Who's That Girl (Guy Sebastian song)
"Who's That Girl" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian. The single features American rapper Eve. It was written by Sebastian, with Eve writing and performing the rap, and Sebastian co-produced the song with Andre Harris.[1] Released as a digital download on 5 November 2010 it served as the lead single from Sebastian's retrospective album, Twenty Ten. The song is an up-tempo electro R&B song, and its critical reception has been positive.[2] "Who's That Girl" reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and is Sebastian's fifth number one single.[3] It was the fourth Australian artist single in Australian chart history to achieve 4x platinum certification with his debut single "Angels Brought Me Here" being the first.[4][5] "Who's That Girl" was shortlisted for the 2011 APRA Song of the Year and won the APRA Urban Work of the Year.[6][7] Sebastian received ARIA Award nominations for Single of the Year and Best Pop Release and won the Highest Selling Single ARIA. He was also nominated as "Most Popular Australian Artist".[8][9] "Who's That Girl" also reached number one and platinum certification in New Zealand.[10][11]
Background
"Who's That Girl" was recorded in Australia and London.[12] Sebastian stated in an interview that he recorded his own vocals at his home, "The funny thing about that single is that I did all the vocals in my dining room in Australia and we sent it across to Andre Harris who did his thing on the track by adding his magic production touch." He also spoke about writing the song, "It’s actually a completely original song that I kept going back to rewrite over and over again because, at first, the musician in me thought it was too simple in its structure... but then I realised that sometimes simplicity is the best way forward to keep things fun and hook-y."[13] Sebastian told the New Zealand Herald that it was based on songs he was hearing on the radio from the likes of David Guetta, and The Black Eyed Peas. "I'm not reinventing the wheel, not at all. I had that melody, and I could have gone so many ways with it. I could have produced an old-school soul album, but I went towards what you hear on the radio. I'm not going to lie, I listen to what's popular at the moment, and it's what I'm really liking as well."[14] In The Daily Telegraph he said, "It's what you're hearing on radio now; four on the floor dance-driven with a guest rapper. That's kind of the template at the moment."[12]
Sebastian considered getting Eve on the song as quite a coup. He said she was on her way to London when she opened his email with the song attached and responded immediately, saying she would love to be involved.[14] Eve said in an interview with Nova FM while she was in Australia to film the video, "I got an email, and when I heard it I was like 'hot song. Ok lets do it'. When asked if she did any research on Sebastian before agreeing to do the song she said 'No. This is the thing. I don't really get into that. Like as an artist. It's more about the music, and if the song is hot, I'll deal with it. And I was like 'Ok, I'll do this song'."[15]
Release and promotion
"Who's That Girl" was serviced to Australian radio stations on 5 November 2010.[16] It was initially scheduled for a radio release on 1 November 2010 but had to be delayed due to last minute tinkering on the song.[16][17] It was the most added song to radio in its second week.[18] Sebastian and Eve performed "Who's That Girl" on the grand final episode of The X Factor on 22 November 2010, which aired in both Australia and New Zealand.[12] "Who's That Girl" was used by Channel 7 in the summer promotion of the 2011 series of Desperate Housewives.[19] Sebastian performed at a private event to welcome Oprah Winfrey to Sydney during her trip to Australia in December 2010.[20] Footage of him singing "Who's That Girl" with Winfrey in the front row of the audience was shown during Oprah! The Interview which screened on Channel 10 on 14 December.[21]
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from critics. A reviewer from Soundfiends said: "We’re loving the track, and it reminds us of something that would come from latest "it" boy Taio Cruz, which is a very big compliment.[22] Jamie Horne of The Border Mail wrote: "the dancefloor-ready "Who's That Girl" with US rapper Eve should make it clear that the former 'Fro' is not that uncool after all."[23] Chris Havercroft from X-Press Magazine said: "It is the dancefloor where Sebastian does his most damage and when teaming up with rapper Eve for new single Who’s That Girl he shows his knack for targeting his audience".[24] The Daily Telegraph music editor Kathy McCabe wrote: "This one has one of those choruses which will be on a continuous loop in your head all day. [....] But this isn't one of those throw away tracks artists stick on a best-of album; not only has it reached the upper echelon of the Australian charts but it has a good shot at breaking him overseas."[25] In 2011 "Who's That Girl" became Sebastian's third song to be shortlisted for the APRA Song of the Year and it won the APRA Urban Work of the Year.[6][7] It has also received industry voted 2011 ARIA Award nominations for Single of the Year and Best Pop Release.[8]
Music video
The music video for "Who's That Girl" was shot at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney.[26] Eve came to Australia in mid November to film the video with Sebastian. It premiered on YouTube on 26 November 2010. The uncluttered video shows Sebastian singing the story of seeing the mystery girl in a dance club, with his mental images of her projected onto the walls. Eve makes a cameo appearance for the rap part of the track.[27]
Charts and certifications
"Who's That Girl" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number 11, and reached number one in its fifth week, becoming Sebastian's fifth number one single in Australia and Eve's first.[28][3] Sebastian is the first Australian male artist in Australian music history to achieve five number one singles, and is equal third overall for all Australian acts.[29] The song spent two non consecutive weeks at number one and became the second highest selling Australian artist single in 2010 within six weeks of release. It reached 4x platinum certification in May 2011, becoming only the fourth Australian artist song to ever achieve that certification level.[4][5] Sebastian's 2003 debut single "Angels Brought Me Here" was the first Australian artist song to achieve 4x platinum certification. As well as its two industry voted ARIA nominations "Who's That Girl" won the Highest Selling Single ARIA and was nominated as "Most Popular Australian Artist".[8][9] "Who's That Girl" debuted at number 16 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and reached number one in its eleventh week. It is Sebastian's fourth New Zealand top 10 single and second number one there. It has received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).[10][11]
Chart peaks
- Weekly charts
- ARIA End of Year Charts
Track listing
- "Who's That Girl" (featuring Eve) – 3:39
- "Who's That Girl" (featuring Cinta Laura) – 3:41
Release history
See also
References
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