"3 Words" is a song recorded by English singer
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Tweedy (born 30 June 1983) is an English singer and television personality. Born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, she rose to fame in late 2002 upon winning a place in Girls Aloud, a girl group created through ITV's '' Popstar ...
for her 2009 debut
studio album of the same name. It was released in the UK and Ireland on 20 December 2009 by
Fascination Records (
Polydor Records
Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States. ...
) and later in 2010 by
Universal Music
Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as just Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, Netherlands and its ...
, serving as the lead single for ''3 Words'' in other countries. The uptempo
dance-pop song was written by Cole and
George Pajon
George Pajon Jr. (born April 10, 1969) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer.
Early life
George Pajon Jr. "attended private St. Matthias Elementary School, a Catholic K-8 school, in Huntington Park. Growing up in conservative ...
. It was also written and produced by
will.i.am who has guest vocals on the song. "3 Words" was cited by Cole as her favourite song from the album for being different from what people expected.
"3 Words" was praised by contemporary critics, who said it was "a sophisticated love song" and the "standout track" from the album. Its unconventional production abandons the use of "verse-chorus-verse" structure, instead opting for a throbbing buildup to a climax. The accompanying video, directed by
Saam, features the singer in various fashion ensembles often contrasting colour with will.i.am, and paying homage to
Madonna. It also makes use of split screen
cinematography
Cinematography (from ancient Greek κίνημα, ''kìnema'' "movement" and γράφειν, ''gràphein'' "to write") is the art of motion picture (and more recently, electronic video camera) photography.
Cinematographers use a lens to foc ...
and camera effects for the transition of scenes.
The song was promoted on ''
Cheryl Cole's Night In''. The single was less commercially successful compared to its predecessor "
Fight for This Love
"Fight for This Love" is the debut solo single by English singer and Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, recorded for her debut studio album, ''3 Words'' (2009). It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland as the lead single on 2009 by Fascina ...
" but despite not peaking at number one, it went on to become Cole's second consecutive UK top-five and Irish-top ten hit. It was also a top five hit in Australia and has since been certified platinum by the
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a trade association representing the Australian recording industry which was established in the 1970s by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing ...
and silver by the
British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry (BPI) is the British recorded music industry's Trade association. It runs the BRIT Awards, the Classic BRIT Awards, National Album Day, is home to the Mercury Prize, and co-owns the Official Charts Company with ...
.
Composition
"3 Words" is an uptempo
dance-pop song
which features guest vocals from
will.i.am who produced the song as well as, writing the lyrics with Cole and
George Pajon
George Pajon Jr. (born April 10, 1969) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer.
Early life
George Pajon Jr. "attended private St. Matthias Elementary School, a Catholic K-8 school, in Huntington Park. Growing up in conservative ...
. Serving as the opening and title song of Cole's debut album, the song is written in the key of
C minor
C minor is a minor scale based on C, consisting of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature consists of three flats. Its relative major is E major and its parallel major is C major.
The C natural minor scale is:
:
Cha ...
with a
time signature
The time signature (also known as meter signature, metre signature, or measure signature) is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats (pulses) are contained in each measure (bar), and which note va ...
in
common time
The time signature (also known as meter signature, metre signature, or measure signature) is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats (pulses) are contained in each measure (bar), and which note val ...
and a
tempo
In musical terminology, tempo ( Italian, 'time'; plural ''tempos'', or ''tempi'' from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (ofte ...
of 129 beats per minute.
Noticeably missing is the standard use of a "verse-chorus-verse song structure".
The song's backing track consists of a sparse yet complex
chord progression
In a musical composition, a chord progression or harmonic progression (informally chord changes, used as a plural) is a succession of chords. Chord progressions are the foundation of harmony in Western musical tradition from the common practice ...
of
Cm,
Gm,
C and
A major/C.
The production features loops of
acoustic guitar with a piano melody
in the vocal range of
G3 to
B4.
Critics stated that the "sophisticated love song"
is difficult to class by genre because it was "unconventional", something which Cole agreed when she said, "
tstotally different from anything I've done
ith Girls Aloudor liked before".
Some industry critics also noted that "3 Words" was "unlike many things currently
t that time
T, or t, is the twentieth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''tee'' (pronounced ), plural ''tees''. It is der ...
on radio or being released".
Cole said that the song was inspired by her newly acquired love for dance music on the charts, especially
David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta ( , ; born 7 November 1967) is a French DJ and music producer. He has over 10 million album and 65 million single sales globally, with more than 10 billion streams. In 2011, 2020 and 2021, Guetta was voted the number one D ...
&
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During the gr ...
's "
When Love Takes Over
"When Love Takes Over" is a song by French record producer David Guetta with vocals by American singer Kelly Rowland, from Guetta's fourth studio album, '' One Love''. It was released as the lead single from the album on 21 April 2009 by Virgin R ...
".
Critical reception
Cole described it as her favourite song on the album
and music critics generally agreed. Tom Ewing of ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'' called the song Cheryl's "showcase
..built on dark loops of treated acoustic guitar and building into a claustrophobic dance track. It's as brave and novel a song as anything Cole's group have released."
Daniel Wilcox even went as far as to say the song was "far more interesting and innovative than anything her girl group has done in their entire careers."
"3 Words" has been described as "mesmerizing in its listlessness" as well as being "unlike anything Cheryl or Will.I.Am have released" and "to what's currently being played on the radio."
It was labeled a standout track by many reviewers,
with Killian Fox of ''
The Observer
''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. It is a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', whose parent company Guardian Media Group Limited acquired it in 1993. First published in 1791, it is the ...
'' referring to the song as "a slick, sophisticated love song that hints at what this album could have been."
David Balls of
Digital Spy wrote, "Snubbing traditional verse-chorus-verse song structure, and beginning with spare acoustic guitar strums, '3 Words' builds slowly towards a throbbing and infectious, if slightly brief, arms-in-the-air climax
..it's hard to deny that Chez pulls off this less-than-obvious offering with aplomb."
Louise McCudden of Inthenews.co.uk, however, argued that although "her voice sounds pleasant
..the song itself is too long and becomes tedious fairly fast." Vicki Lutas had a mostly negative review for the song saying "at the end of the day it does sound like something you could have made up when you were at school", though she did praise the backing track for being "dark, eerie and cold in a chilling way; in an infectious way". However she pointed out that "the vocal arrangement and the actual vocals themselves do nothing more for the song", and respected that "it's a brave song choice, but hap-hazard vocal line seems to scream... C-R-I-N-G-E.".
Chart performance
In the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, "3 Words" made its official debut on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
at number twenty-six, following strong digital sales from the release of the album, two weeks prior. Then a day before its digital release
and two days before its CD release
the single climbed to number fourteen. Later during the first week of 2010 it would go on to peak at number four, giving Cole her third consecutive top-five UK hit if her feature on will.i.am's "
Heartbreaker" is included. On 14 May 2010 the single was certified silver by the
British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry (BPI) is the British recorded music industry's Trade association. It runs the BRIT Awards, the Classic BRIT Awards, National Album Day, is home to the Mercury Prize, and co-owns the Official Charts Company with ...
(BPI) for shipping 200,000 copies.
[
The single also achieved top ten success in the ]Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern ...
, where it reached number seven becoming her third consecutive top-ten single. Coincidentally, it is the second song featuring Cole's vocals to peak at number seven in Ireland, the first being will.i.am's "Heartbreaker". Internationally the single peaked top five in Hungary, and Australia. In the latter it performed better than any song Cole released with Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were an pop girl group that was created through the ITV talent show '' Popstars: The Rivals'' in 2002. The group comprised singers Cheryl, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. The group achieved a str ...
beating the previous best entry "Jump
Jumping is a form of locomotion or movement in which an organism or non-living (e.g., robotic) mechanical system propels itself through the air along a ballistic trajectory.
Jump or Jumping also may refer to:
Places
* Jump, Kentucky or Jump S ...
" by eighteen places. "3 Words" is the only song from Cole's debut album to peak within the top fifty of the Australian Singles Chart and was subsequently certified 2× platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a trade association representing the Australian recording industry which was established in the 1970s by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing ...
(ARIA) for shipping 140,000 equivalent units.[ Additionally it peaked at top-ten in Italy.]
The song debuted at 14 on the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. It later rose to number 12, staying in the charts for 12 weeks.
Music video
Background and concept
Cole filmed two music videos for "3 Words". The first music video was a viral version directed by Vincent Haycock, in the week beginning 19 October 2009 "on the only rainy night in Los Angeles in six months." The second version was the official "split screener", directed by Saam, that premiered on 27 November 2009. The video was described as being distinctly different from that of previous single "Fight for This Love
"Fight for This Love" is the debut solo single by English singer and Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, recorded for her debut studio album, ''3 Words'' (2009). It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland as the lead single on 2009 by Fascina ...
", drawing comparisons to Madonna and Lady Gaga.
Synopsis
The video begins with Cole sitting alongside will.i.am, wearing a "Lady Gaga
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...
-inspired platinum blonde wig" and a lace veil. In the third scene she is depicted as an "Egyptian goddess". Each scene incorporates "dance shots interspersed with sequences in which the focus falls on the two stars alone, seemingly searching each other, as it were ... experimenting more with her looks and even taking a chance with Lady Gaga-esque outfits for her dancers, including veils that cover their faces and black leotards." It is shot with a split screen with motion control cameras, meaning Cole and will.i.am do not come into physical contact.
Reception
The video received mixed to positive reviews from critics who praised Cole's sense of fashion but cited that the video was unoriginal. Elena Gorgan of Softpedia said "even with all this, she hardly manages to create a strong impression ... the video fails to break any visual ground, albeit standing on its own as a stylish video." Lisa McGarry of 'Unreality TV' said the platinum wig was "strange" She also said "if it doesn’t look great, at least it looks shocking." Meanwhile, David Balls of 'Digital Spy' said " nthis glitzy split-screen affair, Cheryl looks effortlessly classy and glam as she transforms into an Egyptian goddess and – with more success than a certain Mrs. B (Mel B) back in 2001 Feels_so_Good".html" ;"title="Feels So Good (Melanie B song)">Feels so Good"">Feels So Good (Melanie B song)">Feels so Good"– shows how to wear a blonde wig without looking like you're on a dirty weekend in the Toon. Perfectly complementing the song itself, this super-glossy clip also suggests that Cole has a firm eye on global stardom over the next year." ''Fame'' magazine called the video "a little edgier than anything Girls Aloud have done".
Live performances
The song received its worldwide radio premiere on 13 October 2009 on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, ...
's ''The Chris Moyles Show
''The Chris Moyles Show'' is the title given to two differing versions of a radio programme hosted by Chris Moyles, originally broadcast as Radio 1 Breakfast from 5 January 2004 to 14 September 2012 before transferring three years later on 21 ...
''. Cole performed the song as part of a four-song set at 'BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, ...
'' Big Weekend'' as well as performing at the 'De Grisogono
De Grisogono is a Swiss luxury jeweller founded in Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the mos ...
jewellery dinner party' at the Eden Rock Hotel in Cap d'Antibes during the Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...
.
Track listing
*Digital download
#"3 Words" (Radio edit) – 4:04
*CD single
#"3 Words" – 4:04
#"Boys" (Emeli Sandé
Adele Emily Sandé, ( ; born 10 March 1987), known professionally as Emeli Sandé, is a Scottish singer and songwriter. Born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, and raised in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, by an English mother and a Zambian father ...
, James Murray, Mustafa Omer, Shahid Khan) – 3:41
*Remix EP
#"3 Words" (Steve Angello Radio Re-Production) – 3:59
#"3 Words" (Doman & Gooding I Love You Edit) – 3:36
#"3 Words" (Geeneus-Rinse FM Radio Dub Edit) – 3:33
*Digital EP 1
#"3 Words" (Album version) – 4:33
#"3 Words" (Steve Angello Radio Re-Production) – 4:00
#"3 Words" (Doman & Gooding I Love You Edit) – 3:38
#"3 Words" (Geeneus-Rinse FM Radio Dub Edit) – 3:33
*Digital EP 2
#"3 Words" (Radio edit) – 4:04
#"3 Words" (Steve Angello Extended Re-Production) – 5:42
#"3 Words" (Doman & Gooding I Love You Remix) – 6:27
#"3 Words" (Geeneus-Rinse FM Main Mix) – 6:02
Credits and personnel
"3 Words" was recorded at Record Plant Studios
The Record Plant is a recording studio established in New York City in 1968 and currently operating in Los Angeles, California. Known for innovations in the recording artists' workspace, it has produced highly influential albums, including Blon ...
, Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
(CA).
* will.i.am – producer
*George Pajon
George Pajon Jr. (born April 10, 1969) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer.
Early life
George Pajon Jr. "attended private St. Matthias Elementary School, a Catholic K-8 school, in Huntington Park. Growing up in conservative ...
– guitar
*will.i.am – drums, synthesizer, bass
*Padriac "Padlock" Kerin, will.i.am – engineer
*Padriac "Padlock" Kerin – recording
*Dylan Dresdow, will.i.am – mixing
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:3 Words (Song)
2009 singles
Cheryl (singer) songs
Will.i.am songs
Dance-pop songs
Male–female vocal duets
Song recordings produced by will.i.am
Songs written by will.i.am
2009 songs
Fascination Records singles
Songs written by George Pajon
Songs written by Cheryl (singer)