On a Night Like This

"On a Night Like This"
Single by Kylie Minogue
from the album Light Years
B-side "Ocean Blue"
Released 11 September 2000
25 September 2000 (Germany)
Format CD single
Cassette single
Vinyl single
Recorded London, England
Genre Dance-pop, house, nu-disco[1]
Length 3:31
Label Parlophone/EMI/Mushroom Records
Writer(s) Steve Torch
Graham Stack
Mark Taylor
Brian Rawling
Producer Graham Stack
Mark Taylor
Certification Platinum (Australia)
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Spinning Around"
(2000)
"On a Night Like This"
(2000)
"Kids"
(2000)
Music video
"On a Night Like This" on YouTube
For the song by the American country music group Trick Pony, see On a Night Like This (Trick Pony song)

"On a Night Like This" is a song by Australian recording artist and songwriter Kylie Minogue, taken from her seventh studio album Light Years (2000). The song was released as a CD Single on 25 September 2000, and was released digitally after the physical release date. With the success of "Spinning Around", "On a Night Like This" served as the second single on the album.

The song was given a mixed to positive reception by music critics, with some saying it is a dreamy and elegant song, however others commented that the song's power and strength was "not at Minogue's best". The song became a success in some parts of the world. The song peaked at number one in Australia, number two in the United Kingdom and in top twenty positions in parts of Europe. The song, also with her previous hit Spinning Around did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Contents

Background and release

"On a Night Like This" written by Steve Torch, Graham Stack, Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling, and was produced by Mark Taylor from Metro and Graham Stack. The song was recorded in Dreamhouse in London, England. Minogue also recorded a b-side to the single called "Ocean Blue", written by Minogue and her co-writers. The song was recorded at the same studio in England. "On a Night Like This" is a dance-pop song, with strong elements of nu-disco and small portions of europop music. The song was mixed by Mark Taylor and Graham Stack at the same studio Kylie recorded in.

"On a Night Like This" was released in Australia and New Zealand on 25 September 2000 by Mushroom Records physically, and released worldwide by Parlophone digitally. [2] Before Minogue had recorded the song, Swedish singer Pandora had recorded the song in 1999, before Minogue had signed to Parlophone. The song, however, wasn't released, and it was later covered by Heavy Metal band for their extended play. Thus, this became Minogue's most covered song threw her Light Years era. After Light Years was finished, her tour On a Night Like This Tour was named after the single, and featured the artwork as the same. The artwork featured Minogue laying on a villa looking towards the camera, while the golden sun shines threw the backlight of her.

Composition

"On A Night Like This" is a midtempo dance-pop song. Pandora Radio describes the song as featuring house and nu-disco influences, dancable grooves, acoustic guitar riffs, a prominent use of synthesizers and other vocal harmonies.

Music video

A Music video for the song was filmed in August 2000 in Monte Carlo, by directer Douglas Avery. The video was known for its fashion imagery and a wished atmosphere of wealth and luxury. The designer of Kylie's known dress was by Versace. Critics praised the music video for its elegances and styles, where some dismissed it.

Background

The music video for "On a Night Like This" was directed by Douglas Avery, filmed in Monte Carlo, and was loosely based on Martin Scorsese's 1995 crime drama movie Casino, while Kylie herself portrayed a character loosely based on Sharon Stone's bored trophy wife, while Blade Runner actor Rutger Hauer portrayed her mob boss partner.[3][4]

Synopsis

The video starts with a mob-related scene, as the men are speaking in French. The video translates with subtitles "Matters are not handled in this way/Here in Monte Carlo/Things are closely watched/The authorities are extremely vigilant/The things you ask of us/Are not so easy". As the song starts, it shows Minogue on a diving board over a pool, and jumps in with while wearing an expensive Versace. After she sings through the chorus, she undresses, becoming nude, and throws her dress across to the window looking at the mob men. As the second verse starts, she appears in more Versace label, with expensive diamond jewellery, in a Limousine. As the chorus comes, she appears in a Monte Carlo casino, and she wins money. She later goes back home, where her mob boss lover see her with ignorance, as she comes into the hallway and she smashes a green glass vase. As the song ends, she steps on a porch and undresses again, where he has no other reactions but stare. The video ends with her stepping down the porch, fades to black.

Reception

On MUZU.TV it was rated five stars as it was reported a "loved track". From June 2011, the song has nearly reached over two million views on youtube.

Video controversies

While the video enjoyed moderate success throughout most of the world, it still managed to garner considerable controversy. According to reports by NME, the original clip supposedly contained scenes that would have resulted in a mass banning. The Directors Cut had been noted to contain Minogue in full-frontal nudity, however, NME reported that plans to release such a music video were scrapped. Despite this, the edited version still turned heads thanks to a see-through dress sported by Kylie."[5]

Chart performance

In Australia, the single debuted at number one and spent two non-consecutive weeks there. It spent a total of seventeen weeks in top fifty, becoming one of Minogue's longest charting singles. As with her previous number one single "Spinning Around", "On a Night Like This" was also certified platinum and became the twenty-seventh most successful single of the year 2000 in Australia.[6] It was also successful in the UK where it peaked at number two. It was a moderate success elsewhere, peaking at number thirty-five in New Zealand on RIANZ.[7]

Critical reception

"On A Night Like This" has received mixed reviews from music critics.Although Allmusic highlighted it as an album track, it gave it a mixed, giving it two-and-a-half stars out of five. Nick Levine from Digital Spy said that the song is a "catchy dance-pop song". One NME reviewer compared it to Spiller's song Groovejet, writing that the song "works because it doesn't revolve awkwardly round a random disco beat".[8] Another NME reviewer described the song as lacking passion and "unremarkable".[9]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "On a Night Like This."[10]

Australia CD 1 (MUSH019722)

  1. "On a Night Like This" — 3:32
  2. "On a Night Like This" [Rob Searle Mix] — 7:58
  3. "On a Night Like This" [Motiv8 Nocturnal Vocal Mix] — 7:31
  4. "On a Night Like This" [Bini and Martini Club Mix] — 6:34
  5. "On a Night Like This" [Video]

UK CD 1 (CDRS6546)/NZ CD Maxi (8893100)

  1. "On a Night Like This" — 3:32
  2. "Ocean Blue" — 4:22
  3. "Your Disco Needs You" [Almighty Mix] — 8:22
  4. "On a Night Like This" [Enhanced Video]

Europe CD 1/Australia CD 2 (MUSH019725)

  1. "On a Night Like This" — 3:32
  2. "Ocean Blue" — 4:22
  3. "Your Disco Needs You" [Almighty Mix] — 8:22
  4. "On a Night Like This" [Halo Mix] — 8:05

UK CD 2 (CDR6546)

  1. "On a Night Like This" — 3:32
  2. "On a Night Like This" [Rob Searle Mix] — 7:58
  3. "On a Night Like This" [Motiv8 Nocturnal Vocal Mix] — 7:31

Europe CD 3 (EMI 8893360)

  1. "On a Night Like This" — 3:32
  2. "Ocean Blue" — 4:22
  3. "On a Night Like This" [Video]

Live performances

Kylie performed the song on the following concert tours:

The song was also performed on:

Other versions/singles

Pandora version

The song was first released by the Swedish artist Pandora in late 1999. It was included on her album No Regrets. Pandora claims that the song was written during her recording sessions in the studio.[11] Months after her release, she began to receive fan mail inquiring on other versions.[11] Because of different contractual circumstances with the writers, the song was given to two other singers, Anna Vissi and Kylie Minogue.[11] In December 2007, Pandora released three new remixes of the song.

Anna Vissi version

The song was released by Greek singer Anna Vissi in early 2000. It was included on her debut English album Everything I Am, which featured additional songs by Stack and Taylor. Vissi performed "On a Night Like This" at the Miss Universe 2000 pageant held in Nicosia, Cyprus on 12 May 2000, watched by a worldwide audience.

In other media

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2000) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 40 Wallonia)[14] 29
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[15] 20
France (SNEP)[16] 69
Germany (Media Control AG)[17] 72
Ireland (IRMA)[18] 16
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[19] 64
New Zealand (RIANZ)[20] 35
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] 31
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] 51
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[23] 2

Year-End charts

Year Country Position
2000 Australian Singles Chart[24] 27
UK Singles Chart 129

Certifications

Country Certifications
(sales thresholds)
Australia Platinum[25]

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by
"Music" by Madonna
"Most Girls" by Pink
Australian Singles Chart number-one single
24 September 2000 – 1 October 2000 (first run)
15 October 2000 – 22 October 2000 (second run)
Succeeded by
"Music" by Madonna
"Beautiful Day" by U2

References

  1. ^ http://www.pandora.com/music/song/kylie+minogue/on+night+like+this
  2. ^ (2000) "Ultimate Kylie" (AUS/NZ album liner notes). Release notes for "On A Night Like This" by Kylie Minogue. Mushroom (8753752)
  3. ^ Baker and Minogue, Hodder and Stoughton, 2002. p 223.
  4. ^ http://www.nme.com/reviews/kylie-minogue/2869
  5. ^ http://www.nme.com/reviews/kylie-minogue/2869
  6. ^ http://www.kylie.com/discography/singles/on-a-night-like-this-3/
  7. ^ http://charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Kylie+Minogue&titel=On+A+Night+Like+This&cat=s
  8. ^ http://www.nme.com/reviews/kylie-minogue/2942
  9. ^ http://www.nme.com/reviews/kylie-minogue/2869
  10. ^ Discography – 2000-2001. MixKylie.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2006.
  11. ^ a b c "BIOGRAPHY, TROUBLES WITH KYLIE MINOUGE [sic]". pandora.se. http://www.pandora.se/bio.asp. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  12. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98-yZaTpafU&feature=related
  13. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien.
  14. ^ "Ultratop.be – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This" (in French). Ultratop 40. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  15. ^ "Finnishcharts.com – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This". Suomen virallinen lista. Hung Medien.
  16. ^ "Lescharts.com – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This" (in French). Les classement single. Hung Medien.
  17. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  18. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
  19. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  20. ^ "Charts.org.nz – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
  21. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
  22. ^ "Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This – swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung Medien.
  23. ^ "Chart Stats – Kylie Minogue – On a Night Like This" UK Singles Chart. Chart Stats.
  24. ^ Australian Recording Industry Association (2000). "End of year charts". ARIA Charts. http://aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2000.htm. Retrieved 31 July 2010. 
  25. ^ Australian Recording Industry Association (2000). "2000 Accreditations". ARIA Charts. http://aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2000.htm. Retrieved 31 July 2010. 

External links