Bodyrock
| "Bodyrock" | ||||
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| Single by Brody Chandler | ||||
| from the album Introduction | ||||
| Released | January 5, 2009 | |||
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| Recorded | 2008 | |||
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| Length | 4:06 | |||
| Label | Music Nation Label Group | |||
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| Producer(s) | Riprock & Alex-G | |||
| Brody Chandler singles chronology | ||||
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| Alternate cover | ||||
.png) Japan single cover | ||||
"Bodyrock" is the debut single recorded by American singer Brody Chandler for his debut studio album Introduction (2009). It was co-written by Chandler and Justin Lamar, and produced by Riprock & Alex-G. "Bodyrock" was released as the album's lead single on January 5, 2009, by Music Nation Label Group. According to Chandler, the song is "an erotic tale about leaving behind your inhibitions and exploring your carnal desires in public". Its chorus depicts a couple exploring sex acts in a club-filled crowd, detailing vivid imagery to indicate sexual climax. The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised its production and provocative lyrics for being a refreshing alternative to the cookie cutter pop songs on radio at the time.
"Bodyrock" became a staggering nationwide success; it was one of the best-selling singles of 2009. The song peaked at number one in all four active nations: the US, UK, Australia and Japan. It was certified seven-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The black and white music video for "Bodyrock" was heavily rotated on video networks such as MTV, which Billboard magazine noted as "seemingly every other half hour". The song was performed during Chandler's headlining Super Bowl XLIII halftime show and as part of a medley at the very first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony in Hollywood, on September 5, 2009, where the video was awarded Best Male Video. The song and corresponding music video helped propel Introduction to the status of being one of the best-selling albums of all time, in addition to laying the groundwork for Chandler to become a nationwide pop icon.
Writing and recording
MTV News reported in the fall of 2008 that Joey "Riprock" Delphino and Alex "Alex-G" Goldstein (known collectively as Riprock & Alex-G) were working on tracks for Introduction. Over a six week period, Chandler developed a close friendship with the production duo, with whom he set out to achieve adult pop appeal, while also creating a strong foundation within the young audience. Riprock said: "By the time we all got into the studio, we were all best friends." Alex-G revealed that Chandler used very unorthodox methods during recording sessions, with Chandler working on the music and melodies with the production duo in one studio before recording his vocals in another studio by himself. "It's an interesting way to work because we don't know what he's going to come up with until he brings the vocals to us so we can mix it all together," Alex-G said. The production duo commented that despite the untreaded waters of a new industry, they felt confident that they'd be able to give Chandler "some interesting, relevant songs that make sense for the generation that's listening to music today".
"Bodyrock" was one of the first songs they recorded together for Introduction. The song was written by Chandler and Justin Lamar, while the production was done by Riprock & Alex-G. "Bodyrock" was recorded at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, with Doug Debold and Craig Willoughby serving as assistant engineers. Kevyn Estefan and Don Pensando mixed the song, while Jimmy Randolph provided the additional pro tools engineering. The song's vocal arrangement was provided by Chandler.
Release
"Bodyrock" was chosen as Chandler's debut single and the lead single from Introduction. According to Chandler, there was "never any question" in his mind whether or not the song would be released as his debut single. Of the song, Chandler said: "It's a direction no one else is exploring; very bold and matter-of-fact on the topic of sex and passion. Being a new artist, this is the first impression I'm making, so why not set the tone for a new style and sound while I'm in the process of showing people who I am?"
On January 5, 2009, a CD single was released in the United Kingdom containing the radio edit of the song, a radio remix and two club extended mixes. A similar but not equal version of the single was released in the United States and Canada on January 6, 2009. In Australia, the radio edit of "Bodyrock", two remixes and an acoustic version of the song was physically released on January 10, 2009. In Japan, the song was released in as a regular CD single and CD maxi single on November 11, 2009. It was also released in all nations as a standalone digital single.
Critical reception
The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Entertainment Weekly's Craig Seymour wrote, "Over a digitized Riprock & Alex-G-produced track dashed with thumping bass, sweat-dripping synths and electronic bleeps... [Brody proves that] he is a fine display of where pop music is going." In his review of the album Introduction for Rolling Stone, Ken Tucker wrote, "In 'Bodyrock', a spicy rhythm on hard dancefloor beats shares the space with a futuristic keyboard line and Chandler's breathy, studied tenor; it's completely influenced by Prince. But a chatty, harmony-and-hook-filled chorus sets it off, thus pleasing preteen girls and dance junkies alike."
Denise Boyd, writing for BBC Music, said that the song was a "sure bet for success" with hungry newcomers Riprock & Alex-G producing the song and that "Chandler's vocal arrangement has given this offering a distinctive edge and it kicks off 2009 with the best of musical intentions." Slant magazine called it a "well-oiled production" and "the electronic synthesizers of 'Bodyrock' aim to be duplicated as inspiration for future pop songs in the dance genre."
Chart performance
"Bodyrock" debuted on the US Billboard Singles Chart at number two, where it remained for two consecutive weeks. The next week it climbed up to the number one spot and stayed on the chart for total of 24 weeks. The song was certified seven-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of more than seven million units. In Australia, it was the first song to enter the ARIA Singles Chart, where it debuted and peaked at number one. The song stayed on the chart for 28 weeks and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of more than 70,000 units. Likewise in the United Kingdom, it was the first song to enter the UK Singles Chart, where it debuted and peaked at number one. The song stayed on the chart for 24 weeks and was certified four-times platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales of more than 2.4 million units. In Japan, "Bodyrock" marked another milestone, becoming the first song to top the Oricon Singles Chart. It stayed on the chart for total of 15 weeks, with its last appearance being on March 17, 2010, at number 10. The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for sales of more than 100,000 units.
Music video
The music video was directed by David LaChapelle. The video begins with Brody Chandler and an all male entourage, casually strolling into a cabana pool bar filled with bikini clad women and a midst of diverse characters. Chandler begins singing the song, just as he is getting comfortable being the center of attention. While making his way into the hotel, women throw themselves at him, somewhat competing for his affections. Choreographed dance sequences are displayed between scenes of Chandler interacting with the ladies. The black and white music video for "Bodyrock" was heavily rotated on video networks such as MTV, which Billboard magazine noted as "seemingly every other half hour". The video received immediate positive reviews from mainstream critics and fans alike, and was awarded the honor of Best Male Video at the very first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony held in Hollywood, California on September 5, 2009. The video was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as the 6th best video of 2009. The video was also Chandler's first and last to feature choreography involving synchronized dancers, something he would later regret. "That's not something I ever really wanted to do in my career," he told MTV News in 2011. "I don't want anymore choreographers, I just want to move how I move!"
Live performances
In 2009, Chandler performed "Bodyrock" on a plethora of morning, daytime and late-night talk shows in the US to promote his debut album, Introduction, such as Good Morning America, The Tyra Banks Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chelsea Lately and Total Request Live. His biggest and most memorable performance of the song would take place during his headlining Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009. Chandler also sang the song as part of a medley at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Internationally, Chandler performed "Bodyrock" on the UK's T4, The Paul O'Grady Show and CD:UK. He performed the song on Australian Idol and Rove in Australia, and on Hey Hey Hey in Japan. In May 2014, Chandler performed "Bodyrock", while also explaining how it was created, during his VH1 Storytellers special.
"Bodyrock" was featured on both of Chandler's world tours, the Introducing Brody Chandler World Tour (2009–2010) and the Tourist World Tour (2014–2016).
Track listings
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Credits and personnel
- Recording and mixing
- Recorded and mixed at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank.
- Personnel
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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Introduction, Music Nation Label Group.
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA Singles Chart) | 1 |
| Japan (Oricon Singles Chart) | 1 |
| UK (UK Singles Chart) | 1 |
| US (Billboard Singles Chart) | 1 |
Certifications
| Nation | Certification | Sales/Shipments |
|---|---|---|
| AUNation (Australian Recording Industry Association) | Platinum | 108,858 |
| JPNation (Recording Industry Association of Japan) | Gold | 193,669 |
| UKNation (British Phonographic Industry) | 4× Platinum | 2,404,644 |
| USNation (Recording Industry Association of America) | 7× Platinum | 7,668,718 |
| Summaries | ||
| Worldwide | 10,375,889 | |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | January 5, 2009 |
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Music Nation Label Group |
| United States | January 6, 2009 | ||
| Canada | |||
| Australia | January 10, 2009 | ||
| Japan | November 11, 2009 |
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