Back to Black (song)

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"Back to Black"
Single by Amy Winehouse
from the album Back to Black
B-side "Valerie"
"Hey Little Rich Girl"
Released 30 April 2007 (UK)
7 March 2008 (Germany)
Format CD single, digital download, 7" single, 12" maxi single
Recorded Chung King Studios
Daptone Studios
(New York City, New York)
Metropolis Studios
(London, England)
Genre R&B, jazz, soul
Length 4:01 (album version)
3:54 (radio edit)
Label Island
Writer(s) Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson
Producer Mark Ronson
Amy Winehouse singles chronology
"You Know I'm No Good"
(2007)		 "Back to Black"
(2007)		 "Tears Dry on Their Own"
(2007)
Back to Black track listing
"Just Friends"
(4)		 "Back to Black"
(5)		 "Love Is a Losing Game"
(6)

"Back to Black" is a song by English recording artist Amy Winehouse. It was released on 30 April 2007 as the title track and third single from her second studio album of the same name. "Back to Black" received universal acclaim. It was written by Winehouse and Mark Ronson and produced by Ronson. Winehouse's "Back to Black" was inspired by her relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil. Fielder-Civil had left Winehouse for an ex-girlfriend, leaving her going to "black" with drinking and depression.[1]

Contents

Background [edit]

"Back to Black" was written by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson and produced by Ronson.[2] It was released as the third single of Winehouse's second studio album Back to Black on 30 April 2007 in the United Kingdom.

Music video [edit]

The music video was directed by Phil Griffin and features a funeral procession in which Winehouse mourns over a grave that reads "R.I.P. the Heart of Amy Winehouse". The shot of the headstone was edited out after the singer's death in 2011. The video was primarily shot nearby Gibson Gardens and Chesholm Road in Stoke Newington, London. The graveyard scenes were filmed at Abney Park Cemetery nearby London. According the official Winehouse website, "Amy's sultry new video for Back In Black [sic] is both beautifully and artistically shot in black and white and compares in imagery a doomed love affair with that of a funeral."[3] At the 2007 Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO), the music video for the song was nominated in the category for Best Video but lost to Kanye West's "Stronger" (2007).[4][5]

Reception [edit]

Critical reception [edit]

The song has been well received by music critics. Channel 4 Music awarded the song ten stars out of ten in its review,[6] while the Manchester Evening News rated the song as five out of five stars, commending it as "one of the best singles of the year."[7]

Commercial performance [edit]

Pre-release, the song charted in the UK Singles Chart on downloads alone for five consecutive weeks, peaking at number 40.[8] The single charted at number 25 once it had been released in physical format, and has sold around 96,000 copies to date in the UK;[9] it has spent 34 non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart to date. It has re-entered with "Rehab" together on the chart. The song featured on BBC Radio 1's The B List Playlist during the week commencing 2 May.[10]

With sales of 96,000, "Back to Black" finished as the UK's 85th biggest-selling single of 2007.

On 31 July 2011, following her death, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at 8, also giving the song a new peak position and second top ten hit in UK.

Covers [edit]

A cover version of "Back to Black" by the English band The Rumble Strips appears as a B-side to their 2007 "Motorcycle" EP. On the fourth season of the UK TV talent show The X Factor, the girl group Hope covered the song during one of their live performances.

Lightspeed Champion included a cover of this song as a B-side to their 2008 single "Tell Me What It's Worth".

"Back to Black" was covered twice on the Live Lounge segment of BBC Radio 1's The Jo Whiley Show, first by Elbow on 5 June 2008 and later by Glasvegas on 1 September 2008.

Ronnie Spector has occasionally performed a rendition of "Back to Black" during live performances. A version recorded by her was released through iTunes Store on 2 August 2011.[11]

The song appeared on French singer Amanda Lear's 2009 album, Brief Encounters.[12] The cover was also released as a single on 13 December 2012 containing three versions of the song; the album version, an acoustic version and a "Dance Amanda's Vino Della Casa Mix".[13] The writers of the website Idolator, described her cover as "one of the strangest Amy Winehouse covers".[14]

"Back to Black" was covered by Paije Richardson during the seventh series of the X Factor in one of the live shows.

The song was used as part of Mexican telenovela Llena de Amor for English-born Mexican actress Azela Robinson for her stripper character (La Reina).

The song was covered on Glee in the second season episode "Funeral" by Naya Rivera's character Santana Lopez.[15]

"Back to Black" was performed by English singer Florence Welch during the VH1 Divas concert at Hammerstein Ballroom on 18 December 2011 in New York City. Welch performed the song during a tribute to Winehouse after the singer's death.[16]

A German version was produced and sung by Ivo Lotion.

Beyoncé Knowles and André 3000 version [edit]

In 2013, "Back to Black" was covered by Beyoncé Knowles (left) and André 3000 (right) for The Great Gatsby soundtrack.
Background and development

On 1 April 2013 it was announced by E! Online that American singer Beyoncé Knowles will cover the song with André 3000 for The Great Gatsby soundtrack, set to be released on 7 May 2013.[17] Baz Luhrmann, the director of the film revealed that "Back to Black" was the final song to be included on the album. The inclusion of the song on the album was suggested by Knowles' husband Jay-Z, who also served as an executive producer for the soundtrack. "We were looking for, 'How do we have a darker moment?' and he said have a listen to this and he played it", commented Luhrmann who, after a few spins, confirmed it should appear on the album.[18]

On 2 April 2013, Amy Winehouse's father Mitchell Winehouse, used his Twitter profile to reveal that Knowles had not informed him of her plans to cover the song and that he wanted income from the song to go to his Amy Winehouse Foundation. He wrote, "I don't know this but what if Beyonce gave £100,000 to foundation. Do you know how many kids that would help? Just putting it out there."[19] He later added, "Let me repeat. This is the first I have heard of Beyonce doing Amys [sic] song."[20] Kia Makarechi of The Huffington Post noted that Knowles did not use the song as a personal record and thus it was "slightly curious" for Winehouse to request for her to pay out.[20] Winehouse later used his Twitter account to write "I like Beyoncé's cover and have no probs."[21] However, upon hearing the full-length track, he wrote on his Twitter profile, "I just heard the Andre part of Back to Black. Terrible. He should have let Beyonce do it all."[22]

Release

On 4 April 2013 a new trailer for the film featured previews of three songs from the soundtrack; a thirty-second preview of the cover of "Back to Black" was included among those songs.[23][24] Upon hearing the preview, a writer of Daily Mail noted that "Beyonce's version of the song appears to be much softer and more drawn out than Amy's mournful version."[25] Emma Ledger of the Daily Mirror commented that Knowles "has done a cracking job on the cover".[26] Chris Payne of Billboard magazine praised the cover, which according to him was made unique with the downtempo EDM wobble.[27] A ninety-second snippet of the song also appeared online on 21 April 2013[28][29] and was made available for streaming through iTunes Store.[30] Upon hearing the preview, Charley Rogulewski of Vibe magazine commented, "Beyonce and Andre 3000 slow down the original version like a heroin-laced outtake off of the Trainspotting soundtrack. Instead of belting her verse out, Beyonce whispers, while Andre 3000 buzzes over a nostalgic Aquemini leaky faucet beat."[28] A writer of Rap-Up magazine described it as a "dark and haunting collaboration" adding that it features "[André 3000] rapping his verse, while Queen B[eyoncé] burns slow with her seductive vocals."[29] Sam Lansky of the website Idolator wrote that the cover was "a fairly sinister, gloomy affair" because of the lyrics which according to him were connected with Amy Winehouse's death and the film's noirish bent.[31] He further commented that "it strikes us as an unusually dark side of King Bey[oncé], who's supposed to be literally the most poised human being alive".[31] Speaking about its composition and meaning, he added, "A scratchy, bare beat and dissonant instrumentation provide a frame for Andre's tense verses before Beyonce's sultry vocals drop; the lyrics see the speaker reversed so it functions better as a duet, which is nifty but a little odd... It’s eerie but cool, and a fitting tribute to Winehouse’s legacy."[31] The full version of the song premiered on Mark Ronson's East Village Radio show on 26 April 2013.[32] The song opens with André 3000's verses and Knowles continues singing her part at the first minute and thirty seconds of the song.[33]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Ronson who co-wrote the original song, commented that it was a "wonderful take on our song" and added: "I'm flattered and honoured, I know Amy would be too."[32] A writer of the website Consequence of Sound commented that the cover was "an intriguing take on the sultry number, featuring a soft pulse of dub underneath the syrupy sing-talk of André and breathy croon ala Marilyn Monroe/Betty Boop from Queen B."[34] Christina Lee of the website Idolator wrote in her review of the song that it was "a gloomier take on Southern hip-hop's codeine effect", comparing it with OutKast's album Aquemini (1998) reinterpreted for modern times.[35] Charley Rogulewski of Vibe magazine commented that the cover was "a drugged-out slow burner in comparison to the doo-wop original, which boasted Winehouse's robust vocals".[36] C. Vernon Coleman of XXL magazine simply described it as "dope".[37]

Usage in media [edit]

During 2007, the song was also used various times for TV trail campaigns, such as for BBC's Philip Pullman adaptation The Shadow in the North in December 2007.

Phil Tufnell and his dance partner Katya Virshilas performed a tango to "Back to Black" in the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing.

A sample of "Back to Black" was used by screamo band Comadre in the song "Binge", which is about Amy Winehouse and the downward spiral leading to her death.

Track listings and formats [edit]

UK CD single[38]
  1. "Back to Black" – 4:01
  2. "Valerie" (Jo Whiley Live Lounge) – 3:53
  3. "Hey Little Rich Girl" – 3:33
  4. "Back to Black" (Video)
UK limited edition white 7" single[39]
  • Side A:
  1. "Back to Black" – 4:00
  • Side B:
  1. "Back to Black" (The Rumble Strips Remix) – 3:48
UK 12" maxi single[40]
  • Side A:
  1. "Back to Black" (Steve Mac Vocal) – 6:12
  2. "Back to Black" (Steve Mac Smack Dub) – 6:15
  • Side B:
  1. "Back to Black" – 4:00
  2. "Back to Black" (Mushtaq Vocal Remix) – 4:03
Digital single[41]
  1. "Back to Black" (Original Demo)

Charts [edit]

Chart (2007-2011) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[42] 56
Austrian Singles Chart[43] 3
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[43] 32
Czech Airplay Chart[44] 79
Danish Singles Chart[43] 38
Dutch Singles Chart[45] 18
European Hot 100 Singles[46] 69
French Singles Chart[47] 15
German Singles Chart[43] 8
Greek Singles Chart[48] 1
Irish Singles Chart[43] 11
Israeli Airplay Chart[49] 6
Italian Singles Chart[50] 3
Spanish Singles Chart[51] 10
Swiss Singles Chart[43] 8
UK Singles Chart[43] 8
UK R&B Singles Chart 4

Certifications [edit]

Country Certification
Denmark Gold[52]
Greece Platinum[48]
Italy Platinum[53]
Spain Gold[54]
Switzerland Platinum[55]

Year-end charts [edit]

Chart (2008) Rank
German Singles Chart[56] 48

References [edit]

  1. ^ Winehouse, Mitch (2012). Amy, My Daughter. HarperCollins. pp. 68–69. 
  2. ^ Back to Black (Standard Edition). Amy Winehouse. Island Records. 2006.
  3. ^ "Back in Black – watch a clip". AmyWinehouse.com. 12 March 2007. Archived from the original on 17 February 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2008. 
  4. ^ "Mobo Awards: Nominations in full". BBC News. BBC. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2012. 
  5. ^ "Mobo Awards 2007: Winners in full". BBC News. BBC. 19 July 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2012. 
  6. ^ Channel 4 Music
  7. ^ Manchester Evening News
  8. ^ BBC Radio 1, 2/5/07
  9. ^ BBC Radio 1, 5/5/07
  10. ^ shtml BBC Radio 1 Playlist
  11. ^ "Back to Black - Single by Ronnie Spector". iTunes Store. (US) Apple Inc. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  12. ^ "Music - Brief Encounters, Vol. 1 by Amanda Lear". iTunes Store. (US) Apple Inc. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  13. ^ "Music - Amy Winehouse Sung By Amanda Lear (Chanté Par Amanda Lear) - Single". iTunes Store. (US) Apple Inc. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  14. ^ "Who Covered Amy Winehouse Best? A Tribute". Idolator. Buzz Media. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  15. ^ Gayles, Contessa (13 May 2011). "'Glee,' 'Funeral' Songs -- Season 2, Episode 21". TV Squad. AOL. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  16. ^ "VH1 Divas: Florence Welch Leads Amy Winehouse Tribute". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013. 
  17. ^ Malkin, Marc (1 April 2013). "Beyoncé Covering Amy Winehouse for The Great Gatsby". E! News. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  18. ^ Vena, Jocelyn; Horowitz, Josh (29 April 2013). "Beyonce's 'Back To Black' Helps Make 'The Great Gatsby' A Bit 'Darker'". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 30 April 2013. 
  19. ^ "Amy Winehouse's father calls for Beyonce to hand over cash for Back to Black cover". Metro (London, United Kingdom: Associated Newspapers). 3 April 2013. ISSN 1469-6215. OCLC 225917520. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  20. ^ a b Makarechi, Kia (4 April 2013). "Mitch Winehouse on Beyonce's 'Back to Black' Cover: 'First I Have Heard' Of It". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  21. ^ Harrison, Lily (22 April 2013). "NEWS/Amy Winehouse's Father Talks Alleged Song Diss: "I Like Beyoncé's Cover" of "Back to Black". E! Online. E!. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  22. ^ "Mitch Winehouse: 'Andre 3000's part in the cover of 'Back To Black' is terrible'". NME (IPC Media). 28 April 2013. Retrieved 28 April 2013. 
  23. ^ Young, Alex (4 April 2013). "The Great Gatsby soundtrack features new Jay-Z, The xx, Florence & the Machine". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  24. ^ Dobbins, Amanda (4 April 2013). "The New Gatsby Trailer Has 30 Seconds of Beyoncé’s ‘Back to Black’". Vulture.com. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved 21 April 2013. 
  25. ^ "First listen: Beyoncé's cover of Amy Winehouse's iconic Back To Black in new trailer for The Great Gatsby". Daily Mail. Mail Online. Daily Mail and General Trust. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  26. ^ Ledger, Emma (4 April 2013). "Beyoncé covers Amy Winehouse's Back To Black - and Amy's dad Mitch asks her for money". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  27. ^ Payne, Chris (4 April 2013). "Beyonce, Lana Del Rey, Florence Music Featured In New 'Great Gatsby' Trailer". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 7 April 2013. 
  28. ^ a b Rogulewski, Charley (21 April 2013). "LISTEN: Beyonce, Andre 3000 Cover Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" (Snippet)". Vibe. Vibe Media. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  29. ^ a b "New Music: Beyoncé & André 3000 – 'Back to Black' [Snippet]". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  30. ^ Young, Alex (21 April 2013). "Preview Jay-Z’s new song "100$ Bill", Beyoncé and André 3000′s cover of Amy Winehouse". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  31. ^ a b c Lansky, Sam (22 April 2013). "Beyonce & Andre 3000′s "Back To Black": Preview Their Dark Amy Winehouse Cover". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 22 April 2013. 
  32. ^ a b "Listen to Beyonce and Andre 3000's cover of 'Back To Black' in full". NME. IPC Media. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013. 
  33. ^ Dionne, Zach (28 April 2013). "Beyoncé and André 3000’s Amy Winehouse Cover Is Here". Vulture.com. New York. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved 29 April 2013. 
  34. ^ "Listen to Beyoncé and André 3000 cover Amy Winehouse’s "Back to Black"". Consequence of Sound. 26 April 2013. 
  35. ^ Lee, Christina (27 April 2013). "Beyonce & Andre 3000′s "Back To Black": Hear The Full Track". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 27 April 2013. 
  36. ^ Rogulewski, Charley (27 April 2013). "New Music: Beyonce, Andre 3000 -- "Back to Black"". Vibe. Vibe Media. Retrieved 27 April 2013. 
  37. ^ Vernon Coleman, C. (27 April 2013). "Beyonce ft Andre 3000 “Back To Black”". XXL. Harris Publications. Retrieved 28 April 2013. 
  38. ^ Discogs.com - CD single
  39. ^ Discogs.com - 7" White Vinyl
  40. ^ Discogs.com - 12" single
  41. ^ 7 Digital
  42. ^ Steffen Hung. "Forum - ARIA Chartifacts 01-August-2011 (ARIA Charts: Weekly ARIA Chartifacts)". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2012-01-09. 
  43. ^ a b c d e f g "Amy Winehouse – Back To Black – Music Charts". αCharts.us. Archived from the original on 11 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-02. 
  44. ^ "RADIO TOP100 Oficiální" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 January 2009. 
  45. ^ Steffen Hung. "Amy Winehouse - Back To Black". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2012-01-09. 
  46. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-01-19. [dead link]
  47. ^ Steffen Hung. "Amy Winehouse - Back To Black". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2012-01-09. 
  48. ^ a b "Greek Singles Chart". IFPI Greece. 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2012-05-15. 
  49. ^ "Media Forest: Airplay chart". mediaforest.biz. 2011-07-30. 
  50. ^ "italiancharts.com – Amy Winehouse – Back To Black". ItalianCharts.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-02. 
  51. ^ "Spanish Singles Top 50". PROMUSICAE. Retrieved 2011-07-31. 
  52. ^ "Danish single certifications – Amy Winehouse – Back to Black". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 8 May 2013. 
  53. ^ "Sales Certification FIMI" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved 6 September 2011. 
  54. ^ "Top 50 Canciones 30/2011" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  55. ^ Steffen Hung. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-01-09. 
  56. ^ [1][dead link]
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