Sadeness (Part I)
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"Sadeness" | |
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Song |
"Sadeness (Part I)" is a 1990 single created by the musical project Enigma. The song was the first of four singles from the project's first album MCMXC a.D. and upon release became an international smash hit, reaching number one in 24 countries and the top ten in four others including the United States where it made number five on the pop chart and number one on the dance chart.
History
"Sadeness" was written by Michael Cretu (under the pseudonym Curly M.C.), Frank Peterson (under the pseudonym F. Gregorian), and David Fairstein. The lyrics are in Latin and French; the Latin text includes a quotation from Psalm 24:7-8. The Extended Trance Mix from the CD single contains some additional French lyrics.
The Gregorian vocals were mostly taken from the 1976 album Paschale Mysterium by the German choir Capella Antiqua München with conductor Konrad Ruhland, specifically from their track "Procedamus in pace! (Antiphon)". The vocals were at first used without permission; a lawsuit followed in 1994 and was settled by compensation.
The song was named "Sadeness (Part I)" on its single release in Germany, and "Sadeness Part I" on its single release in the United Kingdom and Japan. It is a sensual track with an insistent beat based around "questioning" the sexual desires of Marquis de Sade, hence the German release name of "Sadeness", as opposed to the English word of Sadness.
It was followed by a pseudo-sequel named "Mea Culpa (Part II)", which was a moderate commercial success compared to "Sadeness (Part I)".
Track listings
- 4-track CD single for the UK
- "Sadeness Part I" (Radio Edit) – 4:16
- "Sadeness Part I" (Extended Trance Mix) – 5:04
- "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix) – 3:01
- "Sadeness Part I" (Violent US Remix) – 5:03
- 5-track CD single for the U.S.
- "Sadeness Part I" (Violent US Remix) – 5:03
- "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix) – 3:01
- "Sadeness Part I" (Extended Trance Mix) – 5:04
- "Sadeness Part I" (Radio Edit) – 4:17
- "Introit: Benedicta sit sancta Trinitas" – 3:04
- 2-track promotional CD single for Japan
- "Sadeness Part I" (Ebi-Kuma Mix)
- "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix)
- 2-track 7-Inch single for France
- "Sadeness Part I" (Radio Edit) – 4:17
- "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix) – 2:57
Uses in other media
- On 16 October 2002, the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Anne Dudley performed a live version of "Sadeness (Part I)".
- The song was featured in the "slow motion" sketch, from the second season of Chappelle's Show. It was also used as background music in films such as Charlie's Angels, Boxing Helena, Single White Female and Exit To Eden.
- The song was used in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder, and was released on the soundtrack.
- The song was often used by radio talk show host David Stein as a background.
- The song was used in the 1992 film Single White Female.
- The song was used in the 2011 film A Good Old Fashioned Orgy
Video
This section is written like a review. (October 2009) |
The video shows a scholar, possibly a reference to Marquis de Sade, who falls asleep at a desk in his room whilst writing ... and has a fantastic, seductive, and enlightening dream. The scholar finds himself wandering among cathedral ruins. He comes up to Auguste Rodin's The Gates of Hell, which is probably the "Forbidden Door", according to the album concept. As the young man looks on, he sees a beautiful young woman beyond it. She whispers the main lyric to him in a seductive tone - "Sade, dis-moi" "Sade, donne-moi" or translated- "Sade, tell me" "Sade, give me". The man turns and tries to flee, but relents to his desires and is "sucked" back through the door. At this point, the young man wakes from the dream and looks around anxiously, but finds only a light from his window shining down on him.
Sampling of the song
Toronto electronic duo Crystal Castles has sampled segments of Sadness (Part I) in some of their Live acts. They are to release their new album in April or May 2010 which includes the single that features the sample.
Charts
The single became a number-one hit in the UK in January, and soon followed in over 20 other countries.[1] It remained at number one on the Eurochart for nine weeks. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in April 1991. The record sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S. and was certified gold.[2] The single has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide.[3]
Peak positions
1 "Principles of Lust" ("Sadeness"/ "Find Love" / "Sadeness") |
Year-end charts
Certifications
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See also
References
- ^ "crocodile-music.de". crocodile-music.de. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ Martyn Woolley. "enigmamusic.com". enigmamusic.com. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ Weinert, Ellie (1995-03-04). "Casebook: Enigma". Billboard. p. 58. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Sadeness Part I", in various singles charts Lescharts.com . Retrieved 14 April 2008.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1990" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de . Retrieved 14 April 2008.
- ^ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie . Retrieved 14 April 2008.
- ^ UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com . Retrieved 14 April 2008.
- ^ a b c Billboard Allmusic.com . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ 1991 Australian Singles Chart aria.com . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ 1991 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1991" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ^ 1991 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1991". Retrieved 2009-09-15.
- ^ Austrian certifications ifpi.at . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ French certifications Infodisc.fr . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Sadeness')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ Dutch certifications nvpi.nl . Retrieved 9 December 2008.
- ^ Swedish certifications Ifpi.se . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ UK certifications Bpi.co.uk . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- ^ U.S. certifications riaa.com . Retrieved 10 September 2008.
- 1990 singles
- Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs number-one singles
- Enigma songs
- Number-one singles in Austria
- European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
- Number-one singles in France
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Italy
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Norway
- Number-one singles in Sweden
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one debut singles
- Singles certified platinum by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie
- Songs written by Michael Cretu