Follow Me Home
Encyclopedia
"Follow Me Home" is a song by British girl group Sugababes
from their fourth studio album
, Taller in More Ways
. It was written by band members Keisha Buchanan
, Mutya Buena
and Heidi Range
in collaboration with Jonathan Lipsey, Karen Poole
and Jeremy Shaw. It was produced by Jony Rockstar. The song was released on 5 June 2006 by Island Records
. Sugababes collaborated with Lipsey and Rockstar on a number of tracks, of which three were chosen for Taller in More Ways with "Follow Me Home" being released as the fourth and final single from it. The song has prominent
soul
, synthpop
, pop ballad and europop
characteristics. The lyrics of the track contain influences of mutual comfort in addition to Buena's experiences from parenthood.
"Follow Me Home" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. The song became Sugababes' 16th consecutive top forty chart hit in the United Kingdom
after achieving a peak of number thirty-two. It was however, not released in the rest of Europe
but did garner charting success in Ireland
, Slovakia
, Taiwan
and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.
The music video
for "Follow Me Home" was directed by Toby Tremlett and premiered on 30 April 2006. It shows the group playing the parts of 'honeytrappers' during the Cold War
. Sugababes performed the song on various television programmes, including: Top of the Pops
, Paul O'Grady
Show and Popworld
. "Follow Me Home" was also performed as part of the group's setlist for their Taller In More Ways Tour.
and Heidi Range
, and former member Mutya Buena
in collaboration with British musician Karen Poole
(well-known for working for the likes of Girls Aloud
and Atomic Kitten
, as well as previous Sugababes single "Caught in a Moment
"), Jeremy Shaw and Jonathan Lipsey (who also co-wrote the group's debut single "Overload"). In an interview with Jess Cartner-Morley of The Guardian
, Buchanan revealed that they co-wrote the song in the following manner: "The three girls sit in separate corners of the studio each writing a verse or chorus." It was produced by Jony Rockstar, who also handled the drum and bass
programming of the song - Rockstar had also previously contributed to Sugababes singles: "Overload," "New Year," "Run for Cover
," "Stronger" and "Caught in a Moment." During 2005, the band also collaborated with Rockstar, Poole and Lipsey for the track "Gotta Be You" which is also featured on the group's fourth studio album
, Taller in More Ways
. Additional vocal production was done by Mike Stevens. Because of the song's ballad
nature, an orchestra
primarily formed its backing. The orchestra was conducted by Chris Elliott, led by Gavin Wright and contracted by Isobel Griffiths. Keyboard
and guitar
on the song were courtesy of its co-writer Jeremy Shaw, whilst Brio Taliaferro additionally contributed to its guitar backing and song programming. Mixers of previous Sugababes singles "Hole in the Head
" and "In the Middle
", Jeremy Wheatley and Richard Edgeler, mixed "Follow Me Home" at the Twenty-One in London
, England
.
Like the band's previous ballad
singles: "Run for Cover," "Stronger" and "Caught in a Moment" - the song has a typical slow-tempo
pop
and soul music
nature to it. It is composed in a tempo of 40 beats per minute and in the key of F#m.
Lyrically, the song is about protecting and re-assuring the one you love. The main influence behind the lyrics of the song were Buena's five-month-old daughter Tahlia - this influence was said to have "changed the dynamic of the band for the better" in addition to the sense of ownership it gave Buena in dedicating it to her baby.
The cover art for the song's single release was revealed on 26 April 2006 and features Amelle Berrabah
having the same hairdo she had on cover art for the re-issue of Taller in More Ways..
This story, as described by Range before Buena left the band in an interview with The Guardian, is said to be what enabled the group to co-write the lyrics to the track:
A dominant lyrical influence was the following experience Mutya Buena had been through, as described by Buena herself in an interview with The Guardian before she left the band:
Originally, "Gotta Be You" was thought to be the fourth single to be released from Taller in More Ways after an announcement on a BBC
website, this was however confirmed false after Keisha Buchanan announced in March 2006 on the group's Taller In More Ways Tour that the fourth single would be "Follow Me Home".
Toney Heywood of MusicOMH
reviewed the single: "Another pop
masterclass - smooth, moving and swooning, a downtempo
track but not a desperate plea or a power ballad. [...] Heidi Range
's voice steals the show, swelling up with the rising arrangement. [...] Then the chorus
comes bursting out of the verses like Theo Walcott
on speed." Sputnikmusic.com described the song as a "Soulful ballad that truly showcases them as amazing singers. Heartfelt all the way with great vocals." Stylus Magazine
complimented the song's "Luscious, romantic strings." Talia Kraines of the BBC
said: "Follow Me Home nearly reaches Too Lost in You
standards." Dooyoo.co.uk reviewed the track as "A relaxing, chilled out ballad. The girls are able to show off their vocals on the track. Good lyrics, though not a very catchy chorus" and as one of three tracks on Taller in More Ways
that are "in a different league to the other tracks." iTunes
described "Follow Me Home" as an "Aptly pitched inspirational mini epic dealing with romantic issues." Hecklerspray.com reviewed the single as follows: "A R&B-tinged ballad which benefits from some lovely strings, and gorgeous, sultry vocals from the girls. It's not as exciting as the album's previous singles ["Push the Button," "Ugly
" and "Red Dress
"], but it'll inevitably provoke an "Oh yeah, that one was pretty decent too" [response] [...]."
after climbing fifty-nine places from its previous week position of #101 and was their first single to enter out side the Top forty. In its second week on the chart, the single dropped ten places to reach a position of number fifty-two on 24 June 2006. On 1 July 2006 it dropped forty places to number ninety-two - where the song spent its third and final week on the chart.
"Follow Me Home" enjoyed better chart success in Ireland
, where on 8 June 2006 it debuted and peaked at number twenty-five on the Irish Singles Chart
. On 15 June, the single then dropped fifteen places to number forty. In its third week on the chart, however, the song rebounded to climb two places to number thirty-eight for the issue date: 22 June 2006. On 29 June, the song spent its fourth and final week on this chart, dropping seven places to number forty-five. "Follow Me Home" became the group's fifteenth top forty hit in Ireland and outpeaked the band's previous singles: "Run for Cover
," "Soul Sound
" and "Caught in a Moment
" on this chart.
The single also garnered charting success for the band in Slovakia
and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.
The music video
for "Follow Me Home" was directed by Toby Tremlett, director of the band's music video for previous single "Ugly
." It was shot in the Czech Republic
, and premiered on 30 April 2006. It is set in Warsaw
, Poland
during the Cold War
, and shows the group playing the parts of so-called 'honeytrappers' – women who manipulated high ranking military personnel out of secrets.
Sugababes wanted to adopt a different angle and avoid the traditional ballad video, to show a different side to the song. While there is no strong storyline to the video, it adopts a sombre mood, reflecting the sadness within the song. The girls are all wearing vintage
clothing from the 70’s and 80’s and the video was shot in a hotel that was specifically built for the communist
leaders of the time. At these hotels they would throw lavish parties that would never be permitted back home in Moscow
.
's 2005 single "Living for the Weekend
" that Sugababes performed on Radio 1
's Live Lounge
on 6 March 2006 during the promotion schedule for previous single "Red Dress
". In addition to "Living for the Weekend," a remix of previous single and top 5 chart hit "Red Dress" by Kardinal Beats is featured on the single format of "Follow Me Home" with a Kardinal Beats remix of "Follow Me Home" featured on its |12 single release. British dance music
group and remix/production outfit Soul Seekerz
mainly remixed the song for its physical release and the music video
is present on the song's maxi-single and as a separate digital download
. All versions of the song incorporate the re-recorded version of it, including vocals by Amelle Berrabah
and excluding the original vocals by Mutya Buena
.
, it became Sugababes' lowest peaking single on the UK Airplay Chart, reaching a peak of only number twenty-four. The single however became the band's fourteenth single to be A-listed on BBC
Radio 1
.
For the single's promotion the group performed the song on a number of television shows. It was first performed on 13 May 2006 on BBC 1 dance talent competition show Strictly Dance Fever
. The band then performed it on media and entertainment programme Popworld
on 27 May, leading up to its official release date. A day after the single was released, Sugababes performed "Follow Me Home" live on the Paul O'Grady Show on 6 June and then later on Top of the Pops
on 11 June. The song was also performed as part of the setlist for the group's Taller In More Ways Tour
.
Sugababes
The Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Sugababes were formed in 1998 with founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Their debut album, One Touch, was released in 2000 under London...
from their fourth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth...
. It was written by band members Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Buchanan
Keisha Kerreece Fayeanne Buchanan is an English singer-songwriter and was a founding member of the BRIT Award-winning girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buchanan had six number one singles and two number one studio albums, making the Sugababes one of the most successful British pop acts...
, Mutya Buena
Mutya Buena
Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her...
and Heidi Range
Heidi Range
Heidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released...
in collaboration with Jonathan Lipsey, Karen Poole
Karen Poole
Karen Poole is an English songwriter and singer, who gained initial fame with her younger sister, Shelly Poole, as the duo / band, Alisha's Attic.-List of compositions:...
and Jeremy Shaw. It was produced by Jony Rockstar. The song was released on 5 June 2006 by Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. Sugababes collaborated with Lipsey and Rockstar on a number of tracks, of which three were chosen for Taller in More Ways with "Follow Me Home" being released as the fourth and final single from it. The song has prominent
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
, pop ballad and europop
Europop
Europop refers to a style of pop music that first developed in today's form in Europe, throughout the late 1970s. Europop topped the charts throughout the 1980s and ’90s...
characteristics. The lyrics of the track contain influences of mutual comfort in addition to Buena's experiences from parenthood.
"Follow Me Home" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. The song became Sugababes' 16th consecutive top forty chart hit in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
after achieving a peak of number thirty-two. It was however, not released in the rest of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
but did garner charting success in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.
The music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Follow Me Home" was directed by Toby Tremlett and premiered on 30 April 2006. It shows the group playing the parts of 'honeytrappers' during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Sugababes performed the song on various television programmes, including: Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady
Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He is best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as...
Show and Popworld
Popworld
Popworld was a British television programme that was broadcast on Channel 4, offering pop news, trivia, gossip, interviews and music videos, as well as musical performances from the most recent top artists....
. "Follow Me Home" was also performed as part of the group's setlist for their Taller In More Ways Tour.
Background
The song was co-written by group members Keisha BuchananKeisha Buchanan
Keisha Kerreece Fayeanne Buchanan is an English singer-songwriter and was a founding member of the BRIT Award-winning girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buchanan had six number one singles and two number one studio albums, making the Sugababes one of the most successful British pop acts...
and Heidi Range
Heidi Range
Heidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released...
, and former member Mutya Buena
Mutya Buena
Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her...
in collaboration with British musician Karen Poole
Karen Poole
Karen Poole is an English songwriter and singer, who gained initial fame with her younger sister, Shelly Poole, as the duo / band, Alisha's Attic.-List of compositions:...
(well-known for working for the likes of Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
and Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten
Atomic Kitten were an English girl group from Liverpool, first established in 1997. Created by Andy McCluskey, the final line-up, and most commercially successful, consisted of Natasha Hamilton, Liz McClarnon, and Jenny Frost...
, as well as previous Sugababes single "Caught in a Moment
Caught in a Moment
"Caught in a Moment" is a pop ballad performed by British group Sugababes. It was written by Marius De Vries, Jony Lipsey, Karen Poole, and band members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range for the band's third studio album Three. Released in 2004 as the album's fourth and final single,...
"), Jeremy Shaw and Jonathan Lipsey (who also co-wrote the group's debut single "Overload"). In an interview with Jess Cartner-Morley of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Buchanan revealed that they co-wrote the song in the following manner: "The three girls sit in separate corners of the studio each writing a verse or chorus." It was produced by Jony Rockstar, who also handled the drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
programming of the song - Rockstar had also previously contributed to Sugababes singles: "Overload," "New Year," "Run for Cover
Run for Cover (Sugababes song)
"Run for Cover" is a song performed by English girl group the Sugababes. The 'Babes, Jony Lipsey, Cameron McVey and Paul Simm all co-wrote the song for the band's debut album One Touch...
," "Stronger" and "Caught in a Moment." During 2005, the band also collaborated with Rockstar, Poole and Lipsey for the track "Gotta Be You" which is also featured on the group's fourth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth...
. Additional vocal production was done by Mike Stevens. Because of the song's ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
nature, an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
primarily formed its backing. The orchestra was conducted by Chris Elliott, led by Gavin Wright and contracted by Isobel Griffiths. Keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on the song were courtesy of its co-writer Jeremy Shaw, whilst Brio Taliaferro additionally contributed to its guitar backing and song programming. Mixers of previous Sugababes singles "Hole in the Head
Hole in the Head
"Hole in the Head" is a dance-pop song performed by Sugababes, released in October 2003 as the lead single from their third studio album Three...
" and "In the Middle
In the Middle
"In the Middle" is a pop song written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, Andre Tegler, Phil Fuldner, Michael Bellina, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range for the Sugababes' third studio album Three...
", Jeremy Wheatley and Richard Edgeler, mixed "Follow Me Home" at the Twenty-One in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Like the band's previous ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
singles: "Run for Cover," "Stronger" and "Caught in a Moment" - the song has a typical slow-tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
nature to it. It is composed in a tempo of 40 beats per minute and in the key of F#m.
Lyrically, the song is about protecting and re-assuring the one you love. The main influence behind the lyrics of the song were Buena's five-month-old daughter Tahlia - this influence was said to have "changed the dynamic of the band for the better" in addition to the sense of ownership it gave Buena in dedicating it to her baby.
The cover art for the song's single release was revealed on 26 April 2006 and features Amelle Berrabah
Amelle Berrabah
Amelle Berrabah is a British singer, songwriter and member of pop girl group the Sugababes. Since replacing founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, Berrabah has attained two UK number one singles, "About You Now" and "Walk This Way", as well as a number one album, Change...
having the same hairdo she had on cover art for the re-issue of Taller in More Ways..
This story, as described by Range before Buena left the band in an interview with The Guardian, is said to be what enabled the group to co-write the lyrics to the track:
[...] we've been through a lot as a band, the other girls lost a member, I joined, we got dropped, we got signed again, Mutya had a baby, the press were always saying we were splitting up. And we've overcome all of it. We haven't let any of it break us, and we're still here.
A dominant lyrical influence was the following experience Mutya Buena had been through, as described by Buena herself in an interview with The Guardian before she left the band:
I always said that if I wasn't in the Sugababes I would have wanted to have a baby at 19. And you know what? I am in the Sugababes, and I still had a baby at 19.
Originally, "Gotta Be You" was thought to be the fourth single to be released from Taller in More Ways after an announcement on a BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
website, this was however confirmed false after Keisha Buchanan announced in March 2006 on the group's Taller In More Ways Tour that the fourth single would be "Follow Me Home".
Critical reception
"Follow Me Home" received mainly positive reviews from contemporary music critics.Toney Heywood of MusicOMH
MusicOMH
musicOMH is a United Kingdom-based website which publishes independent reviews, featues and interviews from across all musical genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.-History:...
reviewed the single: "Another pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
masterclass - smooth, moving and swooning, a downtempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
track but not a desperate plea or a power ballad. [...] Heidi Range
Heidi Range
Heidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released...
's voice steals the show, swelling up with the rising arrangement. [...] Then the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
comes bursting out of the verses like Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Theo James Walcott is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed...
on speed." Sputnikmusic.com described the song as a "Soulful ballad that truly showcases them as amazing singers. Heartfelt all the way with great vocals." Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine was an online music and film magazine launched in 2002. It featured long-form music journalism, four daily music reviews, movie reviews, a number of different podcasts, an MP3 blog, and a text blog....
complimented the song's "Luscious, romantic strings." Talia Kraines of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said: "Follow Me Home nearly reaches Too Lost in You
Too Lost in You
"Too Lost in You" is a pop/R&B song covered by British girl group Sugababes from their third studio album Three . The song was released on 15 December, 2003 as the album's second single. It was written by Diane Warren and co-produced by Andy Bradfield and Rob Dougan...
standards." Dooyoo.co.uk reviewed the track as "A relaxing, chilled out ballad. The girls are able to show off their vocals on the track. Good lyrics, though not a very catchy chorus" and as one of three tracks on Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth...
that are "in a different league to the other tracks." iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
described "Follow Me Home" as an "Aptly pitched inspirational mini epic dealing with romantic issues." Hecklerspray.com reviewed the single as follows: "A R&B-tinged ballad which benefits from some lovely strings, and gorgeous, sultry vocals from the girls. It's not as exciting as the album's previous singles ["Push the Button," "Ugly
Ugly (Sugababes song)
"Ugly" is a pop song by British girl group Sugababes. It was written and produced by Dallas Austin for the group's fourth studio album, Taller In More Ways. It is the last single to feature founding member Mutya Buena...
" and "Red Dress
Red Dress (song)
"Red Dress" is a song performed by British girl group Sugababes from their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways. It was written by band members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, Heidi Range, and Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper, Tim Powell, Nick Coler, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, and Bob Bradley of the...
"], but it'll inevitably provoke an "Oh yeah, that one was pretty decent too" [response] [...]."
Chart performance
On 17 June 2006 "Follow Me Home" debuted and peaked at number forty-two on the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
after climbing fifty-nine places from its previous week position of #101 and was their first single to enter out side the Top forty. In its second week on the chart, the single dropped ten places to reach a position of number fifty-two on 24 June 2006. On 1 July 2006 it dropped forty places to number ninety-two - where the song spent its third and final week on the chart.
"Follow Me Home" enjoyed better chart success in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, where on 8 June 2006 it debuted and peaked at number twenty-five on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
. On 15 June, the single then dropped fifteen places to number forty. In its third week on the chart, however, the song rebounded to climb two places to number thirty-eight for the issue date: 22 June 2006. On 29 June, the song spent its fourth and final week on this chart, dropping seven places to number forty-five. "Follow Me Home" became the group's fifteenth top forty hit in Ireland and outpeaked the band's previous singles: "Run for Cover
Run for Cover (Sugababes song)
"Run for Cover" is a song performed by English girl group the Sugababes. The 'Babes, Jony Lipsey, Cameron McVey and Paul Simm all co-wrote the song for the band's debut album One Touch...
," "Soul Sound
Soul Sound
"Soul Sound" is a R&B/soul song performed by English group Sugababes. It was co-written by Charlotte Gordon Cumming, Ron Tom and Sam Harley for the band's debut studio album One Touch and released as its fourth single in the summer of 2001....
" and "Caught in a Moment
Caught in a Moment
"Caught in a Moment" is a pop ballad performed by British group Sugababes. It was written by Marius De Vries, Jony Lipsey, Karen Poole, and band members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Heidi Range for the band's third studio album Three. Released in 2004 as the album's fourth and final single,...
" on this chart.
The single also garnered charting success for the band in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
and on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.
Music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Follow Me Home" was directed by Toby Tremlett, director of the band's music video for previous single "Ugly
Ugly (Sugababes song)
"Ugly" is a pop song by British girl group Sugababes. It was written and produced by Dallas Austin for the group's fourth studio album, Taller In More Ways. It is the last single to feature founding member Mutya Buena...
." It was shot in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, and premiered on 30 April 2006. It is set in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, and shows the group playing the parts of so-called 'honeytrappers' – women who manipulated high ranking military personnel out of secrets.
Sugababes wanted to adopt a different angle and avoid the traditional ballad video, to show a different side to the song. While there is no strong storyline to the video, it adopts a sombre mood, reflecting the sadness within the song. The girls are all wearing vintage
Vintage clothing
Vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era. The phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g...
clothing from the 70’s and 80’s and the video was shot in a hotel that was specifically built for the communist
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
leaders of the time. At these hotels they would throw lavish parties that would never be permitted back home in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.
Formats and track listings
The b-side chosen for the release of "Follow Me Home" was a soulful cover version of Hard-FiHARD-Fi
Hard-Fi are an English indie rock band formed in Staines, Surrey in 2003. The band's members are Richard Archer , Ross Phillips , Kai Stephens and Steve Kemp .They achieved chart success with their third single, "Hard to Beat" and then followed by other successful singles such as...
's 2005 single "Living for the Weekend
Living for the Weekend
"Living for the Weekend" is the fourth single from English indie band Hard-Fi, from their debut album Stars of CCTV. It was released on 5 September 2005 and peaked at #15 on the UK charts. "Living for the Weekend" was written by Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer and has been heavily featured in a...
" that Sugababes performed on Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Live Lounge
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
on 6 March 2006 during the promotion schedule for previous single "Red Dress
Red Dress (song)
"Red Dress" is a song performed by British girl group Sugababes from their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways. It was written by band members Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, Heidi Range, and Brian Higgins, Miranda Cooper, Tim Powell, Nick Coler, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, and Bob Bradley of the...
". In addition to "Living for the Weekend," a remix of previous single and top 5 chart hit "Red Dress" by Kardinal Beats is featured on the single format of "Follow Me Home" with a Kardinal Beats remix of "Follow Me Home" featured on its |12 single release. British dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
group and remix/production outfit Soul Seekerz
Soul Seekerz
Soul Seekerz are a dance music group and remix/production outfit based in the UK, consisting of DJs and producers Julian Napolitano, Simon Langford and Andrew Galea.-Members:...
mainly remixed the song for its physical release and the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
is present on the song's maxi-single and as a separate digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
. All versions of the song incorporate the re-recorded version of it, including vocals by Amelle Berrabah
Amelle Berrabah
Amelle Berrabah is a British singer, songwriter and member of pop girl group the Sugababes. Since replacing founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, Berrabah has attained two UK number one singles, "About You Now" and "Walk This Way", as well as a number one album, Change...
and excluding the original vocals by Mutya Buena
Mutya Buena
Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her...
.
- CD1 Maxi-Single
(CIDX936,985682-4, Released: 5 June 2006)
- "Follow Me Home" (Radio Edit) - 3:23
- "Red Dress" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
- "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
- "Follow Me Home" (Music Video) - 3:23
- CD2 Single
(CID936,985682-3, Released: 5 June 2006)
- "Follow Me Home" (Album Version) - 3:58
- "Living for the Weekend" (Live Radio 1 Session) - 3:11
- 12" Single
(12SUGA15, Released: 2006)
- "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Remix) - 6:53
- "Follow Me Home" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
- "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
- "Follow Me Home" (Acappella) - 3:35
- Digital Single
(Released: 5 June 2006)
- "Follow Me Home" (Radio Edit) - 3:23
- "Red Dress" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
- "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
Promotion and live performances
"Follow Me Home" was poorly backed by radio and television stations in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it became Sugababes' lowest peaking single on the UK Airplay Chart, reaching a peak of only number twenty-four. The single however became the band's fourteenth single to be A-listed on BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
.
For the single's promotion the group performed the song on a number of television shows. It was first performed on 13 May 2006 on BBC 1 dance talent competition show Strictly Dance Fever
Strictly Dance Fever
Strictly Dance Fever is a British television programme, broadcast on BBC One on Saturday evenings. It was an amateur dance talent competition, hosted by Graham Norton, which ran during Spring 2005 and Spring 2006. It was, in many ways, similar to the BBC's popular Strictly Come Dancing, a celebrity...
. The band then performed it on media and entertainment programme Popworld
Popworld
Popworld was a British television programme that was broadcast on Channel 4, offering pop news, trivia, gossip, interviews and music videos, as well as musical performances from the most recent top artists....
on 27 May, leading up to its official release date. A day after the single was released, Sugababes performed "Follow Me Home" live on the Paul O'Grady Show on 6 June and then later on Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
on 11 June. The song was also performed as part of the setlist for the group's Taller In More Ways Tour
Taller in More Ways
Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth...
.
Charts
| Chart (2006) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Slovakia (IFPI IFPI The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry is the organisation that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide. It is a not-for-profit members' organisation registered in Switzerland... ) |
93 |
Official versions and appearances
These are the official versions and remixes and the release they appear on, of "Follow Me Home."- "Follow Me Home" (Radio Edit) - 3:23
- "Follow Me Home" (Music Video) - 3:23
- "Follow Me Home" (Acappella) - 3:35
- "Follow Me Home" (Kardinal Beats Remix) - 3:48
- "Follow Me Home" (Amelle BerrabahAmelle BerrabahAmelle Berrabah is a British singer, songwriter and member of pop girl group the Sugababes. Since replacing founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, Berrabah has attained two UK number one singles, "About You Now" and "Walk This Way", as well as a number one album, Change...
Album Version) - 3:58 - "Follow Me Home" (Mutya BuenaMutya BuenaRosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her...
Album Version) - 3:58 - "Follow Me Home" (Soul SeekerzSoul SeekerzSoul Seekerz are a dance music group and remix/production outfit based in the UK, consisting of DJs and producers Julian Napolitano, Simon Langford and Andrew Galea.-Members:...
Remix) - 6:53 - "Follow Me Home" (Soul Seekerz Vocal Mix) - 6:53
| Version | Release appearance |
|---|---|
| Radio Edit | "Follow Me Home" CD1 Maxi-Single "Follow Me Home" Digital Single |
| Music Video | "Follow Me Home" CD1 Maxi-Single |
| Acappella | "Follow Me Home" 12" Single |
| Kardinal Beats Remix | "Follow Me Home" 12" Single |
| Amelle Berrabah Amelle Berrabah Amelle Berrabah is a British singer, songwriter and member of pop girl group the Sugababes. Since replacing founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, Berrabah has attained two UK number one singles, "About You Now" and "Walk This Way", as well as a number one album, Change... Album Version |
Taller in More Ways Re-Issue Taller in More Ways Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth... "Follow Me Home" CD2 Single |
| Mutya Buena Mutya Buena Rosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her... Album Version |
Taller in More Ways Taller in More Ways Taller in More Ways is the fourth studio album by British girl group Sugababes, released by Island Records on 10 October 2005 in the United Kingdom. It was primarily produced by Dallas Austin and Xenomania, with additional production from Cameron McVey and Guy Sigsworth... |
| Soul Seekerz Soul Seekerz Soul Seekerz are a dance music group and remix/production outfit based in the UK, consisting of DJs and producers Julian Napolitano, Simon Langford and Andrew Galea.-Members:... Vocal Mix |
"Follow Me Home" CD1 Maxi-Single "Follow Me Home" 12" Single "Follow Me Home" Digital Single DJ Only 89 |
| Soul Seekerz Remix | "Follow Me Home" 12" Single |
Credits
- Writers: Heidi RangeHeidi RangeHeidi India Range is an English singer, songwriter and member of the Sugababes. Range was an original member of girl group Atomic Kitten, although she left the group after two years of its formation with no album released...
, Jeremy Shaw, Jonathan Lipsey, Karen PooleKaren PooleKaren Poole is an English songwriter and singer, who gained initial fame with her younger sister, Shelly Poole, as the duo / band, Alisha's Attic.-List of compositions:...
, Keisha BuchananKeisha BuchananKeisha Kerreece Fayeanne Buchanan is an English singer-songwriter and was a founding member of the BRIT Award-winning girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buchanan had six number one singles and two number one studio albums, making the Sugababes one of the most successful British pop acts...
, Mutya BuenaMutya BuenaRosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her... - Producer: Jony Rockstar
- Additional Vocal Production: Mike Stevens
- Mixers: Jeremy Wheatley, Richard Edgeler
- Mixed At: Twenty-One Studios, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- Song Programming: Brio Taliaferro
- Music Video Director: Toby Tremlett
- Drum & Bass Programming: Jony Rockstar
- Orchestra Conductor: Chris Elliott
- Orchestra Leader: Gavin Wright
- Orchestra Contractor: Isobel Griffiths
- Keyboard: Jeremy Shaw
- Guitar: Jeremy Shaw, Brio Taliaferro
- Original Vocals: Heidi Range, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena
- Re-recorded Vocals: Amelle BerrabahAmelle BerrabahAmelle Berrabah is a British singer, songwriter and member of pop girl group the Sugababes. Since replacing founding member Mutya Buena in the group in December 2005, Berrabah has attained two UK number one singles, "About You Now" and "Walk This Way", as well as a number one album, Change...
, Heidi Range, Keisha Buchanan