Bad Girl (Danity Kane song)

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"Bad Girl"
Single by Danity Kane featuring Missy Elliott
from the album Welcome to the Dollhouse
B-side"Damaged"
ReleasedJuly 1, 2008 (2008-07-01)
StudioCircle House Recording Studios (Miami, Florida)[1]
Length4:03 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Danja
Danity Kane singles chronology
"Damaged"
(2008)
"Bad Girl"
(2008)
"Lemonade"
(2014)
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Need U Bad"
(2008)
"Bad Girl"
(2008)
"Whatcha Think About That"
(2008)

"Bad Girl" is a song recorded by American girl group Danity Kane. It was written by Mary Brown, Jim Beanz, Devin "DLP" Parker, Danja and Missy Elliott.[1] Produced by Danja and featuring guest vocals by Elliott,[1] the song was released by Bad Boy Records on July 1, 2008 as the second and final single from the band's second studio album, Welcome to the Dollhouse (2008). It peaked at number 85 on the US Billboard Pop 100, marking the last release from the group before their early 2009 breakup.

Background[edit]

The recording process of "Bad Girl" was featured on the second season of the MTV reality television show, Making the Band 4.[2] They received the track only after revealing their dissatisfaction with the direction of their album to Diddy (their executive producer).[3]

After recording three songs, including the downtempo songs "Is Anybody Listening" and "Poetry", the group feared that the songs revealed a trend that indicated Diddy's and the record label's concept for their new album.[4][5] These opinions were first voiced during a studio session with Jim Beanz, Aundrea Fimbres stating they wanted a "pop-international [album]". Next, Aubrey O'Day represented the band's opinions in a conversation with their A&R, Conrad Dimanche. "Conrad, please just understand when I say this ... [last album] was more about learning and growing. And now, we found ourselves. So this album, to us, has to feel like we found ourselves, and we don't feel that yet." He tried to explain to her that the team's goal was "to have an incredible album", the same as Danity Kane's, but O'Day rebutted. She continued, stating the songs so far recorded consisted of "these 'I Want You Back', 'I Miss You', 'I Need You' [songs]," but clarified herself, adding, "I'm not saying there can't be those moments where we're vulnerable." She concluded, "We are strong women ... and we need to be able to sing that."[3]

Dissatisfaction continued to be expressed as the girls received prospective tracks, with Dawn Richard commenting, "They just don't match us!" The group's unhappy comments reached a new level during a visit with their then label-mates, Day26, in the studio. While listening to their tracks "Are We in This Together" and "I'm the Reason", O'Day made the startling comment, "It's catchy. You know? It's like ... It's got energy. All of our tracks, I wanna slit my fucking throat ... I am so happy that people love you enough to give you good tracks."[3]

After the numerous complaints, Diddy arranged a meeting with the band at Circle House Recording Studios. Getting over her initial nerves, O'Day relayed the same message to Diddy as she had to Dimanche. D. Woods helped convey this message, adding that they wanted to "understand [his] vision" and that they "had a different idea" and thought "[he] did too", going in a more uptempo direction. Diddy defended his stances on the issue, stating, "If I feel something, then I at least want to hear your texture on it. That's the play that I'm calling. Go run the play!" O'Day countered, continuing that the process of making the album was "personal" and that he would best understand this, him being a recording artist in his own right. She followed that the group understood that they would not love everything that they ever did and it would be a "compromise", but none of them have finished a track, wanting to perform it forever as part of their career.[3]

Surprisingly, Diddy apologized for the lack of communication and started taking Danity Kane's opinion into account while creating the album. Days later, they received the uptempo track that would become "Bad Girl".[2][3]

Chart performance[edit]

"Bad Girl" failed to reprise the commercial success of previous single "Damaged." It reached number 85 on the US Billboard Pop 100 chart,[6] but failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, instead reaching number ten on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[7]

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Bad Girl" was shot late June to early July 2008 in Los Angeles, California and premiered on the MTV programming block FNMTV Premieres on July 25.[8][9] It was directed by Erik White and choreographed by Gil Duldulao.[8] The video also includes cameos by featured rapper Missy Elliott, Day26 member Qwanell Mosley, and Talan Torriero of the hit MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County.[10] It also reached the top position of the Billboard Hot Videoclip Tracks chart in 2008.[11]

Missy Elliott appears in the video for "Bad Girl."[10]

The concept of the video is a graphic novel and stays true to the famous lyric in the song, "When the red light comes on, I transform," as each group member transforms into an alter ego of theirs after a flash of red light.[8] In the first verse and the first chorus, Aubrey O'Day portrays a con trying to claim her innocence during interrogation with a detective (played by Torriero). After a flash of red light, "The Sweet Aubrey" transforms. Now wearing a tight leather catsuit, she throws him on the table, straddles him, and handcuffs him to her chair. She leans in for a kiss before making her escape. D. Woods portrays a peep show performer enchanting her suitor. After a flash of red light, Woods now in all leather, grabs him and drags him into the peep show window. The impact knocks him out, leaving her to take all of his money.[10]

During the second verse through the rap break, Dawn Richard portrays a damsel in distress strapped to an upright gurney in "Dr. Q's Secret Laboratory". Dr. Q (played by Mosley) examines, licks, and bites her while taking observations of her in a lustful manner. Time is about to run out for "The Lovely Dawn" when a flash of red light appears. Suddenly, she changes wardrobe, breaks free, grabs the doctor and slams him on the gurney, returning his lusty looks. Aundrea Fimbres portrays a hostage imprisoned in a dark basement, who is chained up and planning her escape. Her muscular captor looks over her with a metal pipe in his hands, contemplating his next move. After a flash of red light, "The Ravishing Aundrea" breaks free of the chains and knocks out her kidnapper. Meanwhile, Missy Elliott is seen beside a machine rapping the 2nd verse the same place where Dawn and Aundrea escapes.[10]

In the bridge section of the song till the last chorus, Shannon Bex portrays a biker babe being chased through "Gotham City" on her motorbike by a male biker. He blows a kiss to her, showing his intentions. After a flash of red light, Bex transforms and kicks him in his face, knocking him off his motorbike.[10] Intermixed between these shots are all of the alter egos of Danity Kane, engaging in hard-hitting choreography, sometimes joined by "The Mighty Missy Elliott". The video ends with the "DK" logo transforming into a starry sky.[10]

Track listing[edit]

The following listings were taken from the single's sellsheet, the Billboard track listing and its listing at Amazon.com.[12][13]

CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Bad Girl" (featuring Missy Elliott) (radio version)3:25
2."Bad Girl" (featuring Missy Elliott) (album version)4:03
3."Bad Girl" (no rap version)3:22
4."Bad Girl" (instrumental)4:03
12" single[14][15]
No.TitleLength
1."Bad Girl" (featuring Missy Elliott) (album version)3:25
2."Bad Girl" (instrumental)4:03
3."Bad Girl" (a capella)3:22
4."Damaged" (album version)4:06
5."Damaged" (instrumental)4:06
6."Damaged" (a capella)3:33

Credits[edit]

According to the Welcome to the Dollhouse liner notes.[1]

A-side "Bad Girl"
B-side – "Damaged"
  • Recorded at Circle House Recording Studios in Miami, Florida. Additional recording took place at Daddy's House Recording Studios in New York City, New York.
  • Production – The Stereotypes; Sean Combs and Mario Winans (additional)
  • Songwriters – Jonathan Yip, Jeremy Reeves, Micayle McKinney, Ray Romulos, Shannon "Slam" Lawrence, Rose Marie Tan, James Smith, Justin Walker, Sean Combs, Mario Winans
  • Audio mixing – Ken Lewis of Daddy's House Recording Studios in New York City, New York
  • Audio mixing assistant —- Steve "Rockstar" Dickey
  • Engineered – KOIL, Kevin "Kev-O" Wilson, Steve "Rockstar" Dickey
  • Mastering – Brian Gardner

Charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Bad Girl"
Chart (2008) Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[7] 10
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[6] 85

Release history[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Bad Girl"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States July 1, 2008 (2008-07-01) Digital download [16]
July 15, 2008 (2008-07-15) 12" maxi single [13]
Germany July 14, 2008 (2008-07-14) [17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Welcome to the Dollhouse liner notes.
  2. ^ a b "Making The Band 4 (Season 2) | Episode : Danity Kane Attacks! | Video, Photos | MTV". MTV.com. MTV Networks. February 25, 2008. Full Episode Summary. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2010. Things keep going well for Danity Kane the next day in the studio, when Diddy comes through for them and gives them a 'cocky and sassy' track that fits their bad-girl personality.
  3. ^ a b c d e Combs, Sean (Executive Producer) (February 27, 2008). "Danity Kane Attacks!". Making the Band 4. Season 2. Episode 5. MTV. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  4. ^ "Making The Band 4 (Season 2) | Episode : Bitchassness | Video, Photos | MTV". MTV.com. MTV Networks. February 4, 2008. Full Episode Summary. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2010. Meanwhile, the ladies begin working on a new song, "Poetry", about a relationship where one person isn't being honest.
  5. ^ "Making The Band 4 (Season 2) | Episode : Battle of the Sexes | Video, Photos | MTV". MTV.com. MTV Networks. January 28, 2008. Full Episode Summary. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2010. The girls nail a song called "Is Anybody Listening," proving that they already have a winning formula in place.
  6. ^ a b [1][dead link]
  7. ^ a b "Danity Kane Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Harris, Chris (June 1, 2008). "Danity Kane Embrace Femme Fatale Alter Egos In Fast-Paced 'Bad Girl' Clip". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  9. ^ "Bow Wow, Danity Kane, & Pink on 'FNMTV'". Rap-Up. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2009. Danity Kane are among the artists premiering new videos this Friday at 8 p.m. on 'FNMTV' ... the ladies of Danity Kane will premiere the video for their second single "Bad Girl" with Missy Elliott.
  10. ^ a b c d e f White, Erik (Director) (July 24, 2008). Danity Kane - Bad Girl (Video) [Featuring Missy Elliott] (flv). New York City, New York, United States: Bad Boy Records. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  11. ^ [2][dead link]
  12. ^ "Danity Kane.Nu | Dawn-Richard.Net #1 DANITY KANE Fansite • Welcome to the Dollhouse + Damaged Mp3 + Making the Band 4". Archived from the original on 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  13. ^ a b "Amazon.com: Bad Girl [Vinyl]: Danity Kane: Music". Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. July 15, 2008. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  14. ^ Closeup Image of "Bad Girl" 12" maxi single (B-side). Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  15. ^ Closeup Image of "Bad Girl" 12" maxi single (A-side). Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  16. ^ "Bad Girl - Danity Kane | AllMusic". All Music Guide. Rovi Corporation. 2008. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  17. ^ "Danity Kane - Bad girl feat. Missy Elliott(12") | hhv.de | shop". Hhv.de. July 14, 2008. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2010.

External links[edit]