Criticize (song)

"Criticize"

U.S. cover art
Single by Alexander O'Neal
from the album Hearsay
B-side "A Broken Heart Can Mend" / "Fake (Extended Version)" (UK 12" only)
Released 1987
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1986
Genre R&B
Length 4:09 (album version)
4:00 (single version)
Label Tabu
Writer(s) Alexander O'Neal, Garry Johnson
Producer(s) Jellybean Johnson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis
Alexander O'Neal singles chronology
"Fake"
(1987)		 "Criticize"
(1987)		 "Never Knew Love Like This" (with Cherrelle)
(1988)
Hearsay track listing
"Intro"
(9)		 "Criticize"
(10)		 "Intro"
(10)

"Criticize" is a song written by Alexander O'Neal and Jellybean Johnson and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It is the second single from the singer's second solo album, Hearsay (1987). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Lisa Keith. Following the successful chart performances of the Hearsay single "Fake", "Criticize" was released as the album's second single.

Meaning

The songs lyrics are a personal commentary, critical of a nagging ex-lover, who criticizes his "friends", "ideas", "lifestyle", and "feeling[s]".

Release

The song was O'Neal's biggest hit in Britain, where it reached No. 4 in the United Kingdom and on the R&B chart in O'Neal's native United States. It was also one of his only two hits to chart in the Republic of Ireland (reaching No. 14). "Criticize" reached No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In popular culture

The song is featured in the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto IV on the in-game radio station "The Vibe 98.8".

Track listing

  1. "Criticize (Remix)" - 7:00
  2. "Criticize (Edit)" - 3:55
  3. "Criticize (A Cappella)" - 2:40
  4. "Criticize (Critical Mix)" - 5:30
  5. "Criticize (Critical Edit)" - 3:45
  6. "Criticize (Critical Dub)" - 4:30
  7. "Criticize (Nag Mix)" - 1:35
  1. "Criticize (Remix)" - 7:00
  2. "Criticize (Critical Mix)" - 5:30
  3. "Fake (Extended Version)" - 5:20
  1. "Criticize" - 4:00
  2. "A Broken Heart Can Mend" - 3:40

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[1]

Sales chart performance

Peak positions

Chart (1987) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[2] 70
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[2] 4
US Hot Dance Club Songs[2] 21
Belgium VRT Top 30[3] 31
UK Singles Chart[4] 4
German Media Control Charts[5] 24
Irish Singles Chart[6] 14
Dutch MegaCharts[7] 17
Recorded Music NZ[8] 40

References

  1. ↑ Hearsay liner notes. Tabu Records. 1987.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "US Singles Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  3. ↑ "BEL Charts > Alexander O'Neal". VRT Top 30. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  4. ↑ "UK Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  5. ↑ "GER Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Media Control Charts. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  6. ↑ "IRE Charts Search > Alexander O'Neal". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  7. ↑ "NL Charts > Alexander O'Neal". MegaCharts. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  8. ↑ "NZ Charts > Alexander O'Neal". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 2012-05-26.

External links