Strict Machine

Last updated

"Strict Machine"
Goldfrapp Black Cherry single.png
Single by Goldfrapp
from the album Black Cherry
B-side "White Soft Rope"
Released21 July 2003 (2003-07-21)
Genre
Length
  • 3:51 (album version)
  • 3:45 (single mix)
Label Mute
Songwriter(s) Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory, Nick Batt
Producer(s) Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp singles chronology
"Train"
(2003)		"Strict Machine"
(2003)		"Twist"
(2003)

"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. [3] 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". [4] Actress Gwendoline Christie features on the record sleeve disguised in a rabbit mask.

Contents

Wonderful Electric, Goldfrapp's concert tour DVD in support of Black Cherry, was named after lyrics in the song.

Release and reception

The song was released as the album's second single on 21 July 2003. [5] It received a positive reception from music critics and became the band's second single to appear in the top 30 on UK Singles Chart. On 10 May 2004, [6] the song was re-issued and became Goldfrapp's first top-20 single in the UK. In the United States, "Strict Machine" was released to success on the Billboard dance charts, where it reached the top position on the Dance Club chart and number three on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. The song won the dance award at the 49th Ivor Novello Awards. [7]

Critical reception

"Strict Machine" received positive reviews from music critics. In a review for the NME , Peter Robinson called it "a solid gold, honest-to-goodness hit record which should be Number One immediately." [8] Andy Hermann wrote for PopMatters that the song was "a future S&M club anthem if ever there was one". [9] Dorian Lynskey of Blender magazine also linked "Strict Machine"'s lyrics to sadomasochism, and he compared it to Donna Summer's 1977 disco single "I Feel Love". [10] In his review for The Guardian , Alexis Petridis likened the song's "tubthumping drums" to Gary Glitter, 1980s arena rock, and hardstep, adding that "the end result is not only fantastic, but quiveringly sexy to boot". [11]

In August 2009, American music web site Pitchfork Media listed "Strict Machine" in their Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s at number 379. [12]

Chart performance

The song became Goldfrapp's second top-30 single when it debuted at number twenty-five on the singles chart, and spent a total of six weeks in the top 75. Following the song's re-release in May 2004, it surpassed its previous chart position in the UK by re-charting at number 20, becoming Goldfrapp's first top-20 single.

The song was also successful outside the UK. It reached number twenty-six in Canada and became Goldfrapp's first single release to chart in the country. Although the single sold considerably, "Strict Machine" did not chart on the Canadian BDS Airplay chart, receiving most of its sales from its fans in the dance clubs. In Australia, the song peaked at number fifty-four and would remain as Goldfrapp's only single to chart in the country until the release of "Ooh La La" in 2005.

After the favourable reception of "Twist" and "Black Cherry" on the dance charts, "Strict Machine" was released in the United States. It became their first release to reach the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it remained for one week. [13] It also performed well on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, where it reached number three. [14] The single sold over 170,000 copies worldwide. [15]

Influence

When Rachel Stevens released "Some Girls" in 2004, critics noted the similarity to the sound of Black Cherry, [16] [17] and in particular "Strict Machine", to which "Some Girls" was described as "startlingly similar" by the Manchester Evening News. [16] Goldfrapp had given X an unmixed copy of their song to remix only to reject his efforts; shortly thereafter he wrote the Stevens song. [16]

Music video

Alison Goldfrapp in a kaleidoscopic setting containing Archigram-style buildings. StrictMachineVideo.png
Alison Goldfrapp in a kaleidoscopic setting containing Archigram-style buildings.

The song's music video, a mixture of graphic and live action segments, builds upon the art direction featured on the band's album and single covers. Throughout the video, Alison Goldfrapp is surrounded by black and white animated backgrounds, Siberian Husky-headed dancers, and colourful butterflies. The video uses kaleidoscopic layouts and dense graphic designs. [18]

The music video was directed by Jonas Odell. The settings' architecture is inspired by the work of Archigram. [19] Goldfrapp and her back-up dancers were filmed in London against a bluescreen. The animated sequences were done by Odell's Filmtecknarna studio in Stockholm, Sweden. [20]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Strict Machine".

Charts

Covers

U.K. garage trio Band of Skulls performed a folk version of the song for Australia's Triple J radio station. [37]

Suzi Quatro covered the track for her 2011 album, In the Spotlight . The lyrics of Quatro's version of the song contain two extra lines from her number one hit "Can the Can", in order to show the similarity of the two tunes. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic wrote that Quatro's "Strict Machine" is

"a guitar-chugging mash-up of Goldfrapp's electro-pop reinvention in "Strict Machine"; [with] her own 1973 U.K. chart-topper "Can the Can," cleverly referencing the subtle similarities between the two; ...". [38]

On 16 November 2011 the music video for Quatro's "Strict Machine" was released via the SUZI QUATRO OFFICIAL YouTube channel. It was produced by Victory Tischler-Blue, formerly Vicky Blue of The Runaways, and includes the extra two lines from "Can the Can". [39]

See also

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>Black Cherry</i> (Goldfrapp album) 2003 studio album by Goldfrapp

Black Cherry is the second studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 23 April 2003 by Mute Records. It marked a departure from the ambient sound of their debut album, Felt Mountain (2000), incorporating glam rock and synth-pop music; inspirations were Spanish disco group Baccara and Swedish techno artist Håkan Lidbo. The album was met with positive reviews, with many critics complimenting its blend of retro and modern electropop music.

<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">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">Ride a White Horse</span> 2006 single by Goldfrapp

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Some Girls (Rachel Stevens song)</span> 2004 single by Rachel Stevens

"Some Girls" is a song by English singer Rachel Stevens from the 2004 reissue of her debut studio album, Funky Dory (2003). It was written by Richard X and Hannah Robinson, and produced by the former, with additional production from Pete Hoffman. It was also included on Stevens' second studio album, Come and Get It (2005). The song's music features a schaffel beat influenced by glam rock, and its lyrics describe a pop singer who performs sexual favours in her efforts to achieve stardom.

<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">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</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">Breathe (Erasure song)</span> 2005 single by Erasure

"Breathe" is a song by English synth-pop duo Erasure. It was released by Mute Records in the UK and the US as the first single from the band's 11th studio album, Nightbird (2005). Written and produced by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the song was remixed slightly for its radio version. The UK CD single includes CD-ROM information that allowed buyers to download the Digipro software package and use isolated musical tracks of "Breathe" to create their own remixes. For a short time, fans were able to upload their finished "Breathe" remixes to Erasure's website to share with others.

<i>In the Spotlight</i> 2011 studio album by Suzi Quatro

In the Spotlight is the fifteenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter and bass guitar player Suzi Quatro.

<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".

References

  1. 1 2 Harrington, Jim (2015). "Goldfrapp - "Strict Machine". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 828.
  2. 1 2 Phares, Heather. Goldfrapp - The Singles (2012): Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ Benson, Richard (2 February 2008). "Alison Goldfrapp: ethereal girl". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "Electronica Duo Goldfrapp About 'Black Cherry'" Archived 25 May 2005 at the Wayback Machine . Artist Interviews. April 2003. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  5. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 19 July 2003. p. 35. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 8 May 2004. p. 29.
  7. ↑ Byrne, Ciar (28 May 2004). "The Darkness are named songwriters of year". The Independent . Retrieved 30 August 2009.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ Robinson, Peter (27 May 2004). "Goldfrapp : Strict Machine". NME . Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  9. ↑ Hermann, Andy (2 May 2003). "Goldfrapp: Black Cherry". PopMatters . Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  10. ↑ Lynskey, Dorian. "Goldfrapp : Black Cherry Review". Blender . Retrieved 30 August 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (18 April 2003). "Goldfrapp: Black Cherry". The Guardian . Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  12. ↑ "Staff Lists: The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s: 500-201". Pitchfork . 17 August 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "Hot Dance Club Play". Billboard . Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  14. ↑ "Black Cherry > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic . Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  15. ↑ "Albums 22.05.04: Goldfrapp". Music Week : 35. 22 May 2004.
  16. 1 2 3 Ryan, Gary (19 June 2008). "Chameleon-like Goldfrapp return". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  17. ↑ Price, Simon (9 October 2005). "Goldfrapp, Dome, Brighton". The Independent . Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  18. ↑ Willis, Holly (2005). New Digital Cinema. Wallflower Press. p. 57. ISBN   1-904764-25-8.
  19. ↑ Zappaterra, Yolanda (4 November 2004). "Short range". Design Week . 19 (45): 21.
  20. ↑ "Nexus creates kaleidoscope promo for Goldfrapp". Televisual. 1 August 2003.
  21. ↑ Strict Machine (2003, CD1, CD) (UK CD single 1 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2003. 0724355247322.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Strict Machine (2003, CD2, CD) (UK CD single 2 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2003. 0724354728129.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Strict Machine (2003, DVD) (UK DVD single inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2003. 0724349068995.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ Strict Machine (2004, CD1, CD) (UK CD single 1 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2004. 0724354870224.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ↑ Strict Machine (2004, CD2, CD) (UK CD single 2 inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2004. 0724354796326.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ Strict Machine (2004, DVD) (UK DVD single inlay). Goldfrapp. Mute Records. 2004. 0724359963594.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ "Strict Machine - EP by Goldfrapp on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  28. ↑ "Strict Machine - Single by Goldfrapp on Apple Music". Apple Music . Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  29. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Issue 937" (PDF). The ARIA Report (937): 2. 11 February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2020– via National Library of Australia.
  30. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  31. 1 2 "Goldfrapp: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  32. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  33. ↑ "Goldfrapp Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  34. ↑ "Goldfrapp Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  35. ↑ "Goldfrapp Chart History (Hot Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2020. [ dead link ]
  36. ↑ "2004 Year End Charts – Hot Dance Music/Club Play Titles". Billboard.biz. 25 December 2004. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  37. ↑ "Band of Skulls Cover Goldfrapp Song about Joyful Sex Rats - Cover Me". 18 August 2010.
  38. ↑ O'Brien, Jon. "AllMusic review". www.allmusic.com. Ann Arbor, USA: AllMusic . Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  39. ↑ Victory Tischler-Blue (video producer), Suzi Quatro (actor, vocals, bass), Mike Chapman (album producer) et al. (16 November 2011). Suzi Quatro Strict Machine Official Video (Trailer). SUZI QUATRO OFFICIAL YouTube channel. Retrieved 23 November 2011. From the studios of the brilliant Victory Tischler Blue - here is the official video for Suzi Quatro's Strict Machine. It includes live footage from Suzi's recent Rocks The Spotlight Tour (Sept/Oct 2011) of Australia. Suzi's version of the Goldfrapp song is on her new album In the Spotlight .
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.