"Galvanize" is a song by British electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers featuring vocals by American rapper Q-Tip. It was released on 22 November 2004 as the first single from their fifth studio album, Push the Button (2005).

"Galvanize"
Single by the Chemical Brothers
from the album Push the Button
B-side
  • "Electronic Battle Weapon 7"
  • "Rize Up"
Released22 November 2004 (2004-11-22)
StudioThe Hit Factory (New York City)[1]
Genre
Length
  • 6:33 (album version)
  • 4:28 (UK radio edit)
  • 3:11 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers singles chronology
"Get Yourself High"
(2003)
"Galvanize"
(2004)
"Believe"
(2005)
Alternative cover
CD2
Music video
"Galvanize" on YouTube

The song peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart on 23 January 2005. It was the Chemical Brothers' highest-charting single in their native United Kingdom since "Hey Boy Hey Girl", which had also reached No. 3 in 1999. The song peaked at No. 1 in Greece and Spain. In Australia, it was ranked No. 65 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004.[5]

Composition

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The track features a distinct Moroccan Chaabi music string sample from Najat Aatabou's 1992 song "Hadi Kedba Bayna" ("This Lie is Obvious" in Moroccan Arabic).[6][7] The main hook of the song is in 6
4
time signature, while the rest is in 4
4
. The track also features rapping by Q-Tip (member of A Tribe Called Quest). In part of the song, a sample from the duo's first single "Leave Home", released in 1995, is played.

Critical reception

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Pitchfork Media's Scott Plagenhoef stated the song along with "The Boxer" "harks back to the duo's early B-Boy/techno days" but missed "the ferocity and sub-bass rattlings of their earlier cousins, and here play second fiddle to unremarkable verses and nasally vocals".[8]

It won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in February 2006.[9]

Music video

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The music video was shot in Málaga, Spain, and directed by Adam Smith. The video begins with a boy painting his face to resemble a clown, he sneaks out of his house where he meets two friends who also have their faces painted like clown. The three boys encounter an older group of boys who mock and harass them. One of the younger boys antagonises the older boys with a hand gesture, this causes the older boys to chase after the younger boys. The younger boys escape on a bus, an older couple sitting on the bus give disgusted looks at the boys for their makeup. The boys exit the bus and sneak into a club while security is distracted arguing with a woman. Inside the club, the boys watch two people in a dance battle. The boys spots two menacing men enter the club and the boys hide within the crowd of people. One of the boys gets involved in a dance battle with one of the dancers. The boys are caught and escorted out of the club by the two men where the boys are handed over to the police and driven away in a police car. The video is primarily shot in black and white, however the scenes in the club are shot in colour.

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for "Galvanize"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[56] Platinum 70,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[58] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Galvanize"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States 22 November 2004 Digital download [59]
Australia 17 January 2005 CD
  • Freestyle Dust
  • Virgin
[60]
United Kingdom
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
[61]
United States 24 January 2005 Alternative radio
  • Virgin
  • Astralwerks
[62]
Japan 26 January 2005 CD
  • Freestyle Dust
  • Virgin
[63]

References

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  1. ^ The Chemical Brothers (2005). Push the Button (Compact Disc liner notes). United Kingdom: Freestyle Dust, Virgin Records. 0724356330221.
  2. ^ a b Werde, Bill (27 January 2005). "The Chemical Brothers: Push the Button". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008.
  3. ^ Sullivan, Paul (27 January 2005). "Chemical Brothers – 'Push The Button'". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on 6 March 2007.
  4. ^ Mason, Kerri; McCarthy, Zel (1 October 2013). "The Top 10 Dance-Pop Collaborations of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  5. ^ "The Hottest 100 Archive: 2004". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  6. ^ Malsin, Jared (5 April 2015). "Legal battle over Jay Z's sampling on Big Pimpin' comes to head after eight years". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  7. ^ "5 classic songs that sampled other songs". Radio X. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  8. ^ Scott Plagenhoef (3 February 2005). "The Chemical Brothers – Push the Button". Pitchfork. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  9. ^ "U2 Win Five Grammys", The Guardian, 9 February 2006, retrieved 13 November 2011
  10. ^ Galvanize (UK CD1 liner notes). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Virgin Records. 2005. CHEMSD21, 0724387659124.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Galvanize (UK CD2 liner notes). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Virgin Records. 2005. CHEMSDX21, 0724387659100.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Galvanize (UK 12-inch single sleeve). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Virgin Records. 2005. CHEMST21, 7243 8 76591 6 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Galvanize (US 12-inch single sleeve). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Astralwerks. 2005. ASW 76599, 7243 8 76599 1 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Galvanize (Australian CD single liner notes). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Virgin Records. 2005. 724387659629.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Galvanize (US CD single liner notes). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Astralwerks. 2005. ASW 76599, 7243 876599 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Galvanize (Japanese CD EP liner notes). The Chemical Brothers. Freestyle Dust, Astralwerks. 2005. VJCP-12183, 0724387659629.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  18. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  19. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  20. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in French). Ultratip.
  21. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  22. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". Tracklisten.
  23. ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 6. 5 February 2005. p. 41. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  24. ^ "The Chemical Brothers: Galvanize" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  25. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in French). Les classement single.
  26. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  27. ^ "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 15–21/5" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on 22 May 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Galvanize". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  30. ^ "Top 10 Dance Singles, Week Ending 20 January 2005". GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved 19 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". Top Digital Download.
  32. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 6, 2005" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  33. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  34. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". Top 40 Singles.
  35. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". VG-lista.
  36. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Aug 25, 2005". TopHit. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  38. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize" Canciones Top 50.
  39. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". Singles Top 100.
  40. ^ "The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". Swiss Singles Chart.
  41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  42. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  43. ^ "The Chemical Brothers Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  44. ^ "The Chemical Brothers Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  45. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2005" (in German). Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  46. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2005" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  47. ^ "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart: 2005". TopHit. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Year End European Hot 100 Singles Chart 2005 01 – 2005 52" (PDF). Billboard. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2005" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  50. ^ "Classifiche annuali 2005 FIMI Nielsen, dominano gli artisti italiani" (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original on 6 May 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2021. Click on Scarica l'allegato.
  51. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2005". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  52. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2005". TopHit. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  53. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  54. ^ "2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 52. 24 December 2005. p. YE-58.
  55. ^ "Top 50 – Pop Rock: Cierre de Año, 2005" (PDF) (in Spanish). Record Report. 24 December 2005. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  56. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  57. ^ "British single certifications – Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  58. ^ "American single certifications – The Chemical Brothers – Galvanize". Recording Industry Association of America.
  59. ^ "Galvanize – Single by The Chemical Brothers on Apple Music". iTunes. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  60. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 17th January 2005" (PDF). ARIA. 17 January 2005. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  61. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 15 January 2005. p. 21.
  62. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1590. 21 January 2005. p. 23. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  63. ^ "ガルバナイズ-来日記念盤EP- | ケミカル・ブラザーズ" [Galvanize -Commemorative Edition EP- | Chemical Brothers] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 28 August 2023.