Workaholic (song)

Last updated
"Workaholic"
2 Unlimited - workaholic.jpg
Standard artwork
Single by 2 Unlimited
from the album Get Ready!
Released20 April 1992
Recorded1991
Length4:10
3:38 (vocal edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Jean-Paul De Coster
  • Lieve De Cock
  • Ray Slijngaard
Producer(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Jean-Paul De Coster
2 Unlimited singles chronology
"Twilight Zone"
(1992)
"Workaholic"
(1992)
"The Magic Friend"
(1992)
Music video
"Workaholic" on YouTube

"Workaholic" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, [1] released in April 1992 as the third single from their debut album, Get Ready! . The album version was an instrumental track but the released version featured a chorus from Anita Doth and, outside the UK, verses from Ray Slijngaard. The single scored chart success in many countries, with its highest peaks coming in Finland, the Republic of Ireland, the UK and Zimbabwe, where it hit number-one in August 1992.

Contents

Content

The opening segment of the song features bells ringing in descending followed by ascending order (replicating the Westminster chime effect). It is the same segment that is played at Yankee Stadium in New York City whenever baseball's New York Yankees score a run and at multiple NHL arenas, such as the Staples Center's Los Angeles Kings, when a penalty is called against the visiting team. It is also used when the Los Angeles Lakers score a 3 Point Basket.

Controversially, on the album version of the song, there was a quote: "Who the fuck are you?" at the beginning of the track. However, in the radio edit and the music video, the entire quote is omitted. A version also included in the album, labelled as an "instrumental" version (although it is not such, it retains all of Ray and Anita's vocals) removes the quote and surrounding lines, moving the first "The workaholic" to before the bell intro.

The opening phrase in the song, "Ok, let's go to work" comes from the 1987 film Wall Street .

Critical reception

Bevan Hannah from The Canberra Times described the song as a "faster version" of "Get Ready for This". [2] Andy Kastanas from The Charlotte Observer wrote, "These guys make a strong showing, following up their No. 1 single "Twilight Zone" with another monstrous rave song." [3] Irish newspaper Evening Herald commented, "Expect 2 Unlimited's next single Workaholic, to be massive". [4] James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update called it a "galloping commercial raver", like "an updated Boney M for the Nineties". [5] Johnny Dee from Smash Hits rated the track four out of five, stating that it is a "zippy, loopy, stormtrooper overdrive that is guaranteed to cause twisted ankles and sislocated shoulders should you decide on a spot of aerobicising during its lightning fast four minutes." [6]

Chart performance

"Workaholic" was successful on the charts on several continents. In Europe, it reached its highest peaks in Finland and the Republic of Ireland as number two. In the UK, it peaked at number four in its third week on the UK Singles Chart, on May 10, 1992. [7] Additionally, it was a Top 10 hit also in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, while reaching the Top 30 in Sweden and the Top 40 in Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Workaholic" reached number 14, and on MTV's European Top 20, it peaked at number 11. Outside Europe, it was a number-one hit in Zimbabwe in August 1992, and peaked at number six on the RPM dance chart in Canada and number 26 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play in the US. In Australia, the single reached number 35.

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by British director David Betteridge. He had previously directed the videos for "Get Ready for This" and "Twilight Zone". "Workaholic" was later published on 2 Unlimited's official YouTube channel in January 2014. The video has amassed more than 252,000 views as of September 2021. [8]

Track listings

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Limit (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"No Limit" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance group 2 Unlimited in 1993. It was their fifth single in total and the first to be released from their second album, No Limits! (1993). The song is one of their most commercially successful singles, especially in Europe, reaching the number-one spot in 35 countries and the top 10 in several others. Like previous releases, the UK version of the single removed all of the raps from Ray Slijngaard, leaving just Anita Dels' vocals. One word from the rap was kept, the word 'Techno' which was looped and repeated during the middle of the song, turning the line into "Techno! Techno! Techno! Techno!" and giving the song an extra vocal hook. Its accompanying music video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexy MF</span> 1992 single by Prince

"Sexy MF" is a song by American musician Prince and the New Power Generation, released as a single from their 1992 album Love Symbol. The music and most of the lyrics were composed by Prince, while Levi Seacer Jr. came up with the chorus and the song's title. Tony M. also delivers a rap, which he wrote. The song and its refrain "You sexy motherfucker" caused some controversy, and edited versions were produced for radio, the music video and the US version of the album. The song was recorded in Paisley Park Studios' Studio A in December 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Ready for This</span> 1991 single by 2 Unlimited

"Get Ready for This" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch music group 2 Unlimited. It was released in 1991 as the lead single from their debut album, Get Ready! (1992). Originally, the single was produced as an instrumental, titled the "Orchestral Mix". It became a hit and conscious of their popularity, Wilde & De Coster wanted a more accessible, formatted formula for their project to grow. Ray was then asked to write lyrics and add a rap to the track. On Ray Slijngaard's suggestion, Anita Doth joined as the female vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)</span> 1994 single by The Outhere Brothers

"Don't Stop (Wiggle Wiggle)" is a song by American hip-house duo the Outhere Brothers, released in 1994 as a single from their debut album, 1 Polish, 2 Biscuits & a Fish Sandwich (1994). The song topped the charts in the Republic of Ireland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Although the music video and radio edit of the song featured a remixed, clean version of the song, the original, explicit lyrics were featured on different versions of the track on the CD single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the Beat Control Your Body</span> 1994 single by 2 Unlimited

"Let the Beat Control Your Body" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It is the fifth and final single released from their second album, No Limits (1993). The album version is largely instrumental and contains just a few spoken words from Ray Slijngaard and Anita Doth. The single version contains full verses rapped by Slijngaard and a new chorus sung by Doth, which were co-written by them both. The song charted in many European countries, peaking at number two in the Netherlands and within the top 10 in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. It was nominated in the category for Best Song on MTV Awards. Nigel Simpkiss directed the music video for "Let the Beat Control Your Body".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twilight Zone (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1992 single by 2 Unlimited

"Twilight Zone" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited. It was the second single released from their debut studio album, Get Ready! (1992). The UK release of the single was the first 2 Unlimited single to include the vocals of Anita Doth, as they had not been featured on their breakthrough hit "Get Ready for This". However, Ray Slijngaard's rap verses were once again removed. The instrumental "Rave" version of the song sounds different from the original "Not Enough" version, with a more hi-NRG style with more bass and added cowbells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faces (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"Faces" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released on 23 August 1993 as the third single from their second album, No Limits! (1993). Co-written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, it peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom and at number six on the Eurochart Hot 100. The accompanying music video was directed by Nick Burgess-Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Magic Friend</span> 1992 single by 2 Unlimited

"The Magic Friend" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released in August 1992 as the fourth and final single from their debut album, Get Ready! (1992). The UK release once again omitted Ray Slijngaard's rap, which lasted for 16 bars three times through, but did include some of the vocals from Anita Doth, with the "mocking chorus echoes" being abandoned as only Ray's part remains, thus leaving Anita's sole vocals as "disembodied whispers" during the middle eight. The single experienced chart success in many European countries, including Finland, where it topped the chart. The Dutch leading afternoon radio program on national pop outlet Radio 3 FM/Hilversum renamed itself "The Magic Friend", after the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1994 single by 2 Unlimited

"The Real Thing" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in May 1994 as the first single from their third album, Real Things (1994). The song is co-written by bandmembers Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, and scored chart success in many European countries. It topped the charts in Finland and the Netherlands, while peaking at number two in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland. The song also was a top 10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the UK. It entered the Eurochart Hot 100 on 28 May at 30 and peaked at number-one three weeks later. Outside Europe, it peaked at number two in Israel and number 39 in Australia. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Nigel Simpkiss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No One (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1994 single by 2 Unlimited

"No One" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in September 1994 as the second single from their third album, Real Things (1994). Co-written by bandmembers Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, it was a top 10 hit in at least six countries, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the song reached number ten. It features a reference to "That's the Way Love Goes" by Janet Jackson and the accompanying music video, directed by La La Land, features the band performing on the beach by Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tribal Dance</span> 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"Tribal Dance" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was their sixth single, released in April 1993 from the band's second album, No Limits! (1993). The UK release omitted the main rap, but left in more vocals from Ray Slijngaard than any of their previous releases. The single scored chart success in many European countries topping the charts in Finland, Portugal and Spain. Outside Europe, the song topped the chart in Israel and the Canadian RPM Dance/Urban chart, while peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. "Tribal Dance" also peaked within the top 5 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maximum Overdrive (song)</span> 1993 single by 2 Unlimited

"Maximum Overdrive" is a song by Belgian-Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in November 1993 as the fourth single from their second album, No Limits! (1993). The UK release was the first UK single to maintain all the rap lyrics from Ray used in the European release. The song reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, and was also a number-one hit in Finland and on the European Dance Radio Chart by Music & Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhythm Is a Dancer</span> 1992 single by Snap!

"Rhythm Is a Dancer" is a song by German Eurodance group Snap!, released in March 1992 as the second single from their second studio album, The Madman's Return (1992). It features vocals by American singer Thea Austin. The song is written by Benito Benites, John "Virgo" Garrett III and Austin, and produced by Benites and Garrett III. It was an international success, topping the charts in France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The single also reached the top-five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number-one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It spent six weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart, becoming the second biggest-selling single of 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Think of You (Whigfield song)</span> 1995 single by Whigfield

"Think of You" is a song recorded by Italian Eurodance project Whigfield, which was performed by Danish-born Sannie Charlotte Carlson. It was released in May 1995 as the third single from her first album, Whigfield (1995), and scored success on the charts in Europe. The single reached number seven in the UK and was a top 10 hit also in Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain and Zimbabwe. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Think of You" reached number four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only with You (Captain Hollywood Project song)</span> 1992 single by Captain Hollywood Project

"Only With You" is a song recorded by German musician known under the pseudonym of Captain Hollywood Project. It was released in December 1992 as the second single from his debut album, Love Is Not Sex (1993). The single features vocals by German singer Nina Gerhard and was successful on the charts, peaking within the top 10 in at least 12 countries, and reaching number two in both Finland and Portugal. It was released at the end of 1992 and several remixes were also added on a new CD maxi two months after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweat (A La La La La Long)</span> 1992 single by Inner Circle

"Sweat (A La La La La Long)" is a song by Jamaican reggae fusion group Inner Circle, released in July 1992 as the lead single from their twelfth album, Bad to the Bone (1992). It was a number-one hit in Belgium, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe. The accompanying music video, depicting the group on the beach, was directed by Mathias Julien. Australian music channel Max included "Sweat" in their list "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Das Boot (song)</span> 1991 single by U96

"Das Boot" is the title theme to the film and TV series Das Boot, composed and produced by Klaus Doldinger, and released as a single in 1981. In 1991, the song was covered by Alex Christensen and his dance music project U96. This techno version was U96's debut single from the album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Key the Secret</span> 1993 single by Urban Cookie Collective

"The Key the Secret" is the debut single by British group Urban Cookie Collective, released in June 1993 from their debut album, High on a Happy Vibe (1994). It features vocals by British singer Diane Charlemagne. The song peaked at number one in the Netherlands and was a top 5 hit also in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and the UK, where it reached number two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No More (I Can't Stand It)</span> 1994 single by Maxx

"No More (I Can't Stand It)" is a song by German Eurodance project Maxx. It was released in March 1994 as the second single from their debut album, To The Maxximum (1994), and is the follow-up to the project's successful debut single, "Get-A-Way". The singer on the song is Linda Meek after that Samira Besic did not participate further in Maxx, after "Get-A-Way". "No More" peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom and also charted in Canada and Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obsession (Army of Lovers song)</span> 1991 single by Army of Lovers

Obsession is a 1991 song recorded by Swedish band Army of Lovers. It is one of their most well-known songs and scored chart success across Europe. Released as the second single from their second album, Massive Luxury Overdose (1991), it soared to the number-one position on both the radio and the dance charts in Sweden. It also peaked at number two on the Swedish singles chart, number four in Belgium, number seven in Austria and Germany, and number nine in Spain. The lyrics are written by Alexander Bard and Anders Wollbeck, and the song is in part inspired by Laurie Anderson's 1981 song, "O Superman". Primarily, the "ah ah" looped backing track.

References

  1. "AllMusic: 2 Unlimited (Biography)". AllMusic . Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  2. Hannah, Bevan (1 June 1992). "Jazzie B inspiration to UK blacks". The Canberra Times . p. 19. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  3. Kastanas, Andy (12 August 1992). "Sounds of Progress". p. 18. The Charlotte Observer .
  4. Evening Herald . 7 April 1992. p. 19. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  5. Hamilton, James (2 May 1992). "DJ Directory: Out On Monday" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 8. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. Dee, Johnny (15 April 1992). "Singles". Smash Hits . p. 52. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  7. "Official Singles Chart Top 75 10 May 1992 - 16 May 1992". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  8. "2 UNLIMITED - Workaholic (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Workaholic", various Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 15 February 2008)
  10. "2 Unlimited – Workaholic" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  11. Canada dance peak
  12. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media . 20 May 1992. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  13. Musik-Charts durchsuchen
  14. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  15. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 15 February 2008)
  16. Dutch Charts simple search
  17. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  18. UK Singles Chart Everyhit.com (Retrieved 15 February 2008)
  19. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 2 May 1992. p. 26. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  20. Billboard Billboard.com (Retrieved 15 February 2008)
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  21. "Jaaroverzichten 1992". Ultratop. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  22. "Single top 100 over 1992" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  23. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1992". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  24. "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week . 16 January 1993. p. 8.