I Don't Need a Man
Encyclopedia
"I Don't Need a Man" is the fifth single
released from the Pussycat Dolls
' debut album, PCD
(2005). The European and Canadian release date for the single was September 25, 2006, and the release date in Australia (according to HMV
) was October 21. In the United States, the video premiered on April 18, 2007 on MTV
's show Total Request Live
, leading to a single release in the U.S. in May 2007.
for "I Don't Need a Man" was directed by Chris Applebaum
and was first announced and described by group member Ashley Roberts
in a blog
entry on their official website.
On August 25, 2006, the music video premiered on The Box in the UK, and on September 14, it premiered on MuchOnDemand
in Canada. The video took the number one spot on MMMTop10.com multiple times. It reached number nine on MTV
's Total Request Live
and number one for 3 week on the MTV Asia Chart Attack. The video was uploaded to the iTunes Store
on April 18, 2007.
The first verse begins with Roberts doing her nails dressed in white clothing. The video features Nicole Scherzinger
singing, Carmit Bachar
doing her hair and Jessica Sutta
having a shower as they prepare to go out. In the chorus, the Dolls mimic a hair salon scene. During the second verse, the video shows Kimberly Wyatt
in a bath getting ready to go out, Melody Thornton
putting on her make-up and Scherzinger singing. In the second chorus, it shows the Dolls performing a dance routine before breaking into different slides of the Dolls dancing separately. Following this, it shows Scherzinger and Thornton singing "Let it Go", a bridge in the middle of the song but actually Scherzinger is singing to Carmit Bachar's vocals. This then breaks to more dance clips of the Dolls with Scherzinger singing. The video concludes with the Dolls performing another dance routine against a black background in the final chorus before confetti
falls down.
To stay true to the Dolls live show routines, the video features the silhouette of bodies before the second verse of the song. The main background colour for the song is pink, contributing to the girly theme. There are two versions of the video: one full-version and the other which edits dance routines with clips/frames previously shown in the video.
The video of the single "Zgodna Mlada" of the duet Trik FX is a copy of the "I Don't Need a Man" video.
, producer Rich Harrison
and professional songwriter Kara DioGuardi
. Scherzinger's previous group, Eden's Crush
, had recorded one song by DioGuardi. Scherzinger and DioGuardi also co-wrote the PCD bonus track
"Flirt". "I Don't Need a Man" is produced by Rich Harrison
and co-produced by Ron Fair
. The official instrumental version of this song, that is featured on the CD single, contains some other samples than the album version.
of "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going", written by Bob Crewe
and Kenny Nolan
. This was a 1975 single for Labelle
and a follow-up to their previous hit "Lady Marmalade
" (also on their album Phoenix
). The Pussycat Dolls' version first appeared in September 2004 on the soundtrack to the animated film Shark Tale
.
UK single
"I Don't Need A Man" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, at number ninety-three in the issue dated May 12, 2007 but failed to chart any higher.
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...
released from 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). The European and Canadian release date for the single was September 25, 2006, and the release date in Australia (according to HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
) was October 21. In the United States, the video premiered on April 18, 2007 on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's show Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
, leading to a single release in the U.S. in May 2007.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "I Don't Need a Man" was directed by Chris Applebaum
Chris Applebaum
Chris Applebaum is an American music video director, who has worked with a diverse range of artists, among them Rihanna, Hilary Duff, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Mandy Moore, Natasha Bedingfield, Fountains of Wayne and Britney Spears...
and was first announced and described by group member Ashley Roberts
Ashley Roberts
Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
in a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
entry on their official website.
On August 25, 2006, the music video premiered on The Box in the UK, and on September 14, it premiered on MuchOnDemand
MuchOnDemand
MuchOnDemand was an hour-long per broadcast viewer interactive television program aired on MuchMusic, Monday through Friday at 5pm ET. It was broadcast live from the Much broadcasting studio on 299 Queen Street West in Toronto. The Best of MuchOnDemand, aired Sundays at 10am ET, highlighting the...
in Canada. The video took the number one spot on MMMTop10.com multiple times. It reached number nine on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
and number one for 3 week on the MTV Asia Chart Attack. The video was uploaded to the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
on April 18, 2007.
The first verse begins with Roberts doing her nails dressed in white clothing. The video features 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....
singing, Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...
doing her hair and Jessica 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...
having a shower as they prepare to go out. In the chorus, the Dolls mimic a hair salon scene. During the second verse, the video shows Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
in a bath getting ready to go out, Melody 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...
putting on her make-up and Scherzinger singing. In the second chorus, it shows the Dolls performing a dance routine before breaking into different slides of the Dolls dancing separately. Following this, it shows Scherzinger and Thornton singing "Let it Go", a bridge in the middle of the song but actually Scherzinger is singing to Carmit Bachar's vocals. This then breaks to more dance clips of the Dolls with Scherzinger singing. The video concludes with the Dolls performing another dance routine against a black background in the final chorus before confetti
Confetti
Confetti is a multitude of pieces of paper, mylar or metallic material which is usually thrown at parades and celebrations, especially weddings . Confetti is made in a variety of colors, and commercially available confetti is available in imaginative shapes...
falls down.
To stay true to the Dolls live show routines, the video features the silhouette of bodies before the second verse of the song. The main background colour for the song is pink, contributing to the girly theme. There are two versions of the video: one full-version and the other which edits dance routines with clips/frames previously shown in the video.
The video of the single "Zgodna Mlada" of the duet Trik FX is a copy of the "I Don't Need a Man" video.
Background
The song is co-written by lead singer Nicole ScherzingerNicole 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....
, producer Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison is a Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C.. He is primarily an R&B/Hip-Hop producer...
and professional songwriter 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...
. Scherzinger's previous group, Eden's Crush
Eden's Crush
Eden's Crush is a former girl group based in Los Angeles created on the American television series Popstars which aired on AOL Time Warner's WB television network in early 2001, and promoted on the AOL on-line service...
, had recorded one song by DioGuardi. Scherzinger and DioGuardi also co-wrote the PCD bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
"Flirt". "I Don't Need a Man" is produced by Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison
Rich Harrison is a Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C.. He is primarily an R&B/Hip-Hop producer...
and co-produced by Ron Fair
Ron Fair
Ron Fair is a veteran A&R executive, record producer arranger, recording engineer and songwriter. In a career that has spanned over 30 years at major record labels he has produced and arranged hits for several artists, but he is best known as a "guru/mentor", guiding the careers of unknown artists...
. The official instrumental version of this song, that is featured on the CD single, contains some other samples than the album version.
B-side
The single's B-side is a cover versionCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going", written by Bob Crewe
Bob Crewe
Bob Crewe is an American songwriter, dancer, singer, manager, record producer and fine artist. He is known for producing, and co-writing with Bob Gaudio, a string of Top 10 singles for The Four Seasons...
and Kenny Nolan
Kenny Nolan
Kenny Nolan is a Los Angeles, California based singer-songwriter.He is best remembered for his 1977 self-penned song "I Like Dreamin'", which achieved the #3 chart position on the Billboard Hot 100 early that year....
. This was a 1975 single for Labelle
Labelle
Labelle is an American all female singing group who were a popular vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s. The group was formed after the disbanding of two rival girl groups in the Philadelphia/Trenton areas, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris, forming as a new version of the former group, later changing...
and a follow-up to their previous hit "Lady Marmalade
Lady Marmalade
"Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#...
" (also on their album Phoenix
Phoenix (Labelle album)
Phoenix is the fifth album by American rock singing trio Labelle. The album was moderately successful peaking at #44 on the pop charts and #10 on the R&B charts. Only one minor hit was released and that was "Messin With My Mind" which was written by Nona Hendryx...
). The Pussycat Dolls' version first appeared in September 2004 on the soundtrack to the animated film Shark Tale
Shark Tale
Shark Tale is a 2004 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation. In the story, a young fish named Oscar falsely claims to have killed the son of a shark mob boss to win favour with the mob boss' enemies and advance his own community standing...
.
Formats and track listings
European maxi CD- "I Don't Need a Man" (album version) – 3:39
- "I Don't Need a Man" (instrumental) – 3:39
- "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" – 3:50
- "I Don't Need a Man" (video) – 3:39
UK single
- "I Don't Need a Man" (album version) – 3:39
- "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" – 3:50
Chart performance
"I Don't Need A Man" became a moderate hit worldwide reaching the top ten in several countries whilst making the top five in others. "I Don't Need a Man" debuted and peaked at number-six in Australia and was certified Gold by ARIA for sales in excess of 35,000. "I Don't Need a Man" was ranked at number fifty-five on the Australian ARIA Year-End Singles Chart for 2006. "I Don't Need A Man" performed similarly well in New Zealand, peaking at number-seven on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart, but this ended the group's string of consecutive number-one hits. The song also peaked at number-seven in the UK, breaking the group's string of top three hits. "I Don't Need A Man" has also performed slightly weaker in Germany where it has reached number twenty."I Don't Need A Man" debuted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, at number ninety-three in the issue dated May 12, 2007 but failed to chart any higher.
Charts
| Chart (2006-07) | Peak position |
|---|