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 | September 26, 1987 | |||
| Format | ||||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length |
4:09 (album version) 4:00 (single version) | |||
| Label | Tabu | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Alexander O'Neal singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Hearsay track listing | ||||
| ||||
"Criticize" is a song written by Alexander O'Neal and Jellybean Johnson and recorded by American recording artist Alexander O'Neal. It was the second single from O'Neal'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 |
|---|---|
| Germany (Official German Charts)[2] | 24 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[3] | 14 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 17 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[4] | 40 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[5] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[6] | 70 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[7] | 21 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] | 4 |
References
- ↑ Hearsay liner notes. Tabu Records. 1987.
- ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alexander O'Neal – Criticize". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Criticize". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Alexander O'Neal – Criticize". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ↑ "Alexander O'Neal: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ↑ "Alexander O'Neal – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Alexander O'Neal. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ↑ "Alexander O'Neal – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Alexander O'Neal. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ↑ "Alexander O'Neal – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Alexander O'Neal. Retrieved April 18, 2017.