| "Romeo" | |
|---|---|
Cover of Basement Jaxx's album |
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| Single by Basement Jaxx | |
| from the album Rooty | |
| A-side | Bongoloid Camberwell Skies |
| Released | June 4, 2001 |
| Format | CD single, digital download, vinyl, 12" |
| Recorded | 2000 |
| Genre | Nu-Disco Disco[1] House |
| Length | 3:36 |
| Label | XL Recordings |
| Writer(s) | Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe |
| Producer | Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe |
"Romeo" is a song by British electronic dance duo Basement Jaxx, which was released on their second studio album Rooty (2001). The single was released on June 4, 2001 as the first single from the studio album. The song received general acclaim from music critics, with many referring it as one of the best dancefloor anthems to date. Some of the critics have even listed the song on their best lists and top lists. The song also had good commercial success, becoming one of Basement Jaxx's top international hits, peaking at number six in their native UK, and also scored a top ten in countries like the US, Norway and New Zealand, where that was certificated gold there.. The song also had an accompanying music video, where it featured an indian background.
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After the success of the groups first album Remedy, the group had decided to record and compose a new studio album. "Romeo" was one of the first songs recorded, composed and produced by the group. But the production of the song held of because the group had just released their unreleased compilation album Jaxx Unreleased in 1999. "Romeo" was released on June 4, 2001 as the first single of the duo's best-to-date album Rooty (2001). The vocals of the song was sung by fellow British R&B singer Kele Le Roc. The song was produced and written by Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe themselves. Romeo is a dance-pop song, which shares a lot of disco influences, and house music.
The song was used in many independent and mainstream soundtracks. It was featured in the UK series of Now That's What I Call Music! and the Ministry of Sound soundtrack. The song was also featured on the Playstation game series SingStar.[2] The song is available as a music video format on Itunes. Before the studio version was recorded and released, there was an acoustic version which was released on the groups EP called Xxtra Cutz (2001), which also featured the b-sides to the singles release.
Another version was recorded at the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. This acoustic version was featured on the groups third single off the album "Wheres Your Head At?" as a bonus remix.
"Romeo" received universal acclaim from many music critics. John Bush from Allmusic highlighted the song as a album highlight, as he had said "Romeo," is groovy and luscious enough to be the next single from Destiny's Child".[3] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly had complimented the track as he agreed liking its "old school disco" music.[4] Lou Thomas from BBC Music had said ""Romeo" is still a bittersweet pop classic and will break your heart or make you dance in one frantic twitch."[5] NME gave it a very positive and acheviable review, saying "Romeo' is a fantastic single from a good album, 'Rooty'; a frisky slip of spicy feminine pop perfectly tailored for maximum radio rotation." They also finished "Never complacent and always striving to be inventive, if it feels good, the Jaxx say, do it."[6] Andy Herman from Popmatters referred the song as a "Signature Jaxx dancefloor anthem". He also said "complete with a sassy disco-diva vocal, cornball lyrics, and cheesy new wave synths and background vocals that quickly establish the duo’s obsession with retro kitsch."[7] MusicOMH had also described the song as "terrific" and a "summer hit".[8] Rolling Stone had described the song as "synthetic but warm hit".[9]
However, Malcom Seymour from Pitchfork Media gave it a mixed reivew. He said "the creepily Janet-esque "Romeo," commences the program on a bitter note. Featured diva Kele Le Roc's mindless lyrics spill over the predictable, shallow melodies, bland beats and clichéd basslines."[10]
However, they had listed the song at number 50 on their The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000's.[11] Stylus Magazine had listed the song at number 47 on their Top Singles of the Decade.[12] As a album review, Stylus said "“Romeo” is vindicated in a glorious Bollywood-esque example of pop music." But as a ranking review, they had describe it as "joyful", "bouncy", "cheerful" and "catchy". Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine had listed the song at number 116 on their Rest of the Best of the Aughts Top 500.[13] The Word Press had listed the song at number 46 on their The Best Songs Of The Naughties Top 100 and said "But paradoxically it’s Basement Jaxx’s less manic approach to production that makes Romeo so addictive.".[14]
"Romeo" was known as Basement Jaxx's singature songs. The song had debuted at number six on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the groups third top ten hit in their native country. The song was also released in the United States, where that peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play and number fourteen on the Canadian Singles Chart.[15]
The song had international success as well. The song had debuted at number forty-one on the New Zealand Singles Chart, until it rose to number nine, staying in the charts for forteen weeks. It was certificated gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), shipping over 7,500 copies.[16] It also scored the top ten single in Norway, debuting at number nine on the Nowegian Singles Chart. However, the song had some less success in some European countries. It peaked at number seventy-four in France and number eight-two one the Dutch Top 40. But did manage to scrap the top fifty in Sweden, peaking at number forty-one and the top twenty in Denmark, peaking at number twenty.
A music video for the accompaning single was released as well. The music video was shot in an olden day style. The music video starts with an interlude of a billboard which says "Music by Basement Jaxx ROMEO Bollywood Blockbuster" then carries on showing places of India, where it shows an Indian woman in a dress. When the verse starts, her and a group of dancers dance to the song in a bollywood style. It also shows her with a man that she loves as well. As they get in a car and runaway, she later goes home crying because of him. But at the end, it features a group of them and her love, dancing infront of an Indian Temple, where it features fountains, flowers and fireworks. It then ends, when she is with her love at sunset.[17] In the music video, the actors do different genre dances in the video which are a traditional Indian dance to a more pop culture dance.
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Source:[18]
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 82 |
| Belgium Flanders (Ultratop)[19] | 31 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] | 14 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 20 |
| France (SNEP) | 74 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 82 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 9 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 9 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 41 |
| United Kingdom (The Official Chart Company) | 6 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 5 |
| Country | Certification | Sales/Shipments |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand[21] | Gold | 7,500 |
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