Here’s a great irony that’s testament to the musical depth and stylistic reach of Orianthi’s expansive artistry. Though the clever lyrics and spirited narrative of her fiery, kick-ass single “Attention” make it the perfect country/rock single, it seems every piece written about the famed singer, songwriter and otherworldly electric guitarist only refers to pop/rock legends she’s vibed with. Her name can’t be raised without reference to her longtime collabs with Alice Cooper, Dave Stewart and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora – and of course, Michael Jackson.
But check out these down-home truths about Orianthi’s country bona fides. MJ chose Orianthi after seeing her perform with Carrie Underwood as a featured lead guitarist at the 2009 Grammy Awards. She later performed with the country superstar at the Hollywood Bowl and again at the CMA Awards in 2016, where they played “Dirty Laundry.” Orianthi’s not only on the record in Rolling Stone calling herself a country music fan, but the multi-faceted 2018 album she did with Sambora under the name RSO included a handful of original country tunes. She said, “The great thing about country songs is the storytelling. They’re really moving and well-crafted, and that’s something Richie and I wanted to explore.” Famed country producer Dann Huff later produced their song “Walk With Me” for Delta Rae.
In 2016, Orianthi and Sambora played the pre-game show (ahead of fellow Australian Keith Urban) at the 2016 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. In addition, Orianthi cited modern country and blues as the main inspirations for her 2013 Stewart-produced album Heaven in This Hell, which was recorded at Nashville’s Blackbird Studio and mixed by John McBride. Orianthi later scored a hit on Disney Radio with the country single “Better With You,” also mixed by McBride.
Truly a fusion of classic styled power rocker and brilliantly rendered country songcraft, “Attention” finds the singer pointedly exposing an annoying ex lover’s habit of drunk texting to rile up her cooled passions. Penned by Orianthi, Don Miggs and Gregory Hansen, it’s her second track produced and mixed by the legendary Kevin “The Caveman” Shirley, whose extensive resume includes Joe Bonamassa, Journey, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Dream Theater and countless artists from his home country of South Africa and his later adopted home of Australia.
After an edgy, rhythmic guitar intro, Orianthi uses her silky, sultry vocal tone to bring us into a compelling scenario where she’s free from a complicated relationship and living life on her own terms now: “I ain’t at the Whisky/Waiting on you/Or staring at the ceiling/Sitting in a hotel room…” Then the groove, propelled by bassist Justin Andres and drummer Demian Arriaga, kicks up, and over more rhythmic, crunchy guitar energy, she tells her former significant other, “I’m sipping on tequila/With someone you knew/And you’re out on tour/Doing what you always do.” She doesn’t specify, but it feels like code for “screwing around like you did on me.”
As the track develops, Orianthi’s increasingly emotional vocals convey frustration and exasperation, then everything explodes on the killer hook where she really lets the guy have it: “You’re so predictable/You do it every time/Drunk checking on me/In the middle of the night/You know what you put me through/U just want attention.” She wraps the chorus with the mic drop line: “I’m done thinking about you,” which is followed by a cool melodic earworm of wordless background vocals. After another run through the hook, Orianthi repeats “I’m done thinking about you” over and over as her guitar wails behind her vocals for heavier emphasis.
“Attention” is perhaps best appreciated via its dynamic performance video, which shows a few close ups of her intricate guitarisma. With every new single, Orianthi reminds us that she’s still at the top of her game in every way, finding fresh, vulnerable yet attitude-filled musical stories to tell and allowing us to experience the guitar chops that have made her a modern-day musical hero. – Jonathan Widran