You don't have the direct-to-VHS masterpiece A Goofy Movie without a certain Michael Jackson-esque pop star leading the charge. Yes, I'm talking about Powerline, whose hits like "Stand Out" continue to be anthems of our generation.
In honor of this true pop icon of the 90's, here is a detailed analysis of his best song on the Goofy Movie soundtrack: "I 2 I". Now, before you debate me about this classic, just know that I appreciate his other song too, but lets face it: nothing beats Powerline's take on "The Perfect Cast" during his LA-based mega finale. If you need proof, here's a recap of the magical performance:
Two words: dance icon.
Now, just what else makes "I 2 I" so great? Is it the electricity puns present in his concert's staging? Is it his smooth backup dancers or his legions of adoring fans? Is it the hip yet edgy spelling of the song title itself? All of these factors contribute to the epicness of the song, it's true, but there's one other element that gets me every time. You guessed it: it's the lyrics.
Hear me out. Just look at this songwriting genius right here:
If a wall should come between us
Too high to climb, too hard to break through
I know that love'll lead us
And find a way to bring me to you
Clearly Powerline had some sort of all-seeing "I", because he was omniscient enough to be able to comment on the current state of our national politics, even from his peak popularity in 1995.
The development section right before the epic key change in the last part of the song is also incredibly awesome:
If you're ever lonely, then stop!
You don't have to be
After all, it's only a beat away from you to me
(Take a look inside and see)
Just observe that double meaning of the word "beat" right there. After all, if you "look inside", you'll see the "beat" of your heart, and in turn will be able to listen to it and find that we're "never too far apart". But of course, there's also the sick "beat" of the song itself that's thumping in your chest, and the fact that Powerline's next incredible lyric is only a "beat" away as he continues to sing this sweet jam.
And you just can't help but scream the chorus at the top of your lungs:
If we listen to each other's heart
We'll find we're never too far apart
And maybe love is a reason why
For the first time ever, we're seein' it I-2-I
Like, how iconic is that?! Immensely so, that's how. He even opens up his song's principal message to interpretation: "maybe" love is the reason why we're seeing I 2 I, but we all have to answer that question for ourselves if we want to be sure. Genius.
Overall, the evidence is all so overwhelmingly clear: Powerline's "I 2 I" is one of the greatest songs of all time. It all just makes you wanna:
Me too, Goofy. Me too.
