Criticize (song)

"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", "ideals", "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

12" Maxi (Tabu TBU 651158 6)

"Criticize (Remix)" - 7:00
"Criticize (Edit)" - 3:55
"Criticize (A Cappella)" - 2:40
"Criticize (Critical Mix)" - 5:30
"Criticize (Critical Edit)" - 3:45
"Criticize (Critical Dub)" - 4:30
"Criticize (Nag Mix)" - 1:35

12" Single

"Criticize (Remix)" - 7:00
"Criticize (Critical Mix)" - 5:30
"Fake (Extended Version)" - 5:20

7" Single (Tabu 651158 7)

"Criticize" - 4:00
"A Broken Heart Can Mend" - 3:40

Personnel

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

Alexander O'Neal - lead vocals
Jellybean Johnson - drum and keyboard programming, keyboards, guitar, drums, percussion
Jimmy Jam - drum and synth programming, keyboards
Lisa Keith - backing vocals

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

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

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Alexander O'Neal: Hearsay

Side one	"Intro" "(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me" "Intro" "Hearsay" "Intro" "The Lovers" "Intro" "Fake" "Intro" "Criticize"

Side two	"Intro" "Never Knew Love Like This" "Interlude" "Sunshine" "Crying Overtime" "Intro" "When the Party's Over"

Related articles	Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Jellybean Johnson Cherrelle Lisa Keith

Alexander O'Neal

Studio albums	Alexander O'Neal (1985) Hearsay (1987) My Gift to You (1988) All True Man (1991) Love Makes No Sense (1993) Lovers Again (1996) Saga of a Married Man (2002) Alex Loves... (2008) Five Questions: The New Journey (2010)

Live albums	Live at the Hammersmith Apollo - London (2005)

Compilations	All Mixed Up (1987) Twelve Inch Mixes (1992) This Thing Called Love: The Greatest Hits of Alexander O'Neal (1993) The Best of Alexander O'Neal (1995) Greatest Hits (2004) Icon (2011)

Singles	"Innocent" "If You Were Here Tonight" "A Broken Heart Can Mend" "Saturday Love" (with Cherrelle) "What's Missing" "You Were Meant to Be My Lady (Not My Girl)" "Fake" "Criticize" "Never Knew Love Like This" (with Cherrelle) "The Lovers" "(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me" "Fake '88" "The Christmas Song"/"Thank You for a Good Year" "Our First Christmas" "Hearsay '89" "Sunshine and Rain" "Hit Mix (Official Bootleg Mega-Mix)" "Saturday Love" (Feelin' Luv Mix) (with Cherrelle) "All True Man" "What Is This Thing Called Love?" "Shame on Me" "The Yoke (G.U.O.T.R.)" "Sentimental" "Love Makes No Sense" "In the Middle" "Aphrodisia" "All That Matters to Me" "Since I've Been Lovin' You" "Let's Get Together" "Baby Come to Me" (with Cherrelle) "Lovers Again" "Grind" "Criticize '98 Mix" "You're Gonna Miss Me"

Related articles	Discography

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, July 31, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.