100 Yard Dash

Last updated
"100 Yard Dash"
Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash.jpg
Single by Raphael Saadiq
from the album The Way I See It
ReleasedMarch 30, 2009 (2009-03-30)
Recorded2008
Genre Soul
Length2:18
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Bobby Ozuna, Raphael Saadiq
Producer(s) Raphael Saadiq
Raphael Saadiq singles chronology
"Love That Girl"
(2008)
"100 Yard Dash"
(2009)
"Never Give You Up"
(2009)

"100 Yard Dash" is a song by American recording artist Raphael Saadiq, released as a single on March 30, 2009, by Columbia Records. [1] It was the second single from Saadiq's 2008 album The Way I See It . "100 Yard Dash" is an upbeat soul song about love as a fast, impulsive race. Although it did not chart, the song was well received by music critics.

Contents

Music and lyrics

Music video

A music video for the song was released on January 27, 2009. [9] It was filmed in black-and-white and incorporated splashes of color in graphics inspired by classic Reprise and Blue Note Records album covers. [10] Saadiq wanted the video to serve as an "extension" of the song's album and evoke the music era that inspired its sound. [9]

Live performances

Saadiq performed the song on Live from the Artists Den on December 3, 2008. [11] He also performed the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on February 10, 2009, [12] and on Dancing with the Stars on May 13. [13] Niccole Culver of Creative Loafing cited the song as a "crowd favorite" in a review of Saadiq's performance at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. [14]

Reception

Luke Grundy of The Independent called "100 Yard Dash" "irrepressibly funky", [15] and Time Out 's Areif Sless-Kitain cited it as one of the "strongest tracks" on The Way I See It. [3] Thomas Fawcett of The Austin Chronicle commented that it "demands a sprint to the dance floor." [16] Misha Berson of The Seattle Times complimented "Saadiq's high, sweet voice" and the song's "slick soul arrangement," writing that it "evokes happy memories of '60s Motown stars like Marvin Gaye and The Temptations in their prime." [17] Ken Tucker of NPR praised the song's "propulsive melody" and viewed it as "a brilliant take on Smokey Robinson and the Miracles." [5] Michael Menachem of Billboard found the song to be "complemented by Saadiq's vocal, with emphasis in all the right places", and "recorded in the classic tradition of short R&B songs: It leaves listeners wanting more, so they play the record again and again." [2]

Nate Chinen of The New York Times named "100 Yard Dash" one of the top-five singles of 2008. [18] The single did not chart. [19]

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes for The Way I See It . [20]

Related Research Articles

In the entertainment industry, sleeper hit refers to a film, television series, music release, video game, or other entertainment product that was unpromising on release but became a surprise success. A sleeper hit may have little promotion or lack a successful launch but gradually develops a fandom following media attention, which in turn increases its public exposure and public interest in the product. As Variety puts it, "A 'sleeper hit' can be defined as the kind of show that catches us by surprise—programs whose popularity grows over time and can ultimately outshine the preordained hits." A sleeper hit often lacks star performers or high production values, but prevails, at times against its own makers' expectations, on the strength of such qualities as narrative, approach, or novelty, as well as market accidents. Sleeper hit films benefit theater owners because the owners keep a larger percentage of money from ticket sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony! Toni! Toné!</span> American soul/R&B band from Oakland, California

Tony! Toni! Toné! is an American soul/R&B band from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s. During the band's heyday, it was composed of D'Wayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley on drums, keyboards, and background vocals. Originally, the band went by "Tony, Toni, Toné" as a joke, until they realized it "had a nice ring to it".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raphael Saadiq</span> American contemporary R&B singer

Raphael Saadiq is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He rose to fame as a member of the multiplatinum group Tony! Toni! Toné! In addition to his solo and group career, he has also produced songs for such artists as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Total, Joss Stone, D'Angelo, TLC, En Vogue, Kelis, Mary J. Blige, Ledisi, Whitney Houston, Solange Knowles and John Legend. Music critic Robert Christgau has called Saadiq the "preeminent R&B artist of the '90s".

Bluetip was an American rock band from Washington, D.C., forming in March 1995 by ex-members of Swiz. They released four albums, an EP, and a number of singles before splitting up in January 2002. Originally, the band was to be named The Ohio Blue Tip, however the name was shortened to Bluetip early on.

<i>Instant Vintage</i> 2002 studio album by Raphael Saadiq

Instant Vintage is the 2002 debut album by American R&B singer and record producer Raphael Saadiq. It was his first full-length solo album after spending much of his post-Tony! Toni! Toné! career as a session player and producer. The record was a critical success but underperformed commercially, leading to Saadiq's departure from Universal Records.

<i>The Renaissance</i> (Q-Tip album) 2008 studio album by Q-Tip

The Renaissance is the second studio album by American hip hop artist Q-Tip, released November 4, 2008, on Universal Motown Records. The follow-up to his solo debut album, Amplified (1999), it was recorded after Q-Tip's Kamaal the Abstract (2009) was initially shelved in 2002 by his former label Arista Records and his proposed effort Open was shelved by Universal Motown, both deemed commercially inadequate by the labels. The Renaissance was produced primarily by Q-Tip and features guest contributions by D'Angelo, Norah Jones, Amanda Diva, and Raphael Saadiq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like You'll Never See Me Again</span> 2008 single by Alicia Keys

"Like You'll Never See Me Again" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her third studio album As I Am (2007). Written and produced by Keys and Kerry Brothers Jr., it was first heard on October 25, 2007, on Atlanta's V103 WVEE radio station. Subsequently, it was released as the second single from As I Am on January 22, 2008, by J Records.

<i>House of Music</i> 1996 studio album by Tony! Toni! Toné!

House of Music is the fourth and final album by American R&B band Tony! Toni! Toné!, released on November 19, 1996, by Mercury Records. It follows the success of the band's 1993 album Sons of Soul and a hiatus during which each member pursued individual musical projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Untitled (How Does It Feel)</span> 2000 single by DAngelo

"Untitled (How Does It Feel)" is a song by American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist D'Angelo. It was released on January 1, 2000, by Virgin Records as a radio single in promotion of his second studio album, Voodoo (2000). Written and produced by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq, the song was originally composed as a tribute to musician Prince. "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" contains a vintage style and sound similar to that of Prince's early musical work. The song's lyrics concern a man's plea to his lover for sex.

<i>The Way I See It</i> 2008 studio album by Raphael Saadiq

The Way I See It is the third album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released on September 16, 2008, by Columbia Records – his first for the label. Prior to signing with Columbia, Saadiq had independently released his 2004 album Ray Ray, recorded with the songwriting and production duo Jake and the Phatman. He developed a creative partnership with their colleague, audio engineer Charles Brungardt, who shared Saadiq's fascination with historic recording techniques and equipment. In 2008, the singer returned from a vacation that had inspired him to pursue classic soul music and recorded The Way I See It primarily at his North Hollywood studio with Brungardt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Your Head to the Sky</span> 1973 single by Earth, Wind & Fire

"Keep Your Head to the Sky" is a song recorded by American R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire for their 1973 album, Head to the Sky. It was released as a single by Columbia Records, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

<i>Ray Ray</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Raphael Saadiq

Ray Ray is the second studio album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released October 5, 2004, by his record label, Pookie Entertainment. After being dropped from Universal Records, Saadiq formed the label and recorded the album. He pursued a 1970s-inspired musical direction that was looser than his 2002 debut album, Instant Vintage, and produced Ray Ray with Michael Angelo, Jake and the Phatman, and Kelvin Wooten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ask of You</span> 1995 single by Raphael Saadiq

"Ask of You" is a song by American singer Raphael Saadiq, released as a single from the Higher Learning soundtrack. It was Saadiq's biggest solo hit, peaking at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<i>Stone Rollin</i> 2011 studio album by Raphael Saadiq

Stone Rollin' is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released on March 25, 2011, by Columbia Records and recorded at Saadiq's studio Blakesee Recording Company in Los Angeles over the course of a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anniversary (Tony! Toni! Toné! song)</span> 1993 single by Tony! Toni! Toné!

"Anniversary" is a song by American R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!. It was released on September 14, 1993 by Mercury and Polygram, as the second single from their third studio album, Sons of Soul (1993). The song was produced by Tony! Toni! Toné! and written by group member Raphael Wiggins and keyboardist Carl Wheeler. It became a hit for Tony! Toni! Toné!, peaking at numbers ten and seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States. "Anniversary" was well received by music critics, including Robert Christgau, who named it the 13th best song of 1993. It earned the group Grammy Award nominations for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love That Girl</span> 2008 single by Raphael Saadiq

"Love That Girl" is a song by American recording artist Raphael Saadiq, released as a single on August 5, 2008, by Columbia Records. It was the lead single for Saadiq's 2008 album The Way I See It. The song was written by Saadiq and co-producer Bobby Ozuna. "Love That Girl" is a Motown-inspired soul song with sweet-natured, innocent lyrics about affection.

"Cranes in the Sky" is a song by American singer-songwriter Solange. Released on October 5, 2016 by Saint Records and Columbia Records, it is the first single from Solange's third album, A Seat at the Table. The song was written by Solange, who co-produced it with Raphael Saadiq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taura Stinson</span> American songwriter, musician, author, producer

Taura Stinson is an American songwriter, producer, musician, composer and author. Stinson has co-written songs for artists including Deborah Cox, Cynthia Erivo, Kelly Rowland, Destiny's Child, Kelis and Jennifer Hudson. She has also written songs for films such as Step, Mudbound and Black Nativity and for TV programs including Underground, Twin Peaks and Insecure.

<i>Jimmy Lee</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Raphael Saadiq

Jimmy Lee is the fifth studio album by American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Raphael Saadiq. It was released on August 23, 2019 by Columbia Records. Recorded at Saadiq's personal studio in North Hollywood, it follows the critical success of his 2011 album Stone Rollin' and a period of years spent working on other musical projects, particularly those associated with African-American culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuff It</span> 2022 single by Beyoncé

"Cuff It" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé from her seventh studio album, Renaissance (2022). It was released as a single after the album as a digital download, followed by a 7" vinyl release in 2023. The song was written and produced by Beyoncé, Nova Wav, Morten Ristorp, Raphael Saadiq and The-Dream, with additional writing by Nile Rodgers. The song contains an interpolation of "Ooo La La La", written by Teena Marie and Allen McGrier and performed by Teena Marie. It impacted rhythmic and urban contemporary radio in the United States on October 4, 2022.

References

  1. "Raphael Saadiq - 100 Yard Dash". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  2. 1 2 Menachem, Michael (February 21, 2009). "100 Yard Dash". Billboard . Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  3. 1 2 3 Sless-Kitain, Areif (November 18, 2008). "Raphael Saadiq". Time Out . Chicago. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  4. Deusner, Stephen M. (October 22, 2008). "Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 Bianculli, David; Tucker, Ken (October 10, 2008). "Saadiq Revisits R&B Past In 'The Way I See It'". Fresh Air . Philadelphia. NPR. WHYY-FM. Archived from the original on 2015-01-01. Transcript . Retrieved 2012-04-07.
  6. Hope, Clover (September 17, 2008). "Raphael Saadiq, Celebrating Classic Soul Without Merely Aping It". The Village Voice . New York. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  7. Farinella, David John (January 1, 2009). "Music: Raphael Saadiq". Mix . Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  8. Coachman, Dale (September 1, 2008). "Raphael Saadiq: World Soul". Clutch Magazine. Sutton New Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-04-21. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Eisen, Benjy (January 27, 2009). "Raphael Saadiq, '100 Yard Dash' — Video Premiere". Spinner. AOL. Archived from the original on May 18, 2020. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  10. "The Fab Five". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . February 15, 2009. Your Life section, p. F5. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  11. Concepcion, Mariel (August 14, 2009). "Watch Raphael Saadiq Perform '100 Yard Dash' Live". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  12. Shamz (February 11, 2009). "Video: Raphael Saadiq "100 Yard Dash" (Live on Jay Leno)". Okayplayer. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  13. Barrett, Annie (May 13, 2009). "Dancing With the Stars recap: And Then There Were Three". Entertainment Weekly . New York. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  14. Culver, Niccole (March 31, 2009). "Live review: Raphael Saadiq at Variety Playhouse". Creative Loafing . Atlanta. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  15. Grundy, Luke (May 2, 2011). "Raphael Saadiq, Shepherd's Bush Empire, London". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  16. Fawcett, Thomas (October 24, 2012). "Raphael Saadiq". The Austin Chronicle . Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  17. Berson, Misha (September 4, 2009). "Raphael Saadiq finds a new groove of his own in '60s soul". The Seattle Times . Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  18. Chinen, Nate (December 21, 2008). "Standouts in Rap, Jazz and Country". The New York Times. p. AR33. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  19. "100 Yard Dash - Raphael Saadiq". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  20. The Way I See It (CD liner). Raphael Saadiq. New York City: Columbia Records. 2008. 88697 08585 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)