Criticize

The Frustrated Funk of "Criticize" by Alexander O'Neal

In 1987, the R&B singer Alexander O'Neal delivered a sleek, funky single full of frustration with a partner who criticizes too much. With its driving funk production, his commanding vocal, and the song's pointed exasperation, O'Neal captured the frustration of being constantly judged, becoming a major hit and a representative example of the sleek, funk-driven R&B of the late 1980s.

A Funk-Driven R&B Voice

Alexander O'Neal had become known for his commanding vocal and sleek, funk-driven R&B sound. This single became one of his signature hits, a sleek funk classic, a driving, frustrated track. It leaned into pointed frustration and a sleek funk sound, the energetic territory where O'Neal excelled, delivering exactly the kind of driving, funk-driven R&B that defined the era.

A Song of Being Judged Too Much

The recording rides a sleek, driving, funk-driven arrangement, framing O'Neal's commanding vocal. The lyric is full of frustration with a partner who criticizes too much, the pointed exasperation of being constantly judged and finding nothing is ever good enough. That theme of frustration gave the song its sleek, exasperated character, the sound of pointed frustration. It is funk-driven R&B built on energy and the frustration of being judged.

A Major Hit

The single became a significant success, earning heavy rotation and becoming a funk-driven favorite. Its success reflected both O'Neal's commanding vocal and the sleek, driving energy of the track. The funk arrangement and the frustrated lyric made it a standout, a hit that captured the exasperation of being judged and confirmed his sleek appeal.

A Funk Standout

The song endures as a representative example of late-1980s sleek, funk-driven R&B, capturing the energy and frustration that defined it. The recording showcases the driving funk and commanding vocal that made it connect. Its place reflects a moment when sleek, funk-driven R&B ruled the charts.

The Relatability of Frustration

Part of the song's appeal is its pointed frustration. The exasperation of being constantly criticized, the frustration of finding nothing is ever good enough for a judgmental partner, captures a relatable and human feeling. That theme of frustration gives the song its energy, the genuinely relatable exasperation of being judged too much, a frustration that resonates with anyone who has felt constantly criticized.

Why It Still Connects

What gives the song its appeal is the frustrated funk at its center: the pointed exasperation of being judged too much. That frustration is genuinely relatable, and O'Neal's commanding vocal makes it sleek. Press play and the energy will reach you. The combination of funk-driven R&B and pointed frustration is exactly why the song remains a sleek standout.

The Sound of Funk

The recording belongs to a moment when sleek, funk-driven R&B ruled, and it captures that pointed frustration with drive. O'Neal leaned into the driving funk and commanding vocal that defined the era's sleek sound, pairing them with pointed frustration. That energy gave the song its sleek character, the sound of an artist fed up with criticism. The funk arrangement carries the energy throughout, and that sustained drive is part of what made it such a memorable R&B moment.

A Lasting Place

The song keeps its place as a sleek marker of funk-driven R&B, the kind of driving, frustrated track that still grooves. The funk production and the pointed frustration have not faded, and the energy at the center remains as relatable as ever. That staying power speaks to how completely the recording captured the exasperation of being judged too much, a drive sleek enough to carry across the years.

"Criticize" — Alexander O'Neal's singular moment on the 1980s charts.