In this episode, Chris and Chantel Nicole dive into Girls Aloud’s 2005 album Chemistry - widely considered one of the most inventive and critically acclaimed girl group albums of the 2000s. Produced by Xenomania, Chemistry blends electro-pop, British quirk, and experimental songwriting into a record that pushed the boundaries of mainstream pop. We discuss the album’s unique structure, standout tracks like "Biology", "Models", and "Watch Me Go", and how it helped redefine what British pop could sound like.
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- 0:00 - Intro
- 1:23 - "Chemistry" Album Info
- 2:15 - Album Cover
- 4:23 - "Intro"
- 6:30 - "Models"
- 10:53 - "Biology"
- 19:12 - "Wild Horses"
- 23:49 - "See The Day"
- 31:56 - "Watch Me Go"
- 38:28 - "Waiting"
- 42:48 - "Whole Lotta History"
- 50:33 - "Long Hot Summer"
- 56:57 - "Swinging London Town"
- 1:02:24 - "It's Magic"
- 1:05:57 - "No Regrets"
- 1:09:32 - "Racy Lacey"
- 1:13:49 - Cut or Keep
- 1:15:30 - Overall Thoughts & Final Rating
References:
- “Intro / Models” Live at Chemistry Tour 2006 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoV8kvz_yNQ&pp=ygURZ2lybHMgYWxvdWQgaW50cm8%3D
- “Models” Interlude at Ten Tour 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grpnqlmgAZA&pp=ygUSZ2lybHMgYWxvdWQgbW9kZWxz
- “Biology” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBPtP4t2J1k
- “Biology” Live at Vodafone Live Music Awards 2006 https://youtu.be/vl2KyEZFY6c?si=5BaXZECnx4CUJjom
- “Wild Horses” Live at Chemistry Tour 2006 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x18fsfa
- “See The Day” MV https://youtu.be/7qKSC8w4qC4?si=-Uf4e4Zct8U2_ffD
- “See The Day” Live at the Great Big Bid https://youtu.be/4pvhjYGPJZg?si=OuHiZfUaX1_nbU07
- “Watch Me Go” Live at Chemistry Tour 2006 https://youtu.be/Ex0He2gyIKY?si=p9NlHg8xEqBb2MSv
- “Watch Me Go” Live at Brighton Pride 2024 https://youtu.be/wBl8_vxJ9n0?si=VwQ9L-Y551ERHlKj
- “Waiting” Live at Out of Control Tour 2009 https://youtu.be/XCq2q-zAN1c?si=fdBT_C3sOl0L_p-t
- “Whole Lotta History” MV https://youtu.be/ozx-VvqO_ys?si=FJj9XYMP2OS1EvQ-
- “Whole Lotta History” Live at CD:UK https://youtu.be/QWKykK_r2h0?si=0itdasJ1auB-zR3X
- “Long Hot Summer” MV https://youtu.be/7-72xwJ4ytY?si=yMxapwAZ_C4ZNEYE
- “Long Hot Summer” Live at GM:TV https://youtu.be/FkOoiOUeaGk?si=RyBA4MRD-oBZqKEK
- “Racy Lacey” Live at Chemistry Tour 2006 https://youtu.be/FMd7-XB3Ph4?si=9YEgFAfX7ou4YncDc
00:00:00 --> 00:00:27 A little cheek and a little bit of chaos goes a long way with this defining pop masterpiece. Today we're talking about Girls Aloud's third studio album, Chemistry. We have over 6 subscribers on YouTube. Yay! Thank you all so much for joining the CCTV crew. And if you're on a podcast platform, please give us a rating, follow, and share the episode because it really helps us grow and find other pop music fans with amazing taste like yourself.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:43 And if you want to support the show and hang out with us for exclusive live sessions to talk to us on filtered and request episode topics, you can become a crew member at patreon.com slash cctvpops. And a huge shout out to all of our crew members who we will mention towards the end of the episode.
00:00:43 --> 00:01:11 Yes. That's right. Because we have a patron list as long as the producers were at the list on this album. It's amazing. You guys are awesome. You know, guys, listen, we've talked about Girls Aloud quite a bit. And it's time for another Girls Aloud episode to celebrate the Chemistry album's 20th anniversary. We've already done the first and second albums. Plus, of course, we went to go see the Girls Aloud show. Ah!
00:01:11 --> 00:01:36 in scotland last year and we actually got to interview dance captain claude so go check out all of those videos if you haven't already but today it's all about chemistry yes i literally just got this in the mail it took a while with all these you know with everything going on in the world yes chemistry was released in december 2005 and
00:01:36 --> 00:01:57 And as mentioned is Girls Aloud's third studio album. It peaked at number 11 in the UK albums chart. And the project is a loose concept album exploring celebrity lifestyle and what it's like to be a 20-something girl in London. And critics highlighted the experimental aspect across the tracks, which were all produced by Brian Higgins and the Xenomania team.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:14 To support the album, Girls Aloud also embarked on their first ever arena tour. So now we'll discuss the production, vocal, visuals, performances, and then drop our individual ratings for each song. But viewer discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:29 So first we have to talk about this album cover. Yes. What do you think? Now, they look gorgeous. I'm never going to take that from them. But honey, what does this have to do with chemistry? It's their group chemistry. Okay, I get it. They like each other.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:58 Ooh, honey, honey. That is sorely lacking in some groups now. Contractual obligations keep you tethered. But these girls like each other. They look amazing. My princess, my queen, Nicola, at the head of the pyramid. She looks great. I think this is good because they look like, it's not too smexy, but you can tell there's something different about this. Something confident, beautiful, hip about this one. Sorry.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:24 And we love the sealed presses. Sure. It is fun looking at this version because they have all the alternate covers in the CD booklet, which is interesting. But here's the thing. Given how fun and playful the single covers were from this era, you know, you had like the test tubes for biology. You had them all sitting on straws and a drink for a long, hot summer. Mm-hmm.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:54 I do feel like they had an opportunity to do something a little campier for this album cover. Right. And, yeah, like, play off the chemistry word, you know? Like, why not be posing in a lab with beakers, you know, surrounded by chemicals or, I don't know, something to kind of just play off that? Or, you know, I mentioned it that it's a loose concept album about, you know, 20-something-year-old girls, like, navigating life in London. Yeah. Maybe you do something with that.
00:03:54 --> 00:04:19 Maybe. I don't know. Like this, I don't think that this album cover represents what this album sounds like. Oh, not at all. It's a great picture. Yes. Yes. No representation here. My thought. Yeah. Like I almost would use biology's test tube single cover over this one. Mm hmm. That's valid. That's valid. I guess. Yeah. I guess it was just like this show face. Get face ladies. Yeah.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:28 All right, guys, so let's get into it and go track by track. And first up is the intro. And it was done by Brian Higgins of Zenomania.
00:04:33 --> 00:05:02 It is such a fun start to the project. It really grabs your attention from the second it happens, or from the second it starts. Yeah. And there is a playfulness to the melody. Obviously, the backing track is adapted for models. Like, it's just, you know, it's kind of the same synth structure. But I love the spoken verses. They're so great. I love the execution of it, where they're all just kind of nonchalant, but it's confident. I especially love Nicola's line, Don't ask how we do it so cool. She just does it. Yeah.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:14 Absolutely perfectly. Yes. And I was very excited. I did go to their Brighton Pride show last year, and they re-recorded it for the intro of that show. Oh, fun.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:43 And I was very excited to hear that. Oh, how fun. It's awesome. I feel like this is a good start. It's very fizzy. Robotic voices. Or not robotic, but definitely cold, cool, you know, hip. It's not super bright. It is the sonic DNA of Girls Aloud in this album. This is like the start of a, I don't know, not a Bond film. But I mean, it was like if Bond wore like lip gloss and carried around a Nokia flip phone. Like...
00:05:44 --> 00:06:05 Hello. Yes, we're so cool. But yeah, I mean, this is an intro, so it's like it's a shot of musical espresso. It's brief, it's bold, and it wakes you right up and brings you right into that first official track. Yes. So yeah, I have nothing bad to say about this. I think it does what it needs to do, so I'll give it a 10. Can't fault anything in it.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:26 Okay, so this is the standard he's setting here. So we're going to go. I don't know. I didn't think about it that far. It's hard. This is a 40-second thing, you know. Oh, my God. Yeah. This is a cinematic opener. I'm joking. It's not cinematic, but it's an opener. You know, yeah. I don't dislike it. I'm going to hit it with a nine because I'm like, I don't know. Sure.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:49 That works too. Okay. Well, the first official track on the album is Models. And this was done by Myra Boyle, Lisa Cowling, Nick Kohler, Tim Powell, Brian Higgins, and Miranda Cooper of Xenomania. And this song is often noted as a huge fan favorite, and it was performed on the Chemistry Tour and also used as an interlude for the 10 Tour as an introduction to the show.
00:06:55 --> 00:07:19 yes i remember this song from the tentor because i was like i think i mentioned they look like victoria's secret models and you were like huh just wait and that and then they walked to this song i was like oh my god yeah it's amazing um yeah this one is punchy snarky satire of celebrity obsession uh talk singing uh definitely like a little campy
00:07:19 --> 00:07:42 electro swingy kind of beat um there's definitely some sarcasm some sparkle i'm here for that saryl leads very well with the little bite she has a she has an interesting voice so it's not too soulful like it's like nadine's is and it's not as um airy as like maybe nicholas is um but yeah nicholas and kimberly deliver the posh meets pretty harmony blends like i like the way nicholas sounds a lot of her parts um
00:07:42 --> 00:08:05 um the parts that she does get on this album uh foreshadowing yay my princess um but yes i do like the way um the speaking bits are um i think it's so interesting how like they acknowledge that the guy's absolute trash but like they're still expecting a call like that's so real it's like i know how much of a trash bag you are but i thought i'd be different for you i thought it
00:08:05 --> 00:08:30 Um, some lines like rocks my hunger, like a trip to the mall. That's a bar. If you guys know after one hour, suddenly you're craving an Auntie Anne's pretzel. I'm not sure what you guys like in the UK, but out here, once those pretzels are like around, you start grabbing it. You're like, I'm supposed to be on a diet. It's too much carbs, but you've been walking around the mall and I love that. It's like this guy is running through her mind, their minds, whatever. I think it's so fun. Um, but yeah, yeah.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:56 Kim just sounds great on the models part. Her voice, again, she sounds very like raspy and like almost like announcer-y. You know, it's very much America's Next Top Model. But like with a mix of some type of like drama, like Gilmore Girls, where the guy just doesn't call back and he comes back a couple episodes later. I'm here for it. I don't think it has a resolution in this song, really. It's not like they figured it out. It was just like girls, girls, girls, girls. Like, you know, like.
00:08:56 --> 00:09:21 Yeah, well, it's funny you mentioned the guy not being great. I find it interesting, there's that one line in the chorus where they're like, he's drowning every day, right? So he's actually probably is very depressed and hates his life. And he's just using the models and this glamorous life to just distract himself from all of that. So it actually is kind of a deep story. Yeah, it is. Which is interesting. It's fabulous.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:40 But yeah, I think that the whole vibe of the track is so campy. It's very silly. There's definitely a playfulness, like I mentioned, in just the melody of it and even the backing track of it. There's something very, I don't know, like something very funny about it. Yeah. For some reason. Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:40 --> 00:10:04 Yes, vocally, I agree. I think they all do a great job. I've always said Nadine and Cheryl have such a great dynamic together as kind of the two main leads of this group. Because, yeah, Nadine is the kind of more soulful one. But Cheryl's voice is so perfect for pop music because it has a nice body to it. There's a slight rasp. Yeah. And it's just very...
00:10:04 --> 00:10:24 It's a very clear tone. So it can kind of sit on top of kind of any type of instrumental and work. Yeah. Which is very interesting. And then, yeah, having Kimberly lead the chorus is great. You know, she doesn't get to do that very often. And it's perfect for her voice here. So, yeah, this one's super fun. I will say a lot of fans say this is like one of their best songs.
00:10:24 --> 00:10:50 album tracks ever oh i wouldn't fully go there okay and i and i remember at the time a lot of people were like this should be a single blah blah blah and i was like i don't think this should be a single um but you know for the tour and just as part of this concept of the album it's pretty perfect and it's a great start to the project for sure i agree i give this one a 9.5 it's not perfect okay i'll give a nine okay
00:10:51 --> 00:11:09 Up next is Biology. And this one was done by Alan Price, Brian Higgins, Eric Burden, Giselle Somerville, Lisa Cowling, Miranda Cooper, and Tim Powell of Zinomania. And this was released as a single in November 2005. And this song peaked at number four in the UK singles chart.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:30 Biology has been critically acclaimed and has even been named the pop song of a decade by The Guardian. So do we agree with this statement? Yes. I do think this is one of the best pop songs of history.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:54 this whole era of pop. And even looking at all the British pop groups of the 90s, noughties, this song should be on every playlist, you know, highlighting that era of pop, I think. And even looking at all of Girls Aloud's discography, I think you could choose a lot of different songs as their signature song, quote unquote. But I think this one is,
00:11:54 --> 00:12:23 I might actually list this as their signature song. It's not my absolute favorite of theirs, but I do think it embodies just everything that was great about them and Zenomania. Because it's a weird song. Like, I will always remember the first time I played it in the car. So I was in like middle school or high school at the time. And, you know, I would play music in the car. And I remember my mom turning to me and being like, what is this?
00:12:25 --> 00:12:54 That's funny. And your mom's a music fan, so it's not like she was like, like, this is noise. She was just like genuinely concerned. Yeah, genuinely confused. That's so funny. And honestly, that's kind of what makes it brilliant, because it's weird. It's a weird song. It's very clearly a few songs that have been Frankenstein together, but then every single part is so catchy, super memorable. I love how it starts. It's like really, again, really just catches your attention immediately with that kind of like 60s kind of like...
00:12:54 --> 00:13:13 situation Motown-ism? I don't go that far not Motown something though there is a kind of Motown-y maybe yeah something yeah and then Adin obviously sounds amazing you know leading that whole first part and then as you get into the verses and everything it gets quite glittery and then the chorus is just odd yeah
00:13:13 --> 00:13:33 It was odd, but very catchy and fun. Yes. So yeah, I think it's just a perfect representation of Zenimania and how experimental they were. Yeah. And how they had just a great ear for pop music. Mm-hmm. I think it's a great song. No, I could just say. You know what? I was thinking maybe it's not...
00:13:33 --> 00:13:55 That maybe it's like Motown. It was like more bluesies. That's something along the lines of like bluesy kind of thing. It's definitely, definitely, definitely interesting. I remember when you first showed me, we were sitting on the couch six years ago now, almost. I want to say it was like 2019. No, it was 2020 in March of 2020.
00:13:55 --> 00:14:04 I just got home from like filming something for the pandemic. Literally right. The day before they said, don't anyone leave the house. I was at this man's house.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:32 Listening to a bunch of Brit pop. That is so funny. But yeah, I mean, the song has like a, was it the main piano riff from the Animals, like a 1965 song called the Go-Go, right? So the tempo is what's the strangest thing. The tempo changes is what makes it so strange. It's just weird. You have like a 12-8 kind of start and then it goes to 4-4. So, I mean, it's very strange.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:49 Very, very strange. I will say it is like their magnum opus in a sense. I get what you're meaning in terms of like, you say girl the loud, what are you thinking? You can pick a bunch of different songs. Like I love Call the Chants. I love, you know, Love Machine. But then you have this song and it's like,
00:14:49 --> 00:15:12 This has to be on the list. Lyrically, it's chaotic, but it is genius, and I do appreciate it. Nadine's runs are surgical, okay? I love them, especially in the live version. I don't even think I know the original version anymore. I think we were sitting next to each other when we watched the chemistry tour, and I was singing what she does now, and you were like, oh, yeah, good for you.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:32 So yeah, I mean, I think it's really cool the way it is crafted. But yeah, like I said, the lyrics made no sense. Like the Alabama return, I'm like, you got a return trip to Alabama? Or I don't, you know, but I think it's interesting because I kept asking, what the heck is this song about? What is this song about? And maybe it's like the biology of human beings, especially as a woman.
00:15:32 --> 00:16:01 got everything going for yourself you're amazing you're independent and then you meet that one person and it just throws you off i gotta get away from you because it's getting a little too hot right now you know um or like the way that i talk the way that i walk you know you see it you know it's only natural that you're attracted to me but also you're trouble um but yeah this is the supreme is produced by daft punk in my brain i mean obviously i know who was produced by but like some strange comparison for the american fans i have no clue what i'm talking about
00:16:01 --> 00:16:23 This is the Supremes produced by Daft Punk. Truly. And maybe the Black Keys. So, yeah, I think this is a fun song. Yeah. If pop was a science, this track would win a prize for, like, best in show. But you know the science fairs. Now, interestingly enough, I do appreciate the music video for not...
00:16:23 --> 00:16:46 going to sciencey but i also remember watching this on your couch and being a little less than impressed with the lack of skill of dancing and the way it was filmed when i think of rooms and dancing i think of say my name by dusty's child and this is like the chic posh version of that but this chic think about it the room's changing and the costume sure
00:16:48 --> 00:16:54 I think there is a charm to it, but honey, it was hysterical to watch. Yes. Because when I tell you, I was like, can they dance?
00:16:55 --> 00:17:24 I mean, I think that is the charm in it. Like, I think you're right. Like, maybe the setting looks more glamorous, right, and chic. But they are not. Yeah. Like, they, I think the best part of it is you could watch the video and just watch one girl. And literally all five of them will mess something up or laugh at something. Or, you know, like, it's just so unpolished. Like, it literally feels like they learned that choreography ten minutes before. Did they? Didn't they? Maybe. Oh, God.
00:17:24 --> 00:17:48 um and it's just so silly but like i think that is what kind of makes it amazing like even even the parts where they're like just standing still in front of this like rotating thing oh my god yes shaking not to fall over oh god it's so good it is but justice for nicola i feel like they gave her the pity middle spot because they didn't give her any lines of the song
00:17:48 --> 00:18:16 Yeah, I'm pretty sure the only line that she has in this song is she gets one or two of those closer echoes. Closer. That's it. I'm pretty sure. No, my baby. She's grown now, but my baby. Yeah. Yeah. And then some great performances throughout the years as well. It's always a highlight on tour. Like, yeah, you mentioned Nadine, you know, belting her parts out. It's always a highlight. Yeah.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:36 And yeah, I would say the dance routine is pretty iconic. You know, like, yeah, people do join in for multiple parts. Yes, the time part. There's also like, just like, yeah, the kind of, what do you call this? It's not like a swing step. Yeah. And then it's like, like a lot of posing and stuff. Yeah.
00:18:36 --> 00:19:05 And yeah, I'm glad that they've pretty much stayed true to it. Yeah. Throughout all their performances. They've kind of changed the verses and added some dance routines and stuff. Or added some dance breaks and stuff. This is true. But they got the clock arm together. It goes, honey, those first performances, those arms were never together. But it's okay. The clock's right at one point during the day. So that's okay. It's a broken clock. They all start at 12. Yeah. And end somewhere at 3. It's okay. Yeah.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:20 But yes, this is definitely a 10. Yes, this is a 10 for me as well. Next up is Wild Horses, done by Sean Lee, Myra Boyle, Lisa Cowling, Nick Kohler, Brian Higgins, and Miranda Cooper of Xenomania.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:55 Oh my goodness. If you're a K-pop fan, you've heard a couple of weird choir chants come in on a song called Mama by XO. This song is hilarious. In the beginning when I heard it, I was like, what the hell is this? It sounds like Roman Catholic. And they emphasize the British accent too, which makes it even better. It's so tremendous. Poor boy Peter lost his way. It's so funny. Yeah.
00:19:56 --> 00:20:15 It's so funny. Like, it's just, it's great because, like, he had a miracle at his fingertips and then he managed to fudge it up. Biblically fudge it up like his dumb daddy. I think that's hilarious. I think that's hilarious. Like, not only did Peter get hit, his dad caught a stray. And I'm here for that.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:44 But yeah, but then you get this little kind of rock-driven guitar moment. It's fun. The synths sweep in, and then the strings are all harsh and rockish. And I like that. I'm not mad at that at all. Cheryl's vocals throughout the verse, the verse verse is so funny because she sounds so just like, I don't like you anymore. Like, girl. It's almost conversational. You can hear the disdain when you realize that his kisses were as fake as his rings. I'm like, damn.
00:20:44 --> 00:21:08 Green fingers, no green in his pockets. A bunch of complaints, you know? But yeah, when I think of this song, it's fun. There's coolness to it, for sure. I just think of a montage of a 2000s teen drama when the protagonist storms down the hallway, but it's all in slow motion. The hair's flying. Because it's like, she has a new look, or they have a new look, and everyone's gawking at them because the...
00:21:08 --> 00:21:31 the love interest just paid them dust so they're paying everyone in dust and glitter um so yeah i think of that moment when they're walking down the hall you know oh you know you y'all know the moment uh but yeah this one like i said is it's it's it feels good and like empowering as well it's like dang i realized i don't need you anymore and even if i'm
00:21:31 --> 00:21:51 Even if Spirit the horse himself tried to take me back to you, I would never go. Which is hilarious because you think of wild horses. You think of couldn't drag me away, you know? Yeah. Couldn't bring me back. Oh, yeah. I love this. This is a great move on from the person song. I like this one.
00:21:51 --> 00:22:19 Yes, I do love the chorus. I think the attitude Nadine's execution is perfect in it. And then you have like the kind of lazy woo woo that Nicola's doing next to it, which is just so funny. I do remember, you know, when they were promoting this album and a lot of the interviews and stuff, Sarah would always highlight her verses in the song because I guess all of them loved them and wanted to sing those. And Sarah got both of them and she was very proud of that.
00:22:20 --> 00:22:49 She sounds great. Like her lower register is actually super strong. Yeah. And I think balanced with, you know, every element that you were just saying, I do think the verses are a highlight here. Yeah. I like how kind of it's not really sultry. It's like almost there is an aspect of that, but it's more kind of like. I'm over this. And yeah, I think her execution is really well done. Yeah. So, yeah. What did you think of the little performance we got with the hoods?
00:22:49 --> 00:23:18 for the chemistry tour encore so funny it's so funny i love that i love it i love it i love it because it's just it sounds like it looks like what it sounds like it sounds like a cult it sounds like sacrificing some dumb lamb who lost his his way lost his way um but yeah i do appreciate that and then like the whole it just sounds dramatic in the beginning you don't know what you're gonna get it's like are you gonna get this whole like
00:23:20 --> 00:23:47 this whole song it's gonna be like this weird organ driven song right it's just so silly it's i love it but it's fun if you can't have fun making the music why are you making the music you know yes yes so yes i love it okay so what do you rate it oh okay so i was on the fence about my score but i like this song um i'm gonna give it a 9.5 okay i'll go a nine
00:23:48 --> 00:24:12 Up next is See the Day, and this was written by D.C. Lee and reproduced by Zinamania. This was released as a single in December 2005 as a contender for that year's Christmas number one. And this song is a cover of D.C. Lee's 1985 hit, and it peaked at number nine in the U.K. singles chart. Will you ever see the day?
00:24:14 --> 00:24:41 The group has since expressed mixed feelings about the song, with Nicola calling it Nadine's song, and Cheryl saying, I wish we hadn't released See The Day. I absolutely hate that track. I don't think it's us at all. It's really old-fashioned. You know, I can understand the sentiment. Yeah. I can understand the sentiment, but, like, also, I kind of blame Cinemania a little bit, and then also the chase for that Christmas number one.
00:24:42 --> 00:25:09 I blame the label. Oh. I blame the label. I think they, you know, they saw what happened with I'll Stand By You the year before. Yeah. And they were like, well, people liked that. Let's make them do another cover. And this time, let's fight for Christmas number one. So, Brian, make it sound Christmassy. No. You know, like, I fully blame the label. Like, this doesn't feel like a choice that any of the girls would have made, that any of Xenomania would have made.
00:25:09 --> 00:25:36 That's valid. This is very valid. But also, I do blame them a little bit because they made it sound so... Like for me... I think I might have to go back and look and fans just correct me if I'm wrong. I think this was one of the ones that they said, Brian, maybe I'm thinking of I'll Stand By You. I remember them saying they like made a more alternative version, but then just kind of went back to the classic one. But that may have been I'll Stand By You, actually. Okay. Okay.
00:25:36 --> 00:26:01 You know, again, I think I again, I blame the label. I think they were like, you have to stay pretty true to the original, but make it sound Christmassy. So that's what we got. Yeah. And it's plotting. It's plotting. Not plotting. Plotting. Sorry. But yeah, I mean, it's a rare slow moment on the album. Thanks. One thing I will say about this song, honey, all five shine equally here. It's not like Nadine sings the whole thing beautifully alone.
00:26:04 --> 00:26:25 Justice for Kimberly is what I'll say there. Oh, right. Everyone got something. At least, the rest at least got something. Yes. They treated her like the little match girl. Speaking of Christmas and themes and such, the little match girl, most of you guys know the little match girl story. I will not tell you, but look it up. Kimberly was treated that way. Okay. So...
00:26:25 --> 00:26:53 This is the winter ballad that a friend could insist on adding to their sad girl playlist because it is a little bit of a sad song. But I am sad friend. The song is sweet. And even though the subject of the lyrics is, you know, kind of pleading with an avoidant, as a loving girl, I do appreciate the lyrics. You know, it's just like you've been through a lot. I get that. But I am different. And no one wants to hear that whole like I'm different from other girls. But you guys know what I'm talking about. You've been with someone who's been a little like scarred. Ah, ah.
00:26:53 --> 00:27:12 oh god I've been hurt and you're like I won't do that to you but to them that's like I've heard that before so I get that um so do you see the love I'm offering you or do you only see heartbreak will we ever see the day where you think of me and think wow I can marry this woman and you know so I get the concept I appreciate that and I will be adding this to my sad girl playlist maybe not
00:27:12 --> 00:27:40 Christmas version. The original version is drags as well. But this at least has something going on. But yeah, I mean, Nadine sounds great. And where the girls pop in. Nadine does sound great. Where the girls pop in, they also sound decent. Sure. I actually love Sarah's verse. Yeah. Yeah, I think she sounds great. Her section? She gets a couple lines, you know. And the harmonies on the chorus are nice. At least it sounds super full there.
00:27:41 --> 00:27:55 Uh, yeah. I mean, look, I think everyone was confused when this was a single. Especially the fact they released a whole lot of history right afterwards. It was just like...
00:27:55 --> 00:28:21 really you're going to do two, A, you're going to do two ballads in a row. And then if you were going to do that anyway, why not just release a whole lot of history as the Christmas single? Like, did it really need to be a cover that was in contention? Maybe it is the case, you know, I don't know. But I remember, yeah, even back in the day in this era, I was a little like, oh, this is an interesting choice. And everyone was quite worried that it would ruin their top 10 single streak.
00:28:21 --> 00:28:26 Oh. But luckily, it made it in there, in number nine. Jeez.
00:28:27 --> 00:28:52 Yeah, look, I think the definitive version is the chemistry tour version, because at least they do split the vocals more evenly. Nadine does what she can do to make it a little bit more interesting. You know, she switches up some of the melodies and adds some ad libs and stuff. Yeah. So, yeah, I rarely turn back to this song at all. Maybe the worst Girls Aloud single ever, if you don't count...
00:28:52 --> 00:29:19 beautiful oh because you love me which was like kind of a single but um i don't really count that one um so i would say this might be my least favorite girls allowed single yeah um the music video though very pretty yes it really does look like a painting you know they look beautiful yes the snow globe thing was great i think it's so funny that everyone's trying to be pensive and like i mean nicholas just checked out um
00:29:21 --> 00:29:34 I'm joking, but I can understand. You're kind of just there. You're just like, you know, like, first of all, I don't have many lines. And then second of all, what emotion am I supposed to convey right now? And it seems like no one else understood what they were supposed to do either because Nadine was smiling the whole time.
00:29:35 --> 00:30:02 gorgeous beautiful beautiful woman beautiful woman I'm not am I hating on anyone but a louders let's be real here watch the video she's smiling the whole time and at the end when everyone's smizing in that little snow globe that goes in and out with the hand why is she in the cut like in the right side I mean granted they give everyone else a chance to be in the middle I get it but it's just so awkward everyone's just staring at the camera and she's sitting there bending her knees dropping her neck smiling
00:30:02 --> 00:30:08 on the corner. They're around that little ice hole with the mirror. She's sitting there. Ice hole.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:33 You know, Sarah sings a little bit and she's like, I'm here. I love it. Yeah, I love it. I love them. But it was just so funny because I'm like, why didn't anyone say, hey, Nadine, you don't have to smile? Yeah. You know, because the song is about like you're pleading, you're yearning. You're right. Yeah. I clearly weren't given much direction with that. Maybe she was rebelling. Or that. Yeah. I feel like she would rebel.
00:30:34 --> 00:30:52 And the performances of this Hilarious Were fine No they were hilarious Hilarious Because Sarah's mic was so loud You know what She was like I'm going to make this fun for myself And I'm going to belt these harmonies out If you'll ever Save a day I'm just like You're so hard I'm just like
00:30:53 --> 00:31:14 At least they sang everything live. No, that's the thing. It was amazing. This is one of the songs where I think almost every promo performance is fully live, which is nice. Absolutely amazing. But it was just so funny because they couldn't figure out how to get the mix on the mic. It was like, they were singing harmonies, guys. Why is the mic so loud? And it was like during soundcheck, she's just like, will you ever? And then during the final on TV, she's like, I'm belting. Little chest voice. Yeah.
00:31:17 --> 00:31:37 And then she was flat out one performance. What performance was? I forgot we were watching it together. And it was so funny. But again, I don't think it's like that big of a deal. It's not like they can't sing. It's just I don't think she realized that she was going a little... Yeah, yeah. But aside from that, like aside from the mild teasing, I think it's a solid job with what you got. Yeah.
00:31:38 --> 00:31:54 With those freaking grease dresses. Yeah. So I'll give it a seven. Oh, I'll match you because I don't really have a good idea what to give it. I don't hate it. I'll give it a 0.5 maybe because of the lyrics. I like the lyrics. Oh. Yeah. I'm a lover girl.
00:31:55 --> 00:32:15 Next up is Watch Me Go, done by Brian Higgins, JC Chazay, Lisa Cowling, Miranda Cooper, Sean Lee, and Tim Powell of Xenomania. And this song was performed on the Chemistry Tour during that year's festival run as well. And the girls did bring it back exclusively for their Brighton Pride performance in 2024.
00:32:21 --> 00:32:49 I remember hearing this song. I think, was it? Maybe when I was getting into them, I was just listening to a bunch of random songs, and I was like, what is the one with the butt? When she's talking about her butt. What is that one? Now I know it's this one. But yes, this one, it feels like a naughty tongue-in-cheek over reggae-ish inspired beat with some spy movie strings. I don't know. Something about it just feels very, like... I don't know. I'm going to probably say spy quite a bit, but something about it just feels very, like...
00:32:51 --> 00:33:08 It doesn't sound like what I think pop music should sound like. You know what I'm saying? Like, it feels a little bit more like, let's try something different. I think that's the beauty of this album. It's like, it does not just sound like by the numbers pop. I can't think of a song that sounds exactly like what we heard. Well, see the day. Yeah. But like...
00:33:08 --> 00:33:27 Wild horses biology. So we go back to what you were saying. But yeah, I think this song is so interesting because, you know, the whole I want to do it till you baby watch me go. It's confident. It's assertive. I mean, it's like, I want one thing. You want one thing. Let's just give it some of that thing. Yeah.
00:33:29 --> 00:33:48 I shouldn't be laughing. But there is a line that Cheryl has at the end with the strippers and the vicars in the back. That is crazy work. That is crazy. You have the ladies of the night and the clergymen. That's what a vicar is. They're a clergyman, people. If you did not know that, that means sinners and saints alike. They all want to go.
00:33:48 --> 00:34:14 They want to watch everyone go. I just think it's so funny. And then she's getting paid to blow like a big trombone. There's a lot going on. And I'm not mad at it. I mean, apparently when you're young, you're supposed to indulge in those kind of things. I don't know. It's just fan fiction to me. But at the end of the day, when you're young, you're supposed to explore. And this song is about that. There's a lot of things going on at different times of the day, too. Yeah. I mean, Ben. Yeah.
00:34:15 --> 00:34:43 Ben had it going on, I guess. You know? Big Ben. Yeah. I'm here for this backing track. I agree with you. It's quite unique. It's funky, but it does have the reggae situation going on in it. So, yeah, it's very fun. Yeah. And, yeah, you know, I think this is the most smexy we've heard the girls so far. Right. But I do love the structure of everything because even the verse, it's so catchy. It could be a chorus. Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:43 --> 00:35:03 You know, so like every single part of the song is a hook, which I love. And yes, I mean, the two rap moments, Sarah's moment. It's maybe one of her best moments across the entire discography. Good outro. Solid outro. I know what you're thinking. You've been thinking about my butt.
00:35:08 --> 00:35:25 And I love how it's, the execution of it is very funny too. Like it's kind of bratty, which is great. And then of course we do have the demo now from the 25th anniversary or the 20th anniversary edition. The we're disco, we're disco. The like extra Cheryl verse.
00:35:25 --> 00:35:50 Both parts are a bit unnecessary, but it's fun to hear just new parts to the song. Yes. We got the version that was meant to be seen by the world for the past 20 years. So that's good. Yes. Yes. I mean, again, you know, Nicola and Kimberly are a bit shafted. You do hear them in the harmonies here, though. You know, there is a little three-part harmony situation, which I do really enjoy. And they did do it live as well, which sounds great. Yes. Yeah.
00:35:50 --> 00:36:16 Yeah, I will say, I do think this is a pretty iconic album track of theirs. And yeah, what did you think of all the performances through the years? They've been good. They've been great. I think no one can do that ending like Sarah, because Sarah is so unserious. It's her being on beat, but when her part comes, somehow she loses it every time, and it cracks me up. I'm like, you better go. She was like, my butt! Smack! Wrong beat. It's amazing. I love it. It's just like...
00:36:18 --> 00:36:35 I mean, we do have the Sarah Harding. We have a Sarah Harding tribute episode when we first started doing our show. And now having watched them and indulged a lot more, it's like that part was made for her. I know when they made it, they were like, Sarah. No one else was Sarah.
00:36:35 --> 00:36:52 Like, yes, you know, um, but yeah, I think the performances have been good of it. Like the girls seem to really like this one as well. Um, Cheryl rapping, I guess I was like, Oh, I didn't, I didn't know I would like this so much, but she gets into it too. Everyone gets into it. Uh, the choreography I like as well. Like my whole,
00:36:52 --> 00:37:12 The thing with their choreography has always been is a jazz teacher doing hip hop. But this song doesn't need hip hop. It just needs some moving and some swing and some kicks and some flicks. And they've done that well. And then the Brighton Pride performance was, I'm just here for the wigs, honestly. I mean, with the Brighton Pride one, I just love that they split the vocal up. Yes. Yes.
00:37:12 --> 00:37:29 And they made it kind of even between the four. Obviously, Nadine sounds great, you know. At least with the, you know, original tour performances and the festival run. Like, you had, you know, Kimberly, Cheryl, and Nicola are, you know, dancing fully with the dancers. And the other two are kind of singing the whole thing. Mm-hmm.
00:37:29 --> 00:37:53 But yeah, I think I think this was super successful live. And I was very excited that they did it at Brighton Pride. So also shout out to JC Chazé. Oh, yes. I wonder how this came about, because from my understanding, I don't think there are any other songs that have him as a writer. Like, I'm just curious how he got involved. Oh, yeah. With Zenomania.
00:37:53 --> 00:38:20 That is so cool. I think the butt part was him. Because no one pops their butt like J.C. Chazet. Just the one line. Oh, yeah. He contributed that one. He came into the studio one day and was like this and then left. Yeah. He had a vision of me from the future when I watched him do just got paid and him popping his butt. And he was like, and he heard me say, no one pops their butt like J.C. Chazet. He's like, you know, I should make a line about my butt. I feel like he did that. Thank you. I'm a butt. I think he did. I'm pretty sure. Yeah. One day, I hope to ask him.
00:38:22 --> 00:38:41 All right, anyway, this gets a 10 from me. Yeah, it's my 10 too. Okay, up next is Waiting. And this was done by Tim Rolfe Lockholm, Miranda Cooper, Paul Woods, Brian Higgins, Sean Lee, and Lisa Cowling of Xenomania. And this was performed on both the Chemistry and Out of Control tours.
00:38:47 --> 00:39:13 all right yes this one's fun you got kind of the the surf pop guitar situation it also kind of sounds like a lot of the indie if you just take the instrumental like you could see like franz ferdinand or something yeah like singing to this um so i think it's got a cool instrumental uh and it's got a great bounce to it like even the dancer team they're just like the whole thing is just like hip hit like this entire time that's valid
00:39:13 --> 00:39:39 But yeah, it's really, really fun. Again, every single part is a hook. The verses are a hook. You got the actual chorus. You got the whap, whap part. Like everything is so much fun. And the lyrics are very like kind of wink, wink, playful. You know, like there's a lot of it that's innuendo for multiple things. I think it depends on how you interpret it. Yeah.
00:39:39 --> 00:39:57 And then Nadine, of course, sounds amazing on that chorus. Like this chorus is perfect for her voice. Yeah. And she does the perfect mix of sass and desperation, I think, in the way she does it. Yeah. But yeah, this is a highlight for me, for sure, on this album.
00:39:57 --> 00:40:25 Oh, yeah, totally. It's sassy and full of yearning, you know, being in emotional limbo, wanting more than to be strung along. I love how the song swings and it bobs. It makes you want to, like, you know, Lindy Hop or something or swing dance. And there is some of that in the choreography on tour. Yes, there is. I feel like the performances are really fun of this one, too. This one is like, oh, my God, like back to back to have Watch Me Go in this is...
00:40:25 --> 00:40:45 solid when I heard well I usually listen to the songs I could shuffle so I just kind of just listen and not you know skip through because I don't know what's happening I just listen like that um this is a song this is like the not one of the few times but this is maybe one of the few times uh that a back-to-back like awesomeness has occurred for me um but yeah I feel like
00:40:45 --> 00:41:13 This one reminds me of when you're old and you're falling, you see that text message, and you keep refreshing the chat or refreshing the messages, and you're not seeing the typing bubbles. Or maybe you are seeing the typing bubbles disappear and come back. You know, a lot of good visuals. And I think Xenomania do a good job of creating those visuals, like waiting until you're black and blue. And was it the candy lady saying, knock, knock, knock, want something about my candy shop? Want something about my candy shop? I mean, not knowing the lyrics. Oh, my God.
00:41:13 --> 00:41:38 I mean, we listen to a lot of songs. But yeah, I feel like this one is fun. And it's giving, like, I know my worth. When are you going to come, you know, get some of this? Because I want to give it to you. And I think that's good. I think that's very good. Because you can't be sad about a man. Like, it's just a man. You know? Give me, like... But I love how they're kind of being good girls, too. It's not like I'm going to find someone else. It's like I'm waiting specifically for you. What is going on? Yeah.
00:41:38 --> 00:41:54 So I think that's pretty desperate, I would say. It is, but it's still sassy. Yeah. And I think that's important. For sure. You can still be desperate and still be kind of like yourself. You don't have to suddenly be like, I'm waiting for you till I'm black and blue. You know, so I appreciate this song.
00:41:54 --> 00:42:21 Yes. I also agree with the performance side of things. So I did go to the Out of Control tour. It was one of the first times I went to, I took a trip by myself, actually. And I remember being super excited that Waiting was on the set list because it felt very random, right? It's just like a random album track of theirs. But, you know, they had the horns and the percussionist on this tour. So I love the arrangement of it for this version. It's very slick.
00:42:21 --> 00:42:38 They made it much slicker. And I love when they do it live. Nadine and Sarah harmonizing on the whack parts are so, so good. And yeah, this is just, I can see why this would be a fun one to perform. Word up. Word up. So what do you rate it?
00:42:38 --> 00:42:59 This one's also a 10. Oh. Copycatter. Is it copycatter? Copycat? Whatever. Same. Okay, next up is Whole Lotta History. This was done by Brian Higgins, Giselle Somerville, Lisa Cowling, Miranda Cooper, Tim Rolfe, Larkholm, all of Xenomania. Okay.
00:42:59 --> 00:43:18 And this was released as the final single from the album in March 2006, and it peaked at number six in the UK singles chart. And the music video was filmed in Paris, and the promotional period is documented in the iconic off-the-record television series.
00:43:20 --> 00:43:47 I was thinking about Cheryl going off on one of the girls. I forgot what she said. But anyway. Love that. I mean, with this song, with that documentary, I immediately think of Sarah being very unimpressed with their number six. Oh. And you have the record label lady that's just like, yeah, I'm not really feeling that the single is going to do great. You know, like, I just love how raw that whole documentary is. Right, right.
00:43:48 --> 00:44:00 You know, Sarah believed in the group, okay? She believed in the girls. Sorry, hang on. I can't talk. I can't talk. I've gone the wrong way. Oh, man. Ugh.
00:44:01 --> 00:44:22 What a good song. You guys have actually paid attention to the lyrics until we do the review. I kind of just, I just fell into it. I only listened to the chorus and I was like, that's enough. That's enough for me. That and I think the live performances always get me. I like the live performances of them because you can hear their voices without all of the...
00:44:22 --> 00:44:38 you know, editing and such. And they all give a little something different. Each time, it's melancholic. It's about looking back at a failed relationship, which sucks. But yeah, no, I think everyone gets a chance to really...
00:44:38 --> 00:45:00 not maybe not shine but everyone has a chance to actually sing let's start there the shining part is undeniable i think everyone has a moment you can think about it and you know the line you know the song you know every single word um nicola i think her part is so sad she's like to cry yeah that's part of the song for me i think is nicola's part or i guess it's between nicola's part and sarah's outro
00:45:00 --> 00:45:24 yeah but she's like I said I finally listened to those lyrics I mean I did listen but like you know you have you can finally relate to the lyrics you should listen a little bit better but yeah I think it's great and then Nadine Queen Miss Powerhouse with her damn if I do and I damn if I don't it got me so much love
00:45:25 --> 00:45:45 She gets into it. She does. But yeah, no, I appreciate that they've been able to emote because I'm not sure what was going on in their lives. But one thing that has never been lacking in this group is the ability to emote. And I think it's very present in this. But yeah, I think this song is proof that nostalgia sounds best with perfect harmonies and mild regret.
00:45:48 --> 00:46:06 Yes. I mean, this is, I think, hands down the best Girls Aloud ballad across their whole discography, I would say. It really is a beautiful song. And yeah, I do love that each member does have a moment, a unique moment. Yes.
00:46:06 --> 00:46:35 in there. And yeah, the production is beautiful. Love the guitars, love the strings. I love the oohs in the background. And I will say big shout out to Fascination, who did this 20th anniversary edition, because people have always been complaining about how the version in the music video is different from the one on the single, because the one in the music video has all of them singing the chorus together after the first one.
00:46:36 --> 00:46:51 but that never happens in the studio version. And so they actually put the video version on this anniversary edition. So thank you for giving the fans what they want. Big shout out to the team. We talked about this. Remember I told you how the music video sometimes is like, that's the one. Mm-hmm.
00:46:51 --> 00:47:21 so annoying yes um and then yeah speaking of the video you know they hadn't done many on location shoots before this they were usually you know studio videos uh so it was unique for them and they all look beautiful in their scenes of course sarah's scene walking along the seine is the highlight she just looks amazing yeah the whole video is beautiful and you know you do get to see them react to it and off the record as well nicola's the center crapping on herself the whole time i was like we you're
00:47:22 --> 00:47:51 And the manager's just like, stop. She's over it. She was stopping. I love you, Nicola, so much. And then, yeah, speaking of the performances, you know, again, we got a lot of television performances where they did sing live. I do enjoy this little two-step bop that they made them do. About a whole lot of history. Yes. And then, you know, all the tour versions, like you mentioned, are all pretty unique, different arrangements, and they all kind of do different things melodically.
00:47:51 --> 00:48:07 Yeah, the show was the best. Not obviously because, you know, how they did it. That's why it's the best. Not because Sarah's not there, but how they, you know, Nicola took a lot of her parts, but that one, they left it and they just had it going and it was an acapella. I was sitting there like, oh my God. I know. Wake up.
00:48:08 --> 00:48:35 I know. Yeah. That part gave me, like, goosebumps every time. Yeah. It was sick. I was like, wow, amazing. But no, they've done a good job with it throughout time. But they've never done, like, a whole acapella. Even when Sarah was here, like, to have that moment just kind of sit with you, you know? And, again, that was one of the better, like, arrangements of it. Just kind of taking out all that we know in terms of how it sounded and even how, yeah. Yeah.
00:48:35 --> 00:49:04 Yeah. Years of experience. I do love the chemistry tour arrangement, though, where it starts off more acoustic and it kind of slowly builds into the full band. I do love that version also. And we do have the acoustic version as well. Yes, we got that fed. Yeah, so yeah, we got a lot with this song. And yeah, I'm glad it's become a fan favorite because I also remember at the time everyone was also feeling... I don't know if this is...
00:49:04 --> 00:49:31 really doing anything for them like honestly look all the fans reminisce with me here we were all worried that they were done like we were really worried they announced the greatest hits right after and you know that whole three albums and the greatest hits and then split was like very common at the pop groups at the time and you could kind of tell that commercially you know see the day whole lot of history weren't doing so well so i remember being yeah quite worried that this was near the end
00:49:31 --> 00:49:45 That's amazing. You were looking at the charts when you were younger. Me, I didn't know what was going on. I was like, why is this artist not making music anymore? No, Girls Aloud, I was in it. Shout out to everyone who was on Board Aloud. The Girls Aloud Forum.
00:49:45 --> 00:50:05 That is so cool. Oh, my God. Me, I was like, where's my favorite artist? Girl, they ain't do what you do. You know, like in my heart, they went platinum, you know? But yeah, no, I can understand why people have that sentiment. This is, like I said, if you're not only a fan of them and you heard this, it's not like, oh, my God. Yeah.
00:50:05 --> 00:50:32 Right. You know, especially back then. We have all, you know, like Vampire Weekend and all these other rock bands. You know, the whole pop punk thing was a thing. And this is just like a sad little ballad. Now, even when you showed me it, I liked it on 2020. So I think the sentiment around like what kind of music you like or like whatever, or maybe just the timing of it. I think it's good. So for me, 10. Also a 10 for me.
00:50:34 --> 00:50:39 Up next is Long Hot Summer. Love that.
00:50:44 --> 00:51:10 And this was done by Myra Boyle, Giselle Somerville, Lisa Cowling, Sean Lee, Rolf Larcombe, Brian Higgins, and Miranda Cooper of Xenomania. And this was originally written for the soundtrack of the film Herbie Fully Loaded, starring Lindsay Lohan, which ultimately never happened. And this single was released in August 2005 and peaked at number seven in the UK's singles chart.
00:51:10 --> 00:51:32 And producer Brian Higgins describes this song as a disaster record because of the rushed process and creative pressure tied to the soundtrack opportunity. The group also didn't seem too fond of the track at the time, with Nadine even saying she disliked her rappy verse. But the group grew to love the track after performing it on the Girls Aloud show tour in 2024.
00:51:32 --> 00:52:01 So, you know, with time, Long Hot Summer has warmed their way into his hearts. Yes. That's what Kimberly did on that one performance. Shout out GMTV 7 a.m. performance of Long Hot Summer. Yes. If you guys aren't watching, hopefully you are watching because Spotify does have it now. If you're watching, I have a fan. If you're not watching, I have a fan in my hand and I flicked it and I just dropped it just now. So I am part of Girls Aloud.
00:52:03 --> 00:52:13 Yes. You know, I'm just kind of now reminiscing as we talk through this album. I also remember when this was first released and everyone was kind of like, also not sure about this song. I think.
00:52:15 --> 00:52:33 It wasn't the most positive energy. I don't actually think the song is bad at all. You know, it has some great moments. I'm kind of here for this, like, 70s-ish, kind of West Coast beach rock vibe, which makes sense because it was for Herbie, Fully Loaded, you know. Yeah.
00:52:33 --> 00:52:51 It kind of sucks that they, you know, jumped through all these hoops and Brian had to write the song super quickly and then it didn't even end up on the soundtrack. That's crazy, man. And, like, they obviously were too far gone because the whole video concept is... That's already car. Yeah. Huh. But anyway, you know, the song...
00:52:51 --> 00:53:06 Look, Girls Aloud singles run is amazing and the standard's very high. So in the grand scheme of their singles run, I would agree I wouldn't rate this particularly high. Mm-hmm.
00:53:06 --> 00:53:25 But it does have fun moments. Like, I love, I actually love Nadine's rappy verse. And I'm glad she enjoys it now. The chorus is catchy. And, you know, there is a cheekiness to it. There's a playfulness to it. Yeah. But yeah, I can kind of see, and I remember at the time thinking it was a bit underwhelming.
00:53:26 --> 00:53:39 Hmm. That's valid. I think I understand what you mean, because I used to not like the song. Yeah. I like show every time it came on during our tour watches, our tour streaming that we were doing. I was thinking to myself, oh, my God.
00:53:39 --> 00:54:01 Oh, I can't wait for the song to be done. Oh, dang. I didn't know it went that far. I didn't know. I didn't like the song. I'm going to be real with y'all. I'm going to be real with you. But I think what I didn't like was the whole chorus of it. Because I like the verses. The verses are stronger for me. And I think it's full of the guitar licks, the tambourines, and carefree flirtation. Yeah.
00:54:01 --> 00:54:25 Watch the needle when you go in south. Like, that's nasty. I like that. Come on, it's fun. It's nasty. And it's fun, right? I think the verses serve a lot more than the chorus do, for sure. Like, the long house on the day, the same. Like, okay. Yeah.
00:54:26 --> 00:54:49 little sexy chickens i'm like you know i'm just like oh brilliant but this whole summer while i was working outside because i was y'all i was working my behind off this summer i was tired and i had that i was different different shades of brown okay 50 shades of brown um i was i kept saying it it's a long hot summer and it's 95 i sang it over but
00:54:49 --> 00:55:09 I was out here sitting there. So the song sounds like SPF 30 at best, but it definitely sounds like a convertible with the roof that gets stuck. You know, questionable decisions, but overall hot girls. So I'm not mad at that. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's a cute little, like,
00:55:10 --> 00:55:32 mall shopping montage song yeah yeah so it did belong in a movie i get i get it having worked in like movie sync stuff this would have been great in a movie yeah yeah and i will say watching the music video and the performances as they were promoting it did make me like the song more because i think the music video they look amazing and i do like the garage concept of it
00:55:32 --> 00:55:52 And then the television performances, you know, they did what they could, you know, they had the fan. Yeah, they had different versions where they had different props, you know. Yeah, there was a car at one point they were on like the lawn chairs, lawn chairs. Yeah, at one point. So they did what they could. Yes, you know, no lines.
00:55:53 --> 00:56:16 Yeah, I mean, her, Nicola, and Kimberly had to share those four lines, really. Yeah. And, you know, I was excited that it was on the set list for the Girls Aloud show. Yeah. For those of you who haven't heard her interview with Mr. Clotamar yet, we do talk about this song and how it actually wasn't going to be a permanent part of the set list. So if you want to hear about that, go check that out. Yeah.
00:56:17 --> 00:56:44 They clearly were having a lot of fun with this one. Which is just so interesting, right? Because it's just never been anyone's real highlight. Right. Hello. But then it became such a moment for them on this new tour. Hello. Yeah. I'm saying it's a renaissance. Yeah. But in the whole like scape of the soundscape of this album, where does it sit? For me, it's not terrible. Yeah.
00:56:44 --> 00:57:06 Yeah. The verse is just like a little me, me, me, me. So I give it an eight. I'll match you with an eight. Okay. It's been a long time. Ninety-five. Yeah! Yeah! Next up is Swinging London Town, done by Matt Gray, Tim Powell, Brian Higgins, and Miranda Cooper of Zenimania.
00:57:11 --> 00:57:34 Mm-hmm. This electro-symphonic madness, honey. Yes. So, you know, there is a backbeat techno song called Smack My Pitch Up by Prodigy. Smack, you've seen Charlie's Angels. Uh-huh. If you guys need, like, a quick little reference to Charlie's Angels. Smack my...
00:57:34 --> 00:57:55 When the girls are kicking behind in that last fight scene in the castle thing, the lighthouse, when Bosley got captured. This song is that. Like after they save him. Or maybe like the British version of it. But yeah, this is lyrics about the glam and the grime of London nighttime, paired with pulsing beats.
00:57:55 --> 00:58:21 And like, you know, a moment in time where it's kind of near operatic with the bridge. I don't know what's going on with the bridge. But I'm not mad at what's happening in that second half because it brings new life into a very... Techno is... I'm not saying it's meant to be enjoyed, you know, under the influence. But like, you are sober and you are listening to the same beat for the four minutes. It kind of drives you a little crazy. When you're not, you know, when you're having a good time...
00:58:21 --> 00:58:48 You know, stop, drop, and rolling. You won't even notice, right? So not from experience. From seeing. From understanding the concept of a 12-inch version. Make that very clear. But, yeah. So this is a very fashion-forward, chic version of that Smack My Pitch Up song. I would say fashion models who are also spies. Totally spies. Here we go. But also, like, kind of unhappy. Yeah.
00:58:48 --> 00:59:05 But yeah, exactly. Right. You know? Yeah. Yeah. I think that is definitely highlighted, but like shown sonically through that second half with that cool, somber Wii music that happened. I mean, it sounded like someone, you know, under the influence.
00:59:05 --> 00:59:29 yeah said part a little too hard um yeah it sounds muddled the mix there is so muddled um and it's i love that it's just it's the vocals the concept of that vocal being like that was awesome and then you have a wiry synth track because of the you know maybe you crash a little hard uh it's wonky as heck uh i enjoy it's a techno rave gone wrong or right or maybe just gone on for too long in london
00:59:30 --> 00:59:50 Mm hmm. Yeah, it is chaotic, but it's it's great. I love how kind of harsh everything is. And then that's what makes that kind of drunken slow moment, you know, just so brilliant as well. Nicola is definitely the star of this one. You know, she has mentioned that Brian kind of.
00:59:51 --> 01:00:16 he really only liked her or really wanted to emphasize her kind of babyish, kind of innocent tone. So she wasn't really ever allowed to belt and kind of explore the other sides of her voice in Girls Loud. But this is a great example of an amazing use of that kind of innocence that comes out with that babyish kind of aspect of her voice. Because she's,
01:00:16 --> 01:00:43 That tone mastered kind of how dark her lyrics are is really interesting as a dynamic. Yeah. And then, and then, yeah, I think the whole thing is just so much fun. And yeah, Cheryl's whole, do you know me kind of situation as well is, is perfect. Yes. I, this has always been one where I was like, oh, imagine a music video.
01:00:45 --> 01:01:12 They could have done so much with this. Or it's tour interlude, you know, or something. Like, it would have been insane. You know? Yeah. I look crazy. I mean. Yeah. And, like, this, you know, we mentioned that this is a loose concept album of this 20-year-old, 20-something-year-old girl in London. And this is, like, this and models are kind of the two that kind of encapsulate that the most.
01:01:12 --> 01:01:16 The ones that focus more on the nightlife aspect of it.
01:01:16 --> 01:01:43 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. This is like a sequel to models, I would say. Yeah. Kind of like a bookend. And, you know, like models is kind of like mid evening. This is like nightlife. It's overnight. Overnight the mess. Yeah. I would say this is one where I just think it's such a cool track and it stands out so much on this album. And I feel like it's not given the love that it actually deserves, you know, but
01:01:43 --> 01:02:12 I can see that and I agree because I don't, I didn't even know the song existed. Like as much as we do listen to, or I do listen to them like on the side, I think I do. You typically just go for like 10 or something or like, right. The singles. Yeah. It's just real quick. Something, you know, so it was nice to delve into this. And I think every time I heard this song, I was like, holy crap, why wasn't this a single? So this was a good one. Solid album track, man. And you'd give it a 10. Me too. Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah.
01:02:13 --> 01:02:41 We've been very actually close today. Oh, yes. I'm proud. Yes. Okay, guys, if you are new here, first of all, you should subscribe, okay? We've been waiting till we're blue in the face for you, baby. And moving on to the next track, it is It's Magic. And this was done by Tim Powell, Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper of Xenomania, and Girls Aloud. But we'll just assume it's Nicola, my queen. But the girls credit, you know, all of them. The team credit all of them, you know. But this is technically like a,
01:02:41 --> 01:02:50 solo-ish track so the song is a nicola solo track and it was also included as a b-side for see the day in addition to appearing on the album
01:02:55 --> 01:03:17 I do like the production of this song. There's a lot going on with all the synths and stuff, but some great elements throughout. And I am glad that Nicola got a little moment. You know, we have mentioned she was kind of shafted on this album. Yes. So giving her a solo track is kind of correcting that a little bit. Yeah.
01:03:17 --> 01:03:33 And, you know, once we get into the B-sides, which if you're interested to hear us talk about the B-sides, we do have a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode where we will talk through Singapore and then the other kind of solo tracks, basically, um...
01:03:33 --> 01:04:02 that were our releases b-sides on these singles um and i do think this is one of the better of those solo tracks from this era so i think if they were just trying to choose one of those to kind of put on here i think i would agree with this choice i think there's another one that might compete against it but but yeah um i i also think the way the song is written is interesting because it's almost like a poem or like a diary entry that they kind of just put
01:04:03 --> 01:04:32 melody too because there's no chorus you know she's kind of just spiraling throughout it and then each verse has a different melody you know it's just like a little all over the place but yeah lyrically she is kind of just like spiraling that's valid I mean the syncopated synths and the breathy harmonies here and there it's adorable and it's like it has a smartness to it by that I get what you mean in terms of like the poetry thing so I think it was more like
01:04:32 --> 01:05:01 Pensive, take me seriously. Kind of thing. Which I understand. You're the youngest member. People don't even think you can actually sing. You got in the group for whatever reason. You know, I know the lore. I know the lore. So you have something to prove here. I like her voice. I like the brightness of her voice. I would say the song is... I think because it is a solo track. I don't know if much effort was put into it. I will say that. It doesn't feel like...
01:05:03 --> 01:05:19 completely like it makes sense on the album you know i'm saying like i can't say like oh wow this like feels like something that was chemistry it feels like something that was put together and given a lot of energy and maybe she didn't want to go that direction i don't know i still love my princess little cola
01:05:19 --> 01:05:40 Um, but yeah, I feel like this is, this is not bad. I feel like it's the track that would have played during like Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, like one of the sadder moments, you know? Um, but yeah, I listened to the song. I just hear like sync. I hear like in a movie, I hear like in a TV show, which is not a bad thing because that's how a lot of people get recognized. Um, but yeah, not bad.
01:05:40 --> 01:06:07 bad i would say but it's an interesting track to have right after swinging long in town so i think in terms of track listing it's a little like oh dang i don't know if i would put it that there um you know yeah so yeah so yeah i'll give it a 7.5 i'm at a 7 with this one next up is no regrets done by matt gray brian higgins and miranda cooper of xenomania and this is listed as a uk bonus track and this song is a nadine solo track
01:06:14 --> 01:06:22 Oh my goodness. We all know she can sing. Oh yeah. We all know she can sing. This one is interesting. It is. It's lush-ish.
01:06:23 --> 01:06:51 Not really lush, lush. Yeah, kind of. Yeah. I think it's less because of her. I'll say that. Screw it. It is dreamy. There's like a dreamy melancholy to it. Yeah, it's a bittersweet closer about moving on gracefully. Or trying to, rather. I think the acoustic guitar could possibly... I don't know. It's struggling to melt into the percussion. The percussion sounds a little like 80s synth, like a mog synthesizer or something. Yeah.
01:06:51 --> 01:07:06 excuse me but anyway it just sounds very like any other bossa nova thing going on so i do like a little bit of bossa um but yeah i feel like it was a fun not fun what is the word
01:07:06 --> 01:07:26 It's okay. Like, I go from fun to it's okay. Here's why. Because I don't think fun exactly encapsulates what's happening here. I appreciate the creativity in terms of exploring a different genre of music. There we go. It's fascinating. Yes. It's definitely a unique song.
01:07:26 --> 01:07:42 Yes, no harmonies. Right. God. So you said it's magic as kind of an outlier for this album. I think this was a very clear outlier. It doesn't really match it at all. Yeah. Aside from the fact that, yes, it's unique and experimental. So...
01:07:43 --> 01:08:02 you know, I guess it adds something different to the album. Yeah. Nadine sounds great, as you said. I will say the lyrics do give me, like, a much older woman reminiscing on a past lover from, like, 30 years ago or something. Yeah, because the place was in the things that she was describing, talking about NYC and little puppies and stuff. I was like, girl. I was like, this is giving...
01:08:02 --> 01:08:28 Not a 20 year old, 20 something year old. I don't think. No, it's giving like at the end of Eat, Pray, Love, like the umpteenth sequel. It's the closing credits of a movie that you never saw. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's just not. Yeah. And then the end. I mean, I feel like this should have been the last track on the, like this whole sequencing at the end is a bit odd. I mean, I get that some of them are listed as UK bonus tracks, but look, they weren't releasing anywhere else at this point. So they were just on the album. You know what I mean? Like.
01:08:28 --> 01:08:52 It's just part of the album. Because the ending, you get like 40 seconds of these waves and like the blips and bloops. Blips and bloops. And then it goes into racy lacy, which is just odd. Yeah. Come on, look. Nadine sounds good. Yeah. Beautiful, beautiful. Beautiful gowns. Beautiful gowns. Yeah. I'll give it a seven.
01:08:55 --> 01:09:17 I'll match you. I won't be that Dean. I was going to give it a 6.5. Do what you need to do. I will give it a 6.5. It's not a good song. It's okay. The Dean deserved better. You know. What is she? What is she? Insatiable? Not the Insatiable. What is that song? Go to Work? No, it's a little other. It's a little song. The debut song.
01:09:17 --> 01:09:40 Oh, Insatiable is there. Insatiable, yeah, yeah, yeah. But Go to Work is her Xenomania solo song, you know? Oh, yeah. Why don't you go when I threw the pillow at your house? Well, yeah, speaking of Racy Lacy, let's hop right into it. Racy Lacy is the closing track on the Standard album, and it was done by Miranda Cooper, Matt Gray, and Brian Higgins of Xenomania.
01:09:45 --> 01:10:13 Tell us about Racy Lacy, Girls Aloud's version of Dusty's Child's Nasty Girl. It wasn't as mean as Nasty Girl. No, that one's so mean. It was so mean. Yeah, no, these lyrics are funny. I mean, honestly, I feel like this needs to be resurrected and, like, reclaimed by OnlyFans as their theme song. You know? Because some of these lyrics are quite relevant. Yeah, this is true. You know, like the staying in bed for 24 hours.
01:10:13 --> 01:10:42 Oh, someone has attempted that. Oh my God. Ew. Ew. But you know, the lyrics do have a layer of judgment though. You know, even when Nicola introduced the song on the tour, she's like, this is about a nasty girl named Racy Lacy. Nasty girl. Yeah. You're right. Because I feel like they could have done it in a way where there was no judgment. And I feel like there's only certain lines where it feels like they're kind of looking down on her. Like they're like, she's not too bright.
01:10:42 --> 01:11:09 You know, it's not a backhanded thing. Like, she's got a PhD with her legs apart. That's crazy. Like, she just knows what she's good at. Right. Good for her. Yeah. You know? Fate mess. But yeah, super fun. Yeah. Very silly. Definitely a unique concept and story. Yes. You know, and then going back to the loose concept of the album, you know, these people do exist. Okay, this is true. You know, it's catchy. Yeah.
01:11:10 --> 01:11:39 There is, I don't know, I can see why it was just a bonus track, I guess. Like, it's not as good as the rest of the album overall. And I do think the bed squeaking and, like, squelching noises that happened during the instrumental before the final choruses are crazy. I feel like they took it a step a little too far with that one. But yeah, this is not one I turn back to often. I will say that.
01:11:39 --> 01:12:07 No, that's valid. I mean, like I said, the lyrics are crazy. I will say I don't care for the whole she's got dreamy eyes and Lolita lips. What the hell does that mean? She has lips of a 13-year-old? I don't... Yeah, I don't know. That was weird. But different times. Yes. The retro rock situation meets campy storytelling. Not mad about that. Everyone is in character mode during this whole song. Sorry. Had to kill a bug. Everyone is in character mode during this whole song, which is...
01:12:08 --> 01:12:22 That's the fun that I was trying to lose to with no regerts. But yeah, I said no regerts on purpose, y'all. I'm so sorry. But yeah, this song feels like a gossip column set to music. You know, like...
01:12:24 --> 01:12:53 She really feels like a gossip column, you know, like, you know, it's something really scandalous being sung about. And I think every town, every small town has a Lacey. And she is definitely still thriving. And it's okay, Lacey. You do your thing. Just don't do it, my man. Thank you very much. They did perform this on the chemistry tour as well. So we actually watched the tour together last weekend. Yes. We were doing research for this era. This performance was a little all over the place. Yeah.
01:12:53 --> 01:13:12 the whole middle section with the flashing lights and the skinny canes. Oh my gosh. You still get the paper clips. Those canes are useless. And you're talking about how the lighting was strobing and we all, that was so funny. Some guy just back there pressing the button.
01:13:12 --> 01:13:33 But yeah, I think it took me a second to realize that Cheryl and Kimberly were pretending to be Lacey. And I was like, oh my God! I was so shocked. I was like, are they supposed to be Lacey? You're like, let me hold your hand when I say this. Yes. But yeah, I mean, the performance was cute. But again, it's okay of a song. And Swinging London Town probably should have been the closing track on this album.
01:13:33 --> 01:13:56 Yeah, like a solid 10-track album. Yeah, yeah. Not whatever this was. Yeah, so I'll give it a 7. Me too. I'm at a 7 for this one. Yeah. Okay, so that wraps up. Oh! The Chemistry album. As we mentioned, there are quite a few B-sides, actually, from this era. Like, every single had a B-side. And then, of course, Singapore was the highlight track.
01:13:56 --> 01:14:22 of the 20th anniversary version. So if you want to hear us talk about these songs, come join us at patreon.com slash cctvpops. But for now, we'll do our cut or keep section. So if you had to cut a song from this album, what would you cut and why? Hmm. Hmm. I mean, although I relate to it to a certain extent, I could do without see the day. Toodles. Okay. Okay.
01:14:22 --> 01:14:41 That's a toodles for me. Like, I feel like that's the most obvious one. But I think in terms of, like, the solo tracks, I don't really care for them. But Nicola needed a moment. Little Cola needed a moment. And that was it for her. So I'm not taking that from her. Yeah. I would probably cut Racy Lacy. Yeah.
01:14:42 --> 01:15:04 I don't know if maybe if Racy Lacy showed up maybe earlier in the track list, I think it would be would have made more sense. I think it being just tacked on at the end after No Regrets has that long outro is just odd. Yeah. So I've always thought of it as kind of an outlier anyway, just because of the way the sequencing has been done. So I'd probably choose that one. That's valid. Maybe after Bottles it should have been.
01:15:05 --> 01:15:35 Oh, interesting. Just kind of keep on with the theme of, like, you know, girls. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. And if I had to keep a song, that's so hard. Oh, my gosh. Okay, I'm not going to choose a single. I guess don't. I'll choose Watch Me Go. Swinging London Town. Yeah. Keep her. Mm-hmm. Solid. Should have been the closer. Yes. Yes. Okay. Okay, so overall thoughts of chemistry. Yeah. What do you think? You know, it's...
01:15:37 --> 01:16:02 Well, I said damn. I said damn. Wrong album. I said damn. I said damn. That's a tangled up song. Oh, really? I said damn? We'll get there. Well, it's called damn, but that's the lyric. That is amazing. So, guys, if you're like chronically online, you know that Megan Thee Stallion was on Alive, and she was making fun of one of her former friend's like songs. And she said, I said damn. Yeah.
01:16:02 --> 01:16:16 I said that. Well, that's good to know. Okay, so I think for this to have been the third album, you know, What Will the Neighbors Say was solid, right? It was fun. Had a little, you know...
01:16:16 --> 01:16:37 Like Graffiti My Soul was on that, right? And like, oh, wow, it's amazing. But like this whole album was full of like Graffiti My Soul's moments. It was really good. And even some of the bonus tracks I would say are like, wow, okay. I feel like this whole era, there's a lot of confidence there. And everyone's kind of just throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks. And a lot of it's stuck. Yeah.
01:16:37 --> 01:17:04 The girls had a sound that no one else had. And then considering how, you know, Zenimania was also working with Sugar Babes who had Round Round, it's like, how do you make sure they don't sound alike? And they managed to do it. So I think their sound is kind of punctuated with this album for sure. And then they had the greatest hits right after, which is Stink, who came right after, and then Tangled Up, right? So it's like, for the most part, this is a solid, we might not make it album.
01:17:05 --> 01:17:35 You know what I'm saying? If they had a feeling like this wasn't going to work after the third album and they were following this girl group trajectory, this is stinking solid. I like this one. I don't know if it's my favorite album. I don't know yet. Maybe. I don't know, but the cultural impact is definitely there. I feel like it was perfect for the age. Obviously, Tangled Up has one of my favorite songs, Can't Speak French, on it. But I feel like this one has a multitude of songs that are faves of mine.
01:17:35 --> 01:17:57 Yes. Yes, definitely agree with you. It is such a good album. It does lose its way a tiny bit towards the end, as you've heard. Yeah. Because I agree with you. I think you're right. Maybe it's just a 10-track. End it with Swing in London Town, and honestly, it's a pretty perfect pop album. I mean, yes, See the Day is still a question, but, you know, I think...
01:17:57 --> 01:18:14 If you've never heard Girls Aloud before, that does show you something different, at least. But yeah, every song is super unique. Just so many catchy hooks. I think Xenu Mania could definitely use this album as their opus, you know?
01:18:14 --> 01:18:30 Yeah. You know, I love Tangled Up and that spoiler is my favorite Girls Aloud album. But in terms of the experimentation and really showing their range, like this album is a perfect example of why Xenomania is so good at what they do. Yeah.
01:18:30 --> 01:18:56 And you can tell that they were given more freedom to kind of play around, right? Like when we talked about what will the neighbors say, there was an element of it that still felt a little safe. Like they were trying to be very commercial. Oh, yeah. With this one, you know, models, wild horses, like they wouldn't work as singles at all, in my opinion. But I love that they were given that freedom to kind of play around with it. Yeah. And aside from biology, the singles are not a good representation of this album at all.
01:18:56 --> 01:19:24 that's valid um but yes i i love it and i think it's a great girl group album solid album yeah so i think i would give it like a nine eight point five because like this is tough it's kind of sitting between eight point five and a nine for me i don't know if i can give a answer but not bad a minus for sure only because of like how it ends and i feel like it was just kind of meh at the end yeah i'll give it a nine
01:19:26 --> 01:19:41 All right, Alouders, what do you all give Chemistry the album? How do you rate this song? What would you cut? What would you keep? Keep it civil in the comments because you are watching. But, yeah, let us know in the comments below how you feel. And don't forget, you can hang out with us.
01:19:41 --> 01:19:56 and our CCTV crew on Patreon, including Emily, George, Lily, Julianne, Jonathan, Jasmine, Janelle, Darius, Ren, Louis, Hillary, Kelsey, and Ellie. And we do have a free tier, so don't be like, oh, don't think I can't come. You can't!
01:19:56 --> 01:20:21 Watch me go. All right? Then don't forget you can follow us on social media at CCTV Pops. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on those notifications for our YouTube channel. We're at 6K getting ready to go to 10. Join the crew. If you're enjoying the show on a podcast platform, please give us a follow, a rating, and a review. Until next time, that's Chris. That's Chantelle. And you're tuning in to CCTV, the nonstop pop show.