"Pump Up the Jam" is the opening track on Belgian act Technotronic's first album, Pump Up the Jam: The Album (1989). It was released as a single on 18 August 1989[4] and was a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the United Kingdom in 1989 and on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1990. The song was later certified triple platinum. It also peaked at number-one in Belgium, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. "Pump Up the Jam" has been described as a fusion of hip hop and deep house elements,[5] as an early example of the hip house genre,[2] and it has been named as the first house song to become a hit in the US.[1]
Technotronic's vocalist Ya Kid K was initially overshadowed by Congolese model Felly Kilingi, who appears lip-syncing in the music video and was featured on the first album cover as a marketing tactic.[6] Ya Kid K was ultimately recognized upon a U.S. tour and a repackaged album cover that featured her instead of Felly.[5] In 2005, the song was remixed by DJ-producer D.O.N.S. and reached number one on the British Dance Chart. The Guardian featured the song on their A history of modern music: Dance in 2011.[7] And in 2020, Slant Magazine ranked it at number 40 in their list of The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time.[8]
Critical reception
"Yes, it is exactly that: a song. People sing along, they know the lyrics. Well, not all the lyrics. Most think Manuela [Ya Kid K] sings 'I want, a place to stay', but she sings 'Awa, a place to stay.' Awa is swahili (or lingala, I'm not sure) for 'a place to stay, a home'. Beyond all expectations PUTJ still sounds fresh, I am told."
—Producer Jo Bogaert talking about the song in 2020.[9]
AllMusic editor Alex Henderson described the song as "highly infectious".[10] Nicole Leedham from The Canberra Times noted that "Pump Up the Jam" and "Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)" were "pushing the envelope of dance music in the late '80s."[11]Complex stated that it "was the first house track to crack into the mainstream", adding it as "the perfect track at the perfect time."[12] In 2018, Insomniac said it's "one of the best dance songs of all time, because—while it should have disappeared in our cultural memory as a sort of punchline or joke or some one-hit wonder—it's still an infinitely playable tune that works in literally any dancefloor context. It doesn't get old, for some reason, and continues to thrive to this day. It's dancefloor perfection."[13] Harry Sumrall from Knight Ridder said the song has "a beat the size of Boston, but Felly also sings with an unstoppable R&B swagger."[14]
Bob Stanley from Melody Maker wrote that "not only was it a compelling dance track with a chorus so contagious it could keep you awake at night, it also formed part of the best Top Three in years when it was sandwiched between Black Box and Sidney Youngblood."[15] Diana Valois from The Morning Call described it as a "sensuous groove" that "featured an irresistible bass line that threatened to start an avalanches; unleashed in the clubs, it motivated happy dancers instead."[16] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "A really hot hip/house track by Technotronic. This track is more than just a beat because of Felly's seductive voice. Another great track from the home of hithouse."[17] David Hinckley from New York Daily News deemed it "catchy".[18] The Orlando Sentinel said the sound is "intoxicating".[19] A reviewer from People Magazine wrote that the song "is so enticing, the production so crisp and precise, that most people would have to put on a straitjacket to keep from bouncing around to the beat."[20] Pop Rescue noted the "phat synth and hi-hats" ushering "in a thumping bass drum."[21] Josh Baines from Vice called it "a towering masterpiece."[22]
Chart performance
"Pump Up the Jam" proved to be very successful on the charts on several continents. It reached number-one in Flemish Belgium, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. In addition, the single also reached number two in Austria, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Western-Germany. On the UK Singles Chart, it reached that position in its sixth week, on October 1, 1989.[23] On the Eurochart Hot 100, it went to number three same month. Outside Europe, "Pump Up the Jam" peaked at number four in Canada, but made it to number-one on the RPM Dance/Urban chart. It also reached number-one on the US BillboardHot Dance Club Play chart and the Cash Box Pop Singles chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, it reached number two, being held off the top spot by Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You". The single was recognized by the magazine as the US number-one single in sales point, but since Bolton's song had a lead in airplay points, it was given the top position on the Hot 100 chart.[24] In Australia and New Zealand, the single reached number four, while it peaked at number-one also in Zimbabwe. It was awarded with a gold record in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, after 40,000 and 400,000 singles were sold. Additionally, it also earned a silver record in France, and a platinum record in Australia and the United States.
Track listing
Multiple versions and re-releases were produced for the "Pump Up the Jam" singles.
In 1989, ZYX records released a cover version of "Pump Up the Jam" by M.C. Sar & The Real McCoy. The single reached number 16 in West Germany[91] and number 100 on the Dutch Single Top 100.[92]