Hush Hush (the Pussycat Dolls song)

Background

In March 2009, Scherzinger confirmed Doll Domination would be reissued, following stagnant sales of the album.^[15] The reissues includes some previously released singles and three new songs including "Hush Hush; Hush Hush", a remixed version of the original song.^[16] 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.^[2] The remix keeps the original production of "Hush Hush" until the one-minute mark.^[17] Just before the first chorus, a crash cymbal introduces a transition into a house remix.^[18] The remix was first performed by Scherzinger on the group's Doll Domination Tour, in the solo section dedicated to individual member performances.^[19]

Release and controversy

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,^[20] just like their previous single, "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)".^[21] Scherzinger's billing as a featured artist led to dissatisfaction with other members while publications reported that her exit from the group was imminent.^[22] 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."^[23] 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."^[22] The label ultimately removed Scherzinger's featured status and delayed the digital release to May 12, 2009.^[24][25]

Reception

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 disco sound was outdated and criticized the sample for failing to enhance the track. He awarded the song two out of five stars.^[26] While reviewing The Mini Collection, Nick Levine from the same publication found the remix to be absurd but did feel the sample to be effective.^[18] Nick Bond of MTV Australia suggested the remix is not compatible with the original ballad.^[27]

Commercially, "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" peaked at number one in the Czech Republic and Hungary.^[28][29] It reached the top 10 in Australia,^[30] Belgium,^[31][32] Brazil,^[33] Croatia,^[34] Finland,^[35] France,^[36] Israel,^[37] and Slovakia.^[38] In the UK, the remix peaked at number 17, becoming their tenth consecutive top-20 hit.^[39] It was a commercial failure in the Pussycat Dolls' native US, reaching number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100,^[40] but became their sixth consecutive Dance Club Songs number one. The achievement matched the previous record held by Rihanna, who reached number one with her first seven entries between 2005 and 2007.^[41]

Music video

Rich Lee directed the music video for "Hush Hush; Hush Hush".^[25] It premiered on May 26, 2009.^[43] It is set in a dollhouse, where each room has a different theme.^[44] It opens with Scherzinger lounging in a bathtub.^[42] Afterwards, she moves to a room full of stairs in different directions, where she is joined by her fellow members, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts, Thornton, and Kimberly Wyatt.^[44] The video continues with two parties; in the first one,^[44] the group is seen rollerskating while the second party is set by the pool and perform choreography.^[42] Former Pussycat Dolls member Carmen Electra and blogger Perez Hilton cameo in the scene.^[44] Hilton is wearing a t-shirt which reads, "Hush Hush featuring Perez."^[44] Then, the video fades to black and opens with an upclose shot of Scherzinger who is in front of a disco mirror ball.^[42] She is wearing a metallic mini dress.^[45] Her look pays homage to Donna Summer and Diana Ross. Other scenes include a disco scene paying homage to the 1980s music,^[42] and Roberts and Wyatt swinging on chandeliers.^[43]

Levine from Digital Spy found the video over-the-top.^[46] Melinda Newman of HitFix found the video entertaining while noted Scherzinger's dominance and sidelining the other members to background roles.^[42]

Formats and track listings

Digital single^[47]

1. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" – 4:12

French CD single^[48]

1. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" – 4:12
2. "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (The Bimbo Jones Radio Remix) – 4:00
3. "Hush Hush" (original version) – 3:48

Charts

Certifications

Release history