Ride a White Horse

Last updated

"Ride a White Horse"
Goldfrapp - Ride a White Horse.png
Single by Goldfrapp
from the album Supernature
B-side
  • "Slide In" (DFA remix)
  • "Boys Will Be Boys"
Released13 February 2006 (2006-02-13)
Genre
Length4:41
Label Mute
Songwriter(s) Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory, Nick Batt
Producer(s) Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory
Goldfrapp singles chronology
"Number 1"
(2005)		"Ride a White Horse"
(2006)		"Fly Me Away"
(2006)

"Ride a White Horse" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. The song was written by Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory and Nick Batt for Goldfrapp's third album Supernature (2005). The song was inspired by the disco era nightclub Studio 54. [2]

Contents

The song was released as the album's third single in February 2006 to positive reviews from music critics. It was a commercial success, reaching the top forty on the majority of the charts it entered. The song has been remixed a number of times and was featured in an episode of the American television program The L Word , in which Goldfrapp performed it in a bar. [3]

Background and writing

"Ride a White Horse" is an electronic – dance song that was inspired by the disco era. Alison Goldfrapp had grown up listening to T.Rex and Polish disco music, and many assumed that she based the song's lyrics around Bianca Jagger's infamous entrance into Studio 54 on a white horse. [2] [4] The song was composed as a collaborative effort between Goldfrapp and Will Gregory in late 2004 in a rented cottage in the countryside of Bath, England. [5] The song was written and recorded while Goldfrapp and Gregory were "jamming in the recording studio, bouncing song ideas off each other". [6]

"Ride a White Horse" is written in the common verse-chorus form and features instrumentation from synthesizers and a bass guitar. [7] The US maxi CD single featured a cover version of "Boys Will Be Boys" as its B-side. The song was originally performed by British rock group the Ordinary Boys. [8]

Music video

Alison Goldfrapp pulling a large plastic dog in the music video. GoldfrappRideAWhiteHorse.jpg
Alison Goldfrapp pulling a large plastic dog in the music video.

The music video for "Ride a White Horse" was directed by Diane Martel and filmed in London, England in December 2005. [9] The video features Alison Goldfrapp dressed in a white romper, posing within (or superimposed over) multiple bizarre, borderline-disturbing scenarios. The video begins with Goldfrapp, her back to the camera, trailing toilet paper from one of her spike heels, singing into a microphone made of a cardboard roll and aluminium foil. As she sings, she is superimposed over piles of rotting, wasted food, trash, and other refuse. She is then shown biting into a slice of “pizza” covered in “cigarette butts” and “bottlecaps”. The next scenes feature Goldfrapp pulling a large plastic dog, resembling an animal statue of Ancient Egyptian style. In the following scenario, oblivious to her presence, is a man wrapped completely in toilet paper—or possibly portraying an Egyptian mummy—and eating from a garbage can. The final scenes show Goldfrapp singing amongst her visibly dirty background dancers, all with wigs to resemble straggly, unkempt hair and mud smeared over their bodies, wearing nothing but what appear to be loincloths. The dancers, who themselves resemble cavemen or even Neanderthals, appear as they climb out of a trash dumpster in their underwear. The video concludes with Goldfrapp forcing the leg of the bandaged man into a toilet.

In 2006, the video was nominated at the Festival International des Arts du Clip in the "Off Competition" category for its audacity and off-beat sense of humour. [10] The complete version of "Ride a White Horse" featured in the music video has been released commercially through CD singles and digital downloads, and some include remixes by Serge Santiágo and Ewan Pearson. [8] An alternate music video was also filmed live at the Brixton Academy in London, England on 6 October 2005. The video was directed by Matthew Amos and released on the song's DVD single. [8]

Critical reception

"Ride a White Horse" received positive reviews from music critics. MusicOMH.com's Michael Hubbard called the song "one of the most glamorous and erotic tracks" on Supernature, [11] and Stylus Magazine described it as "memorable" because of its "combination of a decently danceable groove and some nicely arch vocals". [12] In a review for PopMatters, Adrien Begrand wrote that "Ride a White Horse" was "destined for club hit status", comparing Alison Goldfrapp's "cold, husky croon" to Kate Bush. [13]

Marketing and release

In March 2007, "Ride a White Horse" was featured on an episode of the American television program The L Word . [14] The episode titled "Literary License to Kill" featured the group performing the song at The Planet cafe-bar while the characters celebrated a birthday. A radio edit of the song was also featured on the program's soundtrack released in January 2007. [15]

"Ride a White Horse" was released as a various formats throughout the world. While most territories received a CD single and digital download release, the single was released as two CD singles on 13 February 2006 in the UK. [8] A DVD single was also issued and included behind the scenes footage of Goldfrapp on tour and a live music video for "Ride a White Horse". [8] On 27 February 2006, two 12-inch vinyl singles were issued. [8] In Australia, a CD single was issued on 6 March 2006. [16]

Commercial performance

"Ride a White Horse" entered the UK Singles Chart on 25 February 2006 at number 15, remaining on the chart for three weeks. [17] The song proved popular on UK radio, charting at number 23 on the airplay chart. [18] In Ireland, the song reached number 36 on the singles chart before exiting the following week. [19]

In the United States, "Ride a White Horse" was released as the album's final single. The song did not perform as well as its predecessors on the Billboard Dance Chart, reaching only number 29. [20] The song, however, did peak at number three on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. [21]

Track listings

Personnel

The following people contributed to Ride a White Horse: [7]

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Ride a White Horse"
Chart (2006–2007)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [19] 36
Scotland (OCC) [30] 9
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [31] 7
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 15
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [20] 29
US Dance Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [32] 5
US Hot Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [21] 38

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Ride a White Horse"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom13 February 2006
  • CD
  • DVD
 Mute [8]
27 February 200612-inch vinyl
Australia6 March 2006CD [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldfrapp</span> English electronic music duo

Goldfrapp are an English electronic music duo from London, formed in 1999. The duo consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory (synthesiser).

<i>Supernature</i> (Goldfrapp album) 2005 studio album by Goldfrapp

Supernature is the third studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 17 August 2005 by Mute Records. The album received generally favourable reviews, with most critics complimenting its blend of pop and electronic music. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 52,976 copies, and has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Supernature has sold one million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Goldfrapp</span> English musician and record producer (born 1966)

Alison Elizabeth Margaret Goldfrapp is an English musician and record producer, known as the vocalist of English electronic music duo Goldfrapp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldfrapp discography</span>

English electronic music duo Goldfrapp have released seven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, four extended plays, 25 singles, eight promotional singles, one video album and 29 music videos. The band was formed in 1999 in London, and consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory (synthesiser).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Number 1 (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2005 singly by Goldfrapp

"Number 1" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song features a synthesiser and bass guitar arrangement and was written about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh La La (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2005 single by Goldfrapp

"Ooh La La" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song consists largely of a synthesiser and guitar arrangement, and has been described as "a dirty, decadent homage to Marc Bolan".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovely Head</span> 2000 single by Goldfrapp

"Lovely Head" is an electronic song performed by British group Goldfrapp. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for the duo's debut album Felt Mountain (2000). It was released as the album's first single in May 2000 but did not chart. In November 2001, the song was re-issued as a double A-side single with "Pilots " and reached number sixty-eight on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utopia (Goldfrapp song)</span> Goldfrapp song

"Utopia" is an electronic song performed by British group Goldfrapp. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for the duo's debut album Felt Mountain (2000). It was released as the album's second single in November 2000. Although the song did not appear on the UK Singles Chart initially, it reached number 29 on the UK Indie Chart and found minor success in the Netherlands, debuting and peaking at number 94 in January 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2001 song by Goldfrapp

"Human" is a song by British electronic music duo Goldfrapp. The song was written by the group with Startled Insects' Tim Norfolk and Bob Locke, and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for the duo's debut album Felt Mountain (2000). "Human" is the only track on Felt Mountain with additional songwriters. It was released as the album's third single on 26 February 2001 and reached number 87 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilots (song)</span> 2001 single by Goldfrapp

"Pilots" is an electronic song written by British group Goldfrapp for their debut studio album Felt Mountain (2000). The song was produced by Goldfrapp and received a positive reception from music critics. It was released as a double A-side single with "Lovely Head" in the fourth quarter of 2001, and became the band's second single to chart within the top seventy-five in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Cherry (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2004 single by Goldfrapp

"Black Cherry" is a song by British electronic music duo Goldfrapp. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for their second studio album, Black Cherry (2003). The song was released as the album's fourth single in March 2004 to positive reviews from music critics. It was a modest commercial success, reaching the top thirty in the United Kingdom and on the United States Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twist (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2003 song by Goldfrapp

"Twist" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their second studio album, Black Cherry (2003). It was released on 3 November 2003 as the album's third single. The song received positive reviews from music critics and was a minor success in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the single reached number 18 on Billboard's Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strict Machine</span> 2003 single by Goldfrapp

"Strict Machine" is an electronic dance song written by British electronic music duo Goldfrapp and Nick Batt for Goldfrapp's second studio album, Black Cherry (2003). It was produced by Goldfrapp and describes laboratory rats in neuroscience experiments. Alison Goldfrapp read in a newspaper about experiments in which scientists stimulated rats' brains so that the rats would feel joy when following commands. She was inspired to write "Strict Machine" based on images of the experiment and "more human aspects of machines and sex and control". Actress Gwendoline Christie features on the record sleeve disguised in a rabbit mask.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Train (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2003 single by Goldfrapp

"Train" is a song written and performed by British musical group Goldfrapp for their second album Black Cherry (2003). The song was produced by Goldfrapp and received a very positive reception from music critics. It was released as the lead single in the second quarter of 2003 and reached the top thirty in the United Kingdom, where it became Goldfrapp's first top thirty single. The original title of the song was "Wolf Lady", which makes reference to the lyrics in the second verse of the song. The lyrics of "Train" are based on Alison Goldfrapp's observations while in Los Angeles, California. She stated that the song describes wealth, drugs, and sex with "a sort of disgust of it and at the same time a sort of need to indulge in these things."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly Me Away (song)</span> 2006 single by Goldfrapp

"Fly Me Away" is an electronic song performed by British group Goldfrapp. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for the duo's third album Supernature (2005). The song features a synthesizer and orchestral arrangement and was written about the need to escape from the troubles of daily life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A&E (song)</span> 2008 single by Goldfrapp

"A&E" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fourth studio album, Seventh Tree (2008). The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, with co-production handled by Flood. It was released as the album's lead single on 11 February 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anymore (Goldfrapp song)</span> 2017 single by Goldfrapp

"Anymore" is a song performed by English group Goldfrapp from their seventh studio album Silver Eye (2017). It was released as a CD single and digital download on 23 January 2017 through Mute Records. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and William Owen Gregory, with additional production coming from The Haxan Cloak and John Congleton. The song incorporates several genres, including dance-pop, electronica and synth-pop, and takes influence from disco and glitch music. Critics noticed similarities between "Anymore" and the music from their 2003 album Black Cherry. Lyrically, Goldfrapp sings in robotic vocals about romance, which one critic felt referenced their 2005 single "Ooh La La".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everything Is Never Enough</span> 2017 single by Goldfrapp

"Everything Is Never Enough" is a song performed by English group Goldfrapp, taken from their seventh studio album, Silver Eye (2017). It was released as the album's third single on 22 September 2017 by Mute Records. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and William Owen Gregory, with additional production coming from Andy Savours. The song's lyrics encourage the listener to live in the present instead of the future. Critics drew comparisons between "Everything Is Never Enough" and Goldfrapp's prior work on their album Head First (2010).

"Ocean" is a song by English group Goldfrapp from their seventh studio album Silver Eye (2017). It was released as the album's first promotional single on 10 March 2017 through Mute Records. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and William Owen Gregory, with additional production coming from The Haxan Cloak and John Congleton. An electronic and synth-rock song, "Ocean" marks the return of Goldfrapp's heavy use of synths in their music. Written in couplets, the lyrics were described as dark by several commentators. Critics also drew comparisons between "Ocean" and the works of other musicians and groups, such as Shirley Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and Depeche Mode.

References

  1. ↑ Treble Staff (11 May 2020). "A History of Synth-Pop in 50 Essential Songs". Treble. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 Timmermans, Arjan. "Interview with Goldfrapp". ArjanWrites.com. 9 December 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  3. ↑ Vorndran, Daniela. "GOLDFRAPP - on The L Word". Reflections of Darkness. 18 March 2007. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Patterson, Sylvia. "Glam Slam". The Sunday Herald . 3 September 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  5. ↑ Lash, Jolie. "Goldfrapp Unleash Supernature". Rolling Stone . 7 March 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  6. ↑ Gallant, Michael. "Retro Disco Ooh La La" Archived 14 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine . Keyboard Magazine . Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  7. 1 2 Supernature (CD liner notes). Mute Records. August 2005.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Ride a White Horse". Mute.com . Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  9. ↑ "Goldfrapp - "Ride a White Horse" Music Video" [ dead link ]. MTV. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  10. ↑ "2006 Selection". Festival International des Arts du Clip. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  11. ↑ Hubbard, Michael. "Goldfrapp – Supernature (Mute)" Archived 26 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine . MusicOMH.com. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  12. ↑ Oculicz, Edward. "Goldfrapp; Supernature" Archived 5 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine . Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  13. ↑ Begrand, Adrien. "Goldfrapp – Supernature". PopMatters. 19 September 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2008
  14. ↑ "Goldfrapp: Ride A White Horse: The L Word video". NME . 31 December 2008.
  15. ↑ Belge, Kathy. "L Tunes: Music from and Inspired by The L Word" Archived 8 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine . About.com. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  16. 1 2 "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 6th March 2006" (PDF). ARIA. 6 March 2006. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Goldfrapp: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  18. ↑ "Gnarls Barkley's Crazy loses some of its audience yet still has almost double that of its nearest challenger, in a chart in which Will Young, The Kooks and Kubb climb strongly". Music Week . 29 April 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
  19. 1 2 "Irish-charts.com – Discography Goldfrapp". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Goldfrapp Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  21. 1 2 "Goldfrapp Chart History (Hot Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2020. [ dead link ]
  22. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, CD) (UK CD single #1 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 0094635471021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, CD) (UK CD single #2 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 0094635471229.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, DVD) (UK DVD single inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 0094635471090.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, CD) (US CD maxi single inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 7245 9 69323 2 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, CD) (European CD maxi single inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 0094635471007.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, 1/2, Vinyl) (UK 12" single #1 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 0094635471014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Ride A White Horse (2006, 2/2, Vinyl) (UK 12" single #2 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2006. 0094635471212.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ "Ride a White Horse by Goldfrapp on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  30. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  31. ↑ "Goldfrapp – Ride a White Horse" Canciones Top 50.
  32. ↑ "Goldfrapp Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.