Playing with Knives

Last updated
"Playing with Knives"
Playing With Knives.jpg
Single by Bizarre Inc
from the album Energique
A-side "Playing with Knives" (Quadrant Mix)
B-side "Plutonic"
Released1991
1999 (remixes)
Recorded1991
(Out of the Blue Studios, Manchester)
Genre
Length6:46 (Quadrant Mix)
3:22 (radio edit / video version)
3:19 (1999 version radio edit)
Label Vinyl Solution
Songwriter(s) Andrew Meecham, Dean Meredith, Carl Turner
Producer(s) Bizarre Inc
Bizarre Inc singles chronology
"Bizarre Theme" / "X-Static"
(1991)
"Playing with Knives"
(1991)
"I'm Gonna Get You"
(1992)
Music video
"Playing with Knives" on YouTube

"Playing with Knives" is a song by British electronic dance music group Bizarre Inc. It was their second single released through Vinyl Solution (their fourth single overall), as well as their second single to be written and produced as a trio. It is also the first single from their debut full-length album, Energique (1992). The song originally reached number 43 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1991. [3] It was re-released later the same year and peaked at number four in the UK charts. In 1999, the song was released for a third time, charting at a peak of number 30.

Contents

Critical reception

Ned Raggett from AllMusic found that the song "has a wonderful squelching lead hook, leading into the mid-song shift to vocals and piano effortlessly." [4] Larry Flick from Billboard noted that it "spills industrial/acid keyboard noises on top of a fast-paced house groove". He added, "Nice contrast comes via occasional disco strings and diva wailing. Totally wild." [5] James Hamilton from Music Week complimented the track as a "frantic exciting rave". [6] Mandi James from NME felt that it showed "their scope, imagination and innate skill for pure pop songs". [7] Another editor, James Brown, wrote, "Token Techno track for people who prefer twisting and rolling at the hips to lying between the sheets listening to Peel. And a fine sound it is too." [8] Richie Blackmore from Record Mirror viewed it as a "furious piano-techno workout" that "is certainly at the cutting edge of current trends". [9] Marc Andrews from Smash Hits commented, "Throbbing "basslines" laced with meaningless phrases and there you have it. But just try sitting still when it's played at your next tea dance." [10]

Impact and legacy

NME ranked "Playing with Knives" number 14 in their list of "Singles of the Year" in December 1991. [11]

Clubbing magazine Mixmag ranked the song number 24 in its "100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time" list in 1996. [12]

Same year, English DJ Tall Paul chose the song as one of his Top 10 tracks, saying, "I don't know why this hasn't been reissued yet. I've seen so many bootlegs. It's just waiting to be brought out again." [13]

Alexis Petridis, writing for The Guardian in 2020, ranked the Quadrant Mix of "Playing with Knives" at number 13 in his list of his 25 best early '90s breakbeat hardcore tracks. [14]

Sampling and covers versions

Track listings

Charts

Related Research Articles

Bizarre Inc were an English techno group. Formed in 1989 as a duo between English DJs Dean Meredith and Mark "Aaron" Archer, they later re-formed as a trio consisting of Meredith, Andrew Meecham, and Carl Turner in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gett Off</span> 1991 single by Prince and the New Power Generation

"Gett Off" is a song written and produced by American musician Prince, released in June 1991 as the lead single from his thirteenth album, Diamonds and Pearls (1991). The album was his first with his backing band the New Power Generation. "Gett Off" was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number four in the United Kingdom; the maxi-single was too long and pricey to appear on the UK Singles Chart, so this release was classified as an album, peaking at number 33 on the UK Albums Chart in August 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charly (song)</span> 1991 single by the Prodigy

"Charly" is the debut single released by the British electronic act the Prodigy, later included on their debut album, Experience (1992), although the version featured on the album is the significantly different "Trip into Drum & Bass" remix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music Sounds Better with You</span> 1998 single by Stardust

"Music Sounds Better with You" is the only song by the French house trio Stardust, released on 20 July 1998. Stardust comprised the producer Thomas Bangalter, the DJ Alan Braxe and the vocalist Benjamin Diamond. They wrote "Music Sounds Better With You", a dance track, using a guitar riff sampled from the 1981 Chaka Khan song "Fate".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Good (Start the Dance)</span> 1994 single by The Prodigy

"No Good (Start the Dance)" is a song by English electronic music group the Prodigy. Written and produced by group member Liam Howlett, it was released on 16 May 1994 by XL Recordings as the second single from the group's second studio album, Music for the Jilted Generation (1994). Commercially, the track was presented with the slogan, "Hard dance with attitude" and is built around a repeated vocal sample from "You're No Good for Me", a song released by American singer Kelly Charles in 1987. Howlett initially had doubts whether to use the sample because he thought it was too pop for his taste. The song also contains samples from "Funky Nassau" by Bahamian funk group the Beginning of the End. It was certified Gold in Germany for 250,000 sold copies. The music video for the song was directed by Walter Stern and filmed in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Over Yet (Grace song)</span> 1993 single by Grace

"Not Over Yet" is a song by British dance act Grace. Originally released in 1993 under the band name State of Grace, it was re-released in March 1995 as the first single from their only album, If I Could Fly (1996). It received critical acclaim from music critics, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Lead vocals and backing vocals were performed by singer Patti Low. In 1995, the lead vocals were replaced by new frontwoman and singer, Dominique Atkins for the album release, although Low's backing vocals remained in place. This Atkins/Low combination appeared on all subsequent re-releases and remixes of the track. The woman who appears in the accompanying music video is Low.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride on Time</span> 1989 single by Black Box

"Ride on Time" is a song by the Italian house music group Black Box. It was released as a single in July 1989 and included on Black Box's debut album, Dreamland (1990).

<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">Crucified (Army of Lovers song)</span> 1991 single by Army of Lovers

"Crucified" is a song by Swedish band Army of Lovers, released as the first single from their second album, Massive Luxury Overdose (1991), and the seventh single to be released by the band. It was released in May 1991, February–April 1992, and July 2013. The song was written by bandmembers Alexander Bard and Jean-Pierre Barda with Anders Wollbeck, and features Barda, Bard and La Camilla. It was successful in several European countries, including Belgium, where it reached the number-one spot, and Germany, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland, where it reached the top 10. In the United States, "Crucified" became a huge club hit and radio favorite, debuting at number six on the Billboard Dance singles chart and spending a total of 14 weeks in the top 20. The initial remixes available on the CD maxi and vinyl 12" maxi are by Nuzak. The track samples the drum break from James Brown's Funky Drummer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)</span> 1993 single by Sub Sub

"Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)" is a song by British dance music act Sub Sub, released on 29 March 1993 by Rob's Records as the second single from their debut album, Full Fathom Five (1994). It features Temper Temper's Melanie Williams on vocals. The song was the act's biggest single, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart; it became one of many dance singles in 1993 to cross over into mainstream popularity in the UK. In the accompanying music video, Jimi Goodwin plays bass, Jez Williams plays keyboards and percussion, and Andy Williams plays keytar. After struggling to repeat the success of the single, and after a fire destroyed the band's Ancoats studio in 1996, the group eventually reformed with a radically different sound as Doves in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How to Dance</span> 1990 single by Bingoboys

"How to Dance" is a song by Austrian house music trio Bingoboys from their debut studio album, The Best of Bingoboys. The song features American female rapper Princessa. The song was first released in the United States in 1990 and was given a European release in March 1991. "How to Dance" peaked at number two in Austria and reached the top 10 in Australia, Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands. In the US, it climbed to number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart for one week in March 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Look Any Further</span> 1984 single by Dennis Edwards

"Don't Look Any Further" is a song by American singer Dennis Edwards featuring American singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett, released in April 1984 from the singer's debut album by the same name (1984). The song is written by Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Duane Hitchings. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Black Singles chart and No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the song peaked at No. 45.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Want Me (Felix song)</span> 1992 single by Felix

"Don't You Want Me" is a song recorded by British DJ and producer Francis Wright, known under the pseudonym of Felix, released in July 1992 as his debut single from his album, #1 (1993). Musically, it samples Jomanda's "Don't You Want My Love" and credited as Felix featuring Jomanda. Released on 27 July 1992, the song reached number six on the UK Singles Chart reached number one in Finland, Spain, and Switzerland. It also went to number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. In 1995 and 1996, the song charted in the UK again, but in remixed form. British magazine Mixmag ranked the song number 98 in its "100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time" list in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Took My Love</span> 1993 single by Bizarre Inc

"Took My Love" is a song by English electronic music group Bizarre Inc, featuring guest lead vocals by English singer Angie Brown. It was released in February 1993 as the third single from the group's second studio album, Energique (1992). The single went to number 19 on the UK Singles Chart and number-one for two weeks on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It was also number-one in Canada, peaking at the top of the RPM Dance/Urban chart for six weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Love Lives</span> 1990 single by Alison Limerick

"Where Love Lives (Come On In)" is a song by British singer and former dancer Alison Limerick, released first time in November 1990. It was her solo-debut and received favorable reviews from music critics, becoming a massive club hit in the early 1990s in both the United Kingdom and United States. In 1991, the single peaked at number 27 in the UK and number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. It was also voted Dance Track of 1991 by Billboard magazine. In 1992, it was included on Limerick's debut album, And Still I Rise. In 1996, it was released in a new remix by Dancing Divaz, peaking at number nine in the UK and number four on the dance chart in the US. The song is famous for the funked-up piano intro and remains the singer's most successful release. It is now widely regarded as one of the biggest club anthems of all time, and has been remixed and re-released several times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Get You (Bizarre Inc song)</span> 1992 single by Bizarre Inc

"I'm Gonna Get You" is a song by English electronic music group Bizarre Inc, featuring collaborative lead vocals by English singer Angie Brown. It was released in September 1992 by Vinyl Solution and Sony as the second single from the group's second studio album, Energique (1992). The song contains lyrics from "Love's Gonna Get You" by Jocelyn Brown, and a sample from "Brass Disk" by Dupree. It proved to be a hit on the UK Singles Chart in October 1992, peaking at number three and later being certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 200,000 copies, and it also reached the number-three position in the Netherlands in January 1993. The track failed to reach the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, but did top the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart as well as the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Such a Good Feeling</span> 1991 single by Brothers in Rhythm

"Such a Good Feeling" is a song by English electronic music trio Brothers in Rhythm, released as a single only. It samples Charvoni's "Always There" which itself is a cover of a Side Effect song from 1976. The original lyrics for "Always There", written by Paul B Allen III, were sampled, and different music was sampled by Brothers in Rhythm to play underneath those vocalized lyrics. Upon its first release, it reached No. 64 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. After a re-release the same year, it reached No. 14 in the UK. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Such a Good Feeling" reached number 43. Mixmag ranked the song number 49 in its '100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time' list in 1996.

"Do You Want It Right Now" is a song by American singer Siedah Garrett from the 1985 film Fast Forward. It was a bigger hit for Degrees of Motion in 1991. It has also been recorded by Taylor Dayne for her debut studio album, Tell It to My Heart (1988). A lyric sample of it was also used in Gat Decor's song "Passion", as well as in Armand Van Helden's 2007 hit "I Want Your Soul".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inner City Life</span> 1994 single by Goldie

"Inner City Life" is a song by British electronic musician Goldie featuring vocals by British singer Diane Charlemagne, released in November 1994 by FFRR as the first single from his acclaimed debut album, Timeless (1995). The song was written by Goldie with Rob Playford, and is widely considered one of the most iconic drum and bass works of its era. Accompanied by a music video directed by Mike Lipscombe, it peaked at No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the UK Dance Chart. NME ranked "Inner City Life" No. 11 in their list of the "50 Best Songs of 1994". In 2013, it was ranked No. 30 in Mixmag's list of "50 Greatest Dance Tracks of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)</span> 1995 single by Sparks

"When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing)" is a song by American rock band Sparks, released in February 1995 by Logic Records as the second single from their 16th album, Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins (1994). Written and produced by the Mael brothers, it also has a reference to American jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. The song peaked at number 36 in the UK, number 61 in Germany and number 24 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. Originally it was released as "(When I Kiss You) I Hear Charlie Parker Playing", before being re-named to its present title. Sophie Muller directed its music video.

References

  1. "Spirit of Ecstasy - Various Artists - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  2. Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "Bassline Changed My Life: Dance Music". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 674. ISBN   978-0-571-28198-5.
  3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". UK Singles Chart. 17 March 1991. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  4. Raggett, Ned. "Bizarre Inc. – Energique". AllMusic . Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  5. Flick, Larry (1 June 1991). "Dance Trax: Giving 'Peace' A Spin; Irma Sets Up Shop In N.Y." (PDF). Billboard . p. 31. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. Hamilton, James (16 February 1991). "Dance" (PDF). Music Week . p. 8. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  7. James, Mandi (31 October 1992). "Albums". NME . p. 34. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. Brown, James (23 March 1991). "Singles". NME . p. 16. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  9. Blackmore, Richie (6 April 1991). "Dj Directory". Record Mirror . p. 30. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  10. Andrews, Marc (13 November 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits . p. 51. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  11. "Singles of the Year". NME . 21 December 1991. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  12. "The 100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time". Mixmag . 1996. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  13. "Jock On His Box" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 6 July 1996. p. 5. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  14. Petridis, Alexis (27 August 2020). "The greatest hardcore rave tracks – ranked!". The Guardian .
  15. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 16 March 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  16. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  17. "Most Broadcast of 1999: Club Chart Top 50 of 1999" (PDF). Music Week . 22 January 2000. p. 32. Retrieved 24 April 2022.