Refreshing for its sheer sonic and visual jubilance in manifesting the feeling of infatuation that comes with potential new love, Ciara’s latest single, “Thinkin Bout You,” evokes extremely Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman vibes from the outset. That the song has a decidedly Prince tone only heightens our image of Vivian in the bathtub as we see Ciara prepare for her date by starting the process with a similarly deluxe bubble bath (rom-com enthusiasts will remember that Vivian famously sings “Kiss” by Prince while listening to it on her Walkman as suds spray in the midst of her “moves”). As Ciara pops out of tub in a dancing state, she seems to pay homage to a more modern pop culture reference in the form of Issa Rae. Known for often talking to herself/rapping in the mirror on Insecure, Ciara, too, takes some time to appreciate and build herself up as she draws a heart on it with her lipstick. That Rae makes a vocal cameo later in the video to check on how Ciara’s beauty prep progress is going appears to confirm this subtle nod.
In contrast to the “boss bitch” motif of “Level Up,” her forthcoming album’s (entitled Beauty Marks) lead single, “Thinkin Bout You” expresses a vulnerability that can only come with the initial phases of allowing someone the opportunity to enter your heart. And it is that vulnerability that translates so readily into elation, therefore, in Ciara’s case, Lydia Deetz-like levitation. For at one point, in between taking Rae’s call amid her arsenal of wigs (one which comes into play later) and being lightly judged by her maid in the background, Ciara rises up into the air before heading into the next decadent room where she continues to writhe about in her frilly underwear and “Errortique” tee just “thinkin bout” the one who is soon to arrive at her doorstep.
Taking light inspiration from another 80s movie besides Beetlejuice, Adventures in Babysitting, Ciara also dances and slides on the floor while lip-syncing into a hairbrush (just as Elisabeth Shue does to the tune of “And Then He Kissed Me” at the intro in preparation for her own arriving suitor). For something about going out with fresh meat for the first time incites one to feel the rare excitement of nervous energy most commonly experienced by adolescents who make a way bigger deal out of everything than it actually is. In this regard, the “low-tech” concept behind the song and video just serves to prove that what will always resonate with people the most is that which pertains to the “no frills” nature of falling in love, even if it doesn’t have any of the bells and whistles of most twenty-first century gadgetry.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Ciara doesn’t also enjoy delighting in the same non-amorous comforts as Vivian Ward as her maid pours her Moët and “zanily” helps her try on clothing and shoe options in a scene tailor-made for the Garry Marshall hall of fame.
At the end, Ciara Ferris Bueller’s it by breaking the fourth wall as she looks into the camera and smiles at us as the doorbell rings at last. In short, it’s four minutes and thirty gloriously infecting seconds of pure movie pastiche.
