Sometimes (Brand New Heavies song)

Last updated
"Sometimes"
Brand New Heavies-Sometimes.jpg
Single by the Brand New Heavies
from the album Shelter
B-side "Remix"
Released31 March 1997 [1]
Genre
Length4:04
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) The Brand New Heavies
The Brand New Heavies singles chronology
"Midnight at the Oasis"
(1994)
"Sometimes"
(1997)
"You Are the Universe"
(1997)
Music video
"Sometimes" on YouTube

"Sometimes" is a song by British acid jazz group the Brand New Heavies, released in March 1997 as the lead single from their fourth album, Shelter (1997). The lead vocal is performed by American singer Siedah Garrett, who also co-wrote it. As one of their most successful songs, it charted at number 11 in the UK and number 88 in the US. It also peaked at number 16 in Scotland, number 20 in Iceland, number 57 in Sweden and number 83 in the Netherlands. The single was certified silver in the UK. The accompanying music video is a spoof of US TV-shows like Playboy's Penthouse and Playboy After Dark , and shows the band with Garrett performing at one of these TV-shows. It also features some small clips of Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner.

Contents

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described "Sometimes" as "a slinky sliver of soul that demands the immediate attention". He complimented Garrett's performance and commented that "besides offering a performance that will give jeep kiddies a swift kick in the pants, she can craft solid hooks that add dimension to the band's acclaimed knack for weaving body-invading funk rhythms." [2]

A reviewer from Music & Media viewed the song as "hooky" [3] and "refreshingly downbeat". [4] British magazine Music Week gave it four out of five, declaring it as "laid down soul funk from the band that helped create the term acid jazz." The reviewer added, "Now with Siedah Garrett on vocals, they sound as if they're back to form." [5] Ezra Gale from Salon felt that it "starts out with a promising bass and drums vamp, [and] instead turns into an overblown sing-along by the time it reaches the first chorus." [6]

Track listing

  1. "Sometimes" (Brixton Radio 12" Mix)
  2. "Sometimes" (Brixton Rap Mix)
  3. "Sometimes" (Ditti's French Touch)
  1. "Sometimes" (Radio Edit) – 4:04
  2. "Sometimes" (MAW Smooth Mix) – 7:28
  3. "Sometimes" (Ummah Remix) – 4:31
  4. "Sometimes" (Nuyoricans Meet The Heavies) – 5:13
  1. "Sometimes" (Radio Edit) – 4:15
  2. "Sometimes" (The Ummah Remix) – 4:30

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Brand New Heavies</span> British jazz and funk band

The Brand New Heavies are an English band formed in 1985, consisting of Simon Bartholomew, Andrew Levy, and Jan Kincaid. After the addition of N'Dea Davenport in 1990, the group experienced mainstream success and pioneered a new genre called acid jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You've Got a Friend</span> 1971 single by Carole King

"You've Got a Friend" is a 1971 song written by American singer-songwriter Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included on her second studio album, Tapestry (1971). Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart. The two versions were recorded simultaneously in 1971 with shared musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Discothèque (song)</span> 1997 single by U2

"Discothèque" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the opening track on their 1997 album, Pop, and was released as its lead single on 3 February 1997 by Island Records. The song exhibits influences from electronic dance music, characteristic of the band's musical direction in the 1990s. The music video, directed by Stéphane Sednaoui, was set inside of a mirrorball and featured the band members dressed as members of the disco group the Village People.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siedah Garrett</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1960)

Deborah Christine "Siedah" Garrett is an American singer and songwriter who has written songs and performed backing vocals for many recording artists in the music industry, such as Michael Jackson, the Pointer Sisters, Brand New Heavies, Quincy Jones, Tevin Campbell, Donna Summer, Madonna, Jennifer Hudson among others. Garrett has been nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Original Song, and won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards for co-writing "Love You I Do" for the 2006 musical film, Dreamgirls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man in the Mirror</span> 1988 single by Michael Jackson

"Man in the Mirror" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. It was released in January 1988, as the fourth single from Jackson's seventh solo album, Bad (1987).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blood on the Dance Floor (song)</span> 1997 single by Michael Jackson

"Blood on the Dance Floor" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the first single from the remix album Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix (1997). Jackson and Teddy Riley created the track in time for the 1991 release of Dangerous. However, it did not appear on that record and was worked on further for its commercial release in 1997. One interpretation of the song describes a predatory woman named Susie who seduces Jackson before plotting to stab him with a knife. The composition explores a variety of genres ranging from funk to new jack swing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pony (Ginuwine song)</span> 1996 single by Ginuwine

"Pony" is a song by American singer Ginuwine, released as the debut single from his first album, Ginuwine...The Bachelor (1996). Ginuwine sung, co-wrote, and produced the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major, Digital Black, Smoke E. Digglera, and Timbaland; the latter made his breakthrough as a producer with the song. It peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midnight at the Oasis</span> 1974 single by Maria Muldaur

"Midnight at the Oasis" is a song by the American singer Maria Muldaur from her 1973 debut album, Maria Muldaur. Written by David Nichtern, it is her best-known recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Times (song)</span> 1997 single by Jamiroquai

"High Times" is a song by British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai, released as the fourth and final single from their third studio album, Travelling Without Moving (1996). Released on 1 December 1997, the song peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, and reached the top 10 on both the American and Canadian dance charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slam Dunk (Da Funk)</span> 1997 single by Five

"Slam Dunk (Da Funk)" is a song by British boy band Five, released in late 1997 by BMG and RCA as the first single from their debut album, Five (1998). Featuring a blend of pop and rap, the single was written and produced by Jake Schulze, Max Martin, and Denniz Pop. It contains a sample of "Clap Your Hands" by Herbie Crichlow. The single reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and was certified Silver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Baby (Corona song)</span> 1995 single by Corona

"Baby Baby" is a song by Italian band Corona, released in February 1995 by ZYX Music as the second single from their debut album, The Rhythm of the Night (1995). The song, written by Francesco Bontempi and Antonia Bottari, was originally a hit in 1991 for Italian project Joy & Joyce as "Babe Babe". Both tracks were produced by Bontempi under his Lee Marrow guise. It was very successful on the singles charts around the world, peaking at number-one in Italy, and on the RPM Dance/Urban chart in Canada. In the UK, it peaked at number five for two weeks. Two different music videos were produced for the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallin' in Love (Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds song)</span> 1975 song written by Dan Hamilton

"Fallin' In Love" is a song by American music trio Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. It was written by band member Dan Hamilton and featured on the trio's third studio album by the same name (1975).

<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 by Motown from the singer's debut album by the same name (1984). The song is written by Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Duane Hitchings, while Lambert produced it. It peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Black Singles chart and No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, the song peaked at No. 45.

<i>Shelter</i> (Brand New Heavies album) 1997 studio album by The Brand New Heavies

Shelter is an album by The Brand New Heavies, released in 1997 on the Delicious Vinyl record label. It is the only album by the Brand New Heavies to feature singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett as a member of the band, joining them in 1996 and leaving in early 1998 to concentrate on her own songwriting.

<i>Trunk Funk – The Best of The Brand New Heavies</i> 1999 greatest hits album by The Brand New Heavies

Following a 10-year tenure with their record labels, funk band the Brand New Heavies released two greatest hits albums titled Trunk Funk, a wordplay on the band's long standing elephant logo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are the Universe</span>

"You Are the Universe" is a song by British acid jazz and funk group the Brand New Heavies, released in June 1997. The composition was issued as the third single taken from their fourth album, Shelter (1997), which remains the only Brand New Heavies album recorded with American singer Siedah Garrett, who afterwards left the group to concentrate on her own songwriting. The song charted at number twenty-one in UK, and at number eleven within the British Chart-Track.

"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">Dream On Dreamer (Brand New Heavies song)</span> 1994 single by the Brand New Heavies

"Dream On Dreamer" is a song by British acid jazz and funk group the Brand New Heavies, released in March 1994 by FFRR as the lead single from the group's third album, Brother Sister (1994). The song is also featured on their remix album, Excursions: Remixes & Rare Grooves (1995), that was released in the US. It remains one of their most successful hits, peaking at number 15 in the UK and number 19 in Scotland. In the US, it reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, while in Canada, it hit number 47 on the RPM Top Singles chart. The accompanying music video for "Dream On Dreamer" was directed by American director Josh Taft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stranded (Lutricia McNeal song)</span> 1998 single by Lutricia McNeal

"Stranded" is a song by American singer Lutricia McNeal, released as the third single from her debut album, My Side of Town (1997), in May 1998. The song was a top 10 in Austria, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it reached number three on both the UK Singles Chart and the UK R&B Chart. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 10 in June 1998. Outside Europe, the single was a top-three hit in New Zealand and also peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In 1999, it was reported that "Stranded" had sold 2 million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joy (Soul II Soul song)</span> 1992 single by Soul II Soul

"Joy" is a song by British musical collective Soul II Soul, released on 23 March 1992 by Virgin as the first single from their third album, Volume III Just Right (1992). The song, co-written and produced by Jazzie B, features Jamaican singer and producer Richie Stephens and was a hit in Europe. It peaked within the top-10 in Greece and the UK, and also became a top-20 hit in Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. Outside Europe, it reached number four in Zimbabwe, number 18 in New Zealand, and number 41 in Australia. A music video was produced to promote the single.

References

  1. "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 29 March 1997. p. 41. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  2. Flick, Larry (22 March 1997). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 82. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  3. "Album spotlight" (PDF). Music & Media . 19 April 1997. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  4. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 22 March 1997. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  5. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 22 March 1997. p. 8. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  6. Gale, Ezra (May 1997). "Sharps and Flats". Salon . Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 26 April 1997. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  8. "Íslenski Listinn NR. 223 vikuna 29.5. '97 - 4.6. '97". Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  9. "The Brand New Heavies - Sometimes" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  10. "The Brand New Heavies – Sometimes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  11. "The Brand New Heavies – Sometimes". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  12. "The Brand New Heavies – Sometimes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  13. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1997" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  14. "The Club Top 100 of 1997" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 10 January 1998. p. 5. Retrieved 9 January 2023.