Drop Dead Gorgeous (song)
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" is a song by English alternative rock band Republica, from their self-titled debut album. It was released on 21 April 1997 as the third and final single from the album, and was a commercial success, giving the group their only top 10 hit to date in the UK. The single elicited a positive critical reaction, and was also a minor hit in the US, New Zealand, and Germany. The music video, which went into rotation on MTV, was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" | ||||
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Single by Republica | ||||
from the album Republica | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 21 April 1997 | |||
Format | CD single | |||
Genre | Alternative rock[1] | |||
Label | Deconstruction | |||
Songwriter(s) | Republica | |||
single singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" on YouTube |
Reception
Critical
The song was praised upon its release. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the song as one of its parent album's highlights, and felt that the song has a "bright, energetic sound that is quite infectious."[2]
Commercial
The song was a success in the UK and the US. In the United Kingdom, the song gave the group their only top 10 hit to date. The single debuted at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart dated 3 May 1997; the single spent a total of seven consecutive weeks on the chart, more than any other song by the group.[3] The following year, the song was also successful in the US, entering the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at number 93, spending a total of three weeks on the chart.[4] The single also entered the US Alternative Songs chart, where it entered the top 40 and peaked at number 39.[5]
Music video
The song's music video was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.[6] It also went into rotation on MTV.[7] Both the music video for this song, and Republica's previous single, "Ready to Go", are not recommended for viewing by individuals with epilepsy.[8]
Legacy
The song was included on Official Charts' list of "20 Classic Hits Turning 20 Years Old in 2017," with writer Justin Meyers noting that both "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" "still get played on ads or on TV pretty often."[9]
Track listing
Adapted from AllMusic.[1]
- Drop Dead Gorgeous — 3:32
- Out of this World — 7:05
- Mutha — 4:00
- Holly — 7:07
Personnel
Adapted from AllMusic.[10]
- Donald Christie — photography
- Ben Grosse — mixing, production, programming
- Randy Jacobs — guitar
- Saffron — vocals
- Michael Tuller — programming
- John Vitale — guitar, programming
- Jez Williams — guitar
Charts
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA)[11] | 131 |
Germany (GfK Entertainment charts)[12] | 90 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] | 30 |
UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 7 |
US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 93 |
US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[5] | 39 |
References
- "Drop Dead Gorgeous [CD #2] overview". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Republica - "Republica" review". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- "Republica UK Chart History". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- "Republica - Hot 100 Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- "Republica - Alternative Songs chart history". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- "Billboard Feb 7, 1998 (page 50)". Google Books. Billboard/Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- "Video Monitor: Billboard Jan 11, 1997 (page 95)". Google Books. Billboard/Nieslen Business Media. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- The Weekend Pollution
- Myers, Justin. "20 classic hits turning 20 years old in 2017". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ""Drop Dead Gorgeous" credits". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- "Chart Inquiry". Imgur. ARIA. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- "Search Results for "Republica"". Offizielle Deutsche Charts. GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- ""Drop Dead Gorgeous" overview". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 April 2017.