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Genie (Girls' Generation song)

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"Tell Me Your Wish" redirects here. For 2022 South Korean TV series, see Tell Me Your Wish (TV series).

"Genie"
Japanese single cover
Single by Girls' Generation
from the album Genie and Girls' Generation
Released
  • June 22, 2009 (2009-06-22)
  • September 8, 2010 (2010-09-08) (Japan)
StudioSM Studios (Seoul)
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)Yoo Young-jin
Girls' Generation singles chronology
"Gee"
(2009) 		"Genie"
(2009) 		"Oh!"
(2010)
Japanese singles chronology
"Run Devil Run"
(2010) 		"Genie"
(2010) 		"Gee"
(2010)
Music video
"Genie" on YouTube

"Genie" (Korean: 소원을 말해봐; RR: Sowoneul malhaebwa; lit. Tell Me Your Wish) is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Girls' Generation for their second extended play (EP) of the same name (2009), released on June 22, 2009. Written and composed by Dsign Music, Fridolin Nordso and produced by Yoo Young-jin, the song is the group's first collaboration with Western composers and producers.

Musically, "Genie" carried on the group's phase of bubblegum pop music from their debut. Lyrically, the song discusses the elements of love and relationships, alongside granting the wishes of their partner. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom highlighted the track as one of the highlights on the EP. The single was well received domestically, achieving the top spots on music programs Inkigayo and Music Bank.

A Japanese-language version of the song was recorded for the group's eponymous Japanese debut album and was released as their debut single in Japan on September 8, 2010. It was a commercial success in the country, peaking at number four on the Oricon Singles Chart and number eight on the RIAJ Digital Track Chart. The single received certifications by the Recording Industry Association of Japan on three platforms—physical sales (gold), digital sales (platinum), and chaku-uta (platinum). The song was included on the setlists of Girls' Generation's several concert tours, including Into the New World (2010), The First Japan Arena Tour (2011), and Girls' Generation Tour (2011).

Background and composition

[edit]
"Genie" – Girls' Generation
"Genie" is a bubblegum pop song, akin to the group's early releases.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Genie" was composed by Norwegian production team Dsign Music members Anne Judith Wik, Robin Jenssen, Ronny Svendsen, and Nermin Harambašić, alongside Fridolin Nordsø and Yoo Young-jin.[2] The Korean lyrics was written by Yoo Young-jin, while the Japanese lyrics was written by Kanata Nakamura.[2] Dsign Music had originally composed the song for a US artist, however, SM Entertainment released it with Girls' Generation.[3]

The song was originally composed in English as "I Just Wanna Dance".[4] Both versions were the groups' first singles to be composed and produced by Western producers, and had continued with future musical releases.[5][6] Musically, both versions carried on the groups phase of bubblegum pop music since their debut in 2007.[7]

According to Chucky Eddy from Spin, he found that the composition was inspired by "super-light-footed Italo disco..."[8] A staff reviewer from CD Journal noticed musical elements of electropop and said the lyrics incorporates metaphorical uses of a lamp, genie, and Aladdin as themes of love and lust.[9] Critic Lee Mun-won says that the song employs inspirations from trance and writes that the song itself is "more sophisticated than authentic europop."[10]

Release

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"Genie" was released digitally on June 22, 2009, in South Korea.[11][12] In Japan, the song was released on September 8, 2010, as the group's debut Japanese single.[13] The Japanese Maxi CD and DVD format of the single contains the Japanese version, the Korean version, and the karaoke version of the former.[2] A limited edition CD and DVD format was released in both Japan and Taiwan; it featured a 14-paged booklet of photos, lyrics, and credits to the single, the original Japanese Maxi CD and DVD tracks, all housed in a digipak.[14] The cover sleeve for both formats features Girls' Generation in different black and gold dresses, all standing in front of a white backdrop.[2][14]

Reception

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"Genie" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Chucky Eddy from Spin highlighted "Genie" as one of the best tracks from their self-titled album.[8] A staff reviewer from CD Journal reviewed the group's debut greatest hits album The Best. The reviewer commended the track by labelling it an "impressive 'lets dance'" track with "high quality" vocal performances by each member.[15] Another reviewer from the same publication reviewed the single's release, and labelled it "sophisticated".[16] Chris True from AllMusic reviewed the groups biography, and selected "Genie" as one of the best tracks throughout their career.[17] Billboard ranked the song as the best single in their career.[18]

Commercially, the song peaked at number four on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart in Japan.[19][20] The single sold 115,575 physical copies by the end of 2010 and was ranked the 58th best-selling single of the year.[21] It was selected by iTunes Japan as the "breakthrough pop album of the year".[22]

Music video

[edit]

Rino Nakasone Razalan choreographed the dance in all the videos.[23] Like the album, the girls were given a "military" concept for their performance of "Genie", dressing mostly in tight military jackets, miniskirts, and/or hot pants. The colours were mostly white navy shirts, khaki brown, and red,[24] although various uniforms were shown.[25][26][27] The group wished to show a mature image, in comparison to the innocence portrayed during "Gee". Much of the choreography was focused on synchronization and seductive images; parts of the it became popular in Korea, including the "Jegi-kicking dance" (제기차기 춤) and the "Leg-beauty dance" (각선미 춤).[28][29][30][31]

Original video

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The teaser video was released on June 19, 2009.[32] Later, the original video was released on June 26, 2009. In this version, Yoona appears first sitting in a large lamp, the other members sitting around her. The music video cuts back and forth between the group performing the choreography and scenes from three separate rooms occupied by three different members each. Yoona, Yuri and Jessica are in a large pink bedroom, Tiffany, Taeyeon and Sunny are in a disco bar, while Sooyoung and Hyoyeon are in a room with a large cake from which Seohyun then pops out.

Two runway-like stages were used, one with a large heart in the background and the other featuring the words "GIRLS' GENIE" in the background; the girls wear white uniforms consisting of marine hats, coats, short-shorts, and heels on the former, while they don khaki uniforms in the latter. The music video frequently shows the girls interacting with the camera and with arms that sometimes extend from either side of the screen to give the impression that the girls are interacting with the viewer personally whereas stage sequences have heavy, flashy lights and moving spotlights to give strong and bright effects.[33] The music video was uploaded on SMTOWN's YouTube channel on February 26, 2010.

3D version

[edit]

On October 24, 2010, a 3D music video of the Korean version, was released for Samsung PAVV LED TV. The video begins with all nine girls sitting down, looking into crystal balls, then cutting into the beginning of the song with "Girls Generation" written in pink, sparkly lettering. The video features three dance sequences, one of which features a floor with cosmic-like sparkles coming out of it. During the video, it cuts to solo scenes of the girls playing with the crystal balls, inside are a man and a woman standing awkwardly beside each other at a bus stop, beside them is a poster with "I Wish" printed on it, and a red Mini Convertible is below it. The girls are then seen changing the couples clothes, and making the Mini appear out of the poster, signifying the girls are 'genies' and granting their wishes. The video ends with the girls waving goodbye to the couple, who then drive off in the car, with the number '37' printed on the side. Like the original video, the "marine girl" concept is used, with the reuse of the white uniforms and the navy blue uniforms replacing the khakis.

Japanese version

[edit]

The music video teaser was released August 16, 2010, and the full music video was released August 25, 2010, it was also their first video to be filmed in Japan. It begins with a young boy (Exo's Chanyeol) who found an old lamp and a scale model of a circus tent in an old attic. After rubbing the lamp, the camera zooms inside the tent where the Girls' Generation can be seen coming to life as the song begins to play. The girls then alternately switch to different costumes as the boy rubs the lamp once again, where in they are seen on an old television screen with a huge candy cane and colorful balloons. The music video ends with the boy rubbing the lamp again before magically disappearing into another scene where he is walking out of a limousine with Girls' Generation members meeting him on the red carpet at a premiere event. It is implied that his wish had been granted by lamp.

Live performances

[edit]
Girls' Generation performing "Genie" in November 2009

The song has been performed on two SM Town tours, In 2010, using the "Rock Tronic" remix, which was also used on their first tour, and then again in 2011 for the continuation of the 2010 SMTown tour. The remix contains a rock inspired dance-break, where the girls perform in-sync routines. The group's first performance for the mini-album was on June 26 on Music Bank.[34] Within a few days, the song topped on 10 different digital music charts.[35] The song also topped the weekly ringtone downloads chart.[36]

"Genie" was featured as the opening number for the Girls' first Japan tour, and on the 2nd Asia tour. The performance begins with the girls appearing from an odd-shaped cocoon-like prop, where they are assembled in the shape of a pyramid.

Other versions and plagiarism issues

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Issues of plagiarism were caused by Uzbek singer Dineyra's song "Raqsga Tushgin." It was revealed that although the release of her song preceded the release of Girls' Generation's second mini-album, the Uzbekistan singer's song was recorded without obtaining proper permission from Universal Music, thus plagiarizing "Genie".[37][38][39] On May 19, 2010, Dutch singer Nathalie Makoma released her second single named "I Just Wanna Dance." However, Nathalie sings the original English lyrics that were written for the song.[40] On June 3, 2011, British singer C.J. Lewis released an English version of "Genie".[41]

By popular demand, developer Riot Games created an official equivalent based on it, Popstar Ahri, which was released worldwide on November 25, 2013, and has the dance from "Genie" as the dance emote.[42]

Awards

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Awards and nominations for "Genie"
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2009 Melon Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated [43]
2010 Korean Music Awards Best Pop Song Nominated [44]
2011 MTV Video Music Awards Japan Video of the Year Nominated [45]
Best Group Video Won [46]
Best Karaoke Song Won
Space Shower Music Awards Best Pop Music Video Won
Music program awards
Program Date Ref.
Music Bank July 10, 2009 [47]
Inkigayo July 12, 2009 [48]
July 19, 2009 [49]

Track listing

[edit]
CD single – Japanese version
  1. "Genie" (Japanese version) – 3:44
  2. "Genie" (Korean version) – 3:49
  3. "Genie" (Without main vocal) – 3:44
DVD – Japanese version
  1. "Genie" (Music video)
  2. "Genie" (Music video – Dance version) (First Press only)

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Korean album and Japanese CD single liner notes.[50][51]

Studio

  • Recorded and mixed at SM Booming System
  • Mastered at Sonic Korea

Personnel

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[60]
physical single 		Gold 151,042[59]
Japan (RIAJ)[61]
PC download 		Platinum 250,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[62]
Full-length ringtone 		Platinum 250,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Genie" was released in South Korea in 2009, therefore it failed to enter the Gaon Singles Chart, which launched in 2010. Nonetheless, the Japanese version of the song entered the Gaon Album Chart at number two in 2011.[55]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Herman, Tamar (August 11, 2017). "Every Girls' Generation Single Ranked From Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Genie (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Girls' Generation. Taiwan: Universal Music Taiwan, Nayutawave Records. 2011. 0204971.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ "Tell Me Your Wish Track List". website. Girls’ Generation Official website. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  4. ^ Run Devil Run (Repackaged CD; Liner notes). Girls' Generation. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment. 2010. SMCD198.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Girls' Generation (Liner notes). Girls' Generation. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment. 2007. SMCD161.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Gee (Liner notes). Girls' Generation. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment. 2009. SMCD178.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Dorob, Jakob (August 7, 2014). "20 Essential K-Pop Songs: page 2". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Eddy, Chuck (November 1, 2011). "K-pop". Spin. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  9. ^ CD Journal Staff (June 1, 2011). "Ami Suzuki / Girls' Generation [CD]". CD Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  10. ^ Korea Focus – January 2012. The Korea Foundation. March 30, 2013. ISBN 9788986090819.
  11. ^ Jang, Hwi-jae (June 17, 2009). 소녀시대, 타이틀곡 ‘소원을 말해봐’로 활동 재개 [Girls' Generation, Title Song "Genie" for Comeback] (in Korean). TodayKorea. Archived from the original on August 28, 2009.
  12. ^ Kim Hyeong-u (June 23, 2009). 소녀시대 제로센 논란에 음반 발매일 29일로 연기 '문제 부분 삭제' (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  13. ^ Schwartz, Rob (December 3, 2010). "Korea's Girls' Generation/SNSD Ready To Storm Japan". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Genie (CD and DVD digipak; Liner notes). Girls' Generation. Japan, Taiwan: Universal Music Taiwan, Nayutawave Records. 2011. UPCH-89086.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  16. ^ CD Journal Staff (September 8, 2011). "Girls' Generation / The Best [CD]". CD Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  17. ^ True, Chris. "Girls' Generation – Song Highlights". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
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  20. ^ K-POPガールズ本命・少女時代、日本デビュー作が歴代最高記録 ニュース-ORICON STYLE Archived November 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
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  22. ^ 소시 '지니', 日아이튠즈 올해의 신인 팝앨범 선정 Archived January 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. News.nate.com. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  23. ^ "The Japanese Woman Behind K-Pop Bands' Moves". Chosun. September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
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  25. ^ ′마린걸′된 소녀시대, 패션 아이콘으로도 정상 노린다 – 노컷뉴스[permanent dead link‍]. Cbs.co.kr. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  26. ^ 마린룩 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. asiae.co.kr. 2009.07.10
  27. ^ 마린 룩도 섹시하게~ 이보다 'HOT' 할 순 없다! Archived April 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. bntnews.
  28. ^ '컴백' 소녀시대, '군무' 퍼포먼스 일단 '합격점' Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. asiae.co.kr. 2009.06.26
  29. ^ 컴백 소녀시대 “이번 춤 이름은 제기차기춤-각선미춤” Archived April 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Newsen.com (June 26, 2009). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  30. ^ (in Korean) 헤럴드 경제 Archived May 12, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. Heraldbiz.com. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  31. ^ 엉덩이춤-시건방춤-최면춤, 팬들은 지금 '댄스 작명' 열풍 – 아시아경제 Archived September 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Asiae.co.kr. Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  32. ^ 소녀시대(Girls Generation)_소원을 말해봐(Genie)_ 티저(Teaser)영상 Archived May 12, 2021, at the Wayback Machine. YouTube (June 19, 2009). Retrieved on October 30, 2011.
  33. ^ "Music Video". website. Youtube. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  34. ^ (in Korean) 소녀시대, 25일 두 번째 싱글 '소원을 말해봐' 공개 Archived November 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (Girls' Generation, Second Single "Genie" Released on 22nd). CNB News. June 22, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
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  39. ^ 'Genie' Mired in Plagiarism Dispute , The Korea Times, July 4, 2009
  40. ^ I JUST WANNA DANCE – NEW SINGLE. nathaliemusic.tv
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  42. ^ Popstar Ahri's Spirit Rush Tour starts today! (Release Announcement by Riot Wenceslaus) Archived August 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine League of Legends.com
  43. ^ "소녀시대'Gee' MMA 대상 올해의 노래상 수상 '6관왕' 기염" [Girls' Generation's 'Gee' won the Song of the Year award at the MMA Awards 'six crowns']. Newsen. December 16, 2009. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
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  50. ^ "Genie" (Liner Notes [CD, Single]). Girls' Generation. Nayutawave Records. 2010. p. 11. UPCH-89086.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  62. ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Girls' Generation – Gee" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 10, 2021. Select 2011年8月 on the drop-down menu
[edit]
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