"Drop Dead Gorgeous" is a song by English alternative rock band Republica. Released in 1996 on their self-titled debut album and in 1997 as the album's third and final single from the album, it was as a commercial success, giving the group their only top 10 hit to date in the UK. The single elicited a positive critical reaction, and was also a minor hit in the US, New Zealand, and Germany. The music video, which went into rotation on MTV, was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.
| "Drop Dead Gorgeous" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Republica | ||||
| from the album Republica | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 21 April 1997 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:32 | |||
| Label | Deconstruction | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| single singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Drop Dead Gorgeous" on YouTube | ||||
Reception
editCritical
editThe song was praised upon its release. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the song as one of its parent album's highlights, and felt that the song has a "bright, energetic sound that is quite infectious."[2]
Commercial
editThe song was a success in the United Kingdom and United States. In the UK, the song gave the group their only top-10 hit to date. The single debuted at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart on the week beginning 3 May 1997; the single spent a total of seven consecutive weeks on the chart, more than any other song by the group.[3] The following year, the song was also successful in the US, entering the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at number 93, spending a total of three weeks on the chart.[4] The single also entered the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it entered the top 40 and peaked at number 39.[5] Elsewhere, "Drop Dead Gorgeous" peaked at number 30 in New Zealand and number 90 in Germany.[6][7]
Music video
editThe song's music video was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.[8] It also went into rotation on MTV.[9]
In media
editThe song appears on the soundtracks of the TV shows Doctors, My Mad Fat Diary, Who's Doing the Dishes?, and Clueless. It also appears in the film Scream.
Legacy
editThe song was included on Official Charts' list of "20 Classic Hits Turning 20 Years Old in 2017," with writer Justin Myers noting that both "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" "still get played on ads or on TV pretty often."[10]
Track listing
editAdapted from AllMusic.[1]
- "Drop Dead Gorgeous" – 3:32
- "Out of This World" – 7:05
- "Mutha" – 4:00
- "Holly" – 7:07
Personnel
editAdapted from AllMusic.[11]
- Donald Christie – photography
- Ben Grosse – mixing, production, programming
- Randy Jacobs – guitar
- Saffron – vocals
- Michael Tuller – programming
- John Vitale – guitar, programming
- Jez Williams – guitar
Charts
edit| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[12] | 131 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] | 51 |
| Germany (GfK)[7] | 90 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] | 30 |
| Scotland (OCC)[14] | 8 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 93 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[5] | 39 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Drop Dead Gorgeous [CD #2] overview". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Republica - "Republica" review". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Republica Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Republica Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Feb 7, 1998 (page 50)". Google Books. Billboard/Nielsen Business Media. 7 February 1998. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ "Video Monitor: Billboard Jan 11, 1997 (page 95)". Google Books. Billboard/Nieslen Business Media. 11 January 1997. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ Myers, Justin. "20 classic hits turning 20 years old in 2017". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ ""Drop Dead Gorgeous" credits". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- ^ "Chart Inquiry". ARIA. Retrieved 25 April 2017 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 19. 10 May 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2020.