The Biebs Does It Again

One thing Justin Bieber never fails to do: make every girl in the world (including girls like me who are way too old to be wooed by his boyish charm) melt when they hear him croon his baby-sweet voice.

Except this time, the Biebs is showing a different, more mature side to his talents in an emotion-packed collaboration with none other than the also-kid-friendly country band Rascal Flatts.

Titled "That Should Be Me," the song depicts a completely different feel from Bieber's usual genre of catchy head-bobbing hip hop songs like "Baby" and "Somebody to Love." Then again, it's a big jump from Ludacris and Usher to Rascal Flatts. If anything, this song definitely shows that Bieber knows a thing or two about collaborations.

In a possible attempt to reach out to a young demographic, there is no smarter move than for Rascal Flatts to join forces with the boy plastered on every little girl's wall.

Somanymp3s.com disagrees, saying that this move will not lead to a successful expansion of Rascal Flatts' fan base.

"They already have a very large fan base. They will only lose current fans from this partnership with Bieber; they may gain a few fans by reaching out to Bieber, but those fans will be 12-year-old girls who had never heard of Rascal Flatts."

However, with their recent partnership with Disney as they became the singers of the movie Cars' theme song, they have already expanded their name to reach the young audience. 

With Bieber's fresh new haircut (perhaps in an attempt to advance his new "grown up" direction), he shows more emotion in these 3 minutes and 57 seconds than we've ever seen from him before. The video is a bit bland, with no flashing lights or signature dance moves, but Bieber's facial expressions suffice as enough entertainment.

Screenshot from Justin Bieber's "That Should Be Me" music video.

Photo Credit: www.justjared.buzznet.com

As they harmonize in the melodies of "that should be me holding your hand...making you laugh...feeling your kiss...buying you gifts," I can't help but laugh at the fact that a 17-year-old boy and middle aged men are singing about similar experiences with girls. How much heartbreak could a 17-year-old (a 17-year-old Justin Bieber, at that) know?

Somanymp3s.com seems to agree. They wrote "since Flatts singer Gary LeVox is singing an already-existing song written by a then 15-year-old, the lyrics he sings tend to be on the creepy side- since he is singing a song that was most likely written about a teenage girl."

I was also amused by Bieber's attire, as he stuck true to his hip-hop roots by dressing like his mini-gangster self next to a rhinestone-studded-shirt wearing country singer.

As the song progresses and the emotion heightens, Bieber displays his almost-convincing acting skills as he stares deep into the camera with his puppy dog eyes, kneels on the floor with arms outstretched to his invisible lover, then later throws his jacket down in resignation to the unbearable feelings that have taken over.

Tasteofcountry.com is a fan of this emotional collaboration.  

"The way the scenes tie together as if the joint effort were unplanned makes the 'That Should Be Me' video feel as raw as the emotional song- and lends you to believe the Bieber/Flatts collective force was anticipated all along."

Although dramatic and unrealistic that a 17-year-old boy and middle aged men would lock themselves in a room to sing and pine over lost lovers, the "rawness" is a relief from the usual girls, cars and party theme that has taken over our society's music industry. While Bieber make clean cut, fun and enjoyable videos, past artists at his age have shown less class and appeal to the "kiddos." Remember Lil Bow Wow? Or the obviously-not-a-role-model Taylor Momsen?

Let's hope the Biebs continues on this track of being one of the few role models left in the music industry. I'll begin to worry the day an impala or scantily-clad bikini girl appears in his videos...but for now, I still have Bieber Fever!

"That Should Be Me"- Justin Bieber featuring Rascal Flatts

Source: YouTube