Murder She Wrote (song)
| "Murder She Wrote" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Chaka Demus & Pliers | ||||
| from the album Tease Me | ||||
| Released | 1992 / 1993 | |||
| Recorded | 1992 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:04 | |||
| Label | Mango, Taxi | |||
| Songwriter(s) | John Taylor, Everton Bonner, Lloyd "Gitsy" Willis, Sly Dunbar | |||
| Producer(s) | Sly & Robbie, Lloyd "Gitsy" Willis | |||
| Chaka Demus & Pliers UK singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Murder She Wrote" is a song by Chaka Demus & Pliers, from their 1993 album Tease Me. It was first released as a single in 1992 and again in late 1993, reaching number 27 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1994.[3] The music to the song is based on the Maytals' 1966 song "Bam Bam", while the lyrics discuss abortion (as revealed in the third verse). Two music videos were made, one with Dancehall Queen Carlene Smith, and one without. The videos cost $50,000 and $2,500 respectively to produce.[4]
The song was sampled by Pitbull in the song "El Taxi",[5] by French Montana in "Freaks" and by Omarion in "Post to Be", among others.[6]
Critical reception
Tom Doyle from Smash Hits gave the song three out of five, saying, "Chaka and his pal go for some proper ragga with this dancehall rocker like the make 'em in ole Kingston town. It's about some girl called Maxine who bubble-bubble-ribbit-bubble-wiggle-and-wriggle. Or something. Not a bad tune, especially since it might have been inspired by some ropey TV whodunnit with Angela Lansbury."[7]
Charts
| Chart (1992-1994) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] | 72 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 27 |
| UK Dance (Music Week)[9] | 18 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 57 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 39 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) | 5 |
References
- ^ ""I'm thrilled!": Angela Lansbury has finally heard Chaka Demus & Pliers' 'Murder She Wrote'". 1 October 2019.
- ^ Gracie, Bianca (23 September 2020). "'Murder She Wrote': The Story Behind Chaka Demus & Pliers' Anthem".
- ^ "CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ Cooke, Mel (25 November 2007). "Story of the Song - 'Murder She Wrote' combines old songs". Jamaica Daily Gleaner. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Pitbull bites into a dancehall classic". Jamaica Observer. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "The story behind 'Murder She Wrote'". Loop News. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ Doyle, Tom (16 February 1993). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 41. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 March 1994. p. 17. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 19 March 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
