Digital Love (Daft Punk song)
"Digital Love" | |
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"Digital Love" is a song by the French electronic music duo Daft Punk. It was released as the third single from the album Discovery. As part of the album, the song is featured in the film Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem.
Composition
As documented in the Discovery liner notes, the song features a sample of "I Love You More" by George Duke. The sample was worked into an electronic pop song about unspoken love with lyrics by DJ Sneak[1] and vocals performed by Daft Punk.[2] Friend and occasional collaborator Chilly Gonzales remarked upon the unresolved chord progression derived from the sample, noting that the suspended harmonies contribute to the song's sense of longing and desire.[3]
The track is known for the solo featured prominently on its second half. Thomas Bangalter revealed that the solo was created using a mixture of elements, aided by music sequencers. "No one plays solos in their songs anymore, but we wanted to include some on the album."[4] Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo also noted the duo's use of in-studio equipment to evoke the sound of a previous artist:
On 'Digital Love,' you get this Supertramp vibe on the bridge. We didn't sample Supertramp, but we had the original Wurlitzer piano they used, so we thought it would be more fun to have the original instrument and mess around with it. We use mainly vintage synthesizers, like older electric pianos like the Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavinet. We didn't use the Clavinet on Discovery, but I usually use it in my studio.[5]
Music video
The video was released in 2001 and would later appear as part the 2003 anime film Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem.
Immediately following the events that occurred in the "Aerodynamic" video, the alien planet's security guards regain enough consciousness to send a distress signal to a distant astronaut named Shep. At first, Shep is seen cleaning his spaceship's exterior while singing along with the song's lyrics. After completing the task, he returns to the ship and lounges around in his bedroom, filled with memorabilia of the alien band. He drifts into a daydream where he dances with his crush, the band's female bass player (later named Stella), in mid-air.
Shep's dream comes to an abrupt halt when he is awakened by the distress signal sent to him. To his horror, he learns of the band's abduction and current state of the alien planet, immediately pursuing after the kidnappers. After the chase leads through a warp hole, the kidnappers make a safe landing with the unconscious alien band at their base on Earth, with Shep crash-landing into a nearby forest, temporarily rendering him unconscious. The kidnappers take the sedated captives into the base's lab for the events that take place in the "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" video.
Reception
"Digital Love" charted backed with "Aerodynamic" due to equal club play. It charted at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and made number 9 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the United States. It also reached number 67 in Australia, promoted along with its B-side, "Aerodynamic".
The song was featured in a GAP television advertisement. It featured both members of Daft Punk wearing their robotic helmets and gloves as well as GAP denim shirts and jeans. They appeared dancing with Juliette Lewis. When asked about Daft Punk's dancing in the ad, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo stated "It looks really simple to do, but when you're on a step with the crew, it's really not, even though the choreographer was really nice."[6] "Digital Love" was also used by Nokia for a commercial of the Nokia 5300, and several MTV programs Is It College Yet?, Pimp my Ride, Date My Mom and Next.
The American band Hellogoodbye often uses the first two verses of "Digital Love" in place of the second verse of the song "Here (In Your Arms)" when performing live. A live version of the song, performed by Danish group Alphabeat is available as part of an iTunes Live EP.[7]
Track listing
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Chart positions
Chart (2001) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA)[9][A] | 67 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[10] | 2 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11] | 38 |
France (SNEP)[12] | 33 |
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS | 85 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] | 60 |
UK Singles (OCC)[14] | 14 |
Notes
- ^ "Digital Love" charted as a double A-side with "Aerodynamic" in Australia.
References
- ^ Carlos Sosa (aka DJ Sneak) received a songwriter credit in the liner notes of Discovery (2001) and full lyrical acknowledgement in the end credits of Interstella 5555 (2003).
- ^ Discovery liner notes: "performed by Daft Punk."
- ^ Lachman, Ed (April 30, 2013). "Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | The Collaborators, Episode 6: Chilly Gonzales". The Creators Project. YouTube. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
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- ^ Chris Gill. "ROBOPOP". Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2006.
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- ^ Michael Hamersly, ""Ask the DJ"". Retrieved September 5, 2016.
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suggested) (help)[dead link] The Miami Herald. Retrieved on March 6, 2007. - ^ iTunes Store
- ^ a b c d e "Daft Punk - Digital Love". Spanish Charts (Hung Medien). Retrieved on 21 May 2012.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 591 (Week Commencing 25 June 2001)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. p. 2. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Daft Punk – Digital Love" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Daft Punk – Digital Love" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Daft Punk – Digital Love" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Daft Punk – Digital Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2012.