Hands on Me
Encyclopedia
"Hands on Me" is a song on Vanessa Carlton
's third studio album, Heroes & Thieves
(2007), and is the album's second single
. According to the website FMQB.com, it is to be released to mainstream contemporary hit radio
in the United States
on February 19, 2008 (see 2008 in music
). It was mentioned as a possible choice for the second single in a June 2007 article in Entertainment Weekly
, which wrote that it "sounded tailor-made for a rom-com
trailer coming soon to a theater near you." Irv Gotti, the head of Carlton's label, The Inc. Records
, was quoted as saying that the song reminded him of the 1985 film The Breakfast Club
.
Carlton debuted the song live in June 2005 at The Living Room in New York City. One of its working titles was "Put Your Hands on Me", about which Slant Magazine
wrote:
The title was shortened to "Hands on Me" because Joss Stone
has a song with the original title on her 2007 album, Introducing Joss Stone
.
has also given "Hands on Me" a positive review, stating that the "chorus gallops alongside plentiful piano strings, percussion and one hook after another, while the lyric taps into earnest desire". In their review, the magazine also noted that due to the lack of airplay for Carlton's recent singles, this song has to "wrap itself around radio to keep this talented artist relevant".
Another critic, Jonathon Newan, stated "Hands on Me is a worthy successor of Carlton's late and unfortunately unsuccessful White Houses; nonetheless, it shows earnest, honesty, and raw compassion - it's a beautiful song sung by a beautifully humble artist."
Vanessa Carlton
Vanessa Lee Carlton is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Upon completion of her education at the School of American Ballet, Carlton chose to pursue singing instead, performing in New York bars and clubs while attending university. Three months after recording a demo with producer Peter...
's third studio album, Heroes & Thieves
Heroes & Thieves
Heroes & Thieves is the third album by Vanessa Carlton, released by The Inc. Records on October 9, 2007 . It is co-produced by Irv Gotti, Linda Perry and Third Eye Blind lead singer Stephan Jenkins, who produced Carlton's second album, Harmonium , and Carlton co-wrote the tracks with Perry and...
(2007), and is the album's second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
. According to the website FMQB.com, it is to be released to mainstream contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on February 19, 2008 (see 2008 in music
2008 in music
2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such...
). It was mentioned as a possible choice for the second single in a June 2007 article in Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, which wrote that it "sounded tailor-made for a rom-com
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
trailer coming soon to a theater near you." Irv Gotti, the head of Carlton's label, The Inc. Records
The Inc. Records
The Inc. Records , is an American record label, owned by Irv Gotti.In 1999, Murder Inc. released its first album, Venni Vetti Vecci by Ja Rule. The album featured the hit single "Holla Holla". The album was executively produced by Irv Gotti and moved on to go platinum, which rose Ja Rule and...
, was quoted as saying that the song reminded him of the 1985 film The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is a 1985 American teen drama film written and directed by John Hughes. The storyline follows five teenagers as they spend a Saturday in detention together and come to realize that they are all deeper than their respective stereotypes.-Plot:The plot follows five students at...
.
Carlton debuted the song live in June 2005 at The Living Room in New York City. One of its working titles was "Put Your Hands on Me", about which Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
wrote:
The title was shortened to "Hands on Me" because Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
has a song with the original title on her 2007 album, Introducing Joss Stone
Introducing Joss Stone
Introducing Joss Stone is the third studio album by English recording artist Joss Stone. It was released in the United Kingdom on 12 March 2007 by Relentless Records...
.
Critical reception
BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
has also given "Hands on Me" a positive review, stating that the "chorus gallops alongside plentiful piano strings, percussion and one hook after another, while the lyric taps into earnest desire". In their review, the magazine also noted that due to the lack of airplay for Carlton's recent singles, this song has to "wrap itself around radio to keep this talented artist relevant".
Another critic, Jonathon Newan, stated "Hands on Me is a worthy successor of Carlton's late and unfortunately unsuccessful White Houses; nonetheless, it shows earnest, honesty, and raw compassion - it's a beautiful song sung by a beautifully humble artist."
Music video
The music video was filmed in December 2007. It premiered February 15, 2008 on Yahoo! Music. The video also featured Kellan Rhude.Charts
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks Adult Top 40 is a variation on the United States Billboard charts... |
30 |
Credits and personnel
- Vanessa CarltonVanessa CarltonVanessa Lee Carlton is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Upon completion of her education at the School of American Ballet, Carlton chose to pursue singing instead, performing in New York bars and clubs while attending university. Three months after recording a demo with producer Peter...
: Piano, Keyboards, vocals, group vocals - Tony Fredianelli: guitar
- Jon Evans: bass
- Matt ChamberlainMatt ChamberlainMatthew Chamberlain is an American drummer, producer and sound engineer. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California.-Early life:...
: drums, percussion - Stephan JenkinsStephan JenkinsStephan Douglas Jenkins , is an American musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for Third Eye Blind. Under Jenkins's leadership, Third Eye Blind has sold over eight million copies of four albums: Third Eye Blind , Blue , Out of the Vein , and Ursa Major...
: percussion, group vocals, string arrangements - Carl Kihlstedt: orchestrator
- Melissa Reese: background and group vocals
- Dionzya Sutton: group vocals
- Lyn Berry: group vocals