Hush Hush; Hush Hush

This article is about the song by the Pussycat Dolls. For the song by Alexis Jordan, see Hush Hush (Alexis Jordan song). For other uses, see Hush hush.
"Hush Hush; Hush Hush"
Single by The Pussycat Dolls
from the album Doll Domination
B-side "Hush Hush"
Released May 12, 2009 (2009-05-12)
Format
Genre
Length 3:48 (album version)
4:10 (up-tempo remix)
Label Interscope
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Bottle Pop"
(2009)
"Hush Hush; Hush Hush"
(2009)

"Hush Hush; Hush Hush" is a song by American female group The Pussycat Dolls from their final and second studio album, Doll Domination (2008). Written by Nicole Scherzinger, Andreas Romdhane, Josef Larossi, Ina Wroldsen, Dino Fekaris, Frederik Perren and produced by Quiz & LaRossi and Dave Audé for the remixed version, it was released as the album's sixth and final single on May 12, 2009. Lead and background vocals for both versions of the song are performed solely by lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. The release caused controversy as the single was credited as "Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger" which caused tension within the group and rumored that Scherzinger would be going solo.

The song was originally a slow ballad, but was remade into an uptempo, disco-inspired dance song sampling parts of Gloria Gaynor's 1978 hit "I Will Survive". Lyrically, the song is about a strong woman who laments of the death of her relationship and never asks help from her lover. The "post-breakup anthem", received mixed reviews by critics who noted that it lacked the R&B edge of "Don't Cha" and "When I Grow Up" while others noted it's better than the original version.

Commercially the song has had moderate success managing to peak top-ten in Australia, Belgium (Wallonia), Finland and France. In The United States it charted at seventy-three on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Ray Kay, premiered on May 27, 2009. The video was met with mixed reviews, criticizing the over-emphasis on Scherzinger but noted for being "the most revealing Pussycat Dolls video yet".

Background and composition

Hush Hush was written by Andreas Romdhane, Josef Larossi, Ina Wroldsen, Nicole Scherzinger, Dino Fekaris, Frederik Perren In 2009 Ron Fair and Dave Audé produced a remix of the song now titled "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" for Scherzinger to perform on the Doll Domination Tour. The new version features additional vocals sampled from Gloria Gaynor's worldwide smash hit "I Will Survive".[1] The song is written in the key of Bb minor.[2]

Musically the song starts as a standard, jam.[3] When the song passes the one-minute mark, the song erupts "into a camp-as-Christmas bridge and chorus, adorned with crash-cymbal punctuation".[3] Nick Levine described the song as a "dated faux-disco mess".[4] Around three minutes the song samples Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" (1978).[3] Lyrically the song is a post-breakup anthem,[5] promotes the Dolls as strong women who lament of the death of a relationship and never ask for help from their lovers.[3][6]

When the promotional cover art of the single was revealed, it was listed as "Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger". The emphasis on Nicole Scherzinger as the featured artist caused controversy, as "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" also emphasized her as a featured singer.[7] It sparked rumors that Nicole Scherzinger was leaving the group to continue her solo career, despite well below-average sales for the singles from her 2007 shelved solo album release Her Name Is Nicole.[8] This also led to internal strife within the group as the other members were unhappy with the over-emphasis on Scherzinger.[7]

In April 24, 2009, the tension surfaced onstage while the group opened for Britney Spears on their tour in Glendale, Arizona.[7] Melody Thornton, on the verge of tears, addressed the crowd saying, "Thank you guys for supporting me, even if I'm not featured" and encouraging the audience to follow their dreams and to "never let anyone stomp on them, ever".[7] After her outburst, she was high-fived by Jessica Sutta, indicating more of the Dolls were upset by the tagging and the over-emphasis on Scherzinger. On a radio interview, Scherzinger referred to her featured status on "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)". "It's no big deal, that doesn't take away from anybody else in the group. That's my role. I wrote 'Hush Hush' as well."[9]

Reception

Critical reception

Taila Craines of Orange positively reviewed the song's original version. "['Hush Hush'] is an epic ballad promoting the Dolls as strong women who 'never asked for help' from their men." [6] Steve Jones of USA Today recommended to do download the song.[10] The remix was negatively criticized. Digital Spy's Robert Copsey gave a review of two stars out of five for lacking "the feisty R&B edge that made the likes of 'Don't Cha' and 'When I Grow Up' so effective".[4] 'Idolator' wrote that " ['Hush Hush; Hush Hush'] is an unspectacular dance-pop track with Scherzinger’s muscular gasps leading the way, rhyming straw-ng and law-ng. But a simple girl-power post-breakup anthem would not help the Dolls reclaim their strategic position in the Pop Wars."[5] However Orange liked the song commenting that the remixed version is "very fun indeed."[3] "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" was ranked at number eighty-one in the highest listener-rated 2009 pop singles on AOL Radio.[11]

Commercial

"Hush Hush; Hush Hush" topped the Hot Dance/Club Songs chart, becoming the Pussycat Dolls' sixth consecutive number one.[12]

Music video

The music video for the "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" was directed by Rich Lee.[13] It features cameo appearances by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and former VIP Pussycat Doll Carmen Electra, who used to sing lead vocals with the Dolls during their burlesque performances.[14] The video makes use of product placement of Campari, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition.[15][16] The video premiered on May 26, 2009.[17]

Synopsis

The Pussycat Dolls and their male partners dancing in front of a disco mirror ball.

The music video begins with Nicole Scherzinger lounging in a bathtub, similar to a scene of Cindy Crawford in George Michael's video for "Freedom! '90" (1990).[15] As the ballad transits unto the remix she passes a door onto a surreal hall of staircases going in different directions. When the second verse begins, Scherzinger is seen wearing a gold sequinned halterneck dress while the rest of the members are seen skating in a roller disco. In the next scene in the attic while Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt are hanging from the chandeliers as Scherzinger enters the room. As the second chorus begins, Scherzinger wears a tight-fitting silver basque.

She enters into the basement, which it turned into a nightclub the Dolls for their signature dance sequence in the middle of the video. In the scene Perez Hilton makes a cameo appearance as a DJ, while Carmen Electra dances beside him. The video then fades, and opens on a close shot of Scherzinger's face in front of a disco mirror ball wearing an afro wig, which paid homage to Diana Ross.[15] After, the Pussycat Dolls are dancing with male partners in the room with the mirror ball. At the end, Nicole Scherzinger is finishing the song singing "Baby, Hush Hush". It closes with a large shot which reveals the video to have taken place in a dollhouse with all dancers and Dolls in the lowest disco room.

Reception

A Reporter of the Daily Mail commented that the video is "the most revealing Pussycat Dolls video yet". While noted that "the rest of the group are barely seen in the video with Nicole as the star of the show.[14] Nick Levine of Digital Spy described the video as "barmy".[18] Celebuzz praised the video describing it as a "steamy clip". "It starts out in the best possible way: With lead Doll Nicole Scherzinger wet and naked."[19] The Daily Star's Gemma Wheatley said that "the rest of the Pussycat Dolls also look hotter than ever".[20] Mirror.co.uk commented "It's a wonder Formula 1 ace Lewis, 24, could keep his mind on the ball as he played golf yesterday", referring on Scherzinger who is naked on the video.[21] Reviewer Melinda Newman commended the overemphasis of lead singer Nicole Scherzinger. "It's a PCD' video in name only given that the other dancers barely have more than cameo appearances. There's not even the remotest hint that there are other people in the group until more than a minute in when she passes through a door onto a multi-level staircase and the other Dolls are dancing as the song morphs from a ballad to dance number. The other Pussycat Dolls are completely relegated to background dancers, along with the other hired hands."[15]

Track listings

French CD single[22]
  1. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" – 4:12
  2. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (The Bimbo Jones Radio Remix) – 4:00
  3. "Hush Hush" (original version) – 3:48
US promo CD[23]
  1. "Hush Hush With Mash Up" – 4:12
  2. "Hush Hush" – 4:09

UK CD single
  1. "Hush Hush" (Up-tempo Remix) – 4:12
  2. "Hush Hush" (ballad version) – 4:09
  3. "Hush Hush" (Dave Audé Radio Remix) – 4:32
European download single[24]
  1. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" – 4:12
  2. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (video) – 4:19

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doll Domination.[25]

Personnel

  • The Pussycat Dolls – primary artist
  • Dave Audé – producer, programming
  • Greg DePante – assistant engineer
  • Bruce Dukov – concertmaster
  • Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos – recording
  • Eric Eyland – assistant engineer
  • Ron Fair – producer, vocal arrangement, vocal producer, strings: arrangement, conduct, keyboards
  • Steve Genewick – assistant engineer
  • Keith Gretlein – assistant engineer
  • Tal Herzberg – Pro Tools, recording

  • Josef Larossi – producer, recording, songwriter
  • Gayle Levant – harp
  • Johnathan Merritt – assistant engineer
  • Danny Ponce – recording
  • Peter Mokran – mixing
  • Andreas Romdhane – producer, recording songwriter
  • Ryan Shanahan – assistant engineer
  • Nicole Scherzinger – vocal arrangement, vocal production, songwriter
  • Tommy Vicari – string recording
  • Eric Weaver – assistant engineer
  • Ina Wroldsen – songwriter

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
scope="row"Australia (ARIA)[26] 10
scope="row"Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[27] 35
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[28] 6
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[29] 4
scope="row"Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[30] 41
scope="row"Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[31] 1
scope="row"Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 38
scope="row"Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[33] 18
scope="row"Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[34] 5
scope="row"France (SNEP)[35] 5
scope="row"Germany (Official German Charts)[36] 44
scope="row"Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[37] 1
scope="row"Hungary (Dance Top 40)[38] 2
scope="row"Hungary (Single Top 40)[39] 3
scope="row"Ireland (IRMA)[40] 13
scope="row"Israel (Media Forest)[41] 4
Luxembourg (Billboard)[42] 10
scope="row"Poland (Dance Top 50)[43] 21
scope="row" Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard)[44] 2
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[45] 5
scope="row"Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[46] 4
scope="row"Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[47] 30
scope="row"UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[48] 17
scope="row"US Billboard Hot 100[49] 73
scope="row"US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[50] 1
scope="row"US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[51] 28
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[52] 74

Year-end charts

Charts (2009) Position
Australian Singles Chart[53] 74
Australian Urban Chart[54] 29
Hungarian Airplay Chart[55] 43
UK Singles Chart[56] 112
US Hot Dance Club Songs[57] 10
Charts (2010) Position
Hungarian Airplay Chart[58] 19

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[59] Gold 35,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Russia November 13, 2008[60] Airplay Universal Music
North America[61] May 12, 2009 Limited radio airplay A&M, Interscope
Australia[62] Full radio airplay, digital download Interscope Records
United Kingdom May 26, 2009 Polydor Records
North America[63] A&M, Interscope
Taiwan June 6, 2009 Digital download Universal Music Taiwan
United Kingdom July 13, 2009[64] CD single Polydor Records
Brazil[65] August 28, 2009 Digital download Universal Music Brasil
France September 5, 2009 CD single Universal Music

See also

References

  1. Hind, Sally (2009-01-19). "Purr-fect Pussycat Dolls hit Aberdeen". Evening Express (Aberdeen Journals). Retrieved 2010-07-12.
  2. http://my-pianobox.blogspot.com.au/2009/07/pussycat-dolls-hush-hush-sheet-music.html
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pussycat Dolls – 'Hush Hush' (Review)". Orange. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  4. 1 2 Balls, David (2009-07-13). "Music – Singles Review – Pussycat Dolls: 'Hush Hush; Hush Hush'". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi Médias). Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  5. 1 2 Maura (2009-07-31). "The Pussycat Dolls Throw A Hail Mary Pass". Idolator (Buzzmedia). Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  6. 1 2 Kraines, Talia. "Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination (Review)". Orange. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Stack, Tim (2009-04-27). "Pussycat Dolls' Melody Thornton Sounds Off Onstage In Phoenix". MTV (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  8. Stack, Tim (2009-04-27). "The Pussycat Dolls catfight: Does this mean Nicole Scherzinger will finally go solo?". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc.). Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  9. Ganz, Caryn (2011-04-27). "Pussycat Dolls Fight, Danity Kane Split: Bad Week for Girl Groups". Rolling Stone (Jann Wenner). Retrieved 2011-08-26.
  10. Jones, Steve (2008-09-22). "'Domination' by dance ditties". USA Today (Gannett Company). Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  11. Voerding, Brian (2011-03-08). "Top 100 Songs of 2009 – Pop Music". AOL Radio Blog. AOL Inc. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  12. Ramirez, Erica (August 6, 2009). "Chart Beat: Michael Jackson, Fabolous, Leighton Meester". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  13. "Pussycat Dolls & Lady GaGa Go Down Under". Rap-Up (Devin Lazerine). 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  14. 1 2 Reporter, Daily Mail (2009-05-27). "Lewis Hamilton's girl Nicole Scherzinger gets in a lather for new Pussycat Dolls video". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Newman, Melinda (2009-05-27). "Review: Pussycat Dolls' new video for 'Hush Hush'". HitFix. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  16. Anitai, Tamar (2009-06-08). "5 Fast Facts About Pussycat Dolls' New Video, 'Hush Hush; Hush Hush'". MTV (MTV Networks). Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  17. "Video: Pussycat Dolls – 'Hush Hush Hush Hush'". Rap-Up (Devin Lazerine). 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  18. Levine, Nick (2009-05-28). "Pussycat Dolls go disco!". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi Médias). Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  19. "VIDEO: The Pussycat Dolls’ "Hush Hush; Hush Hush"’". Celebuzz (Buzzmedia). 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  20. Wheatley, Gemma (2009-05-28). "Lewis' Girl is So Hot in Tub". Daily Star (Northern and Shell Media Publications). Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  21. "Pussycat Dolls Nicole Scherzinger naked in bath in new video – watch it here". Daily Mirror (One Canada Square). 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  22. "Hush Hush, Hush Hush [CD single]". Amazon.fr. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  23. "PCD ft. Nicole Scherzinger – Hush Hush; Hush Hush (Promo)". Discogs. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  24. "UK Itunes; Hush Hush; Hush Hush single". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  25. Doll Domination (Media notes). The Pussycat Dolls. Interscope Records.
  26. "Australian-charts.com – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  27. "Austriancharts.at – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  28. "Ultratop.be – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  29. "Ultratop.be – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  30. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls.
  31. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200949 into search.
  32. "Danishcharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush". Tracklisten.
  33. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" European Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls.
  34. "Pussycat Dolls: Hush Hush Hush Hush" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  35. "Lescharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in French). Les classement single.
  36. "Musicline.de – Pussycat Dolls,The Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  37. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  38. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  39. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  40. "Chart Track: Week 29, 2009". Irish Singles Chart.
  41. "Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush Hush Hush Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  42. "The Pussycat Dolls Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Luxembourg for The Pussycat Dolls. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  43. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
  44. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Portugal Digital Songs for The Pussycat Dolls. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  45. (Romanian)Cele mai ascultate şi cele mai citite: Pitbull şi “Harry Potter”
  46. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200928 into search.
  47. "Swisscharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush". Swiss Singles Chart.
  48. "Archive Chart: 2009-07-25" UK Singles Chart.
  49. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls.
  50. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for The Pussycat Dolls.
  51. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for The Pussycat Dolls.
  52. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  53. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2009". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  54. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2009" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  55. "Éves összesített listák – MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 (súlyozott)". Mahasz. Mahasz.
  56. "UK Year-End Charts 2009" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  57. "Year-End Chart Analysis: Lady Gaga, DJ Guetta Lead Dance Recaps". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). 2009-12-10. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  58. "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2010" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  59. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  60. "Top Hit Radio Airchart". tophit.ru. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  61. "iTunes Store – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush – Single – Hush Hush; Hush Hush". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  62. "iTunes Store – The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush – Single – Hush Hush; Hush Hush". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  63. "R&R :: Going For Adds :: CHR/Top 40". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  64. "New Releases – UK Forthcoming Albums (Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: Top 40 Music Station ::: Promo Releases)". Radio1.gr. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  65. "MegaBlog – UOL Megastore" (in Portuguese). Universo Online. August 28, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2010.


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.