Sucker is the Jonas Brothers’ kick-off single after almost six years away from the mainstream, debuting as their most successful single to date and hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in its first week.
Sucker possesses a highly effective combination of “blend in” and “ stand out” factors that helps it both easily connect with a wide audience and stand out from many of its mainstream contemporaries. Among them are engaging in-section and cross-section interplay between lead vocalists Nick and Joe Jonas, a universal narrative conveyed in a clever manner, great use of the accompaniment pull S.I.A. technique (Sectional Impact Accentuator) that both heightens engagement and creates structural familiarity within the song, and of course, a plethora of hooks. These include the super-infectious whistle hook that is cleverly foreshadowed and reinforced in the verse and chorus vocal melody, and Homer Steinweiss’ funky drum break, which pays homage to drum break classics such as James Brown’s Funky Drummer (Clyde Stubblefield) and the Winstons’ Amen Brother (Gegory Coleman).
This video provides an in-depth analysis of the songwriting and production techniques used to craft the song.