Word Is Out

Last updated

"Word Is Out"
Kylie Minogue - Word Is Out single cover.png
Single by Kylie Minogue
from the album Let's Get to It
B-side "Say the Word - I'll Be There"
Released26 August 1991 (1991-08-26)
Genre
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mike Stock
  • Pete Waterman
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Shocked"
(1991)		"Word Is Out"
(1991)		"If You Were with Me Now"
(1991)
Music video
"Word Is Out" on YouTube

"Word Is Out" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue, recorded for her fourth studio album Let's Get to It (1991). Written and produced by English production team Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, without Matt Aitken whom had left the SAW team by then, it was released as the lead single to the record on 26 August 1991. A departure from her previous music, the track aimed to replicaate the swing beat sound, with "New York City" by American R&B group Guy serving as the main plot track. [3] The artwork for the cover was photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth in 1991 for the British edition of Esquire.

Contents

The track did receive favorable reviews from music critics and has gone on to be named one of Minogue's most underrated singles. [4] In the United Kingdom, the track broke her streak of top-10 hits when it debuted at number 16 on the singles chart there. The track did however crack the top ten in Minogue's native Australia and Ireland but had no success in mainland Europe.

Critical reception

Chris True from AllMusic chose the track as one of Let's Get to It's track picks. [5] Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Folks who think Kylie Minogue is too light for them may change their minds when they hear "Word Is Out". With a little help from remixer Tony King, she has eschewed the frothy hi-NRG tone of past hits in favor of an easy paced-house sound, replete with disco-flavored strings and percussion." [6] On Michael Wilton's review of the second night of her Anti Tour in Sydney, Australia—where she performed an a cappella rendition of the song—for musicOMH, he stated that "Word is Out" is "wildly underrated." [4] Writing Minogue's biography for her special on Australian music video program Rage , they stated: "While in the past, her material had always been high energy, 'Word Is Out' showcased a far more seductive side to Kylie that many had suspected was there." [7] In another hand, Nick Griffiths from Select called it one of the "odd songs" in the album. [8] Sophie Lawrence reviewed it for Smash Hits , writing, "Sounds like Madonna's "La Isla Bonita" a bit, doesn't it? She's just been brilliant ever since "Better The Devil You Know". You could listen to this 100 times and never get bored." [9] In 2023, Robert Moran of Australian daily tabloid newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald ranked the song as Minogue's 168th best song (out of 183). [10]

Commercial performance

The song was released as the first single in the summer of 1991 and was a top-20 hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 16 and ending Minogue's run of 13 consecutive UK top-10 hits. [3] In Australia, with the more laid back Summer Breeze Mix as the main mix, it peaked at number 10, becoming Minogue's 10th single to chart within the top 10. The Summer Breeze Mix received a UK release on a one-sided limited edition 12-inch vinyl single that has an engraved autograph on the B-side, making it highly collectable for fans.

Music video

Directed by James Lebon, it was filmed in London's famous Camden market and featured British television presenter Davina McCall as one of Minogue's dancers. [11] An Australian version of the video later appeared on her 2002 (also the updated version in 2003) Greatest Hits DVD as one of the bonus features. [12] The video was criticised by both Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, who felt the aesthetic allusions to street prostitution alienated Kylie's fanbase and contributed to the single's underwhelming chart performance. [3]

Live performances

Minogue also did an a cappella "sing-along" rendition of the song as requested by fans on her Anti Tour's concert in Big Top at Luna Park, Sydney, Australia on 20 March 2012. [1] musicOMH's Michael Wilton said the performance was "decent." [4]

Track listings

Charts

Chart (1991)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [21] 10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [22] 37
European Airplay Top 50 ( Music & Media ) [23] 35
European Hit Radio ( Music & Media ) [24] 32
Ireland (IRMA) [25] 8
UK Airplay ( Music & Media ) [26] 7
UK Singles (OCC) [27] 16

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom26 August 1991
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 PWL [28]
Japan21 October 1991CD [29]
Australia18 November 1991
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Mushroom [30]

Related Research Articles

<i>Lets Get to It</i> 1991 album by Kylie Minogue

Let's Get to It is the fourth studio album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was the final studio album with Pete Waterman Limited (PWL), being released by the record label in the United Kingdom on 14 October 1991. Mushroom Records distributed the album in Australia on 25 November 1991. After Matt Aitken left the trio Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) in early 1991, the remaining producers wanted to make another album with Minogue, although it was not a contractual obligation for her. Mike Stock and Pete Waterman agreed to share their songwriting credits with Minogue for the first time on six tracks. They spent months recording at PWL Studios, more time than any of her previous studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come into My World</span> 2002 single by Kylie Minogue

"Come into My World" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue for her eighth studio album Fever (2001). Written and produced by Cathy Dennis and Rob Davis, it is a dance-pop song in which the singer pleads to her lover to come into her "world". "Come into My World" was released as the fourth and final single from Fever on 21 October 2002, by Festival Mushroom, Parlophone and Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kids (Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue song)</span> 2000 single by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue

"Kids" is a duet between singers Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, released on 9 October 2000 as the second single from Williams' third studio album, Sing When You're Winning, and as the third single from Minogue's seventh studio album, Light Years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Should Be So Lucky</span> 1987 single by Kylie Minogue

"I Should Be So Lucky" is a 1987 song performed by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue from her debut studio album, Kylie (1988). Released on 29 December 1987 by Mushroom Records and PWL Records, the song became a worldwide breakthrough hit. The image of Minogue on the front cover of the single was shot by David Levine. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman for Minogue, who went on to produce Minogue's initial four studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand on Your Heart</span> 1989 single by Kylie Minogue

"Hand on Your Heart" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her second studio album, Enjoy Yourself (1989), and released as its lead single on 24 April 1989. Much like her previous releases up to Let's Get to It (1991), the song was written and produced by English songwriting and record production trio Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW). Referenced tracks during composition included "This Old Heart of Mine" by the Isley Brothers and "That's the Way Love Is" by Ten City.

<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">Confide in Me</span> 1994 single by Kylie Minogue

"Confide in Me" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her self-titled fifth studio album (1994). It was released as the album's lead single on 29 August 1994 by Deconstruction, Imago, and Mushroom Records. The track was written by Steve Anderson, Dave Seaman, and Owain Barton, whilst production was handled by British trio Brothers in Rhythm. It was recorded in London, United Kingdom at DMC and Sarm West Studios. Musically, it is a pop song that incorporates elements of indie music, dance-pop, and Middle Eastern instrumentation such as strings and percussion, whilst the lyrical content talks about Minogue's earnest of seduction and manipulating people to confide into her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put Yourself in My Place (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1994 single by Kylie Minogue

"Put Yourself in My Place" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, taken from her fifth and eponymous studio album (1994). It was released as the record's second single on 14 November 1994, and was distributed by Deconstruction and Mushroom as a CD single, cassette tape and 12-inch vinyl. The track was written, arranged, and produced by Jimmy Harry, and was recorded in New York City with the parent album's engineer Doug Deangelis. A ballad that discusses themes of ending a relationship and moving on, the song's sound incorporates musical elements of trip hop and pop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Is the Feeling?</span> 1995 single by Kylie Minogue

"Where Is the Feeling?" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue from her fifth studio album, Kylie Minogue (1994). The song was written by Wilf Smarties and Jayn Hanna, while production was handled by Brothers in Rhythm. It was released on 10 July 1995 as the third and final single from the album, by Deconstruction and Mushroom Records, seven months after the release of the second single. A new version was recorded for the single release, featuring spoken vocals by Minogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better the Devil You Know</span> 1990 single by Kylie Minogue

"Better the Devil You Know" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, taken from her third studio album Rhythm of Love (1990). The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman and was released as the album's lead single on 30 April 1990 by PWL and Mushroom Records. "Better the Devil You Know" is known as the song that re-invented Minogue with more sex appeal, as her previous albums were presented with her "girl next door" persona. Her music onwards presented a more independent approach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giving You Up</span> 2005 single by Kylie Minogue

"Giving You Up" is a song by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue for her third greatest hits album Ultimate Kylie (2004). The song was first released as the album's second and final single on 28 March 2005. It was co-written by Minogue with Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Tim Powell, Lisa Cowling, Paul Woods, and Nick Coler, while production was by Higgins and Xenomania. The song is an electropop track, which features instrumentation of synthesizers and keyboards, whilst the lyrics talk about the thrills of a new romance. The track was her last solo single before she was diagnosed with breast cancer two months later; her next single was "2 Hearts" in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Did It Again (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1997 single by Kylie Minogue

"Did It Again" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, originally featured on her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the album's second single on 24 November 1997 through Mushroom, Deconstruction, and BMG. Minogue had written the track with Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman, and it was produced by Minogue in collaboration with Brothers in Rhythm. Backed by guitars and drum, "Did It Again" is a pop rock track in which Minogue sings about her self-consciousness and self-hatred.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1998 single by Kylie Minogue

"Breathe" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, from her sixth studio album, Impossible Princess (1997). It was released on 16 March 1998 as the third single from the album, and her final one for the Deconstruction Records label. "Breathe" was co-written by Minogue with Ball and Vauk and produced by Dave Ball and Ingo Vauk. Backed by synthesisers and keyboards, it is an electronica track. The lyrics revolve around contemplation and calmness. "Breathe" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, some of whom highlighted the track as an album stand-out and commended the lyrical and vocal delivery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shocked (song)</span> 1991 single by Kylie Minogue

"Shocked" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). Written and produced by Stock Aitken and Waterman, "Shocked" was released as the album's fourth and final single in May 1991 by Mushroom and PWL. The song later appeared on most of Minogue's major compilations including Greatest Hits (1992), Ultimate Kylie (2004) and Step Back In Time: The Definitive Collection (2019). The DNA 7-inch mix of the song also includes a rap in the bridge by Jazzi P.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Were with Me Now</span> 1991 single by Kylie Minogue and Keith Washington

"If You Were with Me Now" is a song by Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue and American R&B singer Keith Washington. It was written by Minogue, Washington, and British songwriting team Mike Stock and Pete Waterman for Minogue's fourth studio album, Let's Get to It (1991). The song was produced by Stock and Waterman. The song was released as the second single on 21 October 1991 by Mushroom Records and PWL Records. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, as well as the top 10 in Ireland and the top 30 in Australia. The song is Minogue's first hit single to feature her as a co-writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Many Broken Hearts</span> 1989 single by Jason Donovan

"Too Many Broken Hearts" is a song by Australian singer and actor Jason Donovan, released on 20 February 1989 as the third single from his debut album, Ten Good Reasons (1989), and 1991's Greatest Hits album and again on a later collection in 2006. The song reached number-one in the United Kingdom and Ireland in March 1989. The song additionally peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain. British magazine Classic Pop ranked "Too Many Broken Hearts" number 19 in their list of "Top 40 Stock Aitken Waterman songs" in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You'll Never Stop Me Loving You</span> 1989 single by Sonia

"You'll Never Stop Me Loving You" is the debut single of English pop singer Sonia. Written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, the song was included on Sonia's debut album, Everybody Knows (1990). The single became Sonia's only number-one single on the UK Singles Chart and reached number 10 on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Forget You (Sonia song)</span> 1989 single by Sonia

"Can't Forget You" is a song by English singer Sonia, released as her second single in September 1989. The mid-tempo song later appeared on her debut album, Everybody Knows, released in 1990. It was a moderate hit on the chart, reaching number 17 in UK and number five in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wouldn't Change a Thing (Kylie Minogue song)</span> 1989 single by Kylie Minogue

"Wouldn't Change a Thing" is a song performed by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, recorded for her second studio album Enjoy Yourself (1989). The song was written by Stock Aitken Waterman, and was released on 24 July 1989 by Mushroom and PWL Records. The song was released as the second single off the album.

References

  1. 1 2 Levine, Nick (22 May 2010). "Music The Sound - Kylie: Revisited #4: Let's Get To It". Digital Spy . Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  2. ↑ Copsey, Robert (8 February 2013). "Kylie Minogue signs to Roc Nation: What does it mean?". Digital Spy . Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 71: Happy Together to Word Is Out on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Michael Wilton (20 March 2012). "Live Reviews: Kylie Minogue @ Luna Park, Sydney". musicOMH . Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  5. ↑ Chris True. "Let's Get to It —Kylie Minogue". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  6. ↑ Flick, Larry (28 September 1991). "Dance Trax: American Record Pool Joins 'L.A. Dance' Benefit" (PDF). Billboard . p. 37. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Staff writer(s) (3 August 2002). "Kylie Minogue Special". Rage . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Griffiths, Nick (December 1991). "Reviews: New Albums —- Let's Get to It - Kylie Minogue". Select . Emap Metro . Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  9. ↑ Lawrence, Sophie (21 August 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits . p. 41. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. ↑ Moran, Robert; Ross, Annabel (25 September 2023). "Every Kylie Minogue song ranked". The Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney. ISSN   0312-6315 . Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  11. ↑ Hope, Hannah (21 March 2014). "Davina McCall: I want Kylie to give me a McCall, we were really good friends". Daily Mirror .
  12. ↑ "Kylie Minogue: Greatest Hits". 18 November 2002 – via Amazon.
  13. ↑ Word Is Out (Australian CD single liner notes). Kylie Minogue. Mushroom Records. 1991. D11046.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Word Is Out (Australian cassette single sleeve). Kylie Minogue. Mushroom Records. 1991. C11046.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ Word Is Out (Australian 12-inch single sleeve). Kylie Minogue. Mushroom Records. 1991. X14215.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ↑ Word Is Out (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Kylie Minogue. PWL Records. 1991. PWL 204.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ↑ Word Is Out (UK cassette single sleeve). Kylie Minogue. PWL Records. 1991. PWMC 204.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ Word Is Out (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Kylie Minogue. PWL Records. 1991. PWLT 204.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Word Is Out (UK CD single disc notes). Kylie Minogue. PWL Records. 1991. PWCD 204.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ↑ Word Is Out (Japanese CD single liner notes). Kylie Minogue. PWL Records. 1991. ALCB-371.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ "Kylie Minogue – Word Is Out". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  22. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 38. 21 September 1991. p. 25.
  23. ↑ "European Airplay Top 50". Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 40. 5 October 1991. p. 22.
  24. ↑ "European Hit Radio/EHR Top 40". Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 40. 5 October 1991. p. 27.
  25. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Word Is Out". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  26. ↑ "National Airplay: United Kingdom". Music & Media . Vol. 8, no. 39. 28 September 1991. p. 30.
  27. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  28. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . 24 August 1991. p. 19.
  29. ↑ "ワード・イズ・アウト | カイリー・ミノーグ" [Word Is Out | Kylie Minogue] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  30. ↑ "New Release Summary – Product Available from: 18/11/91 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 95)". ARIA . Retrieved 14 August 2016– via Imgur.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.