Don't Cha

"Don't Cha"
File:The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha.png
Single by The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes
from the album PCD
Released	April 26, 2005 (2005-04-26)
Format	CD digital download maxi single vinyl
Genre	R&B
Length	4:32
Label	A&M Interscope
Writer(s)	Anthony Ray Thomas Callaway Trevor Smith
Producer(s)	CeeLo Green
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Sway" (2004) "Don't Cha" (2005) "Stickwitu" (2005) Busta Rhymes singles chronology "What's Happenin'" (2004) "Don't Cha" (2005) "Touch It" (2005) Music video "Don't Cha" on YouTube

"Don't Cha" is a song by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls from their debut studio album PCD (2005). The song features rapper Busta Rhymes, who co-wrote the song with its producer, CeeLo Green. It contains an interpolation of "Swass" written by Sir Mix-a-Lot, who received songwriting credits as a result.

The song received positive reviews from most music critics who praised its R&B grooves and its high dose of energy. "Don't Cha" achieved strong charting positions worldwide topping the charts in 15 countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Don't Cha" has sold more than 3 million copies in the United States, and 7 million worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.

The song's accompanying music video features the group in various dance sequences. Since 2005, "Don't Cha" has been a staple in former members live performances and concert tours. Other artists have covered the song, and it has been used in various television shows and other media. It became the best-selling single by a female group.

Background

In January 2004, in a basement studio in Atlanta, Cee Lo Green (then still known as a member of Goodie Mob) finished producing the song "Don't Cha" which revolved around the hook from Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Swass" taken from album of the same name. The song was originally written for Tori Alamaze, a former backing vocalist for the hip hop duo OutKast. In November, Alamaze signed with Universal Records and decided to release the song as her first single from her debut album which was due to release that same year. However, months later, Alamaze decided to part ways with the label as she was "unhappy" and felt that she "got caught up in the middle of egos and favors." Thus she agreed to give up her rights to the song to get out of her contract. The song was still playing on radio while copies were available at stores. Her version of the song received minor success reaching number 53 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

After Universal Records dropped Almaze, the label was still very much interested in "Don’t Cha". Doug Morris—then chairman of Universal Music Group—suggested that "Don't Cha" should be given to the Pussycat Dolls as the label was trying to reinvent the girl group. Initially Green was skeptical saying, "I didn't know too much about them [...], but when I found out that [Universal-owned] Interscope Records was involved, that was an alliance I didn't hesitate to make." The Pussycat Dolls version was recorded around March adding two verses from rapper Busta Rhymes. Lead singer Nicole Scherzinger admitted that two records sounded identical. "I had [Alamaze's] version as a guide. But ours is just a bit fresher." This song was initially offered to both Sugababes and Paris Hilton, but both declined. In 2006, Hilton claimed that she was presented with the track, but was not impressed with it, commenting. "I think I did hear the song, but not in the format that we all came to know and love. If I'd heard that, of course I'd have jumped at the chance".

Composition

"Don't Cha" is a R&B song that lasts four minutes and thirty-two seconds. The song was written by Thomas Callaway, Anthony Ray and Trevor Smith and produced by Callaway. According to the sheet music published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, "Don't Cha" was composed using common time in the key of B♭ minor, and set in a moderate hip hop tempo of 120 beats per minute.

Speaking of their collaboration, Scherzinger said, "He is so much fun. He's so humble and he just makes you feel good. We are so grateful that [Busta] did it and was a part of it with us. We feel blessed." The song's lyrics is about "taunting a hapless man with the lyrics, "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me / Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me". The chorus of the song is based on Sir Mix A Lot's song "Swass" (1988).

Critical reception

"Don't Cha" received mainly positive reviews. Sal Cinquemani of described the song as "brassy and sassy" adding that, "the Pussycat Dolls have certainly carved a niche for themselves in 21st century pop history. Stephen Thomas Erlewine also favored the song saying "there has never been a sex song quite as knowingly ironic yet undeniably sexy as this." Writing for musicOMH John Murphy described "Don't Cha" as "a silky, sexy little number that will become ubiquitous by the end of the month." However he added that Busta Rhymes is annoying. "It's a shame that Busta Rhymes is as typically annoying as ever, but he doesn't spoil the song too much." Spence D. from IGN wrote that the track's "sultry swagger-n-shuffle is the type of stuff that nasty boys and girls might enjoy grinding to." A reviewer from Contactmusic.com gave the song 4 out 5 stars favoring the "serious dose of high energy and raunchy message," while criticized the song for not having "any vocal talent." Lisa Haines from BBC described the track as "memorable". She continued saying "[it's] a groovy R&B duet with Busta Rhymes, is easily the best." Isaac McCalla from About.com praised the song. "This single is a serious dose of high energy, wickedly fun and slammin' house music." Azeem Ahmad also from musicOMH in a separate review commented, "strangely enough 'Don't Cha' isn't purely eye candy." However he was critical stating: "not even Busta Rhymes' cameo appearance can prevent Don't Cha from seeming like nothing more than a promo for some generic product aimed at young males." Chuck Arnold and Ralph Novak of People magazine wrote that the group is "responsible for [2005] guiltiest pleasure."

Accolades

The song was nominated for Top Selling Single of the Year at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards. At the 2006 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards the song won the award in the category for Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Sales. At the 21st International Dance Music Awards, the song was nominated in the Best R&B/Urban Dance Track and Best Pop Dance Track categories, winning for Best R&B/Urban Dance Track. In May and August the song was listed as one of the recipients of the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) Pop Awards and Urban Awards. The same year, the song was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards.

Chart performance

Mariah Carey (pictured) blocked "Don't Cha" from the top position in the U.S. with "We Belong Together" (2005).

In the United States, "Don't Cha" debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated May 7, 2005. In its tenth week, "Don't Cha" entered the top ten at number eight. The track reached number two in its sixteenth week, becoming their highest charting single in the country. The song stayed there for three consecutive weeks, being held off of the top spot by Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together", which spent a total of 14 non-consecutive weeks at number one. "Don't Cha" spent a total of 14 weeks inside the top ten of the Hot 100, and 40 weeks on the chart in total. Despite the song not reaching the top position on the Billboard Hot 100, it reached number one spot on the Pop 100, and Hot Dance Club Play charts for seven and three consecutive weeks respectively. "Don't Cha" is the second longest-charting song on the Hot Digital Songs chart spending 68 weeks behind Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Usher's "Yeah!" which both spent 74 weeks. "Don't Cha" took three-and-a-half years to reach the two million mark in paid downloads, and by May 2011 the song has sold three million copies according to Nielsen Soundscan. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipment of a million copies of the single.

In the United Kingdom, before officially being released as a single, "Don't Cha" debuted at number 44 only on import. Following its single release, the track peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart. It sold 85,021 that week, becoming the second-highest single sales week of 2005 behind Crazy Frog's "Alex F", which moved 120,246 units. With "Don't Cha" debuting atop the singles chart, the group became the first all-American female group to top the singles chart in the UK since Destiny's Child with "Survivor" in 2001. It was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 600,000 copies. According to the Official Charts Company "Don't Cha" is the 147th best-selling single of the 21st century. In Ireland, the song debuted at number one on the Irish Singles Chart and stayed for four consecutive weeks. The song has also reached the peak in a number of European countries including Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Norway and Switzerland. As of September 2015, it has sold 620,330 copies in the United Kingdom.

Across Oceania, the song topped the charts in its first week in both Australia and New Zealand. "Don't Cha" spent 7 non-consecutive weeks at number one in Australia, where it also remained on the chart for 23 total weeks. It was certified two-times platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). In New Zealand, the song reached number one in its first week and spent more than half of its time on the chart in the top ten. It was certified gold, selling over 7,500 copies, according to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).

Music video

The Pussycat Dolls dancing around American rapper Busta Rhymes.

Background

An accompanying music video for "Don't Cha" was directed by Paul Hunter during the week of April 11, 2005. Nicole Scherzinger told MTV News that the video was all about having fun. "Busta Rhymes is pretty phat, man. He is so much fun. He's so humble and he just makes you feel good. When you're around him, you feel magical. The lyrics are, 'Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me.'... But if you see the video, it's all about being who you are, having fun and being confident — and feeling hot. It's not so much about looking hot ... although looking hot is important."

Synopsis

The opening sequence of the video features the Pussycat Dolls riding in jeeps and Busta Rhymes rapping his verse, simultaneously. The video continues to switch back and forth from Scherzinger singing her parts separately and the other Pussycat Dolls singing along. Scherzinger is seen throughout the video wearing the infamous "don't cha" hoodie that features the first line of the chorus ("Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me") on the top part of her sweater. Once the chorus kicks in, the group is seen performing a dance routine surrounded by walls with graffiti printed on each side. Then, the group is seen at an underground party where each member is jumping from a ground trampoline. The Pussycat Dolls are seen surrounded by party guests as they strut down a case of stairs. Once the girls are on the ground, another dance routine is performed. Busta Rhymes is featured in the next scene where he raps his final verse. The scene continues to switch between Scherzinger and Busta Rhymes together and Scherzinger with the group until chorus starts again and Scherzinger is in the center of the group and then lifts herself and kicks two chairs in front of her. The Pussycat Dolls continue to dance and sing until the video ends. Robin Antin and Cee-Lo Green make appearances in the video towards the end.

Recognition

Brandee J. Tecson of MTV commented, "leave it to the Pussycat Dolls to cast someone in their music video who can actually steal attention away from six gyrating half-naked chicks." Billy Johnson, Jr. of Yahoo! Music said, "front and center, the stunning Nicole Scherzinger, surrounded by good company, pranced around in tank tops and short shorts while drag racing in convertible jeeps. They raised the bar." VH1 listed "Don't Cha" at number fourteen on its Top 40 Videos of 2005. The music video was nominated for Best Dance Video at the 2006 International Dance Music Awards. It was also nominated for the Best R&B video at the 2006 MTV Australia Video Music Awards but lost to Chris Brown's Run It!. Billboard described the music video for the song as "iconic" for girl groups. Andrew Unterberger of Billboard said, "It was inevitable that the song and video would become massive, and become massive they did, with the song heating up the Hot 100 chart and the video establishing the group as mainstays on MTV for many subsequent (though not quite as memorable) videos to come."

Legacy

In September 2011, VH1 ranked "Don't Cha" number 96 on its list of The 100 Greatest Songs of the 2000s. Billboard ranked "Don't Cha" third best song of the Summer of 2005. To acknowledge the most popular films, television shows, celebrities and music of the 2000s decade, "Don't Cha" was featured in VH1's I Love the 2000s. Billboard also ranked the song number 29 on the list of Top 40 Girl Group Songs Of All Time, and third on the Favorite Girl Group Single poll the same week. "Don't Cha" has appeared on multiple Fuse countdowns including number 41 on Girls Who Run The World, number 51 on Top 100 Pop Breakthroughs, number 14 on Top 100 Sexy Beats. and number 17 on 4Music's Biggest R&B Hits of the Naughties.

Usage in media and cover versions

The song is featured in Disney's 2009 animation movie G-Force, Date Movie, and Norbit. It was also used in the 2010 comedy film Easy A. The song was used in a 2007 commercial for Heineken beer. In the United Kingdom, the song for was featured as a background music for a 2015 television commercial for Moneysupermarket.com; it stars Sharon Osbourne.

Several artists have recorded cover versions of "Don't Cha". In 2006, "Weird Al" Yankovic included the song in his polka medley "Polkarama!" from his 2006 album, Straight Outta Lynwood. In 2006, the song was performed by Westlife on their Greatest Hits Tour. In 2007, Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip sampled the song on their song "Thou Shalt Always Kill". Richard Cheese covered the song on his 2009 album Viva La Vodka. The Baseballs also covered the song on their 2009 debut album Strike!. Garbage gave the impression that their song "Betcha" was a cover version of "Don't Cha", however the song alluded to it in the lyrics: Thomas Callaway, Anthony Ray and Trever Smith, the writers of "Don't Cha" are not given any songwriting credit for "Betcha". Colbie Caillat covered the song which she performed for Pepsi. A group auditioning for X Factor (French TV series) called Creme de la Femme, covered the song for the audition process. Rylan Clark performed the song during the bootcamp stages on The X Factor in 2012. A contestant on The Voice named Domo, covered the song during the blind auditions stages of the show in 2012. Myrtle Sarrosa performed the song in the seventh week of the second season of the Philippine edition of Your Face Sounds Familiar, impersonating Nicole Scherzinger.

Live performances

The Pussycat Dolls were the last performers of KIIS-FM's Wango Tango music festival which was held in Los Angeles, on May 14, 2005. Prior the performance Scherzinger said, "We are so psyched [to play tonight]. We can't wait. It's going to be amazing." While closing their set with "Don't Cha", MTV's Brandee J. Tecson commented, "Like a lot of the day's performers, the Dolls were newcomers to the Wango stage, but ended the night like veterans." On August 14, 2005 The Pussycat Dolls performed "Don't Cha" at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards. On December 2005 the group performed for the annual KIIS-FM Jingle Ball wearing "festive candy-cane-striped belly shirts and red-and-green capri pants." The set list included "Don't Cha", 'Stickwitu" and "Wait a Minute". On June 30, 2006, The Pussycat Dolls performed on Good Morning America as part of its Summer Concert Series along with "Buttons" and "Stickwitu".

On July 7, 2007, The Pussycat Dolls together with other artists performed at the Live Earth Concerts, which were held to raise awareness of global warming. They performed "Don't Cha", "Stickwitu", and "Buttons". The group then performed the song at the Walmart Soundcheck, along with "I Hate This Part", "Buttons", "When I Grow Up" and "Takin' Over the World". The Pussycat Dolls also performed "Don't Cha" at the Doll Domination Tour (2009). Maureen Ellis of the Evening Times said that the "high-energy encore of 'Don't Cha' and 'When I Grow Up' ensured the Dolls reigned supreme."

Track listings

• Digital download

1. "Don't Cha" (radio edit) – 3:38
2. "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes) – 4:02

• CD – single

1. "Don't Cha" (Main mix)
2. "Don't Cha" (More Booty – Explicit version)
3. "Don't Cha" (radio edit)
   • Only included on Don't Cha Part 2
4. "Don't Cha" (music video)

• Remixes – EP

1. "Don't Cha" (Ralphi Rosario Hot Freak radio mix) – 4 :17
2. "Don't Cha" (Kaskade radio edit) – 3:14
3. "Don't Cha" (Ralphi's Hot Freak 12" Vox mix) – 9:52
4. "Don't Cha" (Kaskade club mix) – 6:47
5. "Don't Cha" (DJ Dan's Sqweegee dub) – 8:21

UK 2-track CD single

1. "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes) (main mix – explicit)
2. "Don't Cha" (radio edit)

UK/Australia CD maxi single

1. "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes) (Main Mix – explicit)
2. "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes) (More Booty Mix – explicit)
3. "Don't Cha" (radio edit)
4. "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes) (video)

US promo CD (labelled as PCD featuring Busta Rhymes)

1. "Don't Cha" (featuring Busta Rhymes) (radio edit – clean)
2. "Don't Cha" (instrumental)
3. "Don't Cha" (radio edit – clean)
4. "Don't Cha" (Reggaeton Remix)

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of PCD.

Sample

• Contains interpolations of "Swass" performed by Sir Mix-a-Lot.

Personnel

• Songwriting – Anthony Ray, Thomas Callaway, Trevor Smith
• Production – Cee-Lo Green
• Engineering – Ethan Mates
• Mixng – Steve Baughman
• Trumpet/Horn contractor – Chris Tedesco

• Trumpet – Bill Churchville
• Trombone – Nick Lane
• Saxophone – Ray Herrmann
• Guitar – John Goux

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2005–06)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	1
Australia Urban (ARIA)	1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	4
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	1
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)	8
Denmark (Tracklisten)	1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)	7
France (SNEP)	6
Germany (Official German Charts)	1
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)	6
Hungary (Dance Top 40)	1
Ireland (IRMA)	1
Italy (FIMI)	5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	1
Norway (VG-lista)	1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	1
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)	1
US Billboard Hot 100	2
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)	1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	8
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)	2
US Pop 100 (Billboard)	1
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)	15

Year-end charts

Chart (2005)	Position
Australia (ARIA)	2
Australia Urban (ARIA)	1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	22
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)	2
Ireland (IRMA)	7
New Zealand (RMNZ)	5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	31
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	5
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	5
US Billboard Hot 100	9
US Hot Digital Songs (Billboard)	11
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)	1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	56
US Pop 100 (Billboard)	5

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009)	Position
Australia (ARIA)	31
Germany (Media Control Charts)	90
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	73

Century charts

Chart (21st Century)	Position
UK (Official Charts Company)	147

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)	2× Platinum	140,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)	Gold	15,000
Germany (BVMI)	Gold	150,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)	Gold	7,500
Sweden (GLF)	Gold	10,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)	Gold	20,000
United Kingdom (BPI)	Platinum	620,330
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	3,000,000
Ringtone
United States (RIAA)	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	April 19, 2005	Contemporary hit radio	A&M Interscope
		Rhythmic radio
	July 19, 2005	Digital remixes

See also

• List of number-one singles of 2005 (Australia)
• List of best-selling singles of the 2000s in Australia
• List of number-one singles of 2005 (Ultratop 50)
• List of European number-one hits of 2005
• List of number-one hits of 2005 (Germany)
• List of number-one singles of 2005 (Ireland)
• List of number-one singles from the 2000s (New Zealand)

• List of number-one hits of 2005 (Switzerland)
• List of number-one dance singles of 2005 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles from the 2000s (UK)
• List of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles in 2005
• List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2005 (U.S.)
• List of top 10 singles in 2005 (UK)
• List of best-selling singles of the 2000s (decade) in the United Kingdom

References

External links

• "Don't Cha" music video on YouTube