"In the Middle" | ||||
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Single by Sugababes | ||||
from the album Three | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 22 March 2004 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 3:38 | |||
Label | Island | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Sugababes singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Sugababes - In the Middle (Official Video)" on YouTube |
"In the Middle" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released on 22 March 2004 as the third single from their third studio album, Three (2003). The Sugababes were inspired to compose the song based upon the different situations experienced on a night out; they wrote it in collaboration with Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, Andre Tegler, Phil Fuldner and Michael Bellina. Higgins, Xenomania and Jeremy Wheatley produced the song. "In the Middle" is a dance-pop and funk-influenced record that contains a sample of German DJ Moguai's song "U Know Y".
The song received rave reviews from critics, who commended its production and appeal, and was nominated for Best British Single at the 2005 BRIT Awards. The single reached the top ten on the charts in Hungary, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It also peaked within the top forty on the charts in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. Matthew Rolston directed the song's music video, which was filmed at Pinewood Studios, London. It features the green screen effect and magical settings for the video's environments. The Sugababes performed the song on their tours in support of Three, Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006) and Change (2007).
The Sugababes wrote "In the Middle" in collaboration with Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, André Tegeler, Phil Fuldner and Michael Bellina, for their third studio album, Three (2003). [1] Group member Heidi Range revealed that the band wanted to write a song with which they could have fun; it was inspired by different situations experienced during a night out. [2] Keisha Buchanan, another member of the Sugababes, told Digital Spy that she wrote 90% of the song but could not comprehend the meaning of the lyrics: "I think it's because as I've got older I don't really relate to the lyrics. It was more of a fun song but I just don't really feel that attached to it any more." [3] Higgins, Xenomania and Jeremy Wheatley produced the song; the latter mixed it at the Town House Studios, London. [1] "In the Middle" was programmed by Matt Duguid, Nick Coler, Tim Powell and Tim Larcombe. [1]
The Sugababes confirmed through their official website in February 2004 that "In the Middle" would be the released as the album's third single. [2] Island Records released it on 22 March 2004 as a CD single and digital download. [4] The song's release coincided with the commencement of the group's UK tour in March 2004. [5] The CD single and digital download releases contain a B-side titled "Disturbed". [6] [7] A maxi single was released; it includes the B-side "Colder in the Rain", and two remixes of the track, including one by DJ Hyper, [8] which appears on his remix album, Wired (2004). [9] In Australia, the song was issued on 5 April 2004 as a CD single. [10] "In the Middle" is featured on the Sugababes' greatest hits album Overloaded: The Singles Collection . [1]
"In the Middle" is a dance-pop song with elements of funk. The Jerusalem Post's Harry Rubenstein described it as a "club-style experimental". [12] According to the digital sheet music published by Hal Leonard Publishing, "In the Middle" was composed in the key of B minor using common time, with a tempo of 128 beats per minute. [13] It is reminiscent of the group's singles "Round Round" and "Hole in the Head", both of which were also produced by Xenomania. [4] [11] "In the Middle" contains a sample of "U Know Y" by German DJ Moguai, and features guitar and keyboard instrumentation. [1] The song contains a low bassline that derives from a synthesised trombone. [4] The lyrical content of "In the Middle" is about finding a man after a night out, [14] in which the chorus is opened with the lines, "I'm caught up in the middle, jumping through the riddle, I'm falling just a little tonight". [13]
"In the Middle" received rave reviews from critics. Natasha Perry of Contactmusic.com named the song one of Three's "instant winners"; [14] Harry Rubenstein from the Jerusalem Post similarly considered it one of the album's best tracks. [12] The Guardian writer Andrew Mueller regarded "In the Middle" as "vastly superior", [15] while Alan Braidwood of BBC described it as quality pop. [16] Ben Hogwood of musicOMH questioned the number of songwriters it took to write the track, although cited this as reasons for the "polished production and slicker than slick chorus". [4] Writing for the Daily Mirror , Gavin Martin commended the Sugababes' attitude in the song, which he described as "colourful and explosive". [17] Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music characterised "In the Middle" as a "retro hip-shake". [11] A critic from the Daily Record regarded the song as "addictive and dancey" and wrote that it highlights the group's "considerable charms". [18] The writer noted that it echoes the appeal of their number-one singles, "Freak Like Me" and "Round Round". [18]
James Mortlock of the Eastern Daily Press described "In the Middle" as a pop classic from the Sugababes, [19] while Hot Press magazine's Phil Udell considered it one of the finest pop songs of the 2000s. [20] "In the Middle" earned the Sugababes a 2005 BRIT Award nomination for Best British Single. [21] However, the song was added to the category after the BRIT Awards organisers had made an error with the original list, as it was drawn up with the incorrect timescale. [22]
"In the Middle" made its first chart appearance on the Irish Singles Chart on 25 March 2004 in which it peaked at number thirteen. [23] It spent seven weeks on the chart, and was their second consecutive single to peak at this position. [24] The song debuted and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart for the issue dated 3 April 2004 and became the group's 6th consecutive top-ten hit in the UK. [25] [26] It spent eight weeks on the chart. [26] The single's highest chart peak was on the Netherlands' Dutch Top 40 chart, where it debuted at number thirty-one and reached number seven three weeks later. [27] It became the chart's 70th best-performing single of 2004. [28] "In the Middle" peaked at number twenty-three on the Swiss Singles Chart, [29] number twenty-nine on the German Singles Chart, [30] number thirty-three on the Austrian Singles Chart, [31] and number forty on the Belgian (Flanders) Ultratop chart. [32] The single reached number nine on the Hungarian Dance Chart and number thirty-three on the Hungarian Radio Chart. [33] [34] "In the Middle" charted at number thirty-three on Australian Singles Chart, becoming the Sugababes' third consecutive top-forty hit in Australia. [35]
The music video for "In the Middle" was directed by Matthew Rolston, [36] [37] who directed the video for the group's previous single "Hole in the Head". [36] It was filmed at Pinewood Studios, London in February 2004. [38] The photography was completed by Martin Ahlgren. [37] Buchanan refrained from revealing details about the video before its release, saying: "The shoot went very well but what actually happens in the video is being kept a secret until it's shown. We’re all really excited and can't wait to hear what our fans think about it!" [39] It aired on the Sugababes' official website, and on television, on 20 February 2004 and was included on the single's CD release. [8] [39]
Rolston used the green screen effect to produce the video, while the designs and effects for its environments were created by Jerry Steele. [38] Rolston conceptualised a "prism-like" glass room with six sides and large glass walls, in which Steele was inspired to enhance it with effects including reflections and lights. [38] The video was developed in magical settings, as STEELE VFX created "glamorous virtual environments" such as a sparkling glass room. [38] Buchanan wore a bikini, covered in chains and spikes, for the video. [40] She is featured in a blue room and has rainbow-coloured sparkles on her face. [38] Buena, who is seen pole dancing in a green-coloured room, is shown controlling "smoke elements" with her hands. [38] Range is shown in a pink room, and dances around a chair and against a wall. [41] Throughout the video, each group member's first name appears on screen, Buena's is formed by smoke, Buchanan's is formed by diamonds and Range's is formed by metallic cubes. [38]
The video uses the radio edit of the song, which is slightly re-recorded and remixed from the album version, and cuts the chorus between Buchanan's and Range's verses in half.
The Sugababes performed an extended version of "In the Middle" during their UK tour in March and April 2004 to promote Three, [42] in which they were supported by a four-piece band. [43] The group performed the single, along with "Hole in the Head" and "Too Lost in You", at Birmingham's Party in the Park festival on 10 July 2004 and also the following day at the festival of the same name in London. [44] "In the Middle" was included in the set list for the band's 2007 tour in support of Overloaded: The Singles Collection. [20] In addition, it was performed as part of the group's 2008 Change Tour, [45] [46] in which the performances featured the group in large, mirrored skirts, while rays of light were reflecting around the venue. [47] Kat Keogh of The Journal praised their performance at the Newcastle City Hall as one of the show's highlights, [46] while a critic from The Scotsman described their performance at the Edinburgh Playhouse as "ridiculously camp", although admitted that the light effect was "simple yet fantastically effective". [47] The Sugababes performed "In the Middle" on 10 July 2009 at the Riverside Ground in County Durham, England, as part of a set list. [48]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "In the Middle" (radio edit) |
| 3:38 | |
2. | "Disturbed" |
|
| 3:52 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "In the Middle" (single version) |
| 3:54 | |
2. | "Colder in the Rain" |
| Jony Rockstar | 4:34 |
3. | "In the Middle" (Ruff & Jam MetalTronik mix edit) |
| 5:43 | |
4. | "In the Middle" (Hyper remix edit) |
| 5:46 | |
5. | "In the Middle" (video) | 3:54 |
Notes
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Overloaded: The Singles Collection . [1]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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The Sugababes are an English girl group composed of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhán Donaghy. The lineup changed three times before returning to the original lineup in 2011.
Three is the third studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 27 October 2003. It generated four singles that charted in various parts of the world; the first, "Hole in the Head", became the group's third UK number one single. The three members of the Sugababes each recorded a "solo" song on the album—"Whatever Makes You Happy", "Sometimes" and "Maya". Three debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart.
Xenomania is an English songwriting and production team founded by Brian Higgins and based in Kent. Formed by Higgins with his Creative Director Miranda Cooper and Business Director Sarah Stennett of First Access Entertainment, Xenomania has written and produced for artists such as Cher, Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Pet Shop Boys, The Saturdays and Sugababes. In particular, all but one of Girls Aloud's studio albums have been entirely written and produced by Xenomania. Sugababes' "Round Round" and Girls Aloud's "Sound of the Underground" have been credited with reshaping British pop music for the 2000s. Gabriella Cilmi's "Sweet About Me" and Girls Aloud's "The Promise" were named Best Single at the ARIA Music Awards of 2008 and the 2009 BRIT Awards, respectively.
Miranda Cooper is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and television presenter. Miranda Cooper has worked in the music industry since 1996 when she gained her first recording contract. She worked as a professional dancer for artists such as Dannii Minogue before going into television presenting.
"Push the Button" is a song recorded by English girl group the Sugababes for their fourth studio album Taller in More Ways (2005). Composed by Dallas Austin and the Sugababes, it was inspired by an infatuation that group member Keisha Buchanan developed with another artist. Musically, the song is an electropop and R&B song with various computer effects. It was released as the lead single from Taller in More Ways on 23 September 2005, by Island Records.
"Caught in a Moment" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their third studio album Three (2003). It was released in the United Kingdom on 23 August 2004 as the album's fourth and final single. The song was written by the group's members in collaboration with Karen Poole, Marius De Vries and its producer Jony Rockstar. "Caught in a Moment" is a downtempo pop, soul and R&B ballad backed by an orchestral musical arrangement, and contains emotive lyrics that explore concepts of melancholy and hopefulness. The track received mixed reviews from critics who were ambivalent towards its balladry.
"Too Lost in You" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their third studio album, Three (2003). It was written by American songwriter Diane Warren as an English rendition of the song "Quand j'ai peur de tout" by French singer Patricia Kaas. The song was produced by the Australian musician Rob Dougan in collaboration with Andy Bradfield, and recorded at the Realsongs studio in Hollywood. This original version of "Too Lost in You" is prominently featured in the soundtrack to the 2003 film Love Actually, and was chosen for the film specifically by its director Richard Curtis. It is a pop rock and R&B ballad composed of an orchestral music arrangement and dark harmonies.
"Hole in the Head" is a song performed by British girl group Sugababes, released on 13 October 2003 as the lead single from their third studio album, Three. It was written by Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper, Tim Powell, Nick Coler, Niara Scarlett, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range, and co-produced by Higgins and Jeremy Wheatley. The song was met with acclaim from critics and was a commercial success, entering at the top of the UK Singles Chart. Outside the United Kingdom, the single peaked within the top ten of the charts in ten other countries. It became their only single to chart in the United States, peaking at number ninety-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
"Shape" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was composed by Sting, Dominic Miller, and Craig Dodds, who produced the song. The midtempo pop and R&B ballad incorporates a sample of Sting's 1993 recording "Shape of My Heart", whose vocals are featured in the chorus. It received mixed reviews from critics, who were ambivalent towards the sample of "Shape of My Heart".
"Round Round" is a song performed by British girl group Sugababes. It was written by group members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range, as well as Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Tim Powell, Nick Coler, and Lisa Cowling. It samples the song "Tango Forte" by German production team Dublex Inc., so the songwriters of that track are credited as well. Produced by Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby, the song was released as the second single from the group's second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002).
"Stronger" is a song by the British girl group Sugababes from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). The Sugababes wrote the song in collaboration with Jony Rockstar, Marius de Vries and Felix Howard; it was inspired by group member Heidi Range's experience of being separated from her family and friends. "Stronger" is a downtempo pop and R&B ballad with a self-empowerment theme. It is the third single from Angels with Dirty Faces and was released as a double A-side with the album's title track. The song received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the lyrics and the group's vocals, although some were ambivalent towards its composition.
"Red Dress" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways (2005). The group's members wrote the song in collaboration with its producers, the British songwriting and production team Xenomania, based on the perception that women must expose their body to be noticed. "Red Dress" was released in the United Kingdom on 6 March 2006 as the album's third single, and is the first to feature vocals by Amelle Berrabah, following the departure of Mutya Buena in December 2005. The Sugababes performed a cover of the Arctic Monkeys' song "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" as the single's B-side.
"Overload" is the debut single of British girl group Sugababes. It was released on 11 September 2000 through London Records as the lead single from the group's debut studio album, One Touch (2000). At the time, the group consisted of Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. It was co-produced and co-written by British songwriters and producers Paul Simm, Felix Howard, Jony Rockstar and Cameron McVey. The general theme of the song involves a teenage girl's crush towards a boy and her finding the situation difficult to manage.
Overloaded: The Singles Collection is the first greatest hits album of British girl group Sugababes. It was released on 10 November 2006—almost one year following the departure of founding member Mutya Buena and the introduction of her replacement, Amelle Berrabah. Overloaded features twelve of the group's singles, four of which reached number one in the UK; "Freak like Me", "Round Round", "Hole in the Head", and "Push the Button". The Sugababes collaborated with members from Orson to produce two new tracks for the album, "Easy" and "Good to Be Gone". Overloaded received positive reviews from critics, who generally praised it as a reflection of the group's success.
"Easy" is a song by British girl group Sugababes, released as the lead single from their greatest hits album Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006). Development of "Easy" began when the American rock band Orson discovered that the Sugababes were working on a new album, in which they proposed ideas for new tracks. They subsequently wrote the song with the group, and produced it. Backed by bass synthesizers, it is an uptempo electropop and pop rock song that features metaphorical lyrical content containing sexual euphemisms. The song is the group's first single to feature written contributions from then-new member Amelle Berrabah, who had previously sung on re-recorded versions of three songs from the album Taller in More Ways, including the singles "Red Dress" and "Follow Me Home".
André Tegeler, known by his stage name Moguai, is a German music producer and DJ. In the early 1990s, he took the alias Moguai and began organising his own club nights and parties in Ruhrgebiet and Münsterland. He became one of the first techno DJs in Germany, sharing a platform with the likes of Paul van Dyk, Westbam and Sven Väth.
"Angels with Dirty Faces" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their second studio album of the same name. It was written by the Sugababes in collaboration with the Xenomania members Brian Higgins, Bob Bradley, Tim Powell and Matthew Del Gray. Higgins, Bradley, Powell and Gifford Noel produced the song. An uptempo pop and R&B record with dance influences, it was released on 11 November 2002 as a double A-side with "Stronger", as the album's third single. The song received generally favourable reviews from critics, who praised its composition and highlighted it as one of the album's better tracks.
Change is the fifth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released through Island Records on 1 October 2007. It was their first album to feature complete vocals by Amelle Berrabah, who joined the group following founding member Mutya Buena's departure in 2005.
"Denial" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their fifth studio album, Change (2007). Coinciding with the commencement of the group's 2008 Change Tour, it was released on 10 March 2008 as the album's third and final single. V V Brown wrote "Denial" for the band while she was on London Underground's Victoria line, and attempted to "get into their mindsets" in the process. The Sugababes and the song's producers, Flex Turner and Elliot Malloy, co-wrote it. Composed of staccato verses, a harmonious chorus and a solo middle eight, "Denial" is a pop rock and disco song that samples "Standing in the Way of Control" by the Gossip.
"My Love Is Pink" is a song by English girl group Sugababes from their fifth studio album, Change (2007). It was written by band members Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range in collaboration with the songwriting and production team Xenomania, who produced the song. "My Love Is Pink" is an uptempo dance-pop and electropop song, reminiscent of those performed by British girl group, Girls Aloud. The song was released on 10 December 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland as the second single from Change. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the composition and sound, but criticised its lyrical content. The song peaked at number five on the UK Commercial Pop Club chart and number 51 on the Slovakian Singles Chart.
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