Number 1 (Goldfrapp song)

"Number 1"
Single by Goldfrapp
from the album Supernature
B-side "Beautiful"
"All Night Operator (Part 1)"
Released 31 October 2005 (UK)
November 2005 (U.S.)
Format CD single, Digital download, Vinyl single
Recorded 2004 in Bath, England
Genre Electroclash, new wave
Length 3:25
Label Mute
Writer(s) Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory
Producer(s) Goldfrapp, Gregory
Goldfrapp singles chronology
"Ooh La La"
(2005)		 "Number 1"
(2005)		 "Ride a White Horse"
(2006)

"Number 1" is an electronic–dance song performed by British group Goldfrapp. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for the duo's third album Supernature (2005). The song features a synthesizer and bass arrangement and was written about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last.[1]

The song was released as the album's second single in October 2005 to positive reviews from music critics. It was a commercial success, reaching the top forty on the majority of the charts it entered, and topped the U.S. dance chart. The song has been remixed a number of times and was featured in advertising campaigns for the U.S. retail company Target.

Background and writing

"Number 1" is a mid-tempo electronic love song about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last. The song was composed as a collaborative effort between Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory in late 2004 in the countryside of Bath, England.[1] The song was written and recorded while Goldfrapp and Gregory were jamming in the recording studio, bouncing song ideas off each other.[2] According to Goldfrapp, the song's lyrics are "a little bit more reflective and sensual" than those she had composed on Felt Mountain (2000) and Black Cherry (2003).[3]

"Number 1" is written in the common verse-chorus form and features instrumentation from synthesizers and a bass guitar. It contains a synth and bass arrangement that the duo would use frequently on the rest of Supernature. Most of the song was composed on an old Roland String synth keyboard because Goldfrapp enjoyed the sounds that it exudes.[2]

Music video

The music video for "Number 1" was directed by Dawn Shadforth and filmed in London, England in 2005.[4] The video is set in a plastic surgery clinic where the staff and the patients, except Alison Goldfrapp, have a dog's head and a human body. The video's theme is a reference to the song's lyrics in which Goldfrapp sings "I'm like a dog to get you". The video depicts the story of a white poodle who is being operated on by Great Dane and Yorkshire Terrier surgeons (the receptionist and attendant nurses are saluki). Scenes of Alison Goldfrapp acting like a dog and dancing with the clinic's staff are intercut throughout the video.

The video premiered in the UK in early October 2005.[4] The complete version of "Number 1" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads, and some include remixes by Alan Braxe and Fred Falke.

Marketing and release

Alison Goldfrapp performing "Number 1" at the Wireless Festival in June 2006

In October 2005, Goldfrapp performed "Number 1" on British television shows and toured Europe, playing the single and other new songs.[5] The duo performed only one concert in North America at the Nokia Theatre in New York City on 5 December 2005. The U.S. concert sold out rapidly, which overwhelmed Goldfrapp who did not expect the large turnout.[6] In late 2006, "Number 1" was featured in Christmas advertising campaigns for the U.S. retail company Target. The song, along with "Fly Me Away", was featured in six winter-themed television commercials.[7]

"Number 1" was released as a various formats throughout the world. While most territories received a CD single and digital download release, the single was released as a vinyl single in November 2005 in the UK.[8] A DVD single was also issued and included the "Postcards from the Summer" music video and a special performance film for "Satin Chic".[9]

Critical reception

"Number 1" received positive reviews from music critics. MusicOMH.com's Michael Hubbard described it as a "warmer, calmer and cosier" song than previous single "Ooh La La", and wrote that "it maintains those Numanoid synth riffs that Goldfrapp now do so well".[10] Allmusic gave the song a strong review, indicating it as a track pick from the album, commenting that "Number 1" "nails the laid-back sexiness that many of the other slower songs [on Supernature] attempt".[11] Stylus Magazine gave Supernature a C+ rating but called the song "refreshing and effective",[12] while About.com wrote that the track was "a stunning profession of love served up over electronic burbles and bouncy bass."[13]

Chart performance

"Number 1" entered the UK Singles Chart on 7 November 2005 at number nine, remaining on the chart for four weeks.[14] Outside of the UK, the song was also successful. It reached number twenty-nine in Ireland and became Goldfrapp's second top fifty single on the singles chart.[14] The song reached the top forty in Italy and the top one-hundred in Germany.[14]

In Canada, the song was released on 1 November 2005, and debuted at number twelve on the singles chart before rising to number seven eighteen weeks later.[15] Although the single sold considerably, "Number 1" did not chart on the Canadian BDS Airplay chart, receiving most of its sales from its fans in the dance clubs. Due to favourable reception, "Number 1" was released in the United States. Goldfrapp had previously found success in the dance clubs with "Strict Machine" (2003), and "Number 1" became their second consecutive release to reach the top of the Billboard Dance Chart.[16] The song also reached number one on the Hot Dance Airplay and Hot Dance Singles Sales charts.[17]

Alternate versions

Alan Braxe and Fred Falke made the most well-known remix of the song, titled the "Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Main Mix", which was included on the CD single. The track, over seven minutes long, uses Goldfrapp's original vocals and features more prominent beats and synthesizers. The remix received mixed reviews from music critics. Stylus Magazine labeled it one of the "best club mixes",[18] while Pop Journalism Magazine called the remix "dismal" and a poor choice.[19] Braxe and Falk also created two other remixes, "Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Club Remix" and "Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Instrumental Remix", which appeared on the UK vinyl single. Icelandic electronic group Múm created the "Múm Remix", which provided the song with a minimalist ambient sound. The remix was included on Goldfrapp's remix album We Are Glitter in 2006, and the home console version of the dancing video game Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA 2 in 2007. A cover version by Jont appears on the 2007 compilation album, The Saturday Sessions: The Dermot O'Leary Show.

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Number 1".

  • UK CD single #1
  1. "Number 1" (Single Version) – 3:25
  2. "Beautiful" – 4:51
  • UK CD single #2
  1. "Number 1" (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Main mix) – 7:21
  2. "Ooh La La" (Live at V Festival, 21 August 2005) – 4:36
  3. "Number 1" music video – 3:29
  • UK Vinyl single
  1. "Number 1" (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Club remix) – 7:18
  2. "Number 1" (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke instrumental remix) – 7:18
  • North American EP
  1. "Number 1" (Single Version) – 3:25
  2. "Beautiful" – 4:51
  3. "All Night Operator (Part 1)" – 4:00
  4. "Number 1" (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Main mix) – 7:21
  5. "Ooh La La" (Tiefschwarz remix) – 6:38
  6. "Number 1 (Postcards from the Summer)" music video – 3:34
  • DVD single
  1. "Number 1 (Postcards from the Summer" music video – 3:34
  2. "Satin Chic" (Special Performance Film) – 3:27
  3. "Lovely 2 C U" (T.Raumschmiere Rmx) – 5:37

Credits and personnel

The following people contributed to "Number 1":[20]

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position[14][15]
European Hot 100 Singles 35
Irish Singles Chart 29
Italian Singles Chart 37
UK Singles Chart 9
Chart (2006) Peak
position[15][16]
Canadian Singles Chart 7
German Singles Chart 85
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Goldfrapp Unleash Supernature". Rolling Stone. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  2. 1 2 Michael Gallant. "Retro Disco Ooh La La". Keyboard Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  3. ↑ Kate van den Boogert. "ITV Goldfrapp: Ooh La La". GoGo Paris. July–August 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Goldfrapp "Number 1" music video. mvdbase.com. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  5. ↑ 2005 Gigography. goldfrapp.free.fr. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  6. ↑ Amanda Nanawa. "Review: Goldfrapp, Nokia Theatre Times Square". DMW: Digital Music W. 6 December 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  7. ↑ Mason, Kerri. "Billboard Exclusive: Goldfrapp Hits The Target". AllBusiness.com. November 11, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Number 1" Vinyl Single. eil.com. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  9. ↑ "Number 1" DVD Single. eil.com. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  10. ↑ Michael Hubbard. Goldfrapp - Number 1 (Mute). musicOMH.com. October 2005. Retrieved 4 June 2007.
  11. ↑ Heather Phares. Supernature (Goldfrapp) . Allmusic. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 4 June 2007. Archived June 3, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ Edward Oculicz. Goldfrapp; Supernature. Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 4 June 2006.
  13. ↑ Wes May. Supernature - Goldfrapp. About.com. Retrieved 4 June 2007.
  14. 1 2 3 4 World Chart Positions. acharts.us. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  15. 1 2 3 Chart Data: Goldfrapp. mariah-charts.com. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  16. 1 2 U.S. Billboard Chart History. Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  17. ↑ Goldfrapp Charts and Awards. Allmusic. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  18. ↑ Mike Orme. Goldfrapp "We Are Glitter" Review. Stylus Magazine. 27 October 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  19. ↑ Robert Ballantyne. Goldfrapp "We Are Glitter" Review. Pop Journalism Magazine. 8 October 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2007.
  20. ↑ Supernature (CD liner notes). Mute Records. August 2005.

External links

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