Follow Me Home

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For the film of the same name, see Follow Me Home (1996 film). For the album by rapper Jay Rock, see Follow Me Home (Jay Rock album). For the song by Dire Straits, see Communiqué (Dire Straits album).
"Follow Me Home"
A portrait of three women in split backgrounds, wearing red lipstick and vintage hairdos. On the left, a blonde woman wearing a red cleavaged top. In the centre, a black woman wearing a black top with her right hand on her hip. On the right, a dark-haired woman wearing a red top with her right hand on her chest. The word 'Sugababes' appears in large, thin, white, capital letter at the bottom across the centre with the title 'Follow Me Home' in small on the very bottom right of it.
Single by Sugababes
from the album Taller in More Ways
B-side "Living for the Weekend"
Released 5 June 2006
Format CD single, digital download, maxi-single, 12" vinyl
Recorded 2005
London, England
Genre Europop,[1] R&B,[2] soul[3]
Length 3:57
Label Island
Writer(s) Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, Jonathan Lipsey, Karen Poole, Heidi Range, Jeremy Shaw
Producer Jony Rockstar
Sugababes singles chronology
"Red Dress"
(2006)		 "Follow Me Home"
(2006)		 "Easy"
(2006)
Alternative cover
A portrait of three women in split backgrounds, wearing red lipstick and vintage hairdos. On the left, a dark-haired woman wearing a red top. On the right, a blonde woman wearing a yellow polka-dot red cleavaged top. In the centre, a black woman wearing a purple top. The word 'Sugababes' appears in large, thin, purple, capital letters at the bottom across the centre with the title 'Follow Me Home' in small on the very bottom right of it.
Music video
"Follow Me Home" at Popdirt.com

"Follow Me Home" is a song by British girl group Sugababes from their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways. It was written by band members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena and Heidi Range in collaboration with Jonathan Lipsey, Karen Poole and Jeremy Shaw. It was produced by Jony Rockstar. The song was released on 5 June 2006 by Island Records. Sugababes collaborated with Lipsey and Rockstar on a number of tracks, of which three were chosen for Taller in More Ways with "Follow Me Home" being released as the fourth and final single from it. The song has prominent soul, synthpop, pop ballad and europop characteristics. The lyrics of the track contain influences of mutual comfort in addition to Buena's experiences from parenthood.

"Follow Me Home" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. The song became Sugababes' 16th consecutive top forty chart hit in the United Kingdom after achieving a peak of number thirty-two. It was however, not released in the rest of Europe but did garner charting success in Ireland, Slovakia, Taiwan and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.

The music video for "Follow Me Home" was directed by Toby Tremlett and premiered on 30 April 2006. It shows the group playing the parts of 'honeytrappers' during the Cold War. Sugababes performed the song on various television programmes, including: Top of the Pops, Paul O'Grady Show and Popworld. "Follow Me Home" was also performed as part of the group's setlist for their Taller In More Ways Tour.

Contents

[edit] Background

The song was co-written by group members Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range, and former member Mutya Buena in collaboration with British musician Karen Poole (well known for working for the likes of Girls Aloud and Atomic Kitten, as well as previous Sugababes single "Caught in a Moment"), Jeremy Shaw and Jonathan Lipsey (who also co-wrote the group's debut single "Overload").[4] In an interview with Jess Cartner-Morley of The Guardian, Buchanan revealed that they co-wrote the song in the following manner: "The three girls sit in separate corners of the studio each writing a verse or chorus."[5] It was produced by Jony Rockstar, who also handled the drum and bass programming of the song - Rockstar had also previously contributed to Sugababes singles: "Overload," "New Year," "Run for Cover," "Stronger" and "Caught in a Moment."[4] During 2005, the band also collaborated with Rockstar, Poole and Lipsey for the track "Gotta Be You" which is also featured on the group's fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways.[4] Additional vocal production was done by Mike Stevens.[6] Because of the song's ballad nature, an orchestra primarily formed its backing. The orchestra was conducted by Chris Elliott, led by Gavin Wright and contracted by Isobel Griffiths.[4] Keyboard and guitar on the song were courtesy of its co-writer Jeremy Shaw, whilst Brio Taliaferro additionally contributed to its guitar backing and song programming.[4] Mixers of previous Sugababes singles "Hole in the Head" and "In the Middle", Jeremy Wheatley and Richard Edgeler, mixed "Follow Me Home" at the Twenty-One in London, England.[4][6]

Like the band's previous ballad singles: "Run for Cover," "Stronger" and "Caught in a Moment" - the song has a typical slow-tempo pop and soul music nature to it. It is composed in a tempo of 40 beats per minute[7] and in the key of F#m.[8]

Lyrically, the song is about protecting and re-assuring the one you love. The main influence behind the lyrics of the song were Buena's five-month-old daughter Tahlia - this influence was said to have "changed the dynamic of the band for the better" in addition to the sense of ownership it gave Buena in dedicating it to her baby.[5] The cover art for the song's single release was revealed on 26 April 2006 and features Amelle Berrabah having the same hairdo she had on cover art for the re-issue of Taller in More Ways..[9]

This story, as described by Range before Buena left the band in an interview with The Guardian, is said to be what enabled the group to co-write the lyrics to the track:

[...] we've been through a lot as a band, the other girls lost a member, I joined, we got dropped, we got signed again, Mutya had a baby, the press were always saying we were splitting up. And we've overcome all of it. We haven't let any of it break us, and we're still here.[5]

A dominant lyrical influence was the following experience Buena had been through, as described by Buena herself in an interview with The Guardian before she left the band:

I always said that if I wasn't in the Sugababes I would have wanted to have a baby at 19. And you know what? I am in the Sugababes, and I still had a baby at 19.[5]

Originally, "Gotta Be You" was thought to be the fourth single to be released from Taller in More Ways after an announcement on a BBC website, this was however confirmed false after Keisha Buchanan announced in March 2006 on the group's Taller In More Ways Tour that the fourth single would be "Follow Me Home".[10]

[edit] Critical reception

[icon] This section requires expansion.

"Follow Me Home" received mainly positive reviews from contemporary music critics.

Toney Heywood of MusicOMH reviewed the single: "Another pop masterclass - smooth, moving and swooning, a downtempo track but not a desperate plea or a power ballad. [...] Heidi Range's voice steals the show, swelling up with the rising arrangement. [...] Then the chorus comes bursting out of the verses like Theo Walcott on speed."[11] Sputnikmusic.com described the song as a "Soulful ballad that truly showcases them as amazing singers. Heartfelt all the way with great vocals."[3] Stylus Magazine complimented the song's "Luscious, romantic strings."[12] Talia Kraines of the BBC said: "Follow Me Home nearly reaches Too Lost in You standards."[13] Dooyoo.co.uk reviewed the track as "A relaxing, chilled out ballad. The girls are able to show off their vocals on the track. Good lyrics, though not a very catchy chorus" and as one of three tracks on Taller in More Ways that are "in a different league to the other tracks."[14] iTunes described "Follow Me Home" as an "Aptly pitched inspirational mini epic dealing with romantic issues."[15] Hecklerspray.com reviewed the single as follows: "A R&B-tinged ballad which benefits from some lovely strings, and gorgeous, sultry vocals from the girls. It's not as exciting as the album's previous singles ["Push the Button," "Ugly" and "Red Dress"], but it'll inevitably provoke an "Oh yeah, that one was pretty decent too" [response] [...]."[16]

[edit] Chart performance

On 17 June 2006 "Follow Me Home" debuted and peaked at number forty-two on the UK Singles Chart after climbing fifty-nine places from its previous week position of #101 and was their first single to enter out side the Top forty.[17][18] In its second week on the chart, the single dropped ten places to reach a position of number fifty-two on 24 June 2006.[17] On 1 July 2006 it dropped forty places to number ninety-two - where the song spent its third and final week on the chart.[17]

"Follow Me Home" enjoyed better chart success in Ireland, where on 8 June 2006 it debuted and peaked at number twenty-five on the Irish Singles Chart.[19] On 15 June, the single then dropped fifteen places to number forty.[19] In its third week on the chart, however, the song rebounded to climb two places to number thirty-eight for the issue date: 22 June 2006.[19] On 29 June, the song spent its fourth and final week on this chart, dropping seven places to number forty-five.[19] "Follow Me Home" became the group's fifteenth top forty hit in Ireland and outpeaked the band's previous singles: "Run for Cover," "Soul Sound" and "Caught in a Moment" on this chart.

The single also garnered charting success for the band in Slovakia and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.[20][21]

[edit] Music video

A blonde woman and a brunette woman wearing vintage winter clothing singing next to each other in darkness.
From left to right: Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah singing, wearing vintage winter clothing in the Cold War-themed music video for "Follow Me Home".

The music video for "Follow Me Home" was directed by Toby Tremlett, director of the band's music video for previous single "Ugly".[22] It was shot in the Czech Republic, and premiered on 30 April 2006. It is set in Warsaw, Poland during the Cold War, and shows the group playing the parts of so-called 'honeytrappers' – women who manipulated high ranking military personnel out of secrets. Sugababes wanted to adopt a different angle and avoid the traditional ballad video, to show a different side to the song. While there is no strong storyline to the video, it adopts a sombre mood, reflecting the sadness within the song. The girls are all wearing vintage clothing from the 70’s and 80’s and the video was shot in a hotel that was specifically built for the communist leaders of the time. At these hotels they would throw lavish parties that would never be permitted back home in Moscow.

[edit] Formats and track listings

The b-side chosen for the release of "Follow Me Home" was a soulful cover version of Hard-Fi's 2005 single "Living for the Weekend" that Sugababes performed on Radio 1's Live Lounge on 6 March 2006 during the promotion schedule for previous single "Red Dress".[23][24] In addition to "Living for the Weekend," a remix of previous single and top 5 chart hit "Red Dress" by Kardinal Beats is featured on the single format of "Follow Me Home" with a Kardinal Beats remix of "Follow Me Home" featured on its |12 single release.[25][26][27] British dance music group and remix/production outfit Soul Seekerz mainly remixed the song for its physical release and the music video is present on the song's maxi-single and as a separate [digital download.[25][26][27][28] All versions of the song incorporate the re-recorded version of it, including vocals by Berrabah and excluding the original vocals by Buena.

  • CD1 Maxi-Single[25]
    (CIDX936,985682-4, Released: 5 June 2006)
  1. "Follow Me Home" (Radio Edit) - 3:23
  2. "Red Dress" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
  3. "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
  4. "Follow Me Home" (Music Video) - 3:23
  • CD2 Single[24]
    (CID936,985682-3, Released: 5 June 2006)
  1. "Follow Me Home" (Album Version) - 3:58
  2. "Living for the Weekend" (Live Radio 1 Session) - 3:11
  • 12" Single[26]
    (12SUGA15, Released: 2006)
  1. "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Remix) - 6:53
  2. "Follow Me Home" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
  3. "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
  4. "Follow Me Home" (Acappella) - 3:35
  • Digital Single[27]
    (Released: 5 June 2006)
  1. "Follow Me Home" (Radio Edit) - 3:23
  2. "Red Dress" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
  3. "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53

[edit] Promotion and live performances

"Follow Me Home" was poorly backed by radio and television stations in the United Kingdom, it became Sugababes' lowest peaking single on the UK Airplay Chart, reaching a peak of only number twenty-four.[29] The single however became the band's fourteenth single to be A-listed on BBC Radio 1.[30]

For the single's promotion the group performed the song on a number of television shows. It was first performed on 13 May 2006 on BBC 1 dance talent competition show Strictly Dance Fever.[31] The band then performed it on media and entertainment programme Popworld on 27 May, leading up to its official release date.[31] A day after the single was released, Sugababes performed "Follow Me Home" live on the Paul O'Grady Show on 6 June and then later on Top of the Pops on 11 June.[31][32] The song was also performed as part of the setlist for the group's Taller In More Ways Tour.

[edit] Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
European Hot 100 Singles[21] 91
Ireland (IRMA)[33] 32
Slovakia (IFPI)[20] 93
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[34] 32

[edit] Official versions and appearances

These are the official versions and remixes and the release they appear on, of "Follow Me Home".

  • "Follow Me Home" (Radio Edit) - 3:23
  • "Follow Me Home" (Music Video) - 3:23
  • "Follow Me Home" (Acappella) - 3:35
  • "Follow Me Home" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
  • "Follow Me Home" (Amelle Berrabah Album Version) - 3:58
  • "Follow Me Home" (Mutya Buena Album Version) - 3:58
  • "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Remix) - 6:53
  • "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
Version Release appearance
Radio Edit "Follow Me Home" CD1 Maxi-Single[25]
"Follow Me Home" Digital Single[27]
Music Video "Follow Me Home" CD1 Maxi-Single[25]
Acappella "Follow Me Home" 12" Single[26]
Kardinal Beats Remix "Follow Me Home" 12" Single[26]
Amelle Berrabah Album Version Taller in More Ways re-issue
"Follow Me Home" CD2 Single[24]
Mutya Buena Album Version Taller in More Ways
Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix "Follow Me Home" CD1 Maxi-Single[25]
"Follow Me Home" 12" Single[26]
"Follow Me Home" Digital Single[27]
DJ Only 89[35]
Soul Seekerz Remix "Follow Me Home" 12" Single[26]

[edit] Credits[4]

  • Writers: Heidi Range, Jeremy Shaw, Jonathan Lipsey, Karen Poole, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena
  • Producer: Jony Rockstar
  • Additional Vocal Production: Mike Stevens
  • Mixers: Jeremy Wheatley, Richard Edgeler
  • Mixed At: Twenty-One Studios, London
  • Song Programming: Brio Taliaferro
  • Music Video Director: Toby Tremlett
  • Drum & Bass Programming: Jony Rockstar
  • Orchestra Conductor: Chris Elliott
  • Orchestra Leader: Gavin Wright
  • Orchestra Contractor: Isobel Griffiths
  • Keyboard: Jeremy Shaw
  • Guitar: Jeremy Shaw, Brio Taliaferro
  • Original Vocals: Heidi Range, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena
  • Re-recorded Vocals: Amelle Berrabah, Heidi Range, Keisha Buchanan

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Sugababes - Follow Me Home at Discogs". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Sugababes-Follow-Me-Home/master/51402. Retrieved 2010-04-06. 
  2. ^ "THE SUGABABES - Reviews - Music / Electronic Beats - Advanced Music, Life and Style". Electronicbeats.net. http://www.electronicbeats.net/Music/Reviews/THE-SUGABABES. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 
  3. ^ a b "Sugababes - Taller In More Ways Review". sputnikmusic.com. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=13306. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Sugababes - Taller In More Ways (CD, Album, Promo + DVD, Promo)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Sugababes-Taller-In-More-Ways/release/1423433. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  5. ^ a b c d "Jess Cartner-Morley meets the Sugababes". The Guardian (London). 2005-11-04. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/sep/16/fashion.shopping. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  6. ^ a b "Sugababes Unlimited - Taller In More Ways Album Review". Sugababesunlimited.info. http://www.sugababesunlimited.info/Pages/TallerIMW.html. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  7. ^ "Running with music - I'm getting credited for an iPod Mix". Inthe00s.com. http://www.inthe00s.com/archive/parodies/smf/1161942484.shtml. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  8. ^ "Sugababes - Follow me home (Backing track)". Karaokeisland.com. http://www.karaokeisland.com/Backingtrack/Sugababes/Follow-me-home/CRG0685.html?wishlist=CRG0685&t=2. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  9. ^ "FMH Single Cover!". BuzzJack Music Forum. http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4279. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  10. ^ "Popjustice - next sugababes single - gotta be you". Popjustice. http://popjustice2.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7839. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  11. ^ "Sugababes - Follow Me Home | track reviews". musicOMH.com. http://www.musicomh.com/singles/sugababes-6_0606.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  12. ^ "Sugababes - Taller In More Ways - Review". Stylus Magazine. http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/sugababes/taller-in-more-ways.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-31. 
  13. ^ "BBC - Music - Review of Sugababes - Taller in More Ways". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/nv9x. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 
  14. ^ "Taller In More Ways - Sugababes - Review - Not their best, but worth a listen.". Dooyoo.co.uk. http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/music-records/taller-in-more-ways-sugababes/1018439/. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 
  15. ^ "Taller In More Ways by Sugababes". iTunes. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/taller-in-more-ways/id258059005. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 
  16. ^ "Singles Reviews: Furtado! Morrissey! Sugababes!". Hecklerspray.com. http://www.hecklerspray.com/singles-reviews-furtado-morrissey-sugababes/20063402.php. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 
  17. ^ a b c "Chart Stats - Sugababes - Follow Me Home". Chartstats.com. http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=1357. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  18. ^ "Singles". BuzzJack Music Forum. http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=516. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  19. ^ a b c d "Sugababes - Easy - Song performance". ACharts.us. http://acharts.us/song/10250. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
  20. ^ a b "SNS IFPI". IFPI. http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=18&titul=143722&sec=adec1bc2e5456a1f8303a84bc6cd401f. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 
  21. ^ a b Billboard Website
  22. ^ "mvdbase.com - Toby Tremlett Videography". mvdbase.com. http://www.mvdbase.com/tech.php?last=Tremlett&first=Toby. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  23. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Jo Whiley - Photos". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/photos/jowhiley/297/32. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  24. ^ a b c "Sugababes - Follow Me Home (CD, Maxi, CD2)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Sugababes-Follow-Me-Home/release/724724. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  25. ^ a b c d e f "Sugababes - Follow Me Home (CD, Enh, CD1)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Sugababes-Follow-Me-Home/release/724715. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  26. ^ a b c d e f g "Sugababes - Follow Me Home (12", Promo)". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/Sugababes-Follow-Me-Home/release/712122. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  27. ^ a b c d e "Sugababes - Follow Me Home MP3 Downloads - 7digital". 7digital.com. http://www.7digital.com/artists/sugababes/follow-me-home-enhanced/. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  28. ^ "Sugababes - Follow Me Home Downloads - 7digital". 7digital.com. http://www.7digital.com/artists/sugababes/follow-me-home/. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  29. ^ "Airplay". BuzzJack Music Forum. http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83372. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  30. ^ "Sugababes - Radio 1 listings". BuzzJack Music Forum. http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=102803. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  31. ^ a b c "Videos - Pop24 Forum". Pop24.de. http://forum.pop24.de/showthread.php?t=24602. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  32. ^ "YouTube - 2006-06-11 - Sugababes - Follow Me Home (Live @ TOTP)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBn8-LqSQvM. Retrieved 2010-04-02. 
  33. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
  34. ^ "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
  35. ^ "Sugababes Discography". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/sugababes. Retrieved 2010-04-03. [dead link]
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