For Real: New Adam Lambert - "If I Had You"

Although the lyrics rival some of the most meaningless babble to hit the radio in 2010, Adam Lambert achieved surprising success with "Whataya Want From Me," the second single from his debut album, For Your Entertainment. Lambert - who is indisputably one of the most talented male singers on the scene today - released a very flamboyant, mostly electronic, made-for-the-dance-floor album in November of last year. Although the album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, it might have been a flop had it not been for the above-mentioned single. Although it really is foolish, the combination of Lambert's trademark power vocals & a tragically catchy chorus slowly pushed the track higher and higher up the charts, right through this week, where the song will almost certainly appear in the top fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 (granted, from an American Idol results show boost).

Now, RCA is faced with the formidable task of how to adequately follow up with a new single. The biggest hurdle when it comes to marketing Lambert's current project is that he's not interested in "meeting the industry halfway"... he doesn't want to tone down & look mainstream so that all the girls will swoon over him. He would rather wear purple hair and sing about guys. Yeah, it's kind of awkward...and it's probably stealing potential sales away from him because he's no magnet for either gender, but ultimately this will prove to be a great thing for Adam. It will separate him from artists like Nick Lachey - a talented guy who can sell when he has a good song ("What's Left of Me" from 2006), but otherwise won't be remembered as much. By sticking to himself, Adam might not be as marketable as he could be at any point in his career, but he will become his own, unique person that reaches success by "doing it different." Like Prince.

The single RCA has selected (or settled for, maybe), is "If I Had You." It could benefit from a little less synth, but the song gets you moving & absolutely grows on you the more you listen to it. You need to hear it a few times to really pick up on all that is going on in the song...I think the single will take it's time working up the chart because of this, but ultimately it will become a summer anthem for more than a few people. I would describe Adam on the song as Katy Perry meets Queen meets Cascada. It's got an edgy push to its message & melody (like a weaker version of "I Kissed a Girl" or a darker cut of "Hot 'n Cold"), Adam's signature shriek, & a heavy dance beat that's accompanied by a catchy chorus (like Cascada's "Everytime We Touch").

But Let's Be Real: The issue of Adam's fit in the music industry is very interesting...if a girl had recorded this song, it would make perfect sense & would be right at home on your summer playlist. But how does the fact that Adam did it change things? It will be interesting to find out...but if nothing else, I think Adam is doing his part to help the industry grow.

What It Is: Top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100

Other hot tracks from Lambert's first album include "Sleepwalker," "Sure Fire Winners," & "Fever." (but not "For Your Entertainment" ... why that song was ever released is a mystery to me)

Listen to "If I Had You" and others here.

at 4:27 PM