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|Canada ([[Canadian Hot 100]])<ref name="Hot 100"/>
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|align="left"|[[Nielsen Company|German Youth Airplay Chart]]<ref>[http://germancharts.com/airplay_charts.asp German Airplay Chart], Retrieved on 2011-06-03</ref>
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|Ireland ([[Irish Singles Chart|IRMA]])<ref name="GFK">{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=2 |title=Top 50 Singles - Week ending 13 January 2011 |publisher=GFK Chart-Track |accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref>
|Ireland ([[Irish Singles Chart|IRMA]])<ref name="GFK">{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=2 |title=Top 50 Singles - Week ending 13 January 2011 |publisher=GFK Chart-Track |accessdate=2011-01-15}}</ref>

Revision as of 20:12, 3 June 2011

"Pretty Girl Rock"
Song

"Pretty Girl Rock" is a song by American recording artist Keri Hilson. It was written by Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald, William Salter, Ne-Yo, and Chuck Harmony, with latter also handling its production. The song was released as the second single from Hilson's second studio album, No Boys Allowed (2010), on October 12, 2010 through Interscope Records. The mid-tempo R&B song, described as a "self-love anthem," sees Hilson singing about "uniting women over their shared beauty rather than the jealousy that drives them apart."

"Pretty Girl Rock" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, with some noting it as one of the standout tracks on No Boys Allowed. In the United States, the song has peaked at number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100. It has also charted at number eighty-one in Canada, number fifty in Ireland, number eleven in New Zealand, and number fifty-three in the United Kingdom.

An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Joseph Kahn, sees Hilson portraying an array of female legends, including Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, one of the Andrews Sisters, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, and T-Boz. The song was promoted by Hilson through live performances in various televised shows, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and in live concerts, including the VH1 Divas Salute the Troops.

Background and release

"Pretty Girl Rock" was first debuted, by Hilson, at the Beats By Dr. Dre concert in New York on September 29, 2010.[1] Later that same day, Rap-Up magazine unveiled the single cover and confirmed that it would serve as the album's second single following "Breaking Point".[2] "Pretty Girl Rock" is a "self-love anthem", which sees Hilson singing about "uniting women over their shared beauty rather than the jealousy that drives them apart".[3] According to Kyle Anderson of MTV, the song is "basically front-to-back boasting — she constantly comes back to how attractive she is, how badly men want her and how many people are staring at her backside."[4] In an interview with Iheartradio, Hilson spoke of the song saying:

"It's not really as vain as it sounds, although I do feel those things about myself. I really want people to take away how they should feel about themselves. You should feel like you're the baddest bitch in the room when you walk in the room or that you are beautiful despite what society says. You're under heavy scrutiny, your Twitter profile and your Myspace pictures and Facebook and this that and the other, let alone walking in a room, you know how insecure that can be sometimes. I want everyone to listen to that record, from little girls to women, and just feel like they can do the pretty girl rock [dance] and they can sing "don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful" 'cause we all are."[5]

The single was released for digital download in the United States on October 12, 2010[6] and sent to US rhythmic radio on October 19, 2010 and Top 40/Mainstream radio on October 26, 2010.[7] The official remix features Kanye West,[8] and can be found on No Boys Allowed as track thirteen.[9] An extended play featuring additional remixes of the song, was made available for download in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2011.[10] R&B girl group RichGirl created a remix to the song, released on their Fall in Love with RichGirl mixtape, in which member Lyndriette performs solo to the song.[11]

Composition and critical reception

Keri Hilson - "Pretty Girl Rock"
A sample of "Pretty Girl Rock", described as a "tough-loving, love yourself anthem."
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Pretty Girl Rock" is described as a fun, mid-tempo R&B anthem[12] which features slinky piano and bouncy R&B beats.[13] It incorporates an interpolation of "Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr., as written by Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald and William Salter.[9] Andy Kellman of Allmusic, Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly and editors of USA Today all praised "Pretty Girl Rock" as the stand out song from No Boys Allowed.[14][15][16]

Matthew Horton of BBC Music described it as a "lovely single".[17] The Boston Globe's Ken Capobianco called the song "swaggering", and said it was a "finger-wagging affirmation of self".[18] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine said, the song "comes on like a cat fight, but it eventually reveals itself to be a tough-loving "love yourself" anthem, a stately but danceable approximation of Dove's campaign for real beauty."[19] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday said it is an "addictive sheen" and said, "it's the remix featuring some memorable verses from Kanye West that gets the point across best."[20] Ben Ratliff of The New York Times noted "Pretty Girl Rock" as one of the tracks on the album to stop overthinking comparisons with Rihanna.[21] Becky Bain of Idolator called the song, a "saucy R&B number" and said "the song's not too bad".[22] Kyle Anderson of MTV Newsroom complimented Hilson's "confidence and sweetness" on the song and described the beat as "funky and sick."[23] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy simply accused Hilson of "getting too cocky".[13] In May 2011, "Pretty Girl Rock" received a nomination for Video of the Year at the 2011 BET Awards.[24]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Pretty Girl Rock" entered the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number seventy-six, on the week dated November 20, 2010.[25] After weeks of climbing the chart, the song reached a peak of number four.[26] The song also peaked at number twenty-four on the Billboard Hot 100.[27] As of April, 2011, the song has sold over 1,000,000 digital copies in the US alone.[28] In Canada, "Pretty Girl Rock" debuted on the Canadian Hot 100 at number eighty-one.[27] On December 27, 2010, the song entered the New Zealand Singles Chart at number twelve, and has since peaked at number eleven.[29] On the week ending January 13, 2011, the song debuted at number fifty on Irish Singles Chart.[30] On the week ending January 22, 2011, "Pretty Girl Rock" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number fifty-three, before dropping thirty-eight places to number ninety-one the next week.[31] It has also peaked at number seventeen on the UK R&B Singles Chart.[32]

Music video

Clockwise, from top left: Josephine Baker, Dorothy Dandridge, Janet Jackson and Donna Summer.
Bottom left photo: Harry Wad

The music video for "Pretty Girl Rock" was directed by Joseph Kahn.[33] During an interview with MTV while on the set of the video, Hilson explained the concept. She said, "In this video, I do nine changes, and it's almost like I have to slip in and out of multiple personalities because I'm doing, what, 10 different eras, from the '20s straight up until 2010, which is me." She also said, "[The video is my] way of paying homage to groundbreaking women, strong women who were fearless and so bold and so confident that they made women feel that way. ... And I hope to do the same."[34]

Synopsis

The official video premiered on 106 & Park on November 11, 2010.[35] The video begins in black and white with Hilson transforming into legendary '20s jazz singer, Josephine Baker, and then into film star Dorothy Dandridge.[36] It then switches to color when Hilson shows up as a member of '40s girl group The Andrews Sisters, followed by scenes of her portraying Diana Ross as a member of The Supremes, Donna Summer, "Rhythm Nation"-era Janet Jackson and lastly, a silk pajama-wearing T-Boz in TLC's "Creep" video.[36] At the end of the video, it shows Hilson portraying herself, dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans.

Reception

Billy Johnson, Jr of Yahoo! Music, wrote the video was "very nice".[36] Becky Bain from Idolator was unsure if the video "was [a] nice homage to the women in music who have come before her," or if Hilson was "just playing a hilarious game of dress up."[37] Mariel Concepcion of Billboard commented that the "video made her like the song [even more]."[38] Nicole James of MTV Buzzworthy gave Hilson 100 bonus points for the authenticity of the wig she wore, portraying T-Boz.[12] Ed Easton Jr. of 92.3 Now said the video was "different, creative and fun" and awarded it eight out of ten stars.[39]

Live performances

Hilson performed "Pretty Girl Rock" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on November 22, 2010.[40] She later performed the song on November 25, 2010 at the 84th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, while riding on My Princess Academy’s "Castle of Dreams" float.[41] In addition, Hilson performed the song at the VH1 Divas Salute the Troops concert on December 5, 2010.[42] She wore a gold bustier with high-waisted pants and a fringe-laden jacket, while her four back-up dancers appeared in stylized military jackets.[42] After the performance, Hilson gave a shout-out to the troops, thanking them for protecting Americans at home and abroad. In addition to her solo set, Hilson joined Katy Perry and Jennifer Nettles for a rousing, retro opening number, and teamed up with Nettles once again for a rendition of Aretha Franklin's 1968 anthem, "Think".[42]

The promotion of the song continued on December 7, 2010, when Hilson performed a remixed version of "Pretty Girl Rock" on the Lopez Tonight show, wearing a skimpy metallic looking leotard.[43][44] Hilson also performed "Pretty Girl Rock" on December 14, 2010 on the Today Show and covered James Blunt's 2005 hit "You're Beautiful" during the performance. She wore a glittery multi-colored jacket over a black blouse, skin-tight jeans, and stilettos.[45] A day before the release of No Boys Allowed, Hilson performed "Pretty Girl Rock" and "Beautiful Mistake" at Billboard's first live Tastemakers event in New York City on December 20, 2010.[46] On January 4, 2011, she delivered a Motown-themed performance of "Pretty Girl Rock" on the Late Night with David Letterman show with two female back-up singers.[47] On January 25, 2011, Hilson performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and also covered James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" during the performance. Backed by four dancers, Hilson wore a white button-down shirt with her midriff exposed, knee-length pants, and black heels.[48]

Track listing

  • Digital download[6]
  1. "Pretty Girl Rock" - 4:04
  1. "Pretty Girl Rock" - 4:04
  2. "Pretty Girl Rock" (Cahill Radio Edit) - 3:23
  3. "Pretty Girl Rock" (Cahill Deb Remix) - 5:39
  4. "Pretty Girl Rock" (Cahill Club Remix) - 6:09
  • Germany Digital EP[50]
  1. "Pretty Girl Rock" (Jost & Damien Radio Mix) - 3:26
  2. "Pretty Girl Rock" - 4:04
  3. "Pretty Girl Rock" (Cahill Club Remix) - 6:06
  4. "Pretty Girl Rock" (Music video) - 4:14

Credits and personnel

Source:[9]

Charts and certifications

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[6][7] October 12, 2010 Digital download Interscope Records
October 19, 2010 Rhythmic radio
October 26, 2010 Mainstream radio
Australlia[56][49] January 6, 2011 Digital download, Digtal remixes EP Universal Music
United Kingdom[10][57][58] January 9, 2011 Digital download Polydor Records
January 19, 2011 Digital remixes EP
July 4, 2011 Re-release

References

  1. ^ "Video: Keri Hilson Debuts "Pretty Girl Rock"". Rap-Up. 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  2. ^ "Keri Hilson Announces 'Pretty Girl Rock' Single". Rap-Up. 2010-09-29. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  3. ^ "Keri Hilson Wants Men to Pay Attention to No Boys Allowed". The Boom Box. AOL Inc. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  4. ^ Anderson, Kyle. "Keri Hilson's 'Pretty Girl Rock' vs. Keyshia Cole's 'I Ain't Thru': Which is the better Boast song?". MTV. MTV Networks (Viacom). Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  5. ^ "Q&A: Keri Hilson on going blonde, beauty advice and the "Pretty Girl Rock"". Iheartradio. Clear Channel. 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  6. ^ a b c "Pretty Girl Rock: Keri Hilson". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  7. ^ a b "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and More!". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  8. ^ "New Music: Keri Hilson f/ Kanye West - Pretty Girl Rock (Remix)". Rap-Up. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  9. ^ a b c No Boys Allowed (Media notes). Santa Monica, CA: Mosley Music, Zone 4 (Interscope Records) (Cat no. 602527536804). 2010. {{cite AV media notes}}: |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |albumlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |artist= ignored (|others= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c "Pretty Girl Rock (Remixes): Keri Hilson". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  11. ^ "New Music: RichGirl – 'Fall in Love with RichGirl' [Mixtape]". Rap-Up.com. 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  12. ^ a b James, Nicole (2010-11-15). "New Video: Keri Hilson, 'Pretty Girl Rock'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  13. ^ a b Copsey, Robert (2011-01-10). "Music - Singles Review - Keri Hilson: 'Pretty Girl Rock'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  14. ^ Kellman, Andy. "No Boys Allowed - Keri Hilson > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  15. ^ "No Boys Allowed | Music". Entertainment Weekly. 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  16. ^ Jones, Steve; Gardner, Elyssa; Shriver, Jerry (2010-12-21). "Listen Up: Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, Keri Hilson, Ghostface Killah". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-01-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Horton, Matthew (2010-12-31). "BBC - Music - Review of Keri Hilson - No Boys Allowed". BBC Music. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  18. ^ Capobianco, Ken (2011-01-03). "Keri Hilson, 'No Boys Allowed'". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  19. ^ Henderson, Eric (2010-12-19). "Keri Hilson: No Boys Allowed | Music Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  20. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (2010-12-17). "Keri Hilson's 'No Boys Allowed'". Newsday. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  21. ^ Ratliff, Ben (2010-12-21). "Critics' Choice - New CDs". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  22. ^ Bain, Becky (2010-09-30). "Keri Hilson Performs New Single "Pretty Girl Rock" Unveils Jammin' Single Art". Idolator. BUZZMEDIA. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  23. ^ Anderson, Kyle (2011-01-06). "Keri Hilson's 'Pretty Girl Rock' Vs. Keyshia Cole's 'I Ain't Thru': Which Is The Better Boast Song?". MTV Newsroom. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  24. ^ "Chris Brown Leads BET Awards 2011 Nominations". Rap-Up. 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  25. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Week of November 20, 2010". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  26. ^ a b "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Keri Hilson Hot 100 Song Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  28. ^ "Week Ending March 27, 2011: Songs: Katy Moves Up - Yahoo! Chart Watch". New.music.yahoo.com. 2011-03-30. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  29. ^ a b "Keri Hilson - Pretty Girl Rock". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  30. ^ a b "Top 50 Singles - Week ending 13 January 2011". GFK Chart-Track. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  31. ^ a b "Keri Hilson - Pretty Girl Rock". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  32. ^ a b "Top 40 R&B Singles Archieve". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  33. ^ "Video Static: Music Video News: SHOT: Keri Hilson - Joseph Khan, Director". Video Static. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  34. ^ Thomas, Rebecca (2010-11-19). "Keri Hilson Is Feeling Like A '10 In Pretty Girl Rock Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  35. ^ "Keri Hilson: News: Keri Hilson on 106 & Park Thursday 11/11". Interscope Records. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  36. ^ a b c Johnson, Jr, Billy (2010-11-17). "Keri Hilson Pays Tribute To Janet, TLC, Supremes In 'Pretty Girl Rock' Video". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  37. ^ Bain, Becky (2010-11-11). "Keri Hilson Transforms Into Janet Jackson And T-Boz In Her "Pretty Girl Rock" Video". Idolator. BUZZMEDIA. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  38. ^ Concepcio, Mariel. "Keri Hilson imatates TLC, Janet, Diana Ross in 'Pretty Girl Rock'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  39. ^ Easton Jr., Ed (2010-11-12). "Keri Hilson – "Pretty Girl Rock" Video Premiere". 92.3 Now. CBS Radio Inc. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  40. ^ "Video: Keri Hilson Rocks 'Tonight Show'". Rap-Up. 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  41. ^ "Keri Hilson Turns Thanksgiving Pink". Rap-Up. 2010-11-25. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  42. ^ a b c Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-12-05). "Keri Hilson 'Pretty Girl Rock' For Troops At VH1 Divas". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  43. ^ "Keri Hilson On Lopez Tonight". RTT News. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  44. ^ "Keri Hilson Reveals Childhood Nicknames, Performs on 'Lopez Tonight'". Rap-Up. 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  45. ^ "Video: Keri Hilson Rocks 'Today' Show". Rap-Up. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  46. ^ Binkert, Lisa (2010-12-21). "Keri Hilson Toasts to New Album At Billboard's First-Ever Live Tastemakers". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  47. ^ Daw, Robbie (2011-01-05). "Keri Hilson Has A Motown Moment On 'David Letterman'". Idolator. BUZZMEDIA. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  48. ^ "Video: Keri Hilson Performs on 'Ellen'". Rap-Up. 2011-01-25. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  49. ^ a b http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/pretty-girl-rock-ep/id411485304
  50. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/de/album/pretty-girl-rock-single/id439223613
  51. ^ "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 4th April 2011". ARIA. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-04-05. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  52. ^ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2011-04-03. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
  53. ^ German Airplay Chart, Retrieved on 2011-06-03
  54. ^ "Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  55. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope New Zealand. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  56. ^ http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/pretty-girl-rock-single/id410938337
  57. ^ "Keri Hilson - Pretty Girl Rock". 7Digital. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  58. ^ "Keri Hilson reveals next UK single". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2011-05-06.
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