Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?

"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" is a song by British singer Rod Stewart from his 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun. It was written by Stewart, Carmine Appice and Duane Hitchings,[1] though it incorporates the melody from the song "Taj Mahal" by Jorge Ben Jor and the string arrangement from the song "Put Something Down On It" by Bobby Womack.[2]

"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"
Single by Rod Stewart
from the album Blondes Have More Fun
B-side
  • "Dirty Weekend" (UK)
  • "Scarred and Scared" (US)
Released10 November 1978
Recorded1978
GenreDisco
Length
  • 5:31 (album version)
  • 6:29 (12-inch version)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Tom Dowd
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Ole Ola (Mulher Brasileira)"
(1978)		 "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"
(1978)		 "Ain't Love a Bitch"
(1979)
Music video
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" on YouTube

The song featured on Stewart's album Blondes Have More Fun, and was released as a single in November 1978. It spent one week at the top of the British charts in December 1978 and four weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. Billboard ranked it number four on its Top Singles of 1979 year-end chart.[3] It also topped the charts in Canada for four weeks and in Australia for two weeks.

Royalties from the song were donated to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Stewart performed the song at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly in January 1979.[4]

Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 308 in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[5]

Background and writing

Carmine Appice, who played drums on this song told Songfacts: "This was a story of a guy meeting a chick in a club. At that time, that was a cool saying. If you listen to the lyrics, 'She sits alone, waiting for suggestions, he's so nervous...' it's the feelings of what was going on in a dance club. The guy sees a chick he digs, she's nervous and he's nervous and she's alone and doesn't know what's going on, then they end up at his place having sex, and then she's gone."[6] In a 2007 interview, co-writer Duane Hitchings noted that "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" was

a spoof on guys from the 'cocaine lounge lizards' of the Saturday Night Fever days. We Rock and Roll guys thought we were dead meat when that movie and the Bee Gees came out. The Bee Gees were brilliant musicians and really nice people. No big egos. Rod, in his brilliance, decided to do a spoof on disco. VERY smart man. There is no such thing as a "dumb" super success in the music business.[7]

Further information: List of songs that have been the subject of plagiarism disputes

It has been noted that Stewart created parts of the song through musical plagiarism. A copyright infringement lawsuit by Brazilian musician Jorge Ben Jor claimed the chorus of the song had been derived from his song "Taj Mahal". The case was "settled amicably" according to Jorge Ben Jor, in Ben Jor's favor.[8] Stewart admitted in his 2012 autobiography to "unconscious plagiarism" of the Ben Jor song, which he had heard while attending the Rio Carnival in 1978.[2] He also admitted that he had consciously lifted the song's signature synthesizer riff from the string arrangement on Bobby Womack's "(If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It". Stewart contends that it is legal to lift a line from any song's arrangement as long as the core melody line is not copied.[2]

Reception

The song was criticised by many in the rock press as a betrayal of Stewart's blues-oriented rock roots, due to its disco-like arrangement, but Stewart and others were quick to point out that other widely respected artists, such as Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones, had also released disco-flavoured songs. However, the song has since experienced some retrospective acclaim as Rolling Stone placed the song at number 308 in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[5]

Charts and certifications

Revolting Cocks version
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"
Single by Revolting Cocks
from the album Linger Ficken' Good
Released28 September 1993
GenreIndustrial
Length5:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks singles chronology
"Beers, Steers, and Queers"
(1990)		 "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"
(1993)		 "Cocked and Loaded"
(2006)
Music video
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"

In 1993, Industrial supergroup Revolting Cocks (featuring Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc van Acker, and Al Jourgensen of Ministry) recorded a version of Da Ya Think I'm Sexy for their album Linger Ficken' Good. The song was also released as a single with the songs "Sergio Guitar" and "Wrong Sexy Mix" as b-sides. The RevCo version includes slightly altered lyrics (the lyric "Give me a dime so I can call my mother" is replaced with "Give me a buck so I can buy a rubber" and "He says, I'm sorry, but I'm out of milk and coffee." is replaced with "He says, I'm sorry, but I'm out of KY Jelly.")

N-Trance featuring Rod Stewart version
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"
Single by N-Trance featuring Rod Stewart
from the album Happy Hour
Released13 October 1997
GenreEurodance
Length3:59
LabelAll Around the World
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Curds, Whey
N-Trance singles chronology
"D.I.S.C.O."
(1997)		 "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy"
(1997)		 "Paradise City"
(1998)
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"When I Need You"
(1997)		 "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
(1997)		 "Ooh La La"
(1998)
Music video
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" on YouTube

In 1997, the song was remixed by English electronic dance music group N-Trance for their second album Happy Hour and features lyrics from the Millie Jackson version (as performed by vocalist Kelly Llorenna). It was featured in the film A Night at the Roxbury the following year. This version became a hit in late 1997, topping the New Zealand Singles Chart for three weeks, peaking at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and earning a double-platinum sales certification in Australia, where it charted at number three.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "another slice of flashback fever". He noted that "with its recognizable hook, booty-shakin' baseline, guest rap by Ricardo da Force, diva wailings by Kelly Llorenna, and Stewart himself, this updated remake could very well become the surprise radio hit of the summer. Of course, it could also become this month's novelty record."[37]

Weekly charts
Chart (1997–1998) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[38] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[39] 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[40] 15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[41] 10
Denmark (IFPI)[42] 5
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[43] 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[44] 5
France (SNEP)[45] 33
Germany (Official German Charts)[46] 15
Hungary (Mahasz)[47] 5
Ireland (IRMA)[18] 10
Italy (Musica e dischi)[48] 3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[49] 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[50] 23
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[51] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[52] 10
Scotland (OCC)[53] 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 21
UK Singles (OCC)[56] 7
UK Dance (OCC)[57] 30

Year-end charts
Chart (1997) Position
Australia (ARIA)[58] 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[59] 99
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[60] 80
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[61] 67
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[62] 43
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[63] 62
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[64][65] 86

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[66] 2× Platinum 140,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[67] Platinum 10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[68] Gold  

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

2017 DNCE remix version
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
Single by Rod Stewart featuring DNCE
Released25 August 2017
Recorded2017
Genre
Length3:50
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Kevin Saviger
  • Yacoub
  • Fodgelmark
  • Nedler
  • Chris Scalfani
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Please"
(2015)		 "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
(2017)
DNCE singles chronology
"Kissing Strangers"
(2017)		 "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
(2017)		 "Dance"
(2018)

On August 25, 2017, Rod Stewart released a remix version featuring a guest appearance from American band DNCE. He sings along with the lead singer of the band, Joe Jonas.[69]

Live performances

They performed the song at 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.[70][71]

Track listing
Digital download - 2017[69]
No.TitleLength
1."Da Ya Think I'm Sexy" (featuring DNCE)3:50

Charts
Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Argentina Anglo (Monitor Latino)[72] 13
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[73] 34
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[74] 27
Israel (Media Forest)[75] 1
Latvia (Latvijas Top 40)[76] 37
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[77] 27
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[78] 11
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[79] 34

Year-end charts
Chart (2017) Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[80] 32
Chart (2018) Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[81] 46

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 25 August 2017 Digital download Republic [69]

References
  1. "Duane Hitchings – A Country Writer's Rock Roots". Yamaha All Access. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  2. Stewart, Rod. Rod: The Autobiography (2012): 225-226
  3. "Top Singles of the Year" Billboard 22 December 1979: TIA-10
  4. (AP) "Frost Sets UNICEF Show" The Robesonian 30 November 1978: 1
  5. "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  6. "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  7. Urban "Wally" Wallstrom (23 March 2007), "Duane Hitchings, The Man Behind the Hits", RockUnited.com, retrieved 18 January 2013
  8. Interview with Ben Jor Archived 15 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine Expatica.com
  9. "Australia n°1 Hits - 70's". Worldcharts.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  10. "Austriancharts.at – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. "Ultratop.be – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. "Da ya think I'm sexy? in Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  13. "Da ya think I'm sexy? in Canadian Disco 30 Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  14. "Da ya think I'm sexy? in Canadian Top Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  15. Danyel Smith, ed. (1979). "Billboard - Google Livres". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  16. Hung Medien. "Da ya think I'm sexy? in French Chart". Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2013. You have to use the index at the top of the page and search "Rod Stewart"
  17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  18. Search for Irish peaks Archived 3 June 2009 at WebCite
  19. "The best-selling singles of 1979 in Italy". HitParadeItalia (it). Retrieved 2 June 2013.
    13. Da ya think I'm sexy? - Rod Stewart [#3]
  20. Danyel Smith, ed. (1979). "Billboard 31 march 1979". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  21. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Rod Stewart" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  22. "Charts.nz – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy". Top 40 Singles.
  23. "Norwegiancharts.com – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy". VG-lista.
  24. Danyel Smith, ed. (1979). "Billboard 6 october 1979". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  25. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  26. "Swedishcharts.com – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy". Singles Top 100.
  27. "Swisscharts.com – Rod Stewart – Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy". Swiss Singles Chart.
  28. "1978 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive - 2nd December 1978". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  29. "Rod Stewart awards on Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  30. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 431. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  31. Musicoutfitters.com
  32. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  33. Anthonissen, Juul (12 May 1979). "From The Music Capitals Of The World - Brussels" (PDF). Billboard. p. 69. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  34. "Les Singles en Or" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  35. "British single certifications – Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  36. "American single certifications – Rod Stewart – Do Ya Think I'm Sexy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 March 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  37. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 8 May 1999. p. 19. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  38. "Australian-charts.com – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  39. "Austriancharts.at – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  40. "Ultratop.be – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  41. "Ultratop.be – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  42. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 48. 29 November 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  43. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 46. 15 November 1997. p. 25. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  44. "N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart: Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  45. "Lescharts.com – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in French). Les classement single.
  46. "Offiziellecharts.de – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  47. "Top 10 Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 50. 13 December 1997. p. 19. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  48. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 45. 8 November 2019. p. 26. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  49. "Nederlandse Top 40 – N-Trance featuring Rod Stewart" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  50. "Dutchcharts.nl – N-Trance – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  51. "Charts.nz – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". Top 40 Singles.
  52. "Norwegiancharts.com – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". VG-lista.
  53. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  54. "Swedishcharts.com – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". Singles Top 100.
  55. "Swisscharts.com – N-Trance feat. Rod Stewart – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". Swiss Singles Chart.
  56. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  57. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  58. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 1997". ARIA. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  59. "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  60. "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  61. "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  62. "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  63. "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  64. "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  65. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1997" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  66. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  67. "New Zealand single certifications – N-Trance – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  68. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  69. "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? (feat. DNCE)". iTunes. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  70. "VMAs: Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran to Perform". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  71. "Video Music Awards Performers". MTV. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  72. "Top 20 Anglo Argentina – Del 23 al 29 de Octubre, 2017" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  73. "Ultratop.be – Rod Stewart feat. DNCE – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  74. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  75. "Rod Stewart ft. DNCE – Da Ya Think I'm Sexy Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  76. "Latvijas Top 40". Latvijas Radio. 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  77. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  78. "Rod Stewart Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  79. "Rod Stewart Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  80. "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  81. "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.