I Begin to Wonder
Encyclopedia
"I Begin to Wonder" is a dance-pop
song written by Dannii Minogue
, Jean-Claude Ades
, Dacia Bridges and Olaf Kramolowsky for Minogue's 2003 album Neon Nights
. The song was released as the album's second single
in March 2003. The single reached the top twenty in multiple countries, and topped the club
charts in the United Kingdom
. In 2003, it was certified
gold in Australia
. "I Begin to Wonder" received positive reviews from music critics, and is considered by Minogue to be her "signature tune". Its futuristic music video
, directed by Phil Griffin, features Minogue dancing in a room with the song's title swirling around her in numerous languages.
dance music producer Jean-Claude Ades
. Minogue's record label, London Records
, played the song for her and she thought that it "could definitely be a pop hit". She approached Ades and asked him if he would be willing to transform "I Begin to Wonder" from a club
song to a pop song. Together they added additional lyrics
and rearranged its instrumentation. Minogue considers the track to be her "signature tune" and is one of her favourite songs to perform live.
In a review for Musicomh.com, Alexis Kirke described it a "simple but energetic" song with a "striding electro-bass line and some heavy vocal effects". Cristín Leach of RTÉ Entertainment
called "I Begin to Wonder" one of the best songs on Neon Nights. MSN Entertainment
called the track a "decent slice of sparkly radio pop with big synths and 'sexy' vocals". IBTW created a parody.
was directed by Phil Griffin and filmed in late 2002. The video opens with a scene of Minogue walking down a futuristic hallway covered in photographs used to promote Neon Nights. She is then shown sitting and dancing in a blue room with the song's title swirling around her in numerous languages. The video concludes with scenes of Minogue crouching in a ventilation shaft
and cutting her hair.
The music video was released commercially on various enhanced CD single
formats. It was also included on The Hits & Beyond
special edition companion DVD
(2006) and Dannii Minogue: The Video Collection (2007).
on 15 March 2003 at number two. The following week, "I Begin to Wonder" fell to number seven and exited the chart in its eleventh week of release. The track became Minogue's sixth Upfront Club Chart number one in the UK. In Ireland, the track reached number twenty-two on the singles chart
. And Number 7 on the Irish Dance Chart http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240004&arch=t&lyr=2003&year=2003&week=10 The song was also successful in Europe
. It reached the top ten in France
and the top fifty in Belgium
, the Netherlands
, Sweden
and Switzerland
.
In Australia, "I Begin to Wonder" debuted at number fourteen on 6 April 2003. It was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association
in 2003. On the ARIA end of year chart for 2003, the track charted at number eight on the Dance Singles chart and at number sixteen on the Top Australian Singles chart. In the United States
, the song reached number fourteen on the Billboard
Hot Dance Singles Sales
chart.
UK CD single #1
(LONCD473; Released )
UK CD single #2
(LOCDP473; Released 3 March 2003)
Cassette single
(LONCS473; Released 3 March 2003)
German/Italian CD single
(505046666632; Released 2003)
French CD single
(535924; Released 2003)
Australian CD single
(5046667272; Released 2003)
US CD single
(UL1172-2; Released 2003)
US 12-inch single
(UL1172-6; Released 2003)
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
song written by Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
, Jean-Claude Ades
Jean-Claude Ades
Jean-Claude Ades, also known as Krystal K and J.C.A. is an Italian-working in Germany- electronic music producer, specialising in house and electro music. Particularly noted for his work with pop and dance vocalist, Dannii Minogue, Ades co-wrote and produced Minogue's biggest hit "I Begin To...
, Dacia Bridges and Olaf Kramolowsky for Minogue's 2003 album Neon Nights
Neon Nights
Neon Nights is the fourth studio album by Australian dance-pop singer Dannii Minogue. It was released by London Records on 17 March 2003 and was primarily produced by Ian Masterson, Korpi & Blackcell, Neïmo and Terry Ronald...
. The song was released as the album's second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in March 2003. The single reached the top twenty in multiple countries, and topped the club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
charts 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...
. In 2003, it was certified
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
gold in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. "I Begin to Wonder" received positive reviews from music critics, and is considered by Minogue to be her "signature tune". Its futuristic 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...
, directed by Phil Griffin, features Minogue dancing in a room with the song's title swirling around her in numerous languages.
Background and reception
"I Begin to Wonder" was originally performed by GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
dance music producer Jean-Claude Ades
Jean-Claude Ades
Jean-Claude Ades, also known as Krystal K and J.C.A. is an Italian-working in Germany- electronic music producer, specialising in house and electro music. Particularly noted for his work with pop and dance vocalist, Dannii Minogue, Ades co-wrote and produced Minogue's biggest hit "I Begin To...
. Minogue's record label, London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
, played the song for her and she thought that it "could definitely be a pop hit". She approached Ades and asked him if he would be willing to transform "I Begin to Wonder" from a club
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
song to a pop song. Together they added additional lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
and rearranged its instrumentation. Minogue considers the track to be her "signature tune" and is one of her favourite songs to perform live.
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
called "I Begin to Wonder" one of the best songs on Neon Nights. MSN Entertainment
MSN
MSN is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its...
called the track a "decent slice of sparkly radio pop with big synths and 'sexy' vocals". IBTW created a parody.
Music video
The music videoMusic 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...
was directed by Phil Griffin and filmed in late 2002. The video opens with a scene of Minogue walking down a futuristic hallway covered in photographs used to promote Neon Nights. She is then shown sitting and dancing in a blue room with the song's title swirling around her in numerous languages. The video concludes with scenes of Minogue crouching in a ventilation shaft
Ventilation shaft
In subterranean civil engineering, ventilation shafts, also known as airshafts or vent shafts, are vertical passages used in mines and tunnels to move fresh air underground, and to remove stale air....
and cutting her hair.
The music video was released commercially on various enhanced CD single
CD single
A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s...
formats. It was also included on The Hits & Beyond
The Hits & Beyond
The Hits & Beyond is a compilation album by Australian pop–dance singer Dannii Minogue, released by All Around the World Records on 19 June 2006. It was a compilation of greatest hits and new tracks...
special edition companion DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
(2006) and Dannii Minogue: The Video Collection (2007).
Chart performance
"I Begin to Wonder" was officially released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 3 March 2003. The song debuted 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 ...
on 15 March 2003 at number two. The following week, "I Begin to Wonder" fell to number seven and exited the chart in its eleventh week of release. The track became Minogue's sixth Upfront Club Chart number one in the UK. In Ireland, the track reached number twenty-two on the 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...
. And Number 7 on the Irish Dance Chart http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240004&arch=t&lyr=2003&year=2003&week=10 The song was also successful in 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...
. It reached the top ten in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the top fifty in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
In Australia, "I Begin to Wonder" debuted at number fourteen on 6 April 2003. It was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
in 2003. On the ARIA end of year chart for 2003, the track charted at number eight on the Dance Singles chart and at number sixteen on the Top Australian Singles chart. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the song reached number fourteen on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales
Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
chart.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "I Begin to Wonder".UK CD single #1
(LONCD473; Released )
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Radio version) – 3:29
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Krystel K vocal mix CD edit) – 5:12
- "Hide and Seek" (Minogue, Terry RonaldTerry RonaldTerry Ronald is a songwriter and producer from London who has worked with a variety of different singers and bands.-Biography:...
, Ian Masterson) – 3:12 - "I Begin to Wonder" music video
UK CD single #2
(LOCDP473; Released 3 March 2003)
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Radio edit) – 3:29
- Album megamixMegamixA megamix is a medley remix containing multiple songs in rapid succession. There may be only one verse or even just a brief chorus of each song used, sometimes in addition to samples of the same or other songs. There may also be some elements of bastard pop in some, though not as much as a mashup...
– 6:22 - "Nervous" (Minogue, Ronald, Masterson) – 4:21
Cassette single
(LONCS473; Released 3 March 2003)
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Radio edit) – 3:29
- "Who Do You Love Now?Who Do You Love Now?"Who Do You Love Now?" is a trance song performed by Australian singer Dannii Minogue and Dutch dance DJs Zki & Dobri, performing under the group name Riva.Originally released only as a single, it was later included on Minogue's album Neon Nights...
" with RivaZki & DobriZki & Dobre , are a Dutch house music duo from Haarlem, Netherlands. They comprise Gaston Steenkist and René ter Horst...
(Riva's Bora Bora remix) – 8:12
German/Italian CD single
(505046666632; Released 2003)
- "Begin to Spin Me Around" (Dannii vs. Dead or AliveDead or Alive (band)Dead or Alive were a British New Wave band from Wirral, England, United Kingdom, Europe. The band rose to fame in the 1980s with their number one single on the UK Singles Chart, "You Spin Me Round ". They were the first group to have a number one single under the production team Stock Aitken Waterman...
) – 3:15 - "I Begin to Wonder" (Radio version) – 3:29
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Extended original) – 6:49
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Krystal K vocal mix CD edit) – 5:12
- "Begin to Spin Me Around" (Extended version) – 5:15
French CD single
(535924; Released 2003)
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Radio edit) – 3:29
- "Est-Ce Que Tu M'Aimes EncoreWho Do You Love Now?"Who Do You Love Now?" is a trance song performed by Australian singer Dannii Minogue and Dutch dance DJs Zki & Dobri, performing under the group name Riva.Originally released only as a single, it was later included on Minogue's album Neon Nights...
" with Riva – 3:29
Australian CD single
(5046667272; Released 2003)
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Radio edit) – 3:29
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Krystel K vocal mix CD edit) – 5:12
- "Hide and Seek" – 3:12
- Album megamix – 6:22
- "Nervous" – 4:21
- "Begin to Spin Me Around" (Radio edit) – 3;16
- "Begin to Spin Me Around" (Extended mix) – 5:15
US CD single
(UL1172-2; Released 2003)
- "Begin to Spin Me Around" (Radio edit) – 3:29
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Extended original mix) – 6:51
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Dead or Alive remix) – 5:13
- "I Begin to Wonder" music video
US 12-inch single
(UL1172-6; Released 2003)
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Extended original mix) – 6:51
- "Begin to Spin Me Around" (Radio edit) – 3:29
- "I Begin to Wonder" (DJ Bardot remix) – 7:48
- "I Begin to Wonder" (Krystal K vocal mix) – 8:04
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
14 |
| Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart | 50 |
| Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart | 20 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
45 |
| Eurochart Hot 100 Singles | 7 |
| French Singles Chart | 7 |
| 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... |
22 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 20 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
31 |
| UK Singles Chart UK 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 ... |
2 |
| UK Upfront Club Chart | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
14 |
End of Year Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 97 | |
| UK Singles Chart UK 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 ... |
66 |
Personnel
The following people contributed to "I Begin to Wonder":- Dannii Minogue – lead vocals
- Jean-Claude Ades – productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Ian Masterson – additional vocal production
- Matthew Donaldson – photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...