TMZ spoke exclusively with the Blackground Records head honcho, who says of Normani’s “One In A Million” sample, “I believe that Aaliyah would be very supportive of a young Black woman that chose to emulate her music and style.” He went on to say the “Rock The Boat” singer/actress, “always encouraged young women pursuing their musical and entertainment careers - to achieve their dreams.” But the word she sings at that moment is clear.Reactions have been nothing short of supportive for the song overall, and it’s even getting a co-sign from Aaliyah’s former label head and notoriously quiet uncle, Barry Hankerson. Hell, it’s even possible that, the third time, she just sang “Latina” by mistake and no one bothered to fix it. There might be a deliberate switch, as you say. I’m not sure Debbie Harry is singing “Latina” every time. A few decades passed between “Kung Fu Girls” and “Maria,” and attitudes about race shifted, but Blondie does not strike me as a band that bows to political correctness. Then again, this is the same band that gave us “Kung Fu Girls,” which emphasizes to an uncomfortable degree that the woman in the song is Chinese. But in that third instance, at least, it’s clear as a bell “Latina.”Įthnicity is a rather trivial detail for the songwriter to throw in, unless we assume someone (the writer, the guy in the song, or the woman singing it) has a real thing for Latinas. Members of Blondie may be kicking themselves that they didn’t think of those words. Now that I’ve read all the above arguments, I even think “Regina” would have been a better choice. I agree “The Diva” would make more sense.
With Window Media Player, you can play a song at slow speed to hear it more closely, and in that third instance, at least, there in no way she’s saying “The Diva” or “Regina.” General CommentJakeOfClubs makes great points, but to my ears, it still sounds like she’s saying “Latina.” It’s especially clear the third time she sings the chorus. Ironic juxtaposition that Deb Harry was certainly that girl to thousands. The POV is the presumed dowdy friend of such a girl, an impartial observer for whom this is old hat. We have all been there or seen the complete loss of sanity over a girl. I once read someone say it is about a drug but I don't think so, insomuch as the infatuation with the unattainable goddess is not a drug. The subtle change would also fit in this song as there are little lyrical twists elsewhere. As much as I don't think "regina" fits into the song, Deb does seem to be singing that the first time through. I also think it may be different for each chorus. Listening to it, I can hear all three suggestions. The fact that there are two different versions and both have other errors suggest that these are not from the author and interpretations which are subjective and thus open to scrutiny. I have been looking for the definitive lyrical version to answer this question and have not found it. She is a million candles, makes you go insane, ave maria (a catholic song of adoration which ties into the author's catholic school background) and then added to that is "oh and latina." Also, just calling her latina is not a bad thing but it is not the unbridled adoration that everything else is in the song. This could work but there is no indication that this is specifically about a latina, like the Sanatna's Maria, the Spanish harlem Mona Lisa (see point one). To me that is as bad as when people call Debbie "Bondie." And let me tell you, caling a woman another's name is not the best policy, unless it is the goddess of love. Saying she is my venus, is a bit different from she is my regina. Why would another proper name be brought into the song when one is already there? Unless it were a famous iconic name such as Mona Lisa, venus, aphordite. I don't think it is either, I think it is "the diva, ave Maria."įirst of all, Regina, a proper name. Lyric CorrectionI disagree with both sides on the Regina/Latina discussion.