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Remember Me (Blue Boy song)

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"Remember Me"
Single by Blue Boy
Released20 January 1997 (1997-01-20)[1]
Genre
LabelPharm
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Lex Blackmore
Blue Boy singles chronology
"It's Up to You"
(1996) 		"Remember Me"
(1997) 		"Sandman"
(1997)
Music video
"Remember Me" on YouTube

"Remember Me" is a 1996 song by British DJ Alexis 'Lex' Blackmore under his pseudonym Blue Boy, first released by Guidance Recordings, Chicago, titled 'Scattered Emotions'. In 1997 the track was rereleased under the title's name on 12", including the original and remixed versions. Built around samples performed by American singer Marlena Shaw, the song peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1997 and No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was a top-10 hit in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the track reached No. 13.

Background

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The track originally appeared on Mark Farina's remix album Mushroom Jazz Volume One. Jive Records acquired it and earmarked it for single release. The radio edit was remixed by Sure Is Pure, who were also responsible for a couple of top 20 remixes of Sister Sledge songs[4][5][6] in 1993, released on the duo's Pharm sublabel imprint.[7][8]

"Remember Me" is built around samples from "Woman of the Ghetto" by American jazz, blues and soul singer Marlena Shaw: "Remember me? I'm the one who had your babies", in reference to African-American maids raising white children for little pay, came from a live version, whereas the "ging, gi-gi-gi-gi-ging..." sample repeated throughout the song is the scat portion of the original song's refrain.[9] Shaw had the following to say about it:

When it first happened, and the Mushroom Jazz people contacted me from San Francisco, I was kind of excited about it. But then, once I actually HEARD it, my first reaction was 'Oh my goodness! How in the world can I possibly stand onstage and sing those same notes, and those same lyrics, over and over again?'! You know, 'I'm the one who had your babies - ha-ha-ha-ha'! I mean, it's different when it's being recorded and you're just pushing the button! But then, once I got used to the idea, I became excited all over again! And actually several other people have sampled the song since, though with them it's been the onstage version I did on the (1973-released) 'Live At Montreux' album that seems to have got more attention - I guess because it was more spontaneous. Which, as I say, is something that HAPPENS in my live performances! And I particularly liked the St. Germain version, which had more of a jazz flavour to it.[10]

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "wickedly catchy dance anthem", noting further that "while the groove is appropriately aggressive and street-credible, the song is iced with accessible keyboards, and a loopy hook takes up permanent residence in the brain upon impact."[11] Australian music channel Max included "Remember Me" in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2012.[12] In 1996, Andy Beevers from Music Week's RM Dance Update wrote that it is "wooing the jazz and funk crowd", placing a Marlena Shaw classic "over a very basic but very bouncy funk rhythm. It's blindingly simple, dead cheeky and undeniably effective".[13] Later, in 1997, another editor James Hyman rated it five out of five, calling it a "ridiculously simple and thus ultra-catchy funker". He added that the samples "and the subsequent 'Remember me, I'm the one who had your babies' hook added to a sparse hip hop break and a gently throbbing bassline not only recalls another classic—the Young Disciples' 'Apparently Nothin'—but commands an instant top 10 chart placing."[3]

Chart performance

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"Remember Me" was very successful on the charts all over the world. In Europe, it was a top 10 hit in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. In the latter, the single peaked at number eight in its third week on the UK Singles Chart, on 9 February 1997.[14] It also reached the top spot on both the UK Dance and UK R&B singles charts. Additionally, "Remember Me" was a top 20 hit in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 13 in June 1997. Outside Europe, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US, number six on the RPM Dance/Urban chart in Canada and No. 17 in Australia. The single was awarded with a gold record in Australia and the UK, with a sale of 35,000 and 400,000 units.

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] Gold 35,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] Gold 400,000‡

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

Cover versions and sampling

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In late 2008, the Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala started performing this song as part of their live sets, eventually recording a cover version of it as a B-side to the "Sundown Syndrome" single. This cover became quite popular in Australia, reaching No. 78 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2009.[61]

In November 2012, British musician Daley sampled this song for his own composition "Remember Me", with the refrain sung by Jessie J.[62]

In 2013, South African group Goldfish sampled the song for their track "Three Second Memory". TheSouthAfrican.com said of the song: "Where to start? Obviously the title track, which takes the vocal sample "Remember Me" and builds around it to a level which justifies its standing as the basis of the album."[63]

In 2024, Puma sampled the song for it's "FOREVER. FASTER" world-wide campaign (the first in 10 years for the german company).

References

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  1. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 18 January 1997. p. 31.
  2. ^ Roseberry, Craig (13 November 1999). "Guidance Recordings Tends Roots of Chicago-style House". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 46. p. 32. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. ^ a b Hyman, James (1 February 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. ^ "SISTER SLEDGE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  5. ^ Sister Sledge – "We Are Family (Sure Is Pure Remix)", 1993 Atlantic Recording Corp/Warner Music/Rhino Records – A4508T
  6. ^ Sister Sledge – "Lost In Music (Sure Is Pure Remixes)", 1993 Atlantic Recording Corp/Warner Music/Rhino Records – A4509CD
  7. ^ "Soul Mekanik · Biography". Ra.co. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  8. ^ "BLUE BOY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  9. ^ "Why do people love to sample Marlene Shaw?". Electric Soul Show. 4 January 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  10. ^ Lewis, Pete. "Marlene Shaw: California Soul II Soul". Blues & Soul. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  11. ^ Flick, Larry (9 August 1997). "Single Reviews > New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 32. p. 54. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Top 1000 Greatest Songs of All Time – 2012". Max. 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  13. ^ Beevers, Andy (16 November 1996). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  15. ^ Remember Me (UK CD single liner notes). Blue Boy. Pharm. 1997. CD PHARM1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Remember Me (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Blue Boy. Pharm. 1997. 12 PHARM1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Remember Me (UK cassette single sleeve). Blue Boy. Pharm. 1997. CA PHARM1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Remember Me (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Blue Boy. Jive Records. 1997. 051628-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Remember Me (European 12-inch single sleeve). Blue Boy. Jive Records. 1997. 051628-6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Remember Me (US CD single liner notes). Blue Boy. Om Records. 1997. OM005 S5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Remember Me (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Blue Boy. Om Records. 1997. OM005 S1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ Remember Me (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Blue Boy. Om Records. 1997. OM005SV3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Remember Me (Australian & New Zealand CD single liner notes). Blue Boy. DanceNet. 1997. DNET076 - EPD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  25. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  26. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  27. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  28. ^ "Ultratop Dance: 19/04/1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  29. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3285." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 25. 21 June 1997. p. 51. ISSN 0006-2510. see last week position.
  31. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 24. 14 June 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  32. ^ "Blue Boy: Remember Me" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  33. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  34. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  35. ^ "Íslenski Listinn: Topp 40: Nr. 212 vikuna 13.3. '97 – 19.3. '97" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir. 14 March 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  36. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Blue Boy". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  37. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 22. 31 May 1997. p. 60. ISSN 0006-2510.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  39. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  40. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me". VG-lista. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  41. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  42. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 29. 19 July 1997. p. 59. ISSN 0006-2510. see last week position.
  43. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  44. ^ "The Blue Boy – Remember Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  45. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  46. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  47. ^ a b "Hot Dance Music". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 42. 18 October 1997. p. 34. ISSN 0006-2510.
  48. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 1997". ARIA Charts. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  50. ^ "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  51. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  52. ^ "Jahrescharts – 1997" (in German). Offiziellecharts.de. GfK Entertainment Charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
  53. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  54. ^ "Top of the Year 1997" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 September 2005.
  55. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 1997". Hitlistan.se. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  56. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  57. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  58. ^ "Hot Dance Club-Play Singles". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. YE-44. ISSN 0006-2510.
  59. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  60. ^ "British single certifications – Blueboy – Remember Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  61. ^ "Hottest 100 2009". Triple J. 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  62. ^ Ferrol, Natalie. "Jessie J and Daley cover Blue Boy's Remember Me (I'm the One Who Had Your Babies)". MOBO Awards. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  63. ^ Hillyer, Tim (15 April 2014). "Album Review: 'Three Second Memory' – Goldfish". TheSouthAfrican.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
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