Valerie (Zutons song)

Last updated

"Valerie"
Valerie Cover.jpg
Single by the Zutons
from the album Tired of Hanging Around
Released19 June 2006 (2006-06-19) [1]
Recorded
Genre
Length3:56
Label Deltasonic
Songwriter(s)
  • Abi Harding
  • Boyan Chowdhury
  • Dave McCabe
  • Russ Pritchard
  • Sean Payne
Producer(s) Stephen Street
The Zutons singles chronology
"Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?"
(2006)
"Valerie"
(2006)
"Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done!)"
(2006)
Music video
"Valerie" on YouTube

"Valerie" is a song by English indie rock band the Zutons from their second studio album, Tired of Hanging Around (2006). The song was later covered by Mark Ronson, with lead vocals provided by Amy Winehouse, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart in 2007.

Contents

Background

In an interview with The Scotsman in May 2008, lead singer Dave McCabe described the writing process of the song: "I could tell you I was inspired by gazing out across the Mersey or walking past Macca's old house, but the truth is I got the idea in a cab on the way to my mum's. The whole song was written before I got there, so 20 minutes, max." [2]

The song's title and theme refer to an American friend of McCabe's who was in trouble for driving under the influence. The band's drummer, Sean Payne, called it a "musical postcard to her, saying he is having a hard time and can she come over and see him." [3] In an interview with Vice magazine in June 2019, the subject of the song was revealed to be celebrity makeup artist Valerie Star. [4] She explained that she met McCabe and how she got arrested for driving on a suspended license. [5]

Other uses

The song was used by ITV during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, alongside Primal Scream's "Country Girl" and Kasabian's cover of David Bowie's 1977 song "Heroes". The song was also featured as a playable track in Lego Rock Band.

Both the original and Mark Ronson version featured in British soap opera Emmerdale during the wedding of Eric and Val Pollard in 2008.

Music video

A prop used in the music video The Zutons Valerie guitar.JPG
A prop used in the music video

The music video was directed by Scott Lyon. It is set in a prison and shows the Zutons trying to escape.

Track listings

  1. "Valerie"
  2. "April Fool"
  1. "Valerie"
  2. "I Will Be Your Pockets"
  3. "In the City"
  4. "Valerie" (music video)
  1. "Valerie"
  2. "Get Up and Dance"

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [11] Gold400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse version

"Valerie"
Mark Ronson - Valerie.jpg
Single by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse
from the album Version
B-side
Released15 October 2007
Recorded2007
Genre
Length3:37
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson singles chronology
"Oh My God"
(2007)
"Valerie"
(2007)
"Just"
(2008)
Amy Winehouse singles chronology
"Tears Dry on Their Own"
(2007)
"Valerie"
(2007)
"Love Is a Losing Game"
(2007)

James Morrison and Panic! at the Disco both covered the song on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in 2008.

It was sung by Niamh Perry on the fourth round of BBC's I'd Do Anything in 2008.

It was covered in a parody on Today FM's Gift Grub , prior to Munster's appearance in the 2008 Heineken Cup final, as "Flannery", after Munster hooker, Jerry Flannery.

The Zutons' version of the song is referenced in the 2010 song "She Said" by Plan B.

Glee covered Winehouse's version of the song in the episode "Special Education", as one of the two songs for the season 2 Sectionals, with Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) singing the lead and Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) and Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.) performing a choreographed dance duet. During the 100th episode of the series they redo the song as a duet with Santana and Brittany singing, backed up by the dancing of Mike and new New Directions member Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist).

Singer Bruno Mars paid tribute to Winehouse by performing her version of the song at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

Louis Tomlinson of boy band One Direction covered the song during a concert of their 2011 Up All Night Tour. [74]

Dionne Bromfield (Winehouse's goddaughter), Aura Dione, Ivy Quainoo, Caro Emerald and Ina Müller performed the song as a tribute to Winehouse at the 2012 Echo Awards Presentation in Germany.

EastEnders actress Rita Simons sang the song on Children in Need 2013.

American bluegrass band the Brothers Comatose covered the song for their 2016 album City Painted Gold.

Argentine jazz singer Karen Souza covered the song on her 2017 release Velvet Vault .

Covered by Smith & Myers on their EP Volume 1 in 2020.

Filipino group Lola Amour covered the song with Leanne and Naara during their Looking Back online concert in 2022. The band often performs the song live, using a break in the song to introduce the members during their concerts.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Yellow Taxi</span> 1970 single by Joni Mitchell

"Big Yellow Taxi" is a song written, composed, and originally recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in 1970, and originally released on her album Ladies of the Canyon. It was a hit in her native Canada as well as Australia and the UK. It only reached No. 67 in the US in 1970, but was later a bigger hit there for her in a live version released in 1974, which peaked at No. 24. Charting versions have also been recorded by The Neighborhood, and most notably by Amy Grant in 1994 and Counting Crows in 2002. The song was also sampled in Janet Jackson's "Got 'til It's Gone" (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh My God (Kaiser Chiefs song)</span> 2005 single by Kaiser Chiefs

"Oh My God" is the debut single of English indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs. It was initially released by the Drowned in Sound label on 17 May 2004, reaching number 66 on the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released on 21 February 2005, two weeks before the release of their debut album, Employment. This time, it peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, which earned the band their first top-10 hit as well as their highest-charting single at the time until it was succeeded by UK chart-topper "Ruby" on 25 February 2007. The song also appeared on the soundtrack for the video game Driver: Parallel Lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Ronson</span> British musician (born 1975)

Mark Daniel Ronson is a British-born musician and DJ based in the United States. He has won eight Grammy Awards, including Producer of the Year for Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black (2006), as well as two for Record of the Year with her 2006 single "Rehab" and his own 2014 single "Uptown Funk". He has also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe and a Grammy Award for co-writing "Shallow" for the film A Star Is Born (2018). Ronson served as lead and executive producer for the soundtrack to the 2023 fantasy comedy film Barbie, on which he also composed and co-wrote several of its songs with his production partner Andrew Wyatt. The soundtrack won three Grammy Awards—"What Was I Made For?" won Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media, while the parent album won Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media—from 11 nominations, as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song from two nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just (song)</span> 1995 single by Radiohead

"Just" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, included on their second album, The Bends (1995). It was released as a single on 21 August 1995 and reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Back to Black</i> 2006 studio album by Amy Winehouse

Back to Black is the second and final studio album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. Winehouse predominantly based the album on her tumultuous relationship with then-ex-boyfriend and future husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who temporarily left her to pursue his previous ex-girlfriend. Their short-lived separation spurred her to create an album that explores themes of guilt, grief, infidelity, heartbreak and trauma in a relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rehab (Amy Winehouse song)</span> 2006 single by Amy Winehouse

"Rehab" is a song written and recorded by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, from her second and final studio album Back to Black (2006). Produced by Mark Ronson, the lyrics are autobiographical and address Winehouse's refusal to enter a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol. "Rehab" was released as the lead single from Back to Black in 2006, and it peaked at number 7 in the United Kingdom on its Singles Chart and number 9 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Winehouse's only top 10 hit in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Know I'm No Good</span> 2007 single by Amy Winehouse

"You Know I'm No Good" is a song written and performed by English singer Amy Winehouse from her second and final studio album, Back to Black (2006). "You Know I'm No Good" was released as the second single from Back to Black on 8 January 2007. Originally recorded as a solo track, it was remixed with guest vocals from the Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah. The original appeared on Winehouse's album, while the version with Ghostface Killah appears on his album More Fish. On the recap of The Best Songs of 2007 by Entertainment Weekly magazine, this song ranked at number two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Back to Black (song)</span> 2007 single by Amy Winehouse

"Back to Black" is a song by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, released on 26 April 2007 by Island Records as the third single from her second and final studio album of the same name (2006). The song was written by Winehouse and Mark Ronson, and produced by the latter. "Back to Black" was inspired by Winehouse's relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil, who had left her for an ex-girlfriend.

<i>Version</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Mark Ronson

Version is the second album by British producer Mark Ronson, first released on 16 April 2007 through Allido and Columbia Records. It is an album of cover versions with a retro-inspired sound that Ronson considers to be reminiscent of Motown and Stax releases. The album cost more than £870,000 to launch. Version reached number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and has sold 105,584 copies as of January 2015.

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

English-American musician, DJ, singer, songwriter, record producer and record executive Mark Ronson has released five studio albums and twenty-two singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tears Dry on Their Own</span> 2007 single by Amy Winehouse

"Tears Dry on Their Own" is a song by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse from her second and final studio album, Back to Black (2006). It was released on 13 August 2007 as the album's fourth single. While the melody and lyrics are composed by Winehouse, the music behind her voice is an interpolation of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1967 song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", penned by Ashford & Simpson. The original ballad version of the track is featured on the posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures (2011). The song was featured in the documentary film based on the life and death of Winehouse, Amy (2015) and was also included on the film's soundtrack.

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

The discography of English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse consists of two studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, five extended plays, 15 singles, three video albums and 14 music videos. At the time of her death on 23 July 2011, Winehouse had sold over 1.75 million singles and over 3.98 million albums in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, she had sold about 3.4 million tracks and 2.7 million albums in the United States as of the same date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is a Losing Game</span> 2007 single by Amy Winehouse

"Love Is a Losing Game" is a song by English singer Amy Winehouse from her second and final studio album Back to Black (2006). It was chosen as the fifth and final single from Back to Black and was also the final single released in Winehouse's lifetime. The single was released on 10 December 2007 in the United Kingdom. The song was added to BBC Radio 1's playlist on 7 November 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Made You</span> 2009 single by Eminem

"We Made You" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his sixth studio album Relapse (2009). It was released as the second single from the album on April 7, 2009. "We Made You" was written by Eminem, Dr. Dre, Dawaun Parker, Mark Batson, Trevor Lawrence Jr. and Walter Egan. Production was handled by Dr. Dre, with Eminem and Doc Ish serving as additional co-producers.

<i>Lioness: Hidden Treasures</i> 2011 compilation album by Amy Winehouse

Lioness: Hidden Treasures is a posthumous compilation album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse. It was released on 2 December 2011 by Island Records. It was her third album, and features unreleased songs, covers and demos selected by Mark Ronson, Salaam Remi and Winehouse's family, including the first single, "Body and Soul", with Tony Bennett. The album was released in aid of the Amy Winehouse Foundation. "Our Day Will Come" was released as the album's second and final single on 4 December, and was Winehouse's first solo single to be released since 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uptown Funk</span> 2014 single by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

"Uptown Funk" is a song by British record producer Mark Ronson, featuring American singer Bruno Mars. It was released on 10 November 2014, as the lead single from Ronson's fourth studio album, Uptown Special (2015). "Uptown Funk" was written by Ronson, Mars, Jeff Bhasker, and Philip Lawrence; it was produced by the aforementioned first three. The song began during a freestyle studio session while they worked on a jam Mars and his band had been playing on tour. Copyright controversies arose after the song's release resulting in multiple lawsuits and amendments to its songwriting credits.

<i>Amy</i> (soundtrack) 2015 film score by Amy Winehouse

Amy is an original motion picture soundtrack to the 2015 film of the same name. It was released by Island Records on 30 October 2015. It is the second posthumous compilation album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse. It features original tracks, covers, previously unreleased versions and demos that were included in the documentary and also features music by Brazilian composer Antônio Pinto. The Name of the Wave by British musician and producer William Orbit also makes an appearance on the soundtrack. The soundtrack peaked at number 19 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electricity (Silk City and Dua Lipa song)</span> 2018 single by Silk City and Dua Lipa

"Electricity" is a song by British-American music duo Silk City and English-Albanian singer Dua Lipa featuring American DJ Diplo and British-American DJ Mark Ronson. The song was written by Silk City members: Ronson and Diplo, alongside Lipa, Diana Gordon, Romy Madley Croft, Jr Blender, Maxime Picard, Clément Picard, Jacob Olofsson and Rami Dawod. The production was handled by Silk City with additional production from Picard Brothers, Jarami, Riton, Alex Metric, and Blender. It was released for digital download and streaming through Columbia Records and Sony Music on 6 September 2018 as the fourth single from Silk City's debut 2019 extended play (EP) of the same name. The song was later included on Dua Lipa: Complete Edition (2018), the super deluxe reissue of Lipa's eponymous debut studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing Breaks Like a Heart</span> 2018 single by Mark Ronson featuring Miley Cyrus

"Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" is a song by British musician Mark Ronson featuring American singer Miley Cyrus, released on 29 November 2018 by RCA Records as the lead single from Ronson's fifth studio album, Late Night Feelings (2019).

References

  1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 17 June 2006. p. 33.
  2. 1 2 "Jukebox heroes - The Zutons interview". The Scotsman . Johnston Press. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Webb, Robert (7 January 2011). "Story of the Song: Valerie, The Zutons, 2006". The Independent. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. "Valerie Star | Stylist | Celebrity Makeup & Hair | Wardrobe". 4 May 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  5. "The real-life Valerie who inspired The Zutons & Amy Winehouse has been discovered". Radio X. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  6. "European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard . Retrieved 30 January 2008.[ dead link ]
  7. "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Zutons". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  9. "Zutons: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  10. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  11. "British single certifications – Zutons – Valerie". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  12. "Amy Winehouse Album Guide". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  13. "Amazon Echo: This Grandpa Likes "Valerie"". Commercial Society. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  14. "The New Nest Audio from Google (featuring Mark Spates and Mark Ronson) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  15. "Top 40 Singles of the Year 2007". BBC Radio 1 . Retrieved 27 December 2007.
  16. "Amy Winehouse - Top 40 Hitdossier-artiesten". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  17. "Mark Ronson Featuring Amy Winehouse - Valerie - Top 40". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  18. Jones, Alan (26 January 2015). "Official Charts Analysis: Ronson first artist to top singles and albums charts since 2013". Music Week . Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  19. "Mark Ronson f/ Amy Winehouse - "Valerie"". Elbo.ws. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  20. "Mark Ronson - Valerie". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  21. "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  22. "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  23. "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on 20 November 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  24. "European Hot 100 Singles – Chart Listing For The Week Of Nov 03 2007". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  25. 1 2 "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  26. "Nielsen Music Control Airplay - Germany Top 5". Nielsen Music Control on behalf of BVMI. Archived from the original on 12 July 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  27. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  28. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse". Irish Singles Chart.
  29. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  30. 1 2 "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  31. "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Top 40 Singles.
  32. "Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Russian). Tophit . Retrieved 6 March 2008.
  33. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  34. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200812 into search. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  35. "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Swiss Singles Chart.
  36. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  37. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  38. 1 2 "Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 28 July 2011". Chart-Track. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  39. "History" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 14 February 2020.Type "Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse" in the search box, then select the "Classifiche" tab.
  40. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  41. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  42. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  43. "Mark Ronson Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  44. "Mark Ronson Chart History (R&B Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  45. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  46. "The ARIA Report: Issue 946" (PDF). The ARIA Report (946): 2. 14 April 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2020 via National Library of Australia.
  47. 1 2 "Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  48. 1 2 "Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  49. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Amy Winehouse". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  50. "History" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 February 2020.Type "Amy Winehouse" in the search box, then select the "Classifiche" tab.
  51. 1 2 "Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  52. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  53. "Amy Winehouse – Valerie". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  54. "Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Top 40 Singles.
  55. "Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Swiss Singles Chart.
  56. "European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 May 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  57. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  58. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2008". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  59. "Year End Charts – European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  60. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 2008" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  61. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  62. 1 2 "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2008". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  63. "Swiss Year-End Charts 2008". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  64. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  65. BBC Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by DJ Nihal on 29 December 2009
  66. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  67. "Brazilian single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  68. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse; 'Valerie')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  69. "Italian single certifications – Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 12 November 2023. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Valerie" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  70. "New Zealand single certifications – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  71. "British single certifications – Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse – Valerie". British Phonographic Industry. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  72. "Italian single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. 29 April 2020. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Valerie" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  73. "British single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Valerie". British Phonographic Industry. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  74. "One Direction Cover Amy Winehouse And Kings of Leon On 'Up All Night' Tour". Capital FM. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2012.