
5. N.Y. Times
6. Kellman, Andy (2009-05-05). "All Music". All Music. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
7. "Boston Globe". Boston.com. 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
9. "Dotmusic". Uk.launch.yahoo.com. 2009-05-18. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
10. "BBC Music". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
11. Up for DiscussionPost Comment (2009-06-20). "Billboard Magazine Review". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-08-25.

• 2009 singles
• Ciara songs
• Music videos directed by Melina Matsoukas