The actual singing of the actual song "I'm His Only Woman" is actually good. Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino have two of the most unique and powerful voices in contemporary R&B, and it's fascinating and satisfying to hear them singing with each other. This is particularly evident in way that their voices interweave at the end of the song -- a testament to their ability to, you know, actually sing. Sure the concept of the song is beyond predictable, but they more than make up for that with solid singing performances.
Jennifer Hudson feat. Fantasia: "I'm His Only Woman"
Now that the niceties are out of the way, let's address the most egregious use of The Phone Call Intro in recent memory, and possibly in all of music history.
This device is annoying when used properly (see:
"The Boy Is Mine"), but here it is an affront to all parties involved
in and subjected to its inaneness. It is hilariously badly performed
("Hello? Ca..Can I speak to Jennifer?" ... "I don't need no introduction.
I'm his woman and I am Jennifer Hudson."), but is too laborious to even
be funny in its campiness. It assumes we listeners are complete morons
by setting up a song that gives away its subject in the title, and
then it blasts us with meandering hypocrisy. Really, if Fantasia is not
being disrespectful then why is she calling Jennifer and starting drama
with her when if anyone deserves the drama brought to them it's Tony?
Above all, though, the intro is entirely too long. It takes up nearly a quarter of the entire length of the song.
"I'm His Only Woman" would be much, much better without the introduction.
