Drop Dead Gorgeous (song)

"Drop Dead Gorgeous" is a song by English alternative rock band Republica, from their self-titled debut album. It was released on 21 April 1997 as the third and final single from the album, and was a commercial success, giving the group their only top 10 hit to date in the UK. The single elicited a positive critical reaction, and was also a minor hit in the US, New Zealand, and Germany. The music video, which went into rotation on MTV, was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.

"Drop Dead Gorgeous"
Single by Republica
from the album Republica
B-side
  • "Out of This World"
  • "Mutha"
  • "Holly"
Released21 April 1997
Genre
Length3:32
LabelDeconstruction
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
single singles chronology
"Ready to Go"
(1996)
"Drop Dead Gorgeous"
(1997)
"From Rush Hour With Love"
(1998)
Music video
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" on YouTube

Reception

Critical

The song was praised upon its release. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the song as one of its parent album's highlights, and felt that the song has a "bright, energetic sound that is quite infectious."[2]

Commercial

The song was a success in the United Kingdom and United States. In the UK, the song gave the group their only top-10 hit to date. The single debuted at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart on the week beginning 3 May 1997; the single spent a total of seven consecutive weeks on the chart, more than any other song by the group.[3] The following year, the song was also successful in the US, entering the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at number 93, spending a total of three weeks on the chart.[4] The single also entered the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it entered the top 40 and peaked at number 39.[5] Elsewhere, "Drop Dead Gorgeous" peaked at number 30 in New Zealand and number 90 in Germany.[6][7]

Music video

The song's music video was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.[8] It also went into rotation on MTV.[9] Both the music video for this song, and Republica's previous single, "Ready to Go", are not recommended for viewing by individuals with epilepsy.[10]

Legacy

The song was included on Official Charts' list of "20 Classic Hits Turning 20 Years Old in 2017," with writer Justin Meyers noting that both "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" "still get played on ads or on TV pretty often."[11]

Track listing

Adapted from AllMusic.[1]

  1. "Drop Dead Gorgeous" — 3:32
  2. "Out of this World" — 7:05
  3. "Mutha" — 4:00
  4. "Holly" — 7:07

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.[12]

  • Donald Christie — photography
  • Ben Grosse — mixing, production, programming
  • Randy Jacobs — guitar
  • Saffron — vocals
  • Michael Tuller — programming
  • John Vitale — guitar, programming
  • Jez Williams — guitar

Charts

Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 131
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] 51
Germany (Official German Charts)[7] 90
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 30
Scotland (OCC)[15] 8
UK Singles (OCC)[3] 7
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 93
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[5] 39

References

  1. "Drop Dead Gorgeous [CD #2] overview". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  2. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Republica - "Republica" review". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  4. "Republica Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  5. "Republica Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  6. "Charts.nz – Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  7. "Offiziellecharts.de – Republica – Drop Dead Gorgeous". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  8. "Billboard Feb 7, 1998 (page 50)". Google Books. Billboard/Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  9. "Video Monitor: Billboard Jan 11, 1997 (page 95)". Google Books. Billboard/Nieslen Business Media. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  10. The Weekend Pollution
  11. Myers, Justin. "20 classic hits turning 20 years old in 2017". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  12. ""Drop Dead Gorgeous" credits". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  13. "Chart Inquiry". ARIA. Retrieved 25 April 2017 via Imgur.
  14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 19. 10 May 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
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