In the Middle (Sugababes song)

"In the Middle" received rave reviews from critics. Natasha Perry of Contactmusic.com named the song one of Three's "instant winners";[15] Harry Rubenstein from the Jerusalem Post similarly considered it one of the album's best tracks.[13] The Guardian writer Andrew Mueller regarded "In the Middle" as "vastly superior",[16] while Alan Braidwood of BBC described it as quality pop.[17] Ben Hogwood of musicOMH questioned the number of songwriters it took to write the track, although cited this as reasons for the "polished production and slicker than slick chorus".[4] Writing for the Daily Mirror, Gavin Martin commended the Sugababes' attitude in the song, which he described as "colourful and explosive".[18] Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music characterised "In the Middle" as a "retro hip-shake".[10] A critic from the Daily Record regarded the song as "addictive and dancey" and wrote that it highlights the group's "considerable charms".[11] The writer noted that it echoes the appeal of their number-one singles, "Freak Like Me" and "Round Round".[11]

James Mortlock of the Eastern Daily Press described "In the Middle" as a pop classic from the Sugababes,[19] while Hot Press magazine's Phil Udell considered it one of the finest pop songs of the 2000s.[20] "In the Middle" earned the Sugababes a 2005 BRIT Award nomination for Best British Single.[21] However, the song was added to the category after the BRIT Awards organisers had made an error with the original list, as it was drawn up with the incorrect timescale.[22]

"In the Middle" made its first chart appearance on the Irish Singles Chart on 25 March 2004 in which it peaked at number thirteen.[23] It spent seven weeks on the chart, and was their second consecutive single to peak at this position.[24] The song debuted and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart for the issue dated 3 April 2004 and became the group's 6th consecutive top-ten hit in the UK.[25][26] It spent eight weeks on the chart.[26] The single's highest chart peak was on the Netherlands' Dutch Top 40 chart, where it debuted at number thirty-one and reached number seven three weeks later.[27] It became the chart's 70th best-performing single of 2004.[28] "In the Middle" peaked at number twenty-three on the Swiss Singles Chart,[29] number twenty-nine on the German Singles Chart,[30] number thirty-three on the Austrian Singles Chart,[31] and number forty on the Belgian (Flanders) Ultratop chart.[32] The single reached number nine on the Hungarian Dance Chart and number thirty-three on the Hungarian Radio Chart.[33][34] "In the Middle" charted at number thirty-three on Australian Singles Chart, becoming the Sugababes' third consecutive top-forty hit in Australia.[35]

The music video was directed by Matthew Rolston and filmed at Pinewood Studios, London in February 2004.

The music video for "In the Middle" was directed by Matthew Rolston,[36][37] who directed the video for the group's previous single "Hole in the Head".[36] It was filmed at Pinewood Studios, London in February 2004.[38] The photography was completed by Martin Ahlgren.[37] Buchanan refrained from revealing details about the video before its release, saying: "The shoot went very well but what actually happens in the video is being kept a secret until it's shown. We’re all really excited and can't wait to hear what our fans think about it!"[39] It aired on the Sugababes' official website, and on television, on 20 February 2004 and was included on the single's CD release.[8][39]

Rolston used the green screen effect to produce the video, while the designs and effects for its environments were created by Jerry Steele.[38] Rolston conceptualised a "prism-like" glass room with six sides and large glass walls, in which Steele was inspired to enhance it with effects including reflections and lights.[38] The video was developed in magical settings, as STEELE VFX created "glamorous virtual environments" such as a sparkling glass room.[38] Buchanan wore a bikini, covered in chains and spikes, for the video.[40] She is featured in a blue room and has rainbow-coloured sparkles on her face.[38] Buena, who is seen pole dancing in a green-coloured room, is shown controlling "smoke elements" with her hands.[38] Range is shown in a pink room, and dances around a chair and against a wall.[41] Throughout the video, each group member's first name appears on screen, Buena's is formed by smoke, Buchanan's is formed by diamonds and Range's is formed by metallic cubes.[38]

The video uses the radio edit of the song, which is slightly re-recorded and remixed from the album version, and cuts the chorus between Buchanan's and Range's verses in half.

The Sugababes performed an extended version of "In the Middle" during their UK tour in March and April 2004 to promote Three,[42] in which they were supported by a four-piece band.[43] The group performed the single, along with "Hole in the Head" and "Too Lost in You", at Birmingham's Party in the Park festival on 10 July 2004 and also the following day at the festival of the same name in London.[44] "In the Middle" was included in the set list for the band's 2007 tour in support of Overloaded: The Singles Collection.[20] In addition, it was performed as part of the group's 2008 Change Tour,[45][46] in which the performances featured the group in large, mirrored skirts, while rays of light were reflecting around the venue.[47] Kat Keogh of The Journal praised their performance at the Newcastle City Hall as one of the show's highlights,[46] while a critic from The Scotsman described their performance at the Edinburgh Playhouse as "ridiculously camp", although admitted that the light effect was "simple yet fantastically effective".[47] The Sugababes performed "In the Middle" on 10 July 2009 at the Riverside Ground in County Durham, England, as part of a set list.[48]