Buttons (song)

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
"Buttons"
File:Pussycatdolls single 05 buttons(4).jpg
Single by The Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg
from the album PCD
B-side "Flirt"
Released April 11, 2006 (2006-04-11)
Format
Genre
Length 3:46 (album version)
3:51 (featuring Snoop Dogg)
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Polow da Don
  • Sean Garrett
  • Ron Fair
  • Tal Herzberg
  • Young Smoke
The Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg chronology
"Beep"
(2006)
"Buttons"
(2006)
"I Don't Need a Man"
(2006)
Snoop Dogg chronology
"Say Somethin'"
(2006)
"Buttons"
(2006)
"Cali Iz Active"
(2006)

"Buttons" is a song by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls from their debut studio album PCD (2005). The song was written by Sean Garrett, Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones, Jason Perry, Nicole Scherzinger and Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus. The song was released as a digital download on April 11, 2006, as the album's fourth single and was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States on May 8, 2006. "Buttons" is a dance-pop and R&B song which uses strong elements of Middle Eastern music in its production. Lyrically, the song involves Scherzinger speaking of a woman's desire to be undressed.

Critics were divided on "Buttons" with some complimenting the song's production, however, others criticized it followed the same formula of their previous singles. The song reached the top-five in countries such as Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The song reached number one in Austria and in New Zealand, where it became their fourth consecutive number one single on the chart. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and sold over two million copies in the United States, making The Pussycat Dolls the first female group in digital history to have three singles pass the two million mark in digital sales.

The sepia-toned music video directed by Francis Lawrence features The Pussycat Dolls in various dance sequences. Other scenes include Scherzinger by herself singing the verses. Since its release, "Buttons" has become a staple in Scherzinger's live performances. It was part of the set lists of the group's two major tours, PCD World Tour (2006–07), Doll Domination Tour (2009) and Scherzinger's own Killer Love Tour (2012). It was nominated for two awards at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for Best Dance Video and Best Choreography; it won the former award.

Background and composition

On December 19, 2005, the Pussycat Dolls performed at the 2005 Radio Music Awards a "racy rendition" of "Santa Baby" were Snoop Dogg joined them dressed up as Santa Claus.[1] Following their performance, Interscope Records asked Snoop Dogg to be part of the song adding two verses.[2] In February 2006 at the Grammy Style Studio event, Scherzinger announced that Snoop Dogg would be a guest in the remix exclaiming, "It's the D-O-double-G, baby!"[1]

The song was co-written by Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, Nicole Scherzinger while the production was handled by Jones under his stage name Polow Da Don, Garret and Ron Fair.[3] The vocal production of "Buttons" was completed by Fair while engineering was handled by J.D. Andrew, Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos and Pro Tools by Tal Herzberg and Young Smoke.[3] Scherzinger's vocals were mixed by Dave Pensado at Larabee Studios in Burbank, California.[3]

"Buttons" is a dance-pop and R&B song that lasts three minutes and fifty-two seconds.[3] According to the sheet music published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Buttons" was composed using common time in the key of D minor, and set in a moderate hip hop tempo.[4] It features "snaky synths", according to Rolling Stone.[5] The lyrics of the song feature the Pussycat Dolls' desire to be undressed.[6] According to Miriam Zendle, "Snoop Dogg's role in the track seems to be as the object of affection for the girls, who ask him to 'loosen up [our] buttons' and to not 'leave [us] asking for more'."[7]

Critical reception

Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine described the song along with "Beep" as "degrading material" while noted that "[they] are a bit easier to swallow thanks, in part, to the group's cartoonish image."[8] Spence D. of IGN wrote that "it's familiar and funky, but it doesn't present anything new to the realm of female soul pop."[9] Sputnikmusic's Nick Butler in a review for PCD wrote that along with "Bite the Dust" and "Flirt", "none of them work as well as the singles." However he did later write that "they're enjoyable enough."[10] Miriam Zendle of Digital Spy described the song as "horrible" awarding it 1 out 5 stars.[7] Alex Hegazy of Glasswerk wrote that the song is "perfect for getting people in the mood for a summer soiree."[11]

Recognition

Billboard ranked "Buttons" the seventh best song of the Summer of 2006.[12] Rolling Stone ranked the song at 91 on its list of 100 Best Songs of 2006.[5] In 2010, Ernest Baker ranked the song at 16 on his list of The 25 Greatest Slutwave Songs of All Time.[13] In 2013, the writers of Complex magazine put the song at number 18 on their list of Sexual Top 40 hits.[14] Fuse included the song on its list of Top 100 Number Ones.[15]

Chart performance

In the United States, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-one on the issue dated May 27, 2006, earning the highest debut of the week.[16] In its tenth week, "Buttons" entered the top ten at number seven, and began to steadily climb up the chart.[17] It eventually reached a peak of three on September 16, 2006.[18] "Buttons" spent a total of 11 weeks inside the top ten of the Hot 100 and 30 weeks on the chart in total.[17] The track's Dave Audé remix topped the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart, while the album version peaked at number twenty on the same component chart.[19] On the Pop Songs the song peaked at number one for two weeks.[20] According to Nielsen Soundscan, as of January 24, 2010, the song has sold over 2 million digital downloads, making the Pussycat Dolls the first all-female group in digital history to have three singles—along with "Don't Cha" and "When I Grow Up"—pass the two million mark in digital sales.[21] The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipment of a million copies of the single.[22]

On July 3, 2006, "Buttons" debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number thirty-eight based on airplay alone.[23] In its third week the song jumped thirty-one places to number one, earning the group's fourth consecutive number one.[24] Along with "Don't Cha", "Stickwitu", "Beep" and "Buttons", the Pussycat Dolls logged their twelfth week at the top.[24] The song also displaced Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" from number one, which had spent the previous seven weeks atop the chart.[24] On November 13, 2006, "Buttons" has received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), denoting sales of 7,500 copies.

Music video

File:Pussycat Dolls Buttons music video.jpg
A scene in the music video where the Pussycat Dolls are seen walking towards Snoop Dogg.

The music video for "Buttons" was directed by Francis Lawrence over a period of three days.[25] Speaking about the video Kimberly Wyatt said, "we decided to turn in up a notch; it was time to see what we're really about."[2] Carmit Bachar added "it's pretty much an ode to were we've come from."[25] The choreography was done by the group's founder, Robin Antin and Mikey Minden. Behind-the-scenes footage was included on The Pussycat Dolls live album Live from London (2006).[25]

Synopsis

The video begins with Snoop Dogg performing his rap while lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger dances around him seductively. As the first chorus begins the group, dressed in suggestive black outfits, walking towards a tunnel where they later perform a striptease. As the second chorus begins, they are seen performing upon a horizontal bar. Towards the end of the chorus Scherzinger separates herself from the group and performs against a backdrop of curtains made from jewelry then proceeds to dance around a chair. Before the chorus begins four additional chairs and the group performs a dance routine. Melody Thornton is separated from the rest doing her melismatic ad-libs on the chorus. When Snoop Dogg's verse begins, The Pussycat Dolls are shown walking towards him. During the breakdown, the girls dance while smoke is filled and halfway through the video, the floor turns on fire. The video ends with the girls walking away.

Recognition

The music video was acclaimed by critics and won several awards. Tom Breihan from The Village Voice ranked the video at number 10 on his favorite videos of the year commenting, "Obvious reasons and all, but this is also a big, glossy pop video done right: flashy editing, decent choreography, a distinct look. If those are easy things to do, why isn't every pop video this good?"[26] The video received two nominations for Best Dance Video and Best Choreography at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards; it lost Best Choreography to Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie", but won Best Dance Video.[27] It was also nominated at the 2007 MTV Australia Video Music Awards for Best Hook Up but lost Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack".[28] Contessa Gayles of AOL Music Blog included the music video at number 39 on the list of Top 50 Dance Music Videos.[29] Canadian music channel MuchMusic the video at number 4 in the list of the 50 Sexiest Music Videos of All-Time.[30] MuchMusic also included the song on their Top 10 Hottest Videos at number 4 in 2012.[31] It was also ranked at number 85 on Fuse's 100 Sexiest Videos of All Time.[32] VH1 called it a "stripalicious song that makes you want to undress."[33]

Live performances

On June 30, 2006, the Pussycat Dolls performed on Good Morning America as part of its Summer Concert Series along with "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu".[34] The Pussycat Dolls performed the song at the Fashion Rocks on September 8, 2006.[35] Wearing "skimp[y] outfits for their performance" they were joined by rapper Jibbs.[35] On August 2, 2008, the Dolls performed the song and presented at the MTV Asia Awards 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, along with "When I Grow Up".[36] The group then performed the song at the Walmart Soundcheck, along with "I Hate This Part", "Takin' Over the World", "When I Grow Up" and "Don't Cha".[37] The Pussycat Dolls also performed "Buttons" on their second worldwide tour, Doll Domination Tour (2009). Colene McKessick of Press and Journal said, "hits such as 'When I Grow Up', 'I Hate This Part' and 'Buttons', [set] the crowd into a frenzy.[38]

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Recording
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of PCD: Tour Edition, A&M Records, Interscope Records.[3]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[87] Platinum 70,000
Belgium (BEA)[88] Gold 25,000
Brazil (ABPD)[89] Gold 50,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[90] Platinum 15,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[91] Gold 7,500
United Kingdom (BPI)[92] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[93] Platinum 2,000,000
Ringtone
United States (RIAA)[94] Platinum 1,000,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[95] April 11, 2006 Digital download Interscope Records
Canada[96]
United States[39] May 8, 2006 Contemporary hit radio
Rhythmic radio
United Kingdom[97][98] June 23, 2006 Extended play Polydor Records
June 26, 2006 Digital single Polydor Records
Germany[40][99] Universal Music
July 7, 2006 CD single

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-pussycat-dolls-mn0000101072/awards
  20. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. 39.0 39.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. 40.0 40.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. "Australian-charts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  44. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. "Austriancharts.at – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  46. "Ultratop.be – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  47. "Ultratop.be – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  48. Illegal name entered The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg/The+Pussycat+Dolls+feat.+Snoop+Dogg/chart?f=793 "The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg.
  49. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200644 into search.
  50. "Danishcharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons". Tracklisten.
  51. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" European Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls.
  52. "Lescharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons" (in French). Les classement single.
  53. "The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg: Buttons" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  54. "Musicline.de – Pussycat Dolls Feat.Snoop Dogg Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  55. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  56. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  57. "Chart Track: Week 26, 2006". Irish Singles Chart.
  58. "Italiancharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons". Top Digital Download.
  59. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  60. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  61. "Charts.org.nz – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons". Top 40 Singles.
  62. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200636 into search.
  63. "Swedishcharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons". Singles Top 60.
  64. "Swisscharts.com – The Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg – Buttons". Swiss Singles Chart.
  65. "Archive Chart: 2006-07-02" UK Singles Chart.
  66. "Archive Chart: 2006-07-02" UK R&B Chart.
  67. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls.
  68. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for The Pussycat Dolls.
  69. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for The Pussycat Dolls.
  70. "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for The Pussycat Dolls.
  71. 71.0 71.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. 72.0 72.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  79. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  80. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-radio-songs?page=2
  82. http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-digital-songs?page=1
  83. http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/hot-dance-club-play-songs
  84. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  85. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  86. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  87. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  88. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  89. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  90. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Click on næste to go to page if certification from official website
  91. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  92. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter Buttons in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
  93. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  94. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  95. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  96. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  97. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  98. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  99. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.