The Thing I Like

Last updated
"The Thing I Like"
Aaliyah - The Thing I Like.jpg
Single by Aaliyah
from the album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number
ReleasedAugust 28, 1995
Recorded1994
Studio Chicago Recording Company (Chicago)
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s) R. Kelly
Producer(s) R. Kelly
Aaliyah singles chronology
"Down with the Clique"
(1995)
"The Thing I Like"
(1995)
"Are You Ready?"
(1996)

"The Thing I Like" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). It was written and produced by R. Kelly. The song appeared on the soundtrack for the film A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994). It was released as the fifth and final single from Age Ain't Nothing but a Number exclusively in the United Kingdom on August 28, 1995, by Blackground Records and Jive Records.

Contents

A moderate commercial success, "The Thing I Like" peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming her fifth consecutive top-40 single in the United Kingdom.

Composition and Reception

In his biography Aaliyah (2021), author Tim Footman described "The Thing I Like", as a "breezy song of young love with a catchy synth riff". [1] Footman also said that it "juxtaposed Aaliyah's soft soul vocals with insistent rapping, like a grab bag of contemporary black music". [1]

In a review of the A Low Down Dirty Shame soundtrack, David Browne from Entertainment Weekly felt that "The Thing I Like", along with the other songs, was "more workmanlike than inspired". [2] James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, "A fifth smallish hit single for the most alphabetically pronounced act in chart history." [3] Masterson, also thought "her succession of small chart hits is showing remarkable consistency". [3] Ralph Tee from Music Week gave the song a 3 out of 5 rating, while also highlighting that "Aaliyah's latest single from her debut album comes in for broader styles" due to its remixes. He also felt that both the garage and house remixes takes her into "new waters." [4]

Commercial performance

"The Thing I Like" was released as the fifth and final single from Age Ain't Nothing but a Number exclusively in the United Kingdom, being Aaliyah's second consecutive UK-only single. It debuted and peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart dated September 9, 1995. [5] The same week, it debuted and peaked at number four on the UK R&B Singles Chart. [6] Additionally, it peaked at number 15 on the UK Dance Singles Chart the following week. [7]

Track listings and formats

UK 12-inch vinyl [8]

  1. "The Thing I Like" (album version) 3:21
  2. "The Thing I Like" (Paul Gotel's Classic Anthem Mix) 6:48
  3. "The Thing I Like" (Paul Gotel's Deep & Dubby Mix) 6:29
  4. "The Thing I Like" (PG Tips Satellite Mix) 7:21

UK maxi CD single [9]

  1. "The Thing I Like" (album version) 3:21
  2. "The Thing I Like" (Paul Gotel's Radio Mix) 3:57
  3. "The Thing I Like" (Paul Gotel's Classic Anthem Mix) 6:48
  4. "The Thing I Like" (PG Tips Satellite Mix) 7:21
  5. "The Thing I Like" (Paul Gotel's Deep & Dubby Mix) 6:29

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "The Thing I Like"
Chart (1995)Peak
position
Scotland (OCC) [10] 86
UK Singles (OCC) [11] 33
UK Dance (OCC) [12] 15
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [13] 4

Release history

Release dates and formats for "The Thing I Like"
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United KingdomAugust 28, 1995 Jive

Related Research Articles

<i>One in a Million</i> (Aaliyah album) 1996 studio album by Aaliyah

One in a Million is the second studio album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on August 13, 1996, by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got to Give It Up</span> 1977 single by Marvin Gaye

"Got to Give It Up" is a song by American music artist Marvin Gaye. Written by the singer and produced by Art Stewart as a response to a request from Gaye's record label that he perform disco music, it was released in March 1977.

<i>Age Aint Nothing but a Number</i> 1994 studio album by Aaliyah

Age Ain't Nothing but a Number is the debut studio album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on May 24, 1994, by Blackground Records and Jive Records. After being signed by her uncle Barry Hankerson, Aaliyah was introduced to recording artist and producer R. Kelly. He became her mentor, as well as the lead songwriter and producer of the album. The duo recorded the album at the Chicago Recording Company in Chicago periodically from January 1993 until early 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Know What to Tell Ya</span> 2003 single by Aaliyah

"Don't Know What to Tell Ya" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah. It was written by Static Major and Timbaland for her eponymous third studio album (2001), and was produced by the latter. However, it did not make the final cut for Aaliyah and remained unreleased until after Aaliyah's August 25, 2001 death. The song was then included on the posthumous compilation album I Care 4 U (2002) and was released as its second single on February 11, 2003 by Blackground Records and Universal Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Ain't Got You</span> 2004 single by Alicia Keys

"If I Ain't Got You" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her second studio album The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Inspired by the 2001 death of singer Aaliyah, the September 11 attacks, and other events in the world and in Keys' life, the song is about "how material things don't feed the soul". It was released as the second single from The Diary of Alicia Keys on February 17, 2004, by J Records. The single cover depicts Keys similarly to the subject of Man Ray's 1924 photograph Le Violon d'Ingres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One for Sorrow (song)</span> 1998 single by Steps

"One for Sorrow" is a song by British pop-dance group Steps, released as the third single from their debut album, Step One (1998). It also became the quintet's first single to reach the top five on the UK Singles Chart. Debuting at number two and spending 11 weeks on the UK chart, the song established Steps's intention to revive the ABBA sound, striking a considerable resemblance to their 1980 hit "The Winner Takes It All". A remixed version became their debut US single in 1999 and was featured on the Drive Me Crazy film soundtrack. It peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in October 1999.

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

American singer Aaliyah has released three studio albums, two compilation albums, and 31 singles. Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, New York City and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 10, she appeared on Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed a deal with Jive Records and Blackground Records. During that time, she met R. Kelly through her uncle Barry Hankerson; eventually, he became her mentor, sole lead songwriter, and producer for her debut album. Released in 1994, Aaliyah's debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold three million copies in the United States. Months after the release of her album, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records due to allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly.

"(At Your Best) You Are Love" is a song by R&B group the Isley Brothers. It was originally released on their album Harvest for the World. The song was dedicated to their mother, Sally. Although not a single, the song was a radio hit in 1976, and later became a hit for R&B singer Aaliyah in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Thing on My Mind (Bananarama song)</span> 1992 single by Bananarama

"Last Thing on My Mind" is by English girl group Bananarama from their sixth studio album, Please Yourself (1993). It was released on 16 November 1992 by London Records as the album's second single. The track was produced by Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, two-thirds of the Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) trio. Waterman stated in 2002 the song was influenced by Mozart. The single peaked at number 72 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1998, British group Steps released a cover version of the song as a single, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Ain't a Love Song</span> 1995 single by Bon Jovi

"This Ain't a Love Song" is the lead single from American rock band Bon Jovi's sixth studio album, These Days (1995). The rock ballad is an example of the strong rhythm and blues influence that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wanted the album to have. Released in May 1995 by Mercury, it reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, number six on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Finnish Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell Me When</span> 1994 single by the Human League

"Tell Me When" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League, released in December 1994 by East West Records as the first single from their seventh album, Octopus (1995). Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and Paul C. Beckett, the song was produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number four on the UK Dance Chart. In the US, it peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 15 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number eight on the Cash Box Top 100. The music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan and filmed in the Czech Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back & Forth (Aaliyah song)</span> 1994 single by Aaliyah

"Back & Forth" is the debut single performed by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). The song was written and produced by R&B singer R. Kelly, and lyrically the song is about a teenager's excitement for partying on the weekend with friends. "Back and Forth" has been described as being a dance/pop/R&B and new jack swing song. Aaliyah sings in a "laid back" style. Blackground and Jive released the song as the album's lead single on April 8, 1994, to generally positive reviews with many critics praising the song's lyrical content and Aaliyah's vocal delivery on the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am Blessed</span> 1995 single by Eternal

"I Am Blessed" is a song by British girl group Eternal written by hit songwriter Mark Mueller and Marsha Malamet. An R&B and gospel ballad, it was released as the second single from the group's second studio album, Power of a Woman (1995), and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. It was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments over 200,000 copies in the UK. It also reached number seven in Ireland, becoming the group's second top-10 hit in that country. Eternal performed "I Am Blessed" for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Like Fire</span> 1997 single by Aaliyah featuring Timbaland

"Hot Like Fire" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her second studio album One in a Million (1996). The song was written by both Missy Elliot and Timbaland, with the latter producing the song. In 1997 it was re-recorded and released as the fifth and final single from One in a Million with "The One I Gave My Heart To" on September 16, 1997 by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (Aaliyah song)</span> 1994 single by Aaliyah

"Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album of the same name (1994). It was written and produced by R. Kelly and is lyrically about a young girl wanting to date an older man. Containing a lyrical interpolation from the song "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell, the "soulful" ballad opens with a guitar-piano interplay, with Aaliyah's spoken voice noting her daily diary entry. Blackground Records and Jive Records released "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" as the third single–and final single in the United States–from Age Ain't Nothing but a Number on December 6, 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Than a Woman (Aaliyah song)</span> 2001 single by Aaliyah

"More Than a Woman" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her eponymous third and final studio album (2001). It was written by Static Major and Timbaland, with the latter producing it. Initially chosen as the album's second single, Aaliyah began promoting it with televised performances on Live with Regis and Kelly and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in July 2001. Due to premature radio support, "Rock the Boat" instead became the second single. "More Than a Woman" was ultimately released as the album's third single. In France, it was released as a double A-side with "I Refuse".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down with the Clique</span> 1995 single by Aaliyah

"Down with the Clique" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). It was written and produced by R. Kelly. The song was released as the fourth single from Age Ain't Nothing but a Number exclusively in the United Kingdom on May 1, 1995, by Blackground Records and Jive Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh Baby I...</span> 1994 single by Eternal

"Oh Baby I..." is a song by English girl group Eternal, written by Lotti Golden and Tommy Faragher. It was the fifth single released from their debut album, Always & Forever (1993), in October 1994 by EMI and 1st Avenue. The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number seven on October 30th, climbing to its peak of number four a week later. The single spent 10 weeks in the top 40, which up to this point was their longest chart run, and was certified Silver by the BPI on 1 January 1995 for shipments over 200,000. The song also reached the top 10 in the Netherlands and narrowly missed the top 10 in Ireland and New Zealand, charting at number 11 in both countries. The music video for "Oh Baby I..." was directed by British director and editor Tim Royes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swamp Thing (song)</span> 1994 single by the Grid

"Swamp Thing" is a song by British electronic music group the Grid, released on 23 May 1994 by Deconstruction as a single and is included on the group's third album, Evolver (1994). The song peaked at number three on the UK, Australian, and Danish singles charts and reached the top five in an additional seven countries, including Finland and Norway, where it reached number two. Its computer generated music video, consisting of dancing robots and a crawling baby, received solid airplay on music television channels. The song was later sampled in "Banjo Thing" by Infernal and "Swamp Thing" by Pegboard Nerds. British magazine NME ranked "Swamp Thing" number 41 in their list of the 50 Best Songs of 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Loving Thing</span> 1994 single by CB Milton

"It's a Loving Thing" is a song by Dutch dance music vocalist CB Milton, released in 1994 as the third single from his debut album by the same name (1994). The song was a sizeable hit in Europe, reaching number three in Belgium, and the top 20 in both the Netherlands and Finland, peaking at number 16 and 19. In the UK, it peaked at number 49, but in March 1995, a remixed version reached number 34. On the UK Dance Singles Chart, it fared better, reaching number 27, while on the European Dance Radio Chart, it peaked at number one. Outside Europe, the song hit success in Israel, peaking at number three. There were made two different music videos to promote the single.

References

  1. 1 2 Footman 2021
  2. Browne, David (December 16, 1994). "EW takes a look at 1994's movie soundtracks". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Masterton, James (September 9, 1995). "Week Ending September 9th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  4. Tee, Ralph (August 19, 1995). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week . Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  5. "Aaliyah". Official Charts Company . Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  6. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  7. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  8. Aaliyah (1995). The Thing I Like (12-inch single). Jive Records.
  9. Aaliyah (1995). The Thing I Like (CD single). Jive Records.
  10. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  11. "Aaliyah: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  12. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  13. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  14. "New Releases: Singles Releases for 28 Aug3 Sep 1995" (PDF). Music Week . August 26, 1995. p. 43. Retrieved November 5, 2022 via World Radio History.

Bibliography