Car Wash (song) explained

Car Wash
Cover:Car Wash by Rose Royce US vinyl single.jpg
Caption:A-side label of US 7-inch vinyl single
Type:single
Artist:Rose Royce
Album:Car Wash: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-Side:Water
Released:September 1976
Genre:
  • Disco
  • funk
Length:
  • 5:06 (album version)
  • 3:18 (single version)
Label:MCA
Producer:Norman Whitfield
Next Title:I Wanna Get Next to You
Next Year:1977

"Car Wash" is a song by the American soul and R&B band Rose Royce. Written and arranged by the ex-Motown producer Norman Whitfield,[1] the song was the group's first single and one of the most notable successes of the 1970s disco era. "Car Wash", the theme of the 1976 film Car Wash, was Rose Royce's most successful single and the lead single from their first studio album, the Car Wash soundtrack. Reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts, "Car Wash" also peaked at number three on the National Disco Action Top 30 chart and reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart in February 1977. The song was covered in 2004 by Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott, who released their version as the single for the Shark Tale soundtrack.

Background

The former Motown Records producer Norman Whitfield had been commissioned to record the soundtrack album for Car Wash by the director Michael Schultz. Although Whitfield did not want the project, he decided to do so, both for financial incentives as well as the chance to give Rose Royce, a disco/funk backing band that Whitfield signed to his own label in 1975, the exposure they needed to become mainstream. Unable to develop a theme song for the film, inspiration finally struck Whitfield while watching a game of basketball, and he wrote his first draft of "Car Wash" on a paper bag from a fried chicken eatery.[1] [2]

The resulting song set the mood and tone for the comedy film it was commissioned for Rose Royce's lead singer Rose Norwalt (Gwen Dickey). It describes a fun and easy-going car washing business, where everything is "always cool/and the boss don't mind sometimes if you act a fool".

The Car Wash soundtrack, a double album, was Rose Royce's first album, and the title track was their first single. "Car Wash" sold 2 million copies and was a number one success on both the Billboard popular and R&B charts in the United States and a top ten success in the United Kingdom. The song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week, from January 23 to 29, 1977, replacing "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder and replaced by "Torn Between Two Lovers" by Mary MacGregor. The Car Wash soundtrack album, entirely recorded by Rose Royce and Whitfield, spawned two more successful singles, "I Wanna Get Next to You" and "I'm Going Down" (covered in 1994 by Mary J. Blige).

The Car Wash soundtrack won a 1977 Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album.[3]

In 1978 the song was featured in the Tamil movie Sigappu Rojakkal.

In 1988, the song was re-released as a double A-side single with "Is It Love You're After?" in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 20.

Track listings

  1. "Car Wash" – 3:18
  2. "Water" – 3:31

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1976–1977)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50)[6] 9
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8] 23
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 20
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 1
US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)[12] 1
US National Disco Action Top 30 (Billboard)[13] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1977)Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report)[14] 48
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[15] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 26

Car Wash '98

Car Wash '98
Type:single
Artist:Rose Royce featuring Gwen Dickey
Released:October 30, 1998
Length:6:45
Label:MCA
Producer:The Monday Night Club
Prev Title:Perfect Lover
Prev Year:1998

In 1998, "Car Wash" was remixed and interpreted in a duet with Gwen Dickey. Officially titled "Car Wash '98", the release also carries the alternative title "Car Wash '98 (The Monday Nightclub Mixes)", as the group Monday Nightclub was involved in the mixing.

Track listing

  1. "Car Wash '98" (Mustard Edit) - 3:09
  2. "Car Wash '98" (Mustard Mix) - 6:45
  3. "Car Wash '98" (Mustard Dub) - 5:34
  4. "Car Wash '98" (Levent's & Olli's Cream City Club Mix) - 6:19
  5. "Car Wash '98" (Levent's Talking About Dub Mix) - 7:56
  6. "Car Wash" (Original Version) - 3:20
  1. "Car Wash" (Mustard Mix) – 6:45
  2. "Car Wash" (Mustard Dub) – 5:34

Charts

Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott version

Car Wash (Shark Tale Mix)
Cover:Christina Aguilera featuring Missy Elliott - Car Wash CD cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Christina Aguilera featuring Missy Elliott
Album:Shark Tale: Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-Side:Can't Wait
Recorded:2004
Label:DreamWorks Records

In 2004, the American singer Christina Aguilera recorded a cover version of "Car Wash", featuring the rapper-singer Missy Elliott, giving the disco song a more modern feel and adding rapped verses from Elliott. In an interview, Aguilera said, "We had to change the key to be a little bit higher for my range. So we couldn't take the exact samples, but we brought in all these live instruments to recreate kind of this old, old classic, soulful feel and sound...."

"Car Wash" was the only single released from the soundtrack to DreamWorks' animated film Shark Tale (2004). Aguilera and Elliott's cover of "Car Wash" missed the U.S. Billboard Top 40, peaking at No. 63; however, it was a top-five and top-ten hit in the United Kingdom (#4), Australia (#2), Belgium (#2), Costa Rica (#6), New Zealand (#2), and several other international markets in which it was released. The song was the 48th best-selling single in the UK for 2004, with sales of over 100,000 copies. In the context of the film and its soundtrack, the "car wash" in question is the location where Oscar (voiced by Will Smith) is employed, a place like a car wash, albeit where large oceanic animals who behave and function like "cars" for the anthropomorphic fish are "washed".

Aguilera was, reportedly, paid $1 million for recording the song.[19]

Music video

The music video to Aguilera's version features herself and Elliott as animated sea creatures (jellyfish and fish, respectively, similar to those in the film), combined with sequences of "human" Aguilera and Elliott singing the song in a recording studio. It includes numerous scenes of the film, Shark Tale. The recording studio scenes were shot by Rich Newey, while the animated scenes of Aguilera and Elliott were edited by Peter Lonsdale and John Venzon, editors on Shark Tale. The singers' fish characters are also featured at the end of the film.

In popular culture

"Car Wash" by Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott was ranked No. 5 on BMI's list of the Top 10 songs played at Major League sports events for the 2009–2010 season.[20]

Track listings

  1. "Car Wash" – 3:51
  2. "Can't Wait" – 3:45
  3. "Digits" – 3:39
  4. "Car Wash"
  1. "Car Wash" – 3:51
  2. "Can't Wait" – 3:45
  1. "Car Wash (Shark Tale Mix)" – 3:49
  2. "Can't Wait" – 3:43
  3. "Digits" – 3:38

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesAugust 30, 2004Contemporary hit radio[22] DreamWorks
Rhythmic contemporary radio]
New ZealandOctober 6, 2004Digital EP[23]
GermanyOctober 18, 2004CD single[24]
Pocket maxi single[25]
Digital download[26]
United KingdomNovember 1, 2004CD single[27]
Digital downloadDreamWorks, Polydor
CanadaNovember 19, 2004CD single[28] DreamWorks, Universal Music

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004–2005)Peak
position
Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)[29] 22
Costa Rica Airplay (LOS 40)[30] 6
Croatia (HRT)[31] 10
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[32] 4
Greece (IFPI Greece)[33] 21
Luxembourg Airplay (RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg)[34] 8
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[35] 58
US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)[36] 30

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)Position
Australia (ARIA)[37] 48
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[38] 36
Germany (Official German Charts)[39] 76
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] 43
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[41] 62
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 68
UK Singles (OCC)[43] 48
Chart (2005)Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[44] 58
Brazil (Crowley)[45] 46
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 73

Certifications

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: How we made: Car Wash by Rose Royce . Simpson . Dave . July 12, 2021 . The Guardian . July 13, 2021.
  2. News: Obituary Norman Whitfield. The Guardian. September 18, 2008 . July 2, 2019 . Laing . Dave .
  3. Web site: The Grammys : Yo-Yo Mama . Grammy . October 11, 2016.
  4. Web site: Car Wash / Water [7" Vinyl]]. Amazon.co.uk. January 11, 2015.
  5. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 258.
  6. Web site: Rose Royce – Car Wash. Ultratop. Hung Medien. French. January 11, 2015.
  7. Top Singles. RPM. February 12, 1977. April 19, 2020.
  8. Book: Pennanen, Timo. Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. 2021. Rose Royce. 219. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. Helsinki. July 4, 2022. fi.
  9. Web site: Irish Singles Chart – Search for song . . January 11, 2015 . Enter the keyword "Car Wash" into the "Song title" parameter . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090602061251/http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement . June 2, 2009 .
  10. Web site: Rose Royce. Official Charts Company. January 11, 2015.
  11. Rose Royce – Chart history: Hot 100. Billboard. January 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20141022130635/https://www.billboard.com/artist/368972/rose-royce/chart. October 22, 2014.
  12. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 501.
  13. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 222.
  14. Web site: Kent Music Report No 183 – 26 December 1977 > National Top 100 Singles for 1977. Kent Music Report. Imgur.com. June 13, 2021.
  15. Web site: Top 200 Singles of '77 – Volume 28, No. 14, December 31 1977 . . July 17, 2013 . . January 3, 2018.
  16. Web site: Top 100 Hits of 1977/Top 100 Songs of 1977 | Music Outfitters. Musicoutfitters.com. March 17, 2022.
  17. Web site: Car Wash by Rose Royce. Amazon . January 13, 2015.
  18. Web site: Car Wash 1998 (The Monday Night Club Mixes) von Rose Royce feat. Gwen Dickey. Chartsurfer. March 17, 2022.
  19. Web site: What Is Music Licensing?. Bopper Music. July 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200929090917/https://www.boppermusic.com/blog/what-is-music-licensing/. September 29, 2020. September 29, 2020.
  20. Web site: TOP 10 SONGS PLAYED AT SPORTING EVENTS LAST YEAR!. KYGL. Townsquare Media. Jeff. Easterling. February 28, 2011. October 16, 2020. October 16, 2020. https://archive.today/20201016093350/https://kygl.com/top-10-songs-played-at-sporting-events-last-year/. bot: unknown.
  21. Web site: Car Wash by Christina Aguilera featuring Missy Elliott. Amazon.co.uk. January 11, 2015.
  22. Web site: Radio & Records. August 27, 2004. Worldradiohistory.com. March 17, 2022.
  23. Web site: Car Wash – EP. January 2004 . iTunes Store (NZ). January 11, 2015.
  24. Web site: Car Wash: Single. Amazon.de. German. January 11, 2015.
  25. Web site: Car Wash (Pock It): Single. Amazon.de. German. January 11, 2015.
  26. Web site: Car Wash (International Version): Single. Amazon.de. German. January 11, 2015.
  27. Web site: Car Wash by Christina Aguilera featuring Missy Elliott. Amazon.co.uk. January 11, 2015.
  28. Web site: Car Wash (2 Mixes) (4 Tracks). Amazon.ca. January 11, 2015.
  29. R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30. Radio & Records. 1573. 38. September 17, 2004. October 15, 2020.
  30. Web site: Listados: Del 40 al 1 – Los 40. Costa Rica, Diciembre 5 de 2004. LOS 40 Costa Rica. PRISA. December 5, 2004. Spanish. https://web.archive.org/web/20041205183929/http://www.los40.co.cr/lalista.asp. December 5, 2004. March 3, 2023.
  31. Web site: Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija. Croatian Radiotelevision. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20041102162823/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/strana_lista.html. November 2, 2004. March 15, 2021.
  32. Hits of the World – Eurocharts. Billboard. 116. 47. 75. November 20, 2004. March 31, 2020.
  33. Web site: IFPI Greece Singles chart 18-25/12 2004. . https://web.archive.org/web/20041229123853/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm . December 29, 2004.
  34. Web site: Hitmaschin – Top 40. RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg. December 4, 2004. Luxembourgish. https://web.archive.org/web/20041204223044/http://www.rtl.lu/radio/programm/hitmaschinn/. December 4, 2004. March 3, 2023.
  35. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20050514170519/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10148.html. Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 49, saptamina 6.12 - 12.12, 2004. Romanian Top 100. May 14, 2005. September 12, 2018. unfit.
  36. Top 40 Tracks. https://web.archive.org/web/20130208010540/http://www.billboard.com/artist/299251/christina-aguilera/chart?f=382 . February 8, 2013 . Billboard. May 21, 2022.
  37. Web site: ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2004 . Australian Recording Industry Association . January 11, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150502063756/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2004.htm . May 2, 2015 .
  38. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2004. Ultratop. February 15, 2020.
  39. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts. German . . May 20, 2018.
  40. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2004. Dutch Top 40. February 15, 2020.
  41. Web site: Dutch charts portal . dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Dutch . January 11, 2015.
  42. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2004 . hitparade.ch. Hung Medien . German . January 11, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080522014633/http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=2004 . May 22, 2008 .
  43. Web site: UK Charts Plus: Year End 2004. Official Charts Company. January 11, 2015.
  44. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2005. Ultratop. February 15, 2020.
  45. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2005. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
  46. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005 . hitparade.ch. Hung Medien . January 11, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140709100356/http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=2005 . July 9, 2014 .