Music Critic James Simpson reviews Lady Gaga & Tony Bennet’s ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You,’ saying the latest collaboration is well-executed and bodes well for the upcoming album
Almost seven years after collaborating on the album Cheek to Cheek, pop singers Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga have returned to the studio and recorded their second album together, Love for Sale, set to be released in October later this year. The announcement of the pop duo’s upcoming album coincided with the release of its lead single, ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’. As with their previous collaborations, this most recent single is a cover of a traditional pop standard. Sung and performed by countless musical predecessors, from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald, ‘I Get A Kick Out Of You’ was originally written by legendary composer and songwriter Cole Porter for the hit 1934 musical, Anything Goes. Having since gone on to become a staple of both Broadway and wider American pop culture, the bar is already high for Bennett and Gaga’s latest rendition of the much-loved classic.
The two pop legends have wonderful chemistry
The song opens with Gaga’s vocals flowing seamlessly between mellow crooning and her distinctive mezzo-soprano, before segueing into Bennett’s gravelly yet warm singing voice. Similar to their previous collaborations, the two pop legends have wonderful chemistry here. This can be visibly observed in the endearing music video accompanying the single, in which Bennett and Gaga are seen embracing and comforting one another as they perform in the studio. The interplay between the youthful femininity of Gaga and the brooding agedness of Bennett is both entertaining and charming.
The interplay between the youthful femininity of Gaga and the brooding agedness of Bennett is both entertaining and charming
Though in the song’s more demanding and up-tempo moments we can hear the strain and slight struggle in Bennett’s voice, its flow and versatility is still impressive for a nonagenarian with Alzheimer’s disease. Kicking into the song’s chorus, Gaga and Bennett’s call-and-response performance blends excellently with the bright and bombastic jazz-band backing. Ruminating on things others may get a ‘kick’ out of, from ‘cocaine’ to ‘planes’, the two singers’ duet culminates in a bright and beautiful ending, in which we hear Gaga’s soft vocals synchronise with Bennett’s as they sing the song’s title one last time.
Gaga and Bennett’s latest collaboration is extremely well-executed, and bodes well for the reception of their upcoming album.
Rating: 8/10
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