Wind It Up (Gwen Stefani song)
"Wind It Up" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Gwen Stefani | ||||
from the album The Sweet Escape | ||||
Released | October 31, 2006 | |||
Recorded | 2005 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:09 | |||
Label | Interscope | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Gwen Stefani singles chronology | ||||
|
"Wind It Up" is a song by American singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani. Originally written for inclusion on Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Tour, the song was later recorded for her second solo studio album, The Sweet Escape (2006). The track contains an interpolation of The Sound of Music song "The Lonely Goatherd".
"Wind It Up" was received unfavorably by most music critics, who criticized the song's use of yodeling and found the track to be over the top. It was released as the album's lead single on October 31, 2006, and reached the top 20 in many music markets. The accompanying music video, which became popular on stations such as Total Request Live, was directed by Sophie Muller and takes influence from The Sound of Music.
Background and writing
In July 2005, Stefani began writing and recording material with Pharrell Williams in Miami, Florida.[1][2] During one of their sessions, they penned "Wind It Up" for a September 2005 fashion show revealing the 2006 collection of Stefani's fashion line L.A.M.B.[2]
Stefani asked DJ Jeremy Healy to create a mashup of the song and "The Lonely Goatherd", a song from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical and 1965 film The Sound of Music.[3] Stefani considered The Sound of Music her favorite film, and she had wanted to incorporate a beat to one of its songs all her life.[4] Stefani commented, "I literally cried, and I'm not exaggerating, when I heard the mash-up."[2] Williams, however, did not like the addition of yodeling and The Sound of Music to the track.[3] Although, Williams later admitted on The Late Late Show with James Corden (coincidentally also appearing with Stefani) that he "came around" because "the magic in it was kinda like her being lit up about it" and "it's her song."[5]
The lyrics are not narrative, and Stefani stated, "A song like 'Wind It Up' isn't about anything."[6] In the song, Stefani discusses how boys watch girls dance.[7] The song includes a reference to Stefani's fashion line, with Stefani going, "They like the way that L.A.M.B. is going 'cross my shirt".[8]
Critical reception
"Wind It Up" received mostly negative reviews by contemporary pop music critics. Entertainment Weekly's Michael Slezak found the bassline "rubbery" and criticized the song for lacking a melody as well as its reference to Stefani's own clothing line.[8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that the Neptunes had forced the sampling "into one of their typical minimalist tracks, over which Gwen spouts off clumsy material-minded lyrics touting her fashion line and her shape".[9] Bill Lamb of About.com rated the song three and a half stars, giving it "high marks for entertainment value", but commented that it sounded like a retread of "Rich Girl" from Stefani's debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.[10] Charles Merwin of Stylus Magazine was mixed on the track, writing that "it's preventing something far less interesting from getting played."[11] John Murphy from musicOMH panned the track as "just horrible, and possibly the worst start to an album this year".[12] Spence D. from IGN characterized the song as "a bugged out Sound of Music bhangra blitz that sounds like part M.I.A. and part Julie Andrews".[13]
Many criticized the inclusion of yodeling and "The Lonely Goatherd" sample. In a review for Rolling Stone, Rob Sheffield called the track "yodel-trocious" and argued that "the problem isn't the Swiss Miss motif so much as the fourth-rate Neptunes track".[14] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian was pleased with the track, describing the yodeling as "off-her-head", and referred to the track as "a pinnacle of madness".[15] IndieLondon's Jack Foley noted "Wind It Up" as a highlight of The Sweet Escape and called it "Stefani's gift that she can take something that, on paper, sounds cheesy and make it utterly, utterly cool."[16] USA Today's Ken Barnes, however, found the track "campy" and "a tacky attempt at sexiness", adding that the combination of yodeling and the interpolation was "awkward".[17] Alex Miller of the NME also found the song campy, commenting that its "dumb sexual bravado has all the sophistication of a teenage boy's wet dream", and compared the yodeling, interpolation, and "erotic rap" to "a trench foot which screams for amputation from the tracklisting".[18]
Commercial performance
"Wind It Up" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 40 on the issue dated November 18, 2006, becoming Stefani's highest debut on the chart, both solo and as a member of No Doubt.[19] It peaked four weeks later at number six and remained on the chart for 18 weeks.[20][21] It peaked at number seven on the Pop 100 chart, but was less successful on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, only reaching number 19. The single performed well in clubs, reaching number five on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, and peaked at number 18 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart.[22]
"Wind It Up" met similar success in Europe, reaching number five on the European Hot 100 Singles.[23] The single debuted at number eight on the UK Singles Chart, selling 10,381 downloads in its first week.[24] The following week, it rose to number three (behind Take That's "Patience" and Cliff Richard's "21st Century Christmas") with 17,706 copies sold,[25] earning Stefani her second highest-peaking single in the United Kingdom after "The Sweet Escape".[26] It had less success across the continent, reaching the top 10 in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway, and the top 20 in Austria, France, Sweden, and Switzerland.[27][28]
The song was generally successful elsewhere. In Australia, "Wind It Up" debuted at number eight on the ARIA Singles Chart and spent its first seven weeks within the top 10. It peaked at number five in its fifth week on the run, spending 19 weeks on the chart,[29] and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[30] The track topped the New Zealand Singles Chart in its third and fourth week, and stayed on the chart for 20 weeks altogether.[31] Three years later, on March 14, 2010, the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) certified "Wind It Up" gold.[32]
Music video
The song's music video was directed by Sophie Muller and shot in two days on October 30–31, 2006.[33] Although it does not follow a substantial plot, it features outfits and scenes inspired by The Sound of Music. Stefani and her Harajuku Girls are often dancing in front of fields of flowers and a background of key-like symbols composed of two G's placed back to back. In a scene mimicking The Sound of Music, Stefani portrays Maria von Trapp while the dancers, dressed in pajamas, portray her children and jump on a bed. In another scene, Stefani uses curtains to create sailor suits for the Harajuku Girls. Stefani also appears as a nun and an orchestra conductor. One scene uses smoke to create the illusion that Stefani is a submerged escape artist searching for a key.[34] She pulls the key, a symbol of "the sweet escape", from her mouth as an allusion to performances by escapologist Harry Houdini.[35] The song's title is often visualized by a colorful sign that reads "wind it up". Another video was produced in 3-D, but this version was never released. After seeing the video, Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Interscope Records, decided to work with James Cameron to produce other 3-D music presentations.[36]
The video was successful on music video television programs. "Wind It Up" first aired on November 10, 2006, on MTV and the same day it premiered online on MTV Overdrive. Two days later, on November 13, 2006, "Wind It Up" premiered on the station's top-10 chart program Total Request Live.[34][37] The video debuted at number eight on the countdown and reached a peak at number two.[38] After its November 17 debut on MuchMusic's Countdown, it reached number two for the week of January 26, 2007.[39] In a review of the music video, The Guardian's Anna Pickard poked fun at the number of personas that appear in the video, referring to some of them as "Nunzilla", "Gweninatrix", and "CinderGwennie", and commented that "your speakers have a mute setting for good reason."[40]
Track listings
- "Wind It Up" (Main Mix) – 3:11
- "Wind It Up" (Original Neptunes Mix) – 3:08
- European CD maxi single[44]
- "Wind It Up" (Main Mix) – 3:11
- "Wind It Up" (Original Neptunes Mix) – 3:08
- "Wind It Up" (Original Neptunes Mix Instrumental) – 3:08
- "Wind It Up" (video) – 3:11
- UK 12-inch single[45]
- A1. "Wind It Up" (Main Mix) – 3:11
- A2. "Wind It Up" (Original Neptunes Mix) – 3:08
- B1. "Wind It Up" (Main Mix Instrumental) – 3:11
- B2. "Wind It Up" (Original Neptunes Mix Instrumental) – 3:10
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Sweet Escape.[46]
|
|
Charts
Weekly charts |
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[30] | Gold | 35,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[32] | Gold | 5,000* |
United States (RIAA)[87] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | October 30, 2006 | Contemporary hit radio | Interscope | [88] |
Germany | November 24, 2006 | Digital download | [89] | |
Australia | November 27, 2006 |
|
Universal | [90] |
Germany | December 8, 2006 |
|
[42][44] | |
United Kingdom | December 11, 2006 |
|
Polydor | [41][91][92] |
References
- ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Gwen Stefani, Gang Of Four, Korn, Christina Aguilera, Jewel, 'Idol' & More". MTV News. Viacom. July 25, 2005. Archived from the original on December 6, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b c Vineyard, Jennifer (October 23, 2006). "Gwen Stefani's New LP, The Sweet Escape, Set For December". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Pharrell Hated Stefani's Yodelling". MTV UK. MTV Networks Europe. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Infantry, Ashante (November 30, 2006). "Stefani has it all, baby". Toronto Star. Star Media Group. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ YouTube (December 19, 2018). "Pharrell Williams Gave In to Gwen Stefani's Yodeling". The Late Late Show with James Corden. CBS. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
- ^ Collis, Clark (November 22, 2006). "Holla Back". Entertainment Weekly. Time. p. 4. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
- ^ Flynn, Paul (November 12, 2007). "Hot tunes". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b Slezak, Michael (October 24, 2006). "Snap judgment: Gwen Stefani's 'Wind It Up'". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Lamb, Bill. "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ Merwin, Charles (December 6, 2006). "Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ Murphy, John (4 December 2006). "Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape (Polydor)". musicOMH. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ D., Spence (December 5, 2006). "Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape". IGN. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (December 12, 2006). "Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on April 20, 2007. Retrieved August 18, 2007.
- ^ Sullivan, Caroline (December 1, 2006). "Gwen Stefani, The Sweet Escape". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Foley, Jack. "Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape". IndieLondon. Archived from the original on June 24, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ Barnes, Ken (December 4, 2006). "This week's reviews: Gwen, Ciara, 'Dreamgirls,' Eminem proteges, McKnight and more". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ Miller, Alex (December 1, 2006). "Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape". NME. Time Inc. UK. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
- ^ Hope, Clover (November 9, 2006). "Timberlake, T.I. Remain No. 1 With 'My Love'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Hasty, Katie (December 7, 2006). "Beyonce 'Irreplaceable' At No. 1 On Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "The Hot 100: The Week of March 17, 2007". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani | Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "European Hot 100: Week of December 30, 2006". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Jones, Alan (December 11, 2006). "Take That make it three weeks atop singles chart". Music Week. Intent Media. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Jones, Alan (December 17, 2006). "Take That take top spots again". Music Week. Intent Media. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Gwen Stefani: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ a b "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 05. týden 2007 in the date selector. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
- ^ a b "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
- ^ "Wind It Up". Making the Video. November 20, 2006. MTV.
- ^ a b Vineyard, Jennifer (November 10, 2006). "Gwen Stefani Makes The Hills Come Alive In 'Wind It Up' Clip". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ Hooper, Joseph (February 7, 2007). "L.A.M.B. Chops". Elle. Hearst Corporation. p. 4. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ "Music videos get 3-D treatment". NME. Time Inc. UK. March 5, 2007. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2007.
- ^ "Wind It Up Video Premiere Friday". gwenstefani.com. November 9, 2006. Archived from the original on December 6, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ "The TRL Archive – Recap: November 2006". ATRL. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
- ^ "MuchMusic Countdown". MuchMusic. CHUM Limited. January 26, 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
- ^ Pickard, Anna (December 14, 2006). "Gwen Stefani – Wind it up". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Wind It Up". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Wind It Up (2-Track)" (in German). Amazon.de. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Wind It Up" (Australian CD single liner notes). Gwen Stefani. Universal Music Australia. 2006. 1717497.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Wind It Up (Enhanced)" (in German). Amazon.de. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Wind It Up" (UK 12" single liner notes). Gwen Stefani. Interscope Records. 2006. 1717386.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ The Sweet Escape (CD liner notes). Gwen Stefani. Interscope Records. 2006. B0008099-02 IN02.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "ARIA Urban Singles Chart – Week Commencing 18th December 2006" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
- ^ Gwen Stefani — Wind It Up. TopHit. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in Danish). Tracklisten. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani: Wind It Up" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Top 50 Singles" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. January 21–27, 2007. Archived from the original on January 29, 2007. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wind It Up". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". Top Digital Download. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 2007" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". VG-lista. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Romanian Top 100 – Issue nr: 5/2007" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. February 12–18, 2007. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200650 into search. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Gwen Stefani Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2007 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "Rapports Annuels 2007 – Singles" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "Лучшие песни и музыка за 2007 год" (in Russian). Tophit. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Year End Charts – European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2007" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2007" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Year End Charts – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2007. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ^ "Year End Charts – Pop 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2007. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "American single certifications – Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up". Recording Industry Association of America. March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!
- ^ "Wind It Up (International Version): Gwen Stefani: MP3-Downloads" (in German). Amazon.de. Archived from the original on August 20, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Wind It Up – Single by Gwen Stefani". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Wind It Up (UK OnlyVersion): Gwen Stefani: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Wind It Up [12" VINYL]". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- 2006 singles
- 2006 songs
- American hip hop songs
- Gwen Stefani songs
- Interscope Records singles
- Music videos directed by Sophie Muller
- Number-one singles in New Zealand
- Song recordings produced by the Neptunes
- Songs with feminist themes
- Songs with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
- Songs with music by Richard Rodgers
- Songs written by Gwen Stefani
- Songs written by Pharrell Williams
- The Sound of Music