"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" | ||||
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Single by Rod Stewart | ||||
from the album Blondes Have More Fun | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 10 November 1978 (UK) [1] | |||
Genre | Disco [2] | |||
Length |
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Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Tom Dowd | |||
Rod Stewart singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" on YouTube |
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", also written "Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy", is a song by British singer Rod Stewart from his ninth studio album, Blondes Have More Fun (1978). It was written by Stewart, Carmine Appice, and Duane Hitchings, [3] though it incorporates the melody from the song "Taj Mahal" by Jorge Ben Jor and the string arrangement from the song "(If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It" by Bobby Womack. [4]
The song was released as the first single from Blondes Have More Fun in November 1978. It spent one week atop the UK Singles Chart in December 1978 and four weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. Billboard ranked it number four on its Top Singles of 1979 year-end chart. [5] It also topped the charts in Canada for four weeks and in Australia for two weeks.
Royalties from the song were donated to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Stewart performed the song at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly in January 1979. [6]
Carmine Appice, who played drums on this song, told Songfacts: "This was a story of a guy meeting a chick in a club. At that time, that was a cool saying. If you listen to the lyrics, 'She sits alone, waiting for suggestions, he's so nervous...' it's the feelings of what was going on in a dance club. The guy sees a chick he digs, she's nervous and he's nervous and she's alone and doesn't know what's going on, then they end up at his place having sex, and then she's gone." [7] In a 2007 interview, co-writer Duane Hitchings noted that "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" was "a spoof on guys from the 'cocaine lounge lizards' of the Saturday Night Fever days. We Rock and Roll guys thought we were dead meat when that movie and the Bee Gees came out. The Bee Gees were brilliant musicians and really nice people. No big egos. Rod, in his brilliance, decided to do a spoof on disco. VERY smart man. There is no such thing as a "dumb" super success in the music business." [8]
After Rod Stewart rejected the original arrangement for the song, Appice instead used it for "I Just Fell in Love Again" on Carmen Maki's 1979 album Night Stalker, which he was working on at the same time. [9]
The song was criticised by many in the rock press as a betrayal of Stewart's blues-oriented rock roots, due to its disco-like arrangement, but Stewart and others were quick to point out that other widely respected artists, such as Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones, had also released disco-flavoured songs. However, the song has since experienced some retrospective acclaim as Rolling Stone placed the song at number 301 in its 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. [10]
Cash Box said it has "a clipping bass line [by Phil Chen], steady kick drum and soaring synthesized strings," as well as "alternately gentle and dashing rhythm guitar work and a commanding sax solo." [11]
It has been noted that Stewart created parts of the song through musical plagiarism. A copyright infringement lawsuit by Brazilian musician Jorge Ben Jor claimed the chorus of the song had been derived from his song "Taj Mahal". The case was "settled amicably" according to Jorge Ben Jor, in Ben Jor's favor. [12] Stewart admitted in his 2012 autobiography to "unconscious plagiarism" of the Ben Jor song, which he had heard while attending the Rio Carnival in 1978. [4] He also admitted that he had consciously lifted the song's signature synthesizer riff from the string arrangement on Bobby Womack's "(If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It". Stewart contends that it is legal to lift a line from any song's arrangement as long as the core melody line is not copied. [4]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
All-time charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Belgium | — | 100,000 [45] |
Denmark | — | 10,000 [46] |
France (SNEP) [47] | Gold | 500,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI) [48] | Gold | 500,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [49] | Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" | ||||
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Single by Revolting Cocks | ||||
from the album Linger Ficken' Good | ||||
Released | 6 September 1993 [50] | |||
Length | 5:34 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Revolting Cocks | |||
Revolting Cocks singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" |
Industrial supergroup Revolting Cocks recorded a version of "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" for their album Linger Ficken' Good . The song was released as a single in September 1993 with the songs "Sergio Guitar" and "Wrong Sexy Mix" as B-sides. This version includes slightly altered lyrics (the lyric "Give me a dime so I can call my mother" is replaced with "Give me a buck so I can buy a rubber" and "He says, I'm sorry, but I'm out of milk and coffee" is replaced with "He says, I'm sorry, but I'm out of KY Jelly"). [51]
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" | ||||
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Single by N-Trance featuring Rod Stewart | ||||
from the album Happy Hour | ||||
Released | 20 October 1997 [52] | |||
Genre | Eurodance | |||
Length | 3:59 | |||
Label | All Around the World | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Curds, Whey | |||
N-Trance singles chronology | ||||
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Rod Stewart singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" on YouTube |
In 1997,the song was remixed by English electronic dance music group N-Trance for their second album, Happy Hour (1998),and features lyrics from the Millie Jackson version (as performed by vocalist Kelly Llorenna). It was featured in the film A Night at the Roxbury the following year. This version became a hit in late 1997,topping both the New Zealand Singles Chart for three weeks and the Czech Republic singles chart. [53] Additionally,the song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and earning a double-platinum sales certification in Australia,where it charted at number three.
Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "another slice of flashback fever". He noted that "with its recognizable hook,booty-shakin' baseline,guest rap by Ricardo da Force,diva wailings by Kelly Llorenna,and Stewart himself,this updated remake could very well become the surprise radio hit of the summer. Of course,it could also become this month's novelty record." [54] British magazine Music Week rated N-Trance's version four out of five in their review. [55]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [84] | 2×Platinum | 140,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [85] | Platinum | 10,000* |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [86] | Gold | |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" | ||||
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Single by Rod Stewart featuring DNCE | ||||
Released | 25 August 2017 | |||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | Republic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Rod Stewart singles chronology | ||||
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DNCE singles chronology | ||||
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Lyric video | ||||
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" on YouTube |
On August 25,2017,Rod Stewart released a remix version,which features a guest appearance from American band DNCE. He sings along with Joe Jonas,the lead singer of the band. [87] The singer and the band performed the song together at 2017 MTV Video Music Awards two days later. [88] [89]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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Various | 25 August 2017 | Digital download | Republic | [87] |
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" | |
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Song by Carmine Appice/Fernando Perdomo Project | |
from the album Energy Overload | |
Released | 24 September 2021 |
Recorded | 2021 |
Genre | |
Length | 5:05 |
Label | Cleopatra Records |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
In 2021, Appice and Fernando Perdomo released an instrumental rock album, Energy Overload, [99] that includes what Eric Harabadian of Music Connection Magazine describes as a "harmonic and rhythmic renovation" of Do Ya Think I'm Sexy. [100]
Sir Roderick David Stewart is a British rock and pop singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 120 million records worldwide. His music career began in 1962 when he took up busking with a harmonica. In 1963, he joined the Dimensions as a harmonica player and vocalist. In 1964, Stewart joined Long John Baldry and the All Stars before moving to the Jeff Beck Group in 1967. Joining Faces in 1969, he also launched a solo career, releasing his debut album that year. Stewart's early albums were a fusion of rock, folk music, soul music, and R&B. His third album, 1971's Every Picture Tells a Story, was his breakthrough, topping the charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, as did its ballad "Maggie May". His 1972 follow-up album, Never a Dull Moment, also reached number one in the UK and Australia, while going top three in the US and Canada. Its single, "You Wear It Well", topped the chart in the UK and was a moderate hit elsewhere.
Blondes Have More Fun is British musician Rod Stewart's ninth album, released in November 1978. As was the popular musical trend at the time, it is Stewart's foray into disco music. The album was commercially successful, reaching number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US, but was critically divisive. The lead single "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" became one of Stewart's biggest hits, peaking at No.1 in both the UK and US.
Jorge Duílio Lima Menezes is a Brazilian popular musician, performing under the stage name Jorge Ben Jor since the 1980s, though commonly known by his former stage name Jorge Ben. Performing in a samba style that also explored soul, funk, rock and bossa nova sounds, Ben has recorded such well-known songs as "Chove Chuva", "Mas, que Nada!", "Ive Brussel" and "Balança Pema". His music has been interpreted by artists such as Caetano Veloso, Sérgio Mendes, Miriam Makeba, Soulfly and Marisa Monte.
Kelly Llorenna is an English dance music singer, who was born in Slough, Berkshire and raised in Oldham, Greater Manchester. She is best known as the former lead vocalist for the dance group N-Trance in the 1990s. Their biggest hit was "Set You Free", which made the UK top five in early 1995. Since then she has had six UK top 10 singles.
"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" is a Holland–Dozier–Holland song that was a hit for American musical group the Isley Brothers in January 1966 during their brief tenure on Motown's Tamla label. Featuring Ronald Isley on lead vocal, "This Old Heart of Mine" peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number six on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.
"Stayin' Alive" is a song written and performed by the Bee Gees from the Saturday Night Fever motion picture soundtrack. The song was released in December 1977 by RSO Records as the second single from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The band wrote the song and co-produced it with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. It is one of the Bee Gees' signature songs. In 2004, "Stayin' Alive" was placed at No. 189 by Rolling Stone on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The 2021 updated Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Songs placed "Stayin' Alive" at No. 99. In 2004, it ranked No. 9 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema. In a UK television poll on ITV in December 2011 it was voted fifth in The Nation's Favourite Bee Gees Song.
N-Trance are a British electronic music group who were formed by Kevin O'Toole and Dale Longworth in 1991. The group is known for their European hit songs "Set You Free" and "Electronic Pleasure", and their covers of the 1970s disco songs "Stayin' Alive", "D.I.S.C.O.", "Shake Ya Body", and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". They had 14 charting singles in the UK during 1994–2004.
"Knock on Wood" is a 1966 hit song written by Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper and originally performed by Floyd. The song has become covered by later artists, most notably Amii Stewart in 1979. Stewart's disco version was the most successful on weekly music charts.
"Fire" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen in 1977 which had its highest profile as a 1978 single release by the Pointer Sisters. The song was also released by Robert Gordon and Springsteen himself.
"You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)" is a song written and recorded by Rod Stewart for his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The song became a hit, reaching the top ten of many countries, including the United States (number 4), Canada (number 2), and Australia, peaking at number 1 for one week.
"Ain't Love a Bitch" is a song written by Gary Grainger and Rod Stewart. Stewart released it on his 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun, and it was one of four songs on the album co-written by Stewart and Grainger. The song was released as a single in 1979, reaching #11 on the UK charts, and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It spent 8 weeks on the UK charts and 6 weeks on the US charts. The song also reached the Top Ten in several countries, including Ireland. Billboard magazine placed Stewart #7 on its list of the Top Single Artists of 1979 on the strength of "Ain't Love a Bitch" and its predecessor, "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 is Rod Stewart's 1979 Warner Bros. Records best-of compilation.
"Baby Jane" is a 1983 song by British singer Rod Stewart, written by Stewart and Jay Davis released as the lead single from his twelfth studio album Body Wishes. Produced by Stewart, Tom Dowd, George Cutko and Jim Cregan, it was his most successful single since "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" in 1978, peaking at No. 1 in the UK remaining at the top of the chart for three weeks. In the US, the song was also a big hit, peaking at no. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single also charted highly in Australia, peaking at no. 10.
"D.I.S.C.O." is a song by the French band Ottawan, written by Daniel Vangarde and Jean Kluger and produced by Daniel Vangarde. Ottawan originally recorded it in French.
"Young Turks" is a song by Rod Stewart that first appeared in 1981 on his album Tonight I'm Yours. The track presented Stewart backed by a new synth-pop and new wave sound, in part influenced by acts like Devo. The term young Turk, which originates from the early 20th-century secular nationalist reform party of the same name, is slang for a rebellious youth who acts contrary to what is deemed normal by society. The phrase "young Turks" is not heard in the song, the chorus instead centering on the phrase "young hearts, be free, tonight", leading to the song frequently being known as "Young Hearts" or "Young Hearts Be Free".
This is the discography of the British electronic music group N-Trance. The band has released two studio albums, one compilation album and seventeen singles. After originally being signed by 380 Records for a year, they signed to the independent dance record label All Around the World (AATW) in 1992. Most of their work is released by AATW in the United Kingdom, but they have also been released in Europe, the United States and the rest of the world.
"Volume III" a.k.a. "Stars on 45 Volume 3" is a song issued in 1981 by the Dutch studio group Stars on 45, in the UK credited to 'Starsound'. It was the second single from the band's second full-length release Longplay Album - Volume II.
"Blondes (Have More Fun)" is a song written by Rod Stewart and Jim Cregan that was originally released as the title track of Stewart's 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun. In some countries it was released as the third single off the album, following "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Ain't Love a Bitch". It only reached the Top 70 in the UK, topping out at #63 but reached #23 in Ireland. The song was covered by Vince Neil on the Japanese version of his album Exposed.
"Passion" is a song by Rod Stewart that first appeared in 1980 on his album Foolish Behaviour. It was the lead single and biggest hit from the album. The song was also released as a 12-inch promotional single with an extended running time of 7:30.
"Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)" is a song by Rod Stewart, the title track of his 1981 album Tonight I'm Yours. It was one of three singles released from the album. The song was the lead single internationally except for the United States, where it was the follow-up to "Young Turks."