Ready for the Weekend
Encyclopedia
Ready for the Weekend is the second studio album
by Scottish recording artist Calvin Harris
. It was released in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2009 by Columbia Records
. The album topped the UK Albums Chart
and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry
.
, with the first tracks being recorded in 2008. On 3 April 2008, Harris stated that the only existing copy of his then-upcoming album was lost when his laptop was misplaced during the baggage handling problems at the opening of London Heathrow Terminal 5. He later stated on the BBC
's Glastonbury Festival 2008
coverage that he got his baggage back including the album within a few days. However, Harris ultimately admitted that this was a lie as the album was not in his luggage at all, and that he hoped that what he said would give him more time to finish recording the album.
"Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La" was used in a Coca-Cola
advertisement in the summer of 2009.
, spending twenty-six weeks in the top seventy-five. The album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry
(BPI) on 16 October 2009, denoting shipments in excess of 100,000 copies. It was also successful in Ireland, where it charted at number six on the Irish Albums Chart
. In the United States, it peaked at number twelve on the Dance/Electronic Albums and at number twenty-two on the Heatseekers Albums
. The album saw limited success elsewhere, reaching number thirty-nine in Australia, number seventy-four in Belgium and number 139 in France.
, Australia, as part of a New Year's celebration for 2009. It went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart
, knocking off Lady Gaga
's "Poker Face
". The single spent two weeks at number one on the chart, before dropping to number three in its third week. It spent twenty-four weeks altogether on the chart.
"Ready for the Weekend
" was released as the album's second single on 10 August 2009. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and managed to stay on the chart for eleven weeks. Released on 2 November 2009, "Flashback
" first entered the UK chart three weeks before its release, making a debut at number fifty-six based on strong downloads alone. The following week it rose to number thirty before ultimately peaking at number eighteen in its fourth week, the album's first single not to make the UK top ten.
The fourth single, "You Used to Hold Me
", confirmed in December 2009, was released on 8 February 2010. The single debuted at number seventy-two on the UK chart, peaking at number twenty-seven in its fourth week. An extended version of Harris's 2008 chart-topping collaboration with Dizzee Rascal
, "Dance wiv Me
", is also included on the album.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Scottish recording artist Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is a Scottish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. His gold-selling debut album, I Created Disco, was released in 2007 and contained the top ten singles "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls"...
. It was released in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2009 by Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. The album topped the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
.
Background
Harris had been working on the album since the release of his debut album, I Created DiscoI Created Disco
I Created Disco is the debut album by Scottish recording artist Calvin Harris. It was released in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2007 by Fly Eye Records and Columbia Records, preceded by the singles "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls", which reached numbers ten and three on the UK Singles Chart,...
, with the first tracks being recorded in 2008. On 3 April 2008, Harris stated that the only existing copy of his then-upcoming album was lost when his laptop was misplaced during the baggage handling problems at the opening of London Heathrow Terminal 5. He later stated on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Glastonbury Festival 2008
Glastonbury Festival 2008
The 2008 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts was held from 25 to 29 June 2008.-New features:* The John Peel stage doubled in size and had a screen outside it to watch bands.* There was a new 'Shangri-La' area that replaced Lost Vagueness...
coverage that he got his baggage back including the album within a few days. However, Harris ultimately admitted that this was a lie as the album was not in his luggage at all, and that he hoped that what he said would give him more time to finish recording the album.
"Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La" was used in a Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
advertisement in the summer of 2009.
Commercial performance
Ready for the Weekend debuted at number one on the UK Albums ChartUK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, spending twenty-six weeks in the top seventy-five. The album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
(BPI) on 16 October 2009, denoting shipments in excess of 100,000 copies. It was also successful in Ireland, where it charted at number six on the Irish Albums Chart
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
. In the United States, it peaked at number twelve on the Dance/Electronic Albums and at number twenty-two on the Heatseekers Albums
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
. The album saw limited success elsewhere, reaching number thirty-nine in Australia, number seventy-four in Belgium and number 139 in France.
Singles
Lead single "I'm Not Alone" was released on 6 April 2009. The song was one of the UK's most awaited tracks of 2009 after Harris performed the song for the first time in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia, as part of a New Year's celebration for 2009. It went straight to number one 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 ...
, knocking off Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
's "Poker Face
Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)
"Poker Face" is a song by American recording artist Lady Gaga from her debut album, The Fame. Produced by RedOne, it was released as the album's second single in late 2008 for some markets and in early 2009 for the rest of the world...
". The single spent two weeks at number one on the chart, before dropping to number three in its third week. It spent twenty-four weeks altogether on the chart.
"Ready for the Weekend
Ready for the Weekend (song)
"Ready for the Weekend" is a song by Scottish recording artist Calvin Harris, released as the second single from his second studio album, Ready for the Weekend.-Background:...
" was released as the album's second single on 10 August 2009. The song peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and managed to stay on the chart for eleven weeks. Released on 2 November 2009, "Flashback
Flashback (Calvin Harris song)
Flashback is a song by Scottish electropop musician Calvin Harris taken from his second studio album Ready for the Weekend. The song was released in the UK on 2 November 2009. The song also features vocals from Ayah Marar.-Release and promotion:...
" first entered the UK chart three weeks before its release, making a debut at number fifty-six based on strong downloads alone. The following week it rose to number thirty before ultimately peaking at number eighteen in its fourth week, the album's first single not to make the UK top ten.
The fourth single, "You Used to Hold Me
You Used to Hold Me
"You Used to Hold Me" is a 2010 single release from Scottish Electronic musician Calvin Harris taken from his second studio album Ready for the Weekend. The song was released on February 8, 2010-Release and Promotion:...
", confirmed in December 2009, was released on 8 February 2010. The single debuted at number seventy-two on the UK chart, peaking at number twenty-seven in its fourth week. An extended version of Harris's 2008 chart-topping collaboration with Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal
Dylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...
, "Dance wiv Me
Dance Wiv Me
Dance wiv Me is a single by Ghanaian British rapper Dizzee Rascal, from his fourth studio album Tongue n' Cheek. It was released on 22 June 2008 and features guest vocals from Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and English R&B singer Chrome...
", is also included on the album.
Track listing
Personnel
- Calvin Harris – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, engineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
, instrumentationInstrumentation (music)In music, instrumentation refers to the particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition, and to the properties of those instruments individually...
, arrangerArrangementThe American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
, designGraphic designGraphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
concept - Chrome – vocals (track 13)
- Snake DavisSnake DavisSnake Davis is a session musician who has played with some of the worlds biggest artists. In the 1980s he fronted York band Zoot and the Roots....
– saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
(track 1) - Brian "Big Bass" GardnerBrian GardnerBrian Gardner, also known as Brian "Big Bass" Gardner is a mastering engineer. He has worked on countless recordings since the mid-1960s, including classic rock, funk, disco, alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, pop punk, and dance pop. He is perhaps best known for his work on hip hop albums and in...
– masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced... - Mark Irving – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(track 11) - Izza KizzaIzza KizzaIzza Kizza is an American hip-hop musician, rapper and MC, currently signed to Timbaland's Mosley Music Group label...
– vocals (track 8)
- Ayah Marar – additional vocals (tracks 3, 7, 10)
- Mary Pearce – additional vocals (track 2)
- Spiros Politis – photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
- Dizzee RascalDizzee RascalDylan Kwabena Mills , better known by his stage name Dizzee Rascal, is a Ghanaian British rapper, songwriter and record producer. His music is a blend of garage, hip hop, grime, ragga, pop and electronic music, with eclectic samples and more exotic styles...
– rapRappingRapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
(track 13) - Matthew Shave – photography
- Steve Stacey – artwork design
Weekly charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart 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... |
39 |
| Belgian Alternative Albums Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Flanders) |
47 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Wallonia) |
74 |
| European Top 100 Albums European Top 100 Albums The European Top 100 Albums chart is the European adaptation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was created in March 1984.The European Top 100 Albums, commonly referred to as Eurochart Top 100 Albums shows the sales of an act in 19 European countries based on IFPI data.The European Top 100... |
9 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
139 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
6 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| UK Dance Albums Chart UK Dance Chart The UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital... |
1 |
| US Dance/Electronic Albums | 12 |
| US Heatseekers Albums Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
22 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Gold |
Release history
| Country | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 14 August 2009 | Sony Music | CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
| Ireland | Fly Eye Records, Columbia Records Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
||
| United Kingdom | 17 August 2009 | ||
| United States | 18 August 2009 | Ultra Records Ultra Records Ultra Records is an American independent electronic dance music record label. Ultra was formed in New York City in 1995 by former Polygram and Virgin Records executive Patrick Moxey, who is still currently the owner... |
Digital download |
| Japan | 26 August 2009 | Sony Music Sony Music Entertainment Japan is Sony's music arm in Japan. SMEJ is directly owned by Sony Corporation and independent from the United States-based Sony Music Entertainment due to its strength in the Japanese music industry.... |
CD, digital download |
| Germany | 25 September 2009 | Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and... |
|
| United States | 6 October 2009 | Ultra Records | CD |