Sweat (A La La La La Long)

"Sweat (A La La La La Long)" is a song by the Jamaican reggae fusion group Inner Circle. It was released in 1992 as the lead single from their album, Bad to the Bone. The song was a number-one hit in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

"Sweat (A La La La La Long)"
Single by Inner Circle
from the album Bad to the Bone
Released10 July 1992 (1992-07-10)
Recorded1992
GenreReggae fusion
Length3:46
Label
  • Warner
  • WEA
Songwriter(s)
  • Ian Lewis
  • Roger Lewis
Producer(s)Ian Lewis, Roger Lewis,
Touter Harvey
Inner Circle singles chronology
"Bad Boys"
(1992)		 "Sweat (A La La La La Long)"
(1992)		 "Rock with You"
(1993)
Music video
"Sweat (A La La La La Long)" on YouTube

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that it "clips along at a fun and swaying pace. Topping on the cake is a sing-along refrain and chorus that will be the soundtrack to a bright summer day."[1] Troy J. Augusto from Cashbox stated, "Actually, this incredibly catchy and brisk pop/raga-tune will rule the summer airwaves as the band sweats all the way to the bank."[2] Dave Sholin from Gavin Report called it a "winner", adding, "one listen—slam dunk!"[3] Another editor, Rod Edwards stated that "complete with a "sing-along" chorus, the reggae/dancehall appeal of this song should continue their success in the U.S."[4] Australian music channel Max ranked it at number 843 in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2017.[5] New Straits Times said that "their pop-reggae may not be all that provocative or tough-edged, but it's supple and eminently hummable."[6] Andrew Love from Ocala Star-Banner noted the song as one of the "greats" on their Bad Boys album.[7]

Chart performance

"Sweat (A La La La La Long)" achieved a great success on the charts particularly in Europe, where it was a Top 10 hit in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where the single peaked at number 2. In the UK, it hit number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, on May 16, 1993.[8] It is the group's highest charting song in the UK to date, and it topped the charts in Switzerland and Germany for six and twelve weeks, respectively. It also reached number-one in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Outside Europe, "Sweat" was a hit in Zimbabwe, peaking at number-one for three weeks, in Australia, reaching number 2, and New Zealand, where it reached number-one. In the United States, the song peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. And in Canada, it went to number 38 on the RPM Singles Chart. The song was also ranked number 94 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1993. It earned a gold record in Austria, with a sale of 15,000 singles, a silver record in the UK, where 200,000 units were sold and a platinum record in Germany, with a sale of 200,000 singles.

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed by Mathias Julien.[9] The video was uploaded to YouTube in September 2018. As of September 2020, it has got more than 2.8 million views.[10]

Covers and adaptations

The popularity of the song has resulted in many covers and even parodies. The song in Malaysia spawned a parody song by Poe called "Alalalala Tuk (Jangan Saman)" (Please Officer, Don't Fine Me).[11]

The winner of season 7 of the German music competition Deutschland sucht den Superstar in 2010 Mehrzad Marashi had it as his debut release after his win. The release also featured Mark Medlock winner in the same show in season four in 2007.

Track listings
CD maxi
  1. "Sweat" (original version) — 3:46
  2. "Sweat" (sweatbox construction) — 7:56
  3. "Sweat" (circle zone dub mix) — 5:14
  4. "Bad Boys" (original mix) — 3:51
12" maxi
Europe
  1. "Sweat" (swemix remix) — 5:35
  2. "Sweat" (sweatbox construction) — 7:51
  3. "Sweat" (circle zone dub mix) — 5:09
U.S.
  1. "Sweat" (Don T's dancehall version) — 3:54
  2. "Sweat" (JJ's glamarama remix) — 5:27
  3. "Sweat" (Don T's dub version) — 3:53
  4. "Sweat" (Dave Morales def mix) — 4:53
  5. "Sweat" (Dave's def raggamuffin dub) — 4:07
  6. "Sweat" (original version) — 3:46
7" single
  1. "Sweat" (original version) — 3:46
  2. "Bad Boys" (original mix) — 3:50
Cassette
  1. "Sweat" (original version) — 3:46
  2. "Bad Boys" (original mix) — 3:50
  3. "Sweat" (original version) — 3:46
  4. "Bad Boys" (original mix) — 3:50
CD maxi - Remixes
  1. "Sweat" (swemix edit) — 4:20
  2. "Sweat" (JJ's glamarama remix) — 5:27
  3. "Sweat" (original version) — 3:46
  4. "Sweat" (JJ's ragga zone dub) — 4:16
  5. "Sweat" (DJ beats) — 2:30

Charts and sales

Mehrzad Marashi and Mark Medlock version
"Sweat (A La La La La Long)"
Single by Mehrzad Marashi and
Mark Medlock
Released2010
Recorded2010
GenreReggae fusion, pop
Songwriter(s)Ian Lewis, Roger Lewis
Producer(s)Dieter Bohlen

In 2010, Mehrzad Marashi and Mark Medlock (both winners of Deutschland sucht den Superstar) released a joint cover version.

The song was a big success in Europe topping at number two in Germany, number seven in Austria and number 16 in Switzerland.

References
  1. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. July 3, 1993. p. 66. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  2. Augusto, Troy J. (July 10, 1993). "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 13. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  3. Sholin, Dave (June 25, 1993). "Gavin Picks: Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 46. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  4. Edwards, Rod (July 16, 1993). "Urban: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 22. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  5. "1000 Greatest Songs Of All Time…". Max. 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. "Real blues from living masters". New Straits Times. December 2, 1992. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  7. "'Bad Boys' goes to reggae's roots". Ocala Star-Banner. July 23, 1993. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 75 16 May 1993 - 22 May 1993". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. "Games People Play by Inner Circle". IMVDb. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  10. "Inner Circle - Sweat (A La La La La Long)". YouTube. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  11. "POE - Saman". Youtube. 1 March 2008.
  12. "Australian-charts.com – Inner Circle – Sweat (A La La La La Long)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  13. "Austriancharts.at – Inner Circle – Sweat (A La La La La Long)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  14. "Ultratop.be – Inner Circle – Sweat (A La La La La Long)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  15. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2305." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  16. "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
  17. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 31, 1992. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  18. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
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  20. "Offiziellecharts.de – Inner Circle – Sweat (A La La La La Long)". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  21. "Top 10 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  22. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweat (A La La La La Long)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  23. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: I". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
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  27. "Norwegiancharts.com – Inner Circle – Sweat (A La La La La Long)". VG-lista.
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  32. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1992-11-14. p. 26. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
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  36. "Inner Circle Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
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