2 Hearts
| "2 Hearts" | |||||||
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| Single by Kylie Minogue | |||||||
| from the album X | |||||||
| B-side |
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| Released | 9 November 2007 | ||||||
| Format | |||||||
| Recorded | 2007; Olympic Studios, Stanley House Studios (London, England) | ||||||
| Genre | Pop rock | ||||||
| Length | 2:54 | ||||||
| Label | Parlophone | ||||||
| Writer(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Kish Mauve | ||||||
| Certification | Gold (ARIA) | ||||||
| Kylie Minogue singles chronology | |||||||
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"2 Hearts" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue from her tenth studio album, X (2007). The song was written by Jim Eliot and Mima Stilwell, while production was handled by Kish Mauve. Initially, the song was released on 9 November 2007 by Parlophone. The song was Minogue's first commercial single since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. After the announcement, Minogue took a hiatus between 2005 and 2007 to recover from her illness.
The song is a cover version of a track originally recorded by Kish Mauve. Musically, the song is a pop rock-oriented song, which features elements of glam rock and Rock and roll. The song features instrumentation of electric guitars, guitars, drums, keyboards and piano riffs. The song also features "whooo"'s towards the singles chorus. Upon its release, "2 Hearts" received mixed reviews from music critics. The song was praised for its departure of musical content and the songs strength, however the song received criticism for the songs production and felt it didn't live up to expectations.
Commercially, the song was successful worldwide. The song managed to top the spot in her native Australia and Spain, while it peaked inside the top ten in countries Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland. Though the song was released in North America, the song did not manage to chart on any component Billboard charts, but did chart in Canada. The music video for "2 Hearts" was directed by Dawn Shadforth and filmed at Shepperton Studios in London, England. It features Minogue performing the song on a stage, where she danced on a piano and featured the band playing along with the song.
Additionally, the song was featured on three of Minogue's tours. The song was first performed on her KylieX2008 Tour, where she played as an 'erotic bellboy'. The stage featured a green set, with a gigantic skull behind her. The song was also featured on her North American tour For You, For Me, where it was featured in the middle of the setlist. The song was then added to the setlist of her Aphrodite World Tour, where it was performed in Japan only.
Background and release
Before X ever commenced, Minogue was promoting her 2004 greatest hits album Ultimate Kylie with her tour Kylie Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour. After performing in Europe and the United Kingdom, Minogue then was scheduled to perform in Australia and Asia. However, on 17 May 2005, Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36.[1] This lead her management to postpone the remainder of the tour and her appearance to the Glastonbury Festival. She was hospitalized in Melbourne so treatment could go ahead, but lead to a brief but intense period of media coverage, particularly in Australia. Minogue underwent surgery on 21 May 2005 at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, and commenced chemotherapy treatment soon after.[2]
After recovering from her diagnosis, Minogue began writing lyrics towards the end of her cancer treatment in mid-2006, having not worked on any music for the previous year. Due to the recovery time following her cancer, X was the first album Minogue had consciously prepared for the recording of, having previously been engaged for much of her career in an endless cycle of record, release and tour. After she was clear of the disease, Minogue has resumed her tour, entitled "Showgirl Homecoming". She first performed in Sydney, with reworks of the dance routines as well as new costumes and outfits for the show. Just leading into 2007, Minogue had scheduled dates for the United Kingdom.
The song and its remixes were leaked onto file sharing websites on 9 October 2007.[3] "2 Hearts" was released in various formats throughout the world. While most territories received a CD single and digital download release, the song was also released as a limited edition vinyl single in the United Kingdom.[4] The song was promotionally released in New Zealand as a CD Single, where fans got free copies, due to the promotion of Minogue's film White Diamond.[5] In the United Kingdom, "2 Hearts" was officially solicited to radio on 10 October 2007.[6]
Recording and composition
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"2 Hearts"
 A sample of the song "2 Hearts"
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After recovering from breast cancer, Minogue had started recording material for the production of X. She first started recording tracks in London, England for the studio album.[7] "2 Hearts" was written and originally recorded by London-based electro group Kish Mauve, who gave the song to Minogue. Commenting on the song, Minogue said that she "loved it from the moment I heard it". She also described the recording sessions with Kish Mauve as "a joy".[8] With additional production of Kish Mauve, they had also produced a track called "Lose Control".
Musically, "2 Heats" is a pop rock-oriented song, which feature elements of glam rock and Rock and roll. The song features instrumentation of electric guitars, guitars, drums, keyboards and piano riffs. The song also features "whooo"'s towards the singles chorus. In the verses, the song follows the chord progression Am-G.[9] In the chorus, it follows the progression F-Dm7-Am-C.[9] Although it hasn't been explained, fans have found the song talks about Minogue falling in love with someone (2 Hearts are beating together/I'm in love) while she feels she is forgetting about herself as well (You make me feel invisible).
Reception
Critical response
Upon its release, "2 Hearts" received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. Victoria Newton from The Sun, described the song as "a surefire number one", remarking that "it's on a par with "Can't Get You Out of My Head".[10] Tom Ewing from Pitchfork Media compared the song to the music of Goldfrapp, and wrote that "it's an unexpected stylistic move" and "it plays to her strengths".[11] Chris True from Allmusic highlighted the song as an album standout.[12] Alexis Petridis from The Guardian said the song "offers a winning glam, piano-driven stomp."[13] Evan Sawdey from PopMatters was very positive towards the song, saying "From the sexy bass that sets up the opening track "2 Hearts", its obvious that she’s not only going to go back to her disco sex-kitten persona [...] "2 Hearts"—aside from being one of her best singles in years—makes for an incredible album opener."[14] Though Dave Hughes from Slant Magazine said that "2 Hearts" "serviceable rip of Goldfrapp's glammier slinks, kicks things off well" he felt that Minogue was playing it too safe.[15] The Boston Globe highlighted the song as the albums best track, and said ""2 Hearts," the glammy lead track, is the heaviest song here, musically speaking, and also the freshest, even though the stomping, swaggering gem is a blast from the Marc Bolan-esque past."[16]
However, the song did received negative reviews from music critics. Sarah Walters of the Manchester Evening News was less impressed, commenting that "it takes more than a bunch of singable wooh's to maketh the memorable single".[17] Drowned in Sound reviewer Alex Denney called "2 Hearts" a "disappointment", stating that "it's a genetic three-way splice of the burlesque chic Christina Aguilera's been peddling for the last 12 months to a worldwide chorus of mehs, Alison Goldfrapp's vampish electro shtick and, quite literally, Feist's "1234".[18]
Rolling Stone ranked "2 Hearts" at number ninety-four on its list of the Top 100 Songs of 2007, even though the song had not been released in the United States.[19] The song also ranked at number forty on Stylus Magazine's Top 50 Songs of 2007.[20] In 2010, the song was voted as Minogue's best single to date, as announced in a YouTube video.
Chart performance
The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number twelve on 11 November 2007, based solely on digital download sales.[21] It reached a peak position of number four on 19 November 2007, and remained in the top seventy-five for a total of thirteen weeks.[22] "2 Hearts" debuted at number twenty-nine on the Irish Singles Chart, a week before its physical single release.[23] The track reached a peak position of number twelve in the Ireland the following week, and remained in the top fifty for seven weeks.[22]
The song was successful elsewhere. In her native Australia, the song debuted at number one on the Australian Singles Chart, becoming her first number one since "Slow" and her tenth number one overall. It lasted in the charts for thirteen weeks. The song debuted at thirty-nine, until rising and peaking at three for two consecutive weeks. It is Minogue's highest single since "Can't Get You Out of My Head" (2002). The song debuted at number six in Norway where it eventually peaked. The song debuted at ten on the Italian Singles Chart, where it peaked at number two. The song also charted in European countries including Switzerland, Austria, France, Belgium, Denmark and The Netherlands. In Asia the song climbed to number one in Taiwan Singles Chart and number 3 on Japan.[24]
However, the song was not as successful in New Zealand, where it debuted at number thirty-four, until falling off. The song re-entered at thirty-eight, due to the copies given at the premiere of her film White Diamond: A Personal Portrait of Kylie Minogue. This was her last single to chart until "Higher" and her last solo single until "Timebomb". The song wasn't successful in Canada as well, where it only charted at number sixty for a sole week.
Music video
The music video for "2 Hearts" was directed by Dawn Shadforth and filmed at Shepperton Studios in London, England on 1 October 2007.[25] The video features Minogue in 2 different scenes: dressed black latex catsuit, red lipstick and big curly blonde hair performing with her band & another scene where she has a plain black dress, and in a darker, more mysterious environment. It is similar to Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot.[26] It begins with Minogue singing into a microphone on top of a piano. The video concludes with Minogue and her band performing on a stage with multi-colored confetti falling around them.
Minogue drew inspiration from London nightclub BoomBox, where she DJed during London Fashion Week.[25] The costumes worn by Minogue and her band were designed by Gareth Pugh and Christopher Kane.[25] The video premiered on GMTV on 10 October 2007.[27]"2 Hearts" was used in promotional advertisements for the ABC sitcom Cougar Town starring Courteney Cox.
Live performances
Minogue performed the song on the following concert tours:
- KylieX2008
- For You, For Me Tour
- Aphrodite World Tour (only in Japan)
The song was also performed on:
- The Kylie Show 2007 TV Special
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "2 Hearts".
|
Digital download
UK CD 1
UK CD 2
UK 12" picture disc
Australian CD single
European CD single
|
MSN UK digital download #1
MSN UK digital download #2
UK promotional CD #1
UK promotional CD #2
UK promotional 12" single
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Charts
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Year-end charts
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| Preceded by "Hook Me Up" by The Veronicas |
Australian ARIA Singles Chart number-one single 19 November 2007 |
Succeeded by "Apologize" by Timbaland featuring OneRepublic |
| Preceded by "Y Ahora Voy A Salir (Ranxeira)" by Mägo de Oz |
Spanish Singles Chart number-one single (first run) 18 November 2007 – 24 November 2007 |
Succeeded by "Que Poco Arte" by Sylvia Pantoja |
| Preceded by "Que Poco Arte" by Sylvia Pantoja |
Spanish Singles Chart number-one single (second run) 2 December 2007 – 15 December 2007 (2 weeks) |
Succeeded by "The Singles Box Set" by The Who |
Personnel
The following people contributed to "2 Hearts":[32]
- Kylie Minogue – lead vocals
- Kish Mauve - production
- Dave Bascombe - mixing
- Geoff Pesche - mastering
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| Europe | 9 November 2007 |
| Australia | 10 November 2007 |
| United Kingdom | 12 November 2007 |
| Russia | 18 November 2007 |
References
- ↑ "Minogue's cancer shock ends tour". CNN. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
- ↑ "Kylie begins cancer treatment". CNN. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 9 December 2006.
- ↑ Rakowski, Ian. "Kylie Minogue's new single leaked online". News.com.au. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ "'2 Hearts' (12" vinyl) (Single) (Enhanced) (Limited Edition)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ "Kylie Minogue's White Diamond At Skycity Cinemas | Scoop News". Scoop.co.nz. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
- ↑ "Kylie single hits radio". Yahoo!. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
- ↑ Dingwall, John. "Kylie: Back to Sexy Pop". Daily Record. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ "Kylie Minogue 2 Hearts". Warner Music Australia. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/k/kylie_minogue/two_hearts_crd.htm
- ↑ Newton, Victoria. "Kylie's Hearts set to top charts". The Sun. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2007.
- ↑ Ewing, Tom. "Kylie Minogue X Pitchfork Record Review". Pitchfork Media. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ Kylie - X www.allmusic.com.
- ↑ Alexis Petridis, The Guardian, Friday 23 November 2007 Kylie Minogue, X
- ↑ http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/kylie-minogue-x/
- ↑ Kylie Minogue: X | Music Review www.slantmagazine.com.
- ↑ http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/04/01/back_at_it_kylie_mines_gold_from_glitter/
- ↑ Walters, Sarah. "Kylie - 2 Hearts (Parlophone)". Manchester Evening News. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
- ↑ Denney, Alex. "Reviews - Singles - Kylie Minogue: 2 Hearts". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2007". Rolling Stone. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ "Top 50 Songs of 2007". Stylus Magazine. 31 November 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ "UK Singles Top 75 (Monday 12 November 2007)". aCharts.us. Retrieved 24 December 2007.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1
- ↑ "Ireland Singles Top 50 (Thursday 8 November 2007)". aCharts.us. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
- ↑ http://top40-charts.com/song.php?sid=21772
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 "Kylie films steamy new video". Stuff.co.nz. 5 October 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2007.
- ↑ Trombetta, Natalie. "Kylie returns as 'Marilyn Minogue' in raunchy new video". Daily Mail. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 25 December 2007.
- ↑ "What's On GMTV?". GMTV. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
- ↑ FDR Media (2007). "Top 40 - Week of 10 December 2007". FDR Media. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2007". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
- ↑ "Hit Parade Italia - Top Annuali Single: 2007". Archived from the original on 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
- ↑ The Official UK Singles Chart 2007 Chartsplus.co
- ↑ X (CD liner notes). Parlophone. November 2007.
External links
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