Look at Me (Geri Halliwell song)
"Look at Me" | ||||
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Single by Geri Halliwell | ||||
from the album Schizophonic | ||||
Released | 10 May 1999 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Absolute | |||
Geri Halliwell singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Look at Me" on YouTube |
"Look at Me" is the debut solo single by British singer Geri Halliwell from her debut solo studio album, Schizophonic (1999). It was written by Halliwell in collaboration with Andy Watkins and Paul Wilson, members of the Absolute production duo, who also produced the track. The song was released on 10 May 1999 in the United Kingdom by EMI Records as the lead single from Schizophonic. Musically, "Look at Me" is a jazz-pop song featuring a nine-piece brass section, while the autobiographical lyrics depict Halliwell demanding the attention of everyone around her.
"Look at Me" received mixed reviews from
An accompanying
Background and release
In 1998, Halliwell left the girl group Spice Girls, claiming differences between herself and others in the group.[1] She would later admit to having problems with an eating disorder and depression.[2] Additionally, rumours that she had had enough of fellow member Melanie Brown's criticisms of her, and that this was the reason for her departure, were circulated by the press.[3][4] Her departure from the group became one of the biggest entertainment news stories of the year, making headlines the world over.[5] Halliwell then signed a three-album deal with EMI worth US$3 million, influenced by Robbie Williams' solo success after leaving Take That.[6] Soon, she started developing her debut solo album, recruiting the Absolute production duo, Paul Watson and Andy Watkins, who had produced songs for the Spice Girls. The remaining members of the group became aware of Halliwell's new project and asked the duo to choose between her and them.[7] Wilson said,
"We were given a weekend to make up our minds. We chose Geri because, one: we didn't want to be put in that position by anybody, and two: Geri for us was the catalyst. We'd made a lot of money from the Spice Girls and we'd reached a point where we could make our choice for artistic reasons, and we just thought it was more exciting to do Geri. We were both totally sure that working with Geri was the right thing to do".[7]
Among the tracks written for the album, titled Schizophonic, Halliwell chose "Look at Me" as the lead single. She thought the selection was a good idea to return with a song that people would either love or hate but could not be indifferent to, and felt that it was "in your face and full of attitude and that seemed like the right message to send".[8] "Look at Me" was first played on BBC Radio 1's Radio 1 Breakfast on 16 April 1999,[9] followed by a commercial release on 10 May in the United Kingdom,[10] and a day later in Canada.[11] In the United States, it was sent to radio stations on 17 May 1999 by Capitol Records.[12] A month later, on 16 June, EMI issued a CD single in Japan.[13] To promote the single's release, Halliwell embarked on a short promotional tour, visiting cities such as Rio de Janeiro, New York, Tokyo, Sydney and Milan.[14] Additionally, she promoted "Look at Me" through televised live performances on Party in the Park,[15] and MTV Ibiza 2000 Festival.[16] In 2012, it was selected as one of two solo songs from the Spice Girls members to be featured in the jukebox musical Viva Forever! in its entirety; producer Judy Craymer said it was a "very diva-like song and perfect for the hard world of television and its judges who we portray as the gods on Mount Olympus".[17]
Composition
"Look at Me" was written by Halliwell in collaboration with Watkins and Wilson, members of the Absolute production duo, who also produced the track. It was
According to Halliwell, the lyrics to "Look at Me" were "intentionally autobiographical", depicting herself as a "mercurial temptress who commands the attention of all those around her".[22][27] On it, she sings, "Look at me, you can take it all/ Because this face is free/ Maybe next time use your eyes and/ Look at me, I'm a drama queen if that's your thing, baby/ I can even do reality".[7] According to David Sinclair in the book Spice Girls Revisited: How The Spice Girls Reinvented Pop, the lyrics "gave an intriguing insight into Geri's inner world".[7] He also noted that the "fast-talking, brass-necked, attention-seeking façade" included a sense of self-doubt with the lyrics "Sometimes I don't recognise my own face/ I look inside my eyes and find disgrace/ My little white lies tell a story/ I see it all, it has no glory".[7] NME felt that the track was attempting to "create a self-reflexive conundrum, the knowingly blank canvas, the irony-chip Idoru".[28] Halliwell admitted that she intended to convey that "we shouldn't take each other on just face value. We can be anything. We can be all of these people".[29]
Critical reception
"Look at Me" received mixed reviews from
Sarah Davis from
Commercial performance
"Look at Me" was released the same week as
Across other parts of Europe, "Look at Me" was also successful; it reached number two in Scotland;
Music video
The accompanying
Track listings
UK, Canadian, and Australian CD single[57][58][59]
UK and US cassette single[61][62]
European CD single[63]
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Italian 12-inch single[64]
Japanese CD single[65]
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Credits and personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from Schizophonic liner notes.[18]
- Geri Halliwell – vocals, songwriter
- Absolute – songwriters, producers, instruments
- Mike Higham – programming
- Mark "Spike" Stent– mixing
- Tim Young – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[84] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[47] | Gold | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] | Gold | 400,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 10 May 1999 |
|
EMI | [12][10] |
Canada | 11 May 1999 | CD | [11] | |
United States | 17 May 1999 | Airplay | Capitol | [12] |
Japan | 16 June 1999 | CD | EMI | [13] |
References
- ^ "Entertainment: Ginger snaps". BBC News. 31 May 1998. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Gannon, Louise (9 March 2019). "Emma Bunton on Spice Girls bust-ups and reunions, and the return of girl power". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 March 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Sherman, Heidi (2 June 1998). "Ginger Spice's Departure Marks 'End of the Beginning'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 September 2020. (subscription required)
- ^ Millard, Rosie (31 May 1998). "Yes, Geri – it's hard to break out when you're cast in plastic". The Independent. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Spice Girls Break-Up Shook Up 1998". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell Signs Solo Deal, Set To Become UN Ambassador". MTV News. 19 October 1998. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84609-068-4.
- ^ ISBN 0091888042.
- ^ "Geri turns the air blue". BBC News. 16 April 1999. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 May, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. 8 May 1999. p. 27. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Album Releases: May 1999". Jam!. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Geri Halliwell Prepares Post-Spice Solo Debut". MTV News. 24 March 1999. Retrieved 6 November 2001.
- ^ a b "ルック・アット・ミー | ジェリ・ハリウェル" [Look at Me | Geri Halliwell] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ "Geri in Milan". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 8 May 1999. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Holá Geri". Dotmusic. 6 July 1999. Archived from the original on 20 October 2000. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Dance Beats Pop Over Two Days In Ibiza". NME. 17 July 2000. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Jones, Alice (6 December 2012). "Viva Forever! Snubs Spice Girls' solo songs (Apart from Ginger's, that is)". The Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b Schizophonic (album liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 7243 5 21009 2 7.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Digital Sheet Music: Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". Alfred Publishing. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d O'Brien, Jon (14 September 2018). "The Spice Girls' 20 Best Solo Singles, Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "The single: 'Look At Me' out May 10th". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 8 May 1999. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b c Hiatt, Brian (9 April 1999). "Geri Halliwell Unveils First Post-Spice Girls Song, Video". MTV News. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b Davis, Sarah (5 May 1999). "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me (EMI/Chrysalis)". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 1 September 2000. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b Charles, Chris (6 June 1999). "CD Review: Geri Halliwell". BBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Single Reviews: New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 26. 26 June 1999. p. 24. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ a b Baillie, Russell (17 June 1999). "Geri Halliwell – Schizophonic". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ^ Considine, J.D. (15 June 1999). "Halliwell could use some Spice; Review: On 'Schizophonic,' British ex-kitten cuts back on the Ginger. The result is rather bland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Schizo-phonic". NME. 12 September 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ^ a b Haggas, Stuart (10 November 1999). "Geri Power". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Schizophonic – Geri Halliwell". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ISSN 0093-7673. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- .
- ^ a b Cardozo, Lou (29 June 1999). "R.i.p., Ginger Spice". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Dobbs, Sarah (29 November 2016). "Spice Girls solo singles ranked: what's made our Top 13?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Brooks, Sam (12 March 2019). "Spice Up Your Solo Career: Ranking the solo careers of the Spice Girls". The Spinoff. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ Browne, David (21 June 1999). "Schizophonic". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ^ a b Myers, Justin (16 May 2014). "Official Charts Flashback 1999: Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (25 March 2020). "The closest battles for Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Geri Halliwell: Look at Me" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 24. 12 June 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 27. 3 July 1999. p. 13. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- ^ Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 22. 29 May 1999. p. 12. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Geri Halliwell Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8124." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 24. 12 June 1999. p. 42. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ a b c "'Look At Me' – The Video". Dotmusic. Archived from the original on 8 May 1999. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- The Associated Press. 23 November 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "GEri Halliwell Interview Part 1". Dotmusic. 17 May 1999. Archived from the original on 10 June 2001. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Look at Me (UK CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. CDEMS 542, 7243 8 87121 0 1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (Canadian CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 7243 8 87076 0 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (Australian CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 8870760.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (UK CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. CDEM 542, 7243 8 86990 0 6.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. TCEM 542, 7243 8 886990 4 4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (US cassette single sleeve). Geri Halliwell. Capitol Records. 1999. 4KM 7243 8 58775 4 4.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (European CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 7243 8 87077 0 1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (Italian 12-inch single sleeve). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. 7243 8 87174 6 5.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Look at Me (Japanese CD single liner notes). Geri Halliwell. EMI Records. 1999. TOCP-61019.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8166." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- Les classement single. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 23. 5 June 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- Dagblaðið Vísir(in Icelandic). 28 May 1999. p. 10. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Look at Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Geri Halliwell" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell – Look at Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Geri Halliwell: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "1999 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. 1 January 2000. p. 11. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- Romanian Top 100. Archived from the originalon 22 January 2005.
- ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 September 2014.