Killer (Adamski song)
"Killer" | ||||
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Single by Adamski | ||||
from the album Doctor Adamski's Musical Pharmacy | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 21 March 1990 | |||
Recorded | 1989–1990[1] | |||
Genre | Acid house[2] | |||
Length |
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Label | MCA | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Adamski | |||
Adamski singles chronology | ||||
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Seal singles chronology | ||||
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"Killer" is a song by British DJ and record producer
The song's music video was directed by Don Searll. Melody Maker ranked "Killer" the ninth-best single of the year.[3] In 1991, Seal re-recorded "Killer" for his debut album, Seal, produced by Trevor Horn. Seal's version reached number eight in the UK and number 100 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Background
Adamski recounted that Seal saw him perform in 1989 at an
Adamski and Seal later happened to meet on New Year's Eve 1989 at a club named Solaris in London, and Seal was invited to work on one of a number of pieces that Adamski was performing at that time. Adamski had an instrumental track he called "The Killer" because he felt that it sounded 'like the soundtrack to a movie murder scene'. According to Adamski, Seal's vocals were recorded against this track on 27 January 1990: coincidentally the same day that 10,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square (not far from the studio where they were working) for the 'Freedom to Party' demonstration against a government crackdown on rave culture, which Adamski himself attended.
Musically, the song is characterized by a distinctive opening bassline and keyboard melody during the chorus. The track makes use of only two instruments – Ensoniq SQ80 Synthesizer and a Roland TR-909 drum machine – and occupied only eight tracks of a 48-track mixing console.[4]
Release
Both Adamski and Seal recalled that they were in financial trouble at the time of recording. Seal was almost penniless and was living in a squat. Although Adamski had his own following as a DJ and was enjoying success with his previous single "N-R-G", he was on a government scheme which paid his rent and allowed him £40 a week. Both Adamski and Seal were struck by the popularity of "Killer" following its release on 21 March 1990. The song topped the
Lyrics
Seal explained that the words he provided for "Killer" were intended as an exhortation to freedom and overcoming; that "the lyrics are about transcending whatever holds you back".[4] The song's line "Racism in amongst future kids can only lead to no good, besides, all our sons and daughters already know how that feels" was re-used in Seal's 1991 song "Future Love Paradise". The introduction to the Seal version also contains the line "It's the loneliness that's the killer", which does not occur in the Adamski version.
Chart performance
"Killer" debuted within the
Critical reception
Upon the release, Bill Coleman from
Ian McCann from
Retrospective response
In an retrospective review, John Bush from AllMusic stated that the songs like "Killer" "still have an inkling of the freshness they must have possessed back in 1989".[11] In 2010, Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger commented, "What was startling about the record in 1990 – and what lets it keep its charge now – is that the music simply refuses to get out of Seal’s way. In fact, if you only knew Seal from the rolling smoothness of his latterday career “Killer” would come as a real shock: here he is, making his debut not as a highfalutin’ loverman but as an isolated paranoid battling through a tangle of wires and buzz. Adamski is truly as much the star here, putting together a tense, crisp piece of house music which doesn’t actually need his singer to be memorable (though surely needed him to reach number one)"[12]
In 2020, The Guardian ranked "Killer" number 87 in their list of "The 100 greatest UK No. 1s".[13] They added, "Every part of Adamski’s production is perfectly designed: the sad chords, the funkily interrupted alien transmission of the synths, the prodding bassline with its edges almost imperceptibly corroded by acid. Most beautiful of all is Seal: half activist, half oracle." In December 1990, Melody Maker ranked it number nine in their list of "Singles of the Year", saying, "A superlative fusion single in a year in which the word "fusion" was glibly overused. "Killer" was 1990's postscript to Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On?" Adamski's low-key techno-dub proved the perfect backdrop for Seal's mournful vocals."[3]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Killer" was directed by Don Searll.[14]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Killer" | 4:10 |
2. | "Bass Line Changed My Life" | 3:53 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Killer" | 5:35 |
2. | "Bass Line Changed My Life" | 4:39 |
3. | "I Dream of You" | 4:45 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Killer" (remix) | 6:27 |
2. | "Bassline Changed My Life" | 4:50 |
3. | "The N-R-G Symphony in F. Minor" | 8:27 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Killer" (remix) | 6:27 |
2. | "Killer" | 5:35 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Killeremix" | 6:27 |
2. | "Killer" | 5:35 |
3. | "N.R.G." (12-inch mix) | 6:22 |
4. | "The N.R.G. Symphony in F. Minor" | 8:27 |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[45] | Gold | 400,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United Kingdom | 21 March 1990 |
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MCA | [46] |
Japan | 25 July 1990 | Mini-CD | [47] |
Seal version
"Killer" | ||||
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Single by Seal | ||||
from the album Seal | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 4 November 1991 | |||
Recorded | 1991 | |||
Length |
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Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Trevor Horn | |||
Seal singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Killer" on YouTube |
In 1991, Seal re-recorded "Killer" for his debut album,
The music video for Seal's version was produced and directed by Don Searll, and used computer-generated science-fiction themed imagery, largely built around a partial re-creation of the M. C. Escher print Another World. The song won British Video of the Year at the 1992 Brit Awards.
A new single release of "Killer", containing new remixes of both this and another Seal hit, "Crazy", was released in January 2005. This brought the single back to the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it reached number one.[50]
Track listing
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Charts
Chart (1991–1992) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA)[51] | 95 |
Europe (European Dance Radio)[52] | 13 |
Ireland (IRMA)[53] | 6 |
Netherlands ( Single Top 100)[54]
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75 |
8 | |
UK Dance (Music Week)[55]
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15 |
US Billboard Hot 100[56] | 100 |
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[57] | 9 |
US | 14 |
Chart (2005) | Peak position |
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US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[57] P. Rauhofer/Morel/DJ Monk/J. Albert mixes |
1 |
US | 3 |
George Michael version
"Killer" / "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" | ||||
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Single by George Michael | ||||
from the album Five Live | ||||
Released | 10 April 1993 | |||
Recorded | 22 March 1991 | |||
Venue | Wembley Arena | |||
Length |
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Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | George Michael | |||
George Michael singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Killer" on YouTube |
In 1991, English singer-songwriter George Michael performed "Killer" live at the Wembley Arena in a version that was released on the 1993 EP Five Live. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was also recorded and released on the same album. The two songs were blended together in the live performance, then remixed several times. The P.M. Dawn extended and radio remix for the "Killer"/"Papa" combination was released in 1993. Michael shot a video for the release, in which he did not appear personally. It was directed by German director Marcus Nispel.
Track listing
- "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (English edit)
- "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (Ligosa mix)
- "Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (P.M. Dawn remix)
Charts
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
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Canada Top Singles (RPM)[59] | 19 |
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[60] | 4 |
UK Dance (Music Week)[61]
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56 |
US Billboard Hot 100[62] | 69 |
5 | |
US Cash Box Top 100[63] | 77 |
ATB version
"Killer 2000" | ||||
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Single by ATB | ||||
from the album Movin' Melodies | ||||
Released | 31 May 1999 | |||
Length | 4:04 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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ATB singles chronology | ||||
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German DJ
The song featured on the acclaimed[64] 2000 mix album CreamLive.
Track listings
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Usage in media
"Killer" was featured in the 1991
The music video for the George Michael version of the song appeared in an episode of
Other versions
"Killer" has been recorded and performed by numerous other artists over the years:
- In 1995, Polish electronic collective Millennium recorded a cover of "Killer" with lyrics sung in Polish. The song is included on their debut album A teraz Polska (Now Poland).
- The power metal band Angel Dust include a version of the song on their 2002 album Of Human Bondage.
- UK girl group the Sugababes recorded a cover for the compilation album NME in Association with War Child Presents 1 Love and later included it as a B-side on their single "Shape".
- Scottish garage rock band Sons and Daughters recorded "Killer" as a B-side to their 2007 single "Gilt Complex".
- Northern Kings recorded a cover for inclusion on their 2008 album Rethroned.
- A version by Nina Hagen features on her 2011 album Volksbeat.
- UK alternative rock band 2:54 used the song as a B-side to their 2012 vinyl single "Sugar".[73][74]
- British pop rock band Bastille recorded an electronic heavy cover of "Killer" in 2013 on their second mixtape Other People's Heartache Part 2.
- German electronic producer Boys Noize recorded a cover of "Killer" in 2018 with vocalist Steven A. Clark which they released as a single.
- Ex-Reuben frontman Jamie Lenman covered the song for his 2019 album Shuffle.
- Swedish singer/songwriter Jonas Capring released his cover version in 2019.[75]
See also
- List of number-one dance singles of 2005 (U.S.)
References
- ^ Simpson, Interviews by Dave (11 March 2013). "How we made Killer, by Seal and Adamski". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ O'Neill, Siobhan (2015). "Seal - "Crazy". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 653.
- ^ a b "Singles Of The Year". Melody Maker. 22 December 1990. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "How we made Killer, by Seal and Adamski". The Guardian. 11 March 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-7535-2200-4.
- ^ Coleman, Bill (30 June 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 79. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Jennings, Dave (31 March 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ Giles, David (31 March 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 23. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- NME. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ Doyle, Tom (4 April 1990). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 53. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ Bush, John. "Adamski – Liveandirect". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ Ewing, Tom (14 December 2010). "Adamski – "Killer"". Freaky Trigger. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ "The 100 greatest UK No 1s: 100-1". The Guardian. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Killer – Version 2 (1991) by Adamski feat. Seal". IMVDb. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). MCA Records. MCA 1400.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (UK cassette single sleeve). MCA Records. MCAC 1400.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). MCA Records. WMD5-4034.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). MCA Records. MCAT 1400.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (UK CD single liner notes). MCA Records. DMCAT 1400.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killeremix (UK 12-inch remix single vinyl disc). MCA Records. MCAX 1400.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (US & Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc). MCA Records. MCA-24049.
- ^ Adamski (1990). Killer (US cassette remix single sleeve). MCA Records. 903172021-4.
- ^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 5 June 2015". Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Adamski – Killer" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Adamski – Killer" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 24. 16 June 1990. p. IV. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Killer". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 32, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Adamski – Killer" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Adamski – Killer". Top 40 Singles.
- ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Adamski – Killer". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Adamski – Killer". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. 8 September 1990. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Adamski – Killer" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles – 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. 22 December 1990. p. 36. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1990". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 2 March 1991. p. 41.
- ^ "British single certifications – Adamski – Killer". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
- ^ "BPI > Certified Awards > Search results for 'Adamski'". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "キラー | アダムスキー" [Killer | Adamski] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Official Charts > Seal". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "Billboard > Artists / Seal > Chart History > The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Billboard > Artists / Seal > Chart History > Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 246.
- ^ "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 47. 23 November 1991. p. 26. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Seal' (page 1)". Fireball Media. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "dutchcharts.nl > Seal – Killer... On The Loose" (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 16 November 1991. p. 22. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- ^ "Seal Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ a b "Seal Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ a b "allmusic > Seal > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2207." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (12.04.1993 – 18.04.1993)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir – Tónlist. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 5 June 1993. p. 20. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ a b Killer/Papa Was a Rollin' Stone – George Michael. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ^ "Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LVI, no. 47. 31 July 1993. p. 12. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Rated 4.5/5 stars by AllMusic http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/cream-live-mr0002978718
- ^ "Atb: Killer". Retrieved 28 July 2014.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40, 7 Augustus 1999/Week 32 (Dutch)". Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "dutchcharts.nl – atb – Killer (Dutch)". Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "australian-charts.com > ATB – Killer 2000". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ a b "allmusic ((( ATB > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". Retrieved 19 April 2009.
- ^ "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- Romanian Top 100. Archived from the originalon 22 January 2005.
- ^ "It's All Indie: 2:54 cover Seal's 90's classic 'Killer'". 11 September 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ "2:54 – Sugar/Killer (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ "Killer". Spotify. 12 June 2019.