30 Days of Ciara
Day 8: Best Vocal Performance
Speechless (2010)
One thing I think a lot of people tend to overlook when it comes to Ciara is that she has consistently improved as a vocalist since her debut and Speechless exemplifies this growth. Critics agreed that it was a standout on Basic Instinct as Ed Easton of WNOW-FM stated that the song “reminds all her fans that she can actually sing and can be taken seriously as an actual artist rather than an over-hyped dancer.” Alison Stewart of The Washington Post commented that she has a “reedy, agile voice, capable of conveying the only three emotions (sexy, sassy,sad) an R&B singer needs.” She may not have the most powerful voice but she has a unique tone and can carry a tune. Sadly, this song never got to live up to it’s true potential due to lack of promotion but I hope Ciara continues to show her vocal chops and someday deliver a ballad in the nature of Janet Jackson’s I Get Lonely or Aaliyah’s I Care 4 U. Click the play button to hear Ciara perform runs, riffs and coos all in timely fashion.
