Jump to content

Beep (The Pussycat Dolls song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Beep"
Single by the Pussycat Dolls featuring will.i.am
from the album PCD
B-side
ReleasedFebruary 6, 2006 (2006-02-06)
Genre
Length3:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Stickwitu"
(2005) 		"Beep"
(2006) 		"Buttons"
(2006)
will.i.am singles chronology
"La Paga"
(2004) 		"Beep"
(2006) 		"I Love My Chick"
(2006)
Music video
"Beep" on YouTube

"Beep" is a song recorded by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls for their debut studio album PCD (2005). It features will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, who also composed the song with additional writing from Kara DioGuardi and Jeff Lynne, and additional production from Ron Fair. The song contains a sample of "Evil Woman" by Electric Light Orchestra. It was released as the third single from PCD on February 6, 2006, by A&M Records and Interscope Records.

Upon its release, "Beep" received mixed reviews from music critics. In the United States, the song failed to replicate the commercial success of its predecessors, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it peaked atop the charts in Belgium and New Zealand, while reaching the top ten in Australia, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Background

[edit]

The Pussycat Dolls, conceptualized by choreographer Robin Antin in 1993, began as a modern burlesque revue at the Viper Room in West Hollywood.[1] Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the show gained popularity in Hollywood, even featuring select female celebrities in live cameo performances, including the likes of Brittany Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Carmen Electra, Christina Aguilera, Christina Applegate, Eva Longoria, and Gwen Stefani.[1] Antin eventually struck a deal with Jimmy Iovine—the then-president of Interscope Geffen A&M Records—to develop The Pussycat Dolls into a brand beyond the live show, and create a pop girl group; Iovine assigned the project to producer Ron Fair.[2] Iovine considered the Pussycat Dolls as one of the "label's high-priority projects" and began enlisting various producers and songwriters to "ensure [a] maximum radio friendl[y]" sound for their debut album, PCD (2005).[3][4]

Music and lyrics

[edit]
"Beep"
A sample of "Beep"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Beep" is a hip hop inspired pop song written by William Adams, Kara DioGuardi, and Jeff Lynne, and composed in the key of G minor. The orchestral string hook is a sample of Electric Light Orchestra's "Evil Woman" (1975).[5] Critics noted that the song was similar to The Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" (2005), also produced and written by will.i.am.

IGN's Spence D. noted that "the song is a mixed bag, tossing together slick strings for that orchestrated pop vibe, then mixing that up with a loping, though downplayed, funk groove. It's like two songs in one, though one of the songs feels like a throwback to '80s sterile pop."[6] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the "girl-empowerment song"[7] has a time signature set in common time, with a tempo of 104 beats per minute.[5] The melody is mainly composed with cinematic strings. The bridge changes the song dramatically, featuring a sitar and introducing an Indian or Bollywood-style influence (as was popular in music of the early 2000s), with a stomping, custom-made beat.[7]

The spoken-word, staccato chorus is accented by repeated bleep-censor sounds—hence the title, "Beep". At the end of each line, where an explicit or sexual word is likely expected by the listener, a bleep censor is heard instead, leaving the "missing" word open to interpretation. For example, will.i.am., from the male perspective in the chorus, says: "It's funny how a man only thinks about (bleep)" and "You got real big brains, but I'm lookin' at your (bleep)". The females then respond with: "I don't give a (bleep), keep lookin' at my (bleep), 'cause it don't mean a thing if you're lookin' at my (bleep). I'mma do my thang while you're playin' with your (bleep)".

The verses use harmonic laughter from the Dolls, rather than bleep censors, to cover any scandalous lyrics. The bulk of the song primarily critiques the male objectification of women, and asserts that a man cannot always have what he wants, sexually. Nicole Scherzinger, the group’s lead vocalist, opines that "Every boy's the same, since up in the seventh grade; they've been tryin' to get with me, trying to ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha" and "I keep turnin' 'em [men] down, but they always come around, askin' me to go around; that's not the way it's goin' down". She then reasserts female dominance in the song, "…they [men] only want what they want, my ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha; they only want what they want, but nah-uh-uh, nah-uh-uh". The second verse explains that "Yes means yes; no means no, and I don't wanna go".

Critical reception

[edit]

In his consumer guide for MSN Music, Robert Christgau selected "Beep" as one of the album's highlights.[8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic indicated the song as one of the standout tracks of the album.[9] When reviewing for PCD, Lisa Haines described "Beep" as a standout tune.[10] Nick Butler from Sputnikmusic wrote that the song may even be better than "Don't Cha." "'Beep', [is] pretty much the only thing here that stands up to 'Don't Cha' (it's quite possibly better, actually)."[11] People's Chuck Arnold described the song as "naughty".[12]

Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine wrote that the song is a "degrading material".[13] musicOMH's John Murphy described the song as "oddly sexless", "bland", "dull" and "just so damn safe."[14] Senior editor of Billboard magazine, Chuck Taylor described the song as "cliched and overwrought." He ended his review writing "We had higher hopes."[15] Miriam Zendle of Digital Spy described awarded the song 1 out 5 stars criticizing will.i.am for "making it sound pretentious and too try-hard" and noted that the "terrible rapping and incredibly short and repetitive sample the song" ruins any "attempt to make the song in any way sexual." She said the group miserably fail as they "go in yet another undefined direction."[16]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Beep" debuted at number 93 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and eventually peaked at number 13, becoming the Pussycat Dolls' third consecutive top-20 hit, but failed to match the success of its predecessors "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu", which both became top-five hits. In Canada, "Beep" was not a commercial success, peaking at number 48 on the Canadian Singles Chart and number 45 on the Canadian BDS Airplay Chart.

On the UK Singles Chart, "Beep" debuted and peaked at number two, with first-week sales of 29,212 copies.[17] "Beep" was also a success in Ireland, where it peaked at number two on the Irish Singles Chart. In Europe, it peaked at number two on the European Hot 100 Singles, while performing best in Belgium, where it topped the singles chart for a week and became the Pussycat Dolls' second number-one single there after "Don't Cha".[18] The song was also a commercial success in the Netherlands, where it peaked at number two for two consecutive weeks, becoming the group's third consecutive number-two song, following "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu".[19] Elsewhere, "Beep" reached the top five in Norway, top ten in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France, and the top 20 in Sweden.

"Beep" was also successful across Oceania. In Australia, it debuted and peaked at number three for two non-consecutive weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming the group's third consecutive top-three hit there, and was certified gold by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales in excess of 35,000 copies.[20] The song was ranked as the 24th best-seller of 2006 in Australia, and was one of the group's four songs to enter the ARIA Year-End Singles Chart for 2006, alongside "Stickwitu", "Buttons" and "I Don't Need a Man". In New Zealand, "Beep" debuted at number 25 on the RIANZ Singles Chart, and the following week ascended to its peak at number one, where it spent seven consecutive weeks, becoming the group's third consecutive number-one hit there. "Beep" ended as the year's second best-seller, and is the group's most successful single there to date.[21]

Music video

[edit]

The accompanying music video for "Beep" was directed by Benny Boom. It starts with Nicole Scherzinger meeting will.i.am in an elevator. will.i.am explains his attraction, to which Scherzinger replies by implying she doesn't care about him looking at her. She then enters the Pussycat Dolls' apartment and, concluding the chorus, the group begins a dance routine throughout the second verse. will.i.am then enters the room, but quickly exits as Carmit Bachar throws a bottle of water at him. The Pussycat Dolls are then seen at a nightclub and a dance break ensues. They are then seen in solo dance spots in front of a large set of speakers. Scherzinger, Bachar and Melody Thornton are seen with will.i.am, as the video comes to a close.

Track listings and formats

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of PCD.[22]

Sample
Personnel
  • will.i.am – vocals, songwriting, production
  • JD Andrews – vocal recording
  • Charlie Bisharat – electric violin
  • Ariel Chobaz – assistant mix engineer
  • Kara DioGuardi – songwriting
  • Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos – additional engineering
  • Ron Fair – additional production, vocal production, arrangement, string arrangement and conduct, wurlitzer,
  • Tal Herzberg – engineering, Pro Tools, additional programming, bass
  • The PCD Orchestra – strings
  • Dave "Hard Drive" Pensado – mixing
  • Bill Schnee – string recording

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[71] Gold 35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] Gold 4,000^
Germany (BVMI)[73] Gold 150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[74] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[75] Gold 10,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[76] Silver 200,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Beep"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States February 6, 2006
[77][78]
Germany February 27, 2006 Maxi CD Universal Music
[36]
United Kingdom CD Polydor [79]
Germany March 6, 2006 Universal Music
[36]
Australia March 27, 2006 Maxi CD [80]
France June 19, 2006 CD
[81]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Alexander, Brenda (15 September 2021). "Celebs Who Made Guest Appearances as a Member of The Pussycat Dolls". Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ Martens, Todd (March 23, 2008). "Robin Antin's Pussycat Dolls: Running hurdles in high heels". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Moss, Corey (April 20, 2005). "Ashlee And Hilary's Hitmaker Decides To Sing A Few Herself". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Lee, Chris (August 1, 2006). "Attack of the Dolls". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b William Adams; Jeff Lynne; Kara DioGuardi (2005). "Pussycat Dolls – Beep (Sheet Music)". Musicnotes.com (Hal Leonard Corporation). MN0052424. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  6. ^ D., Spence (2005-09-14). "The Pussycat Dolls – PCD – Music Review". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  7. ^ a b Montgomery, James (2006-02-23). "Pussycat Dolls Strike A Blow For The Sisterhood, One 'Beep' At A Time". MTV. (Viacom: MTV Networks). Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  8. ^ Christgau, Robert. "The Pussycat Dolls". Robert Christgau. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  9. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review of PCD". AllMusic. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  10. ^ Haines, Lisa (2005-06-01). "Music – Review of the Pussycat Dolls – PCD". BBC Music. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  11. ^ Butler, Nick (2007-01-17). "Pussycat Dolls – PCD (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Jeremy Ferwerda. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  12. ^ Arnold, Chuck (2005-10-19). "Picks and Pans Review: The Pussycat Dolls". People. Time Inc. Retrieved 2011-08-08.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (2005-10-19). "The Pussycat Dolls: PCD – Music Review". Slant Magazine. Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2011-08-08.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ Murphy, John. "Pussycat Dolls – Beep (Universal)". MusicOMH. MusicOMH. Retrieved 2011-08-08.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ Chuck, Taylor (2006-02-11). "Single Reviews". Billboard. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  16. ^ Zendle, Miriam. "Music - Pussycat Dolls: 'Beep'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on April 10, 2006. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  17. ^ Jones, Alan (March 11, 2006). "The Official UK Singles Chart". Music Week (10): 31. ISSN 0265-1548.
  18. ^ ultratop.be – The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep
  19. ^ dutchcharts.nl – The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep
  20. ^ australian-charts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep
  21. ^ charts.org.nz – The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep
  22. ^ PCD (Booklet). The Pussycat Dolls. Santa Monica, California: A&M. 2005.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  24. ^ "Issue 839" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  25. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  26. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  27. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  28. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  29. ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1654. April 21, 2006. p. 33. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  31. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 20. týden 2006 in the date selector.
  32. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
  33. ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 17. April 29, 2006. p. 57. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  34. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am: Beep" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  35. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in French). Les classement single.
  36. ^ a b c "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  37. ^ "IFPI archive". Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved 2006-05-15.
  38. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Beep". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  39. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep". Top Digital Download.
  40. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  41. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  42. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep". Top 40 Singles.
  43. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep". VG-lista.
  44. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Issue nr: 19/2006 (15 Mai - 21 Mai 2006)" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  46. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200636 into search.
  47. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep". Singles Top 100.
  48. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls feat. will.i.am – Beep". Swiss Singles Chart.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  50. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  51. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  52. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  53. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  54. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2006". ARIA. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  56. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006" (in Dutch). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  58. ^ "Rapports Annuels". Ultratop 50. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  59. ^ "European Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  60. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2006" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  61. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2006" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  62. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  63. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  64. ^ "End of Year Charts 2006". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  65. ^ "Romanian Top 100 - Top of the Year 2006". Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  66. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006". Swiss Single Chart. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  67. ^ "Chart Plus Year End 2006" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  68. ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  69. ^ "Year End 2006: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  70. ^ "Year End Charts – Pop 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  71. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  72. ^ "Guld og platin i august" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on January 17, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  73. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Pussycat Dolls; 'Beep')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  74. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Pussycat Dolls – Beep". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  75. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2006" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  76. ^ "British single certifications – Pussycat Dolls – Beep". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  77. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: CHR/Top 40". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  78. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Rhythmic". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  79. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. February 25, 2006. p. 29.
  80. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 27th March 2006" (PDF). ARIA. March 27, 2006. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-04-09. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  81. ^ "Beep featuring william – The Pussycat Dolls – CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. June 19, 2006. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beep_(The_Pussycat_Dolls_song)&oldid=1231564953"