Blame It on Me (D:Ream song)

Last updated
"Blame It on Me"
D Ream-Blame It on Me.jpg
Single by D:Ream
from the album D-Ream On Volume 1
Released30 August 1994 (1994-08-30) [1]
Genre Pop
Length3:47
Label
Songwriter(s) Peter Cunnah
Producer(s) Tom Frederikse
D:Ream singles chronology
"U R the Best Thing (Perfecto Remix)"
(1994)
"Blame It on Me"
(1994)
"Shoot Me with Your Love"
(1995)
Music video
"Blame It on Me" on YouTube

"Blame It on Me" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in August 1994 by Magnet, FXU and Warner Music UK as the sixth and last single from the group's debut album, D-Ream On Volume 1 (1993). The song is written by frontman Peter Cunnah and features backing vocals by Jamie Petrie and Linda Duggan. Produced by Tom Frederikse, "Blame It on Me" received favorable reviews from music critics, peaking at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

Contents

Critical reception

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "The new single clams things down a little from the rampant dance pop of their previous hits with an almost gospelly [that's not even a word] ballad which may well under-perform in the charts, despite being another example of a song well sung." [2] Jennifer Nine from Melody Maker said, "Thing is, Peter Cunnah is starting to look cuter. And this song, darn it, despite being not nearly as overblown as it should be in the gospel-chorus department, is the silky, upful piano-and-twiddly-synth soul business. I played it over and over." [3] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "While George Michael spends all his time in court, Peter Cunnah takes his chance to fill the gap in the market. Here he's like a young Joel singing the 'River of D:Reams'." [4]

Alan Jones from Music Week gave 'Blame It on Me' four out of five and named it Pick of the Week, saying, "Quite different from previous D:Ream singles, this mid-tempoed pop nugget is dominated by piano and soft percussion, which allow Peter Cunnah to weave in and out with rather more room for expression than some of the group's other material." [5] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as a "pop crooner Peter Cunnah's huge singalong chroused and piano plonked shuffling jiggly 0-97.8-0bpm [track]". [6] Sylvia Patterson from Smash Hits also gave the song four out of five, writing, "This one's almost a ballad — but it's got big soul, vicar, it's got a choir of gospel angels, a celebration piano, a frolicin' bass and the whole thing whisks you away to a pulpit in Louisiana". [7] Darren Ressler from Vibe complimented it as a "tender, gospel-tinged pop ballad". [8]

Track listing

  1. "Blame It on Me"
  2. "Heart of Gold"
  1. "Blame It on Me" (A Club Dub by Tin Tin Out)
  2. "Blame It on Me" (original version)
  3. "Blame It on Me" (The Herbal mix)
  1. "Blame It on Me" — 3:47
  2. "Heart of Gold" — 3:43
  3. "U R the Best Thing" (acoustic) — 4:16
  4. "Blame It on Me" (A Club Dub by Tin Tin Out) — 8:06

Charts

Chart (1994)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [9] 74
Scotland (OCC) [10] 19
UK Singles (OCC)25
UK Dance (OCC)15
UK Dance ( Music Week ) [11] 15
UK Club Chart ( Music Week ) [12] 27

Related Research Articles

D:Ream are a British pop and dance group. They had a UK No. 1 hit with "Things Can Only Get Better" in 1994. Eight more top 40 hits followed, including "U R the Best Thing" and "Shoot Me with Your Love". Their two 1990s studio albums reached the UK top five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">As I Lay Me Down</span> Single by Sophie B. Hawkins

"As I Lay Me Down" is a song composed and performed by American singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins. It was released in February 1995 by Columbia as the third single from her second album, Whaler (1994), and also appears on The Best of Sophie B. Hawkins (2002). The song is one of her two biggest hits, reaching number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for six weeks during 1995. Outside the United States, the song reached number six in Canada, number seven in Australia, number 19 in New Zealand, and number 24 in the United Kingdom. Its music video was directed by Sophie Muller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Condemnation (song)</span> 1993 single by Depeche Mode

"Condemnation" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 13 September 1993 by Mute Records as the third single from the band eighth studio album, Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993). The song reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 3 in Sweden, and No. 1 in Portugal. Its music video was directed by Anton Corbijn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessie (song)</span> 1993 single by Joshua Kadison

"Jessie" is a song by American singer-songwriter Joshua Kadison, released in April 1993 by SBK as the debut and lead single from the singer's first album, Painted Desert Serenade (1993). The song was written by Kadison, and produced by Peter Van Hooke and Rod Argent. It did not become a hit in continental Europe until 1994 and in the United Kingdom until 1995. "Jessie" became a top-10 hit in Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands. In the US, it peaked at number 26 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. The song's music video was directed by Piers Plowden.

"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" is a song written by American songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Originally recorded as a demo by Dionne Warwick in 1963, "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" first charted for Lou Johnson, whose version reached No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 in mid-1964. Sandie Shaw took the song to No. 1 in the UK that same year, while the duo Naked Eyes had a No. 8 hit with the song in the US two decades later in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Things Can Only Get Better (D:Ream song)</span> 1993 single by D:Ream

"Things Can Only Get Better" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in 1993 by Magnet Records and FXU as the second single from the group's debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). It was written by Peter Cunnah and Jamie Petrie, and was a sleeper hit. The single was remixed and re-released in January 1994, to coincide with the band being a support act for Take That's UK tour, spending four weeks at number one. The song also reached the top 10 in eight countries. In the US, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show Me Heaven</span> 1990 single by Maria McKee

"Show Me Heaven" is a song written by American singer and songwriter Maria McKee, Eric Rackin and Jay Rifkin, and recorded by McKee for the soundtrack to the Tom Cruise film Days of Thunder, released in June 1990. Produced by Peter Asher, the power ballad received favorable reviews from most music critics, reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks and became the sixth-highest-selling single of 1990 in the UK. Additionally, the song became a worldwide hit, topping the charts of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway and becoming a top-five hit in Australia, Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland. It has since been covered by numerous other artists, including Tina Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay Another Day</span> 1994 single by British boy-band East 17

"Stay Another Day" is a song recorded by British boy band East 17, released on 21 November 1994 as the third single from their second album, Steam (1994). It is their only number-one song on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the Christmas number one of 1994. "Stay Another Day" also topped the charts of Denmark, Ireland, and Sweden and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several other countries, including Australia, France, and the Netherlands. Two different music videos were produced for the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Be Your Fantasy</span> 1992 single by Baby D

"Let Me Be Your Fantasy" is a song by British musical group Baby D. It was written and produced by band member Floyd Dyce and the vocals were sung by Dorothy Fearon. It was originally released by Production House Records in October 1992, when it reached No. 76 on the UK Singles Chart. In November 1994, London Records subsidiary Systematic re-released the song, and it subsequently became a UK No. 1 hit for two weeks. A partially black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoot Me with Your Love</span> 1995 single by D:Ream

"Shoot Me with Your Love" is a song by Northern Irish music group D:Ream, released in June 1995 by Magnet and FXU as the first single from their second album, World (1995). Co-written by frontman Peter Cunnah with Tim Hegarty, the song was the first of a three-single UK Top 40 run in 1995 for the band and also the highest peaking, reaching number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The follow-ups, "Party Up the World" and "The Power ", reached number 20 and 40, respectively. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Time (Dina Carroll song)</span> 1993 single by Dina Carroll

"This Time" is a song by British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll, released on 15 February 1993 by A&M Records as the fourth single from her debut album, So Close (1993). The song was written by Carroll with Nigel Lowis, who also produced it. It features strings by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, peaking at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart and number 78 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The music video for the song was directed by Michael Geoghegan.

<i>D-Ream On Volume 1</i> 1993 studio album by D:Ream

D:Ream On Volume 1 is the debut album by Northern Irish pop/dance band D:Ream. It was released in late 1993 by Magnet Records label, distributed by Warner Music major, and managed by FXU Management. The album includes D:Ream's biggest hit single, "Things Can Only Get Better", which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1994. The album also includes the song "U R the Best Thing", which was released three times in total. In 1994, the track was remixed, and managed to get to number 4.

<i>World</i> (album) 1995 studio album by D:Ream

World is the second studio album by Northern Irish synthpop / dance band D:Ream, released in 1995. It was to be the band's final studio release before their disbanding in 1997, and their re-forming in the late 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World in Your Hands</span> 1994 single by Culture Beat

"World in Your Hands" is a song by German Eurodance group Culture Beat, released in March 1994 by Dance Pool as the fourth single and the last one marketed in almost all countries in Europe from their second album, Serenity (1993). As for other Culture Beat's singles, a CD maxi entirely composed of remixes was added among the available media a short time after. The ballad is written by Nosie Katzmann with Jay Supreme, Torsten Fenslau and Peter Zweie. It was a top-10 hit in Finland and the Netherlands. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 20. Its music video was directed by Matt Broadley and filmed in Sweden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melody of Love (Wanna Be Loved)</span> 1994 single by Donna Summer

"Melody of Love (Wanna Be Loved)" is a song by American singer and songwriter Donna Summer. It was released on October 31, 1994 by Mercury Records and Casablanca Records as a new track and the lead single for her 1994 hits compilation album, Endless Summer: Donna Summer's Greatest Hits. The song was written by Summer, David Cole, Robert Clivillés and Joe Carrano, and produced by Summer and Welcome Productions. It just missed the top 20 in the United Kingdom and was a top-40 hit in Belgium. The song was formed with several remixes and was her tenth number one hit on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In Australia, the single peaked at number 79 in December 1994. It was awarded the ASCAP Dance Song of the Year prize in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let It Rain (East 17 song)</span> 1995 single by East 17

"Let It Rain" is a song by English pop boy band East 17, released on 13 March 1995 by London Records as the fourth single from their second album, Steam (1994). It was written by Ian Curnow, Phil Harding and Rob Kean with bandmember Tony Mortimer, while Curnow, Harding and Kean produced the song. It reached number one in Lithuania and Israel, and the top 10 in Finland, Ireland and the UK. Additionally, it was a top-20 hit in Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U R the Best Thing</span> 1992 single by D:Ream

"U R the Best Thing" is the debut single of Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, included on their first album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). Originally a club hit released in 1992, the song has been remixed and re-released twice: in 1993 and in 1994. The 1994 version, also known as the Perfecto mix, was most successful peaking at number three in Scotland, number four on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. It also peaked at number 13 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The 1993 version reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. There were made three different music videos to promote the single; the 1994 version was directed by Marcus Nispel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Perfect Year</span> 1993 single by Dina Carroll

"The Perfect Year" is a song performed by English singer-songwriter Dina Carroll, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. It is taken from the 1993 musical Sunset Boulevard, produced by Nigel Lowis, and was released as a single on 29 November 1993 by A&M and 1st Avenue. Later, it was included on Carroll's second album, Only Human (1996). Becoming one of her most successful songs, it peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number four in Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 17 in January 1994. In 2001, the song was included on Carroll's first compilation album, The Very Best of Dina Carroll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unforgiven (D:Ream song)</span> 1993 single by D:Ream

"Unforgiven" is a song by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, released in July 1993 by labels Magnet and FXU as the third single from their debut album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). Written by band members Peter Cunnah and Al MacKenzie, it was produced by the group with Tom Frederikse. It peaked at number 29 in the UK and number ten in Portugal. After the success of the singles "U R the Best Thing" and "Things Can Only Get Better", "Unforgiven" was re-released in 1994. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keep Warm</span> 1991 single by Jinny

"Keep Warm" is a song by Italian band Jinny, fronted by British singer and TV host Carryl Varley. Originally released in 1991 as a single only in the UK by Virgin Records as part of the Italo House boom of the late 80s/early 90s, it featured samples from "Taking Him Off Your Hands" by Mahogany Watkins, La Velle's 1979 track "Playgirl" and "What Happened to the Music" by The Trammps, with the hook coming from a 1987 track called "Keep It Warm" by Voices in the Dark.

References

  1. "Single Releases". Music Week . 27 August 1994. p. 27.
  2. Masterton, James (4 September 1994). "Week Ending September 10th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. Nine, Jennifer (10 September 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 36. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  4. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 38. 17 September 1994. p. 10. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  5. Jones, Alan (3 September 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week . p. 18. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  6. Hamilton, James (3 September 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  7. Patterson, Sylvia (31 August 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits . p. 47. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  8. Ressler, Darren (November 1993). "Revolutions". Vibe . p. 117. Retrieved 8 September 2021.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 39. 24 September 1994. p. 17. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  10. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 11 September 1994 - 17 September 1994". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  11. "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 10 September 1994. p. 30. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  12. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 10 September 1994. p. 6. Retrieved 20 May 2023.