"Milkshake" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Kelis | ||||
from the album Tasty | ||||
Released | August 25, 2003 | |||
Studio | Hovercraft (Virginia Beach, Virginia) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:04 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | The Neptunes | |||
Kelis singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Milkshake" on YouTube |
"Milkshake" is a song by American singer Kelis from her third studio album, Tasty (2003). Written and produced by the Neptunes, the song was originally offered to Britney Spears for her fourth studio album, In the Zone, but was instead given to Kelis. It was released as the lead single from Tasty in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24, 2003. According to Kelis, "milkshake" in the song is used as a metaphor for "something that makes women special". The song is noted for its euphemistic chorus and low-beat R&B sound.
"Milkshake" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 2003, becoming Kelis' highest-charting single to date. Elsewhere, the single topped the charts in Ireland and peaked inside the top 10 of the charts in Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. "Milkshake" was certified Gold in the United States, where it has sold 883,000 paid downloads. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2004.
Background
"Milkshake" was written and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, known collectively as the Neptunes. The song was conceived when Tasty was chosen as the album's title.[1] When making the song, Kelis "knew right away that it was a really good song", and she wanted it to be the album's first single.[2] Recording sessions took place at Hovercraft Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[3] Phil Tan mixed the recordings at Right Track Studios in New York City.[3]
When asked about the meaning of the song, Kelis told The Observer that "It means whatever people want it to; it was just a word we came up with on a whim, but then the song took on a life of its own."[4] However, in an interview with the Associated Press, she likened one's milkshake to one's self-confidence: "A milkshake is the thing that makes women special. It's what gives us our confidence and what makes us exciting."
Composition
"Milkshake" is an R&B song,[5] and Joey Rivaldo of About.com described it as a "low beat dance song".[6] The song is noted for its chorus, in which Kelis sings "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard".[7] The line was referred to as a "sexy, euphemistic playground rap" by MTV News.[7] The song's riff was described as "blaring synth-funk".[8] Unlike many urban pop songs, which rely on drum machines, the beat consists of a lone darbuka playing a rhythm similar to a belly dance. A manjira sample resembling an order-up counter bell is used throughout the song.[5][9] Andy Kellman of AllMusic compared the song's suggestive lyrics to "Nasty Girl" by Vanity 6, "In My House" by Mary Jane Girls and "Touch It" by Monifah.[8] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, "Milkshake" has a moderate beat rate of 113 beats per minute.[10]
Critical reception
"Milkshake" received critical acclaim upon its release, both for its inventive and groundbreaking production as well as Kelis' vocal performance. About.com's Joey Rivaldo rated the song four out of five stars, and stated: "Clearly this is the case of my milkshake is better than yours, so grab yours quick, or we'll have to charge."[6] While reviewing the soundtrack to the film Mean Girls (2004), in which "Milkshake" is featured, Heather Phares of AllMusic wrote that the song describes "the movie's playfully menacing undercurrent", and called the song "fantastic", and that it is "basically a three-minute tutorial in sex appeal."[11] Rollie Pemberton of Pitchfork called the song "brilliant", and said: "Equal parts cantina gyration and future-funk, Kelis plays the coquette, enticing the entire American male populace with rhythmic coos while simultaneously providing an apt tutorial for aspiring temptresses."[12] Bjorn Randolph of Stylus Magazine said that the song "may well be remembered as their [the Neptunes'] masterpiece".[5]
Mark Danson of Contactmusic.com was not very fond of the song, criticizing the Neptunes' sound, and said: "as it sounds like [Pharrell] Williams has done this one in his sleep, it'll probably slip under the radar unless it has a fairly decent video to back it up. It's obviously supposed to be a kind of sexy electronica, but it just ends up sounding slack."[13] Tony Naylor of NME called the song "probably the oddest track" on the Tasty album.[14] Adam Webb of Yahoo! Music UK said that the song "nestles in seamlessly, the rhythm as relentless as a parade of majorettes with Kelis upfront as the cheerleader."[15] Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly called the song a "lusty party anthem".[16] Ernest Hardy of Rolling Stone called it "the superfreakiest song on the charts",[17] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "thick and creamy",[18] Steve Jones of USA Today called it "saucy",[19] and Dorian Lynskey of The Guardian said that in the song "Kelis exploits her husky croon like never before, pouring it over lascivious double entendre."[20]
The Observer named the song the best single of 2004.[4] In 2004, Pitchfork made a list of the top 50 singles of 2003 and listed the song at number eight.[12] In 2005, Pitchfork made a list of the top 100 singles of 2000–2004, listing "Milkshake" at number 21.[21] Stylus Magazine named the song the 13th-best single of 2000–2005.[5] In September 2011, VH1 ranked the song at number 61 on its list of the "100 Greatest Songs of the '00s".[22] In October 2011, NME placed it at number 136 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[23]
In 2004, "Milkshake" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.[24]
Commercial performance
"Milkshake" debuted at number 73 on the September 6, 2003, chart of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[25] and peaked at number four on January 3, 2004.[26] In October 2003, it debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[27] It was Kelis' second entry on the chart, following "Caught out There", which spent 12 weeks on the chart between December 1999 and February 2000.[28] In its 13th week on the chart, "Milkshake" reached its peak of number three, and stayed there for five consecutive weeks.[28] The song charted on the Hot 100 for 22 weeks,[28] and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 25, 2004.[29] "Milkshake" also spent a week atop the Hot Dance Club Songs chart in December 2003.[30] The song has sold 883,000 paid digital downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[31] It was listed at number 41 on the 2004 Hot 100 year-end chart, and number 41 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year-end chart.[32][33]
The single debuted at number 15 on the Irish Singles Chart, and later topped the chart for five consecutive weeks.[34] In the United Kingdom, "Milkshake" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for four consecutive weeks, and has been certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[35][36] Elsewhere in Europe, the track reached the top five in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and the top 10 in Netherlands.[37]
In Australia, "Milkshake" peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart for five non-consecutive weeks and has been certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[38][39] It also peaked at number three on the New Zealand Singles Chart and has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).[40][41]
Music video
The music video for "Milkshake" was directed by Jake Nava.[42] In the video, Kelis enters a diner called Tasty's Yard. She dances suggestively, and puts her lips around a cherry, which causes a mother to cover her child's eyes. A cook, played by rapper Nas, starts delivering milkshakes to the customers while Kelis dances. A milkshake machine then starts spurting milkshake all over the customers, and more and more people enter the "yard".[7] FHM named the music video the 73rd sexiest music video by a female performer of all time and commented: "Here she's backed up by a posse of dancers wearing tiny diner uniforms. The way she sucks a milkshake and bites a cherry is just unfairly sexy", and said that the best part is when Kelis demonstrates a "perfect bending-over-oven technique".[43]
Usage in media
The song has been featured in numerous television series and films including The Simpsons, Family Guy, Jane the Virgin, South Park, The Glee Project, George Lopez, Nip/Tuck, The New Normal, The Haunted Mansion, Mean Girls, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, King's Ransom, The Big Short, Ugly Betty, Date Movie, 2 Broke Girls, Norbit and Identity Thief. It appeared in season 3, episode 8 of Sex Education.[44]
The song was covered by Australian rock band The Pictures in 2005 as part of youth radio station Triple J's Like a Version segment. The song was also covered by Ashleigh Murray, Asha Bromfield and Madelaine Petsch in the episode "Chapter Fifteen: Nighthawks" from the second season of the television series Riverdale.[45] The song was also covered by Robyn Adele Anderson in 2020.[46]
Track listings
|
|
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Tasty.[3]
Recording
- Recorded at Hovercraft Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mixed at Right Track Studios (New York City)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Personnel
- The Neptunes – production
- Andrew "Drew" Coleman – recording
- Daniel Betancourt – recording assistance
- Phil Tan – mixing
- Tim Olmstead – mixing assistance
- Chris Athens – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts |
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[39] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[41] | Gold | 5,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[29] | Gold | 883,000[31] |
United States (RIAA)[29] Mastertone |
Gold | 500,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | August 25, 2003 | Digital download | Instrumental | [95] | |
August 26, 2003 | 12-inch single | Radio Mix | [96] | ||
September 15, 2003 | Original | [97] | |||
Australia | November 24, 2003 | Digital download | EMI | [98] | |
New Zealand | [99] | ||||
Sweden | [100] | ||||
United Kingdom | Virgin | [54] | |||
United States | December 29, 2003 | Radio Mix |
|
[55] | |
United Kingdom | January 5, 2004 | Original | Virgin | [47][48][53] | |
Australia | January 12, 2004 | CD maxi single | EMI | [101] | |
Germany | February 2, 2004 | [50] | |||
United States | March 30, 2004 | 7-inch single | Radio Mix |
|
[102] |
References
- ↑ Slomowicz, DJ Ron. "Kelis Interview". About.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ Roberts, Michael (February 14, 2008). "Vintage Q&A with Kelis". Westword. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 3 Tasty (liner notes). Kelis. Arista Records. 2003. 82876-52210-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - 1 2 "From glam to grime, the year in music". The Observer. December 12, 2004. Archived from the original on September 17, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "The Top 50 Singles: 2000–2005". Stylus Magazine. January 10, 2005. Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- 1 2 Rivaldo, Joey. "Kelis – Milkshake". About.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 1 2 3 Patel, Joseph (October 7, 2003). "Kelis Turning Heads Again With Her Tasty 'Milkshake'". MTV News. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "Tasty – Kelis". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "Shakethrus: 2003: Music Reviews". Shaking Through. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis "Milkshake" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. May 14, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ Phares, Heather. "Mean Girls – Original Soundtrack". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 "Pitchfork: Staff Lists: Top 50 Singles of 2003". Pitchfork. December 30, 2003. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ↑ Danson, Matt (September 30, 2003). "Kelis – Milkshake – Single Review". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- ↑ Naylor, Tony (January 23, 2004). "Kelis : Tasty – Album Review". NME. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ Webb, Adam (December 12, 2003). "Kelis – 'Tasty'". Yahoo! Music UK. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ↑ Drumming, Neil (December 12, 2003). "Tasty". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ↑ Hardy, Ernest (January 22, 2004). "Kelis: Tasty". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (December 6, 2003). "Kelis: Tasty". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ↑ Jones, Steve (December 8, 2003). "Kelis, Tasty". USA Today. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ↑ Lynskey, Dorian (December 4, 2003). "Kelis, Tasty". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ↑ "Pitchfork: Staff Lists: The Top 100 Singles of 2000-04". Pitchfork. January 31, 2005. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ↑ Anderson, Kyle (September 29, 2011). "U2, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters fill out VH1's '100 Greatest Songs of the '00s'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- ↑ "150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years". NME.
- ↑ "2004 Grammy Winners". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles – Week of September 6, 2003". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- 1 2 "Kelis Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "'Baby' Kicks 'Tailfeather' From Chart Roost". Billboard. September 25, 2003. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kelis Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 1 2 3 "American single certifications – Kelis – Milkshake". Recording Industry Association of America. October 25, 2004. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- ↑ Trust, Gary (March 11, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: Taio Cruz, Ludacris, Peter Gabriel". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- 1 2 Concepcion, Mariel (December 1, 2009). "Exclusive: Kelis Signs To will.i.am Music Group/Interscope". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- 1 2 "2004 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard.biz. December 25, 2004. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 "2004 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard.biz. December 25, 2004. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake – Music Charts". aCharts.us. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- 1 2 "Kelis: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 "British single certifications – Kelis – Milkshake". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- 1 2 "Kelis – Milkshake" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 1 2 "Kelis – Milkshake". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
- 1 2 "Kelis – Milkshake". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- 1 2 "New Zealand single certifications – Kelis – Milkshake". Recorded Music NZ. April 4, 2004. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ↑ "Milkshake – Kelis – Music Video". MTV. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake | The 100 Sexiest Music Videos". FHM. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ Hunt, James (September 17, 2021). "Every Song In Sex Education Season 3". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ↑ "Riverdale season 2 soundtrack". WaterTower Music.
- ↑ Anderson, Robyn Adele. ""Milkshake" (Kelis) Middle Eastern Belly Dance Cover by Robyn Adele Anderson". Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 "Milkshake [Single]: Kelis". Amazon. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 "CD Singles – Kelis – Milkshake – Virgin – UK – VSCDX 1863". 45worlds. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ Milkshake (Australian CD maxi single). Kelis. EMI. 2004. 724354777523.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - 1 2 "Kelis :: Milkshake" (in German). Virgin Records Germany. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ Milkshake (US 12-inch single). Kelis. Star Trak Entertainment. 2003. 724354777523.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ Milkshake (US 7-inch single). Kelis. Star Trak Entertainment. 2004. 82876-61108-7.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - 1 2 "Kelis Milkshake UK 12" Vinyl Record/Maxi Single VST1863". 991.com. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- 1 2 "Milkshake – Single by Kelis". iTunes Store. United Kingdom. January 2003. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- 1 2 "Milkshake (feat. Pharrell & Pusha T) – Single by Kelis". iTunes Store. United States. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ↑ "ARIA Urban Chart – Week Commencing 2nd February 2004" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Singles : Top 50". Jam!. January 29, 2004. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ↑ "Canadian Top 20 in 2004" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ↑ "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake". Tracklisten. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 7. February 14, 2004. p. 53. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Kelis: Milkshake" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
- ↑ "Top 50 Singles" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. April 11, 2004. Archived from the original on April 14, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Milkshake". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake". Top Digital Download. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Kelis" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake". VG-lista. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ↑ "Kelis Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
- ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2004 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ↑ "Best of 2004 – Singles". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2004". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 2004". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "Årslista Singlar – År 2004" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "2004 Urban top 30" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 2005. p. 24. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Dance Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 56.
- ↑ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 22.
- ↑ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 29.
- ↑ McCabe web, Kathy (January 7, 2010). "Delta Goodrem's talents top the charts". News.com.au. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ↑ "Milkshake (Instrumental) by Kelis". Amazon. United States. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake [Arista] (12 inch Vinyl Single – Star Trak/Arista #54243)". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "R&R Going for Adds – Week of 9/15/03" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1521. September 12, 2003. p. 26. ISSN 0277-4860 – via World Radio History.
- ↑ "Milkshake – Single by Kelis". iTunes Store. Australia. January 2003. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Milkshake – Single by Kelis". iTunes Store. New Zealand. January 2003. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Milkshake – Single by Kelis". iTunes Store. Sweden. January 2003. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Kelis – Discography". musichead. Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ↑ "Kelis – Milkshake [Arista] (7 inch Vinyl Disc – Zomba #8287661108)". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2020.