2 People (song)

Last updated
"2 People"
2 People single cover.jpg
Single by Jean Jacques Smoothie
Released1 October 2001 (2001-10-01)
Studio Warwick Hall of Sound, Cardiff [1]
Genre House [2] [3]
Length3:04
Label
  • Plastic Raygun
  • Echo
Songwriter(s) Steve Robson [1]
Producer(s)
  • Robson
  • Rohan [1]
Jean Jacques Smoothie singles chronology
"Nite Time"
(1998)		"2 People"
(2001)		"Love & Evil"
(2002)

"2 People" (sometimes written as "2People") is a song by British DJ Jean Jacques Smoothie, released in October 2001 by Plastic Raygun and Echo. A house song, it extensively samples vocals from Minnie Riperton's 1975 hit "Inside My Love". It was remixed by artists including Mirwais and Moloko.

Contents

The single became a surprise hit in the United Kingdom, spending six weeks as the most-played song on the country's radio and selling over 100,000 copies. It reached number 12 on the UK Singles chart, as well as charting in Scotland, Belgium, and Europe at large. Its success was partly attributed to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, which prompted the removal of certain songs from radio playlists and led programmers to place "2 People" in rotation. The single, which is now considered a one-hit wonder, has been remixed by Smoothie and others, as well as being sampled and used in commercials.

Background

Steve Robson grew up in Gloucester before moving to Cardiff in the 1990s to study broadcasting. [3] He began DJing there in 1994, then began producing his own music and set up a record label. [3] With some friends, he set up the indie label Plastic Raygun in 1997. [3] That year, he released his debut single, "The Magnificent", which he reported sold 1,500 copies. [3] His next single drew inspiration from Parisian house music, leading him to adopt the French-sounding stage name Jean Jacques Smoothie. [3]

Smoothie's early singles were commercially unsuccessful, but under the stage name Brinkley Paste, he eventually landed a recording session with British DJ Steve Lamacq. [3] One of the songs he recorded during this session was "2 People", which he eventually released under his Smoothie moniker. [3] The song has been described as a "laid back house tune" that draws influence from the mid-career work of British electronic duo Underworld. [3] [2] It samples vocals from "Inside My Love", a 1975 single by American singer Minnie Riperton. [3] [2] The single was released on Plastic Raygun, although Smoothie further licensed the track to Echo, a bigger British record label. [2] The song received further support from remixes by Mirwais and Moloko. [4] [5]

Reception

Critical

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]

Writing for AllMusic, critic Dean Carlson gave the single two stars out of a possible five. Carlson called the song "rewarding" but opined that even with the remixes included, it was "no better than most Thomas Bangalter throwaways". [4] In late 2001, Smoothie received an award for the song at the first-ever Welsh Music Awards. [3] BBC writer James McLaren retrospectively deemed the song "an atmospheric house monster" and noted the "smooth, seductive vocals" of the Riperton sample. [2]

Commercial

"2 People" was a surprise hit in the United Kingdom, selling over 100,000 copies and becoming an airplay success. [3] [5] [6] The single became the most-played track on UK radio for six consecutive weeks and made Smoothie the most-played artist on UK radio during that time frame. [5] [2] On the UK Singles Chart dated October 13, 2001, the song debuted and peaked at number 12, ultimately spending four weeks in the top 40 and seven weeks on the chart altogether. [7] It further became a top five hit on the UK Dance Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 5, and the Independent Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 3 for three weeks. [8] [9] On the Music & Media Eurochart Hot 100, an aggregation of singles charts from across Europe, the single debuted and peaked at number 51 in the issue dated October 20, 2001. [10] Smoothie released a follow-up single, "Love & Evil", in September 2002, but he is today considered a one-hit wonder. [3] [11]

The success of "2 People" on radio has been attributed partly to cultural reaction to the September 11 attacks. [2] Prior to the attacks, the single failed to enter the UK Singles chart and spent only one week on the UK Independent Singles chart, where it had reached number 30 in early September. [9] Following the attacks, radio programmers deemed certain songs inappropriate to play, and "2 People" was one of the tracks that programmers at BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and commercial stations used to replace the inappropriate songs. [2] In a 2011 interview with BBC, Smoothie commented that "'2People' definitely caught a mood. 9/11 had just happened and people wanted to feel good. It was an antidote to the horrors that were happening all around." [2]

Media usage and later versions

Following the song's success, Smoothie performed on Top of the Pops and licensed the song for use in commercials. [5] [3] On October 5, 2011, for the song's tenth anniversary, Smoothie released a new version of "2 People" on Bargrooves/Defected. [2] The "2011 Rework" replaced Riperton's vocals with those of American vocalist Tara Busch, and the accompanying digital EP included remixes by Plastic Raygun label mates. [2] [12] [13] In 2016, British house music duo Blonde released a remix of the song, premiering their version on Complex UK . [14] A sample of "2 People" was the basis of the first "proper song" recorded by English bassline collective Bad Boy Chiller Crew. [11]

Track listing

UK CD single [1] [4]

  1. "2 People" (Mirwais Original Radio Edit) – 3:31
  2. "2 People" (Original Radio Mix) – 3:04
  3. "2 People" (Mirwais Extended Mix) – 5:50
  4. "2 People" (Moloko's Maxique Mix) – 6:36

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "2 People"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom1 October 2001
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
  • Plastic Raygun
  • Echo
 [23]
Australia5 November 2001CD
 [24]
Japan20 February 2002
  • Plastic Raygun
  • Echo
 [25]

See also

Related Research Articles

Mirwais Ahmadzaï, known mononymously as Mirwais, is a French electronic dance music record producer and songwriter. Born in Switzerland to an Afghan father and an Italian mother, Ahmadzaï was a member of the defunct 1980s group Taxi Girl. He met Madonna in the late 1990s, when he submitted a demo to her then record label, Maverick Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moloko</span> Anglo-Irish electronica/trip-hop duo

Moloko were an Irish-English electronic music duo formed in Sheffield, England, consisting of vocalist Róisín Murphy and producer Mark Brydon. Blending elements of electronica and dance music, they are best known for their UK top 10 singles "The Time Is Now" (2000) and "Familiar Feeling" (2003), as well as the 1999 Boris Dlugosch remix of "Sing It Back" which became an international hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brimful of Asha</span> 1997 single by Cornershop

"Brimful of Asha" is a song by English alternative rock band Cornershop from their third album, When I Was Born for the 7th Time (1997). The recording, released by Wiiija, originally reached number 60 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997. After a remixed version by Norman Cook became a radio and critical success, the song was re-released and reached number one on the UK chart and number 16 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The lyric is a tribute to Asha Bhosle. Its music video was directed by Phil Harder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cha Cha Slide</span> 2000 single by DJ Casper

"Cha-Cha Slide" is a song by American artist Mr. C the Slide Man. The song was released as a single in August 2000 and spent five weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 83. It continued to be a chart hit around the world for four years, topping the UK Singles Chart in March 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music (Madonna song)</span> 2000 song by Madonna

"Music" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna as the title track for her eighth studio album (2000). It was released as the lead single from the album to radio on August 1, 2000, by Maverick and Warner Bros. Records and commercially released on August 21. "Music" was inspired by a Sting concert Madonna attended and was written and produced by her with Mirwais Ahmadzaï. It is a disco, electro-funk and dance-pop song in a static key of G minor. Madonna's vocals are electronically manipulated in the track, with the lyrics having political and social undertones and reiterating the uniting power of music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Profusion</span> 2003 single by Madonna

"Love Profusion" is a song by American singer and songwriter Madonna for her ninth studio album, American Life (2003). Written and produced by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, it was released as the fourth and final single from the album on December 8, 2003, by Maverick Records. "Love Profusion" was first premiered during the release of the album on AOL. It later received a number of remixes, which were also released alongside the single. The song contains rhythm from a four piece bass drum, with acoustic guitar riffs and Madonna's voice backed by a male vocal during the chorus. Ahmadzaï used the stutter edit to create a new groove. Dedicated to Madonna's then-husband, Guy Ritchie, the song's lyrics deal with Madonna's confusion regarding American culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Price</span> British electronic musician

Stuart David Price is an English electronic musician, DJ, songwriter, and record producer. His acts include his own band Zoot Woman, Les Rythmes Digitales, Paper Faces, Man with Guitar, Thin White Duke, and the parodic French moniker Jacques Lu Cont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sing It Back</span> 1999 single by Moloko

"Sing It Back" is a song written and performed by Irish-English electronic music duo Moloko. It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor (1998); it was released as a single on 8 March 1999, reaching number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. The song experienced chart success after it was remixed by DJ Boris Dlugosch, peaking at number four in the UK in September 1999. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UK Singles Chart</span> British singles sales chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-selling singles in the United Kingdom, based upon physical sales, paid-for downloads and streaming. The Official Chart, broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and MTV, is the UK music industry's recognised official measure of singles and albums popularity because it is the most comprehensive research panel of its kind, today surveying over 15,000 retailers and digital services daily, capturing 99.9% of all singles consumed in Britain across the week, and over 98% of albums. To be eligible for the chart, a single is currently defined by the Official Charts Company (OCC) as either a 'single bundle' having no more than four tracks and not lasting longer than 25 minutes or one digital audio track not longer than 15 minutes with a minimum sale price of 40 pence. The rules have changed many times as technology has developed, the most notable being the inclusion of digital downloads in 2005 and streaming in July 2014.

Plastic Raygun was a record label based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, that specialised in breakbeat artists. The company was formed in the mid-1990s by Maf Lewis, Steven Robson and Neil Cocker organising and hosting concerts, featuring artists such as the Propellerheads and Bentley Rhythm Ace. They followed in 2000 with an official record label adding label manager Sam Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld</span> 1989 single by The Orb

"A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld" is the debut single by the ambient house group The Orb. It was originally released in October 1989 and made the UK Singles Chart in 1990, peaking at #78. The 'Peel Session' version was also voted into #10 place in John Peel's 1990 Festive Fifty. In April 1991, it was released on the debut album The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld. The title is taken from a sound effects track from Blake's 7 on BBC Sound Effects No. 26 - Sci-Fi Sound Effects titled "The Core, A Huge Evergrowing Pulsating Brain which Rules from the Centre of Ultraworld".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy Rain (song)</span> 1994 single by Soul for Real

"Candy Rain" is a song by American R&B group Soul for Real, released in 1994 through Uptown and MCA Records. The song was written by Jean-Claude Olivier, Samuel Barnes, Heavy D, and Terri Robinson. It spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US R&B chart and peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold 800,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovin' You</span> 1975 single by Minnie Riperton

"Lovin' You" is a song recorded by American singer Minnie Riperton from her second studio album, Perfect Angel (1974). It was written by Riperton and her husband, Richard Rudolph, produced by Rudolph and Stevie Wonder, and released as the album's fourth single on January 18, 1975. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on April 5, 1975. Additionally, it reached number two on the UK Singles chart, and number three on the Billboard R&B chart. In the US, it ranked number 13 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Róisín Murphy discography</span>

Irish singer and songwriter Róisín Murphy has released six studio albums, one live album, one remix album, five extended plays, 33 singles and 18 music videos. Murphy debuted in 1995 as lead singer of the electronic music duo Moloko. The duo achieved success in the United Kingdom, producing four top 20 singles. Moloko broke up in 2003 after Murphy had ended her relationship with musical partner Mark Brydon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forever More (Moloko song)</span> 2003 single by Moloko

"Forever More" is an electronica-influenced song performed by the band Moloko for their 2003 album Statues. Following its release of 23 June 2003, it reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, topped the UK Dance Chart, and peaked at number 15 in Romania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivyrise</span> British rock band

Ivyrise is a British rock band originating in Portsmouth, England formed by Ben Falinski in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Time Is Now (Moloko song)</span> 2000 single by Moloko

"The Time Is Now" is a song by Irish-English electronica-pop duo Moloko, released as the lead single from their third album, Things to Make and Do (2000). Members Mark Brydon and Róisín Murphy conceived the song as an acoustic dance recording, not wanting to turn it into a loud, drum-heavy track, unlike much of their earlier work. Characterised as a "disco anthem", "The Time Is Now" has been described as one of Moloko's least electronic efforts and a musical standout of the 3rd millennium's outset, receiving positive reviews from music critics. The song's multiple cover artworks were designed by Lizzie Finn and photographed by Barnaby & Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Familiar Feeling</span> 2003 single by Moloko

"Familiar Feeling" is a song by English-Irish electronica duo Moloko. It was released on 17 February 2003 as the lead single from their fourth and final studio album Statues. The song peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and number nine in Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Jacques Smoothie</span> British DJ

Jean Jacques Smoothie is a British DJ, producer, and record label founder. Originally from Gloucester, England, Robson moved in 1994 to Cardiff, Wales, where he began DJing and founded a record label, Plastic Raygun, with some friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Enough (Boris Dlugosch song)</span> 2001 single by Boris Dlugosch

Never Enough is a song by German electronic musician Boris Dlugosch featuring the vocals of Róisín Murphy from Moloko. Dlugosch and Murphy had previously collaborated on the Moloko track "Sing It Back", which became a hit in 1999 after Dlugosch remixed it. Released in June 2001, the song reached number 16 in the United Kingdom, number 26 in Ireland, number 73 in the Netherlands, and number 95 in Germany. In the United States, it reached number three on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jean Jacques Smoothie (2001). 2People (Album booklet). Echo/Plastic Raygun. p. 1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 McLaren, James (September 8, 2011). "Jean Jacques Smoothie's 2People". BBC. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Jean Jacques Smoothie biography". BBC Wales. BBC. November 19, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Carlson, Dean. "Overview: 2People Review". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Jean Jacques Smoothie: Biography". Resident Advisor. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Wales Music: Jean Jacques Smoothie". BBC Wales. BBC. July 30, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Jean Jacques Smoothie Songs". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart on 7/10/2001 6 October 2001 - 12 October 2001". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Official Independent Singles Chart on 7/10/2001 6 October 2001 - 12 October 2001". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles Week 43/01" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 (43): 11. October 20, 2001. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Lloyd, Kate (May 16, 2022). "Out on the town with Bad Boy Chiller Crew". Time Out. Retrieved July 2, 2023. It was him who pulled together the group's first proper song, chopping up a remix of DJ Jean Jacques Smoothie's 2001 one-hit wonder '2 People' and writing verses to go over it.
  12. ↑ "2People (feat. Tara Busch) [2011 Rework] - EP". Apple Music. October 5, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ Carlson, Dean. "2People [2011 Rework]". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  14. ↑ Keith, James (May 24, 2016). "Premiere: Blonde Have Flipped Jean Jacques Smoothie's Classic "2 People"". Complex UK. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  15. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 257.
  16. ↑ "Jean Jacques Smoothie – 2 People" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Jean Jacques Smoothie – 2 People" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart: 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. January 5, 2002. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  23. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting October 1, 2001: Singles". Music Week. 29 September 2001. p. 37.
  24. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 05 Nov 2001" (PDF). ARIA. 5 November 2001. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  25. ↑ "ジャン・ジャック・スムーズィー – トゥー・ピープル（オリジナル・ラジオ・ミックス）" [Jean-Jacques Smoothie – Two People (Original Radio Mix)] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 21 February 2002. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.