BSBB Round 2: Katy Perry feat. Juicy J, “Dark Horse” vs. Shakira feat. Rihanna, “Can’t Remember To Forget You”

Best Song Bracket Battle: View the Matchups | Critics and Rules

Dark Horse

Katy Perry feat. Juicy J

Can’t Remember To Forget You

Shakira feat. Rihanna

MEGAN BUERGER: Katy Perry and Juicy J are the greatest pop-rap dream team since J. Lo and Ja Rule, and “Dark Horse” is the BPM they were made to duet on. That may sound like an overstatement, but “Can’t Remember to Forget You” was so unmemorable, the title feels ironic.


My Vote: “Dark Horse”

JEREMY D. LARSON: Would “Dark Horse” exist without “Harlem Shake”? Only God and the devil know. But the cute fake-out drop that Baauer put into play two years ago works so well here. I’m mad that Juicy J dropped the ball into the final crescendo, because if he just had a few better bars the song could’ve been another marvel of pop architecture like “Teenage Dream.” Instead, it’s just the best Katy Perry song since.

My Vote: “Dark Horse”

JILLIAN MAPES: Oh, the Shakira-Rihanna lesbian tease video? That’s what I think of when “Can’t Remember To Forget” comes up, mostly because I can’t remember to remember the damn song. “Dark Horse” is solid if you like fake trap, which I think Dr. Luke and Cirkut are decent at.

My Vote: “Dark Horse”

CAITLIN WHITE: Both of these songs highlight a woman who is dead set on taking control in a relationship, but while the combination of Shakira and Rihanna somehow makes both of them fizzle, Juicy J is the perfect foil for Katy’s battle cry chorus on “Dark Horse.” The problem with “Can’t Remember To Forget You” is that two of the biggest international female pop stars stay wallowing in their own tendency to succumb to one sorry excuse of men. Though there’s sexual energy, it’s poisoned by sadness, the quiet knowledge that comes when you know you’re selling yourself short. On the flip side, “Dark Horse” nearly veers into psychopathic territory, as Katy becomes a predator hellbent on getting what she wants. So even if the Egyptian-themed video was corny as hell, Katy wins this round for assuming control instead of reveling in weakness.

My Vote: “Dark Horse”

CRAIG JENKINS: Say it out loud: “I can’t remember to forget you.” Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and no amount of Rihanna can save Shakira’s ska-pop diversion from falling flat, though the booty-centric video treatment certainly tried. Katy Perry’s ancient Egyptian dress-up party didn’t make much sense this year either, but “Dark Horse” is a laser-guided banger with a Sphinx-sized chorus, and it brought Juicy J his first Hot 100 #1. Attention must be paid.

My Vote: “Dark Horse”

OVERALL WINNER: “Dark Horse”

Best Song Bracket Battle: View the Matchups | Critics and Rules

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