The 18-year-old insists that he values a girl’s “Beautiful Soul” more than “another pretty face.” He also reassures a young lady that she’s perfect as-is and has no reason to be jealous of “a picture on a magazine” (“She’s No You”). There’s no need to hurry love or pressure a partner on “Why Don’t You Kiss Her?” and “Take Your Sweet Time.” Other songs offer to mend a girl’s broken heart (“Come to Me”) or work harder at a romantic relationship if given a second chance (“That Was Then”). “Get Your Shine On” states that everyone’s a star, however …
McCartney oohs and aahs over a girl as he prompts her to dance more provocatively. Several times he talks of “wanting” a girl. Suggestiveness also creeps into “Without U” (“I like when you whisper softly things … that lead me on”) and “The Stupid Things” (“I’d love to have your cake and eat it too”).
A former member of the boy band Dream Street and actor on All My Children, Jesse McCartney is no stranger to the spotlight. As for his image, he seems to be following in the generally upbeat, mildly suggestive footsteps of Hilary Duff. Parents who decide to let his Soul touch teens’ souls will want to work through—or skip—a few tracks.
