Buttons (song)

"Buttons"
Single by Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg
from the album PCD
B-side	"Flirt"
Released	May 2, 2006 (U.S.) June 26, 2006 (UK)
Format	12" single, digital download, CD single
Recorded	2005
Genre	R&B, hip hop
Length	3:46 (Album Version) 3:52 (Main Mix)
Label	A&M
Writer(s)	Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, Nicole Scherzinger
Producer	Polow da Don
Certification	Platinum (U.S.)
Pussycat Dolls chronology "Beep" (2006) "Buttons" (2006) "I Don't Need a Man" (2006) Snoop Dogg chronology "Say Somethin'" (2006) "Buttons" (2006) "Cali Iz Active" (2006) Music video "Buttons" on YouTube Audio sample file info · help

This is waleeds song "Buttons" is an R&B/hip hop song written by Sean Garrett, Jamal Jones, Jason Perry, and Nicole Scherzinger for the Pussycat Dolls' debut album PCD (2005). Released as the album's fourth single, the song became one of their biggest hits. It is their fourth top-three single on the UK Singles Chart and their second top-three single on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Pussycat Dolls collaborated with Snoop Dogg on this release. The song was altered slightly from the album version, adding in two rap verses. For the final release of the single, the version featuring Snoop Dogg is described as the main mix.

Lyrics and music

The lyrics were slightly altered after the final release in the rap verse performed by Snoop Dogg. The lyric "Yeah, I thought I saw a puddycat" (catchphrase of the Looney Tunes character Tweety) was changed to "Yeah, I thought I saw a pussycat". This version was not used due to copy right issues with Warner. The song is later credited as the "Main Mix – Final Edit" (a similar lyric was also used in the Ying Yang Twins' song "Badd" and Akon's song "Smack That").

The B-side is "Flirt" written by Nicole Scherzinger, Kara DioGuardi, and Greg Wells.

The beat is influenced by Arabic music and had a distinctive melody.

Music video

The video was shot from 15. to 17. March, 2006 by production company DNA and was directed by Francis Lawrence. It features the Pussycat Dolls with rapper Snoop Dogg. The video begins with the lights coming on and Snoop rapping the 1st verse while a hooded Scherzinger steps in and makes eye contact with Snoop and exits after the rap ends. In a sepia-toned setting, The Dolls, dressed in suggestive black outfits, progress through the video performing a striptease that leads to several dance segments. Scherzinger, in one dance sequence in the second verse, uses a chair as a prop. On the chorus, five additional chairs appear in the scene, and five of the members of the group appear, and the dance continues; Melody Thornton, who is separated from the girls in this sequence, is seen doing her melismatic runs on the chorus. As Snoop raps the 2nd verse with his hood up, The Dolls walked up closer to Snoop after his 2nd rap verse ends singing with the name of the doll members. In the bridge, Scherzinger is seen in a spotlight and it shows her face in a glass. During the breakdown, the girls dance while smoke is filled and halfway through the video, the floor turns on fire. The video ends with the girls walking away with Carmit Bachar brushing her hair up.

The video is influenced by both the Pussycat Dolls's old-school burlesque traditions and the Middle-Eastern influence of the musical composition, incorporating props and imagery such as the trademark Pussycat Dolls's method of the silhouetting of bodies in their stage shows, jazz dance moves, and a curtain made from jewelry worn by belly dancers. A different version of the video is shown with smoke coming from some of the dolls during some sequences, and finally the floor bursting into digitally-added fire in the last sequences. As with "Beep", a new piece of music, using the same riff but with a different, faster drum beat was added in, so the dolls could perform a faster dance routine. This piece of music replaces the bridge in the video.

The video reached number five in MTV UK Hits' "Top 100 Songs of 2006". It received an award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards in the category of Best Dance Video, and was voted best video of 2006 in Vh1's Top 40 Videos of 2006, beating "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira and "Far Away" by Nickelback. It was also The Hits' choice as the "Sexiest Video" for 2006. The video scored #4 on MuchMusic's 50 Sexiest Videos.

Formats and track listings

CD single 1 (A&M Records)

1. "Buttons" [Main Mix – Final Edit] 3:52
2. "Flirt" 2:57

CD single 2 (A&M Records)

1. "Buttons" [Main Mix – Final Edit] 3:52
2. "Buttons" (album version) 3:46
3. "Flirt" 2:57
4. "Buttons" (video)

CD single (Polydor)

1. "Buttons [Main Mix – Final Edit]"
2. "Don't Cha" (live version)

Chart performance

"Buttons" was released to radio in late April/early May in the United States and debuted at number seventy-one on the US Billboard Hot 100, and steadily climbed up the chart during the months of May, June and July. "Buttons" eventually reached its peak at number-three in September after an increase in digital sales. "Buttons" was also successful on the Billboard Pop 100 peaking at number-one and also topped the Billboard Pop 100 Airplay at the end of August. This made "Buttons" the group's second number-one on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, following "Stickwitu" in January 2006. The Pussycat Dolls were one of only three artists to have had two different songs top the Pop 100 Airplay in 2006 with the others being Beyoncé with "Check on It" and "Irreplaceable" and Justin Timberlake with "SexyBack" and "My Love". Buttons was certified Platinum in July 2006.

In the United Kingdom "Buttons" debuted at number-eleven on the UK Singles Chart, based solely on download sales one week prior to its physical release. After a physical release, it ascended to its peak at number-three, becoming the Dolls' fourth consecutive UK top three hit. "Buttons" was also a top 5 success in Ireland where it has managed a peak of number-four. "Buttons" is also the Dolls' fourth consecutive Irish top 5 hit following the success of its three pedecessors.

"Buttons" was also a major hit in Oceania. In Australia, "Buttons" reached number-two for two consecutive weeks and is certified Platinum by ARIA for sales in excess of 70,000. It spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart, tying it with "Don't Cha" as the group's longest running single on the chart and was ranked as the 17th highest selling single there for 2006. It was one of four songs by the Pussycat Dolls to have made this chart, with the others being its predecessors "Stickwitu" and "Beep", and its successor "I Don't Need A Man".

In New Zealand, "Buttons" debuted at number thirty-eight on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart, and reached its peak position at number-one in its third week, becoming the Dolls' fourth consecutive number-one single to date. "Buttons" spent a total of 22 weeks on the chart, and was ranked as the year's 8th highest seller. It has also been certified gold.

"Buttons" was also a success in Europe, and eventually peaked at number-seven on the European Hot 100. In Austria, "Buttons" became the Dolls' first Austrian number-one single, topping the chart for three consecutive weeks, and remains the group's most successful single there to date. "Buttons" has also reached the top spot in Portugal, the top five in Germany and Belgium, the top ten in the Netherlands, and the top 40 in Sweden.

Charts, certifications and procession

Charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	4
Belgium (Ultratop 40 Wallonia)	6
Czech Republic (IFPI)	8
Denmark (Tracklisten)	14
European Hot 100 Singles	6
France (SNEP)	12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)	11
Germany (Media Control AG)	4
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)	1
Hungary (Dance Top 40)	4
Ireland (IRMA)	4
Italy (FIMI)	18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	6
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)	7
New Zealand (RIANZ)	1
Slovakia (IFPI)	42
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	36
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	3
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	3
US Billboard Hot 100	3
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)	33
US Pop Songs (Billboard)	1
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)	1

Certifications

Country	Certification	Sales
Australia	Platinum	70,000+
Belgium	Gold	15,000+
Brazil	Gold	50,000+
Denmark	Platinum	30,000+
New Zealand	Gold	7,500+
United States	Platinum	1,000,000+

Procession and succession

Preceded by "Diz Pro Meu Olhar" by Zezé Di Camargo & Luciano	Brazil number one single December 16, 2006 – December 23, 2006	Succeeded by "Eu Sei" by Papas da Língua
Preceded by "Verão Azul" by D'ZRT	Portugal number one single September 17, 2006 – September 24, 2006	Succeeded by "Unfaithful" by Rihanna
Preceded by "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley	RIANZ (New Zealand) number one single July 17, 2006 – July 24, 2006	Succeeded by "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
Preceded by "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley	Austria number one single August 4, 2006 – August 25, 2006	Succeeded by "Stop! Dimentica" by Tiziano Ferro