"Poison" | ||||
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Single by Nicole Scherzinger | ||||
from the album Killer Love | ||||
Released | October 25, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:48 | |||
Label | Interscope | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Nicole Scherzinger singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Poison" on YouTube |
"Poison" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger for her debut solo studio album, Killer Love (2011). Released on October 25, 2010, it is the first single from the album. It was produced by RedOne, BeatGeek and Jimmy Joker, and is distinctively different from Scherzinger's previous attempts at releasing solo material. "Poison" is backed with powerful synthesizers and a pulsing dance-pop beat. The single was released as a two-track digital download and as a seven-track remixes extended play (EP).
"Poison" has received mostly positive reviews from most music critics who praised her new sound and the energy on the record but some criticized the song for being too generic. Scherzinger performed "Poison" live for the first time on the seventh series of The X Factor on November 28, 2010, to coincide with the song's UK release. Both the show's judges and studio audiences gave her a standing ovation, with the media later praising her energy, choreography and live vocals.
An accompanying music video, directed by Joseph Kahn, sees Scherzinger take on the role of a female superhero and switches between a good-girl and bad-girl persona. It was noted for its similarities to another Kahn-directed video, "Toxic" by Britney Spears. "Poison" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart becoming Scherzinger's second most successful single as a solo artist, in addition to peaking at number seven in Ireland, where it also became one of her highest-charting releases. The single reached number one in Scotland, which was Scherzinger's first solo number one worldwide.
In 2007, Scherzinger was planning to launch her debut album under the title Her Name is Nicole, however, the release of four singles, including "Whatever U Like" (featuring T.I.) and "Baby Love" (featuring will.i.am) all failed to significantly impact on US charts. [1] "Baby Love" was moderately successful reaching top-twenty in Europe. [2] After a number of pushbacks, the entire project was scrapped at the request of Scherzinger. [3] In May 2010, Rap-Up reported that Scherzinger was relaunching her solo career with an "empowering" ballad called "Nobody Can Change Me". [4] The song was recorded in a nighttime studio session while she was competing on season 10 of the U.S. reality competition, Dancing with the Stars , and was mastered on May 23, 2010, ready for its premiere on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM radio show the following day. [5] Idolator was unimpressed with the "treacly pop tune" saying that the lack of sexiness, "uninspiring message" and "squeaky vocals" did Scherzinger no favors. [6] However, Amos Barshad of New York magazine actually liked the song, stating that "there’s none of the Pussycat Doll’s forced sexiness here; instead, it sounds like something that could have just missed the final cut on a Kelly Clarkson album (that is sort of supposed to be a compliment, yeah)." [7]
Then in August 2010, Moroccan producer RedOne was interviewed by the BBC. In the interview, he revealed he had been working on Scherzinger's album. "I just finished her album. Her last one never came out because it was collecting hamburgers, like fast food. One from McDonald's, one from Burger King, and so on. It tasted good, but it wasn't consistent. Her new record – people are really going to go crazy about it because it's the real her." [8] Scherzinger's boyfriend Lewis Hamilton selected "Poison" as the album's first single. [9] It debuted on her official YouTube account on October 14, 2010. [10]
"Poison" is an uptempo dance-pop song produced by RedOne, BeatGeek and Jimmy Joker. [11] [12] It was written by Scherzinger, Bilal Hajji, Kinda Hamid, Novel Jannusi, Achraf Jannusi, RedOne [13] in the musical key of A-minor. [14] With a guitar-driven melody, [15] "Poison" uses a pulsating and toxic beat throughout, [10] [11] which is similar to that used in the Britney Spears song, "Toxic". The lyrics were also compared to "Toxic" and said to have similar themes, according to BBC Music blogger, Fraser McAlpine. [16] A reviewer from Rap-Up spoke of the song's overall theme. "The lead Pussycat Doll has thoughts of using a deadly elixir on the dance floor, singing through a fuzzy filter over bombastic synthesizers." They described the song as a "toxic pop gem". [10] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song has a time signature set in common time, with a tempo of 124 beats per minute. The melody is mainly composed with piano and guitar instruments. [14]
Bridget Daley of Hollyscoop was impressed with the song saying, "It’s super beat, and now we understand what RedOne meant when he told Hollyscoop how much we were going to love Nicole’s 'new' sound!" [17] However, Becky Bain of Idolator thought the "pulsating dance song" was underwhelming. "We have to admit, we’re not bowled over by this one, which pretty much follows a standard, predictable dance-pop formula from the double shout-out at the start to the 'woosh'ing fade-out finish". However Bain also pointed out that current trends on the US Billboard Hot 100 were unpredictable, "then again, since when has the Hot 100 shyed away from generic pop tunes we’ve heard over and over again? This one could go either way, folks." [11]
Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music stated that he thought the song was not as good as "Toxic" by Britney Spears but was incredibly similar. After dubbing it a weaker version of "Toxic", he said, "And that just leaves us here with a song ['Poison'] which is all stomp and huff, a dramatic bang of a thing, which seeks to drag all the bad girls to the dancefloor so they can holler their evil intentions to into the faces of nervous men. It's a song which makes the most of Nicole's unwholesome sexiness – as opposed to wholesome, you understand, I'm not saying there's anything gross about her – and has drama and fury on its side." [16] Nick Levine of Digital Spy agreed saying that "Scherzinger has managed to bag herself a banger of an (ahem) debut single". He described the song's busy production as "having a whiff of the Berline "teknoklub" that is a "racket in the best possible way". Levine also praised Scherzinger for her conviction on the song, awarding it five out of five stars. [15] He gave "Poison" a better reception than he awarded Scherzinger's previous attempt, "Baby Love" (2007), which he only awarded three out of five stars, stating that it was the wrong single to launch the career of a world-class superstar. [18]
Following Scherzinger's performance on series seven of The X Factor, The Official Charts Company tipped "Poison" as a contender for number one on the UK Singles Chart. [19] Then on December 11, 2010, the single debuted at number one on the Scottish Singles Chart. Additionally "Poison" made its UK chart debut at number three with first-week sales of 67,425, [20] thus becoming her first top ten single in the UK, as a solo artist. [21] It also peaked at number two on the UK Digital Singles chart. [22] The song has been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 200,000 copies of the single. [23] In Ireland, the single debuted at number seven. [24] "Poison" also charted at number nineteen on the Slovakian Airplay Chart. [25]
The music video for "Poison" was filmed over one day in an empty warehouse in Los Angeles, with Joseph Kahn serving as the director and Rich & Tone as the choreographers. [26] the music video for "Poison" features Scherzinger "sporting a skin-tight ninja outfit as she dance-fights with baddies." [27] The video's superhero theme has been compared to Kahn's "Toxic" music video for Britney Spears. [16]
The video begins on a city sidewalk where Scherzinger walks into a telephone booth as several men in black suits pass by the booth. As Scherzinger begins to undress, the men stop to stare as she begins taking off her glasses and shaking her hair back. The video then moves to Scherzinger in a dress walking past four men mopping the floor to a supply closet where she enters and reappears moments later, dressed in a black body suit with a cape. As the chorus begins, the situation rapidly switches back-and-forth from Scherzinger in her good-girl persona shown fighting escaped jail prisoners dressed in striped suits (and Beagle Boys masks) to Scherzinger in her bad-girl persona fighting with police. As the song progresses, Scherzinger is shown in a classic looking automobile and riding a BMW motorcycle, with a streaking white and black background. Several shots of her bad-girl persona alone in a room with two prisoners are then shown. As the bridge begins, she is shown in her good-girl ego standing by a podium, talking to a group of reporters while waving her hands in the air. As the bridge ends, she brings her hands down, blowing back all of the reporters, who then begin dancing and pumping their arms to the song. The video moves to Scherzinger dancing with the police and prisoners before ending with her blowing away the two men who were in the room with her and walking away.
MTV's Gil Kaufman called the video "slinky". [27] Robbie Daw from Idolator, said that "[we were] unsure about [...] 'Poison' when it first surfaced. But now that it’s been fitted with a somewhat stylish Joseph Kahn video, it’s all sort of starting to fall into place. 'Poison' video is super hot trash on a budget. .. But giving people with this much guilty pleasure in four minutes is just plain priceless." [28] French magazine Musique Mag, said that "[...] varying scenes, and fighting against thugs become [a] frenzied choreography." [29]
Scherzinger performed "Poison", live for the first time, on November 28, 2010, during the week eight results show on series seven of The X Factor UK . She wore a red catsuit and long black trenchcoat for the performance. [30] On The Xtra Factor following the live performances, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell praised Scherzinger's performance, respectively calling it "one of the best live guest performances we've ever had" and "if you want an example of how you do it right... its Nicole. It was focus, performance, vocals...". [31] Elena Gorgan of Softpedia agreed to say that Scherzinger wowed the "explosive" performance, earning her a standing ovation from the judges and audience. [32] The following day, she reprised the performance on ITV's breakfast show, Daybreak [33] before heading to London's Westfield Shopping Centre where she appeared on live screens to promote sports brand Reebok. [34] She stayed in the UK until December 5, 2010, promoting the single. [35]
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Credits adapted from Killer Love booklet liner notes. [12]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI) [23] | Silver | 200,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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Singapore | October 25, 2010 | Digital download | Universal | [43] |
Sweden | [44] | |||
Ireland | November 25, 2010 | Digital download (UK Remixes Version) | [45] | |
Portugal | Digital download | [46] | ||
Ireland | November 26, 2010 | [47] | ||
United Kingdom | November 28, 2010 | Polydor | [48] | |
Digital download (UK Remixes Version) | [49] | |||
Norway | November 29, 2010 | Digital download | Universal | [50] |
France | December 10, 2010 | [51] | ||
December 13, 2010 | Digital download (UK Remixes Version) | [52] | ||
Netherlands | December 17, 2010 | Digital download | [53] | |
Spain | December 20, 2010 | [54] | ||
France | January 3, 2011 | Digital download (France Remixes Version) | [55] | |
Germany | January 28, 2011 | Digital download | [56] | |
"Hush Hush; Hush Hush" is the remix of "Hush Hush", a song by American female group The Pussycat Dolls. The track was written by Andreas Romdhane, Josef Larossi, Ina Wroldsen, Nicole Scherzinger, Dino Fekaris, and Freddie Perren and produced by the former two alongside Ron Fair and Dave Audé is included on the reissues of the group's second album Doll Domination (2008). It was released on May 12, 2009 by Interscope Records as the album's seventh overall and final single. It is also the group's final release before their disbandment in 2010 until they reformed in 2019. Originally a ballad on the album, the song was remixed for its release as a single with a more uptempo disco-influenced production and interpolation of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" (1978) with lyrics alluding to a doomed relationship.
"Jai Ho! " is a song by Indian composer A. R. Rahman and American girl group The Pussycat Dolls, recorded for the re-release of the group's second studio album Doll Domination (2008) and their EP Doll Domination – The Mini Collection (2009). It was released on February 23, 2009, by Interscope Records as the fourth single from the album and is an English remake of the original Hindi song "Jai Ho" which is taken from the soundtrack to the hit film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). The remake was conceived by record executives Jimmy Iovine and Ron Fair who tasked the Dolls' lead singer Nicole Scherzinger with creating a pop record that did not deviate from the original melody. Iovine and Fair also asked a number of other writers to create interpretations of the song, including Brick & Lace, The Writing Camp and Ester Dean. The final English version of "Jai Ho" was dubbed "Jai Ho! " and is sometimes also referred to as the "RF Mix" or "Ron Fair" Remix.
Euphoria is the ninth studio album by Spanish singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias. The album is a joint-release by Universal Republic and Universal Music Latino and was released on 5 July 2010 internationally and in the US on 6 July 2010. The album features guest appearances by Akon, Usher, Juan Luis Guerra, Pitbull, Nicole Scherzinger, Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel and Ludacris. The album consists of songs in English, and Spanish.
"Heartbeat" is a song by Spanish singer and songwriter Enrique Iglesias. The song was written by Iglesias, along with his long-term collaborators Jamie Scott and Mark Taylor, for his ninth studio album Euphoria (2010). The mid-tempo ballad, produced by Taylor, features guest vocals from American singer Nicole Scherzinger. The song has a melody based on futuristic piano sounds and incorporates elements of dance music. The Rudi Wells' Open Heart Remix of the song later appeared on Scherzinger's debut studio album Killer Love (2011).
"Speechless" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ciara. The song was written by Ciara, The-Dream, and Tricky Stewart, with the latter two producing the song as well. Taken from her fourth studio album Basic Instinct, the song serves as the second single from the album. It was released in the United States as a digital download on September 7, 2010.
"Forever and a Day" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. Written by Rowland, Andre Merritt, Samual Watters, and Jonas Jeberg, the uptempo Europop song is the second international single taken from her third studio album, Here I Am (2011). It was produced and record by Jeberg at his personal recording studios in Copenhagen, Denmark.
"Don't Hold Your Breath" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, taken from her debut album, Killer Love (2011). The song began as a demo or reference track by American artists Timbaland and Keri Hilson, which leaked online in June 2010. It went through various iterations and versions which leaked ahead of its release in 2011. The final mixed and mastered version of "Don't Hold Your Breath" was released on March 10, 2011, through Interscope Records, preceding its parent album by one week. "Don't Hold Your Breath" was written by a trio of American songwriters: Josh Alexander, Toby Gad, and Billy Steinberg. It is an empowering independence anthem with lyrics that speak of rebuking the advances of an ex-lover, that features a pop and synth-pop production, with electro-pop beats and Eurodance stylings. Production was courtesy of Carl Falk, Rami and Steve Josefsson.
Killer Love is the debut solo studio album by Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger which features special guest appearances from Sting, Enrique Iglesias & 50 Cent. It was released on March 18, 2011, by Interscope Records, in association with its affiliated record labels. Scherzinger had been working on a solo album since 2005, under the title Her Name Is Nicole and was originally due for release in 2007. However, unsuccessful singles and poor timing led the project being pushed back numerous times. After releasing The Pussycat Dolls' second studio album Doll Domination (2008), Scherzinger shelved the project entirely citing bad timing and creative issues as the reasons for its cancellation. Many of its songs were reassigned to the Dolls or other artists. In 2010, Moroccan producer RedOne was brought on board for a second attempt at launching her solo album.
"Motivation" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Rowland for her third studio album Here I Am (2011). The song was written by Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Daniel Morris and Lil Wayne, with Jonsin producing the song and Lil Wayne having featured vocals. The R&B slow jam was released as the fourth single from Here I Am on March 2, 2011, by Universal Motown Records.
"Right There" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, from her debut studio album, Killer Love (2011). The song was released on May 17, 2011, as the third single from the album by Interscope and associated record labels. As the third single, a remix was recorded featuring American rapper 50 Cent. The song was originally intended to be the first single to precede the album in the United States. Written by Ester Dean, Frank Romano, Daniel Morris, and co-written and produced by Jim Jonsin, it is an island-flavored midtempo R&B-pop song that sees Scherzinger singing about her what she wants her lover to do and warning other suitors to back off.
"Wet" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, taken from her debut solo studio album Killer Love (2011). The song was written by Ester Dean and Traci Hale, co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate and Sandy Vee. The song was serviced as the fourth single from the album to British radio stations on August 28, 2011, by Polydor Records, while in Australia it was released in the following month.
"Turn Me On" is a song by French DJ David Guetta from his fifth studio album Nothing but the Beat. Vocals are provided by rapper and singer Nicki Minaj, whose second studio album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded features the song as a bonus song on its deluxe version. It was written by Ester Dean, David Guetta and Giorgio Tuinfort, with a rap written by Minaj.
"Try with Me" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, taken from the re-release of her debut studio album, Killer Love (2011). The song was produced by Carsten "Soulshack" Schack, and written by Schack, Sean Hurley and the twins Olivia and Miriam Nervo. "Try with Me" was released as the first single from the re-release and the fifth and final single overall both releases. The song starts as a slow power ballad before erupting into an upbeat dance track. Lyrically the song is about heartache and heartbreak.
"Boomerang" is a song by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, originally intended for her then-upcoming second studio album. It was written by Azengo, Morgan Jackson, Danny Mercer, Anthony Preston, and Sandy Wilhelm, with production by Wilhelm under his production name of Sandy Vee, Preston, and will.i.am. The song was released as a single on March 8, 2013 by Interscope. It is a dance and pop song with uplifting lyrics that speak about coming back up when you get knocked down, with music critics drawing comparisons to "Stronger " by Kelly Clarkson. Critical reception of the former from critics was mixed, with criticism for the simple lyrics but praise for the chorus being catchy.
Doll Domination – The Mini Collection is the second extended play (EP) by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls. It was released on May 24, 2009 by Interscope Records. The EP is an extension of the group's second studio album, Doll Domination (2008), including some previously released singles, such as "When I Grow Up", "Whatcha Think About That" and "I Hate This Part", as well as three new songs. The Mini Collection was one of several reissues released throughout 2009 as further promotion for the Doll Domination era, being released in between the European and Australasian legs of the group's Doll Domination Tour. It debuted at number nine on both the Scottish Albums Chart and UK Albums Chart, and would go on to be certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of at least 100,000 in the UK.
"Empire" is a song recorded by Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira for her self-titled tenth studio album, Shakira (2014). It was written by Steve Mac and Ina Wroldsen, while production was handled by Mac and Shakira. The song was released as the second single from the album on 22 February 2014. "Empire" is a downtempo rock ballad about finding a love so powerful their empire could make "the world unite". Her vocals on the track were compared to those of Tori Amos, Jewel, Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette.
"Your Love" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash and C. "Tricky" Stewart and produced by the duo alongside Godz of Analog, with vocal production provided by Bart Schoudel. The song was released on May 30, 2014, by RCA Records as the lead single marking its first release since signing a deal with Sony Music Entertainment.
"On the Rocks" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash, C. "Tricky" Stewart and Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney, while the song was produced by Godz of Analog, Stewart, Nash and McKinney, with vocal production from Bart Schoudel. The song was released on October 10, 2014, by RCA Records as the third single from the record. "On the Rocks" is an R&B ballad where the singer laments and gets over about a failed relationship by pouring up a stiff drink. "On the Rocks" received negative reviews from music critics, who described it as outdated and criticized the use of Auto-Tune. The accompanying music video premiered on September 5, 2014, on Vevo.
Big Fat Lie is the second studio album by American singer Nicole Scherzinger, released on October 17, 2014, by RCA Records. Scherzinger began working on the record in the summer of 2013, enlisting Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart to executively produce the album with Felix Snow, Bart Schoudel, Chris "TEK" O'Ryan and Carlos "Los da Mystro" McKinney also contributing. The title track was inspired by Scherzinger's struggle with an eating disorder. It is Scherzinger’s last studio effort to date.
"Run" is a song recorded by American singer Nicole Scherzinger for her second studio album, Big Fat Lie (2014). It was written by Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Felix Snow of which the latter produced it alongside Chris "Tek" O'Ryan. The song was released on September 30, 2014, to contemporary hit radio by Epic Records in the United States as the lead single; however the release was never materialized. A piano-ballad which also includes dramatic strings, "Run" offers advice to the next broken heart.
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