Wet (Nicole Scherzinger song)
Encyclopedia
"Wet" is a song by American recording artist Nicole Scherzinger
, taken from her debut studio album Killer Love
(2011). The song was written by Ester Dean
and Traci Hale
, co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate
(Tor E. Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen) and Sandy Vee
.
and Traci Hale
, and co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate
and Sandy Vee
. Scherzinger confesses that her body is aching for a man's touch stating "This beat is filthy dirty/ I feel it all over me". Described as a "dance-ready club banger" by Idolator
, the song chronicles many sexy ways Scherzinger gets wet; sweating, a shower, a swim, and drowning. Scherzinger continues the whole "drenched" theme within the songs' chorus: "Well Imma take my clothes off/Take a leap and surf through the crowd/Dripping down my neck/Soaking wet, sink or swim or you drown/Let's get a little wet." In the saucy tune, Scherzinger sings about running around "in the nuddy," stating "I feel like whatever I do tonight would be the talk of the town."
gave the song a mixed review stating that although Scherzinger purrs with conviction, the song sounds ultimately similar to Rihanna
's "Only Girl (In The World)
". While reviewing the album, Digital Spy reviewed "Wet" as a highlight of the album, and named it a possible future single. Idolator
stated that Scherzinger is "positively dripping with sex appeal in her ode to getting doused," later adding that the Stargate-produced "dance jam" is the musical equivalent of a "run through the sprinkler". Idolator finished it's review by stating that after an addition of a well-known rapper, the song could hit the domestic Top 40. While reviewing the album, Becky Bain of Idolator noted that "Wet" along with "Club Banger Nation" would strike a chord with clubgoers. David Griffiths of 4Music
named "Wet" an essential addition to anybody's party playlist. In another interview by Griffiths, he named "Wet" a "cracking pop tune," stating that the "hits keep coming" for Scherzinger. Kim Dawson of Daily Star complimented the song as a "saucy tune". Describing the song as a "surefire smash" for Scherzinger, Pip Ellwood of Entertainment-Focus complimented the song as the best track on the album, stating that it's beat is better than that of lead single "Poison
" due to the fact that it is "impossible not to move to."
at number forty-eight on the week ending August 11, 2011. The following week, August 18, 2011, "Wet" climbed to number twenty-nine on the Irish Singles Chart
. The song also peaked at number thirteen on the Scottish Singles Chart.
was shot in a single day to accommodate her schedule as a judge on the X Factor
. It was shot on a Los Angeles
car park – it was the only suitable location due to its proximity to the X Factor studios. The video for "Wet" was directed by Justin Francis. On August 2, 2011, Scherzinger released behind the scenes photos of the songs music video with Scherzinger wearing a two-piece attire and clutching a net around her body as she stands behind a wall of water. The video makes use of product placement
of Carrera's
"Champion". The music video premiered through MSN Music UK
on August 3, 2011.
The video begins with Scherzinger hiding out from cops, evading capture and disguising herself with some aviator shades and a studded hoodie. As she is being surveyed by security camera, Scherzinger begins to dance athletically and acrobatically. Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy
noted that Scherzinger's dance interlaces old Navajo
rain dance
used to call upon the gods to end a drought. Scherzinger than alternates outfits to a black leather - corset top, high-waisted shorts and thigh-high boots, as scenes of Scherzinger singing behind a window pane while it’s raining are interlaced into the clip. Scherzinger, accompanied by a group of female dancers, than enter an indoor swimming pool were men are seen spraying graffiti into the wall. Scherzinger and her back-up dancers than begin to dance in the emptied concrete pool, as the men begin to soak Scherzinger with hoses. As the cops enter the building, Scherzinger is warned by a man who's on look out and they all escape, only to leave the cops discovering a spray-painted message of "Wet".
Critics generally favored the songs accompanying music video, most of whom favored Scherzinger's intricate choreography. On the day the video premiered, a reviewer from Rap-Up
wrote "It’s getting hot in here," referencing Scherzinger's "smokin’ body" and "steamy visuals". Staff of Idolator
seem to favor Scherzinger's choreography stating that it "would make the other Pussycat Dolls blush". Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush gave the video a positive review stating that she was impressed of Scherzinger's athletic and acrobatic methods of dancing. She continued, "she doesn’t even have to try and be sexy; she just is". Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy appreciated Scherzinger's writhing around on the floor in "somewhat compromising positions" and added that Scherzinger is wet for about 50 percent of the video, so "we're guessing guys across the country aren't going to be writing complaint letters anytime soon." Sophie Forbes of DailyMail
positively stated "Clutching a net round her body, she looked sensational in her taupe two piece as she stared wistfully off into the distance." David Griffiths of 4Music
positively reviewed the songs music video stating "Featuring some jaw-droppingly good dancing, a hair flick or two and some serious thrusting, it gets a big thumbs up from us."
at shopping centre Westfield Stratford City on September 13, 2011. The performance was included in a set of multiple songs off of Killer Love, and was sung in order to celebrate the shopping centre's opening. Scherzinger began her performance with a fringed leather coat in red and black, the colours of the Westfield logo, a cutaway black bodycon dress and purple platform heels which she whipped off to reveal an even racier outfit underneath. She than wore a black leather number covered in tassels and chains. Scherzinger's performance was accompanied onstage by several dancers, whom were wearing shiny metallic trousers, as she performed in front of thousands of fans.
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....
, taken from her debut studio album Killer Love
Killer Love
Killer Love is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. It was released from March 18, 2011 in international markets by Interscope Records, in association with its affiliated record labels...
(2011). The song was written by Ester Dean
Ester Dean
Ester Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
and Traci Hale
Traci Hale
Traci Hale is a Atlanta-based American Pop, R&B songwriter and vocalist. She began her career as a back up singer for R&B superstars Keith Sweat and Aaliyah before becoming a songwriter for artists including Rihanna, Blu Cantrell, Mýa and Brandy...
, co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
(Tor E. Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen) and Sandy Vee
Sandy Vee
Sandy Julien Wilhelm, known professionally as Sandy Vee, is a French songwriter, disc jockey and music producer. Originally a disk jockey and producer within the house genre, he began working with pop artists in 2009...
.
Composition
"Wet" is an uptempo track, containing a thumping disco beat and Euro-friendly synthesizers, and features a throbbing bass and electronic beats. The song was written by Ester DeanEster Dean
Ester Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
and Traci Hale
Traci Hale
Traci Hale is a Atlanta-based American Pop, R&B songwriter and vocalist. She began her career as a back up singer for R&B superstars Keith Sweat and Aaliyah before becoming a songwriter for artists including Rihanna, Blu Cantrell, Mýa and Brandy...
, and co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
and Sandy Vee
Sandy Vee
Sandy Julien Wilhelm, known professionally as Sandy Vee, is a French songwriter, disc jockey and music producer. Originally a disk jockey and producer within the house genre, he began working with pop artists in 2009...
. Scherzinger confesses that her body is aching for a man's touch stating "This beat is filthy dirty/ I feel it all over me". Described as a "dance-ready club banger" by Idolator
Idolator
Idolator is the third album by the Japanese, melodic death metal band, Blood Stain Child. Idolator combines melodic death metal similar to the more recent In Flames albums with electronic and trance influences, particularly on "Nuclear Trance". "Embrace Me", has a piano section both at the...
, the song chronicles many sexy ways Scherzinger gets wet; sweating, a shower, a swim, and drowning. Scherzinger continues the whole "drenched" theme within the songs' chorus: "Well Imma take my clothes off/Take a leap and surf through the crowd/Dripping down my neck/Soaking wet, sink or swim or you drown/Let's get a little wet." In the saucy tune, Scherzinger sings about running around "in the nuddy," stating "I feel like whatever I do tonight would be the talk of the town."
Critical reception
"Wet" garnered generally positive reviews from critics. Awarding the song with three out of five stars, Robert Copsey of Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the song a mixed review stating that although Scherzinger purrs with conviction, the song sounds ultimately similar to Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
's "Only Girl (In The World)
Only Girl (In the World)
"Only Girl " is a song by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud . The song was released as the album's lead single on September 10, 2010 through Def Jam. It was written by Crystal Johnson, Norwegian production duo Stargate and Sandy Vee, and produced by Stargate and Vee...
". While reviewing the album, Digital Spy reviewed "Wet" as a highlight of the album, and named it a possible future single. Idolator
Idolator (website)
Idolator is a music blog. Created by the blog network Gawker Media in August 2006, Idolator was later sold to rival blog network Buzz Media, which also owns music blog Stereogum. From the 2007 departure of original head writer Brian Raftery until November 2009, the blog's head writer was Maura...
stated that Scherzinger is "positively dripping with sex appeal in her ode to getting doused," later adding that the Stargate-produced "dance jam" is the musical equivalent of a "run through the sprinkler". Idolator finished it's review by stating that after an addition of a well-known rapper, the song could hit the domestic Top 40. While reviewing the album, Becky Bain of Idolator noted that "Wet" along with "Club Banger Nation" would strike a chord with clubgoers. David Griffiths of 4Music
4Music
4Music is a music and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and available on some digital television providers in the Republic of Ireland - its web component can be found at with its own and pages. It is the only channel within the Box Television Network to be branded under Channel 4 and...
named "Wet" an essential addition to anybody's party playlist. In another interview by Griffiths, he named "Wet" a "cracking pop tune," stating that the "hits keep coming" for Scherzinger. Kim Dawson of Daily Star complimented the song as a "saucy tune". Describing the song as a "surefire smash" for Scherzinger, Pip Ellwood of Entertainment-Focus complimented the song as the best track on the album, stating that it's beat is better than that of lead single "Poison
Poison (Nicole Scherzinger song)
"Poison" is a song by American recording artist Nicole Scherzinger, taken from her debut studio album, Killer Love . Released from October 25, 2010, it is the first single from the album. It was produced by RedOne, BeatGeek and Jimmy Joker, and is distinctively different to Scherzinger's previous...
" due to the fact that it is "impossible not to move to."
Chart performance
The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number 189. On the week of August 20, 2011, it climbed 151 places to peak at number 21. "Wet" debuted on the Irish Singles ChartIrish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
at number forty-eight on the week ending August 11, 2011. The following week, August 18, 2011, "Wet" climbed to number twenty-nine on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
. The song also peaked at number thirteen on the Scottish Singles Chart.
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...
was shot in a single day to accommodate her schedule as a judge on the X Factor
The X Factor (U.S.)
The X Factor is an American television music competition to find new singing talent. The show is produced by creator Simon Cowell's company SYCOtv. It premiered on September 21, 2011 on Fox....
. It was shot on a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
car park – it was the only suitable location due to its proximity to the X Factor studios. The video for "Wet" was directed by Justin Francis. On August 2, 2011, Scherzinger released behind the scenes photos of the songs music video with Scherzinger wearing a two-piece attire and clutching a net around her body as she stands behind a wall of water. The video makes use of product placement
Product placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, music videos, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the...
of Carrera's
Carrera Sunglasses
CARRERA is a trademark belonging to Safilo Group S.p.A. that designs and produces sunglasses and sports eyewear. Founded in Austria in 1956, it now operates from Padova, Italy.-History:...
"Champion". The music video premiered through MSN Music UK
MSN Music
MSN Music was a part of the MSN web services. It delivered music news, music videos, spotlights on new music, artist information, and live performances of artists. In 2004, Microsoft created an MSN Music download store to compete with Apple's iTunes Music Store, though its sales in comparison were...
on August 3, 2011.
The video begins with Scherzinger hiding out from cops, evading capture and disguising herself with some aviator shades and a studded hoodie. As she is being surveyed by security camera, Scherzinger begins to dance athletically and acrobatically. Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy
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....
noted that Scherzinger's dance interlaces old Navajo
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
rain dance
Rain dancing
Rainmaking is an ethnographic term for rituals intended to invoke rain.Among the most well known examples of rainmaking rituals are North American rain dances, historically performed by many Native American tribes, particularly in the Southwestern United States. Some of these traditions have...
used to call upon the gods to end a drought. Scherzinger than alternates outfits to a black leather - corset top, high-waisted shorts and thigh-high boots, as scenes of Scherzinger singing behind a window pane while it’s raining are interlaced into the clip. Scherzinger, accompanied by a group of female dancers, than enter an indoor swimming pool were men are seen spraying graffiti into the wall. Scherzinger and her back-up dancers than begin to dance in the emptied concrete pool, as the men begin to soak Scherzinger with hoses. As the cops enter the building, Scherzinger is warned by a man who's on look out and they all escape, only to leave the cops discovering a spray-painted message of "Wet".
Critics generally favored the songs accompanying music video, most of whom favored Scherzinger's intricate choreography. On the day the video premiered, a reviewer from Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
wrote "It’s getting hot in here," referencing Scherzinger's "smokin’ body" and "steamy visuals". Staff of Idolator
Idolator (website)
Idolator is a music blog. Created by the blog network Gawker Media in August 2006, Idolator was later sold to rival blog network Buzz Media, which also owns music blog Stereogum. From the 2007 departure of original head writer Brian Raftery until November 2009, the blog's head writer was Maura...
seem to favor Scherzinger's choreography stating that it "would make the other Pussycat Dolls blush". Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush gave the video a positive review stating that she was impressed of Scherzinger's athletic and acrobatic methods of dancing. She continued, "she doesn’t even have to try and be sexy; she just is". Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy appreciated Scherzinger's writhing around on the floor in "somewhat compromising positions" and added that Scherzinger is wet for about 50 percent of the video, so "we're guessing guys across the country aren't going to be writing complaint letters anytime soon." Sophie Forbes of DailyMail
Mail Online
Mail Online is the name of the website of the Daily Mail, a newspaper in the United Kingdom. It contains almost all the stories from the Daily Mail and includes a large archive of main stories...
positively stated "Clutching a net round her body, she looked sensational in her taupe two piece as she stared wistfully off into the distance." David Griffiths of 4Music
4Music
4Music is a music and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and available on some digital television providers in the Republic of Ireland - its web component can be found at with its own and pages. It is the only channel within the Box Television Network to be branded under Channel 4 and...
positively reviewed the songs music video stating "Featuring some jaw-droppingly good dancing, a hair flick or two and some serious thrusting, it gets a big thumbs up from us."
Live performances
Scherzinger performed the song for the first time in Stratford, LondonStratford, London
Stratford is a place in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located east northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an agrarian settlement in the ancient parish of West Ham, which transformed into an industrial suburb...
at shopping centre Westfield Stratford City on September 13, 2011. The performance was included in a set of multiple songs off of Killer Love, and was sung in order to celebrate the shopping centre's opening. Scherzinger began her performance with a fringed leather coat in red and black, the colours of the Westfield logo, a cutaway black bodycon dress and purple platform heels which she whipped off to reveal an even racier outfit underneath. She than wore a black leather number covered in tassels and chains. Scherzinger's performance was accompanied onstage by several dancers, whom were wearing shiny metallic trousers, as she performed in front of thousands of fans.
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Romania (UPFR Romanian Top 100 The Romanian Top 100 is the national airplay-based singles chart of Romania. It is weekly and it started running in 1996. It is recognized as an official chart by the European division of Billboard, Music & Media.... ) |
86 |