"Express Yourself" | ||||
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Single by Labrinth | ||||
from the album Electronic Earth | ||||
Released | 7 May 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:03 | |||
Label | Syco | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Labrinth singles chronology | ||||
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"Express Yourself" is a song by English musician Labrinth. Written by Labrinth and Charles Wright, it was released as the fourth single from his debut studio album, Electronic Earth on 7 May 2012. It interpolates "Express Yourself" by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, which was the same song sampled by N.W.A. in their 1988 song of the same name, and the famous drum break from James Brown's "Funky Drummer".
Labrinth premiered the song live during the results show of the fourth live-semi final of the sixth series of Britain's Got Talent , on 9 May 2012. Maxumi Magazine commented that the track demonstrates "Labrinth's Kanye West like ability to make cracking use of samples that pay homage to their originators whilst forming the basis for inventive new tunes". [1] Don Diablo remixed the single, due to be released as part of the digital EP, but he later revealed via his SoundCloud that the remix missed the deadline and therefore was not included on the iTunes package. [2] This song is featured in a Windows 8 commercial.
Digitalspy.co.uk reviewed the single saying "From the gospel-inspired chorus in "Let the Sun Shine" to the hi-wired grime beats on "Earthquake", Labrinth is quickly earning himself a reputation as the chameleon of the pop world. Better yet, it appears he still has plenty more ideas tucked up his sleeve, having told us he wants to put out eight singles from his debut LP Electronic Earth. So what of release number four? The singer has tried his hand at soul, interweaving singing legend Charles Wright's melody with his own contemporary and distinctly personal lyrics. "I don't make the papers, I'm far from JLS/Ain't got the X Factor , I'm not what they expect," he admits over funk-driven guitars, before the chorus of trumpets and sparkly synths shower down. It's a suit that fits him remarkably well, though given his history, we won't allow ourselves to enjoy it too much." [3]
Several images of the music video were posted to Labrinth's official Facebook page prior to the release of the video. The official video was shot by French directorial duo Jonas & François. It was released on 16 May 2012, at a total length of three minutes and thirty-two seconds. [4] The video depicts Labrinth parodying such programmes as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air , where he brings back the rotating throne from the sitcom's opening titles, Ice Age and The Simpsons , recreating scenes from the show's opening sequences and also he is seen performing on a floor with comic book artworks covering it. The video uses the single remix of "Express Yourself", rather than the album version.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Express Yourself" (Radio Edit) | 3:18 |
2. | "Express Yourself" (Lazy Jay Remix) | 5:48 |
3. | "Express Yourself" (Oliver Twizt Remix) | 4:28 |
4. | "Express Yourself" (Rudimental Remix) | 3:47 |
5. | "Express Yourself" (Wideboys Remix) | 5:18 |
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [6] | 22 |
France (SNEP) [7] | 160 |
Germany (Official German Charts) [8] | 55 |
Ireland (IRMA) [9] | 22 |
Scotland (OCC) [10] | 17 |
UK Singles (OCC) [11] | 12 |
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles Chart [12] | 86 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [13] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Label | Format | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 4 June 2012 | Syco | Digital download | [5] |
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is an American soul and funk band. Formed in the early 1960s, they had the most visibility from 1967 to 1973 when the band had 9 singles reach Billboard's pop and/or rhythm and blues charts, such as "Do Your Thing", "Till You Get Enough", and "Love Land". They are best known for their biggest hit on Warner Bros. Records, 1970's "Express Yourself", a song that has been sampled by rap group N.W.A and others.
"Hand on Your Heart" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her second studio album, Enjoy Yourself (1989), and released as its lead single on 24 April 1989. Much like her previous releases up to Let's Get to It (1991), the song was written and produced by English songwriting and record production trio Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW). Referenced tracks during composition included "This Old Heart of Mine" by the Isley Brothers and "That's the Way Love Is" by Ten City.
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"Express Yourself" is a song recorded by American hip hop group N.W.A, performed solo by Dr. Dre. The song, off their 1988 album Straight Outta Compton, samples Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band's song of the same name. Unlike most songs on the album and by N.W.A, the song is devoid of profanity and violence. "Express Yourself" was released in 1989 as the album's last single, the album version of the track features rap vocals from Dr. Dre only whereas the 2002 reissue, single edition and video version features small verses from MC Ren and Ice Cube, the writer of the song. The song reached number 50 in the UK in September 1989, before reaching number 26 on reissue in June 1990.
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Timothy Lee McKenzie, better known by his stage name Labrinth, is an English singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Labrinth signed as a recording artist with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music in 2010, initially collaborating with the English rapper Tinie Tempah. He appeared as a featured artist: uncredited on the single "Pass Out", but later officially on "Frisky"; then he released his first solo single, "Let the Sun Shine" in September. All three songs peaked in the top five on the UK Singles Chart.
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