{Song Review} Dangerous by Big Data Sounds Like Only by Nine Inch Nails

Image source: pitchweight.com

Title: "Dangerous"
Artist: Big Data ft. Joywave
EP: 1.0 (2013)
Genre: Alternative

Rating: 3.1/5

Where I first heard this song

On the radio.

What was happening when I heard this song

I was on my way to school.

Review

I don't know if what I'm about to say is because I am crazy for Nine Inch Nails, but the first thing that came to mind when I heard this song was that it sounded a lot like "Only." The bass and drum progression in "Dangerous" sounds somewhat similar to that in "Only" and also sounds like something Trent Reznor would configure for those instruments in any of his songs. I think highly of Trent and enjoy a lot of his music as it has a distinct sound to it, which is why I instantly thought of Nine Inch Nails when I heard "Dangerous." However, this is where the song begins to break down: whenever there is a song that sounds similar to one by an established and well-known musician, it tends to not work out because the sound is a trademark of the established musician, and anyone who listens to the latter will immediately think of the latter, and will likely disregard the artist they are hearing, as they are listening to the newer song.

"Dangerous" is catchy but is nowhere near daring since there are other songs that pull off the industrial vibe better (and again, I am thinking of Nine Inch Nails). It's an easy song to remember and has a strong hook thanks to its simple bass progression. But the price it pays for being this catchy is that it's generic. The song doesn't have too much depth, range, or variety when it comes to its instrumentals and composition since it follows a standard formula for its structure. Also, the instrumental fills don't really emphasize anything significant or enhance the overall vibe-- they just serve as pretty-sounding filler. The song would have redeemed itself with an emotional vocal performance (we're not talking Whitney-Houston-emotional but rather vocals that express the emotions coming from the lyrics), but it fails to do that as the vocals are a little weak since they are contrasting lyrics that are dark, tormenting, and (surprisingly) boastful (see my interpretation below). As a result, the song does not invoke a strong emotional response from its listener. To put this bluntly, "Dangerous" sounds like a watered-down version of "Only" and is a song I wouldn't listen to again unless I'm in the car and I need background music to make the drive enjoyable.

Despite it's generic structure, it's a song that is easy on the listener's ears. It is said that the best songs are usually the ones that are the easiest to write and are the most simple-sounding ones. "Dangerous" may have fallen under one or both of those categories since it peaked at number 1 on Billboard's US Alternative chart. However, when taking its quality and originality into consideration, its popularity should thus be taken lightly because the thing that "Dangerous" falls short on is its depth when it comes to its instrumental and vocal composition.

Interpretation of the lyrics
This song is about a person telling his romantic partner about people who are coming after him. The lyrics mention why there are people after him as he supposedly shut down their club. This could be interpreted as the person who found out about the group's secret dealings and exposed them and are now after him to shut him up. The person must think he is bad-ass because he brags to his romantic partner how he/she didn't know he was dangerous. However, the person exaggerates how close the people are to finding him as they watch his every single move. This leads to the possibility that the person is actually suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when the lyrics eventually become a desperate plea for escape-- an escape that is likely from the person's own mind as he realizes he is delusional.

Lyrics

(source: metrolyrics.com)

How could you know, how could you know?
That those were my eyes
Peepin' through the floor, it's like they know
It's like they know I'm looking from the outside
And creeping to the door, it's like they know

And now they coming, yeah, now they coming
Out from the shadows
To take me to the club because they know
That I shut this down, 'cause they been watching all my windows
They gathered up the wall and listening
You understand, they got a plan for us
I bet you didn't know that I was dangerous
It must be fate, I found a place for us
I bet you didn't know someone could love you this much

How could they know, how could they know
What I've been thinking?
But they're right inside my head because they know
Because they know, what I've been hidin'
They're right under my bed, they're in control

Here they come, yeah here they come
Out of the shadows
To take me to the club because they know
That I shut this down, 'cause they been watching all my windows
They gathered up the wall and 'cause they
I've gotta get out of here
Sink down, into the dark
Keep on running
And I've gotta get out of here (keep on running)
Sink down, into the dark

You understand, they got a plan for us
I bet you didn't know that I was dangerous
It must be fate, I found a place for us
I bet you didn't know someone could love you this much

Nobody's listening when we're alone
Nobody's listening, there's nobody listening,
No one can hear us when we're alone
No one can hear us, no, no one can hear us
And I've gotta get out of here
Sink down, into the dark
Keep on running
I've gotta get out of here (keep on running)
Sink down, into the dark

You understand, they got a plan for us
I bet you didn't know that I was dangerous
It must be fate, I found a place for us
I bet you didn't know someone could love you this much