Killer (Adamski song)
Encyclopedia
"Killer" is a song by Adamski
and Seal
. Written by Adam Tinley (Adamski) and Seal and produced by Adamski, "Killer" was Adamski's breakthrough single, but is now more notable for introducing Seal as a vocalist. A major hit in the UK, it reached number one, spending four weeks at the top of the chart
in May 1990. In total, the single sold over 400,000 copies in the UK, earning it a BPI
Gold certification.
Lyrically, the title of the song comes from the line "It's the loneliness that's the killer," which occurs only once in the introduction to the Seal version and not at all in the Adamski version. The distinctive opening bassline
and keyboard melody during the chorus, however, are preserved in almost every version of the song in some form.
The song also contains the lyrics "Racism in among future kings can only lead to no good, besides, all our sons and daughters already know how that feels", these were recycled and used in Seal's song "Future Love Paradise
" featured on his debut album
.
, produced by Trevor Horn
. The single release of Seal's version peaked at #8 in the UK, squeezed onto the Billboard Hot 100
at #100 and peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with a remix by William Orbit
. The music video for this version used computer-generated
science-fiction themed imagery, largely built around a partial re-creation of the M. C. Escher
print Another World.
The video was produced and directed by Don Searll. The song won Best British Video at the 1992 Brit Awards
.
4 January 2005 saw a new single release of "Killer", containing new remixes of both "Killer" and "Crazy
". This brought the single back to the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reached number one.
performed "Killer" live at the Wembley Arena
in a version that was released on the 1993 EP Five Live
. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
" was also recorded and released on the same album. The two songs were blended together in the live performance, then remixed several times. P.M. Dawn released an extended and radio remix for the "Killer"/"Papa" combination in 1993. The singer also shot a video for it, in which he did not appear personally. It was during the time when Michael refused to exploit his outward look, which he thought would distract the audience from the music, his main concern. The video was directed by Marcus Nispel
.
act ATB recorded a version in 1999, released as a single on 31 May 1999 in Germany and on 19 September 2000 in the United States. The ATB version peaked at #4 on the UK singles chart and #36 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Featuring vocals by Drue Williams, it was the producer's first fully vocal-based song under the ATB name.
The song uses elements from both Adamski and Seal's versions, updated with more contemporary production techniques.
on the 2008 album Rethroned
, power metal
band Angel Dust
on the 2002 album Of Human Bondage, girl group
Sugababes
as a B-side to the 2003 single "Shape
", Scottish garage rock
band Sons And Daughters
as a B-side to their 2007 single "Gilt Complex" and Rhythm Police on the 2009 Remix release Killer. In 2010 Tiësto contributed a remix of the song for the game DJ Hero 2.
Adamski
Adamski is an English dance music producer, prominent at the time of acid house for his tracks "N-R-G" and "Killer" .-Career:...
and Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
. Written by Adam Tinley (Adamski) and Seal and produced by Adamski, "Killer" was Adamski's breakthrough single, but is now more notable for introducing Seal as a vocalist. A major hit in the UK, it reached number one, spending four weeks at the top of the 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 ...
in May 1990. In total, the single sold over 400,000 copies in the UK, earning it a BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
Gold certification.
Lyrically, the title of the song comes from the line "It's the loneliness that's the killer," which occurs only once in the introduction to the Seal version and not at all in the Adamski version. The distinctive opening bassline
Bassline
A bassline is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, tuba or keyboard...
and keyboard melody during the chorus, however, are preserved in almost every version of the song in some form.
The song also contains the lyrics "Racism in among future kings can only lead to no good, besides, all our sons and daughters already know how that feels", these were recycled and used in Seal's song "Future Love Paradise
Future Love Paradise
"Future Love Paradise" is a 1991 song recorded by the soul singer and songwriter Seal. As the lead track on Future Love EP, this was the second single from his debut album Seal and it was released in 1991....
" featured on his debut album
Seal (1991 album)
Seal is Seal's eponymous 1991 debut album and contained the UK singles: "Killer" , "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", "The Beginning" and "Violet"...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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 ... |
1 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 11 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
| German Singles Chart | 2 |
| 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... |
5 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 5 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 15 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
23 |
Seal version
In 1991 Seal re-recorded "Killer" for his eponymous debut albumSeal (1991 album)
Seal is Seal's eponymous 1991 debut album and contained the UK singles: "Killer" , "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", "The Beginning" and "Violet"...
, produced by Trevor Horn
Trevor Horn
Trevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
. The single release of Seal's version peaked at #8 in the UK, squeezed onto the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at #100 and peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with a remix by William Orbit
William Orbit
William Orbit is an English musician, composer and record producer, perhaps best known to most for his work on Madonna's album Ray of Light. He has also co-produced several unreleased Madonna songs originally recorded for other albums...
. The music video for this version used computer-generated
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
science-fiction themed imagery, largely built around a partial re-creation of the M. C. Escher
M. C. Escher
Maurits Cornelis Escher , usually referred to as M. C. Escher , was a Dutch graphic artist. He is known for his often mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints...
print Another World.
The video was produced and directed by Don Searll. The song won Best British Video at the 1992 Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
.
4 January 2005 saw a new single release of "Killer", containing new remixes of both "Killer" and "Crazy
Crazy (Seal song)
"Crazy" is a song written by English soul artist Seal and producer Guy Sigsworth . The song was produced by Trevor Horn for Seal's debut album Seal . Seal's debut single, "Crazy" is one of his biggest hits, reaching the top five in the United Kingdom and the top ten in the United States...
". This brought the single back to the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reached number one.
Chart performance
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 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 ... |
8 |
| Dutch GfK GfK The GfK Group, established in 1934 as Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung is Germany's largest market research institute, and the fourth largest market research organisation in the world, after Nielsen Company, Kantar Group, and IMS Health... chart |
75 |
| 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... |
6 |
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
100 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
9 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
14 |
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
1 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
3 |
U.S. maxi-single (1991)
- Killer (single version)
- Killer (William Orbit remix)
- Whirlpool (live)
- Killer (live)
- Come See What Love Has Done (live)
- Hey JoeHey Joe"Hey Joe" is an American popular song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and as such, has been performed in a multitude of musical styles by hundreds of different artists since it was first written. "Hey Joe" tells the story of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico...
(live) [ Billy RobertsBilly RobertsBilly Roberts is an American songwriter and musician credited with composing the 1960s rock music standard "Hey Joe"...
cover ] - Killer (William Orbit dub)
U.S. maxi-single (2005)
- "Killer" (Peter RauhoferPeter RauhoferPeter Rauhofer is a DJ, remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. A native of Vienna, Austria, he is famous for his remixes of a number of Madonna's songs including "Nothing Really Matters", "American Life", "Nothing Fails, "Nobody Knows Me", "Get...
remix part 1) - "Killer" (Peter Rauhofer remix part 2)
- "Killer" (MorelRichard MorelRichard Morel is an American singer-songwriter, DJ, remixer and record producer from the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. He has worked extensively with Washington D.C.-based duo Deep Dish, co-writing, co-producing, performing and singing on many of their tracks, most notably on their albums Junk...
's Pink Noise vocal mix) - "Killer" (DJ Monk remix)
- "Killer" (Jim Albert's Loneliness Is the Killer mix)
- "Crazy" (Ananda ProjectChris BrannChris Brann is an American electronic music producer and remixer. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Brann is known for his work under the monikers Wamdue Project and Ananda Project.-Career:...
vocal mix) - "Crazy" (Orange FactoryOrange FactoryOrange Factory psychoacoustic arts and music publishing house, Sofia is a Bulgarian artistic studio, experimenting with music and multimedia, organising concerts, competitions and festivals, publishing...
mix)
George Michael version
In 1992, George MichaelGeorge Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
performed "Killer" live at the Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena is an indoor arena, at Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent. The building is opposite Wembley Stadium.-History:...
in a version that was released on the 1993 EP Five Live
Five Live (EP)
Five Live, released in 1993, features five tracks, performed by George Michael, Queen, and Lisa Stansfield...
. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for Motown act The Undisputed Truth in 1971...
" was also recorded and released on the same album. The two songs were blended together in the live performance, then remixed several times. P.M. Dawn released an extended and radio remix for the "Killer"/"Papa" combination in 1993. The singer also shot a video for it, in which he did not appear personally. It was during the time when Michael refused to exploit his outward look, which he thought would distract the audience from the music, his main concern. The video was directed by Marcus Nispel
Marcus Nispel
Marcus Nispel is a German–American feature film director and producer, and formerly a director of television commercials and music videos. Many of his films have been remakes, all of which have met with a negative critical reception....
.
Track listing
- "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (English edit)
- "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (Ligosa Mix)
- "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (P.M. Dawn Remix)
Charts
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM Top Singles RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
19 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
69 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs | 5 |
ATB version
TranceTrance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
act ATB recorded a version in 1999, released as a single on 31 May 1999 in Germany and on 19 September 2000 in the United States. The ATB version peaked at #4 on the UK singles chart and #36 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Featuring vocals by Drue Williams, it was the producer's first fully vocal-based song under the ATB name.
The song uses elements from both Adamski and Seal's versions, updated with more contemporary production techniques.
Track listings
- Killer (Germany release)
- Killer (Video Edit) 4:08
- Killer (Radio Edit) 4:01
- Killer (Killer Mix) 5:56
- Killer (Original Mix) 6:15
- Killer (US release)
- Killer (UK Radio Edit) 3:25
- Killer (Radio Edit) 4:00
- Killer (2000) 5:52
- Killer (Trevor & Simon Remix) 6:50
- Killer (Lost WitnessLost WitnessLost Witness is an English trance production and DJ , composed of Simon Paul . Also part of the collaboration are songwriter Edward Barton, writer of the 1983 Jane & Barton single, "It's a Fine Day" , as well as vocalist Danielle Alexander.He also recorded under the aliases Dusk Til Dawn and The...
Remix) 7:45 - Killer (Joe Fandango Remix) 7:11
- Killer (Video Edit) 4:06
- Killer CD 1 (UK release)
- Killer (UK Radio Edit) 3:28
- Killer (Lost Witness Remix) 7:48
- Killer (Lock 'n Load Remix) 8:25
- Killer CD 2 (UK release)
- Killer (Killer 2000 Mix) 5:55
- Killer (Trevor Reilly & Simon Foy Remix) 6:52
- Killer (Joe Fandango Remix) 7:11
- Killer (The remixes) (Canada release)
- Killer (UK Radio Edit) 4:02
- Killer (Joe Fandango Remix) 7:16
- Killer (Lost Witness Remix) 7:49
- Killer (Lock N' Load Remix) 8:29
- Killer (Joe Fandango Dub) 5:27
- Killer (Lost Witness Dub) 7:45
- Killer (Trevor & Simon Remix) 8:57
- Killer (Gareth JonesGareth Jones (music producer)Gareth Jones is an English music producer and engineer notable for working with Depeche Mode, Einstürzende Neubauten, Wire and Erasure.-Background:Gareth Jones is married and currently living in North London....
Radio) 3:20
- Killer 2000 (Australia release)
- Killer 2000 (UK Radio Edit) 3:26
- Killer 2000 (Killer 2000 Mix) 5:51
- Killer 2000 (Lost Witness Vocal Remix) 7:45
- Killer 2000 (Lock 'n Load Vocal Remix) 8:23
- Killer 2000 (Trevor & Simon Remix) 6:50
- Killer 2000 (Joe Fandango Mix) 7:11
Chart performance
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch GfK GfK The GfK Group, established in 1934 as Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung is Germany's largest market research institute, and the fourth largest market research organisation in the world, after Nielsen Company, Kantar Group, and IMS Health... chart |
25 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
22 |
| 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 ... |
4 |
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
36 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
32 |
Other versions
Other versions of "Killer" were performed by Northern KingsNorthern Kings
Northern Kings is a Finnish symphonic metal cover supergroup, made up of four musicians who have already become well known in their existing bands: Jarkko Ahola from Teräsbetoni, ex-Dreamtale, Marco Hietala from Nightwish and Tarot, Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto from...
on the 2008 album Rethroned
Rethroned
Rethroned is the second album by Finnish symphonic metal band Northern Kings. It was released on November 19, 2008, as a CD in Finland and to download via the European iTunes Store. Upon release, the album entered the Finnish charts at number 16. The album was released in Japan on February 25,...
, power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Angel Dust
Angel Dust (band)
Angel Dust are a German heavy metal band. Initially active from 1984 to 1990 as speed and thrash metal band, they dropped their thrash roots in favor of a power/progressive metal sound upon reforming in 1998....
on the 2002 album Of Human Bondage, girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
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...
as a B-side to the 2003 single "Shape
Shape (song)
"Shape" is an R&B song performed by English girl group, the Sugababes. It was written and produced by Craig Dodds for the band's second studio album Angels with Dirty Faces , incorporating a sample of the 1993 recording "Shape of My Heart," co-written and performed by Sting and his guitarist...
", Scottish garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
band Sons And Daughters
Sons and Daughters (band)
Sons and Daughters are a rock band from Glasgow, Scotland.-Biography:Conceived while on tour with Arab Strap in 2001, Sons and Daughters was initially Adele Bethel's creation...
as a B-side to their 2007 single "Gilt Complex" and Rhythm Police on the 2009 Remix release Killer. In 2010 Tiësto contributed a remix of the song for the game DJ Hero 2.