That Super-Special Day of the Week

I think today is an appropriate day to tackle a piece of popular culture that has been taking America by storm the past few weeks. Quick quiz: what day is it? That's right, it's Fraiday! Now how did you know that? Because Rebecca Black reminded you. Exactly.

I've been astounded by all the hate Ms. Black has been getting ever since her video went up. If you are one of the many haters of her hit single, it's probably because you aren't in its target audience. In fact, if you're using a computer and reading blogs, you probably aren't in its target audience.

Let's take a look at the lyrics. "Yesterday was Thursday, Thurday/Today is Fraiday, Fraiday...Tomorrow is Saturday/And Sunday comes afterwards". Yes, these lyrics are painfully simple and obvious to you and me. But not to four-year-olds! (Well, aside from child prodigies, but they'll always have their Mozart) This same criticism could be leveled at just about any children's song. Why all the hate for "Fraiday"? Ms. Black was simply trying to do a public service by creating an incredibly addicting song guaranteed to teach the children the days of the week! I expect soon she'll release "Saturday", "Sunday", and so on until she has a concept album with a song for each day. You know how you sometimes forget what day of the week it is? She's trying to end that problem forever! The generation raised on it will always remember what day comes after Thursday! And she could even cap it off with a cover of "Eight Days a Week" in case they add an eighth day to the week someday! Along with the self-guiding cars that can be operated by 13-year-olds, Rebecca Black is looking to the future!

So next time you see some small children, play "Fraiday" for them to show them what real, educational, entertaining music is all about. They'll thank you when they're older.

And I mean, besides the helpful lyrics that can pack weeks of kindergarten into three minutes, it's just an all-around great song. Why else would it have gotten millions of YouTube hits in days and generated such an internet buzz? The beginning has such a nice, steady beat, beautiful melodies, and is constructed in such a way  that you can dance to it literally however floats your boat. Simply genius. So not only is it teaching children days of the week, it also teaches them music theory!

The rap section later on provides some great variety, though rap is personally not my thing. The guitar solo, on the other hand--wow. Just wow. I haven't been able to figure out who is responsible, but I'm pretty sure the ARK Music Factory flew in Gus G. or something. Amazing. And then that ambient keyboard interlude just provides the perfect counterpart to all the Fraiday-partying intensity. And then in the outro with Fabio Lione. Simply incredible duet. This is art. This is genius. THIS. IS. FRAIDAY!!! Why all the hate?

So until next time, be sure to get down on Fraiday!

Note: I have only heard the first minute of this song.