3 Words (song)
"3 Words" | ||||
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Record Plant (Los Angeles) | ||||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 4:04 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | will.i.am | |||
Cheryl Cole singles chronology | ||||
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will.i.am singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Cheryl Cole - 3 Words ft. will.i.am" on YouTube |
"3 Words" is a song recorded by English singer
"3 Words" was praised by contemporary critics, who said it was "a sophisticated love song" and the "standout track" from the album. Its unconventional production abandons the use of "verse-chorus-verse" structure, instead opting for a throbbing buildup to a climax. The accompanying video, directed by
The song was promoted on Cheryl Cole's Night In. The single was less commercially successful compared to its predecessor "Fight for This Love" but despite not peaking at number one, it went on to become Cole's second consecutive UK top-five and Irish-top ten hit. It was also a top five hit in Australia and has since been certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association and silver by the British Phonographic Industry.
Composition
"3 Words" is an uptempo
Critics stated that the "sophisticated love song"[6] is difficult to class by genre because it was "unconventional", something which Cole agreed when she said, "[its] totally different from anything I've done [with Girls Aloud] or liked before".[7] Some industry critics also noted that "3 Words" was "unlike many things currently [at that time] on radio or being released".[5] Cole said that the song was inspired by her newly acquired love for dance music on the charts, especially David Guetta & Kelly Rowland's "When Love Takes Over".[7]
Critical reception
Cole described it as her favourite song on the album[7] and music critics generally agreed. Tom Ewing of The Guardian called the song Cheryl's "showcase [...] built on dark loops of treated acoustic guitar and building into a claustrophobic dance track. It's as brave and novel a song as anything Cole's group have released."[1] Daniel Wilcox even went as far as to say the song was "far more interesting and innovative than anything her girl group has done in their entire careers."[4] "3 Words" has been described as "mesmerizing in its listlessness" as well as being "unlike anything Cheryl or Will.I.Am have released" and "to what's currently being played on the radio."[5] It was labeled a standout track by many reviewers,[8][9] with Killian Fox of The Observer referring to the song as "a slick, sophisticated love song that hints at what this album could have been."[6] David Balls of Digital Spy wrote, "Snubbing traditional verse-chorus-verse song structure, and beginning with spare acoustic guitar strums, '3 Words' builds slowly towards a throbbing and infectious, if slightly brief, arms-in-the-air climax [...] it's hard to deny that Chez pulls off this less-than-obvious offering with aplomb."[2]
Louise McCudden of Inthenews.co.uk, however, argued that although "her voice sounds pleasant [...] the song itself is too long and becomes tedious fairly fast."[10] Vicki Lutas had a mostly negative review for the song saying "at the end of the day it does sound like something you could have made up when you were at school", though she did praise the backing track for being "dark, eerie and cold in a chilling way; in an infectious way". However she pointed out that "the vocal arrangement and the actual vocals themselves do nothing more for the song", and respected that "it's a brave song choice, but it's [sic] hap-hazard vocal line seems to scream... C-R-I-N-G-E.".[11]
Chart performance
In the
The single also achieved top ten success in the
The song debuted at 14 on the
Music video
Background and concept
Cole filmed two music videos for "3 Words".
Synopsis
The video begins with Cole sitting alongside will.i.am, wearing a "Lady Gaga-inspired platinum blonde wig"[30] and a lace veil.[32] In the third scene she is depicted as an "Egyptian goddess".[29] Each scene incorporates "dance shots interspersed with sequences in which the focus falls on the two stars alone, seemingly searching each other, as it were ... experimenting more with her looks and even taking a chance with Lady Gaga-esque outfits for her dancers, including veils that cover their faces and black leotards."[33] It is shot with a split screen with motion control cameras, meaning Cole and will.i.am do not come into physical contact.[34]
Reception
The video received mixed to positive reviews from critics who praised Cole's sense of fashion but cited that the video was unoriginal. Elena Gorgan of Softpedia said "even with all this, she hardly manages to create a strong impression ... the video fails to break any visual ground, albeit standing on its own as a stylish video."
Live performances
The song received its worldwide radio premiere on 13 October 2009 on
Track listing
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Credits and personnel
"3 Words" was recorded at
- will.i.am – producer
- George Pajon – guitar
- will.i.am – drums, synthesizer, bass
- Padriac "Padlock" Kerin, will.i.am – engineer
- Padriac "Padlock" Kerin – recording
- Dylan Dresdow, will.i.am – mixing
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[25] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[58] | Gold | 15,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] | Silver | 340,000[59] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Ireland | 20 December 2009 | Digital download,[60] Digital EP 1,[61] Digital EP 2[62] | Polydor Records |
United Kingdom | Digital download,[13] Digital EP 1,[40] Digital EP 2[41] | Fascination Records | |
21 December 2009 | CD single[14] | ||
Australia | 12 February 2010 | Digital download[63] | Universal Music |
Digital remix EP[39] | |||
Italy[64] | 14 April 2010[26] | Digital download | |
Germany | 25 June 2010[38] | ||
Belgium[65] | 14 July 2010 |
References
- ^ a b Ewing, Tom (22 October 2009). "Cheryl Cole: 3 Words". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
- ^ a b c David Balls (21 December 2009). "Cheryl Cole: '3 Words'". Digital Spy. Hachette Fillapacchi UK. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- ^ Alfred Publishing.
- ^ a b Wilcox, Daniel (27 October 2009). "3 Words Review". 411mania.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ a b c Stern, Bradley (15 October 2009). "Cheryl Cole: 3 Words (Single Review)". MuuMuse.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ a b Fox, Killen (25 October 2009). "Cheryl Cole: 3 Words". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ a b c "3 Words". Brightcove. 15 October 2009. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
- News International. Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- News International. Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ McCudden, Louise (27 October 2009). "Cheryl Cole: Three Words review". Inthenews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ Lutas, Vicki (12 December 2009). "Cheryl Cole – 3 Words (Review)". BBC Chart Blog. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- The Official Charts Company. 7 November 2009. Archivedfrom the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ a b c "3 Words – digital download (Cheryl Cole)". Amazon.co.uk. Amazon. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ Amazon. Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ "UK Singles Chart Archive". The Official Charts Company. 19 December 2009. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ "UK Singles Chart Archive". The Official Charts Company. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ "Artist History – Cheryl Cole". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Cheryl Cole – 3 Words". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – 3 Words". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "Artist History – Cheryl Cole". IRME/Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Cheryl Cole feat. will.i.am – 3 Words". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Girls Aloud Singles History (AUS)". ARIA Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ "Artist History – Cheryl Cole". ARIA Charts. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ a b c "Cheryl Cole feat. will.i.am – 3 Words". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ a b c "Cheryl Cole's 3 Words by Vincent Haycock". Promonews TV. 4 December 2009. Archived from the original on 15 September 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ Gottlieb, Steven (19 October 2009). "SHOT: Cheryl Cole f/ Will.I.Am – Vincent Haycock, director". Video Static. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Balls, David (27 November 2009). "Anyone for a New Cheryl Cole video?". Digital Spy. Hachette Filapacchi UK. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ IPC Media. Archivedfrom the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ "It's all about the hair in Cheryl's new video". 3AM. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ a b c McGarry, Lisa (27 November 2009). "X Factor Fashion: Cheryl Cole goes blonde for new single '3 Words'". UnrealityTV. Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ a b Gorgan, Elena (28 November 2009). "Video for '3 Words' from Cheryl Cole and will.i.am: While not breaking any ground but stylish enough". SoftNews NET. Archived from the original on 4 December 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ a b "Cheryl Cole goes blonde and pale". Fame magazine. 27 November 2009. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ "Cheryl Cole – 13 Oct 09". BBC Radio 1. BBC. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- The Metro. Associated Newspapers. 23 May 2010. Archivedfrom the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ Petrou, Andrea (19 May 2010). "Cheryl Cole performs at the De Grisogono jewellery dinner in a Roberto Cavalli dress". Shiny Style TV. Shiny Digital. Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
- ^ a b "3 Words – single (Cheryl Cole)". Amazon.de. Amazon. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
- ^ Apple Inc. 5 February 2010. Archivedfrom the original on 26 February 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – EP 1". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. 20 December 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – EP 2". iTunes Store UK. Apple Inc. 20 December 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- Polydor). p. 5.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 1063" (PDF). ARIA Charts. Pandora. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
- ^ "Cheryl Cole feat. will.i.am – 3 Words" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ "Hits of the World: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 122, no. 2. 16 January 2010. p. 47.
- ^ "Cheryl Cole feat. will.i.am – 3 Words" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 2010" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ "Cheryl Cole feat. will.i.am – 3 Words" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Polish Airplay New. Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201019 into search. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- ^ "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Dance Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
- ^ "FIMI – Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana – Ricerche e dati di mercato". Fimi.it. 17 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ^ "End Of Year Charts: 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Cheryl Cole – 3 Words" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 31 December 2009. Select "2012" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "3 Words" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Number 1 today in 2010: Lady Gaga's Bad Romance returns to the top". Official Charts. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – single". iTunes Store Ire. Apple Inc. 20 December 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – EP1". iTunes Store Ire. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – EP 2". iTunes Store Ire. Apple Inc. January 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – single". iTunes Store Aus. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – single". iTunes Store Ita. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "3 Words (feat will.i.am) – single". iTunes Store Bel. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
External links