Bottle Pop

"Bottle Pop" was written and produced by Sean Garrett and Fernando Garibay, with additional songwriting by lead singer Nicole Scherzinger and co-production by Clubba Langg.[1] Garrett previously worked with the Pussycat Dolls on PCD's fourth single, "Buttons" (2006), which also features Snoop Dogg.[2] Dogg appears courtesy of Doggy Style Records/Geffen Records. Scherzinger's vocals were recorded by Miles Walker with the assistance of Mike Hogue, Chris Kasych, and Brian Schunck at Chalice Studios in Los Angeles and at The Record Plant in Hollywood, California, while Dogg's vocals were recorded by Chris Jackson at the Irvine Spot in Irvine, California. It was mixed by Tony Maserati at Cannan Road Studios in New York City. The keyboards are played by Kennard Garrett and Raymond "Rayza" Oglesby who also handled the additional drum programming. All instrumentation and programming were carried out by Garrett and Garibay.[1]

Musically, it incorporates "funky electronica and sexual innuendo."[3] Scherzinger was cited for adopting "breathy vocals" which Jamie Gill of Dotmusic compared them to Gwen Stefani.[3][4] BBC Radio 1's Fraser McAlpine noted that "Bottle Pop", rhythmically and melodically, resembles Flo Rida's "Low" (2007) and Ciara's "Goodies" (2004) and, Petey Pablo's "Freek-A-Leek" (2003),[3] whilst Nick Levine of the website Digital Spy compared the song with material from Britney Spears' album Blackout (2007).[5]

Nick Bond of MTV Australia described "Bottle Pop" as "pneumatic" whilst regarding it as one of the musical highlights of Doll Domination.[6] New York Daily News critic Jim Farber wrote the song has "a moronic hook [listeners] can't resist."[7] Writing for Billboard, Mariel Concepcion opined that "Bottle Pop" induces the listeners with "visceral thrills."[8] Spence D. of IGN described the song as "insidious" adding "it's straight Mac 'n Cheese, ultimately not the most healthy choice, but kind of tasty nonetheless."[9] Vancouver Province's Stuart Derdeyn wrote that "Bottle Pop" "boasts a Snoop Dogg rap that he could've come up with in his sleep;" nonetheless he highlighted the song as one of the best tracks of the album for Garret's "sharp" production.[10] Nic Oliver of musicOMH agreed with Derdeyn equating Snoop Dogg's contribution to someone who is sleepwalking adding that the lyrics were written by a "sophomore student on a weekend bender."[11] Rudy Klapper from Sputnikmusic deemed Snoop Dogg's guest spot as "one of the weaker ones of his career" adding "the track’s lackluster chorus deflate any energy he might have afforded them."[12] Simirlarly, a reviewer from Entertainment.ie commented that Snoop Dogg lowers himself "to new levels of cheese" with his contribution.[13] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic also criticized the rapper's appearance labelling it as "phoned-in."[14]

"Bottle Pop" debuted at number 88 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart of October 11, 2008, and remained for one week, on the release of its parent album Doll Domination.[15] The following year, the song debuted at number 53 on Billboard's US Dance Club Songs chart for the week ending March 14, 2009.[16] After nine weeks of ascending the chart, the track went on to top the chart for the week ending May 16, 2009 after its position at number two the previous week.[17] This gave the Pussycat Dolls their fifth consecutive number one in as many tries; it also became Snoop Dogg's fourth consecutive chat-topper.[18]

In Oceania, "Bottle Pop" debuted at number 81 on the ARIA Singles Chart,[19] and went on to peak at number 17, four weeks later.[20] In New Zealand, the version featuring Devolo entered at number 19, denying Snoop Dogg's 19th chart appearance and giving the Dolls their ninth charting single in the territory;[21] the following week it peaked at number 17.[22]

"Bottle Pop" was released a single in select territories; in New Zealand, per Interscope Records request for a local rapper, the song was remixed with vocals from rapper Devolo, replacing those of Snoop Dogg and was available for digital download on February 23, 2009.[23] A two-track version was available for digital download in Australia on March 6, 2009,[24] while in Germany an extended play (EP) consisting of remixes, of "Bottle Pop" was released on March 6, 2009.[25]

Austrian filmmaker Thomas Kloss directed the music video for "Bottle Pop",[26] in early January.[27] Speaking to MTV News, Scherzinger elaborated that the video focuses on dance. "It's gonna be so much fun. It's gonna be a dance video. Obviously, you can tell by our wardrobe, it's going to be very colorful and fun ... freaky fun! You guys are going to be wanting to pop some bottles after this one."[28] The music video premiered on February 1, 2009 and uses an alternative version of the song that doesn't feature Snoop Dogg.[26] It features the Dolls breaking into a theater and perform the song's choreography onstage. Towards the end, male dancers appear also and together perform the ending routine. Jocelyn Vena of MTV described the group's styling as a "lethal combination of barely there costumes, big hair and lots of makeup."[28]

The Pussycat Dolls first performed "Bottle Pop" during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest '09 that was broadcast live by ABC on December 31, 2008.[29] The song was included on the set list for the Dolls' headlining Doll Domination Tour (2009).[30]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doll Domination.[1]

Recording

• Recorded at Chalice Studio B (Los Angeles, California); The Record Plant (Hollywood, California); Irvine Spot (Irvine, California)
• Mixed at Canaan Road Studios (New York City)

Personnel

• List of number-one dance singles of 2009 (U.S.)