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"Hush Hush"
Song by The Pussycat Dolls
from the album Doll Domination
StudioQuiz & Larossi (Stockholm)
Boiler Room (Santa Monica)
Henson (Los Angeles)
GenrePop
Length3:48
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"Hush Hush" is a song by American girl group the Pussycat Dolls from their second studio album, Doll Domination (2008), included as the album's thirteenth track. The song was written by it's producers Quiz & Larossi (Andreas Romdhane and Josef Larossi), Ina Wroldsen, and group member Nicole Scherzinger.

Background and composition

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"Hush Hush" was first written by Ina Wroldsen (pictured).

"Hush Hush" was first written by Norwegian songriter Ina Wroldsen who sent the demo to the album's producer, Ron Fair. According to Wroldsen, Fair spent 11 days in the studio working the track while lead singer Nicole Scherzinger received co-writing credit, as she was deeply involved in the final version's lyrics. Wroldsen acknowledges that she barely recognized the new version,[1] though was content that it was included in the album.[2] Swedish production duo Quiz & Larossi (Andreas Romdhane and Josef Larossi), where also credited as the song's producer and writer.[3] The track was recorded by Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos and Tal Herzberg with the assistance of Greg DePante, Steve Genewick, and Keith Gretlein and mixed by Dave Pensado, Jaycen Joshua, and Andrew Wuepper at Quiz & Larossi Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, The Boiler Room in Santa Monica, California, as well as the Henson Studios in Los Angeles. Fair arranged and conducted the strings, which were recorded by Frank Wolf. Other instrumentation and programming was carried out by Quiz & Larossi.[3] The song was included in the Pussycat Dolls second studio album, Doll Domination which was released in September 2008.[4]

"Hush Hush" is pop song.[4] Running for 3 minutes and 48 seconds,[3] the ballad was described to having "down tempo forlornness".[4] Scherzinger's vocals were described as powerful, with her exaggerated pronunciation adding to the dramatic delivery.[5] The song portrays the Pussycat Dolls as strong, independent women who don't depend on men for help.[6]

Remix

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"Hush Hush; Hush Hush"
 
Single by The Pussycat Dolls
from the album Doll Domination – The Mini Collection
ReleasedMay 12, 2009 (2009-05-12)
Length4:01
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)"
(2009)
"Hush Hush; Hush Hush"
(2009)
"React"
(2020)

Release and billing controversy

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In March 2009, Scherzinger confirmed Doll Domination would be reissued, following stagnant sales of the album.[7] The reissues subtitled, 2.0 and The Mini Collection, includes some previously released singles and three new songs including "Hush Hush; Hush Hush", a remixed version of the original song "Hush Hush".[8] Dave Audé was added as producer, while Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris received co-writing credits for containing interpolations of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" (1978) and includes a quotation of the original string arrangement by David Blumberg. The string arrangement was carried out by Bruce Dukov, with Tommy Vicari handling strings recording. Additionally, the production team included Eric Eyland, Steve Genewick, Keith Gretlein, Ryan Shanahan, and Eric Weaver as assistant engineers. Gayle Levant contributed harp, and Peter Mokran was responsible for mixing.[3] The remix was first performed by Scherzinger on the group's Doll Domination Tour in the section where each member performs solo.[9] "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" keeps the original production of "Hush Hush" until the 1-minute mark.[10] Just before the first chorus, a crash cymbal introduces a transition into a house remix.[11]

Retailers had listed "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" for pre-order a week before its original April 28, 2009 digital release. The cover art listed Scherzinger as a featured artist,[12] just like their previous single, "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)".[13] Scherzinger's billing as a featured artist led to dissatisfaction with other members while publications reported that her exit from the group was imminent.[14] While opening for The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009) in Glendale, Arizona, member Melody Thornton addressed the crowd during their break saying, "[...] let me give a shout-out to my family. Thank you for supporting me, even if I'm not featured" referring to the billing of the singles, and encouraging the audience to follow their dreams and to "never let anyone stomp on them, ever."[15] Scherzinger later spoke about her billing as a featured artist during a radio interview: "It's no big deal, that doesn't take away from anybody else in the group. That's my role. I wrote 'Hush Hush' as well."[14] The label ultimately removed Scherzinger's featured status and delayed the digital release to May 12, 2009.[16][17]

Reception

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In a review for "Hush Hush; Hush Hush", David Balls of Digital Spy lamented for its lack of energetic R&B quality that made their previous singles successful. Balls went to imply that its sound was outdated and criticized the sample for failing to enhance the track. He awarded the song two out of five stars.[18] While reviewing the The Mini Collection, Nick Levine from the same publication found the remix to be absurd but did feel that the sample to be effective.[11] On the contrary, Nick Bond of MTV Australia suggested the remix is not compatible with the original ballad.[19] Maura Johnston from Idolator found the remix to be unoriginal and a desperate attempt to boost the group's appeal. Despite Johnston's critique, she went on to appreciate the track’s catchy elements.[5]

Music video

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Rich Lee directed the music video for "Hush Hush; Hush Hush".[17] It premiered on May 26, 2009.[20] The music video is set in a dollhouse, where each room has a different theme.[21] It opens with Scherzinger lounging in a bathtub, similar to a scene of Cindy Crawford in George Michael's video for "Freedom! '90" (1990).[22] Afterwards, she moves to a room full of stairs in different directions, where she is joined by Sutta, Roberts, Thornton, and Wyatt.[21] The video continues with two parties; in the first one,[21] the group is seen rollerskating while the second party is set by the pool and perform choreography.[22] Former Pussycat Dolls member Carmen Electra and blogger Perez Hilton cameo in the scene.[21] Hilton is wearing a t-shirt which reads, "Hush Hush featuring Perez."[21] Then, the video fades to black and opens with an upclose shot of Scherzinger who is in front of a disco mirror ball.[22] She is wearing a metallic mini dress.[23] Her look pays homage to Donna Summer and Diana Ross. Other scenes include a disco scene paying homage to the 1980s music,[22] and Roberts and Wyatt swinging on chandeliers.[20]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doll Domination.[3]

Recording
  • Recorded at Quiz & Larossi Studios (Stockholm, Sweden), The Boiler Room (Santa Monica, California), and the Henson Studios in (Los Angeles, California).
Sample
Personnel
  • Greg DePante[b] – assistant engineer
  • Eric Eyland[a] – assistant engineer
  • Dave Audé[a] – production, programming
  • Bruce Dukov[a] – concertmaster
  • Greg DePante – assistant engineer
  • Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos – recording
  • Ron Fair – production, vocal production, vocal arrangement, strings arrangement and conduct, keyboards
  • Steve Genewick[a] – assistant engineer
  • Keith Gretlein – assistant engineer
  • Tal Herzberg – Pro Tools, recording
  • Jaycen Joshua[b] – mixing
  • Josef Larossi – songwriting, production, recording
  • Gayle Levant[a] – harp
  • Peter Mokran[a] – mixing
  • Johnathan Merritt – assistant engineer
  • Danny Ponce[b] – recording
  • Dave Pensado[b] – mixing
  • Andreas Romdhane – songwriting, production, instruments, programming, recording
  • Nicole Scherzinger – songwriting, vocal production, vocal arrangement
  • Ryan Shanahan[a] – assistant engineer
  • Tommy Vicari[a] – strings recording
  • Eric Weaver[a] – assistant engineer
  • Frank Wolf[b] – strings recording
  • Ina Wroldsen – songwriter
  • Andrew Wuepper[b] – assistant engineer

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Remix only
  2. ^ a b c d e f Original only

References

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  1. ^ https://730-no.translate.goog/pussycat-dolls-synger-sangen-til-ina-fra-oslo/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ https://730-no.translate.goog/gar-solo-med-norsk-hjelp/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e Doll Domination (Media notes). The Pussycat Dolls. Interscope Records.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b c D., Spence (September 23, 2008). "Pussycat Dolls - Doll Domination Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Johnston, Maura (July 31, 2009). "The Pussycat Dolls Throw A Hail Mary Pass". Idolator. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  6. ^ Kraines, Talia. "Pussycat Dolls - Doll Domination". Orange UK. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  7. ^ Graff, Gary (April 1, 2009). "Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger Talks Solo Album, 'Domination 2.0'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (April 3, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls Put A New Twist On Doll Domination With Re-Release". MTV. Archived from the original on April 24, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  9. ^ Hind, Sally (January 19, 2009). "Purr-fect Pussycat Dolls hit Aberdeen". Evening Express. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Pussycat Dolls - 'Hush Hush'". Orange UK. April 1, 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Levine, Nick (April 29, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls: 'Doll Domination - The Mini Collection'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Hush Hush; Hush Hush: MP3 Downloads: The Pussycat Dolls". Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  13. ^ Stack, Tim (April 27, 2009). "The Pussycat Dolls catfight: Does this mean Nicole Scherzinger will finally go solo?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Ganz, Caryn (April 27, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls Fight, Danity Kane Split: Bad Week for Girl Groups". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  15. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (April 27, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls' Melody Thornton Sounds Off Onstage In Phoenix". MTV. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "Hush Hush; Hush Hush: MP3 Downloads: The Pussycat Dolls". Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Anitai, Tamar (April 27, 2009). "5 Fast Facts About Pussycat Dolls' New Video, 'Hush Hush; Hush Hush'". MTV. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  18. ^ Balls, David (July 6, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls: 'Hush Hush; Hush Hush'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  19. ^ Bond, Nick (May 6, 2009). "Album Review: Pussycat Dolls". MTV Australia. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Video: Pussycat Dolls - 'Hush Hush; Hush Hush'". Rap-Up. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Nicole Scherzinger, la novia de Hamilton, semi-desnuda en su último videoclip" [Nicole Scherzinger, Hamilton's girlfriend, half-naked in her latest music video]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). May 31, 2009. Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d Newman, Melinda (May 27, 2009). "Review: Pussycat Dolls' new video for 'Hush Hush'". HitFix. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  23. ^ Harding, Natasha (February 23, 2023). "Nicole Scherzinger's backless ABBA-inspired dress is everything". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Russia Airplay Chart for 2008-01-18." TopHit. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  25. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  26. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  27. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  28. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  29. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  30. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  31. ^ a b c "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 49. týden 2009 in the date selector. Retrieved March 23, 2024. Cite error: The named reference "SWI" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  32. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in Danish). Tracklisten. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  33. ^ "Pussycat Dolls: Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  34. ^ "Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  35. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls – Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  36. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  37. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  38. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  39. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hush Hush". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  40. ^ "Media Forest Week 26, 2010". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  42. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  43. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  44. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  45. ^ "The Pussycat Dolls Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  46. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  47. ^ "Brasil Hot 100 Airplay (Set 21, 2009)". Billboard Brasil. No. 1. BPP Promoções e Publicações. October 2009. p. 79.
  48. ^ "Brasil Hot Pop & Popular: Hot Pop Songs (Set 21, 2009)". Billboard Brasil. No. 1. BPP Promoções e Publicações. October 2009. p. 80.