Whatcha Think About That

"Whatcha Think About That"
Single by The Pussycat Dolls featuring
Missy Elliott
from the album Doll Domination
Released September 9, 2008 (2008-09-09)
Format
Recorded
  • Zac Studio
  • (Atlanta, Georgia)
  • The Boiler Room
  • (Santa Monica, California)
Genre
Length 3:48
Label Interscope
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
The Pussycat Dolls singles chronology
"When I Grow Up"
(2008)		 "Whatcha Think About That"
(2008)		 "Out of This Club"
(2008)
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Bad Girl"
(2008)		 "Whatcha Think About That"
(2008)		 "Let's Just Do It"
(2009)

"Whatcha Think About That" is a song recorded by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls from their second studio album, Doll Domination (2008). Produced by Esther Dean, Melissa Elliott, Mickael Furnon, Jamal Jones and Jason Perry. It was released as the third single in the United Kingdom and France and second in the United States. The song has bhangra-style beats with R&B elements. The song received mixed reviews, with critics stating that it was "disappointing after the hyperactive pop brilliance of 'When I Grow Up'."

The song didn't manage to get that much attention after their two previous single. In the United States it didn't manage to chart on Hot 100. However, the song was a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, while in the neighboring Republic of Ireland it peaked at number twelve on the Irish Singles Chart. The accompanying burlesque-themed music video portrayed the Dolls in different routines including dancing on a rotating platform and on a horizontal bar. They performed the song three times on television including on the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars along with Missy Elliott and on the British daytime television show, This Morning.

Background

Following the commercial success of PCD (2005), lead vocalist Nicole Scherzinger opted to pursue in her solo career, and began to work on her own solo album under the title, Her Name is Nicole. However, due to poor lack of success of her singles, Scherzinger focused back on the Pussycat Dolls, and recording commenced for their second studio album, Doll Domination.[1]

"Whatcha Think About That" was written by Ester Dean, Elliot and Jamal Jones who also produced the song. Mickael Furnon of the French rock group Mickey 3D received co-writing credits for the song, for its sample of "Je M'appelle Jane". Dean also handled the vocal production of the song along with Ron Fair. The Pussycat Dolls and Elliot's vocals were recorded in two separate studios at Zac Studio in Atlanta, Georgia and The Boiler Room Studio in Santa Monica, California by Mike “Angry” Eleoploulos, Tal Herzberg, Tony Terrebonne, Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine and Matt Wheeler with the assistance of Johnathan Merritt and Bryan Morton. The song was mixed by Dave Pensado and Jayson Joshua. Missy Elliot appears of The Goldmind Inc./Atlantic Records.[2] On August 29, 2008 Rap-Up announced that the song would be released as the second single of Doll Domination and also unveiled the cover art. The song was available for digital download and was sent to contemporary hit radio on September 9.[3]

Composition

An album track of three minutes and forty-eight seconds,[4] "Whatcha Think About That" is a midtempo,[5] electropop[5] song with R&B influences.[6] A sample of "Je M'appelle Jane" by Jane Birkin runs throughout the song. The song is built around a distinctive bhangra-ish guitar riff[5] and has a "spunky attitude".[6] The song features resourceful vocals from Scherzinger.[7] Maura of the website Idolator wrote that the song is a reminiscent of Whitney Houston's song "I'm Your Baby Tonight" (1990).[8]

The song features three verses from Missy Elliott,[9] who joins the Dolls for a "boy-baiting session".[5] She uses brash rap and risqué lyrics in lines such as, "You ain't gonna get no more pussy... cat".[10] In her lines, she references Katy Perry and her song "I Kissed a Girl" teasing, "Up in that club it's just me and my girls, play like Katy Perry kissing on girls."[6] Samesame.com.au noted that Elliott's rapping is coherent with the Dolls’ signature style".[11] Lyrically, the song is about a woman getting rid of her no-good-controlling-waste-of-space lover,[5] while Jon Pareles of New York Times wrote that the song "proposes that her man stay home while she goes club hopping".[12] Nicole Scherzinger said that Missy Elliott "[takes] the Pussycat Dolls to a whole other level."[13]

Reception

Critical

The Times music reviewer Elan Priya noted that "Whatcha Think About That" is an exception in an album that "lacks any distinct personality" and highlighted Missy Elliot's rap.[14] Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy gave the song three out five stars describing the song as "vibrant" adding "[the song] finds the pop troupe somewhere near the top of their game".[6] Samesame.com.au called the song "sensational".[11] Vicki Lutas from BBC Radio 1 praised Missy Elliott's contribution to the song, complimenting the introduction. "Of course, the song's greatness isn't all down to Missy Elliott alone – the Dolls certainly give it life – but it's safe to say that she does make this song just that little bit more distinctive"[10] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post wondered if it's least objectionable song the group has ever done and described it as a "nifty tale of sexual role reversal."[15]

However, Nic Oliver in a review of Doll Domination from MusicOMH wrote, identikit urban beats, sleepwalking guest parts from Snoop Dogg and Missy Elliott, and lyrics that might as well have been written by a sophomore student on a weekend bender for all the depth on offer.[16] A critic from entertainment.ie echoed Oliver's comments writing, " [they] lower[ed] themselves to new levels of cheese with their contributions.[17] In earlier review from Digital Spy, Nick Levine wrote that, "[its] slightly disappointing after the hyperactive pop brilliance of 'When I Grow Up'".[5] Spence D. of IGN agreed writing, "the cool electro shock ambiance and unloads a much more straight forward pop angle that's missing some of the futuro risqué elements that made the two prior songs ['When I Grow Up and 'Bottle Pop') so catchy."[18] Slant Magazine music reviewer Sal Cinquemani did not favored the song calling it a "pure filler" despite the presence of Missy Elliott.[9]

Chart performance

In the United States, "Whatcha Think About That" failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it peaked at number 8 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles on September 27, 2008 while on the Canadian Hot 100 the song debuted and peaked at number 66.[19]

In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number thirty-six on the UK Singles Chart on February 1, 2009 ― for the week ending date February 7, 2009 ― replacing "I Hate This Part".[20] On March 1, 2009 ― for the week ending date March 7, 2009 ― the song peaked at number nine.[21] In Ireland the song peaked at number twelve on the Irish Singles Chart on February 12, 2009.[22] In the European Hot 100 "Whatcha Think About That" peaked at number thirty-seven.[23]

Music video

The music video for "Whatcha Think About That" was filmed in September 9–10, 2008 in Los Angeles, with Diane Martel serving as the director.[24] Melody Thornton spoke to Rap-Up about the concept of the video. "It's kinda like a throwback to the original Pussycat Dolls were we started out at Johnny Depp's Viper Room, and the whole burlesque-cabaret feel, and the choreography was very Fosse inspired and very stylized."[25] Meanwhile, Ashley Roberts said "it's very editorial in my mind. Lots of beauty, lighting, and mysterious set-ups".[24] The Daily Mail commented, that the video "is set behind the scenes at a burlesque show" to lead the audiences to the feeling of "peeping Tom watching the Dolls get ready in their dressing room".[24]

Synopsis

The video starts with Missy Elliott singing her lines, and then switches to each of the Dolls singing a line of the song: Kimberly Wyatt, flexing her leg, then on a swing, Jessica Sutta popping gum; Thornton brushing her hair and Roberts puffing powder in her chest. The video centers on two plots: one shows the Dolls dressing for, and then actually performing, one of their famous Lounge Shows, clad in the exotic burlesque outfits for which they are known. After their introduction on the swing, the video cuts to scenes from the other storyline, where Scherzinger leaves behind her controlling partner, and goes out to have fun. She is shown turning a large key into a neon door, and steps out into the town, where she is joined by the other Dolls, and they walk the runway while singing the song's chorus. Returning to the other plot, the five girls are shown in lingerie in their dressing room, and the camera switches to Scherzinger as she sings the verse, and the other Dolls as they dress and apply make up. The remainder of the video focuses on the PCD burlesque show. The girls are shown on a rotating platform, then on a horizontal bar dancing and singing seductively in their vintage corsets and burlesque outfits. The scene changes, showing Elliott performing her rap, while the Dolls, dressed in seductive military outfits, perform a sexy army dance, accentuated by salutes and military steps. At the climax, the Dolls appear dressed in modern burlesque outfits, dancing intricately on a stage and Thornton singing the ad-libs. The video ends with Elliott performing her last lines, surrounded by the girls. This is also crosscut with scenes showing the silhouette of the Dolls as they continue to dance. Finally, the girls are again shown on swings, with Scherzinger singing the song's last lines.

Reception

The British tabloid newspaper Daily Mail commented that "[the] promo for the upcoming single 'Whatcha Think About That', frontwoman Scherzinger and her fellow Dolls perform their high-energy dance moves in a series of sexy lingerie."[24] Nadia Mendoza from fellow UK newspaper The Sun agreed, particularly commenting on the outfits and the dance.[26] A reviewer from Rap-Up wrote that "The Pussycat Dolls turn up the heat in their smolderin’ burlesque-inspired clip."[27] MTV News compared the music video of "Whatcha Think About That" to Danity Kane's "Bad Girls", concluding: "We like the Dolls' video better, but prefer the vocal stylings of [Danity Kane] for the simple reason that their song sounds less like a lesson in robotics and more like actual singing."[28]

Live performances

The Pussycat Dolls first performed "Whatcha Think About That" on October 28, 2008 on Dancing with the Stars.[29] Rap-Up commented about their performance. "The girls sounded a mess here. On the bright side, it looks like Missy lost some weight."[29] The song was also performed throughout their second headlining tour, Doll Domination Tour.[30]

Track listing

  • North American iTunes remix single[31][32]
  1. "Whatcha Think About That" (Urban Club Remix) – 3:48
  2. "Whatcha Think About That" (Ron Fizzle Mix) – 3:32
  • UK iTunes remix EP[33]
  1. "Whatcha Think About That" – 3:48
  2. "Whatcha Think About That" (Ron Fizzle Mix) – 3:32
  3. "Whatcha Think About That" (Video)
  • UK CD single (remixes)[34]
  1. "Whatcha Think About That" (StoneBridge Edit) – 3:17
  2. "Whatcha Think About That" (StoneBridge Club Edit) – 3:53
  3. "Whatcha Think About That" (StoneBridge Club Mix) – 7:03
  4. "Whatcha Think About That" (StoneBridge Dub) – 6:51
  5. "Whatcha Think About That" (Wideboys Edit) – 3:09
  6. "Whatcha Think About That" (Wideboys Club) – 6:30
  7. "Whatcha Think About That" (Wideboys Dub) – 6:34
  8. "Whatcha Think About That" (Album Version) – 3:50

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doll Domination.[35]

Recording
Personnel
  • Ester Dean – songwriter, vocal production
  • Aubry "Big Juice" Delaine – recording
  • Mike "Angry" Eleopoulos – recording
  • Missy Elliott – songwriter
  • Eric Florence – tuba
  • Ron Fair – vocal production, string arrangement and conduct
  • Mickaël Furnon – songwriter
  • Tal Herzberg – recording, Pro Tools
  • Jamal Jones – songwriter, producer
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing
  • Johnathan Merritt – assistant recording
  • Bryan Morton – assistant recording
  • Dave Pensado – mixing
  • Jason Perry – keyboards
  • Lissy Rosemond – banjo
  • Tony Terrebonne – recording
  • Matt Wheeler – recording
  • Andrew Wuepper – mixing

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2008-09) Peak
position
scope="row" Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[36] 66
scope="row"Ireland (IRMA)[37] 12
scope="row"Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[38] 64
scope="row"UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[39] 9
scope="row" US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[40] 8

Year-end charts

Chart (2009) Position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[41] 104

Radio add and release history

Region Date Format Label
United States September 9, 2008 Top 40,[42] digital download[31] Interscope
Canada Digital download[32]
United Kingdom October 21, 2008[33] EP Polydor
February 23, 2009[43] CD single

References

  1. ↑ Maura (September 22, 2008). "'Her Name Is Nicole' Exists, Sort Of". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ Doll Domination (poster). The Pussycat Dolls. Interscope Records. 2009.
  3. ↑ "New Music: Pussycat Dolls f/ Missy Elliott – 'Whatcha Think About That'". Rap-Up. August 29, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Whatcha Think About That: The Pussycat Dolls: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-08-28.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Levine, Nick (2008-08-29). "Another new Pussycat Dolls single". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Fletcher, Alex (February 10, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls: 'Whatcha Think About That'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ Richardson, Jordan (September 21, 2008). "Music Review: Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination". Blogcritics. Technorati, Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  8. ↑ Maura (October 7, 2008). "Missy Elliott Makes Me Sad". Idolator. (Buzzmedia). Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Cinquemani, Sal (September 22, 2008). "Pussycat Dolls: Doll Domination". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Lutas, Vicki (February 19, 2009). "BBC – Chart Blog: Pussycat Dolls – 'Whatcha Think About That'". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  11. 1 2 Staff Reporter (October 28, 2008). "CD – Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination". Samesame.com.au. Sound Alliance. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  12. ↑ Pareles, Jon (September 21, 2008). "Critics' Choice – New Releases From the Pussycat Dolls, DJ Khaled, Kings of Leon and Volcano!". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  13. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (2008-10-16). "Pussycat Dolls Say Missy Elliott Takes Their New Single 'To A Whole Other Level'". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
  14. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls: Doll Domination". The Times. September 13, 2008. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls: Doll Domination". The Washington Post. September 2, 2008. Archived from the original on September 3, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  16. ↑ Oliver, Nick. "Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination | album reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  17. ↑ http://entertainment.ie/album-review/Pussycat-Dolls-Doll-Domination/5891.htm
  18. ↑ http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/09/23/pussycat-dolls-doll-domination-review
  19. ↑ "Chart Search: The Pussycat Dolls". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  20. ↑ Masterton, James (2009-02-02). "Week Ending February 7th 2009". Yahoo! Music UK. (Yahoo! Inc). Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  21. ↑ "Archive Chart – 7th March 2009". The Official Charts Company. 2009-03-07. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  22. ↑ "Ireland Singles Top 50". Irish Recorded Music Association. 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  23. ↑ "Whatcha Think About That – The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Reporter, Daily Mail (2009-01-28). "Nicole Scherzinger and her Pussycat Dolls go back to their roots in racy, burlesque-themed video". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  25. ↑ "Rap-Up TV – Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  26. ↑ Mendoza, Nadia (2008-09-29). "Raunchy Dolls sizzle in video". The Sun. News International. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  27. ↑ "Video: Pussycat Dolls f/ Missy Elliott – 'Whatcha Think About That'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  28. ↑ Pop Cultured (2008-10-28). "New Video: Pussycat Dolls (Featuring Missy Elliott), 'Whatcha Think About That?'". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  29. 1 2 "Video: T.I. on 'Tyra,' Brandy on 'TRL,' PCD & Missy on 'DWTS". Rap-Up.com (Rap-Up). 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2011-09-02.
  30. ↑ "Review of the week: Pussycat Dolls". Irish Independent. February 6, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  31. 1 2 "Whatcha Think About That (Remixes) feat. Missy Elliott – Single by The Pussycat Dolls". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  32. 1 2 "Whatcha Think About That (Remixes) feat. Missy Elliott – Single by The Pussycat Dolls". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  33. 1 2 "Whatcha Think About That – EP by The Pussycat Dolls – Download Whatcha Think About That". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  34. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls, The Feat. Missy Elliott – Whatcha Think About That (Remixes) (CDr, Promo)". Discogs. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  35. ↑ Doll Domination (Media notes). The Pussycat Dolls. Interscope Records.
  36. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 7, 2009". Irish Singles Chart.
  38. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200911 into search.
  39. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2009-03-07" UK Singles Chart.
  40. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls – Chart history" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for The Pussycat Dolls. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Year End Charts 2009" (PDF). Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  42. ↑ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: CHR/Top 40". Radio & Records. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  43. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls – Whatcha Think About That (Single) – CD". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
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