Around the World (Daft Punk song) explained

Around the World
Cover:Aroundtheworld DaftPunk.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Daft Punk
Album:Homework
Genre:
Length:
  • (album version)
  • (radio edit)
Label:Virgin
Producer:Daft Punk
Prev Title:Indo Silver Club
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:Burnin'
Next Year:1997

"Around the World" is a song by French electronic music duo Daft Punk. It was written by the duo and released in April 1997 by Virgin as the second single from their debut studio album, Homework (1997). The song became a major club hit globally and reached number one on the dance charts in Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It also peaked at number one in Iceland and Italy. The song's lyrics solely consist of the words "around the world", repeated on loop for a total of 144 times. The music video was directed by Michel Gondry and choreographed by Blanca Li. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 21 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[2]

Composition

The key hook is a steady bassline and a robotic voice singing "around the world" in continuous chains. Daft Punk recalled that the song "was like making a Chic record with a talk box and just playing the bass on the synthesizer".[3] The phrase occurs 144 times in the album version and 80 times in the radio edit. It is composed in the key of E minor and a tempo of 121.3 BPM.

Upon analysis of the song, Michel Gondry noted its distinctive structure: "I realized how genius and simple the music was. Only five different instruments, with very few patterns, each to create numerous possibilities of figures. Always using the repetition, and stopping just before it's too much." He also noted the similarity between the bassline of "Around the World" and that of the Chic song "Good Times".[4] In 2017, computer scientist Colin Morris analyzed 15,000 Billboard Hot 100 hits for repetitiveness, based on compression algorithms. "Around the World" was found to be the most repetitive of the songs analyzed.[5]

A cover version of "Around the World" was released in 2006 as "Around the World Again" by Nicky Van She and Dangerous Dan.[6] A remix of the will.i.am song "I Got It from My Mama" included a sample from "Around the World". Daft Punk did not approve use of the sample, however, and as such subsequently refused will.i.am permission to release the remix. A music video was produced with the sample included, however.[7] A song titled "Around the World" was released by rapper P.M. that contains a sample of "Around the World". Señor Coconut released a cover of "Around the World" on his 2008 album, Atom™ presents: Around the World with Señor Coconut and his Orchestra.

"Around the World" was featured in one episode of first season of MTV animated series Daria. It was also used in the video games Dance Central 3, NBA 2K13 and the trailers for Ubisoft E3 2007 Rayman Raving Rabbids 2.

Critical reception

In a retrospective review, Rayna Khaitan from Albumism noted "all its axon-activating joy". She added further, "Indulgently repetitious, echoing the phrase “around the world” precisely 144 times like some soothing vocoded mantra, the song rallies the collective as together we teetered toward the turn of the millennium."[8] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that with this "tasty slice of disco/funk, dynamic electronica outfit Daft Punk looks well positioned to build upon the momentum generated by its recent breakthrough hit, 'Da Funk. He noted that the group "does an exemplary job of communicating a hum-along chorus without the aid of a vocalist, opting instead for a stream of caustic key-boards and blippy sound effects".[9] Another American music magazine, Blender put "Around the World" at 172nd place on their list of "500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" in 2007. They wrote, A writer from Complex stated that "its simplicity made it one of the most catchy", and also noted the "unforgettable" music video, "with all kinds of creatures frolicking around a colorful stage."[10] Andy Beevers from Music Weeks RM rated "Around the World" five out of five, picking it as Tune of the Week. He added that it "brings together the punchiest of boogie basslines, trademark crunchy beats, chirpy synths and the vocodored up title line that is repeated ad nauseum [sic] just in case you should forget which tune you're listening to."[11]

Tomorrowland included "Around the World" in their official list of "The Ibiza 500" in 2020.[12]

Accolades

YearPublisherCountryAccoladeRank
2005BlenderUnited States"500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born"172
2007TreblezineUnited States"Top 100 Singles of the '90s"[13] 37
2011MTV DanceUnited Kingdom"The 100 Biggest 90's Dance Anthems of All Time"[14] 7
2011NMEUnited Kingdom"150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years"21
2012NMEUnited Kingdom"100 Best Songs of the 1990s"[15] 37
2012PorcysPoland"100 Singli 1990-1999"[16] 11
2013ComplexUnited States"The 15 Best Songs from the Electronica Era"
2013MaxAustralia"1000 Greatest Songs of All Time"[17] 365
2013VibeUnited States"Before EDM: 30 Dance Tracks from the '90s That Changed the Game"[18] 1
2015Robert DimeryUnited States"1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and 10,001 You Must Download (2015 Update)"[19]
2017BuzzFeedUnited States"The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s"[20] 29
2018MaxAustralia"1000 Greatest Songs of All Time"[21] 517
2022PitchforkUnited States"The 30 Best House Tracks of the ’90s"[22]
2022PitchforkUnited States"The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s"[23] 11
2024EsquireUnited States"The 50 Best Songs of the '90s"[24] 5
(*) indicates the list is unordered.

Music video

Michel Gondry's music video for the song features five groups of characters on a platform representing a vinyl record: four robots walking around in a circle; four tall athletes (as described by Gondry)[4] wearing tracksuits with small prosthetic heads walking up and down stairs; four women dressed like synchronized swimmers (described by Gondry as "disco girls")[4] moving up and down another set of stairs; four skeletons dancing in the center of the platform; and four mummies dancing in time with the song's drum pattern.

This is meant to be a visual representation of the song; each group of characters represents a different instrument. According to Gondry's notes,[4] the robots represent the singing voice; the physicality and small-minded rapidity of the athletes symbolizes the ascending/descending bass guitar; the femininity of the disco girls represents the high-pitched keyboard; the skeletons dance to the guitar line; and the mummies represent the drum machine.

"Around the World" was Gondry's first attempt at bringing organized dancing to his music videos. "I was sick to see choreography being mistreated in videos like filler with fast cutting and fast editing, really shallow. I don't think choreography should be shot in close-ups."[25] The sequence, initially developed by Gondry, was further expanded and streamlined by choreographer Blanca Li. Costumes for the video were designed by Florence Fontaine, the mother of Gondry's son. The flashing lights were operated by the director's brother, Olivier "Twist" Gondry. As Michel Gondry stated, "It all came down to a family affair."[4]

Elements of the music video appear in the video for the LCD Soundsystem song "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House". The overall design has also been replicated for the Freemasons' "Rain Down Love" video.

Charts

Original version

Weekly charts

Chart (1997)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[26] 5
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[27] 1
Italy (FIMI)[28] 1

Alive 2007 version

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)Position
Australia (ARIA)[29] 70
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[30] 85
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[31] 55
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[32] 23
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[33] 48
France (SNEP)[34] 40
Germany (Official German Charts)[35] 88
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[36] 15
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[37] 19

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
Netherlands7 April 1997CDVirgin
United Kingdom14 April 1997[38]
United States12 August 1997Rhythmic contemporary radio[39]
18 August 1997Alternative radio[40]
14 October 1997Contemporary hit radio[41]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pitchfork Staff . The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s . . September 28, 2022 . The singles are among the most potent dance music gateway drugs we’ve got: One moment you’re digging “Around the World” [with its] hooky persistence and “Da Funk”... . April 26, 2023 . 29 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929015953/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-albums-of-the-1990s/ . live .
  2. Web site: 150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120118103153/http://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/13 . 18 January 2012 . 28 January 2012 . NME.
  3. Torres. Andre. April 2013. Quantum Leap. Wax Poetics. 12 November 2021. 2 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102120302/https://www.waxpoetics.com/article/daft-punk-go-from-sampling-disco-records-to-creating-a-dance-masterpiece/. live.
  4. The Work of Director Michel Gondry companion book (2003)
  5. Colin Morris, Are Pop Lyrics Getting More Repetitive?, ThePudding
  6. . Retrieved on August 30, 2007.
  7. https://web.archive.org/web/20071002200025/http://www.thedailyswarm.com/swarm/daft-punk-william-not-my-momma/ Daft Punk to Will.i.am: Not from my Momma
  8. Web site: Daft Punk's Debut Album 'Homework' Turns 25 — Anniversary Retrospective. 18 January 2022. Rayna. Khaitan. Albumism. 3 February 2022. 18 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220118150018/https://www.albumism.com/features/daft-punk-debut-album-homework-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective. live.
  9. Larry. Flick. Single Reviews. Billboard. 2 August 1997. 6 February 2020. 79. 3 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240603114946/https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1997/Billboard-1997-08-02.pdf. live.
  10. 5 August 2013 . The 15 Best Songs From the Electronica Era . . 8 April 2020 . 7 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150407214739/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/the-15-best-songs-from-the-electronica-era/daft-punk-around-the-world . live .
  11. Andy. Beevers. Hot Vinyl. Music Week, in RM. 12 April 1997. 6. 16 May 2022. 7 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607225157/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-04-12.pdf. live.
  12. Web site: 2020. Tomorrowland Ibiza Top 500 (2020). Spotify. 5 May 2022. 26 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220426124008/https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RrALk1ve62YYLcyrForW0. live.
  13. Web site: Treble's Top 100 Singles of the '90s. Treblezine. 30 July 2007. 1 April 2020. 16 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116061557/https://www.treblezine.com/trebles-top-100-singles-of-the-90s/7/. live.
  14. [MTV Dance]
  15. 100 Best Songs Of The 1990s. NME. 8 May 2012. 2 April 2020. 21 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161021230629/http://www.nme.com/list/100-best-songs-of-the-1990s-1157. live.
  16. Web site: 100 Singli 1990-1999. Porcys. 20 August 2012. pl. 31 March 2020. 9 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211209231403/http://www.porcys.com/ranking/100-singli-1990-1999/9/. live.
  17. Web site: THE TOP 1,000 GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME – 2013 . . 2013 . 26 April 2020 . 1 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190301111911/https://www.maxtv.com.au/max-the-top-1000-greatest-songs-of-all-time . dead .
  18. Web site: Before EDM: 30 Dance Tracks From The '90s That Changed The Game. Vibe. 8 October 2018. 8 October 2018. 9 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181009053013/https://www.vibe.com/2013/07/edm-30-dance-tracks-90s-changed-game/daft-punk_1/. live.
  19. Book: Dimery, Robert . 2010 . 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die . . 978-1-84403-684-4 . 2 May 2020 . 3 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240603115102/https://books.google.com/books?id=UH_EOUR4tmkC&pg=PT2461 . live .
  20. Web site: Matt . Stopera . Brian . Galindo . The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s . . 11 March 2017 . 31 March 2020 . 13 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170313055943/https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump . live .
  21. Web site: MAX's 1000 Greatest Songs Of All Time . . 2018 . 26 April 2020 . 29 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181029031109/https://www.maxtv.com.au/the-2018-results . dead .
  22. Web site: Philip. Sherburne. Ben. Cardew. The 30 Best House Tracks of the '90s. Pitchfork. 13 October 2022. 29 October 2022. 28 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221028232913/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-house-tracks-of-the-90s/. live.
  23. Web site: The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s. Pitchfork. 27 September 2022. 29 October 2022. 27 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220927130919/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-songs-of-the-1990s/. live.
  24. Web site: Abigail. Covington. The 50 Best Songs of the '90s. Esquire. 19 July 2024. 7 August 2024.
  25. http://www.director-file.com/gondry/daft.html "Around the World"
  26. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 23. 17. 7 June 1997. 21 June 2018. 24 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200824181232/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-06-07.pdf. live.
  27. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (08.05.1997 – 14.05.1997). Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 16. 9 May 1997. 5 February 2018. 28 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200728201852/https://timarit.is/page/2954331#page/n1/mode/2up. live.
  28. Web site: History. it. FIMI. 1 June 2022. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142431/https://www.fimi.it/top-of-the-music/history.kl#/history. live. Set "Ricerca per" on "Titolo", then search "Around the World" and click "Classifiche".
  29. Web site: ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 1997. Australian Recording Industry Association. 18 May 2020. 11 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160311125813/https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/1997/singles-chart. live.
  30. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1997. Ultratop. nl. 18 May 2020. 10 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080410215333/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1997. live.
  31. Web site: Rapports Annuels 1997. Ultratop. fr. 18 May 2020. 17 April 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080417014749/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1997. live.
  32. RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 28 May 2020. 3 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200603142321/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.7908&URLjpg=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Fobj%2F028020%2Ff4%2Fnlc008388.7908.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.7908. live.
  33. 1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 52. 7. 27 December 1997. 20 December 2019. 4 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200604143131/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-12-27.pdf. live.
  34. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 1997. SNEP. fr. 3 August 2020. 30 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200630021626/http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1997. live.
  35. Web site: Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997. GfK Entertainment. de. 17 April 2018. 9 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150509002428/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1997. live.
  36. News: Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin. Dagblaðið Vísir. is. 25. 2 January 1998. 3 August 2020. 4 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211204184627/https://timarit.is/page/2963913?iabr=on#page/n15/mode/2up/. live.
  37. The Year in Music 1997: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles. Billboard. 52. 109. YE-44. 27 December 1997.
  38. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 41. 12 April 1997.
  39. New Releases. Radio & Records. 1209. 42. 8 August 1997.
  40. Be on the Lookout. Gavin Report. 2168. 16. 15 August 1997.
  41. New Releases. Radio & Records. 1218. 39. 10 October 1997.