Jump to content

Womanizer (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Liamr02 (talk | contribs) at 20:43, 26 April 2009 (→Cover versions). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Womanizer"
Song

"Womanizer" is a song performed by American pop singer Britney Spears. The song was recorded for her sixth studio album, Circus, and was released as the first single on September 26, 2008. The track became a commercial success, topping charts in over 10 countries, including the United States. "Womanizer" was produced and co-written by Nikesha Briscoe and Rafael Akinyemi of Atlanta-based production team, The Outsyders.[1][2] "Womanizer" is Spears's first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 since her debut "...Baby One More Time", almost 10 years prior.

Single release and promotion

Announced as the lead single from the album, "Womanizer" was first released to radio stations worldwide on September 26, 2008. It was released commercially in the United States on October 7, 2008 through digital distribution. It was released as a CD single on October 25, 2008 in Australia; November 14, 2008 in Germany; and on November 24, 2008 in the UK.

On October 15, 2008, the song made a record jump from ninety-six to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking the record set by T.I.'s "Live Your Life", which had jumped from number eighty to number one the week before,[3] a record later broken by Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You".[4] It also garnered first-week download sales of 286,000, the biggest opening-week tally by a female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking digital downloads in 2003, topping Mariah Carey's take for "Touch My Body" by just over 200 units.[5] During a live interview with New York's Z100, Spears talked about the song quoting: "It's basically saying, 'We know what you're up to.' It's about guys cheating on girls... it's a girl anthem. That's why I like it."[6]

The stage premiere of "Womanizer" took place in Europe. Spears performed the song at the Bambi awards in Germany on November 27.[7][8] She was also presented with a Bambi for "Best Pop International Artist" by Karl Lagerfeld. On November 28, "Womanizer" was performed live on French show Star Academy;[9] and on November 29, Spears performed "Womanizer" live on UK talent show, The X Factor.[10] Her performance on The X Factor was watched by 12.8 million UK citizens, becoming the most viewed episode in the show's history.[11]

A commercial to promote the character "Chuck Bass" from Gossip Girl that featured "Womanizer" was first shown on The CW's channel and was later available on Spears's official website.[12]

Reception

Ann Powers of The Los Angeles Times described the track as "retro-futurism" that "takes a roller coaster ride via the snappy staccato beats crafted by the young Atlanta-based production team the Outsyders."[13] "It's clean and contemporary," the website said, "but also invokes the quick-witted style of vocal groups like the Andrews Sisters — a style Brit's rival, Christina Aguilera, has mined to great success before. The highly manipulated vocal complements Brit's Mississippi Valley Girl diction; though she's been turned into a robot again, she actually sounds engaged."[13] Popjustice also gave the song a glowing review, stating that whilst the leaked clip was enjoyable, the full track "throws the whole thing into a brand new realm of amazingness." The review also compared the song to Spears's 2004 song, "Toxic" and Blackout's "Ooh Ooh Baby" and said the track, "lays a really strong foundation for the fully-realised comeback that didn't quite happen last time and it's hard not to think of it as a late contender for single of the year."[14] British newspaper The Observer gave the song the maximum five stars referring to it as a "comeback single" and as having a "genius hook". It also said, "However, it's also been called lazy, largely by misinformed people who also think that Kylie's 'la la la's would have been better with proper words."[15]

Bill Lamb of About.com thought that Spears sounded confident, but he wrote a generally negative review of "Womanizer." Lamb wrote that the song sounded "like a rather weak attempt to approach the attitude of Katy Perry in a classic Britney futuristic bubblegum pop context. Unfortunately, after a few listens it all becomes quite dull." Lamb also wrote that the song was "no match for her classic material."[16] He would later name Womanizer the third "Most Annoying Pop Song" of 2008.[17] Daily News' music critic Jim Farber criticized the song, saying it is not the brilliant single Spears needs. Farber says, "From the sound of it, it should have been delayed indefinitely. Spears delivers the title word no fewer than nine times in a row, in a nagging tone meant to mimic the most irritating of schoolyard taunts."[18] Ian Watson of Dotmusic gave the song six stars out of ten and felt that she was too controlled in Womanizer. In the review, Watons wrote that Spears sounded "trapped on this single. Not trapped, as in desperate and distraught, but trapped as in literally frozen - like she's been placed into a robot on a production line and she has to sing these words, dance these steps, work it like this, until the spotlight snaps off and the factory's powered down for the night.." Watson concluded that the song was "not much fun to live but compelling to observe."[19]

Chart performance

The track entered the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart at fifty-nine with three days of its radio release alone.[20] It also debuted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 at eleven on the week of October 11, 2008.[21] The song then entered the Hot 100 chart at ninety-six on the following week due to rising airplay.[22] On October 15, the song made a record-breaking ninety-five position jump to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking not only the record for largest jump to #1, which had been set by T.I.'s Live Your Life only one week prior, but the record for largest jump by any song in the history of the chart, which was previously held by Beyoncé and Shakira's "Beautiful Liar". However, on January 28, 2009, it was announced by Billboard that Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" beat its jump by one place (97-1).[4] It also garnered first-week download sales of 286,000, the biggest opening-week tally by a female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking digital downloads in 2003.[23] It marked Spears's first number one single on the Hot 100 since her debut "...Baby One More Time".[24] In addition, "Womanizer" has become Spears' biggest hit on the U.S. radio along with her 1999 hit single "(You Drive Me) Crazy",[25] both peaking at number-six on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.[26] and it peaked number one on Mainstream Top 40, her first number one since her single Toxic.[27] In Canada, the single started at ninety-seven went up to forty-three and topped the Canadian Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks.[28]

Moreover, in Europe, the track has entered the top ten in every single country it was released.[29] Notably, topping the charts in Denmark, Finland, France, Norway and Sweden.[29] In the United Kingdom, "Womanizer" debuted at number four on the official singles chart selling 46,000 digital downloads,[30] several weeks later the single peaked at number three.[31] In addition, the track has become Spears' sixth European number-one single.[32]

The track debuted at number sixteen on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart on October 13, 2008, and moved up to seven on the following week and stayed there on the next.[33] On November 2, 2008 the track then jumped two places to number five as well as debuting at number one on the Australian ARIA Dance Chart. This marks Spears fourth consecutive number one hit on the Australian ARIA Dance Chart. On November 24, 2008 the track was certified gold for sales over 35,000.[34] Then on January 12, 2009 the track was certified Platinum for sales over 70,000.[35] Also in Oceania, in New Zealand, "Womanizer" debuted at number thirteen and peaked at number nine. The song was certified Gold after fourteen weeks selling over 7,500 copies.[36][37]

Music video

Spears as three of her alter-egos in the video for Womanizer.

Part of the music video was filmed on September 24 and September 25, 2008 at a Los Angeles nightclub and restaurant.[38].The video was shot over three days.[39] It was directed by Joseph Kahn, who had previously directed Spears' videos "Stronger" (2000) and "Toxic" (2004).[38] There are some references to these prior videos, including an opening caption similar to the one in "Stronger" and an awkward-looking man in the office scene who is also seen in "Toxic." In the MTV documentary Britney: For the Record, Spears comments on how she wanted the video to be a sequel of sorts to "Toxic". Britney's love interest in the music video is played by Brandon Stoughton. The video starts off with Britney making breakfast for her boyfriend while he gets ready for work. When he is at work, he sees a new secretary (which is Britney in disguise). She starts dancing with her dancers as she sings the chorus. Next, her boyfriend is at a restaurant with Britney being one of the waitresses (in another of her disguises). She then starts to seduce him as she sings the chorus with her backup dancers. Then her boyfriend is getting driven home by his chauffeur (which is Britney once again in her last disguise). She then starts to kiss him, with her feet steering the wheel until both get home. Once they get into the bedroom, Britney reveals that she was the three women he was "womanizing" all along. She then begins attacking her boyfriend. This is shown through Spears as her three alter egos, and then as the real version of herself. The video ends by Britney throwing a blanket over him and making the bed.

The video premiered on October 10 on ABC's 20/20 at the end of their program. To promote the release of the music video, ABC launched an official five day countdown commercial for the week of October 6 - October 11. The director's cut of the "Womanizer" video also appeared on an MTV blog that night.[40]

Reception

OK! magazine quoted "in addition to seeing Brit in three different sexy getups, the video...features an oiled-up Britney writhing around in nothing but a smile."[41] MSNBC wrote "When Spears isn’t shown naked and writhing in a steam room, she’s fired up".[42] "Think Fashion" (Canada) argued that "while Ms. Spears has had her fair share of failed attempts at making a comeback over the past year, we’re pretty sure this video will put her back on the map (not that she really ever left, let’s be honest)."[43] Australia's NEWS.com.au simply said "Britney Spears is back to her old sexy self and she's not afraid to flaunt it."[44] TV Guide wrote; "The music video features some of the most strategically placed hands in music-video history" also quoting "Womanizer's video is quite a return to form for the troubled pop star."[45]

The music video for "Womanizer" became a worldwide success right after it premiered on the internet.[46] In the United Kingdom the video was viewed 7 million times in less than 48 hours breaking the record held by Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" which was viewed 5.4 million times in that same period.[47][48] In the United States the video was viewed by three million people in less than 48 hours making it the third fastest viewed video just behind Spears' "Piece of Me", and Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend".[49] To date, the music video has been viewed over 3 million times on MTV.com.[50]

The music video was named the best video of 2008 by an MTV poll.[51] The video also won Clip of the Year at the 2009 NRJ Music Awards.[52]. The video was also voted "Best Video of 2008" on an online poll on Fuse.tv, receiving over 5 million votes in the final round and beating other popular videos such as "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry and "Disturbia" by Rihanna. [53]

Cover versions

The song has been covered live by UK singer/pianist Ana Silvera[54], Franz Ferdinand,[55] Lilly Allen,[55] The All-American Rejects[56] and Ladyhawke[57] and Girls Aloud.[58]

Release history

Region Date Label Format
Worldwide September 26, 2008 Jive Records/Sony BMG Radio
Europe October 3, 2008 Sony BMG Digital download
New Zealand October 6, 2008[59] Sony BMG Digital download
United States October 7, 2008 Jive Records Digital download
December 19, 2008[60] Jive Records Remix EP digital download
Australia October 7, 2008 Sony BMG Digital download
October 25, 2008 Sony BMG CD single (Version A) [61]
November 21, 2008 Sony BMG CD single (Version B) [62]
United Kingdom November 2, 2008[63] Sony BMG Digital download
November 24, 2008[64] Sony BMG CD single
Germany November 14, 2008[65] Sony BMG CD single
Taiwan November 28, 2008[66] Sony CD single
France December 5, 2008[67] Sony BMG CD single

Track listings and versions

Major formats released for "Womanizer":

Charts

Certifications

Country Certification Sales
Australia Platinum[35] 70,000+
Belgium Gold[95] 25,000+ [96]
Denmark Platinum[97] 15,000+[98]
New Zealand Gold[99] 7,500+[100]
Spain Gold[101] 20,000+[101]
Sweden Gold[102] 10,000+[103]
United Kingdom Silver[104] 200,000+[105]
United States 2,000,000+[106]
Preceded by
"Nu När Du Gått" by Lena Philipsson & Orup
 Swedish Singles Chart number-one single
October 16, 2008 - October 24, 2008 		Succeeded by
"A Million Candles Burning" by Martin Stenmarck
Preceded by Norwegian Singles Chart number-one single
October 21, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Live Your Life" by T.I. featuring Rihanna
 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
October 25, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Canadian Hot 100 number-one single
October 25, 2008 - November 22, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Türkiye Top 20 singles chart
October 26, 2008 - December 22, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian ARIA Dance Chart number-one single
November 3, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Kommer Igen" by Nik & Jay
 Danish Singles Chart number-one single
November 6, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
incumbent
 Israeli Singles Chart[107]
November 27, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Vanguard Of The New World by Kinetik Control
 Finnish Singles Chart number-one single
December 3, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Eurochart Hot 100 Singles number-one single
December 20, 2008 - December 27, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Ah... Si tu pouvais fermer ta gueule..." by Patrick Sébastien
 French Singles Chart number-one single
December 16, 2008 - January 14, 2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart number-one single
December 20, 2008 		Succeeded by
"Home" by Tom Helsen & Geike Arnaert

Credits

  • Produced by K. Briscoe/The Outsyders (Nikesha Briscoe & Rapheal Akinyemi)
  • Published by Outsyder Entertainment Music Publishing (SESAC)/Gametyme Music Publishing Group (ASCAP)
  • Vocals – Britney Spears
  • Writers – The Outsyders (Nikesha Briscoe & Rapheal Akinyemi)
  • Recorded by Brendan Dekora of Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA & Bojan "Genius" Dugic at Legacy Studios, NYC
  • Assisted by Derik Lee
  • Mixed by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach, VA
  • Additional Pro Tools Engineer – John Hanes
  • Assisted by Tim Roberts
  • Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound, NYC
  • A&R Executive – Teresa LaBarbera Whites
  • Management – Larry Rudolph for ReignDeer Entertainment

References

  1. ^ "Britney Spears' New Single Pushed Back". Dose. September 22, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
  2. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (2008-09-15). "Britney Makes December Date For 'Circus'". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  3. ^ "Britney Spears sets new record with hit single". Marketwire. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  4. ^ a b Kelly Clarkson Breaks Record For Hot 100 Jump. Billboard. January 28, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  5. ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (2008-10-15). "Spears scores record-setting Hot 100 jump". Billboard.com. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  6. ^ "Britney Spears Calls New Song 'A Girl Anthem'". People Magazine. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  7. ^ http://www.bambi.de/flash/#press,pressreleases,-,pressrelease,99
  8. ^ http://quotenmeter.de/index.php?newsid=31171
  9. ^ http://www.britneyspears.com/2008/11/britney-to-perform-on-star-academy.php
  10. ^ http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/446420-britney-spears-to-perform-on-x-factor
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ http://www.britneyspears.com/2008/10/gossip-girl-promo-features-womanizer.php
  13. ^ a b Powers, Ann (2008-09-26). "Snap judgment on Britney Spears' 'Womanizer'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  14. ^ "Everybody calm down: we've heard the Britney single in full and it is literally quite good". Popjustice. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2008-10-18. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Robinson, Peter (2008-10-12). "Pop review: Britney Spears, Womanizer". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-10-18. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Britney Spears - "Womanizer"". About.com. Retrieved 2008-10-18. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Top 10 Most Annoying Pop Songs of 2008". About.com. Retrieved 2008-12-24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Farber, Jim (2008-09-26). "Don't call it a comeback - 'Womanizer' not the brilliant single Britney Spears needs". Daily News. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  19. ^ Ian, Watson (2008-11-07). "Britney Spears - 'Womanizer'". Dotmusic. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  20. ^ "Hot 100 Airplay". 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  21. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  22. ^ "Hot 100". 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  23. ^ sales of over 300,000 in iTunes Rhapsody and amzon
  24. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003874105
  25. ^ Billboard magazine (November 13, 1999). "Hot 100 Airplay". Retrieved 2008-12-25.
  26. ^ Billboard magazine (January 3, 2009). "Hot 100 Airplay". Retrieved 2008-12-25.
  27. ^ Billboard magazine (Jan 03 2009). "Mainstream Top 40". Retrieved 2008-12-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ a b "Canadian Hot 100". 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  29. ^ a b "European charts". Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  30. ^ Music Week — Subscription Required (2008). ""Womanizer" sales". Retrieved 2008-12-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ Every Hit (December, 2008). "UK Singles Chart (searchable database)". everyhit.com. Retrieved 2008-12-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ Paul Sexton (December 11, 2008). "Britney Scores Euro Chart Double". Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  33. ^ "ARIA Singles Chart". 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  34. ^ http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_singles.asp?chart=1U50
  35. ^ a b ARIA Certification
  36. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp
  37. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_facts.asp
  38. ^ a b Jocelyn Vena (2008-09-25). "Britney Spears reportedly plays vampy waitress in 'Womanizer' video". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  39. ^ http://www.britneyspears.com/2008/10/making-the-womanizer-video-1.php
  40. ^ Tamar Anitai (2008-10-10). "Britney Spears' new 'Womanizer' video: watch the director's cut!". MTV. MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  41. ^ http://www.okmagazine.com/news/view/9563
  42. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27151328/
  43. ^ http://www.thinkfashion.com/blogs/stylosity_hollywood_hookup/archive/2008/10/08/britney-spears-womanizer-photos-prove-comeback-is-in-full-force.aspx
  44. ^ Australia welcomes britney
  45. ^ TV Guide review of Womanizer's Music Video
  46. ^ Britney breaks video record
  47. ^ http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/453232-britney-spears-womaniser-video
  48. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3193096/Britney-Spears-Womaniser-video-records-seven-million-hits-in-48-hours.html
  49. ^ http://musicnews.virginmedia.com/entertainment/music/news/?news_id=91929
  50. ^ http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=288244
  51. ^ Best Music Video 2008
  52. ^ "Nrj Music Awards".
  53. ^ [2]
  54. ^ http://www.music-news.com/ShowReview.asp?H=Ana-Silvera-Soho-Revue-Bar,-London-live-review&nReviewID=4021&nType=3&
  55. ^ a b http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/04/brieny-spears-w.html
  56. ^ http://music.yahoo.com/promo-42778155-53-20081222-autoplay
  57. ^ "Ladyhawke cover of Womanizer".
  58. ^ "Girls Aloud tear off their skirts in a tribute to Bucks Fizz at Manchester Gig". The Sun. 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  59. ^ http://www.digirama.co.nz/AlbumDetails.aspx?MediaID=884038&TrackMediaID=883993
  60. ^ "Womanizer Remix EP". Amazon.com. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  61. ^ http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/Product/382002/WOMANIZER
  62. ^ http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/Product/382002/WOMANIZER
  63. ^ http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=292232022&id=292232009&s=143444
  64. ^ http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=866148
  65. ^ Musicline.de - Spears,Britney - Womanizer/Premium, retrieved October 25, 2008
  66. ^ http://shopping.g-music.com.tw/ECProduct.aspx?ProductID=0886974094425
  67. ^ http://www.amazon.fr/Womanizer-Britney-Spears/dp/B001GV09A8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1227868961&sr=8-1
  68. ^ "Britney Spears Womanizer (CDr, Maxi, Promo)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  69. ^ "Womanizer Tracklisting". Osdia.es. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  70. ^ "Top 50 Singles Chart - Australian Recording Industry Association". ARIACharts.com. 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  71. ^ Austrian singles Chart
  72. ^ Belgium Singles Chart
  73. ^ Danish Singles chart
  74. ^ European Hot 100
  75. ^ Finland Top 20
  76. ^ www.chartsinfrance.net French Singles Chart
  77. ^ Media-Control.de Template:De icon
  78. ^ Greek Digital Singles Top 10
  79. ^ [3]
  80. ^ Israeli Official Singles Chart
  81. ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=803&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Italy&ci=3102467&cdi=10034858&cid=11%2F08%2F2008
  82. ^ Japan Hot 100 Singles
  83. ^ Mexico Top 100 Singles Chart - Week 47 - 9th December 2008
  84. ^ [http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp RIANZ singles chart
  85. ^ Norway Top 20
  86. ^ Official Netherlands Chart
  87. ^ Top 50 Canciones
  88. ^ "Swedish Singles Charts". 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  89. ^ Swiss Singles Chart
  90. ^ Turkey Top 20 Chart Retrieved on 2008-10-26
  91. ^ UK Singles chart
  92. ^ "Spears scores Record-Setting Hot 100 Jump". 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  93. ^ "U.S. Dance". 2008-12-14. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  94. ^ "Pop 100". 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  95. ^ [4]
  96. ^ http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/international-award-levels.pdf
  97. ^ [5]
  98. ^ http://www.ifpi.dk/index.php?pk_menu=13
  99. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp
  100. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_facts.asp
  101. ^ a b "Promusicae Lista" (PDF).
  102. ^ http://www.ifpi.se/?page_id=67
  103. ^ http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/
  104. ^ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf
  105. ^ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf
  106. ^ http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/32895/week-ending-april-5-2009-a-prince-beats-a-king-of-pop/
  107. ^ Israeli Official Singles Chart


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Womanizer_(song)&oldid=286296562"