“Gimme” is such a kid word, isn’t it? When a child says it, there’s usually a parent around to remind this little one to use the word ‘please,’instead. However, when Brooke Surgener sings this particular
word (twice in a row!) during the chorus to “Gimme Gimme,” she does so with a very childlike voice. Whereas, in the hands of most other seemingly more mature artists, such word choice might sound childish, it comes off perfectly appropriate whenever Surgener does it.
The lightly rocking track begins with a lone electric guitar right before Surgener’s voice comes in. Surgener is pictured on the single’s artwork staring outward longingly. Aurally, she sounds exactly the same way. Although she sings a kind of demand statemewnt, she sounds more like someone is wishing or hoping.
Back in the 70s, they might have called this song and its title bubblegum rock. Although this music was made by adults, it was aimed specifically at young teens and pre-teens. This song’s chorus features a
choir of female backing vocalists – these may just be comprised of Surgener’s voice multitracked. It’s been some time since we’ve heard a ‘gimme’ song. Remember “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” by ABBA? That one dates all the way back to 1979. Thus, hearing ‘gimme’ in a song title or song lyric is a rarity, indeed.
Sonically, the track is driven by a dance beat, featuring the aforementioned guitar, as well as persistent drums, keyboard coloring and plenty of vocals. It begins with Surgener admitting, “All I wanna do
is touch you.” It’s as much about lust, then, as it is about love. Lust is, after all, rarely polite. Rather, lust is a strong feeling of getting what one wants and getting it right now. Surgener is replicating the sound of an impatient one, vocally and lyrically. She’s letting her ‘pleases’ and ‘thank you’s’ fall by the wayside. It’s strange to hear such a sweet and soft voice make such demands, too. She has the voice of a pop singer, singing words more like a child, as was mentioned earlier, or even a punk rocker.
With its rock instrumentation and a line about spinning “like a record,” Surgener is, in many respects, an old school type of artist. Kids today, unless they’re precocious hipsters, are not spinning records. Instead, they’re streaming whatever they’ re listening to. One pictures Surgener laying back in her bedroom bed, dreaming dreamily about her potential lover while her 45 plays in the background.
Although this song doesn’t have an electric guitar solo interlude, it does feature some tasty electric guitar parts. It’s a song where the singing takes centerstage, from start to finish. It’s dance-y, in a rock
way, so there aren’t a lot of sonic bells and whistles one normally associates with modern pop music. Therefore, it’s closer to something Taylor Swift might do, and further away from, say, Selena Gomez.
“Gimme Gimme” is so darn sweet, it may just give you a sugar rush. Especially compared with all the sour, downer, harsh music so often found on pop radio. It’s a nice respite from all of that, though. Even
though your mom might think its title is rude, its overall sentiment is both pretty andpolite.
Gimme, gimme more, please!
-Dan MacIntosh