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Untouched (song)

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"Untouched"
Single by The Veronicas
from the album Hook Me Up
B-side"Hollywood"
Released8 December 2007 (2007-12-08)
Recorded2006
Genre
Length4:14 (album version)
3:21 (radio edit)
3:41 (video edit)
LabelSire
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Toby Gad
The Veronicas singles chronology
"Hook Me Up"
(2007) 		"Untouched"
(2007) 		"This Love"
(2008)
The Veronicas UK singles chronology
"Untouched"
(2009) 		"4ever"
(2009)
The Veronicas US singles chronology
"When It All Falls Apart"
(2006) 		"Untouched"
(2008) 		"Take Me on the Floor"
(2009)

"Untouched" is a song by Australian recording group The Veronicas, which is featured on their second studio album Hook Me Up (2007). Toby Gad assisted the duo in writing the song and is also the producer. It was released as the second single from the band's album in Australia on 10 December 2007, and the first single in the UK and US.

"Untouched" received generally positive reviews from music critics, which applauded the departure from their previous music, with some highlighting it as the album's standout track and comparing it to the work of Pink and Avril Lavigne. The song was commercially successful worldwide, as the song reached number seventeen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group's only top twenty there and was known as their breakthrough single. The song also peaked at number eight in the UK, number two in their native Australia, number nine in New Zealand and at number one in Ireland. The song was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over one million shipments there.

An accompanying music video was released for the single, directed by Anthony Rose, where it was shot in Sydney, Australia. The video starts with a lot of pictures in the hallway. The video received generally positive reviews, having over 50 million hits on YouTube, remaining the group's highest viewing video.[1] The song was featured in 90210[2] and then in Hellcats and also featured in EA Sports game, FIFA 09. The song has also been nominated for different awards, being nominated for Highest Selling Single at the ARIA Music Awards and nominated for Favorite Song at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards.

Background and composition

"Untouched" was written by The Veronicas twins Jessica Origliasso and Lisa Origliasso along with Toby Gad, the track's producer. Writing and recording of the song took place at Jessica and Lisa's home in Los Angeles, California.[3] The song relates to Jessica and Lisa's feelings of separation from loved ones.[4] In an interview with Rachel Jones of Female First, Lisa explained the theme of "Untouched": "It's about not physically being able to touch someone or be with them but kind of needing that person".[5]

"Untouched" is an electropop and power pop song set in common time with an energy-filled fast tempo of 176 beats per minute.[6][7] The song is written in the key of F-sharp minor.[6] The song begins with strings, which are sometimes performed by a real string section in live performances, followed by guitars and synthesized drums. Lisa and Jess's vocal ranges span from A3-E5.[6]

Critical reception

Ben Norman from About.com said "Untouched" is fast, both in BPM and in the way the twins vocally present the song, yet it proves once again that speed and pain are not mutually exclusive ideas.".[8] K. Ross Hoffman from AllMusic had highlighted the track as an album standout, saying " "Untouched" bursts out of the gate with majestic, menacing string stabs and a driving synth-rock pulse beneath its stuttered verses and breathlessly obsessive refrain."[9] Emily Mackay from NME gave it a positive remark from the album review as she described the song as "raunchy". Evan Sawdey from PopMatters highlighted "Untouched" as a standout, saying "some of the best tracks the girls have ever made, some of which ("Untouched", "Revenge Is Sweeter") even outclass previous high points like Secret Life's flawless anthem "When It All Falls Apart"."[10]

David Balls from Digital Spy gave it three stars out of five. He said "Though it's been knocking about for a while, it's 'Untouched' that The Veronicas are touting as their breakthrough single over here." He concluded saying "There's little in the way of originality here, but the girls' vampish style and quirky charm should work in their favour." He had compared the song to the music of Pink and Avril Lavigne.[11] FemaleFirst.co.uk gave the song four-and-a-half out of five stars, saying "Other than that, this looks set to be an epic dance floor tune over the summer of 2009, it’s definitely finding a place on my iPod that’s for sure!".[12]

Chart performance

In their native Australia, the song had debuted at number four, until peaking at number two for three consecutive weeks. The song stayed in the charts for a total of twenty-nine weeks and was certified platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), shipping over 70,000 copies there. The song became the seventy-eighth best-selling single in Australia in 2007.[13] The song had also debuted at number thirty-four, after peaking at number nine on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), shipping over 7,500 copies there.

"Untouched" made its debut on the US Billboard charts at number sixteen on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart,[14] but eventually dropped off the charts until 3 December 2008, when it rose to number sixty-two on the Hot 100 countdown, due to radio play, and became their first Hot 100 entry.[15] The song later peaked at number seventeen as of 30 January 2009, making it their first top 20 hit in the U.S.[16] The single has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over one million paid downloads.[16][17]

"Untouched" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at 92.[18] "Untouched" received an "MTV Push" and large amounts of airplay on music channels when it was officially released on 25 May 2009.[19] On 31 May 2009, "Untouched" re-entered the chart at No. 8, becoming its British chart peak. In Ireland, the song debuted at No. 2 in the Irish Singles Chart on 29 May. After two weeks in the No. 2 spot, on 12 June 2009, "Untouched" climbed to No. 1 on the Irish Singles Chart, making "Untouched" The Veronicas' first number-one single outside of Australia.

Music video

The music video for the song was filmed at the Marble Bar in Sydney's Hilton Building and it took eighteen hours to film with fifty extras dressed in gothic glamour.[20] The video starts with a lot of pictures in the hallway. It goes to the band performing with a crowd in front of them. Jess and Lisa are in the hallway singing. They meet a man later. In the chorus, Jess and Lisa perform with the rest of the group. Jess is hanging around with the man and after a while, she goes to get something. The man then sees Lisa walking around in the crowd, and, since they are twins, he thinks that she is Jess. So he follows her and brings her back to the couch where he was sitting. In a little bit, Jess comes back to the couch. She sees that the man is kissing Lisa, and is offended. They see that he is trying to make a move with both of them, so together, they walk away. The music video was released on 3 December 2007 to Australian music channel shows. The video made its debut on MTV's TRL as a first look on 9 July 2008,[21] and a week later made its debut on the countdown at #10.[22]

Live performance

The Veronicas had performed the song live at the ARIA Music Awards in 2008.[23]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[49] Platinum 70,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[50] Platinum 15,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[51] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[53] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalogue
United States 8 December 2007[54] Sire Records Digital download
15 April 2008
13 May 2008 (Re-release)
August 2008 (2nd re-release) 		Airplay
Australia 8 December 2007 CD, digital download 9362498882
Chile[55] Digital download
France[56] 30 March 2009 CD, digital download B001TEKHBI
Ireland 22 May 2009
UK[19] 25 May 2009

References

  1. ^ "The Veronicas - Untouched (Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Untouched on 90210". The Veronicas. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  3. ^ Hook Me Up (liner notes). The Veronicas. Sire Records. 2007. 9362499154.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ Balls, David (18 May 2009). "The Veronicas - Music Interview". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK (National Magazine Company Ltd.). Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  5. ^ Jones, Rachel (9 May 2009). "The Veronicas: Untouched And Unstoppable". Female First. First Active Media Ltd. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Untouched: Digital Sheet music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing Company. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  7. ^ Staff (27 February 2009). "The Veronicas sell over a million units in the US". PerthNow. The Sunday Times. News Limited (News Corporation). Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  8. ^ "The Veronicas' Hook Me Up - Album review of Hook Me Up by The Veronicas". Dancemusic.about.com. 20 November 2007. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  9. ^ K. Ross Hoffman (1 October 2007). "Hook Me Up [Bonus Track] - The Veronicas". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  10. ^ Sawdey, Evan. "The Veronicas: Hook Me Up". Popmatters. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  11. ^ "The Veronicas: 'Untouched' - Music Singles Review". Digital Spy. 9 May 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  12. ^ "Single Review: The Veronicas - Untouched". Femalefirst.co.uk. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  13. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2007". ARIA Charts. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  14. ^ "Untouched - Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  15. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 - The Veronicas Untouched".
  16. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart".
  17. ^ Cashmere, Paul (26 February 2009). "The Veronicas, One Million Americans Touched By Untouched". Undercover.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  18. ^ "Official Charts Company - The Veronicas - Untouched". Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  19. ^ a b Balls, David (25 May 2009). "The Veronicas: 'Untouched'". Digital Spy.
  20. ^ "Watch out for the hot new video for UNTOUCHED". theveronicas.wordpress.com. Retrieved 1 February 2008.
  21. ^ "The Veronicas' "Untouched" First Look on MTV". fanbolt.com. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  22. ^ "The Veronicas Invade MTV". medolic.net. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
  23. ^ "The Veronicas- Untouched _ live at Aria Music Awards 2008". YouTube. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  24. ^ "The Veronicas – Untouched". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  25. ^ "The Veronicas – Untouched" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  26. ^ "The Veronicas – Untouched" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  27. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 21. týden 2009 in the date selector. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  28. ^ "The Veronicas Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  29. ^ "The Veronicas: Untouched" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  30. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  31. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Untouched". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  32. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Veronicas" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  33. ^ "The Veronicas – Untouched" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  34. ^ "The Veronicas – Untouched". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  35. ^ "The Veronicas – Untouched". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  36. ^ "Veronicas: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  37. ^ "The Veronicas Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  38. ^ "The Veronicas Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  39. ^ "The Veronicas Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  40. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  42. ^ "Éves összesített listák - MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 (súlyozott)". Mahasz. Mahasz.
  43. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2008". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  44. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  45. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2009". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  46. ^ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  47. ^ "Hot 100 Songs: Year End 2009". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  48. ^ a b "2009 ARIA End of Decade Singles Chart". ARIA. January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  49. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  50. ^ "The Irish Charts - 2008 Certification Awards - Platinum". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  51. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – The Veronicas – Untouched". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 19 September 2014.[dead link‍]
  52. ^ "British single certifications – The Veronicas – Untouched". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 May 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Untouched in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. ^ "American single certifications – The Veronicas – Untouched". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  54. ^ iTunes. Apple.com. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  55. ^ Bazuca. Bazuca.com. Retrieved 1 March 2009.
  56. ^ "The Veronicas, Untouched Un clip Electro-Pop-Rock australien éblouissant". Loisirados.com. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
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