"Freak like Me"
Standard artwork (US CD maxi-single pictured)
Single by Adina Howard
from the album Do You Wanna Ride?
ReleasedJanuary 25, 1995
Genre
Length4:13
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Eugene Hanes
  • Marc Valentine
  • Loren Hill
  • William "Bootsy" Collins
  • George Clinton, Jr.
Producer(s)Mass Order
Adina Howard singles chronology
"Freak like Me"
(1995)		 "My Up and Down"
(1995)

"Freak Like Me" is a song by American R&B singer Adina Howard, released on January 25, 1995 by East West and Lola Waxx, as the debut single from her first album, Do You Wanna Ride? (1995). The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, as well as number two on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for four weeks, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies. Its music video was directed by Hype Williams. In 2023, Billboard ranked "Freak Like Me" among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time".[2] The song has been covered by several artists, including British girl group Sugababes, who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart with their version in 2002.

Background

"Freak like Me" is a R&B song with a g-funk beat.[3] The song's drum beat is sampled from Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song". The song also interpolates "I'd Rather Be with You" by Bootsy's Rubber Band. Hence, Eugene Hanes, Marc Valentine, Loren Hill, William "Bootsy" Collins, and George Clinton's son George Jr. (the last of whom died in 2010) are credited as joint authors and composers. In honor of the song's 20th anniversary, a documentary focusing on the song's (and singer Adina Howard's) impact was released titled Adina Howard 20: A Story of Sexual Liberation.[4][5] It received a nomination for "Outstanding Independent Documentary" at the 2016 Black Reel Awards.

Critical reception

American Billboard magazine wrote, "The G-funkiest R&B smash of the ’90s, using a Bootsy Collins interpolation, a Sly & The Family Stone sample and a Chronic-styled synth hook to attract that kind of man (because Adina Howard’s that kind of girl)."[2] Bill Speed from the Gavin Report stated that newcomer Howard "is hot with her debut single "A Freak like Me", but don't be fooled by what appears to be another coochie song. It's way more than that." He concluded with that it "will be one of those funky hip-hop flavored hits that all demos will enjoy."[6] Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel complimented its "memorable chorus".[7] Everett True from Melody Maker found that the singer "provides sweet relief with another of those succulent, sensuous G-funk thangs which sounds like a cross between En Vogue and Snoop Doggy Dogg."[8] Alan Jones from Music Week felt "it's a record with immense pedigree; a softly percolating laidback soul/R&B nugget which reveals its subtle strength. With repeated plays it should dent the Top 40 this time and open up the market for Ms Howard's excellent album Do You Wanna Ride?"[9] Ralph Tee from the Record Mirror Dance Update wrote, "The track is pure hip hop soul combining Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre beats and sounds with a style of vocal that's taken Brandy all the way with "I Wanna Be Down"."[1] Another editor, James Hamilton, described it as a "slinkily rolling r&b swayer."[10]

Music video

The original music video for the song was directed by American director Hype Williams.[11]

Track listing

  1. "Freak like Me" (radio version) – 4:04
  2. "Freak like Me" (remix featuring rap by Inspector Rick) – 4:17
  3. "Freak like Me" (dub instrumental) – 4:12
  4. "Freak like Me" (remix without rap) – 4:06
  5. "Freak like Me" (instrumental) – 4:10
  6. "Freak like Me" (a cappella) – 2:35

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[25] Platinum 1,000,000[26]

Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy version

"Freak like Me"
Single by Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy
ReleasedAugust 28, 2000 (2000-08-28)[27]
GenreUK garage
Length4:49
LabelPositiva
Songwriter(s)
  • William Collins
  • Eugene Hanes
  • Gary Lee Cooper
  • George Clinton
  • Loren Hill
  • Marc Valentine
Producer(s)
  • Andrew Hunter
  • George Demetriou
  • Ian McKenzie
  • Maxim Elmaki
  • Nial Montgomery
Imaani singles chronology
"Where Are You?"
(1998)		 "Freak like Me"
(2000)

On August 28, 2000, a collaboration between two UK garage groups, Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy, released a cover version of "Freak like Me". English singer Imaani provided vocals on the song.[28] This version reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The CD and 12-inch formats include remixes by Wideboys and Dome.

Track listings

  • UK CD maxi-single
  1. "Freak like Me" (radio edit) – 3:21
  2. "Freak like Me" (original mix) – 4:49
  3. "Freak like Me" (Wideboys Vocal Mix) – 5:01
  4. "Freak like Me" (Dome's Freaky Deaky Mix) – 5:59
  • UK 12-inch vinyl
A1. "Freak like Me" (original mix) – 4:49
A2. "Freak like Me" (Wideboys Dub) – 4:35
B1. "Freak like Me" (Vocal Remix) – 5:10
B2. "Freak like Me" (Freaky Deaky Mix) – 5:10

Charts

Chart (2000) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[29] 44
Scotland (OCC)[30] 31
UK Singles (OCC)[31] 12
UK Dance (OCC)[32] 1

Sugababes version

"Freak like Me"
Single by Sugababes
from the album Angels with Dirty Faces
B-side"Breathe Easy"
ReleasedApril 22, 2002
Recorded2001
StudioLondon, England
Genre
Length3:14
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Eugene Hanes
  • Marc Valentine
  • Loren Hill
  • William Collins
  • George Clinton
  • Gary Numan
Producer(s)Richard X
Sugababes singles chronology
"Soul Sound"
(2001)		 "Freak like Me"
(2002)		 "Round Round"
(2002)

In 2002, English girl group Sugababes recorded a cover of "Freak like Me". Conceived and produced by English producer Richard X, the cover samples the 1979 song "Are "Friends" Electric?" by Gary Numan and Tubeway Army. In 2001, Richard X had created a bootleg mashup of the original recordings of "Freak Like Me" and "Are "Friends" Electric?", titled "We Don't Give a Damn About Our Friends", which he released under the alias Girls on Top.[36] That song became a successful underground dance track. Richard X wanted to release the mashup commercially, but he could not get permission from Howard to use her vocals, so he enlisted the Sugababes to re-record the vocals.[37][38]

"Freak like Me" was released on April 22, 2002, as the lead single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was the first Sugababes single to feature Heidi Range, who joined after the departure of Siobhán Donaghy in August 2001. The Sugababes version blends the original recording's samples into an R&B and rock track.[39] This version of the song used the radio edit lyrics of Howard's song ("brotha" is used instead of "nigga"). Numan was now credited as a co-writer of the song. A remix of the song, billed as the "We Don't Give a Damn Mix", was used for the video and also appears on Richard X's 2003 album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1.

Critical reception

The Guardian named "Freak like Me" as the best number-one single of 2002.[40] NME complimented the track as "genius" and claimed, "if this gets to number one, we'll be grinning all summer. Yes, even The Critics."[41] Billboard named the song number 45 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.[42]

Numan considered the Sugababes version of "Freak like Me" to be better than "Are 'Friends' Electric?".[43]

Chart performance

"Freak like Me" was released in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2002.[44] The song became Sugababes' first number-one single when it debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, remaining in the top 10 for four weeks. The British Phonographic Industry certified the song gold for selling and streaming over 400,000 units.

Outside of the United Kingdom, the song was also successful: it reached the top 10 in Flanders, Ireland, and Norway. In Australia, "Freak like Me" was released on June 17, 2002,[45] and became the fourth single by Sugababes to make the singles chart, reaching number 44. It would be their lowest-charting single in Australia until the release of "Shape" in 2003.

Music video

The music video was directed by Dawn Shadforth and Sophie Muller and was filmed in London. It uses the "We Don't Give a Damn Mix" of the song, which is more faithful to the original mash-up. Set in a strange nightclub, the video serves to introduce then-recently added member Heidi Range. It begins outside the nightclub with a man tumbling down the stairs, with Keisha Buchanan in a long coat, seen only from below the knee, walking out of a door, over the man's body and up the stairs. Mutya Buena is seen standing on the stairs facing the direction where the man is lying. Inside, they spot Range dancing and flirting with many guys. They both quickly clash with her, and a fight between them ensues, which ends with Range falling to the floor unconscious. A man tries to help her up, but Buena grabs him by the neck and throws him away from her. Range wakes up again soon after, and stumbles out of the club with another man, where they begin to kiss, until she suddenly bites hard into his arm. Meanwhile, Buchanan takes a man outside, and she leads him into a dark alley, where they flirt briefly, before she scares him away. Buena then goes outside as well, and overpowers a man who towers over her. The music video ends with Buchanan and Buena accepting Range into the group, and dancing into the night. The demonstrations of supernatural strength shown throughout the video and Range biting the man on the arm are generally understood to imply that the women are, as the song suggests, vampire-like "freaks." Julian Morris stars in the music video as one of the boys running from Buena.

Track listings

UK and Australian CD single[46]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Freak like Me" (radio edit)
  • Eugene Hanes
  • Marc Valentine
  • Loren Hill
  • William Collins
  • George Clinton
  • Gary Numan
3:14
2."Freak like Me" (We Don't Give a Damn mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
Richard X3:39
3."Breathe Easy"
Dodds4:09
4."Freak like Me" (video)   
UK 12-inch single[47]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Freak like Me" (Different Gear mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
  • Richard X
  • Different Gear[a]
5:01
2."Freak like Me" (We Don't Give a Damn mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
Richard X3:34
3."Freak like Me" (Capoeira Twins mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
  • Richard X
  • Capoeira Twins[a]
5:29
4."Freak like Me" (Jameson mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
  • Richard X
  • Jameson[a]
5:42
UK cassette single[48]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Freak like Me" (radio edit)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
  • Richard X
  • Wheatley[a]
3:14
2."Freak like Me" (We Don't Give a Damn mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
Richard X3:39
3."Freak like Me" (Jameson mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
  • Richard X
  • Jameson[a]
5:46
European CD single[49]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Freak like Me" (radio edit)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
  • Richard X
  • Wheatley[a]
 
2."Freak like Me" (We Don't Give a Damn mix)
  • Hanes
  • Valentine
  • Hill
  • Collins
  • Clinton
  • Numan
Richard X 

Notes

  • ^a denotes additional producer(s)

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] Gold 387,000[75]

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom April 22, 2002
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Island [44][76]
Australia June 17, 2002 CD [45]
United States February 3, 2003 Contemporary hit radio Universal [77]

References

  1. 1 2 Tee, Ralph (February 4, 1995). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 10. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Best R&B Videos of the '90s". Complex. November 9, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Adina Howard 20: A Story of Sexual Liberation" – via www.imdb.com.
  5. ↑ Henderson, Tasasha (August 25, 2015). "Adina Howard's Sexual Liberation Album "Freak Like Me" Turns 20". Bitch Media. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  6. ↑ Speed, Bill (January 20, 1995). "Gavin Urban: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 19. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  7. ↑ Campbell, Chuck (March 31, 1995). "Traci Lords' Passion Turns To Techno Music". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  8. ↑ True, Everett (February 25, 1995). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 35. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ Jones, Alan (April 15, 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  10. ↑ Hamilton, James (February 11, 1995). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Adina Howard: Freak Like Me" – via IMDb.
  12. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Adina Howard" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Adina Howard – Freak like Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Adina Howard – Freak like Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  18. ↑ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). February 11, 1995. p. 6. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Adina Howard Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Adina Howard Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard.
  21. ↑ "Adina Howard Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Adina Howard Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Adina Howard Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  25. ↑ "American single certifications – Adina Howard – Freak like Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 3. January 20, 1996. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  27. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting August 28, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 26, 2000. p. 29. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  28. ↑ Ambrose, Tom (June 17, 2022). "'It's coming home': a trip back to 1998, and Britain's last Eurovision". the Guardian. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 38. September 16, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  31. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  32. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  33. ↑ Levine, Nick (October 19, 2008). "Sugababes: 'Catfights and Spotlights'". Digital Spy.
  34. ↑ CMJ Network, Inc (September 8, 2003). "CMJ New Music Report". CMJ Network, Inc. – via Google Books.
  35. 1 2 Crawford, David (2015). "Sugababes - "Freak Like Me". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 815.
  36. ↑ "Girls On Top – We Don't Give a Damn About Our Friends / Warm Bitch". Blackmelody.com. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  37. ↑ Leeds, Jeff (January 9, 2005). "Mix and Mash". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  38. ↑ "A Beginner's Guide To RICHARD X". Electricityclub.co.uk. May 7, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Sugababes' 'Freak' Tops U.K. Chart". Billboard. April 29, 2002. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022. The track is an unusual blend of R&B and rock.
  40. ↑ Paphides, Peter (May 31, 2012). "The best No 1 records: Sugababes – Freak Like Me". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". NME. April 16, 2002. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  42. ↑ "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Gary Numan – Interview". Designer Magazine. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2018. I did the Graham Norton show and I said I think its better than mine – I think the vocal is a lot more interesting than mine.
  44. 1 2 Rauf, Raziq (April 19, 2002). "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  45. 1 2 "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 17th June 2002" (PDF). ARIA. June 17, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2004. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  46. ↑ Freak Like Me (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). Sugababes. Island Records. 2002. CID798, 582898-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ↑ Freak Like Me (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Sugababes. Island Records. 2002. 12IS798, 582898-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  48. ↑ Freak Like Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Sugababes. Island Records. 2002. CIS798, 582898-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  49. ↑ Freak Like Me (European CD single liner notes). Sugababes. Island Records. 2002. CIDT798, 582907-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  50. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  51. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  52. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  53. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  54. ↑ "Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. July 11, 2003. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  55. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 20. May 11, 2002. p. 11. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  58. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Freak Like Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". Top Digital Download. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  60. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  61. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  62. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  63. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". VG-lista. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  64. ↑ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 37, saptamina 17.09–23.09, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  65. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  66. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  67. ↑ "Sugababes – Freak Like Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  68. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  69. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  70. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2002" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  71. ↑ "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  72. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  73. ↑ "Most Broadcast Of 2002 — Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. January 18, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  74. ↑ "British single certifications – Sugababes – Freak Like Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  75. ↑ Copsey, Rob (April 29, 2021). "Sugababes' Official Top 20 biggest singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  76. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 22 April 2002" (PDF). Music Week. April 20, 2002. p. 35. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  77. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1489. January 31, 2003. p. 27. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.