Notorious (The Saturdays song)
Encyclopedia
"Notorious" is a song by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays
, released as the lead single
from the third studio album, On Your Radar. The song was written by Ina Wroldsen
and Steve Mac
, who also produced the song. The single was released digitally on 22 May 2011. "Notorious" was recorded in 2011 after the band were looking for a new sound to release in their third debut album. According to the lyrics in the song the band are loving life, they like to go out and enjoy themselves however they work hard and they all have a bad and naughty side to them. The lyrics of the song has been described as "playful". Vanessa White
said the song was a more "grown up" approach to the music they have released before. The group performed the song live for the first time on So You Think You Can Dance
and the song received its first radio airplay on The Chris Moyles Show
.
"Notorious" received mainly positive reviews from critics. It gained comparisons to the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna
and Kelis
. Some critics labelled the song as "quite amazing" and "big" and "a bit Black Eyed Peas-esque". It song was also praised for the big production of the song. Aled Jones described the song as "unexpected" from the group. It has also been said that the all girl group are bringing a tougher, edgier sound. Yahoo! Music
questioned the song if it was enough, stating; "a bad girl", short skirts, nice hair, rave breakdown - but is it enough?".
The single's release was accompanied by a music video
, which was filmed in Los Angeles
; and the final version of the video premiered on both the bands official website and ITV2
at 8:30am on 19 May 2011. The music video has been described as "sexy secretary look as they knuckle down to a day's work at the office" and "The lift handily opens out into a dance floor where they strut their stuff in front of some appreciative men." However; the music video has been compared to Boots
pharmacy
advert but "with a better song". In the music video, the band had number of different clothing changing where they went for the secretary look and then later changed into stylish clothes for the clubbing scene. They also released 20 second teasers of the video until the full video was broadcast. Also, before the release of the song each member released "lyric teasers" where they would release some lyrics of the song each day.
and electropop song. In late 2010; after the release of their previous single, "Higher
" the band originally announced that they would be heading back into the recording studio
in 2011 in order to record their third studio album. In March 2011, the song's producer Steve Mac
confirmed that he had finished the single and it was almost ready for release. He revealed that the single was "different" to their past hit singles, despite being written and produced by the same song-writers. "Notorious" was released as the lead single from their third studio album, after they announced Headlines!
would only be an extended play
and according to their record label, the CD would "act as a bridge" between last studio album Wordshaker
(2009) and their upcoming third full one in 2011.
Mollie King
stated that the song is about when you step on the dance floor you turn into a completely different person, which you turn into a bad girl. Una
spoke; "Dance music
is massive at the moment so it's a dance track, but it also has something unique behind it. It's got this drop-out chorus where it's just the beat and you can only hear our voices - there aren't many tracks like that, so it's a bit different." The band were asked by Wonderland what they were 'Notorious' for and they replied with "We are notorious for making good music, hopefully." Where Una said she wanted to make live shows notorious.
The band began to tease fans with details for the single. The first teasers were released week beginning 2 May 2011, where the girls released "lyric teasers" each day the band would release an image of one of the members holding a piece of paper with some lyrics on. The following week, behind the scenes images of the music video were released. The band officially announced their single on their official website stating the song would be released on 22 May 2011. Vanessa White
told Heat World that "Notorious" was more grown up to what the band had already released which their whole album would be more "grown up". She also stated that the music is a lot sexier and more exciting than it used to be. She stated; "Our new album’s going to be a lot sexier than our old one, it’s definitely a different sound, we’re really excited about it, We’ve all grown up a bit now and that shows. It’s also a lot more R&B than anything we’ve done before, it’s a very cool. Every time I think about the new single Notorious it makes me want to dance."
Speaking to the band; they confirmed that "Notorious" will be released all around Europe
. It was released in Germany
the day after its release in the UK. Although the band confirmed that the single will not be released on physically until 27 June; they will not be doing as much promotion until the single is released on CD single
.
said the song was "big" and that it was "quite amazing". It's a bit Black Eyed Peas-esque, feels a tiny bit like Kelis
and Rihanna
, and has a strong, propulsive energy that builds throughout the tune". Digital Spy
stated; "I'm a big boss, I'm a gangster, On the dance floor" Mollie King
announces on the squeaky, Auto-Tuned intro, before dropping a high-wired, club-pumping beat the Black Eyed Peas would cock a snook at. "I'm a bad girl, I'm notorious" insists Rochelle Wiseman
, while a storm of synths, strings and techno beeps brews behind them. The result isn't quite as instant as the lyrics would suggest, but there's no doubting they talk a good game. Giving the song a four out of five stars. Music Entertainment
said, "The Saturdays
are back and they are bringing a tougher, edgier sound." Radio presenter Aled Jones took to twitter and tweeted, "Just heard the new songs from The Saturdays
and Black Eyed Peas :) didn't expect The Saturdays song to sound like it did!"
Yahoo! Music
stated The Saturdays
are pulling out all the big guns - talk of being "a bad girl", short skirts, nice hair, rave breakdown - but is it enough? The five-piece will truly be notorious if they don't take the crown when their rivals have been on the canvas for so long. Heat World said the band turn "transform" into sexy secretaries into sexy clubbers and they’re nearly giving Britney
[Spears] a run for her money.
s and the single found itself charting on the Irish Singles Charts, where it debuted at number nineteen becoming the bands eighth top 20 single in Ireland
. On 29 May 2011; "Notorious" entered the UK top 10 on the UK Singles Charts at number eight becoming the bands ninth top 10 hit their with only ten singles (to-date) released. The single spent but one week within the top 10, falling 13 places to number 21 on its second week; the biggest faller in the top 40 for the chart week ending 6 June. The single also charted on the Scottish Singles Chart
where it charted at number-eight as well. The single also made an appearance on the UK Download Chart; which also charted at number-eight.
; where the bands previous music video for "Higher
" was filmed. The Saturdays confirmed that their music video for "Notorious" will be released on their website on 19 May at 8.30am. Before the release of the music video, the band released 20 seconds clips of each members part in the music video. The music video was directed by "Syndrome". The music video was officially released on 19 May 2011. The music video also premiered on ITV2
at 8:30am According to the band, they took the music video outline from TV series, Ugly Betty
.
. The rest is a set, not the interior of the Ice palace. The scene changes to an elevator
, where the band are standing inside of it with the "Notorious" playing in the background, before the actual intro to the song begins. It then changes shots to the band standing in a lift wearing smart, secretary-type clothing, in a theme of red, white and black. Rochelle
then presses the button 5 to take them to the 5th floor. As the elevator doors close the music starts; and Mollie
starts singing the intro (the first of any Saturdays' singles to possess one) while the other members of the band behind her begin to brush themselves down before they go into the office. The scene is shot in a stop-motion retrospect. They then move into a large, white office, which is suggested to be their place of employment. The office is furnished in decadent colors, perhaps based on the offices of Mode Magazine, as the band, themselves, cited Ugly Betty as a reference for the video treatment. There, they sit at desks and immediately begin work, with the members revealing their boredom with the remedial work of stamping pieces of coloured paper with the words 'Notorious' and 'The Saturdays'. It appears Vanessa and Rochelle are the telephone carers - they sing their verses into the receivers - while Una remains fixed to a laptop for the duration. Rochelle begins the opening verse, followed by Vanessa, whose shots are stuttered to fit the beat. They then leave their desks and get back into the elevator then in time for the bridge/chorus. Rochelle
presses the button 15 to take them to the 15th floor. Whilst going up in the elevator the band begin to primp, letting hair come down and clothes come off, and get changed into designer wear and proceed to apply Barry M' lip-gloss and mascara
. At the beginning of the second verse, the elevator opens and Una proceeds with her verse, while shots reveal that the girls have arrived at a crowded nightclub. Following a dramatic strut, the girls join the dance floor, and usher on the second bridge. The camera zooms in on the DJ spinning a vinyl record of "Notorious". The club features break dancers and champagne, as well as LED lights, white chaises and modern art spreads. The video shows the five girls dancing at the front of their fellow club-goers, with an emphasis on each girl for the second bridge and chorus, and Frankie Sandford
during her middle-eight. Through the ending of the song, where the chorus is in a continuous pitch-medley and joined - the first time - by the beat, the band dances in a hectic fashion, and the screen is often split into different angles, creating a sense of energy. The focus is switched, primarily, to Mollie King as the beat drops again once more, as she brings the chorus to a close with a reiteration of her opening intro. The screen then closes with the word Notorious on screen - the first of any of the band's videos to do this.
advert but with a better song on it.
's breakfast show on 20 May 2011 on BBC Radio 1
. On Sunday 22 May 2011 the song was released for digital download
in the UK, although it was released in Ireland
20 May 2011. The Saturdays
took to the stage of So You Think You Can Dance
Live Results Show, where they performed the song for the very first time. The Saturdays performed at Parc y Scarlets
for the Enjoy Summer Festival 2011
in Wales
. Including various gigs across the United Kingdom including the Alton Towers and the Portrush Ultimate Beach Party. The girls promoted the single on Radio 1 Live Lounge on June 21, also coveing a mash up of I Need a Dollar
and Buzzin'
by Aloe Blacc
and Mann
. They were also the special musical guest on The Graham Norton Show
on the 24th of June. The Saturdays then took the stage and performed on T4 the following day.
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.
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
, released as the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from the third studio album, On Your Radar. The song was written by Ina Wroldsen
Ina Wroldsen
Ina Wroldsen, born in 1984, is a Norwegian songwriter.Wroldsen is currently living in London.-Discography:Songs written/co-written by Ina Wroldsen....
and Steve Mac
Steve Mac
Steve Mac , is a songwriter, record producer and owner of Rokstone Studios in London.He has produced more than 22 number one singles in the UK and had several multi-million selling albums worldwide...
, who also produced the song. The single was released digitally on 22 May 2011. "Notorious" was recorded in 2011 after the band were looking for a new sound to release in their third debut album. According to the lyrics in the song the band are loving life, they like to go out and enjoy themselves however they work hard and they all have a bad and naughty side to them. The lyrics of the song has been described as "playful". Vanessa White
Vanessa White
Vanessa Karen White is an English pop singer and songwriter. White was born to a Nigerian father and Spanish-Filipino mother. She rose to fame in 2008 as a member of English/Irish girl-group The Saturdays. She is the youngest member of the band. White is noted for her extensive vocal range.-Early...
said the song was a more "grown up" approach to the music they have released before. The group performed the song live for the first time on So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (UK)
So You Think You Can Dance is a televised dance competition and reality show that launched in the United Kingdom in January 2010 and similar to the version of the program that has began airing in the USA in 2005. The show is broadcast on BBC One. The content of the show is similar premise to the...
and the song received its first radio airplay on The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show
The Chris Moyles Show is the current BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the UK, and has been since Chris Moyles became the station's breakfast show presenter on 5 January 2004. From 2004 to 2007, the show was broadcast 6:55–10:00 am each weekday, but since 15 October 2007 it has started from...
.
"Notorious" received mainly positive reviews from critics. It gained comparisons to the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
and Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
. Some critics labelled the song as "quite amazing" and "big" and "a bit Black Eyed Peas-esque". It song was also praised for the big production of the song. Aled Jones described the song as "unexpected" from the group. It has also been said that the all girl group are bringing a tougher, edgier sound. Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
questioned the song if it was enough, stating; "a bad girl", short skirts, nice hair, rave breakdown - but is it enough?".
The single's release was accompanied by a 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...
, which was filmed in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
; and the final version of the video premiered on both the bands official website and ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
at 8:30am on 19 May 2011. The music video has been described as "sexy secretary look as they knuckle down to a day's work at the office" and "The lift handily opens out into a dance floor where they strut their stuff in front of some appreciative men." However; the music video has been compared to Boots
Boots UK
Boots UK Limited , is a leading pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country...
pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
advert but "with a better song". In the music video, the band had number of different clothing changing where they went for the secretary look and then later changed into stylish clothes for the clubbing scene. They also released 20 second teasers of the video until the full video was broadcast. Also, before the release of the song each member released "lyric teasers" where they would release some lyrics of the song each day.
Background and composition
"Notorious" is a dance-popDance-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...
and electropop song. In late 2010; after the release of their previous single, "Higher
Higher (The Saturdays song)
"Higher" is the award winning song performed by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays taken from their mini-album, Headlines!. Written by Ina Wroldsen and co-written & produced by Arnthor Birgisson, the song confirmed to be the mini-album's second single when it was released on 1 November 2010 by...
" the band originally announced that they would be heading back into the recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
in 2011 in order to record their third studio album. In March 2011, the song's producer Steve Mac
Steve Mac
Steve Mac , is a songwriter, record producer and owner of Rokstone Studios in London.He has produced more than 22 number one singles in the UK and had several multi-million selling albums worldwide...
confirmed that he had finished the single and it was almost ready for release. He revealed that the single was "different" to their past hit singles, despite being written and produced by the same song-writers. "Notorious" was released as the lead single from their third studio album, after they announced Headlines!
Headlines!
Headlines! is the first extended play and third major release by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. It was released in Ireland on 13 August 2010 and in the United Kingdom on 16 August 2010 by Fascination Records...
would only be an extended play
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
and according to their record label, the CD would "act as a bridge" between last studio album Wordshaker
Wordshaker
"Wordshaker" generated generally favorable reviews amongst critics upon its release. Allmusic's Matthew Chisling awarded the album three out of five stars, praising the girls and the album for "combining aggressive basslines and vocals that are a pinch of prowess". Chisling's praised tracks like...
(2009) and their upcoming third full one in 2011.
Mollie King
Mollie King
Mollie Elizabeth King is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for being a member of girl group, The Saturdays. In the band, King has successfully enjoyed ten top-ten and five top-five singles on the UK Singles Chart and three top-ten albums on the UK Albums Chart...
stated that the song is about when you step on the dance floor you turn into a completely different person, which you turn into a bad girl. Una
Una Healy
Una Theresa Imogene Healy is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being one fifth of girl group The Saturdays...
spoke; "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...
is massive at the moment so it's a dance track, but it also has something unique behind it. It's got this drop-out chorus where it's just the beat and you can only hear our voices - there aren't many tracks like that, so it's a bit different." The band were asked by Wonderland what they were 'Notorious' for and they replied with "We are notorious for making good music, hopefully." Where Una said she wanted to make live shows notorious.
The band began to tease fans with details for the single. The first teasers were released week beginning 2 May 2011, where the girls released "lyric teasers" each day the band would release an image of one of the members holding a piece of paper with some lyrics on. The following week, behind the scenes images of the music video were released. The band officially announced their single on their official website stating the song would be released on 22 May 2011. Vanessa White
Vanessa White
Vanessa Karen White is an English pop singer and songwriter. White was born to a Nigerian father and Spanish-Filipino mother. She rose to fame in 2008 as a member of English/Irish girl-group The Saturdays. She is the youngest member of the band. White is noted for her extensive vocal range.-Early...
told Heat World that "Notorious" was more grown up to what the band had already released which their whole album would be more "grown up". She also stated that the music is a lot sexier and more exciting than it used to be. She stated; "Our new album’s going to be a lot sexier than our old one, it’s definitely a different sound, we’re really excited about it, We’ve all grown up a bit now and that shows. It’s also a lot more R&B than anything we’ve done before, it’s a very cool. Every time I think about the new single Notorious it makes me want to dance."
Speaking to the band; they confirmed that "Notorious" will be released all around 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 was released in Germany
Germany
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...
the day after its release in the UK. Although the band confirmed that the single will not be released on physically until 27 June; they will not be doing as much promotion until the single is released on 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...
.
Critical reception
"Notorious" gained positive reviews from critics; many blogs were praising the song. PopJusticePopjustice
Popjustice is a music website founded in 2000 and is the work of UK freelance music journalist Peter Robinson, who has worked for NME, The Guardian, Attitude and many others....
said the song was "big" and that it was "quite amazing". It's a bit Black Eyed Peas-esque, feels a tiny bit like Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
and Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, and has a strong, propulsive energy that builds throughout the tune". Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
stated; "I'm a big boss, I'm a gangster, On the dance floor" Mollie King
Mollie King
Mollie Elizabeth King is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for being a member of girl group, The Saturdays. In the band, King has successfully enjoyed ten top-ten and five top-five singles on the UK Singles Chart and three top-ten albums on the UK Albums Chart...
announces on the squeaky, Auto-Tuned intro, before dropping a high-wired, club-pumping beat the Black Eyed Peas would cock a snook at. "I'm a bad girl, I'm notorious" insists Rochelle Wiseman
Rochelle Wiseman
Rochelle Eulah Eileen Wiseman is an English singer, actress and television presenter. She is best known for her work in pop groups S Club 8 and The Saturdays...
, while a storm of synths, strings and techno beeps brews behind them. The result isn't quite as instant as the lyrics would suggest, but there's no doubting they talk a good game. Giving the song a four out of five stars. Music Entertainment
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
said, "The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
are back and they are bringing a tougher, edgier sound." Radio presenter Aled Jones took to twitter and tweeted, "Just heard the new songs from The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
and Black Eyed Peas :) didn't expect The Saturdays song to sound like it did!"
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
stated The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
are pulling out all the big guns - talk of being "a bad girl", short skirts, nice hair, rave breakdown - but is it enough? The five-piece will truly be notorious if they don't take the crown when their rivals have been on the canvas for so long. Heat World said the band turn "transform" into sexy secretaries into sexy clubbers and they’re nearly giving Britney
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
[Spears] a run for her money.
Chart performance
"Notorious" was released without any promotion; it was released exclusive for digital downloadMusic 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...
s and the single found itself charting on the Irish Singles Charts, where it debuted at number nineteen becoming the bands eighth top 20 single 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...
. On 29 May 2011; "Notorious" entered the UK top 10 on the UK Singles Charts at number eight becoming the bands ninth top 10 hit their with only ten singles (to-date) released. The single spent but one week within the top 10, falling 13 places to number 21 on its second week; the biggest faller in the top 40 for the chart week ending 6 June. The single also charted on the Scottish Singles Chart
Scottish Singles and Albums Chart
The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are charts compiled by The Official Charts Company, based on physical and digital sales in the STV North, STV Central and ITV Border regions....
where it charted at number-eight as well. The single also made an appearance on the UK Download Chart; which also charted at number-eight.
Background and release
The girls confirmed they shot the video in April 2011 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
; where the bands previous music video for "Higher
Higher (The Saturdays song)
"Higher" is the award winning song performed by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays taken from their mini-album, Headlines!. Written by Ina Wroldsen and co-written & produced by Arnthor Birgisson, the song confirmed to be the mini-album's second single when it was released on 1 November 2010 by...
" was filmed. The Saturdays confirmed that their music video for "Notorious" will be released on their website on 19 May at 8.30am. Before the release of the music video, the band released 20 seconds clips of each members part in the music video. The music video was directed by "Syndrome". The music video was officially released on 19 May 2011. The music video also premiered on ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
at 8:30am According to the band, they took the music video outline from TV series, Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
.
Synopsis
The music video begins with the Dutch city hall called `the Ice palace´. It is situated in the centre of The HagueElevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
, where the band are standing inside of it with the "Notorious" playing in the background, before the actual intro to the song begins. It then changes shots to the band standing in a lift wearing smart, secretary-type clothing, in a theme of red, white and black. Rochelle
Rochelle Wiseman
Rochelle Eulah Eileen Wiseman is an English singer, actress and television presenter. She is best known for her work in pop groups S Club 8 and The Saturdays...
then presses the button 5 to take them to the 5th floor. As the elevator doors close the music starts; and Mollie
Mollie King
Mollie Elizabeth King is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for being a member of girl group, The Saturdays. In the band, King has successfully enjoyed ten top-ten and five top-five singles on the UK Singles Chart and three top-ten albums on the UK Albums Chart...
starts singing the intro (the first of any Saturdays' singles to possess one) while the other members of the band behind her begin to brush themselves down before they go into the office. The scene is shot in a stop-motion retrospect. They then move into a large, white office, which is suggested to be their place of employment. The office is furnished in decadent colors, perhaps based on the offices of Mode Magazine, as the band, themselves, cited Ugly Betty as a reference for the video treatment. There, they sit at desks and immediately begin work, with the members revealing their boredom with the remedial work of stamping pieces of coloured paper with the words 'Notorious' and 'The Saturdays'. It appears Vanessa and Rochelle are the telephone carers - they sing their verses into the receivers - while Una remains fixed to a laptop for the duration. Rochelle begins the opening verse, followed by Vanessa, whose shots are stuttered to fit the beat. They then leave their desks and get back into the elevator then in time for the bridge/chorus. Rochelle
Rochelle Wiseman
Rochelle Eulah Eileen Wiseman is an English singer, actress and television presenter. She is best known for her work in pop groups S Club 8 and The Saturdays...
presses the button 15 to take them to the 15th floor. Whilst going up in the elevator the band begin to primp, letting hair come down and clothes come off, and get changed into designer wear and proceed to apply Barry M' lip-gloss and mascara
Mascara
Mascara is a cosmetic commonly used to enhance the eyes. It may darken, thicken, lengthen, and/or define the eyelashes. Normally in one of three forms—liquid, cake, or cream—the modern mascara product has various formulas; however, all contain the same basic components of pigments, oils, waxes, and...
. At the beginning of the second verse, the elevator opens and Una proceeds with her verse, while shots reveal that the girls have arrived at a crowded nightclub. Following a dramatic strut, the girls join the dance floor, and usher on the second bridge. The camera zooms in on the DJ spinning a vinyl record of "Notorious". The club features break dancers and champagne, as well as LED lights, white chaises and modern art spreads. The video shows the five girls dancing at the front of their fellow club-goers, with an emphasis on each girl for the second bridge and chorus, and Frankie Sandford
Frankie Sandford
Francesca "Frankie" Sandford is an English pop and R&B singer-songwriter and currently a member of girl group The Saturdays; under the record label of Fascination Records and Polydor Records. The band have had huge success, releasing eleven singles of which ten have charted inside the top 10 on...
during her middle-eight. Through the ending of the song, where the chorus is in a continuous pitch-medley and joined - the first time - by the beat, the band dances in a hectic fashion, and the screen is often split into different angles, creating a sense of energy. The focus is switched, primarily, to Mollie King as the beat drops again once more, as she brings the chorus to a close with a reiteration of her opening intro. The screen then closes with the word Notorious on screen - the first of any of the band's videos to do this.
Reception
PopDash stated the band teased us for the music video all week and seeing them partying in the club as well as they're secretaries scene waiting to clock off for the day; they stated it was a bit like the BootsBoots UK
Boots UK Limited , is a leading pharmacy chain in the United Kingdom, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country...
advert but with a better song on it.
Promotion
The single was premiered on Chris MoylesChris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
's breakfast show on 20 May 2011 on BBC 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...
. On Sunday 22 May 2011 the song was released for 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...
in the UK, although it was released 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...
20 May 2011. The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
took to the stage of So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (UK)
So You Think You Can Dance is a televised dance competition and reality show that launched in the United Kingdom in January 2010 and similar to the version of the program that has began airing in the USA in 2005. The show is broadcast on BBC One. The content of the show is similar premise to the...
Live Results Show, where they performed the song for the very first time. The Saturdays performed at Parc y Scarlets
Parc y Scarlets
Parc y Scarlets is a rugby union stadium in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, that opened in November 2008 as the new home of the Scarlets and Llanelli RFC. The ground replaced Stradey Park, the home of Llanelli's rugby teams for almost 130 years...
for the Enjoy Summer Festival 2011
Parc y Scarlets
Parc y Scarlets is a rugby union stadium in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, that opened in November 2008 as the new home of the Scarlets and Llanelli RFC. The ground replaced Stradey Park, the home of Llanelli's rugby teams for almost 130 years...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Including various gigs across the United Kingdom including the Alton Towers and the Portrush Ultimate Beach Party. The girls promoted the single on Radio 1 Live Lounge on June 21, also coveing a mash up of I Need a Dollar
I Need a Dollar
"I Need a Dollar" is a song performed by American singer Aloe Blacc. Blacc co-wrote the song with Leon Michels, Nick Movshon and Jeff Dynamite....
and Buzzin'
Buzzin'
"Buzzin" is the first single by alternative hip hop artist Shwayze. The song peaked at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 47 on the Pop 100. There are remixes DJ Skeet Skeet & Cory Nitta which features Wale, will.i.am, Villains, AC Slater, The Knocks, The Rondo Brothers, Classixx, and...
by Aloe Blacc
Aloe Blacc
Aloe Blacc is an American soul singer, rapper, and musician.-Early career and Shine Through :...
and Mann
Mann
Mann may refer to:* Isle of Man, known as "Mann" as an alternative shorter name* Mann , a Nazi paramilitary rank* Mannaz, the Futhorc m-rune* Mann Theatres, a theatre chain corporation* Mann , a Norwegian magazine...
. They were also the special musical guest on The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show is a British comedy chat show that is broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom. It was originally shown on BBC Two from February 2007 to May 2009 until it moved to BBC One from October 2009...
on the 24th of June. The Saturdays then took the stage and performed on T4 the following day.
Track listing
-
- Digital single
(Release )
- "Notorious" - 3:11
- "Notorious" (Karaoke Version) - 3:15
- "Higher" (Live from the Headlines! Tour) (iTunes Pre-order only) - 5:07
-
- CD Single
(Release )
- "Notorious" - 3:11
- "Not That Kinda Girl" - 3:09
-
- iTunes Remixes EP
(Release )
- "Notorious" (Chuckie Extended Remix) - 4:03
- "Notorious" (Almighty Remix) - 6:10
- "Notorious" (JRMX Club Mix) - 6:22
- "Notorious" (Chuckie Remix Radio Edit) - 3:18
- "Notorious" (Almighty Remix Radio Edit) - 3:31
-
- iTunes Chipmunk Remix
(Release )
- "Notorious" (Chipmunk Remix) - 3:28
-
- iTunes Single
(Release )
- "Notorious" (Jorg Schmid Radio Edit) - 3:26
- "Not That Kinda Girl" - 3:09
-
- Beatport Single
(Release )
- "Notorious" (Chuckie Dirty Dutch Club Mix) - 6:31
- "Notorious" (Chuckie Dirty Dutch Dub) - 6:31
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
Personnel
"Notorious" was recorded at Dean Street Studios, LondonLondon
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...
.
- SongwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
s – Steve MacSteve MacSteve Mac , is a songwriter, record producer and owner of Rokstone Studios in London.He has produced more than 22 number one singles in the UK and had several multi-million selling albums worldwide...
, Ina Wroldsen - producerRecord 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...
– Steve Mac - audio mixerAudio 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...
– Ash Howes - mastering engineer – Dick Beetham
- recording engineer – Ben Robbins
- vocal arrangement – Steve, Ina Wroldsen
- lead vocals – The SaturdaysThe SaturdaysThe Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
- background vocals – Ina Wroldsen
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 20 May 2011 | 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... |
Polydor Records Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
| United Kingdom | 22 May 2011 | Fascination Records Fascination Records Fascination Records is a UK-based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as an imprint of Polydor Records. The label was launched in spring 2006, and is managed by former TOTP Magazine editor Peter Loraine... |
|
| Australia | Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
||
| Belgium | |||
| Denmark | |||
| Italy | |||
| Germany | 23 May 2011 |