Valerie (The Zutons song)

"Valerie"
Single by The Zutons
from the album Tired of Hanging Around
B-side
  • "April Fool"
  • "I Will Be Your Pockets"
  • "In the City"
  • "Get Up and Dance"
Released 19 June 2006
Format
Recorded
  • The Townhouse
    (London)
  • Olympic Studio 2
    (London)
  • The Bunker
    (London)
Genre
Length 3:56
Label Deltasonic
Songwriter(s)
  • Abi Harding
  • Boyan Chowdhury
  • Dave McCabe
  • Russ Pritchard
  • Sean Payne
Producer(s) Stephen Street
The Zutons singles chronology
"Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?"
(2006)		 "Valerie"
(2006)		 "Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done!)"
(2006)

"Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?"
(2006)		 "Valerie"
(2006)		 "Oh Stacey (Look What You've Done!)"
(2006)

"Valerie" is a song written by English indie rock band The Zutons from their second studio album Tired of Hanging Around (2006). Released as the album's second single on 19 June 2006 in the United Kingdom, along with their previous single "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?", it gave The Zutons their joint-biggest single to date as well as their second UK top 10 single, climbing from number 41 (through download sales alone the day before physical release) to its peak at number 9 in the UK Singles Chart. A 2007 cover version by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse was more successful than the original, peaking at number 2 on the UK chart and number 1 in the Netherlands.

Background

In an interview with The Scotsman in May 2008, lead singer Dave McCabe described the writing process of the song: "I could tell you I was inspired by gazing out across the Mersey or walking past Macca's old house, but the truth is I got the idea in a cab on the way to my mum's. The whole song was written before I got there, so 20 minutes, max."[1]

The song's title and theme refer to an American friend of McCabe's who was in trouble for driving under the influence. The band's drummer, Sean Payne, called it a "musical postcard to her, saying he's having a hard time and can she come over and see him."[2]

Other uses

The song was used by ITV during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, alongside Primal Scream's "Country Girl" and Kasabian's cover of David Bowie's 1977 song "Heroes".

Both the original and Mark Ronson version featured in British soap opera Emmerdale during the wedding of Eric and Val Pollard in 2008.

Music video

The music video was directed by Scott Lyon. It is set in a prison and features The Zutons trying to escape.

Track listings and formats

CD 1
  1. "Valerie"
  2. "April Fool"
CD 2
  1. "Valerie"
  2. "I Will Be Your Pockets"
  3. "In the City"
  4. "Valerie" (Video)
7" single
  1. "Valerie"
  2. "Get Up and Dance"

Charts and certifications

Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse version

"Valerie"
Single by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse
from the album Version
B-side
Released 15 October 2007
Format
Recorded 2007
Genre
Length 3:37
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson singles chronology
"Oh My God"
(2007)		 "Valerie"
(2007)		 "Just"
(2008)

"Oh My God"
(2007)		 "Valerie"
(2007)		 "Just"
(2008)
Amy Winehouse singles chronology
"Tears Dry on Their Own"
(2007) Tears Dry on Their Own2007		 "Valerie"
(2007) Valerie2007		 "Love Is a Losing Game"
(2007) Love Is a Losing Game2007
Music video
"Valerie" ft. Amy Winehouse on YouTube
"Valerie"
Song by Amy Winehouse
from the album Back to Black (German Limited Edition)
Format Digital download
Length 4:14
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) TBA

English musicians Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse covered "Valerie" for Ronson's second studio album Version (2007). Released as the album's third single on 15 October 2007, the track was first performed by Winehouse on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge show on BBC Radio 1. Singer and director Jordan Galland plays the electric piano on this single. Rolling Stone called the cover Winehouse's only "notable recording" after Back to Black.[9] Winehouse had previously recorded a slower-tempo version of the song, which appeared as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Back to Black. This version was also featured at the end of Amy (2015), a documentary film biography of Winehouse, as well as on the original soundtrack. The song was also featured in the 2008 comedy film 27 Dresses, starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden.

Chart performance

The single peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, where it spent 19 consecutive weeks inside the top 20. With sales of 329,490, it became the UK's ninth biggest-selling single of 2007.[10] The single spent 36 consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart between September 2007 and May 2008. It re-entered the chart in late June 2008 to take its total to 39 weeks.

The song was released in early 2008 in the Netherlands, quickly gaining airplay and sales. It is Winehouse's most successful song in that country, peaking at Number 1 for four consecutive weeks.

As of January 2015, Ronson and Winehouse's version of "Valerie" has sold 658,353 copies in the United Kingdom, according to the Official Charts Company.[11]

Music video

The single's music video, directed by Robert Hales, was filmed in London on 28 August 2007.[12] It shows Ronson and a group of jazz musicians inviting a woman from the audience onto their stage to "sing" the song (after they notice that Winehouse is not present), followed by (presumably) the woman's friends, in the style of group karaoke—although the women essentially mime to Winehouse's voice. It should also be noted that the women doing the lip sync performance have Amy's famous beehive hairstyle, possibly to come across as impersonators.

Track listings and formats

CD single[13]
  1. "Valerie" - 3:39
  2. "Valerie" (Baby J Remix) - 3:36
  3. "Valerie" (The Count & Sinden Remix) - 5:30
  4. "California" (Live from Wireless Festival) - 3:43

Charts

Weekly charts

Other versions

The song has also been covered by dance vocalist Suzi Z, with the reference to "ginger hair" removed. James Morrison and Panic! at the Disco also covered the song on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in 2008.

It was performed by The X Factor series 4 contestant Alisha Bennett, on the third round of the live shows (Big Band week).

It was sung by Niamh Perry on the fourth round of BBC's I'd Do Anything in 2008.

Canadian Idol season 6 contestant Mookie Morris sang it the final week of the semi-finals, earning him a spot in the top ten.

It was covered in a parody on Today FM's Gift Grub, prior to Munster's appearance in the 2008 Heineken Cup final, as Flannery after Munster hooker, Jerry Flannery.

Australian pop rock band Brittle covered the song for their 2008 EP Chinese Whispers.

The Zutons' version of the song is referenced in the 2010 song "She Said" by Plan B.

Glee covered the Amy Winehouse version of the song in the episode "Special Education", as one of the two songs for the season 2 Sectionals, with Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) singing the lead and Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) and Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.) performing a choreographed dance duet. During the 100th episode of the series they redo the song as a duet with Santana and Brittany singing, backed up by the dancing of Mike and new New Directions member Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist).

Singer Bruno Mars paid tribute to Winehouse performing her version of the song at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

Louis Tomlinson of boy band One Direction covered the song during a concert of their 2011 Up All Night Tour.[47]

Frankie Cocozza auditioned for The X Factor in 2011 singing the original Zutons version.

There was a performance (tribute to Amy Winehouse) by Dionne Bromfield (goddaughter of Amy Winehouse), Aura Dione, Ivy Quainoo, Caro Emerald & Ina Müller at the 2012 Echo Awards Presentation in Germany.

Amanda Brown (singer) sang the song at her blind audition for season three of The Voice (U.S. TV series) on September 25, 2012.

Singer Selah Sue performed the song.

The brothers Mark, Rasaan and Marquis Scott of the group AKNU (A Kind Never Understood) performed the Bruno Mars version when they auditioned for The X Factor USA in 2013. They received three "Yes" votes from the judges, with Simon Cowell remarking "I actually could watch this whole audition all over again... I loved it that much".

EastEnders actress Rita Simons sang the song on Children in Need 2013.

Ché Chesterman performed the song on series 12 of "The X Factor" in the Finals.

5 After Midnight performed the song on series 13 of The X Factor on the third round of the live shows (Divas and Legends week).

American ska group Hooray for Our Side covered the song on their 2015 album Overture.[48]

American bluegrass band The Brothers Comatose covered the song for their 2016 album City Painted Gold.

Spanish singers Aitana Ocaña and Miriam Rodríguez covered the Amy Winehouse version on series 9 of Operación Triunfo, in Gala 12.

References

  1. ↑ "Jukebox heroes - The Zutons interview". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 9 May 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Story of the Song: Valerie, The Zutons, 2006". The Independent. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  3. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  4. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Valerie". Irish Singles Chart.
  5. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Zutons: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  7. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "British single certifications – The Zutons – Valerie". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 March 2016. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Valerie in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  9. ↑ "Amy Winehouse Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2014-07-05. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  10. ↑ "Top 40 Singles of the Year 2007". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  11. ↑ Jones, Alan (26 January 2015). "Official Charts Analysis: Ronson first artist to top singles and albums charts since 2013". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 7 November 2015. (Subscription required (help)).
  12. ↑ "Mark Ronson f/ Amy Winehouse - "Valerie"". Elbo.ws. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  13. ↑ "Mark Ronson - Valerie". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  14. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  15. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  16. ↑ "Bulgaria Singles Top 40". Bulgaria Singles Top 40. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  18. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  19. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Valerie". Irish Singles Chart.
  20. ↑ "FIMI CHARTS". FIMI (in Italy). Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  21. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  22. ↑ "Home - Mega Top 50 - AVROTROS - NPO 3FM". megatop50.3fm.nl. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  23. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  24. ↑ "Charts.nz – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Top 40 Singles.
  25. ↑ "Chart Search". Tophit for Mark Ronson. Retrieved 1 December 2007.
  26. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  27. ↑ "RADIO TOP100 Oficiálna". IFPI (in Slovak). Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  28. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Swiss Singles Chart.
  29. ↑ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  30. 1 2 "Mark Ronson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  31. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  32. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Amy Winehouse – Valerie". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  33. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  34. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Valerie". Irish Singles Chart.
  35. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Amy Winehouse – Valerie". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  36. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Amy Winehouse – Valerie" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  37. ↑ "Charts.nz – Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Top 40 Singles.
  38. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Amy Winehouse – Valerie". Swiss Singles Chart.
  39. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  40. ↑ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2007.pdf
  41. ↑ "Künstler und Band Biografien: Hört kostenlos Musik und schaut euch neue Musikvideos an - MTV Germany". www.mtv.de. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  42. ↑ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf
  43. ↑ BBC Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by DJ Nihal on 29 December 2009
  44. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse; 'Valerie')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – Valerie". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 March 2016. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Valerie in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  46. ↑ "British single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Valerie". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Valerie in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  47. ↑ "One Direction Cover Amy Winehouse And Kings Of Leon On 'Up All Night' Tour". Capital FM. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  48. ↑ "Hooray for Our Side - Overture". Discogs. Retrieved 7 August 2017.

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