"Timebomb" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was written by Karen Poole, Matt Schwartz, and Paul Harris, with Schwartz and Harris also handling production. A surprise release, both the track and its music video were digitally unveiled via a viral Twitter campaign on 25 May 2012. Parlophone distributed the single as part of Minogue's anniversary of her 25th year in the music industry. The single saw a physical release and an accompanying digital remix EP in July.
Music critics identified "Timebomb" as an energetic dance-pop song with a thematic focus on seizing the day and dancing. The song's production received widespread praise, with some reviewers even considering it among Minogue's finest works. "Timebomb" achieved moderate commercial success across Europe, Asia, and Australia. In the United States, it marked Minogue's ninth number-one hit on the US BillboardDance Club Songs chart. The single also earned Gold certification in Italy.
Directed by Christian Larson, an accompanying music video follows Minogue through the streets of Soho, London. Her sex appeal in the video garnered significant attention from critics. To promote the single, Minogue performed it during the first season of The Voice UK. The song also featured in the setlists for her Kiss Me Once (2014–15) and Tension (2025) concert tours. "Timebomb" was included in a 2012 box set and made its debut on a globally released album with Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection (2019).
Background and composition
In 2012, Minogue launched K25, a commemorative program celebrating her 25-year career in the music industry.[1][2] The year-long campaign included monthly video releases on her official website, and the launch of Anti Tour in March and April.[1][3] "Timebomb" was created as part of the K25 project.[1] The track was written by Karen Poole, Matt Schwartz and Paul Harris, whilst the latter two collaborators handled its production.[4] It was recorded at Destined Studios at West End London by Schwartz, who also served as the track programmer and mixing engineer.[4] Poole provided backing vocals.[4] The song is written in the key of G major and is set in common time with a tempo of 128 beats per minute.[5][6] Minogue's vocals span between G4 and G5.[5]
The lyrics of the song focus on seizing the day and dancing ("Do you wanna dance like it was the last dance?").[7][26][16] Marc Andrews, the author of Kylie Song by Song (2022), described "Timebomb" as an ode to apocalypse, while Jenn Selby of Glamour noted its camp elements.[6][27]Jude Rogers of The Quietus pointed out that the chorus could be interpreted as an allusion to sex ("We're on a timebomb, we might not last long, so let's just do it right now").[26] The writer argued that the song's central theme is the urgency of aging, surpassing the sentiment expressed in "All The Lovers", the lead single from Minogue's Aphrodite (2010), where the singer reflected on past romances.[26] For Copsey, the theme about the rapid passage of time resonated deeply, given the commemoration of Minogue's 25-year career.[10]
Release
Record producer Matt Schwartz (pictured in 2009) co-wrote, co-produced, and did a remix of "Timebomb"
"Timebomb" was intended for a greatest hits album in 2012, but it was ultimately excluded when Parlophone opted for a fan-voted tracklist.[6] On 25 May 2012, Minogue initiated a social media campaign using a countdown timer on her website and the hashtag "KylieTimebomb" on Twitter.[28][29] Fans unlocked a new track by tweeting, reaching the target of 25,000 tweets in under 45 minutes.[30][28] At its peak, the hashtag reached 10 tweets per second, making it the top trending topic worldwide in just six minutes.[30][31] Upon reaching the tweet target, "Timebomb" was unveiled with a music video and simultaneously became available on iTunes and Spotify.[30] This led several publications to label "Timebomb" a surprise release.[32][33][34]
Syd Lawrence, the campaign developer, declared it the biggest K25 reveal yet, emphasizing its low budget and effectiveness in reaching a large fan audience.[30] Despite viral promotion, Webb criticized the flawed release strategy, predicting middling chart success reliant on fanbase buys and limited airplay due to the mid-week release.[22] Sharing the same sentiment, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian argued that the release was overshadowed by Minogue's 25th-anniversary and the Anti Tour, calling it "an afterthought on release".[11] The release of "Timebomb" initially caused an online stir due to a similarly titled track, which was written by American singer Michael Jackson for Minogue's Fever (2001).[35][6] The 2012 song was not written by Jackson.[6]
The digital single was an iTunes Store exclusive, available for download until 30 May.[36] Before its official release on 25 May, the song briefly surfaced on the Australian iTunes Store before being removed.[37] "Timebomb" was sent to radio stations in New Zealand on 29 May.[38] On 16 July, due to high demand, Parlophone distributed a CD single that included the original recording, an extended version, and an enhanced music video. The release was limited to 5,000 copies worldwide, with 10 of those copies signed by Minogue herself.[4] On 13 July, Parlophone issued a digital EP of "Timebomb" remixes, including an extended mix and five remixes by record producers Peter Rauhofer, Matt Schwartz (credited as DADA), Italia3, Style of Eye, Steve Redant and Phil Romano.[39][6] Rauhofer's remix was one of his final projects before his passing in 2013.[6][40] "Timebomb" later appeared as a mini CD on Minogue's box set compilation K25: Time Capsule in October 2012.[41] The track was included in Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection, a greatest hits album distributed by BMG in 2019, marking its first inclusion on a worldwide-released album.[42]
Critical reception
Music critics lauded the production of "Timebomb",[7][13][15] particularly its "whoops" hook and catchy chorus.[22][24][15]HuffPost and AfterElton.com deemed the track a fitting choice for summer.[43][44] Glenn Gamboa, writing for Newsday, noticed the track's potential to boost Minogue's recognition in the US market, labelling the track a "pure fizzy dance pop".[7] Anderson praised the enticing "precision-calibrated rave",[15] while Melinda Newman of HitFix commented that the lighthearted fun track is a suitable continuation of the K25 celebrations.[22][24][17] Describing the track as an "aural candy," Craig Takeuchi of The Georgia Straight predicted it would become one of Pride Month's club anthems, one that "fans will have a hard time getting out of their heads".[13] American writer Louis Virtel picked "Timebomb" as the best dance song of 2012, praising it as "a note-perfect, three-minute pop bullet."[45]
In retrospect, Sam Damshenas from Gay Times recognized "Timebomb" as one of the most underrated pop singles, highlighting its pulsating beat and Minogue's performance "at her most fast and furious".[14] Brocklehurst praised it as a groundbreaking track with heavily synthesized vocals, and likened it to a precursor to Charli XCX's distinctive pop style.[23] Many publications ranked "Timebomb" among Minogue's best tracks, including Gay Times (5th),[14]Logo TV (6th),[45]Newsweek (7th),[20]Classic Pop (11th),[18]The Tab (18th),[23]The Guardian (26th),[11] MTV Australia (52th),[25] and The Sydney Morning Herald (80th).[19] A fan favourite track, "Timebomb" ranked within the top 40 most-loved Kylie Minogue songs in a UK poll conducted by BBC Radio 2 in 2023.[46][19]
Chart performance
"Timebomb" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 31, selling 10,044 units in its first two days.[47][48] It remained at the same position for a second week before dropping to number 56.[49] The single had non-consecutive runs in the top 100 for a total of 7 weeks.[49] In Australia, "Timebomb" topped the ARIA Dance Singles Chart[50] and debuted at number 12 on the Singles Chart, becoming Minogue's best-performing single on the latter chart since "Wow" (2008).[51] The single fell to number 49 the following week, marking its final chart appearance.[51] Similarly, in New Zealand, it spent a sole week on the chart at number 33, her first solo appearance since "2 Hearts" (2007).[52] In Europe, "Timebomb" peaked within the top 60 on charts in Austria (58),[53] France (46),[54] Germany (56),[55] Italy (23),[56] the Netherlands (44),[57] Scotland (33),[58] Slovakia (40),[59] Spain (20),[60] and the Belgium regions of Flanders (43) and Wallonia (49).[61][62] The single was certified gold by Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana in July 2012.[63]
The single succeeded in the US Dance charts, becoming her ninth number-one entry on the Dance Club Songs during the week of 11 August.[64][65] It was her sixth consecutive chart-topper, beginning with "All the Lovers".[65] "Timebomb" also reached number 17 on both of Billboards Dance/Electronic Digital Songs and the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart.[66][67] It was Minogue's fastest-selling single in the US since "Can't Get You Out of My Head" in 2001.[68] In Canada, it peaked at number 40 and number 73 on the Canadian Digital Songs chart and Canadian Hot 100.[69][70] Elsewhere, the single appeared on the national airplay charts in Russia (93),[71] Mexico (49),[72] and Hungary (19).[73] In Japan, it was Minogue's first entry on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 since its inception in 2008, peaking at number 32.[74] By the end of 2012, "Timebomb" appeared in the year-end dance charts in the US (18)[75] and Australia (39).[76]
Music video
Christian Larson directed and edited the music video for "Timebomb", which was primarily took place in Soho, London in April 2012.[77][78] Details about the filming were tightly controlled.[1][79] No official confirmation was released, and Minogue used a code name for the project during production.[1][79] "It was like organizing the biggest surprise party," she said.[1] Shooting session on the bustling Old Compton Street, however, caused a commotion.[77][79] Minogue, using an in-ear monitor, mimed to the song as she walked down the street, drawing a large crowd of fans.[79][80] Recalling the experience, she said, "I must have looked like a complete idiot strutting down the street singing to absolutely nothing!"[80]
Filming for "Timebomb" took place partly on London's Old Compton Street (pictured in 2015), where the shoot drew a large crowd of fans.
A nighttime sequence featuring Minogue on the back of a motorbike was filmed in a Chinatown back alley.[81][79] She found the scene the most challenging, as the bike's noise drowned out the music and the fumes were overpowering.[80] Despite this, she enjoyed filming it.[81][82] Minogue's black spandex minidress in the video was purchased from a sex shop for £15.[82] She expressed discomfort towards the dress, described it as "a very cheeky little outfit... I do get very shy and timid [about it]".[80]
The video employs jolty camera work, colour switches, and rapid cuts.[22][83] It opens with Minogue posing in a studio.[22] As she exits the studio, the video shifts to grayscale.[22] She wears a leather biker jacket adorned with a giant red heart, short denim hot pants, and a pair of sunglasses.[79][9] She walks through various backstreets, bumps into a man, and takes a stranger's phone to film herself walking down the street.[22][9] She arrives at a dimly lit nightclub, before walking down Old Compton Street.[22] The greyscale scenes were interspersed with glitchy visuals of her strutting down a white corridor and grinding against a wall.[22] Meanwhile, the street scenes were filmed with a found-footage aesthetic, evoking the sensation of being monitored by CCTV.[22][17]
Minogue then climbs into an open-top sports car with a male driver, and they journey through London's bustling streets.[34] The video's colors become saturated, capturing the vibrant rush of the city.[22] As night falls, Minogue exits the car and is pursued by an unknown man.[17] She runs through an alley, kisses a man, and drags him into an abandoned warehouse.[17][84] She removes her jacket, revealing the black minidress.[17] Minogue can be heard moaning and whispering "Wait... please don't make me wait".[22][17] She later dances seductively next to a motorcycle in the middle of the street, while the man circles her, performing a wheelie.[80][17] The video ends with the pair perform a burnout, and leave the alley.[80][9]
The music video was unveiled via the viral release campaign on Twitter on 25 May.[33][77] Minogue promoted the Facebook app that allowed fans to be inserted into Minogue's glasses, which are seen throughout the music video.[85] The video attracted 10 million views on VEVO by 7 August.[86] The black minidress, along with Minogue's physique, drew attention from media publications.[12][43][87] The denim hot pants were compared to the iconic gold hot pants from "Spinning Around" (2000).[9][6] Both Michael Baggs of Gigwise and Jenna Rubenstein of MTV Buzzworthy praised the video's sensual elements and Minogue's ability to pull off steamy scenes.[34][84] Gamboa and a writer from HuffPost commended the memorable video, describing it as "pure Kylie at her best."[7] Daniella Graham of Metro viewed the video as a stylish comeback for Minogue, while MTV UK considered it to contain some of her most raunchiest scenes to date.[9][78]
Live performances
Minogue performs "Timebomb" during Kiss Me Once Tour (pictured in 2014)
On 27 May 2012, Minogue performed "Timebomb" for the first time on the first season of The Voice UK.[78][88] She wore the same outfit in the music video: denim hotpants and a leather jacket, before changing into the black minidress halfway through the performance.[88] The song was included on the setlist for her 2014 Kiss Me Once Tour in Europe and Australia.[89] The performance featured Minogue dressed in a red sparkling corset and matching pillbox hat.[90][91] A show in SSE Hydro, Glasgow was filmed on 12 November, and released as a live album in March 2015.[92][93] The performance of "Timebomb" was uploaded to Minogue's official YouTube account on 4 March 2015 as a sneak peek for the live album release.[94] In 2025, Minogue included "Timebomb" on the fourth segment of her sixteenth concert tour, the Tension Tour.[95]
Minogue, Kylie (16 July 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Parlophone. CDR6874. Archived from the original(CD single) on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
United States: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes)(Digital EP) (Media notes). United States: Parlophone. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Canada: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes)(Digital EP) (Media notes). Canada: Parlophone. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (2012). K25: Time Capsule (Box set; Liner notes). Australia: Warner Music Australia. 531054255. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
1 2 Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). United Kingdom: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2012 in the date selector. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
Australia: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Australia: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
New Zealand: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). New Zealand: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Japan: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Ireland: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Germany: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Germany: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Spain: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Spain: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
France: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). France: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Italy: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Italy: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 2 June 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single) (Media notes). Taiwan: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital single) on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
United States: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single)(Digital single) (Media notes). United States: Parlophone. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Canada: Minogue, Kylie (25 May 2012). Timebomb (Single)(Digital single) (Media notes). Canada: Parlophone. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Australia: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes)(Digital EP) (Media notes). Australia: Parlophone. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
New Zealand: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes)(Digital EP) (Media notes). New Zealand: Parlophone. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). Japan: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). United Kingdom: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
↑ Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). Ireland: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Germany: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). Germany: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Spain: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). Spain: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
France: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). France: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
Italy: Minogue, Kylie (13 July 2012). Timebomb (Remixes) (Media notes). Italy: Parlophone. Archived from the original(Digital EP) on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2016– via iTunes Store.
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