U.G.L.Y.

Last updated
"U.G.L.Y."
D and C - Ugly.jpg
Single by Daphne & Celeste
from the album We Didn't Say That!
ReleasedJune 5, 2000 (2000-06-05) [1]
Genre Dance-pop, bubblegum pop, teen pop
Length3:46
Label Universal
Songwriter(s) S. Burkes, Michele Chiavarini, Tracy Kilrow, Michael Marz
Producer(s) Michele Chiavarini
Daphne & Celeste singles chronology
"Ooh Stick You"
(1999)
"U.G.L.Y."
(2000)
"School's Out"
(2000)

"U.G.L.Y." is a song by American recording duo Daphne & Celeste. It was released on June 5, 2000, as the second single from their studio album, We Didn't Say That! . The song was written and composed by Michele Chiavarini, Tracy Kilrow, Michael Marz and S. Burkes, while its producer was Chiavarini. "U.G.L.Y." is a teen pop and bubblegum pop song with a cheerleading style, making it similar in this respect to Toni Basil's song "Mickey". Lyrically, the song is about people who Daphne & Celeste think are ugly.

Contents

The song received mixed reviews from music critics, with some saying it was a good single, but many panning it and at least one reportedly saying it was "inappropriate and ridiculous". It is still the subject of criticism to this day due to its harsh lyrics. Although it received unfavorable reviews upon its release as a single, the song did very well in New Zealand, where it peaked at number seven (its highest position on any chart anywhere in the world). Elsewhere it wasn't quite so successful, but the single would later be immortalized in the American box office hit film Bring It On (released August 2000) and its accompanied soundtrack. [2]

Background

After the release of their first single, "Ooh Stick You", the duo decided to release "U.G.L.Y." as the second single from their forthcoming album, We Didn't Say That! (2000). The song was written and composed by Michele Chiavarini, Tracy Kilrow, Michael Marz and S. Burkes, and was produced by Chiavarini. They took the chorus from a Fishbone song called "Ugly".

Critical reception

Dean Carlson from AllMusic reviewed the album, but did not at that point intend to review the track itself. [3] However, he did go on to review "U.G.L.Y." individually, giving it two and a half out of five stars when so doing. [4] Andy Capper from NME said: "'UGLY' continues the playground putdown vibes of Daphne & Celeste's first single, 'Ooh Stick You'. It's a cool little tune, bolstered by a complete lack of irony or sickly kitsch vibes. Daphne & Celeste are queens in the making." [5]

Reaction and criticism

Andy Capper's review of the song from NME is positive, but acknowledges nonetheless that it is "a bit ruder" than their previous single. [5]

Chart performance

The single was a big success in New Zealand, where it peaked at number seven on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified platinum. [6] However, it did not do as well in any other country. The song debuted at number forty-seven on the Australian Singles Chart, but only managed to peak at number forty. The song entered the charts at number eighteen in the United Kingdom, where it only managed to go that far.

Music video

The music video was directed by Phil Griffin and filmed on April 16, 2000.

Track listings

UK CD1 [7]

  1. "U.G.L.Y." (radio edit)
  2. "U.G.L.Y." (Tomboy Mix)
  3. "U.G.L.Y." (T-Total "Make Over" Mix)
  4. "U.G.L.Y." (video)

UK CD2 and Canadian CD single [8] [9]

  1. "U.G.L.Y." (radio edit)
  2. "U.G.L.Y." (Uglier Mix)
  3. Exclusive Daphne & Celeste interview

UK cassette single [10]

  1. "U.G.L.Y." (radio edit)
  2. "U.G.L.Y." (Uglier Mix)

Charts

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [11] 40
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) [12] 18
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [13] 69
Ireland (IRMA) [14] 40
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [15] 7
Scotland (OCC) [16] 14
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 18

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh Stick You</span> 2000 single by Daphne and Celeste

"Ooh Stick You" is the debut single recorded of American pop duo Daphne and Celeste. It was released on January 24, 2000, as the lead single from their debut album, We Didn't Say That!. It reached number eight in the United Kingdom, number 40 in Ireland, number 54 in Australia, and number five in New Zealand, where it went platinum for sales of over 10,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Stay (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 2000 single by Kylie Minogue

"Please Stay" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue for her seventh studio album, Light Years (2000). The song was written by Minogue, Richard Stannard, Julian Gallagher, and John Themis and was produced by Stannard and Gallagher. Festival Mushroom Records and Parlophone released the song as the fourth single from Light Years on 11 December 2000. "Please Stay" is a disco song with a strong Latin pop influence. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Remind Me</span> 2001 single by Usher

"U Remind Me" is a song by American singer Usher. It was written by Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement and Anita McCloud and produced by Clement for Usher's third studio album 8701 (2001). A mid-tempo R&B track, the song is about a man who meets a woman who seems like a nice catch, but he decides not to enter a relationship with her because she looks too much like an ex-girlfriend with whom he had a bad breakup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sing It Back</span> 1999 single by Moloko

"Sing It Back" is a song written and performed by Irish-English electronic music duo Moloko. It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor (1998); it was released as a single on 8 March 1999, reaching number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. The song experienced chart success after it was remixed by DJ Boris Dlugosch, peaking at number four in the UK in September 1999. Murphy had started writing the lyrics while clubbing in New York City, and knew the song was at heart a dance track, but the group wanted to record it in a different artistic fashion for its album version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Hooked Up</span> 2001 single by All Saints

"All Hooked Up" is a song by English-Canadian girl group All Saints from their second album, Saints & Sinners (2000). London Records released the song as the third and last single from the album on 15 January 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say My Name</span> 1999 single by Destinys Child

"Say My Name" is a song by American group Destiny's Child from their second studio album, The Writing's on the Wall (1999). It was written by Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson, Kelly Rowland, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, and Rodney Jerkins, featuring production by the latter. While the song features the vocals of the group's original line-up consisting of Luckett and Roberson, the music video for the single marked the introduction of the group's second line-up with then-new members Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin, whom they were replaced with. It was released as the third single from The Writing's on the Wall on October 14, 1999, by Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If That Were Me</span> 2000 single by Melanie C

"If That Were Me" is a song by English recording artist Melanie C. It was co-written and produced by Rick Nowels for her solo debut studio album Northern Star (1999). The song's lyrics address the issue of homelessness. Selected as the album's fifth and final single, "If That Were Me" was released on 27 November 2000. The song peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Melanie C's first solo single not to reach the top five. The proceeds from its sale went to the Kandu Arts charity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strict Machine</span> 2003 single by Goldfrapp

"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. 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". Actress Gwendoline Christie features on the record sleeve disguised in a rabbit mask.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He Wasn't Man Enough</span> 2000 single by Toni Braxton

"He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Toni Braxton. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, and Harvey Mason, Jr. for her third studio album, The Heat (2000), while production was helmed by the former. "He Wasn't Man Enough" is an uptempo R&B song that differs from Braxton's previous ballads. The song was released by LaFace Records on February 29, 2000, as the lead single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thank You (Dido song)</span> 2000 single by Dido

"Thank You" is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Dido. The song made its first appearance in 1998 on the soundtrack of the movie Sliding Doors. It was later included on Dido's 1999 debut album, No Angel, and was released in September 2000 to mainstream success. It was also sampled in the 2000 single "Stan" by Eminem, which helped propel "Thank You" and No Angel to mainstream success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ordinary World (song)</span> 1992 single by Duran Duran

"Ordinary World" is a song by English rock band Duran Duran, released in December 1992 as the first single from their self-titled album (1993), commonly known as The Wedding Album. The ballad reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Mainstream Top 40, the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, and the Italian Singles Chart. It also peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 in Iceland and Sweden, and No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Over You Yet</span> 1999 single by Diana Ross

"Not Over You Yet" is a song by American singer Diana Ross from her 20th studio album, Every Day Is a New Day (1999). It was written by 'Zavy Kid' Malik Pendleton and Kenneth Kelly and produced by the former, Brian Rawling, and Mark Taylor. EMI and Ross Records released the song as the second single from the album on October 25, 1999. It was her final hit single of the 1990s in the United Kingdom, peaking at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The single also reached number six in Hungary, and number 67 in Germany, and number 74 in the Netherlands. A music video was produced for promotional purposes. Ross performed the song on the ITV special An Audience with Diana Ross, recreating elements of the music video with choreography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine on a Rainy Day</span> 1990 single by Zoë

"Sunshine on a Rainy Day" is a 1990 song by British pop singer and songwriter Zoë, released as the first single from her debut album, Scarlet Red and Blue (1991). The song received positive reviews from music critics, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart in September 1991. It also charted within the top 40 in Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Zimbabwe, where it reached number-one. Two different music videos were produced to promote the single. One of them was filmed in India. In 2008, Zoë re-recorded the song with her folk band Mama. This version is available on their debut CD, Crow Coyote Buffalo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit</span> 1996 single by Gina G

"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is the debut solo single of Australian singer Gina G. The song was written by British songwriters Simon Caldwell and Steve Rodway, and released on 25 March 1996 as the first single from her debut album, Fresh! (1997). It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart almost two months later and was also a number-one hit in Israel, as well as in Scotland. In the US, the song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was the United Kingdom's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996, held in Oslo, Norway, where it finished in eighth place. It was successful on the charts in Europe, Australia and the US, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

Daphne and Celeste are an American pop duo, consisting of Celeste Cruz and Karen 'Daphne' DiConcetto. Three of their singles reached the top 20 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Walked Love</span> 1994 single by Exposé

"In Walked Love" is a song by the American girl group Exposé. Written by Diane Warren and produced by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero, the song can be found on the group's 1992 album Exposé, their third studio album. Lead vocals on the pop ballad were performed by Ann Curless. The song features Al Pitrelli as guest guitarist. In 1996, British singer Louise covered the song and reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart with her rendition.

<i>We Didnt Say That!</i> 2000 studio album by Daphne and Celeste

We Didn't Say That! is the debut album by American teen pop duo Daphne and Celeste, released in the summer of 2000. It received mixed reviews from the press, with Dean Carlson of AllMusic and Melody Maker giving it four out of five stars, and NME giving it five out of ten stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh La La (Coolio song)</span> 1997 single by Coolio

"Ooh La La" is a song by American rapper Coolio, released as the second single from his third solo album, My Soul (1997), on September 9, 1997. The song contains a sample of "Pull Up to the Bumper" by Grace Jones, so Jones, Sly and Robbie, and Dana Manno were given writing credits. The song did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 but became a top-40 hit in other countries, including New Zealand, where it reached number two and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game On (song)</span> 1998 single by Catatonia

"Game On" is a song by Welsh alternative rock band Catatonia, released as the fifth and final single from their second studio album, International Velvet (1998), in October 1998. It was written by band members Cerys Matthews and Mark Roberts and produced by TommyD and the band. Commercially, the song charted on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 33.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Londinium (Catatonia song)</span> 1999 single by Catatonia

"Londinium" is a song by Welsh band Catatonia from their third studio album, Equally Cursed and Blessed (1999). It was written by Mark Roberts with Catatonia and produced by TommyD and the band. Released on 12 July 1999, the song reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. "New Releases – For Week Starting June 5, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . June 5, 2000. p. 23. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  2. From Discogs
  3. We Didn't Say That! - Daphne & Celeste: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards: AllMusic
  4. "U.G.L.Y." - Daphne & Celeste: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards: AllMusic
  5. 1 2 "UGLY". NME . September 12, 2005.
  6. charts.org.nz - Daphne & Celeste - U.G.L.Y.
  7. U.G.L.Y. (UK CD1 liner notes). Daphne & Celeste. Universal Records. 2000. MCSTD 40232, 158 042-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. U.G.L.Y. (UK CD2 liner notes). Daphne & Celeste. Universal Records. 2000. MCSXD 40232, 158092-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. U.G.L.Y. (Canadian CD single liner notes). Daphne & Celeste. Universal Records. 2000. 012 158 092-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. U.G.L.Y. (UK cassette single sleeve). Daphne & Celeste. Universal Records. 2000. MCSC 40232, 158042-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. "Daphne & Celeste – U.G.L.Y.". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  12. "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard . Vol. 112, no. 40. September 30, 2000. p. 52. Retrieved February 10, 2013 via Google Books.
  13. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 26. June 24, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  14. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Daphne & Celeste". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  15. "Daphne & Celeste – U.G.L.Y.". Top 40 Singles.
  16. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.