Acapella (song)
Encyclopedia
"Acapella" is a song performed by American alternative artist Kelis
, taken from her fifth studio album Flesh Tone
. The song is a departure from her past singles in that it is a dance/electronica track rather than hip hop/R&B
influenced. The song was first premiered on her Twitter page and her official website in November, but was digitally released February 23, 2010 as the lead single
from the singer's upcoming album.
The album is due in international markets on May 17, 2010 and in the U.S. in July 2010. The song's co-writer Makeba Riddick
revealed that the song had previously been called "Majestic". Kelis stated that she wrote the song "with love and life in my mind" and as a tribute to her son, Knight. It has received positive reviews from critics many of whom praise the song for its inspirational lyrics and for its uptempo feel-good vibe which includes
angelic harmonies. The song was listed at #20 on the NME
's best tracks of 2010, which they describe it "her most thrilling tune since ‘Milkshake
’".
gave the song a positive review, rating the track an 8 [out of a possible 10] and saying: "'Acapella' is a smooth, Donna Summer
-style track with Kelis as an icy electro queen, a robotic embrace of house's metronomic bliss." About.com
's "Dance Music" section reviewed the track favorably, calling the song "majestic" and named it its "Song of the Day". Entertainment Weekly
called the song a "feathery dance-floor delight" and placed the song on its "The MustList" for 2010 whilst Billboard magazine added the song to its 2010's "Best Bits" listing. NME
magazine also loved the song calling it "the most thrilling tune since "Milkshake
" whilst Heat said the "banger" deserves four stars.
Nick Levine of Digital Spy
was more than impressed by the song. He said "Will.i.am
's been a busy boy lately, but what's the best thing he's done for us - the new Usher
single ['OMG']? Nah. 'Meet Me Halfway
'? Hmm... maybe. Signing Kelis... Bingo! We say this because 'Acapella' is quite possibly the most sublime slice of club pop we'll hear all year. Over tub-thumping beats ... Kelis delivers a heartfelt tribute to her baby son, Knight. "Before you my whole life was acapella," she gushes on the near-hymnal chorus, "Now a symphony is the only song to sing". The result is so uplifting, so full of energy and emotion, it doesn't just make you want to dance - it makes you want to dance with everyone who's a little bit special to you." Fraser McAlpine of BBC Chart Blog
was also gushing with praise for the song, saying "... [its] a song which is itself so sparkling and loveable as to make other pop songs seem un-inspired and un-glorious, even the really good ones. [The] melody has been launched from a throat of pure devotion, and is borne aloft by a host of angelic harmonies."
", not regarding her 2004 feature on Enrique Iglesias
's "Not in Love
" that also reached the top of the dance chart. It remained at number one for one week, but the single did fail to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
On 15 April 2010, "Acapella" debuted on the Irish Singles Chart
at number 30, and climbed two places to 28 the following week. On its third week in the chart, the single rose a further 6 places to its current peak of 22. By the fifth week the single rose to number 17 on the Irish music charts breaking into the top 20. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted on the UK Singles Chart
at number five making it the singer's sixth top-five hit and ninth top-ten hit on the chart. In its second week it fell to number seven, however on the UK Dance Chart
it went to number one for two consecutive weeks.
In Germany, it's her most successful single since "Trick Me
" from the year 2004, reaching #21.
account on March 29 2010. An Making video was made April 29, 2010.
Technical credits
Adapted from Video Static.
The clothing of the video shown aload of string sewed onto her others.
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
, taken from her fifth studio album Flesh Tone
Flesh Tone
Flesh Tone is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Kelis, first released on May 14, 2010. Recorded while the singer was an unsigned artist and while pregnant with her first child, the record is an ode to motherhood and is a distinct departure from the urban sound of her previous...
. The song is a departure from her past singles in that it is a dance/electronica track rather than hip hop/R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
influenced. The song was first premiered on her Twitter page and her official website in November, but was digitally released February 23, 2010 as the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from the singer's upcoming album.
The album is due in international markets on May 17, 2010 and in the U.S. in July 2010. The song's co-writer 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...
revealed that the song had previously been called "Majestic". Kelis stated that she wrote the song "with love and life in my mind" and as a tribute to her son, Knight. It has received positive reviews from critics many of whom praise the song for its inspirational lyrics and for its uptempo feel-good vibe which includes
angelic harmonies. The song was listed at #20 on the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
's best tracks of 2010, which they describe it "her most thrilling tune since ‘Milkshake
Milkshake (song)
"Milkshake" is a song by American recording artist Kelis and the lead single from her third studio album, Tasty. The song was released in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24. It was written and produced by The Neptunes, a duo...
’".
Reception
The single has so far received universally positive reviews. Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
gave the song a positive review, rating the track an 8 [out of a possible 10] and saying: "'Acapella' is a smooth, Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
-style track with Kelis as an icy electro queen, a robotic embrace of house's metronomic bliss." About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
's "Dance Music" section reviewed the track favorably, calling the song "majestic" and named it its "Song of the Day". Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
called the song a "feathery dance-floor delight" and placed the song on its "The MustList" for 2010 whilst Billboard magazine added the song to its 2010's "Best Bits" listing. NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
magazine also loved the song calling it "the most thrilling tune since "Milkshake
Milkshake (song)
"Milkshake" is a song by American recording artist Kelis and the lead single from her third studio album, Tasty. The song was released in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24. It was written and produced by The Neptunes, a duo...
" whilst Heat said the "banger" deserves four stars.
Nick Levine of Digital Spy
Digital 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....
was more than impressed by the song. He said "Will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
's been a busy boy lately, but what's the best thing he's done for us - the new Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
single ['OMG']? Nah. 'Meet Me Halfway
Meet Me Halfway
"Meet Me Halfway" is a song by American hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas. It was released as the third promotional single from their fifth studio album The E.N.D. It was later released as the album's third single...
'? Hmm... maybe. Signing Kelis... Bingo! We say this because 'Acapella' is quite possibly the most sublime slice of club pop we'll hear all year. Over tub-thumping beats ... Kelis delivers a heartfelt tribute to her baby son, Knight. "Before you my whole life was acapella," she gushes on the near-hymnal chorus, "Now a symphony is the only song to sing". The result is so uplifting, so full of energy and emotion, it doesn't just make you want to dance - it makes you want to dance with everyone who's a little bit special to you." Fraser McAlpine of BBC Chart Blog
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
was also gushing with praise for the song, saying "... [its] a song which is itself so sparkling and loveable as to make other pop songs seem un-inspired and un-glorious, even the really good ones. [The] melody has been launched from a throat of pure devotion, and is borne aloft by a host of angelic harmonies."
Chart performance
"Acapella" is Kelis's third solo U.S. dance chart-topper and first since 2003's "MilkshakeMilkshake (song)
"Milkshake" is a song by American recording artist Kelis and the lead single from her third studio album, Tasty. The song was released in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24. It was written and produced by The Neptunes, a duo...
", not regarding her 2004 feature on Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
's "Not in Love
Not in Love
"Not in Love" is a pop song performed by Enrique Iglesias and Kelis. The song was written by Enrique Iglesias, Paul Barry, Mark Taylor and Fernando Garibay for Iglesias' seventh studio album, 7 . The album version features Iglesias's vocals only, with the radio/single mix featuring an extra verse...
" that also reached the top of the dance chart. It remained at number one for one week, but the single did fail to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
On 15 April 2010, "Acapella" debuted 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...
at number 30, and climbed two places to 28 the following week. On its third week in the chart, the single rose a further 6 places to its current peak of 22. By the fifth week the single rose to number 17 on the Irish music charts breaking into the top 20. In the United Kingdom, the song debuted 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 ...
at number five making it the singer's sixth top-five hit and ninth top-ten hit on the chart. In its second week it fell to number seven, however on the UK Dance Chart
UK Dance Chart
The UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital...
it went to number one for two consecutive weeks.
In Germany, it's her most successful single since "Trick Me
Trick Me
"Trick Me" is a song by American recording artist Kelis. It was released as the second single from her third studio album, Tasty in April 2004. It was not released in the United States as her American label, Arista, folded after the release of Tasty, and she was transferred to Jive. In Europe, she...
" from the year 2004, reaching #21.
Music video
The clip was filmed in the first week of March 2010, led by a British team consisting of portrait and fashion photographer John "Rankin" Waddell and musical director Chris Cottam. It was released to the singer's official VevoVevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
account on March 29 2010. An Making video was made April 29, 2010.
Technical credits
Adapted from Video Static.
- Directors - John "Rankin" Waddell, Chris Cottam, Nicole Ehrlich
- Producers - Coleen Haynes, Ron Mohrhoff, Nicole Ehrlich
- Production company - HSI
- DP - Christopher Probst
- Editor - Zuk
- Production designer - Charles Infante
- Stylist - Paula Bradley
- Hair - Anthony Dickey
- Make-up - Kathy Yeung
- Body painter - Nelly Recchia
The clothing of the video shown aload of string sewed onto her others.
Synopsis
It begins with kelis walking in a Jungle as a huntress, Then, putting on a crown made out of peacock skin, Then she starts singing in the scene, This scene was filmed in Black And White. Another scene shows her in front of a fabric, Then, a new scene, shows her on the floor, showing how she breathes. In the chorus it shows Kelis on a chair with a black background with glitter falling down. The next verse shows the chorus scene in a lion dog's mouth, Then, it shows Kelis in a gold bodypaint. The next chorus shows Kelis in a yellow dress what fills half of the scene, Then it's her last verse as she is on a desert island dressed with brown. The last chorus shows Kelis shooting an arrow in the black and white scene. The Video ends Kelis on the desert island and it shows her back with something holding a baby boy.Track listing
-
- Digital download
- "Acapella" - 4:08 (Jean BaptisteJean Baptiste KouameJean Baptiste Kouame, often referred to simply as Jean Baptiste, is a songwriter and record producer.-2009:*The Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.**"Boom Boom Pow" *Blake Lewis - Heartbreak on Vinyl**"Left My Baby for You"-2006:...
, KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
, 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...
)
-
- UK CD single
- "Acapella" (Radio Edit) - 3:19
- "Acapella" (Doman and Gooding Remix) - 6:01
-
- UK Remixes EP
- "Acapella" (Benny Benassi Remix Instrumental) - 6:19
- "Acapella" (Raw Man Remix) - 3:58
- "Acapella" (Bimbo Jones Vocal Remix) - 8:04
- "Acapella" (Monarchy Urania Club Mix) - 7:06
- "Acapella" (Dave Audé Club Mix) - 8:06
-
- German CD single
- "Acapella" - 4:08
- "Acapella" - (Dave Audé Radio Remix)
-
- German EP
- "Acapella" (album version) - 4:08
- "Acapella" (David Guetta Extended Mix) - 5:41
- "Acapella" (Bimbo Jones Radio Remix) - 4:13
- "Acapella" (Monarchy Urania Radio Edit) - 4:12
-
- France digital single
- "Acapella" (Album Version) - 4:08
- "Acapella" (Instrumental) - 4:08
- "Acapella" (A Capella) - 3:42
-
- Australia Remixes EP
- "Acapella" (Benny Benassi Remix) - 6:19
- "Acapella" (Raw Man Remix) - 3:58
- "Acapella" (Bimbo Jones Vocal Remix) - 8:04
- "Acapella" (Monarchy Urania Club Mix) - 7:06
- "Acapella" (Dave Audé Club Dub Remix) - 7:23
-
- U.S. Remixes EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
-
- U.S. Remixes EP
- "Acapella" (Benny BenassiBenny BenassiMarco Benassi , better known as Benny Benassi, is a Grammy Award winning Italian disc jockey and record producer of electro house music. He is best known for his 2002 summer club hit "Satisfaction"...
Remix) - 6:20 - "Acapella" (David GuettaDavid GuettaPierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
Extended Mix) - 5:41 - "Acapella" (Dave AudéDave AudéDave Audé is a Grammy nominated producer, house DJ, and remixer. He has done production for musicians such as KoЯn, t.A.T.u., DJ Keoki, Barenaked Ladies, Faith No More, Cause and Effect, Hilary Duff, Wanessa, Ashley Tisdale, The Pussycat Dolls, Lady Gaga, Lunascape, Madonna, Britney Spears, CeCe...
Extended Mix) - 8:08 - "Acapella" (Bimbo JonesBimbo JonesBimbo Jones is a UK dance music group comprising producers Lee Dagger and Marc JB and vocalist Katherine Ellis. Known for their remix work and white label releases, they produced a remix of Meck's 2006 UK number-one single "Thunder in My Heart Again"...
Remix) - 8:05 - "Acapella" (Raw Man Remix) - 3:59
- "Acapella" (Doman and Gooding Remix) - 6:01
Personnel
"Acapella" was recorded at Casa de Kelis and mixed at Gum Prod Studios in Paris.- SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
– KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
, David GuettaDavid GuettaPierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
, Frédéric Riesterer, Jean BaptisteJean Baptiste KouameJean Baptiste Kouame, often referred to simply as Jean Baptiste, is a songwriter and record producer.-2009:*The Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.**"Boom Boom Pow" *Blake Lewis - Heartbreak on Vinyl**"Left My Baby for You"-2006:...
, 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... - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
– David Guetta - Co-production – Frédéric Riesterer
- MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
– David Guetta - Recording - Brian B Russ
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Czech Airplay Chart Top 100 | 36 |
| Slovakia Top 100 Airplay Chart | 3 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Singles Chart | 72 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 92 |
| UK Singles Chart | 92 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 24 |
Procession and succession
|-Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | February 23, 2010 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
will.i.am music Will.i.am music group will.i.am music group is a vanity label founded by hip hop artist will.i.am of the The Black Eyed Peas. Other than will.i.am, there are popular artists such as Fergie, Macy Gray and Sérgio Mendes signed to the label... |
| France | April 5, 2010 | Polydor Records Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
|
| United Kingdom | April 11, 2010 | ||
| Germany | May 7, 2010 | 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... |
Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
| United Kingdom | May 10, 2010 | Polydor Records |