Twisted (Keith Sweat song)

Last updated

"Twisted"
Twisted Keith Sweat cover.jpg
Single by Keith Sweat
from the album Keith Sweat
ReleasedJune 4, 1996 (1996-06-04)
Recorded1995 [1]
Genre
Length4:30
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
  • Keith Sweat
  • Eric McCaine
  • Athena Cage
  • Lavonn Battle
  • Tabitha Duncan
  • Marvin Gaye
  • David Ritz
  • Elliott Brown
Producer(s)
  • Keith Sweat
  • Eric McCaine
Keith Sweat singles chronology
"Get Up on It"
(1994)
"Twisted"
(1996)
"Nobody"
(1996)
Music video
"Twisted" on YouTube

"Twisted" is a song by American singer Keith Sweat, released as a single in June 1996. It was the first song released from his self-titled fifth album. R&B group Kut Klose and remix rapper Pretty Russ are also featured on the song. The radio version of "Twisted" omits Pretty Russ' rap before the final chorus, though some urban stations kept the rap verse. A second mix of the song, referred to as the Flavahood Sexual remix, features a different backbeat sampled from Marvin Gaye's song "Sexual Healing". "Flavahood" also saw significant airplay on radio but was never released on an album.

Contents

Commercially, "Twisted" spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Sweat's biggest hit. "Twisted" also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover chart, staying there for 14 consecutive weeks, the most amongst any song except TLC's "No Scrubs", which spent 15 weeks at the top position. Outside the US, "Twisted" topped the New Zealand Singles Chart for six weeks and became a top-20 hit in Australia and the Netherlands. In 2012, VH1 ranked the song at number 35 on their list of the "40 Greatest R&B Songs of the '90s". [5]

Music video

A music video released for the song features Sweat as a homicide detective pursuing a female suspect who assassinated a police commissioner. The video was directed by Paul Hunter.

Keith is a homicide detective first seen at a royal party but the party is interrupted when an unidentified killer shoots a man of Chinese royalty and steals diamonds from him. The killer escapes and is revealed to be a woman. Keith later arrests the woman but as he steps out of his car she manages to escape. As he returns to his apartment, the woman appears awaiting, with her handcuffs off and proceeds to seduce him. Keith is clearly "twisted" as he is unable to emotionally apprehend her.

The woman is now on the run and had made her way to the roof of a building but on her way up the ladder she is stopped and Keith is called to the scene. (The music cuts out) Keith orders them not to shoot, but when he turns his back the woman draws a gun but before she can fire the weapon an unidentified cop shoots the woman. (The music is continued) Sweat looks on at her as she is left hanging from the ladder, dead. Flashbacks of their encounters occur while he stands watching her in the rain before the video ends. The music video premiered the week of June 9, 1996

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [34] Platinum70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [35] Platinum10,000*
United States (RIAA) [36] Platinum1,600,000 [37]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesMay 21, 1996 Rhythmic contemporary radio Elektra [38]
June 4, 1996CD [39]
United KingdomJune 10, 1996
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[40]
United StatesJuly 16, 1996 Contemporary hit radio [41]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent Women Part I</span> 2000 single by Destinys Child

"Independent Women Part I" is a song recorded by American group Destiny's Child for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of the 1970s television series Charlie's Angels. It was written and produced by production duo Poke & Tone, consisting of Samuel Barnes and Jean-Claude Olivier, along with Cory Rooney, and group member Beyoncé Knowles. The song was later included on the group's third studio album Survivor (2001). "Independent Women" was Destiny's Child's first single to feature vocals from group member Michelle Williams and the only single to feature Farrah Franklin, who was no longer in the group when the single was released.

<i>Keith Sweat</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Keith Sweat

Keith Sweat is the fifth studio album by the American singer Keith Sweat. It was released by Elektra Records on June 25, 1996, in the United States. The single, "Twisted", made it to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, his biggest hit ever on that chart. "Nobody" peaked at number 3 on the same chart. Both songs are his final two of six hits to reach number one on the R&B singles chart and gave Sweat two more Top 5 pop hits in eight years since his first single, "I Want Her".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Look What You've Done</span> 2003 single by Jet

"Look What You've Done" is a song by Australian rock band Jet, released on 8 March 2004 as the third international and fourth US single from their debut studio album, Get Born (2003). The single was initially issued in the United Kingdom in March before being released in Australia the following month. In the United States, it was serviced to rock radio formats in October 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always on Time</span> 2001 single by Ja Rule

"Always on Time" is a song by American rapper Ja Rule from his third studio album, Pain Is Love (2001). Produced by Irv Gotti, it was written by Ja Rule, 7 Aurelius, and Gotti. Originally set to feature Brandy, it features guest vocals from Ashanti. The song was released as the album's second single on November 27, 2001, through Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings and Gotti's Murder Inc. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hero of the Day</span> 1996 single by Metallica

"Hero of the Day" is a song by American heavy metal band Metallica from their 1996 album Load. The song was recorded on December 13, 1995, at Plant Studios in Sausalito, California. "Hero of the Day" was Metallica's second single release from the album. The song became their second consecutive number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and reached number two in Australia, number three in Finland and number eight in Norway. The song is one of the few Metallica songs written primarily in a major key. A promotional video for the track was also filmed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gossip Folks</span> 2002 single by Missy Elliott featuring Ludacris

"Gossip Folks" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott featuring fellow American rapper Ludacris, released as the second single from her fourth studio album, Under Construction (2002), on December 9, 2002. Written alongside producer Timbaland, it peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart, and reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work It (Missy Elliott song)</span> 2002 single by Missy Elliott

"Work It" is a hip hop song written by American rapper Missy Elliott and her producer Tim "Timbaland" Mosley for Elliott's fourth studio album Under Construction (2002). The song's musical style, and production by Timbaland, were heavily inspired by old school hip hop from the early 1980s. It samples Run-D.M.C.'s "Peter Piper" and Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three's "Request Line".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Ur Freak On</span> 2001 single by Missy Elliott

"Get Ur Freak On" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written and produced by Elliott and Timbaland for her third studio album Miss E... So Addictive (2001). Based on heavy bhangra elements, a popular music and dance form from the region of Punjab in India, the song features a six-note base that is a Punjabi melody played on a tumbi and rhythm and bassline played on tabla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pass That Dutch</span> 2003 single by Missy Elliott

"Pass That Dutch" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written and produced by Timbaland and Elliott for her fifth studio album, This Is Not a Test! (2003), and contains samples of "Magic Mountain" by War and "Potholes in My Lawn" by De La Soul.

<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 co-wrote the song with Swing Mob associates Static Major 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">Nobody (Keith Sweat song)</span> 1996 single by Keith Sweat

"Nobody" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage from the band Kut Klose. The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it reached No. 9 in New Zealand, No. 10 in the Netherlands, No. 16 in Canada, and No. 22 in Australia. The music video for the single features a young Mekhi Phifer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Lover</span> 1995 single by LL Cool J

"Hey Lover" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J, released as the first single from his sixth album, Mr. Smith (1995). The song features vocals from American R&B group Boyz II Men. It was released on October 31, 1995, for Def Jam Recordings and was produced by The Trackmasters and LL Cool J. The song samples Michael Jackson's "The Lady in My Life" from his 1982 hit album Thriller; thus Rod Temperton, the writer of that song, was given credit as a writer of this song. On the B-side is the "I Shot Ya" remix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Been Awhile</span> 2001 single by Staind

"It's Been Awhile" is a song by American rock band Staind, released on March 27, 2001, as the lead single from their third studio album, Break the Cycle (2001).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnival (Natalie Merchant song)</span> 1995 single by Natalie Merchant

"Carnival" is a song written and produced by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant and was the lead single from her debut solo album, Tigerlily (1995). In the lyrics, the protagonist describes a street scene as a carnival. Merchant was inspired to write the song after visiting New York City for the first time when she was 16, claiming she was fascinated with the residents' unusual lifestyles, as she grew up in rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fill Me In</span> 2000 single by Craig David

"Fill Me In" is the debut solo single of British singer Craig David. It was released on 3 April 2000 as the lead single from his debut studio album, Born to Do It (2000). The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart on 9 April 2000. "Fill Me In" was then released in the United States on 22 May 2001 and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. According to the Official Charts Company, it was the 10th-best-selling single of 2000 in the UK, having sold 573,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Into You (Fabolous song)</span> 2003 single by Fabolous

"Into You" is the third single from American rapper Fabolous's second studio album, Street Dreams (2003), featuring either Ashanti or Tamia. The song also appears on Tamia's album More. "Into You" originally featured Ashanti, but after Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. Records refused to let her film a music video to promote the single, Fabolous reached out to Tamia to re-record a commercial version. Both the album and single versions received heavy radio-play, resulting in all three artists being credited on the US Billboard Hot 100. The single was released through Elektra Records and DJ Clue's Desert Storm Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7 Days (Craig David song)</span> 2000 single by Craig David

"7 Days" is a song by English singer Craig David. It was released on 24 July 2000 as the second single from his debut studio album, Born to Do It (2000). "7 Days" topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States.

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

American rapper Busta Rhymes has released eleven studio albums, three compilation albums, eight mixtapes, one hundred and eight singles, fourteen promotional singles and fifty-six music videos. Busta Rhymes signed his first recording contract with Elektra Records at the age of just 17, as a member of hip-hop group Leaders of the New School. Though the group would disband in 1994, a number of well-received guest appearances on songs by artists including A Tribe Called Quest and Mary J. Blige led Elektra to offer Busta Rhymes a solo contract in 1995. His debut studio album, The Coming, was released the following year, with lead single "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" reaching number eight on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of 2019 Busta Rhymes has sold around 9,000,000 albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me One Reason</span> 1995 single by Tracy Chapman

"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss California (song)</span> 2001 single by Dante Thomas

"Miss California" is a song by American singer-songwriter Dante Thomas, featuring American rapper and former Fugees member Pras Michel. It was released on February 20, 2001, as the lead single from his debut album, Fly. Despite peaking at number 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the track was an international hit, topping the charts of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands and becoming a top-five hit in Australia, New Zealand, and several other mainland European countries. Cameron Casey directed the song's music video.

References

  1. [ dead link ]
  2. "Best Keith Sweat Songs of All Time – Top 10 Tracks | Discotech".
  3. "Keith Sweat Discusses Chart Success - MTV". MTV . Archived from the original on October 30, 2020.
  4. "Keith Sweat". latalent.com. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  5. "VH1's The 40 Greatest R&B Songs Of The '90s". FreeOnSmash.com. July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  6. Twisted (US CD single liner notes). Keith Sweat. Elektra Records. 1996. 66031-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Twisted (US cassette single sleeve). Keith Sweat. Elektra Records. 1996. 4-64282.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Twisted (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). Keith Sweat. Elektra Records. 1996. EKR223CD, 7559-66010-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. "Keith Sweat – Twisted". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. "Keith Sweat Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  11. "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 9913." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  12. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (24.8. – 30.8. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). August 24, 1996. p. 42. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  13. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 35, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  14. "Keith Sweat – Twisted" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  15. "Keith Sweat – Twisted". Top 40 Singles.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  17. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  18. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  19. "Keith Sweat Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. "Keith Sweat Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  21. "Keith Sweat Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  22. "Keith Sweat Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  23. "Keith Sweat Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  24. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  25. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  26. "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  27. "Billboard Top 100 – 1996" . Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  28. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  29. "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  30. "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  31. "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA . Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  32. "Billboard Top 100 – 1997" . Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  33. "1999 The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-20. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  34. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  35. "New Zealand single certifications – Keith Sweat – Twisted". Recorded Music NZ.
  36. "American single certifications – Keith Sweat – Twisted". Recording Industry Association of America.
  37. "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 3. BPI Communications Inc. January 18, 1997. p. 61. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  38. "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1146. May 17, 1996. p. 39. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  39. "Twisted". Amazon . Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  40. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . June 8, 1996. p. 35. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  41. "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1154. July 12, 1996. p. 36. Retrieved August 18, 2021.