"Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out" | ||||
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Single by Freak Power | ||||
from the album Drive-Thru Booty | ||||
B-side | "Getting Over the Hump" | |||
Released | 4 October 1993 [1] | |||
Genre | Acid jazz | |||
Length | 4:20 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Norman Cook | |||
Producer(s) |
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Freak Power singles chronology | ||||
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"Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out" is a song by Norman Cook's acid jazz group Freak Power, released in October 1993 by Island Records and 4th & Broadway as the debut single from their first album, Drive-Thru Booty (1994). The song features a smooth jazz sound and the baritone vocals of lead singer Ashley Slater. The single originally charted at number 29 in the United Kingdom. However, two years later, the song was used in the popular Levi's advertisement "Taxi", [2] and it was re-released on 6 March 1995. [3] This time, the single was a success, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the group's only top-20 hit. The song was also a moderate hit in western Europe and New Zealand.
Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian described the song as "a cynical post-modern shopping anthem with a dash of singalong soul." [4] In October 1993, in his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated that the song "has the potential to be a major hit". [5] Upon the 1995 release, a reviewer from Music Week commented, "Levi's ads have a habit of spawning Top 10 hits and Freak Power's groovy number is set to become the latest." [6] NME 's review said, "Stuffed with vocals that croakily doff their cap to Sly Stone, wah-wah guitar and a chorus that seems to be fully aware of its '70s-crazed ludicrousness, it's an insidious rare groove drip-feed that'll soon be connected to the veins of thousands." [7]
Andy Beevers wrote in the Record Mirror Dance Update, "With his excellent Mighty Dub Cats and Pizzaman projects, Norman Cook has been sending out low-key signals that something is stirring down in Brighton. Now comes the real deal. The best starting point is the Radio Mix which emphasises the wonderfully mellow and husky male vocal. The weird trippy lyrics, which are nowhere as corny as the title would suggest, are set against a great bassline and plenty of funky touches. The whole thing has a very Seventies feel but it is done with a great deal more understanding and intelligence than all the current disco pastiches." [8] Another Record Mirror editor, James Hamilton, described it as "Norman Cook's Gil Scott Heron-ishly crooking jaunty excellent Donny Hathaway 'The Ghetto' based". [9]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [37] | Silver | 200,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Freak Power was a band founded by bassist Norman Cook, Ashley Slater, and backing vocalist Jesse Graham. Their music was a mix of acid jazz, funk, soul, and trip hop. Although not credited, the London-based session bass player Dale Davis recorded bass and guitar on their debut album Drive-Thru Booty.
"Another Night" is a song by German Eurodance and pop music project Real McCoy. The single is featured on their hit album Another Night (1995), which was the American release of the project's second album, Space Invaders. The song was written and produced in Germany by Juergen Wind and Frank Hassas (Quickmix) in 1993 under the producer team name Freshline. It was released in Europe on 12 July 1993 by Hansa Records and two music videos were produced, directed by Nigel Dick and Angel Garcia.
"House of Love" is a song by American drag queen, singer and songwriter RuPaul, released in 1993 by Tommy Boy Records as the singer's third major-label single, and fifth single overall from his debut album, Supermodel of the World (1993). The song did not chart in the US as it was previously released as a Double A-Side to the 1992 single "Supermodel ". It did however reach the Top 40 in the UK.
"Freak like Me" is a song by American R&B singer Adina Howard, released on January 25, 1995 by East West and Lola Waxx, as the debut single from her first album, Do You Wanna Ride? (1995). The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, as well as number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for four weeks, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies. Its music video was directed by Hype Williams. In 2023, Billboard ranked "Freak like Me" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time". The song has been covered by several artists, including British girl group Sugababes, who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart with their version in 2002.
"Misled" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her third English-language studio album, The Colour of My Love (1993). It was released as the second single from the album on 11 April 1994 by Columbia Records/Epic Records. The song was written by Peter Zizzo and Jimmy Bralower and produced by Ric Wake. "Misled" topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and reached number four in Canada. It also peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas.
"Insomnia" is a song by British musical group Faithless. Released as the band's second single, it became one of their most successful. It was originally released in 1995 and reached number 27 on the UK Singles Chart, topping the UK Dance Chart in the process. When re-released in October 1996, the song achieved a new peak of number three in the United Kingdom and topped the charts of Finland, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as the American and Canadian dance charts. It also featured on Faithless's 1996 debut album, Reverence.
"Salva Mea" is a song by British electronic band Faithless, written by members Rollo, Sister Bliss, and Maxi Jazz. The female vocals on all versions are performed by Rollo's sister Dido. "Salva Mea" was released in July 1995 by Cheeky Records as the group's first single from their debut album, Reverence (1996), and became a hit on the UK Dance Singles Chart; following a re-release in 1996, it peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The single topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart twice—during its first chart run in 1996 and again in 1997 when the track was remixed and reissued. A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single, directed by British director Lindy Heymann.
"Two Can Play That Game" is a song by American R&B singer-songwriter Bobby Brown from his third album, Bobby (1992). The single release was remixed by K-Klass and originally reached No. 38 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1994. In April 1995, it re-entered the chart, peaking at No. 3. It received positive reviews from music critics and also reached No. 3 in the Netherlands. Additionally, it became a top-20 hit in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and Italy. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Two Can Play That Game" peaked at No. 10. This version of the song appeared on Brown's remix album of the same name, released later in 1995.
"I'm So into You" is a song by American R&B vocal trio SWV from their debut studio album, It's About Time (1992). Written and produced by Brian Alexander Morgan, the song was released in January 1993 by RCA Records as the second single from the album. It was commercially successful, becoming their first top-10 single in the United States, peaking at number six on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100. It also reached number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales and streaming figures exceeding 1,000,000 units.
"Dreamer" is a song by Italian house group Livin' Joy, written and recorded by Janice Robinson and produced by brothers Paolo and Gianni Visnadi. Originally released in August 1994, it was re-released in 1995 by MCA and topped the UK Singles Chart at the number one spot that May, ending 1995 as the UK's 40th-biggest-selling single of 1995. In the United States, it went to number-one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was a sleeper hit on pop radio, but finally managed to peak at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 75 on the Cash Box Top 100.
"The Key the Secret" is the debut single by British group Urban Cookie Collective, released in June 1993 by Pulse 8 from the group's debut album, High on a Happy Vibe (1994). The song features vocals by British singer Diane Charlemagne and peaked at number one in the Netherlands. It was a top-5 hit also in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and the UK, where it reached number two. Its music video was directed by Lindy Heymann, featuring the group in an indoor botanical garden.
"Never Gonna Let You Go" is a song by American singer Tina Moore. Originally released as a single in May 1995 from her self-titled debut album, the song reached number 27 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In August 1997, a UK garage remix of the song by Kelly G was released on the Delirious label and became a top-10 hit in the UK, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 23 in September 1997. Several remixes are included on the CD and 12-inch formats, such as the 'Tuff Jam Classic Vocal Mix' and 'Warehouse Junkie Mix'.
"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released in September 1993 by Epic and Sony as the second single from his eight studio album, Never Let Me Go (1993). The song was written by Vandross with Reed Vertelney and produced by Marcus Miller. It peaked in the top 30 on both the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts, and also at thirty-three on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Singles chart. "Heaven Knows" was nominated for Best R&B Song alongside "Little Miracles " at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in March 1994, losing to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson.
"Carry On" is a song by American singer Martha Wash, released on October 30, 1992 through RCA Records as the lead single from her debut solo self-titled studio album, Martha Wash (1993). It was written by Eric Beall, who also composed the instrumentation in collaboration with Steve Skinner and peaked at number-one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Drive-Thru Booty is the debut album by British band Freak Power, fronted by musician, record producer and songwriter Norman Cook, singer, songwriter and trombone player Ashley Slater and vocalist Jesse Graham. It was released in April 1994.
"Inner City Life" is a song by British electronic musician Goldie featuring vocals by British singer Diane Charlemagne, released in November 1994 by FFRR as the first single from his acclaimed debut album, Timeless (1995). The song was written by Goldie with Rob Playford, and is widely considered one of the most iconic drum and bass works of its era. Accompanied by a music video directed by Mike Lipscombe, it peaked at No. 39 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the UK Dance Chart. NME ranked "Inner City Life" No. 11 in their list of the "50 Best Songs of 1994". In 2013, it was ranked No. 30 in Mixmag's list of "50 Greatest Dance Tracks of All Time".
"So in Love with You" is a song by British singer, songwriter and producer Mark Carson Adams under the name Duke in 1994. Released by CNR Music, Dance Street and Virgin, it became the singer's biggest hit and was also included on his 1995 album, The 10 Commandments Of Love. The single's radio edit is mixed by Norman Cook, as Pizzaman. It reached number three in the Netherlands and number 12 in Flemish Belgium. The track has since been remixed and re-released several times; in 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2012. The 1996 version peaked at number four in Italy and number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number two on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In 1997, it peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the US.
"Sex on the Streets" is a song by British electronic music duo Pizzaman, consisting of John Reid and Norman Cook, and was released in 1995 as the second single from their only album, Pizzamania (1995). The song samples a part of a 1974 sermon by American evangelist Jack van Impe and peaked at number-one on both the UK Dance Singles Chart and the UK Club Chart. In 2011, it was released in the Netherlands in a new mix as "Sex on the Streets 2011".
"Happiness" is a song by British electronic music duo Pizzaman, which consisted of John Reid and Norman Cook, released in November 1995 by Loaded Records as the third single from the duo's only album, Pizzamania (1995). The song contains a sample of "Five Songs by Four Voices" performed by English poet, artist and musician Edward Barton, and uses a backbeat from "Break 4 Love" by Raze. "Happiness" peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the UK Dance Chart. Its music video was directed by American filmmaker and photojournalist Michael Dominic. Del Monte Foods corporation used the song in a UK fruit juice ad.
"Trippin' on Sunshine" is the debut single by British electronic music duo Pizzaman, consisting of John Reid and Norman Cook, released in 1994 from their only album, Pizzamania (1995). The "You, me, all of us, are looking for the key..." vocal sample in the song is taken from the 1968 single "World of Love" by Canadian R&B/soul band Mandala. And the "Trippin' on Sunshine" vocal sample is from "Accapella Sunshine" by Rockers Revenge featuring Donnie Calvin.