Buttons (song)
Encyclopedia
"Buttons" is an R&B
/hip hop
song written by Sean Garrett
, Jamal Jones
, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger
for the Pussycat Dolls
' debut album PCD
(2005). Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits. It is their fourth top-three single on the UK Singles Chart
and their second top-three single on the Billboard Hot 100
.
The Pussycat Dolls collaborated with Snoop Dogg
on this release. The song was altered slightly from the album version, adding in two rap verses. For the final release of the single, the version featuring Snoop Dogg is described as the main mix.
character Tweety
) was changed to "Yeah, I thought I saw a pussycat". This version was not used due to copy right issues with Warner. The song is later credited as the "Main Mix - Final Edit" (a similar lyric was also used in the Ying Yang Twins
' song "Badd
" and Akon
's song "Smack That
").
The B-side is "Flirt" written by Nicole Scherzinger
, Kara DioGuardi
, and Greg Wells
.
The beat is influenced by Arabic music and had a distinctive melody.
. It features the Pussycat Dolls with rapper Snoop Dogg
. The video begins with the lights coming on and Snoop rapping the 1st verse while a hooded Scherzinger steps in and makes eye contact with Snoop and exits after the rap ends. In a sepia
-toned setting, The Dolls, dressed in suggestive black outfits, progress through the video performing a striptease
that leads to several dance segments. Scherzinger, in one dance sequence in the second verse, uses a chair as a prop. On the chorus, five additional chairs appear in the scene, and five of the members of the group appear, and the dance continues; Thornton
, who is separated from the girls in this sequence, is seen doing her melismatic runs on the chorus. As Snoop raps the 2nd verse with his hood up, The Dolls walked up closer to Snoop after his 2nd rap verse ends singing with the name of the doll members. In the bridge, Scherzinger is seen in a spotlight and it shows her face in a glass. During the breakdown, the girls dance while smoke is filled and halfway through the video, the floor turns on fire. The video ends with the girls walking away with Sutta
brushing her hair up.
The video is influenced by both the Pussycat Dolls's old-school burlesque traditions and the Middle-Eastern influence of the musical composition, incorporating props and imagery such as the trademark Pussycat Dolls's method of the silhouetting of bodies in their stage shows, jazz dance moves, and a curtain made from jewelry worn by belly dancers. A different version of the video is shown with smoke coming from some of the dolls during some sequences, and finally the floor bursting into digitally-added fire in the last sequences. As with "Beep
", a new piece of music, using the same riff but with a different, faster drum beat was added in, so the dolls could perform a faster dance routine. This piece of music replaces the bridge in the video.
The video reached number five in MTV UK Hits' "Top 100 Songs of 2006". It received an award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards
in the category of Best Dance Video
, and was voted best video of 2006 in Vh1
's Top 40 Videos of 2006, beating "Hips Don't Lie
" by Shakira
and "Far Away" by Nickelback
. It was also The Hits
' choice as the "Sexiest Video" for 2006. The video scored #4 on MuchMusic
's 50 Sexiest Videos.
CD single 2 (A&M Records)
CD single (Polydor)
, and steadily climbed up the chart during the months of May, June and July. "Buttons" eventually reached its peak at number-three in September after an increase in digital sales. "Buttons" was also successful on the Billboard Pop 100
peaking at number-one and also topped the Billboard Pop 100 Airplay
at the end of August. This made "Buttons" the group's second number-one on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, following "Stickwitu" in January 2006. The Pussycat Dolls were one of only three artists to have had two different songs top the Pop 100 Airplay in 2006 with the others being Beyoncé with "Check on It
" and "Irreplaceable
" and Justin Timberlake
with "SexyBack
" and "My Love
". Buttons was certified Platinum in July 2006.
In the United Kingdom "Buttons" debuted at number-eleven on the UK Singles Chart
, based solely on download sales one week prior to its physical release
. After a physical release, it ascended to its peak at number-three, becoming the Dolls' fourth consecutive UK top three hit. "Buttons" was also a top 5 success in Ireland where it has managed a peak of number-four. "Buttons" is also the Dolls' fourth consecutive Irish top 5 hit following the success of its three pedecessors.
"Buttons" was also a major hit in Oceania
. In Australia, "Buttons" reached number-two for two consecutive weeks and is certified Platinum
by ARIA
for sales in excess of 70,000. It spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart, tying it with "Don't Cha" as the group's longest running single on the chart and was ranked as the 17th highest selling single there for 2006. It was one of four songs by the Pussycat Dolls to have made this chart, with the others being its predecessors "Stickwitu
" and "Beep
", and its successor "I Don't Need A Man
".
In New Zealand, "Buttons" debuted at number thirty-eight on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart, and reached its peak position at number-one in its third week, becoming the Dolls' fourth consecutive number-one single to date. "Buttons" spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart, and was ranked as the year's 8th highest seller. It has also been certified gold.
"Buttons" was also a success in Europe, and eventually peaked at number-seven on the European Hot 100. In Austria, "Buttons" became the Dolls' first Austrian number-one single, topping the chart for three consecutive weeks, and remains the group's most successful single there to date. "Buttons" has also reached the top spot in Portugal, the top five in Germany and Belgium, the top ten in the Netherlands, and the top 40 in Sweden.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
/hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
song written by Sean Garrett
Sean Garrett
Garrett Hamler, better known by his stage name Sean Garrett is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. He has produced fifteen number one singles in only seven years of producing music. That number puts him in fifth place on the Billboard list of producers with the most number...
, Jamal Jones
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
for the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
' debut album PCD
PCD (album)
PCD is the debut album by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls, released on September 13, 2005 in the United States, by A&M Records. After recruiting Melody Thornton and Nicole Scherzinger and releasing two singles, they released this album...
(2005). Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits. It is their fourth top-three single on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and their second top-three single on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
The Pussycat Dolls collaborated with Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
on this release. The song was altered slightly from the album version, adding in two rap verses. For the final release of the single, the version featuring Snoop Dogg is described as the main mix.
Lyrics and music
The lyrics were slightly altered after the final release in the rap verse performed by Snoop Dogg. The lyric "Yeah, I thought I saw a puddycat" (catchphrase of the Looney TunesLooney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
character Tweety
Tweety
Tweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds...
) was changed to "Yeah, I thought I saw a pussycat". This version was not used due to copy right issues with Warner. The song is later credited as the "Main Mix - Final Edit" (a similar lyric was also used in the Ying Yang Twins
Ying Yang Twins
The Ying Yang Twins is an Atlanta-based American crunk rap duo consisting of Kaine and D-Roc . The group debuted in 2000 and rose to mainstream popularity in 2003 collaborating with Lil Jon in his single "Get Low"...
' song "Badd
Badd
"Badd" is the second single from the Ying Yang Twins' album U.S.A. . It features Mike Jones and Mr. Collipark. In 2006 it reached #6 on the US Rap chart and #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was produced by Mr. Collipark...
" and Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
's song "Smack That
Smack That
"Smack That" is the first single from Akon's second album Konvicted and features Eminem. The single debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 28, 2006. The song set a record in its second week, jumping 88 positions to number 7. The single eventually peaked at #2 on the U.S....
").
The B-side is "Flirt" written by Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
, Kara DioGuardi
Kara DioGuardi
Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159...
, and Greg Wells
Greg Wells
Greg Wells is a multiple Grammy nominated musician, record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Wells has produced and written hits with Adele, Weezer, Pink, Theophilus London, Deftones, Katy Perry, Rufus Wainwright, The All American Rejects, OneRepublic, Mika, Aerosmith, Burt Bacharach,...
.
The beat is influenced by Arabic music and had a distinctive melody.
Music video
The video was shot from 15. to 17. March, 2006 by production company DNA and was directed by Francis LawrenceFrancis Lawrence
Francis Lawrence is an American music video and film director.-Life and career:Lawrence was born in Vienna, Austria. His father is a physicist who taught at California State University, Northridge and his mother is V.P. Technology at a PR agency. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of three...
. It features the Pussycat Dolls with rapper Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
. The video begins with the lights coming on and Snoop rapping the 1st verse while a hooded Scherzinger steps in and makes eye contact with Snoop and exits after the rap ends. In a sepia
Sepia (color)
Sepia is a dark brown-grey color, named after the rich brown pigment derived from the ink sac of the common cuttlefish Sepia.The word sepia is the Latinized form of the Greek σηπία, sēpía, cuttlefish.-Sepia in human culture:...
-toned setting, The Dolls, dressed in suggestive black outfits, progress through the video performing a striptease
Striptease
A striptease is an erotic or exotic dance in which the performer gradually undresses, either partly or completely, in a seductive and sexually suggestive manner...
that leads to several dance segments. Scherzinger, in one dance sequence in the second verse, uses a chair as a prop. On the chorus, five additional chairs appear in the scene, and five of the members of the group appear, and the dance continues; Thornton
Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
, who is separated from the girls in this sequence, is seen doing her melismatic runs on the chorus. As Snoop raps the 2nd verse with his hood up, The Dolls walked up closer to Snoop after his 2nd rap verse ends singing with the name of the doll members. In the bridge, Scherzinger is seen in a spotlight and it shows her face in a glass. During the breakdown, the girls dance while smoke is filled and halfway through the video, the floor turns on fire. The video ends with the girls walking away with Sutta
Jessica Sutta
Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her...
brushing her hair up.
The video is influenced by both the Pussycat Dolls's old-school burlesque traditions and the Middle-Eastern influence of the musical composition, incorporating props and imagery such as the trademark Pussycat Dolls's method of the silhouetting of bodies in their stage shows, jazz dance moves, and a curtain made from jewelry worn by belly dancers. A different version of the video is shown with smoke coming from some of the dolls during some sequences, and finally the floor bursting into digitally-added fire in the last sequences. As with "Beep
Beep (song)
"Beep" is a hip hop song released by American recording group the Pussycat Dolls' from their debut album PCD. "Beep" was a moderate success worldwide, having scored within the top twenty on the majority of the charts on which it was rated...
", a new piece of music, using the same riff but with a different, faster drum beat was added in, so the dolls could perform a faster dance routine. This piece of music replaces the bridge in the video.
The video reached number five in MTV UK Hits' "Top 100 Songs of 2006". It received an award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards
2006 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2006 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 31, 2006, honoring the best music videos from the previous year. The show was hosted by Jack Black at Radio City Music Hall in New York City....
in the category of Best Dance Video
MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video was first awarded in 1989, and it was one of the original four genre categories that were added to the MTV Video Music Awards that year. With a revamp of the awards in 2007, the category was cut out along with several others, yet it returned for the...
, and was voted best video of 2006 in Vh1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's Top 40 Videos of 2006, beating "Hips Don't Lie
Hips Don't Lie
"Hips Don't Lie" is a Latin pop song based in a salsa and cumbia performed by Colombian singer Shakira and Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean, released in 2006 as the second single from Shakira's second English album Oral Fixation Vol. 2...
" by Shakira
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
and "Far Away" by Nickelback
Nickelback
Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger.. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005....
. It was also The Hits
The Hits
The Hits was a music video channel in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, owned by Box Television.-Overview and availability:The channel showcased a range of pop centering on chart hits and current favourites...
' choice as the "Sexiest Video" for 2006. The video scored #4 on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
's 50 Sexiest Videos.
Formats and track listings
CD single 1 (A&M Records)- "Buttons" [Main Mix - Final Edit] 3:52
- "Flirt" 2:57
CD single 2 (A&M Records)
- "Buttons" [Main Mix - Final Edit] 3:52
- "Buttons" (album version) 3:46
- "Flirt" 2:57
- "Buttons" (video)
CD single (Polydor)
- "Buttons [Main Mix - Final Edit]"
- "Don't ChaDon't Cha"Don't Cha" is the debut single by American R&B/pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls. The song was originally recorded by American recording artist Tori Alamaze, and was released as her debut single in March 2005, on Universal Records. After Universal Records dropped her from the label, Cee-Lo Green...
" (live version)
Chart performance
"Buttons" was released to radio in late April/early May in the United States and debuted at number seventy-one on the US Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and steadily climbed up the chart during the months of May, June and July. "Buttons" eventually reached its peak at number-three in September after an increase in digital sales. "Buttons" was also successful on the Billboard Pop 100
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...
peaking at number-one and also topped the Billboard Pop 100 Airplay
Pop 100 Airplay
The Pop 100 Airplay was a chart created in 2005 and released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It measured mainstream radio airplay, and was one of the three component charts, along with the Hot 100 Singles Sales and Hot Digital Songs charts, that determined the chart positions of singles...
at the end of August. This made "Buttons" the group's second number-one on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, following "Stickwitu" in January 2006. The Pussycat Dolls were one of only three artists to have had two different songs top the Pop 100 Airplay in 2006 with the others being Beyoncé with "Check on It
Check on It
"Check on It" is a song performed by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, featuring American rapper Slim Thug. It was composed by Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, Sean Garrett, Angela Beyincé and Stayve Thomas. The song was supposed to be featured on the soundtrack album for 2006 film The Pink...
" and "Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable
"Irreplaceable" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . The song was written by Knowles, Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles...
" and Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
with "SexyBack
SexyBack
"SexyBack" is a song by American recording artist Justin Timberlake from his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds . It was released on July 7, 2006, by Jive Records as the lead single from the album...
" and "My Love
My Love (Justin Timberlake song)
"My Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds . It was released on September 26, 2006, by Jive Records as the second single from the album...
". Buttons was certified Platinum in July 2006.
In the United Kingdom "Buttons" debuted at number-eleven on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, based solely on download sales one week prior to its physical release
CD single
A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s...
. After a physical release, it ascended to its peak at number-three, becoming the Dolls' fourth consecutive UK top three hit. "Buttons" was also a top 5 success in Ireland where it has managed a peak of number-four. "Buttons" is also the Dolls' fourth consecutive Irish top 5 hit following the success of its three pedecessors.
"Buttons" was also a major hit in Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
. In Australia, "Buttons" reached number-two for two consecutive weeks and is certified Platinum
Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina del Pinto, which is literally translated into "little silver of the Pinto River." It is a dense, malleable, ductile, precious, gray-white transition metal...
by ARIA
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
for sales in excess of 70,000. It spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart, tying it with "Don't Cha" as the group's longest running single on the chart and was ranked as the 17th highest selling single there for 2006. It was one of four songs by the Pussycat Dolls to have made this chart, with the others being its predecessors "Stickwitu
Stickwitu
"Stickwitu" is a R&B ballad by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their debut album, PCD. Produced by Jimmy Iovine, Robin Antin, Ron Fair and Tal Herzberg, it was released as the album's second single in late 2005. The song is an uptempo ballad being different to their previous single...
" and "Beep
Beep (song)
"Beep" is a hip hop song released by American recording group the Pussycat Dolls' from their debut album PCD. "Beep" was a moderate success worldwide, having scored within the top twenty on the majority of the charts on which it was rated...
", and its successor "I Don't Need A Man
I Don't Need a Man
"I Don't Need a Man" is the fifth single released from the Pussycat Dolls' debut album, PCD . The European and Canadian release date for the single was September 25, 2006, and the release date in Australia was October 21. In the United States, the video premiered on April 18, 2007 on MTV's show...
".
In New Zealand, "Buttons" debuted at number thirty-eight on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart, and reached its peak position at number-one in its third week, becoming the Dolls' fourth consecutive number-one single to date. "Buttons" spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart, and was ranked as the year's 8th highest seller. It has also been certified gold.
"Buttons" was also a success in Europe, and eventually peaked at number-seven on the European Hot 100. In Austria, "Buttons" became the Dolls' first Austrian number-one single, topping the chart for three consecutive weeks, and remains the group's most successful single there to date. "Buttons" has also reached the top spot in Portugal, the top five in Germany and Belgium, the top ten in the Netherlands, and the top 40 in Sweden.
Charts
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Platinum | 70,000+ |
| Belgium | Gold | 15,000+ |
| Brazil | Gold | 50,000+ |
| Denmark | Platinum | 30,000+ |
| New Zealand | Gold | 7,500+ |
| United States | Platinum | 1,000,000+ |