Criticize (song)

1987 single by Alexander O'Neal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Criticize" is a song by the American singer Alexander O'Neal, written by O'Neal and Jellybean Johnson. It was the second single from O'Neal's second solo album, Hearsay (1987). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Lisa Keith.

B-side"A Broken Heart Can Mend" / "Fake (Extended Version)" (UK 12" only)
ReleasedSeptember 23, 1987 (1987-09-23)
Recorded1986 (album version)
1987 (remix version)
Genre
Quick facts Single by Alexander O'Neal, from the album Hearsay ...
"Criticize"
U.S. cover art
Single by Alexander O'Neal
from the album Hearsay
B-side"A Broken Heart Can Mend" / "Fake (Extended Version)" (UK 12" only)
ReleasedSeptember 23, 1987 (1987-09-23)
Recorded1986 (album version)
1987 (remix version)
Genre
Length4:09 (album version)
4:00 (single version)
LabelTabu
Songwriters
Producers
Alexander O'Neal singles chronology
"Fake"
(1987)		 "Criticize"
(1987)		 "Never Knew Love Like This"
(1988)
Close

Release

In the US, "Criticize" reached number four on the R&B chart, and number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Criticize" reached number four on the UK singles chart, becoming O'Neal's biggest hit in Britain, and in 2020 was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry. It reached number 14 on the Irish Singles Chart.

Music video

The music video was directed by Marcelo Anciano.[2]

Track listing

  • 12" Maxi (Tabu TBU 651158 6)
  1. "Criticize (Remix)" – 7:00
  2. "Criticize (Edit)" – 3:55
  3. "Criticize (A Cappella)" – 2:40
  4. "Criticize (Critical Mix)" – 5:30
  5. "Criticize (Critical Edit)" – 3:45
  6. "Criticize (Critical Dub)" – 4:30
  7. "Criticize (Nag Mix)" – 1:35
  • 12" Single
  1. "Criticize (Remix)" – 7:00
  2. "Criticize (Critical Mix)" – 5:30
  3. "Fake (Extended Version)" – 5:20
  • 7" Single (Tabu 651158 7)
  1. "Criticize" – 4:00
  2. "A Broken Heart Can Mend" – 3:40

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[3]

Sales chart performance

Peak positions

More information Chart (1987), Position ...
Chart (1987) Position
Ireland (IRMA)[4]14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[5]17
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6]40
UK Singles (Official Charts)[7]4
US Billboard Hot 100[8]70
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[9]21
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10]4
West Germany (GfK)[11]24
Close

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Close

Re-recording

Alexander O’Neal re-recorded “Criticize” in 1998 with producers Errol Jones and John Girvan.[13] The song was released as a commercial single, peaking at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart.[14]

Track listing

  • UK CD Single (OWECD3)[15]
  1. "Criticize (‘98 Critical Yojo Working Radio Mix)" – 3:59
  2. "Criticize (‘98 Chill Out Positivity Krew Radio Mix)" – 4:38
  3. "Criticize (‘98 Critical Yojo Working Club Mix)" – 6:56
  4. "Criticize (‘98 House Positivity Mix)" – 4:20
  • UK 12” Single (OWET3)
  1. "Criticize (‘98 Critical Yojo Working Club Mix)" – 6:56
  2. "Criticize (‘98 Critical Yojo Working Radio Mix)" – 3:59
  3. "Criticize (‘98 Dub Mix)" – 4:38
  • Germany 12” Single (0066260CLU)
  1. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Club Vocal Mix)" – 7:22
  2. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Ocean Dub)" – 6:05
  3. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Subsonic Vocal Mix)" – 8:30
  4. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Subsonic Dub)" – 7:52
  • Germany 12” Single (0066540CLU)
  1. "Criticize (Stonebridge Club Mix)" – 9:52
  2. "Criticize (Critical Yojo Working Club Mix)" – 6:56
  3. "Criticize (Jamie Lewis Phat Club Mix)" – 7:49
  • Italy 12” Single (BLUE012)
  1. "Criticize '99 (Jamie Lewis Phat Club Mix)" – 7:49
  2. "Criticize '99 (Harley & Muscle Deep House Mix)" – 7:54
  • Italy 12” Single (BLUE013)
  1. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Club Vocal Mix)" – 7:22
  2. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Ocean Dub)" – 6:05
  3. "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Sub Sonic Vocal Dub)" – 8:30

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI