Many songs or artists become popular through MTV’s TRL. Once in a while I like to see what’s popular, so I check out the top ten. In August 2003, Hilary Duff made it on the top ten on TRL (Total Request Live). I’m not familiar with her TV show, but I have seen all the hype for the Lizzie McGuire Movie.

When I first saw Hilary’s music video, I thought it was really sweet. She’s only 15 years old! You can imagine she is marketed for a younger audience, so the video is simply cute (she’s not going for sex appeal). I think a lot of her image has to do with marketing, because of her age- being a “role model” and so on. I know Hilary is coming out with a line of “Stuff” (that’s the name of the product line!), like makeup and so on.

I actually saw her speaking on TRL once, and I’ve seen her doing interviews and so on. For some reason, it’s painful to listen to her talk, because it sounds really fake to me. Considering that she’s 15, Hilary does a good job of speaking. It is, however, noticeable that she sounds young. I would describe her speech as being very sugary and sweet, with an overt happiness that doesn’t always seem fully genuine.

This single was released in July 2003, followed by the album release for late August 2003 (“Metamorphosis”). Not surprisingly, the Buena Vista company is part of Disney.


So Yesterday

In So Yesterday, Hilary sings with a band. She has a full complement of instrumentals to go along with her vocals. The lyrics are about moving on, in particular, from a broken relationship. This is an upbeat song, one that is very lighthearted. This is music that will lift your mood, and it falls into the category where I feel you want to sing along with it. There is a definite melody and is quite catchy.

I think the music is mature, even though Hilary is so young. I thought her voice would be a lot more nasal-ish and cutesy (in a contrived way), but it isn’t too age specific. You can tell Hilary is young, but that’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you hear So Yesterday. Even the lyrics are fairly mature, although I suppose girls Hilary’s age are beginning to deal with relationships.

After hearing Hilary speak, you’re probably apt to realize that she’s the one singing this song. She has a unique sort of quality to her voice. When she sings, it’s not a sharp tone. It’s definitely more on the soft side. Probably the only thing I noticed that I would change would be that Hilary seems to hold back when she’s singing. I didn’t get the impression that she’s really belting out the words, and I felt like she could have let herself go a little more on this. (The vocals sounded conservative). But keep in mind, Hilary is young, and a crossover (acting to singing).

I wouldn’t think Hilary wrote this song, but either way, it’s fairly repetitive. If you look at the lyrics below, you can see that a lot of lines are repeated, including “so yesterday”. Not the most challenging song, but it works. And although Hilary’s target demographic is probably teens her age, other ages (older) will enjoy this song too.


Overall

I haven’t heard a lot of Hilary Duff’s other music, especially since her album has not been released yet. So Yesterday is just the kind of music I would expect from Hilary, fitting right into her cute image. She’s young but mature, and this single is enjoyable to listen to. It’s catchy and fun, although not terribly original. When I hear music like this, it almost tends to fit into the generic “teen music” category, but at least Hilary can sing.

I’m not really sure what to rate this song. For a 15-year-old, Hilary does a great job in both the song and the music video. I have no complaints, although I wonder how successful Hilary will be in the music industry (in the long run). I like So Yesterday, but I believe Hilary has room for improvement as she gets older.




Websites

http://www.hilaryduff.com

My other music reviews…
Stacie Orrico- Dear Friend (Single): http://www.epinions.com/content_107883368068
Kelly Clarkson- Before Your Love (Single): http://www.epinions.com/content_77204721284
Avril Lavigne- Let Go: http://www.epinions.com/content_67982626436
Hootie & the Blowfish: http://www.epinions.com/content_64002756228
Vanessa Carlton- A Thousand Miles (Single): http://www.epinions.com/content_57281318532



Lyrics

(So yesterday)
(So yesterday)
(So yesterday)

You can change your life
(if you wanna)
You can change your clothes
(if you wanna)
If can change your mind
Well that's the way it goes

But I'm gonna keep your jeans
And your old black hat
('Cuz I wanna)
They look good on me
You're never gonna get them back

At least not today
Not today
Not today, 'cuz

If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
Thats already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard that I'm gonna be ok

Ha!
Okay

You can say you're bored
(If you wanna)
You could act real tough
(If you wanna)
You could say you're torn
But I've heard enough

Thank you
You've made my mind up for me
When you started to ignore me
You won't see a single tear
It isn't gonna happen here

At least not today
Not today
Not today, 'cuz

If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
Thats already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard that I'm gonna be ok

If you're over me
I'm already over you
If it's all been done
What is left to do
How can you hang up
If the line is dead
If you wanna walk out
I'm a step ahead
If you're moving on
I'm already gone
If the light is off
Then it isn't on

At least not today
Not today
Not today, 'cuz

If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
Thats already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard you're so (yesterday)

If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
Thats already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard that I'm gonna be ok




Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out