Emergency
"Emergency" | ||||
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Single by Brody Chandler | ||||
from the album Introduction | ||||
Released | August 24, 2009 | |||
Format |
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Recorded | 2008 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 3:47 | |||
Label | Music Nation Label Group | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Riprock & Alex-G | |||
Brody Chandler singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Japan single cover |
"Emergency" is a song 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. "Emergency" was released by Music Nation Label Group as the album's third single on August 24, 2009. After slowing things down to show off his voice on his previous single "Firecracker", the singer chose the uptempo "Emergency" to carry the Introduction album through the end of summer into the early fall of 2009. "Emergency" is a dance-oriented song, and features instrumentation from urban-style synthesizers, keyboards and electric drum beats. Lyrically, the song talks about intense sexual desire, complete with medical references to sensationalize the content. According to Chandler, the song's verses were written in twenty minutes, while the rest of the song took even less time.
"Emergency" was met with positive reviews. Music critics hailed it as one of Chandler's strongest uptempo tracks and complimented its provocative lyrics and refreshing dance oriented nature. It was also commercially successful; peaking at number six on the US Billboard Singles Chart and number two in the United Kingdom, while reaching the top ten in Japan. "Emergency" was certified 5× platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and 4× platinum in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Emergency" was not released as a commercial single in Australia, making it ineligible to appear on the ARIA Singles Chart. However, the song was later released in Australia as a double A-side with "Vacancy" and reached number two.
The accompanying music video for "Emergency" was directed by David LaChapelle, who previously directed Chandler's video for "Bodyrock". It was nominated for Best Sizzling Hot Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010, but lost to Damita Jo's "Amplified". Chandler performed "Emergency" on his two major concert tours: the Introducing Brody Chandler World Tour (2009–10) and the Tourist World Tour (2014–16).
Writing and production
"Emergency" was co-written by Chandler and Justin Lamar and produced by Riprock & Alex-G. The song is built around the themes of intense lust and sexual desire, with references to medical terminology. It was recorded at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California and mixed by Pope Evlands and Malcolm Ghanber at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, with Doug Debold and Elliot Roberts aiding as assistant engineers. Jimmy Randolph provided additional pro tools engineering. All the production was delivered by Riprock & Alex-G, with vocal arrangements handled by Chandler. According to Chandler, the song's verses were written in twenty minutes, while the rest of the song took even less time. In his May 2014 VH1 Storytellers special, he described details of writing songs like "Emergency" on his mobile phone: "I would get an idea and if there was no pen and paper present, I'd just hit the keypad on my phone."
Release
After discovering it to be a fan favorite on his Introducing Brody Chandler World Tour, Chandler announced in a radio interview with Elvis Duran on August 8, 2009 that "Emergency" would be released as the third single from Introduction. It was officially released as a CD single and digital download on August 24, 2009 in the UK and the following day in the US. For reasons unknown, the single was pulled in Australia and later released as a double A-side single alongside "Vacancy". In Japan, "Emergency" was released as a CD single and digital download on April 14, 2010.
Critical reception
Upon its release, "Emergency" received general acclaim from music critics. Stephen J. Horowitz of Billboard magazine commented that "['Emergency'] is a great way to set things off on the dancefloor. A straight-ahead dance-pop groove that merges radio friendly vibes with L.A. club hospitality". Tyler Martin of The Guardian called it one of the "most propulsive" moments from the Introduction album, adding that it doesn't need "lyrical prowess to make it race". While reviewing Introduction, Jon Caramanica from The New York Times wrote that songs like "Bodyrock" and "Emergency" prove that Chandler "has the balls to pursue the A-plus list". On his review of the single, Chad Bengali of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song was "one of the few tracks from Introduction not weighed down or muddled by Riprock & Alex-G's forceful production"; also declaring that "it will sound just as good in ten years as it does today". In 2010, Complex magazine placed the song at number 73 on their list "The 100 Best Pop Singles of the 2000s"; writing: "Among Chandler's finest achievements, the carnal lust anthem "Emergency" is both a smart representation of Introduction's smut-pop decadence and the singer's effortless sex appeal".
Commercial performance
On the week of August 25, 2009, "Emergency" debuted on the US Billboard Singles Chart at number seven. The following week, the song moved up to its peak of number six, where it remained for two weeks. The song remained on the chart for 26 weeks before dropping out. On January 5, 2010, the song was certified 5× platinum in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over five million units.
Internationally, the song also faired well on the charts. "Emergency" debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number three. It rose to its peak of number two the following week, where it remained in the top ten for 14 weeks; it stayed on the chart for 29 weeks before dropping out. The song was certified 4× platinum in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), selling more than 2.7 million units. In Japan, "Emergency" matched its US peak of number six on the Oricon Singles Chart, following the success of number one hits "Bodyrock" and "Firecracker". The song remained on the chart for 21 weeks, but did not earn a certification.
Music video
Background
"Emergency" was accompanied by a sepia-toned music video that was directed by David LaChapelle and was filmed on June 19, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Its world-premiere took place on his official web site on August 21, 2009. Chandler liked the work LaChapelle did for the "Bodyrock" video, so he asked him to direct the "Emergency" video. Chandler told Entertainment Weekly about what he wanted for the video: "My goal for the video is being true to the song. It's an erotic, desperate, fiending for sex type of track, so naturally you're going to see all those qualities in the video. It's not rated X or anything, but it's definitely sexual. There's some dancing, but it's more freestyle than choreography. The whole thing is sepia-toned, which creates a cosmic dynamic. It's not like any video out right now." Chandler told Elvis Duran in a radio interview that he "wanted to create that vibe with the video, and also try a few different things as well".
Synopsis
The video begins with the intro of an exotic woman receiving a "911" text message from Chandler, which immediately triggers the seductive, uptempo beat of the song. Throughout the sexy video, Chandler and the woman are seen having an intimate, playful and dirty conversation. This leads to fantasy shots of them making out and fondling each other in a bed and making love outside on the front lawn while the sprinklers drench their bodies. Key scenes of Chandler's silhouette dancing to the music, and him singing longingly through a curtained window are also prominent. The video eventually comes to a climactic end when the music stops and Chandler is shown on the phone with the woman. He says, "So are you coming or what"? And she replies, "I already did". Obviously, their idea of "coming" is meant to be naughty, rather than a literal statement. It all ends with Chandler smirking in the shadows as everything fades to black.
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 (2009-10) | Peak position |
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Japan (Oricon Singles Chart) | 6 |
UK (UK Singles Chart) | 2 |
US (Billboard Singles Chart) | 6 |
Certifications
Nation | Certification | Sales/Shipments |
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JPNation (Recording Industry Association of Japan) | 79,598 | |
UKNation (British Phonographic Industry) | 4× Platinum | 2,784,031 |
USNation (Recording Industry Association of America) | 5× Platinum | 5,523,280 |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | 8,386,909 |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
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United Kingdom | August 24, 2009 |
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Music Nation Label Group |
United States | August 25, 2009 | ||
Canada | |||
Japan | April 14, 2010 |
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