Sing It Back
Encyclopedia
"Sing It Back" is a song written and performed by Moloko
(Róisín Murphy
and Mark Brydon
). It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor
. The song experienced chart success after it was remix
ed by DJ Boris Dlugosch
.
Murphy had started writing the lyrics while clubbing in New York City, and knew the song was at heart a dance track, but the group wanted to record it in a different artistic fashion for its album version. Together with their record company they had commissioned mixes by Todd Terry
(who had turned Everything But the Girl
's "Missing
" into an international club anthem). Moloko weren't satisfied with the Terry mix and had to convince their label Echo Records
to put out the Boris D. version instead. The remixed version was eventually featured on over 100 compilations, and was later added on Moloko's third album Things to Make and Do
after hitting the top ten in the UK singles chart
. In 1999 it reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
. As a form of barter
for the remix, Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy later co-wrote and appeared on Boris D.'s "Never Enough" single, starring in the video for that release as well. In 2006 Sing it Back was included on the soundtrack to video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
. The song was also included in the video game EyeToy: Play
. The 2010 movie Repo Men featured the original version of the song.
features Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy
dancing alone in a metallic flapper
dress, accompanied by psychedelic
lighting effects. The video was directed by Dawn Shadforth
.The video is featured on the DVD of Moloko's special edition for the Statues
album. Several live videos exist as well, including one in the groups's live concert movie 11,000 Clicks, a similar concert version from the Dutch Pinkpop
broadcast, a televised version from the TV show Later With Jools Holland
, and a samba
version featured on MTV
Brazil
.
Moloko
Moloko were an Anglo-Irish electronic/pop duo consisting of Róisín Murphy from Wicklow, Ireland and Mark Brydon, from Sunderland, England.- Origin of band name :...
(Róisín Murphy
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her...
and Mark Brydon
Mark Brydon
Mark Errington Brydon is an English bassist, guitarist, composer, arranger, recording engineer, remix artist and producer best known as a member of the group Moloko.-Previous work:...
). It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor
I Am Not a Doctor
I Am Not a Doctor is the second album from the electronic/dance duo Moloko, released in 1998. Upon release the album received critical praise, although it was not a big seller. I Am Not a Doctor was issued in the UK via Echo Records...
. The song experienced chart success after it was remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed by DJ Boris Dlugosch
Boris Dlugosch
Boris Dlugosch is a house music producer from Germany. Boris is usually known for funky/deep house tracks, mostly produced in conjunction with Mousse T. and Michi Lange, his partners in the Peppermint Jam Records label....
.
Murphy had started writing the lyrics while clubbing in New York City, and knew the song was at heart a dance track, but the group wanted to record it in a different artistic fashion for its album version. Together with their record company they had commissioned mixes by Todd Terry
Todd Terry
Todd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
(who had turned Everything But the Girl
Everything but the Girl
Everything but the Girl was a two-person English band, formed in Hull during 1981, consisting of lead singer and occasional guitarist Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist, and singer Ben Watt . They are currently inactive although vocalist Tracey Thorn hinted that they may reform someday...
's "Missing
Missing (Everything but the Girl song)
"Missing" is a song written and recorded by British pop music duo Everything but the Girl. The song was released as a single from the band's 1994 album Amplified Heart...
" into an international club anthem). Moloko weren't satisfied with the Terry mix and had to convince their label Echo Records
Echo Records
The Echo Label was a record label started by Chrysalis Group in 1994, and linked with Pony Canyon in Japan. The Chrysalis Group were the original owners of Chrysalis Records, which they sold to EMI....
to put out the Boris D. version instead. The remixed version was eventually featured on over 100 compilations, and was later added on Moloko's third album Things to Make and Do
Things to Make and Do
Things to Make and Do is the third album from the electronic/dance duo Moloko. It was issued in the UK in 2000 by Echo Records. Things to Make and Do was a departure sonically for Moloko, as the album featured songs relying less on electronics and more on live musicians...
after hitting the top ten in 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 ...
. In 1999 it reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
. As a form of barter
Barter
Barter is a method of exchange by which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money. It is usually bilateral, but may be multilateral, and usually exists parallel to monetary systems in most developed countries, though to a...
for the remix, Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy later co-wrote and appeared on Boris D.'s "Never Enough" single, starring in the video for that release as well. In 2006 Sing it Back was included on the soundtrack to video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is a 2005 sandbox-style action video game developed by Rockstar North and Rockstar Leeds. It is the ninth game in the Grand Theft Auto series...
. The song was also included in the video game EyeToy: Play
EyeToy: Play
EyeToy: Play is a video game for the PlayStation 2, released in 2003. It was the first game to make use of the PlayStation 2's video camera accessory, EyeToy. The game was initially packaged with the EyeToy when the accessory was first released. It features twelve mini-games to choose from. This...
. The 2010 movie Repo Men featured the original version of the song.
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...
features Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy
Róisín Murphy
Róisín Marie Murphy is an Irish singer-songwriter and record producer, known for her electronic style.Murphy first came to note as part of the electronic music duo Moloko. Her partner in the band was then-boyfriend Mark Brydon. After the two ended their romantic relationship, Murphy released her...
dancing alone in a metallic flapper
Flapper
Flapper in the 1920s was a term applied to a "new breed" of young Western women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior...
dress, accompanied by psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
lighting effects. The video was directed by Dawn Shadforth
Dawn Shadforth
Dawn Shadforth is a British music video and documentary director, as well as an editor and artist. Shadforth began her career as an award winning sculptor before turning her interest to music and directing...
.The video is featured on the DVD of Moloko's special edition for the Statues
Statues (album)
-Weekly charts:-Certifications:-Year-end charts:...
album. Several live videos exist as well, including one in the groups's live concert movie 11,000 Clicks, a similar concert version from the Dutch Pinkpop
Pinkpop
Pinkpop Festival, or Pinkpop for short, is an annual festival held at Landgraaf, Netherlands. It is held annually on the Pentecost weekend...
broadcast, a televised version from the TV show Later With Jools Holland
Later with Jools Holland
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland. A spin-off of The Late Show, it has been running in short series since 1992 and is a part of BBC Two's late-night line-up, usually at around 11pm to 12 midnight...
, and a samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
version featured 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....
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
French CD Single
- "Sing It Back" (BorisBoris DlugoschBoris Dlugosch is a house music producer from Germany. Boris is usually known for funky/deep house tracks, mostly produced in conjunction with Mousse T. and Michi Lange, his partners in the Peppermint Jam Records label....
Musical Mix) (4:38) - "Sing It Back" (TeeTodd TerryTodd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
's Radio) (3:25)
German Maxi Single
- "Sing It Back" (BorisBoris DlugoschBoris Dlugosch is a house music producer from Germany. Boris is usually known for funky/deep house tracks, mostly produced in conjunction with Mousse T. and Michi Lange, his partners in the Peppermint Jam Records label....
Radio Edit) (3:35) - "Sing It Back" (Can 7 Supermarket Radio) (3:55)
- "Sing It Back" (Mousse T's Boot Edit) (3:55)
- "Sing It Back" (BorisBoris DlugoschBoris Dlugosch is a house music producer from Germany. Boris is usually known for funky/deep house tracks, mostly produced in conjunction with Mousse T. and Michi Lange, his partners in the Peppermint Jam Records label....
Musical Mix) (9:15) - "Sing It Back" (Can 7 Supermarket Mix) (8:14)
- "Sing It Back" (Mousse T's Bootleg Dub) (7:35)
Remixes
- Boris DlugoschBoris DlugoschBoris Dlugosch is a house music producer from Germany. Boris is usually known for funky/deep house tracks, mostly produced in conjunction with Mousse T. and Michi Lange, his partners in the Peppermint Jam Records label....
did the "Boris Musical Mix", the most widely heard version. (9:17) - Boris Dlugosch also did the B.M.R Clubcut mix (7:13)
- Matthew HerbertMatthew HerbertMatthew Herbert , also known as Herbert, Doctor Rockit, Radio Boy, Mr. Vertigo, Transformer, and Wishmountain, is a British electronic musician...
(who would later coproduce Murphy's solo debut) did a "Tasteful Dub", reportedly adding only one sampled sound and using the original recording for the rest. (5:58) - Todd TerryTodd TerryTodd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
's Radio Mix was also released. (3:26) - Mousse T.Mousse T.Mousse T. is a German DJ and record producer of Turkish descent. He is best known for his collaboration with Tom Jones, "Sex Bomb", released on the album Reload.-Biography:...
contributed two mixes, "Mousse T.'s Bootleg Dub" and "Mousse T.'s Feel Love Remix", which uses a similar synthesised bass riff to the influential disco song "I Feel LoveI Feel Love"I Feel Love" is a song by Donna Summer, taken from her 1977 concept album I Remember Yesterday.The song constituted the "future" segment of the album, which represented a stylistic progress through time...
" by Donna Summer.