DJ Ironik ft. Chipmunk & Elton John - 'Tiny Dancer'
I had considered breaking out some familiar similies to review this song, like "it's like rain on your wedding day" or "it's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife", but that's not really the most topical gag around, and besides, I think we've had enough jokes at Alanis Morissette's expense by now*. Anyway, it was either those or pretending to be confused about who was performing on the track. "Isn't it Ironik? Don't you think?"
Thank you, I'll be here all week, don't forget to tip your waitress, etc.
(, in which two underage James Bonds gatecrash a Stewie Griffin sexy party.)
To some extent, my opinion of this song is kind of irrelevant, since it's already earned Elton John's seal of approval for sampling his original track, and if Elton thinks it's good, it's not really my place to sit here and argue, is it?
And yet at the same time, I can't help feeling slightly unenthused. Samples can be a bit of a double-edged sword - if you pick one that's catchy enough, it does most of the heavy lifting for you, but the best songs that use samples are the ones you can imagine working equally well if you lifted the sample right out, and I'm not sure that's the case here.
There are some nice touches in the lyrics, but it's Sir Elton's original which is the only thing that ever really lifts it above ordinary, and without that it would all just feel a bit bog-standard, even with the bassline doing that "der-DUNDUN" bit from the beginning of 'Baby One More Time'.
As a result, it feels like a bit of an empty thrill - it's fun while it lasts, but it's hard to remember anything beyond the sample once it's over.
Download: Out now
CD Released: April 27th
91Èȱ¬ Music page
(Steve Perkins)
* Sorry to interject, but this is an opinion I do not share. I'm just waiting for the perfect moment to strike. - Fraser
Comment number 1.
At 24th Apr 2009, NOSH33N_x wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 24th Apr 2009, thranjax wrote:I have to agree. There will never be a time when the Alanis Morissette "Ironic" Joke expense account is paid.
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Comment number 3.
At 24th Apr 2009, HazelChartblog wrote:I had this stuck in my head all of last night. :(
Chipmunk can do better than this. DJ Ironik I am not so sure but come on dudes, just because the US is doing dodgy sampling currently doesn't mean we have to leap right on and follow.
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Comment number 4.
At 24th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:The most memorable hooks running thru this song are all attributed to Elton John.
That said the video is good , it has lashings of commercial appeal and works well as a whole but like the reviewer I feel it could have been even better.
On a sales perspective and here comes the Spirit prediction bit..... it will be a top 15 hit for sure.. maybe top 10..
We all know that a man who is 5 ft 1 inch tall will be number one on Sunday.....
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Comment number 5.
At 24th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Yo Fraser you know recently you said you were not destined for perfection, but said we will help you out ...... well here is Part one ! lol
Two good top 40 releases recently failed to get a review.....
Just Jack - Embers ... got to Number 17 !
Bat for lashes - DANIEL ( love this song ) and a top 40 hit.. which I was hoping to comment on..
Now bearing this in mind ,Green Day will be in the top 20 on Sunday .. and so will Marmaduke duke with RUBBER LOVER which I think will get close to the TOP 10.... please don't let these songs slip away.... and Empire of the sun soon too will need your close velvet attention !!
Please be sure, I am only trying to help in your glorious bid for perfection...
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Comment number 6.
At 24th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:It's true, some songs do slip through the net. We try and catch as many as possible though.
While we're exchanging feedback, would you mind not using the mid-week charts to make your predictions? It'll only cause trouble with the chart compilers, and I think people like finding out on Sunday.
By all means guess, but some recent predictions have been too specific. Hope you understand.
Fraser
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Comment number 7.
At 24th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Well predicting Dizzee Rascal to be number one in May which i did about a week ago... needs no mid week chart its about having an ear for a tune and being aware of what is going on around you in the business... and hearing commercial appeal.
Ditto me mentioning about two months ago that Calvin Harris I'm not alone would be huge.... and saying that poker face by lady gaga would outsell just dance even before the cd was physically released.
Some of us who love music can hear hits from a mile away and do not need help in hearing what will be a hit.
I said Noisettes would go top 20 way ,way before it was released... anyone could hear it would be massive, also saying The Enemy top 20 , and FRANKMUSIK top 30 weeks before release date...ditto Metrostation.... I am sure most musical minded people can hear they would be hits and people would like them.
I have been working in music for so long and can hear a hit a mile away ... most people with a commercial ear in the industry do not need midweek charts ... they already know.
High st bookmakers do not let me predict anymore when I predic ted Glasvegas to have a top 5 album... ayear before it happened and when they were unsigned. That was lucrative.
After hearing an early version of FLOWERS AND FOOTBALL TOPS I could tell they would be successful.
Anyway DIZZEE RASCAL for NUMBER ONE.
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Comment number 8.
At 24th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:OK here's another... not released until mid may...PASSION PIT" the reeling "will be a top 40 hit... thats a tune.
Black eyed peas "boom boom pow" released last week of MAY , huge commercial appeal.... TOP 5.
You can just hear the appeal...
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Comment number 9.
At 24th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Its months away but LITTLE BOOTS... "new in town " is another one destined to be a hit.. great song...
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Comment number 10.
At 24th Apr 2009, fluffyfinches wrote:The song is just so annoying!
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Comment number 11.
At 24th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Hope that is early enough for a few fun predictions.... I just happen to be a real music fan and love being on a blog with so many other music lovers who feel the same way.
Music is the food of love.....
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Comment number 12.
At 25th Apr 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:The fact Black Eyes Peas is number one in America also helps forming predictions on hits lol.
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Comment number 13.
At 25th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:I totally agree Liam... there is a huge wonderful world to learn from and study........... it is a real departure in sound from the last album and some initial plays here brought consternation from a lot of listeners... but it has grown on me and I think it has loads of commercial appeal and a power to it.
Again it has the english 80's influence and I am sure we will follow the u.s in makin this a hit.......
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Comment number 14.
At 25th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:I have been loving Marmaduke Duke - Rubber Lover for months... it has about 4 killer hooks in the song... the wonderful talented Simon from Biffy Clyro leading the band , loads of radio play... in my opinion it is a fantastic pop song with really strong melodies.... its had big hit written all over it for weeks !
Loads of commercial appeal.
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Comment number 15.
At 25th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:I think it was the wonderful Edith who said it would be a high new entry. I think she likes the song more than me !
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Comment number 16.
At 25th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Oh and Green Day Know your enemy rising up from 30... after it got there after only three days when it was available to download in week one....
Well the song is A LISTED AT RADIO 1 , they are one of the biggest bands in the world... their last album was a huge huge global success... the marketing for 21st century breakdown is going into overdrive............. well its just a slight hunch that the single will climb don't you think ?
I would guess it would climb the week after too as the momentum builds and the video is released.. there will be a lot of people liking this song ( and lots not ).... I don't need any chart to predict /guess this...
Anyway GREEN DAY it's great to have you back !
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Comment number 17.
At 25th Apr 2009, NOSH33N_x wrote:lol hw did my comment break the house rules? z
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Comment number 18.
At 25th Apr 2009, NOSH33N_x wrote:it deserves at least 4 stars ..nd yur review was .... lol x
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Comment number 19.
At 25th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Tell us what you like about this song Nosh...........
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Comment number 20.
At 25th Apr 2009, NOSH33N_x wrote:lol what isnt there to like about it? x
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Comment number 21.
At 26th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Cool.... Tiny Dancer released tomorrow... I reckon it will be top 10 next Sunday... just a hunch.........
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Comment number 22.
At 26th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Just out of interest is anyone else liking MARMADUKE DUKE -RUBBER LOVER or ASHER ROTH - I LOVE COLLEGE ?
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Comment number 23.
At 26th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:OH and another song I like the more I hear it is Warriors Dance by The Prodigy... great to dance to and the album has done extremely well...
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Comment number 24.
At 3rd May 2009, spirit wrote:WOW number 3... Ironiks last single release hardly hit the chart at all...... must be the Elton John factor ..... what a great talent he is !!
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