Pop Muzik

Not to be confused with Pop music.
"Pop Muzik"
Single by M
from the album New York • London • Paris • Munich
B-side "M Factor"
Released 25 March 1979 (UK)
20 July 1979 (US)
Format CD single, digital download, 7", 12", maxi single
Genre New wave,[1] synthpop[2]
Length 3:21
Label MCA / EMI / Sire
Writer(s) Robin Scott
Producer(s) Robin Scott
M singles chronology
"Moderne Man"
(1979)		 "Pop Muzik"
(1979)		 "Moonlight and Muzak"
(1979)

"Pop Muzik" is a 1979 hit song by M, a project by English musician Robin Scott.

Concept and chart performance

The song was initially recorded in R&B and funk styles before a friend of Scott suggested using synthesizers.[3] He describes the genesis of "Pop Muzik" this way:

I was looking to make a fusion of various styles which somehow would summarise the last 25 years of pop music. It was a deliberate point I was trying to make. Whereas rock and roll had created a generation gap, disco was bringing people together on an enormous scale. That's why I really wanted to make a simple, bland statement, which was, 'All we're talking about basically (is) pop music.'[4]

The single was released in the UK first, peaking at number two on 12 May 1979, unable to break Art Garfunkel's 6-week stint at number one with "Bright Eyes". In August of that same year, it was released in North America, where it eventually climbed all the way to number one in Canada on 27 October[5] and in the US on 3 November.

Along with Scott, other musicians who played on the track were his brother Julian Scott (on bass), then unknown keyboardist Wally Badarou, Canadian synthesiser programmer John Lewis (who died of AIDS in 1985), Drummer Phil Gould (who later became one of the founding members of the group Level 42), Gary Barnacle and Brigit Novik, the backing vocalist, credited as "Brigit Vinchon" on the records and sleeves.

The single was bolstered by a promotional video that was well received. The clip featured Scott as a DJ singing into a microphone from behind an exaggerated turntable setup, at times flanked by two female models who sang and danced in a robotic manner. One of the sight gags in the video depicted Brigit Novik dressed in blue who actually recorded the backup vocals which are then mimed by the models.[6]

The single's B-side, "M Factor", was featured in two different versions. The original cut appeared on the first UK and European releases of the single, while a slightly remixed version appeared on the single released in the United States and Canada.

The image of the baby on "Pop Muzik"'s single disc pictures Robin Scott's daughter, named Berenice, who is now a singer and piano/keyboard player and composer and involved with her father's friend Phil Gould and Wally Badarou projects.

Album

The subsequent full-length album New York • London • Paris • Munich was recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, at Queen's Mountain Studio, using their regular engineer David Richards, as well as Julian Scott, Wally Badarou (who would later work with Level 42 and Compass Point All Stars, among others) and Brigit Novik. Additional musicians on the album included drummer Phil Gould (later of Level 42), Gary Barnacle (who would also later work with Level 42) on saxophone and flute and (at the time) local Montreux resident David Bowie, who did occasional handclaps. The album was also released in the US on Sire Records (with a different track listing / order) but it was not a commercial success.

Other formats

The UK 12-inch single version was notable for the A-side having a double groove such that the two tracks ("Pop Muzik" and "M Factor") both started at the outer edge of the record and finished in the middle (with a long silence at the end of "M Factor" since the track was the shorter of the two). This resulted in a random selection of the two tracks, depending on which groove the needle landed in the lead-in. To further market this idea, the UK record sleeve stated "B side included on A side, full length disco mix of Pop Musik on Seaside". 'Seaside' (in other words "C side") was a simple play on words as the letter C, apart from being the logical next "side" after the A and B sides, is pronounced the same way as the English word "sea", and "seaside" means "beside the sea".

The song was remixed and re-released in 1989 where it reached number 20 in the UK Singles Charts.

Weekly charts

Chart (1979–1980) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 3
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)[10] 3
Canada (CHUM)[11] 8
Canada (RPM 100 Singles)[5] 1
Canada (RPM Adult Oriented Playlist)[12] 19
Canada (RPM Disco Playlist)[13] 1
Denmark (IFPI)[14] 1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 1
France (IFOP)[16] 12
Germany (Media Control Charts)[17] 1
Ireland (IRMA)[18] 2
Italy (FIMI)[19] 5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 3
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] 3
Norway (VG-lista)[23] 5
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[24] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[25] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[26] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[27] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 1
US Cash Box[29] 4
US Record World[30] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (1979) Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[31] 10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[32] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[33] 28
Canada (RPM Top 200 Singles)[34] 21
France (IFOP)[35] 39
Italy (FIMI)[19] 18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 29
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[38] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39] 13
US Cash Box[40] 15
Chart (1980) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[41] 40

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 250,000^
Germany (BVMI)[43] Gold 250,000^
United States (RIAA)[44] Gold 1,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Track listings

Original 7" single

Original 7" single released by MCA Records and EMI in Europe.

  1. Pop Muzik – 3:21
  2. M Factor – 2:30
Long version single

Released in both 7" and 12" vinyl single formats in the United States by Sire Records, and as a 12" vinyl in France by Pathé Marconi EMI, all featuring a longer version of the song

  1. Pop Muzik (Long Version) – 4:58
  2. M Factor – 2:30
Netherlands 12" single

12" single released in the Netherlands by MCA Records. The B-side "M Factor" was featured on the A-side of the vinyl on this release, with a remix of the title song on the B-side.

  1. Pop Muzik
  2. M Factor
  3. Pop Muzik (Long Version)
Sweden 7" 1989 release

7" single released in Sweden in 1989 by Freestyle Records

  1. Pop Muzik (Edited 1989 Remix) – 3:10
  2. Pop Muzik (Original 7" Version) – 3:20
Sweden 12" 1989 release

12" single released in Sweden in 1989 by Freestyle Records

  1. Pop Muzik (Extended 1989 Hip Hop Remix) – 5:40
  2. Pop Muzik (7" Version) – 3:20
  3. Pop Muzik (Edited 1989 Dub Remix) – 3:20
  4. Pop Muzik (Original 12" Version) – 5:00
  5. Pop Muzik (Edited 1989 Remix) – 3:10
Germany 12" 1989 release

12" single released in Germany in 1989 by ZYX Records

  1. Pop Muzik (The Hip Hop Club Remix) – 5:38
  2. Pop Muzik (The Hip Hop Remix) – 3:20
  3. Pop Muzik (Original '79 Mix) – 3:21
Germany CD 2001 release

CD single released in Germany in 2001 by ZYX Records

  1. Pop Muzik (Britannia '89 Remix) – 3:11
  2. Pop Muzik (Cabinet Remix) – 7:38
  3. Pop Muzik (Original Version) – 3:21

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ Eric Weisbard, Craig Marks (1995). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. ISBN 978-06-7975-574-6. "Pop Muzik" split new wave apart from punk for good.
  2. ↑ Chiu, David (4 July 2013). "A look back at 1983: The year of the second British Invasion". CBS News. Retrieved 23 July 2013. Synthpop made inroads in America starting in the late '70s with songs like "Pop Muzik" by M, "Video Killed the Radio Star," by the Buggles, and "Cars" by Gary Numan.
  3. ↑ "One-Hit Wonders at the BBC". 17 April 2015. BBC Four. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ Bronson, Fred (1988). ""Pop Muzik" – M". The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (4th ed.). Super Seventies. ISBN 0-8230-7641-5. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Top Singles – Volume 32, No. 5, October 27, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Defining Decades: 1970s". 17 April 2015. Vintage TV. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ "Australia No. 1 hits -- 1970's". World Charts. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  8. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – M – Pop Muzik" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "Ultratop.be – M – Pop Muzik" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Popmuzik – M" (in Dutch). Top 30. Retrieved 26 July 2013. Hoogste notering in de top 30 : 3
  11. ↑ CHART NUMBER 1187 – Saturday, October 13, 1979 at the Wayback Machine (archived 12 February 2006). CHUM. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "Adult Contemporary – Volume 32, No. 7, November 10, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "Dance/Urban – Volume 32, No. 5, October 27, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "Billboard – Hits Of The World". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media) 91 (43): 80. 27 October 1979. ISSN 0006-2510. See last week peak position.
  15. ↑ "Songs from the Year 1979". TsorT. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Select "M" or "M." from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – M – Pop Muzik". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "I singoli più venduti del 1979" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – M - Pop Muzik search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – M – Pop Muzik" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  22. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – M – Pop Muzik". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  23. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – M – Pop Muzik". VG-lista. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  25. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – M – Pop Muzik". Singles Top 60. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  26. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – M – Pop Muzik". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "Archive Chart: 1979-05-12" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "M – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  29. ↑ CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending OCTOBER 27, 1979 at the Wayback Machine (archived 4 September 2011). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  30. ↑ RECORD WORLD 1979 at the Wayback Machine (archived 11 May 2005). Record World. Geocities.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  31. ↑ "Forum - ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1970s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  32. ↑ "Jahreshitparade 1979" (in German). Austrian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1979" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  34. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 32, No. 13, December 22, 1979". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  35. ↑ "TOP – 1979" (in French). Top-france.fr. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  36. ↑ "Single Top 100 1979" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  37. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1979" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  38. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1979". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  39. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1979" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  40. ↑ The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1979 at the Wayback Machine (archived 25 August 2012). Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  41. ↑ "Top 100 Hits for 1980". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  42. ↑ "British single certifications – Pop Muzik". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Pop Muzik in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  43. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Pop Muzik')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  44. ↑ "American single certifications – M – Pop Muzik". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  45. ↑ Tim Rice, Johnathan Rice, Paul Gambaccini (1990), Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness World Records and Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-398-8

External links