"I Don't Need a Man"
Single by the Pussycat Dolls
from the album PCD
B-side"We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going"
ReleasedSeptember 9, 2006 (2006-09-09)
StudioRecord Plant (Los Angeles)
GenrePost-disco
Length3:39
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Buttons"
(2006)		 "I Don't Need a Man"
(2006)		 "Wait a Minute"
(2006)
Music video
"I Don't Need a Man" on YouTube

"I Don't Need a Man" is a song recorded by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls for their debut studio album PCD (2005). It was written and produced by Rich Harrison, with additional writing from Nicole Scherzinger, Vanessa Brown and Kara DioGuardi. A post-disco song, "I Don't Need a Man" promotes female empowerment. The song was released as the fifth single from PCD on September 9, 2006, by A&M Records and Interscope Records.

Upon its release, "I Don't Need a Man" received critical acclaim. A commercial success, it became their fifth consecutive top-ten single on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number seven, while also attaining top-ten positions in Australia, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania and Scotland. In the United States, it became their lowest-charting single, peaking at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 due to its limited release in the country.

Writing and production

"I Don't Need a Man" was written and produced by Rich Harrison, with additional writing from Nicole Scherzinger, Vanessa "VV" Brown and Kara DioGuardi.[1][2] Ron Fair provided additional and vocal production for the song. The song was recorded for the group's debut album PCD (2005) and predominately features Scherzinger's vocals with background vocals by VV Brown.[1][3] Tal Herzberg engineered and used Pro-Tools for the track, as well as playing bass for the production. Horns were led and arranged by Jerry Hey, with further contributions from Garry Grant, Dan Higgins and Bill Reichenbach. Wurlitzer, piano and glockenspiel were played by Fair. Further engineering was carried out by Scotty Beats, JD Andrew, Mike Hogue, and Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos. Peter Mokran mixed "I Don't Need a Man" at the Record Plant studios in Los Angeles.[3]

The song was released alongside its B-side "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going", which is a medley of Labelle's song "Far as We Felt Like Goin'" (1975), written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan, and The S.O.S. Band's song "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" (1980). The Pussycat Dolls' version was produced by Fair with additional production and Pro-Tools by Herzberg. Lead vocals were credited to Scherzinger, whilst Melody Thornton, Carmit Bachar and Kaya Jones were credited with additional vocals.[3] "We Went as Far as We Felt Like Going" first appeared on the soundtrack to the animated film Shark Tale (2004).

Music and lyrics

"I Don't Need a Man" is a post-disco song with a length of three minutes and 39 seconds.[4][5] According to EMI Music Publishing's digital sheet music for the song, "I Don't Need a Man" is composed in the key of D minor and set in common time, with a moderate groove of 105 beats per minute. The group's vocal range spans from the low note of A3 to the high note of D5.[5]

"I Don't Need a Man" has been described as a song that finds the "self-objectifying group flipping the script" for female empowerment.[4] Caroline Bologna of HuffPost claimed that the song is about masturbation.[6] Stephen Thomas Erlewine likened the song to the music of Beyoncé,[7] while Rebecca Deczynski of Nylon retrospectively wrote that the song was a prequel to her song "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008).[8]

Critical reception

Rebecca Deczynski of Nylon magazine listed "I Don't Need a Man" in her list of 12 songs that defined girl power, appreciating the "crystal-clear" messaging behind it.[9] People magazine contributors also lauded its themes, deeming it as one of PCD's better songs.[10] musicOMH's John Murphy acknowledged its synth production.[11]

Commercial performance

In comparison with the previous four singles from PCD, "I Don't Need a Man" was slightly less commercially successful.[12] In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 21, with first-week digital sales of 5,448 units in the last week of September 2006.[13] The following week, it sold 13,220 copies after its physical release and peaked at number seven, becoming the Pussycat Dolls' fifth consecutive top-ten single as PCD surpassed sales of one million copies in the country.[14] The same week, the song reached the summit of the UK R&B Chart and number eight on the Scottish Singles Chart.[15][16]

"I Don't Need a Man" was also the group's fifth consecutive top-ten single in multiple countries aside from the UK, peaking at number five in the Netherlands,[17] number six in Australia,[18] number seven in Belgium (Flanders) and New Zealand,[19][20] and number nine in Ireland.[21] In the United States, it became their lowest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 93 due to its limited release in the country.[22]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "I Don't Need a Man" was directed by Chris Applebaum and was first announced and described by group member Ashley Roberts in a blog entry on their official website.[23] It premiered on the group's website on April 17, 2007 and on MTV's TRL the following day,[24] following its international release through the maxi CD single of "I Don't Need a Man" in September 2006.

The first verse begins with Roberts doing her nails dressed in white clothing. The video features Nicole Scherzinger singing, Carmit Bachar drying her hair and Jessica Sutta having a shower as they prepare to go out. In the chorus, the Dolls mimic a hair salon scene. During the second verse, the video shows Kimberly Wyatt in a bath getting ready to go out, Melody Thornton putting on her make-up and Scherzinger singing. In the second chorus, it shows the group performing a dance routine before breaking into different slides of the members dancing separately. Following this, Scherzinger and Thornton are shown singing "let it go", a bridge in the middle of the song. This then breaks into more dance clips of the members, with Scherzinger singing. The video concludes with the group performing another dance routine against a black background in the final chorus before confetti falls down.

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of PCD and Tidal.[3][29]

Recording
Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "I Don't Need a Man"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[60] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] Silver 200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Don't Need a Man"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref
United Kingdom September 9, 2006 Contemporary hit radio Polydor
Netherlands September 25, 2006 CD Universal Music
United Kingdom Polydor
Germany October 9, 2006 Digital download (EP) Universal Music
Australia October 30, 2006 CD
Germany November 10, 2006
France February 26, 2007
United States June 19, 2007 Digital download (Hit 3 Pack)

References

  1. 1 2 Rogers, Jude (2008-12-08). "The R&B star that wasn't". The Guardian. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  2. ↑ "I DON'T NEED A MAN – ISWC: T9011222472 - Work ID: 391833739". ASCAP. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  3. 1 2 3 4 PCD (Media notes). The Pussycat Dolls. A&M Records.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. 1 2 3 Arnold, Chuck; Novak, Ralph. "Picks and Pans Review: The Pussycat Dolls". People. Time Inc. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Pussycat Dolls - I Don't Need a Man Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. EMI Music Publishing. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  6. ↑ Bologna, Caroline (August 27, 2015). "22 Sexy Songs That Give Female Masturbation The Love It Deserves". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  7. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "PCD - The Pussycat Dolls". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ Deczynski, Rebecca (February 26, 2015). "2 Best Girl Power Anthems of the Aughts". Nylon. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  9. ↑ Deczynski, Rebecca (February 26, 2015). "12 Best Girl Power Anthems of the Aughts". Nylon. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: The Pussycat Dolls". People. September 19, 2005. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  11. ↑ Murphy, John. "The Pussycat Dolls – PCD: Album Reviews". musicOMH. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  12. ↑ Miller, Andrew (March 21, 2007). "Official NZ Music Chart & Chartbitz March 21 2007". Scoop. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  13. ↑ Jones, Alan. "Scissor Sisters score chart-topping double". Music Week. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2006.
  14. ↑ Jones, Alan (October 2, 2006). "Scissor Sisters enjoy second week reign on UK charts". Music Week. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  18. 1 2 "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  19. 1 2 "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  20. 1 2 "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  21. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Don't Need a Man". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  22. 1 2 "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  23. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls". PCDmusic.com. Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  24. ↑ "You see it first! PCD's I Don't Need A Man video!". Interscope Records. April 17, 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  25. 1 2 "I Don't Need A Man (UK Version) - The Pussycat Dolls". 7digital (UK). Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  26. 1 2 "Musik – "I Don't Need a Man - EP" von The Pussycat Dolls" (in German). iTunes Store (DE). Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  27. 1 2 "I Don't Need a Man: Musik: the Pussycat Dolls" (in German). Amazon.de. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  28. 1 2 "I Don't Need a Man - EP by The Pussycat Dolls - Download I Don't Need a Man". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  29. ↑ "PCD credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Issue 903" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  31. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  32. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  33. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  34. ↑ The Pussycat Dolls — I Don't Need A Man. TopHit. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  35. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200704 into search. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Hitlisten.NU – The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in Danish). Tracklisten. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  37. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls: I Don't Need a Man" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  38. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  39. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  42. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man". Top Digital Download. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Nielsen Music Control" (in Polish). Nielsen Music Control. Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Romanian Top 100: Issue nr: 50/2006 (18 Decembrie - 24 Decembrie 2006)" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on December 15, 2006. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  46. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200641 into search. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  47. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  48. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  50. 1 2 "The ARIA Report - 2006" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten - 2006 Single" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Rapports Annuels - 2006 Single" (in French). Ultratop 50. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  53. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2006" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2007" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2006" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  56. ↑ "2006" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  57. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  58. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2007" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Romanian Top 100 – Top of the Year 2007". Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  60. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  61. ↑ "British single certifications – Pussycat Dolls – I Don't Need a Man". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  62. ↑ "Upfront - 09.09.06: Radio playlists". Music Week. United Kingdom: Future Publishing Ltd. September 9, 2006. p. 12. ISSN 0265-1548.
  63. ↑ "I Don't Need a Man" (in Dutch). Bol.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  64. ↑ "The Schedule: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. United Kingdom. September 23, 2006. p. 17. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  65. ↑ "New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 30/10/2006" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. October 30, 2006. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  66. ↑ "I don't need a man – The Pussycat Dolls – CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. February 26, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
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