About a Girl (Sugababes song)
Encyclopedia
"About a Girl" is an electropop song performed by English
girl group Sugababes
from their seventh studio album, Sweet 7
. Written by Makeba Riddick
and co-written/produced by RedOne
, it was selected as the album's second single and was released on November 8, 2009. It is the first release featuring vocals by new band member Jade Ewen
, following the departure of Keisha Buchanan
in September 2009. It peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart
and inside the top twenty on the Irish Singles Chart
. The song's accompanying music video premiered in the UK during October 2009 and was filmed at Vasquez Rocks
.
on September 6, 2009. The second version featuring Ewen's vocals premiered October 3, 2009 on Radio 1 as well. Promotion for the single was supposed to start in Leeds in October but was postponed when Berrabah was admitted to a clinic in Europe citing "nervous exhaustion". This also lead to the cancellation of a scheduled appearance on German TV.
gave the song a positive rating stating "It's a Europoppy club pumper with an ear-snagging chorus, sexy references to Louboutins and apple pie, and a terrific, 90s dance-inspired middle 8. The result certainly trumps 'Get Sexy
' and might just be their most infectious single since 'About You Now
'."
and took on a Kill Bill
inspired theme. It premiered in the UK on October 11, 2009 on 4Music
. The video was directed by Martin Weisz. The video flips between scenes of three stunt girls, involved in a fight with some business men, and the real Sugababes. It is the first video to feature new band member Jade Ewen
, after the departure of Keisha Buchanan
.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
girl group Sugababes
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
from their seventh studio album, Sweet 7
Sweet 7
Sweet 7 is the seventh studio album by British girl group the Sugababes. It was released on 15 March 2010 in the United Kingdom through Island Records. Sweet 7 is the first release since the controversial departure of the longest-serving member, Keisha Buchanan, who was replaced by 2009 Eurovision...
. Written by Makeba Riddick
Makeba Riddick
Makeba Riddick is a singer-songwriter who has been active since 2005. She is originally from West Baltimore, United States. Currently she is managed by Jay-Z's record label and production house, Roc Nation...
and co-written/produced by RedOne
RedOne
Nadir Khayat , known by the stage name RedOne, is a Moroccan producer and songwriter. Renowned for co-producing hit singles such as "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "LoveGame", "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Judas", he is attributed by some as the key to Lady Gaga's success...
, it was selected as the album's second single and was released on November 8, 2009. It is the first release featuring vocals by new band member Jade Ewen
Jade Ewen
Jade Almarie Louise Ewen is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released...
, following the departure of Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Kerreece Fayeanne Buchanan is an English singer-songwriter and was a founding member of the BRIT Award-winning girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buchanan had six number one singles and two number one studio albums, making the Sugababes one of the most successful British pop acts...
in September 2009. It peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and inside the top twenty on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
. The song's accompanying music video premiered in the UK during October 2009 and was filmed at Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a 905-acre northern Los Angeles County, California, USA park acquired by the Los Angeles County government in the 1970s...
.
Promotion
The first version of the song featuring Buchanan's vocals premiered on BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
on September 6, 2009. The second version featuring Ewen's vocals premiered October 3, 2009 on Radio 1 as well. Promotion for the single was supposed to start in Leeds in October but was postponed when Berrabah was admitted to a clinic in Europe citing "nervous exhaustion". This also lead to the cancellation of a scheduled appearance on German TV.
Release and reception
Nick Levine from Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the song a positive rating stating "It's a Europoppy club pumper with an ear-snagging chorus, sexy references to Louboutins and apple pie, and a terrific, 90s dance-inspired middle 8. The result certainly trumps 'Get Sexy
Get Sexy
"Get Sexy" is an electropop song performed by English girl group Sugababes. It was released on 31 August, 2009 as the lead single for the group's seventh studio album, Sweet 7. It is the last single to feature founding member Keisha Buchanan; during the single release interval between the release...
' and might just be their most infectious single since 'About You Now
About You Now
"About You Now" is a 2007 single by English girl group Sugababes, written by Cathy Dennis and producer Dr. Luke for the group's fifth studio album, Change...
'."
Music video
The music video was filmed on September 22, 2009. The Sugababes were planning on doing their own stunts, but because of the line-up change there was not enough time and actors were used instead. The video was shot at the Vasquez RocksVasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a 905-acre northern Los Angeles County, California, USA park acquired by the Los Angeles County government in the 1970s...
and took on a Kill Bill
Kill Bill
Kill Bill Volume 1 is a 2003 action thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is the first of two volumes that were theatrically released several months apart, the second volume being Kill Bill Volume 2....
inspired theme. It premiered in the UK on October 11, 2009 on 4Music
4Music
4Music is a music and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and available on some digital television providers in the Republic of Ireland - its web component can be found at with its own and pages. It is the only channel within the Box Television Network to be branded under Channel 4 and...
. The video was directed by Martin Weisz. The video flips between scenes of three stunt girls, involved in a fight with some business men, and the real Sugababes. It is the first video to feature new band member Jade Ewen
Jade Ewen
Jade Almarie Louise Ewen is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released...
, after the departure of Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Kerreece Fayeanne Buchanan is an English singer-songwriter and was a founding member of the BRIT Award-winning girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buchanan had six number one singles and two number one studio albums, making the Sugababes one of the most successful British pop acts...
.
Tracklisting
- CD Single
(2725741, Released: November 9, 2009)
- "About a Girl" - 3:28
- "About a Girl" (Martin Roth NuStyle Radio Edit) - 4:08
- "About a Girl" (The Sharp Boys Radio Edit) - 3:47
- "About a Girl" (K-Gee Radio Edit) - 3:30
- Digital Single
(Released: November 8, 2009)
- "About a Girl" - 3:28
- "About a Girl" (Martin Roth NuStyle Remix) - 6:26
- "About a Girl" (Martin Roth NuStyle Radio Edit) - 4:08
- "About a Girl" (K-Gee Remix) - 4:51
- "About a Girl" (K-Gee Radio Edit) - 3:30
- German CD Single
(Released: November 6, 2009)
- "About a Girl" - 3:28
- "About a Girl" (The Sharp Boys Radio Edit) - 3:47
Credits
- Artwork By [Ad & Design] - Bowden
- Engineer, Edited By [Vocal Editor] - Johnny Severin, RedOneRedOneNadir Khayat , known by the stage name RedOne, is a Moroccan producer and songwriter. Renowned for co-producing hit singles such as "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "LoveGame", "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Judas", he is attributed by some as the key to Lady Gaga's success...
- Management - Mark Hargreaves
- Mixed By - Robert Orton
- Producer [Additional Vocal Production] - Philip Lawrence
- Producer [Vocal Production] - Makeba RiddickMakeba RiddickMakeba Riddick is a singer-songwriter who has been active since 2005. She is originally from West Baltimore, United States. Currently she is managed by Jay-Z's record label and production house, Roc Nation...
- Producer, Instruments [Played And Programmed By] - RedOne
- Written-By - Makeba Riddick, Nadir KhayatRedOneNadir Khayat , known by the stage name RedOne, is a Moroccan producer and songwriter. Renowned for co-producing hit singles such as "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "LoveGame", "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Judas", he is attributed by some as the key to Lady Gaga's success...
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| European Hot 100 | 28 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 164 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 6 November 2009 | CD single CD single A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s... |
| United Kingdom | 8 November 2009 | Digital download |
| 9 November 2009 | CD single |