| Cliché (Hush Hush) | |
| Cover: | Cliche_(Hush_Hush)Alexandra_Stan.jpg |
| Alt: | The cover sees Stan posing in sepia. |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Alexandra Stan |
| Album: | Cliché (Hush Hush) |
| Released: | 3 October 2012 |
| Recorded: | Maan Studio |
| Label: | MediaPro |
| Prev Title: | Lemonade |
| Prev Year: | 2012 |
| Next Title: | All My People |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
"Cliché (Hush Hush)" is a song recorded by Romanian recording artist Alexandra Stan for her Japan-only reissue of the same name (2013). Written and produced by Marcel Prodan and Andrei Nemirschi, it was first released for digital download on 3 October 2012 in Romania through MediaPro. Described as a dance-pop track that features eurodance elements into its sound, "Cliché (Hush Hush)" discusses different themes of love. An accompanying music video for the single was posted onto YouTube on 27 September 2012, being filmed by Iulian Moga at Palatul Snagov. It was generally praised by music critics, with Los 40 Principales citing it under their list of Stan's best clips. Particularly, a scene of the video was compared to vampire movies for teenagers, while another one to 1970s film works. The track peaked at number 91 in native Romania, as well as at numbers 11 and 28 in Japan and Italy, respectively. It was promoted by several live performances, including a tour throughout the United States and an appearance at French music event Starlooor 2012.
According to Romanian sources, "Cliché (Hush Hush)" is a "dynamic" dance-pop track that incorporates influences of Eurodance into its sound; its lyrics speak about love.[1] About the message of the song, Stan confessed that it "shows love in different ways and portrays as well relationships between obvious couples, which fall into a certain pattern. Love can transform everyone and everything in the most wonderful and important thing in the universe". Alvaro from Spanish music website Popelera pointed out major differences between the dance style of the track and that of its predecessor, "Lemonade" (2012),[2] while Mia, writing for Romanian portal Info Music, drew comparisons with the Pussycat Dolls' single "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (2009). Kevin Apaza of Direct Lyrics implied that Stan "[stepped] away from her 'signature' (very saxobeat) sound to test other 'dance' waters", and wrote that the song "ain't very catchy but [he likes] the pre and the main chorus. Plus, the song is super remixable, [he] can already imagine fist-pumping new versions."[3]
An accompanying music video for the song was uploaded onto the YouTube channel of Stan's label, Maan Studio, on 27 September 2012,[4] after teasing it on 19 September.[5] The clip was filmed by Iulian Moga at Palatul Snagov[6] [7] It commences with Stan entering a party hall in sepia while being pictured by a photographer. Following her flirting with the man, she leaves the room and the video introduces to pool-party in normal color, where Stan dances along with fellow background dancers sporting a pink outfit. Next, the singer is shown in a dark hall, sitting on an old-fashioned couch. Following this, Stan is portrayed in a church, with her body and face being covered by a red robe; fellow black-clothed people surround her. Subsequently, scenes with the singer and her love interest from a hotel room are shown, after which the clip ends with the people from the church scene getting out of disguise and running through the hall in white lingerie, followed by Stan dancing around a fire after letting candles falling down at a date with her boyfriend.[4]
Alexandra Necula, writing for music website Info Music, compared the opening scene of the video to 1970s films, while stating that some parts of the clip did not match with the song's message.[7] She went on to compare the church scene to vampire films for teenagers; Necula stated that one of the outfits sported by Stan were inspired by S&M fetish.[7] Apaza from Direct Lyrics stated that "her clip is like a mix of Paulina Rubio, Twilight and J.Lo's 'Dance Again' (the orgy scenes)."[3] Showbiz.ro felt that the "80s vibe of the video coincided with the melodic line".[8] Los 40 Principales cited the video as one of Stan's best clips ever.[9]
To promote "Cliché (Hush Hush)", Stan embarked on a tour in the United States.[6] She also provided live performances of the song throughout her concert tours that promoted the Japan-only reissue. Furthermore, Stan sang the song in a medley with "Mr. Saxobeat", "Get Back (ASAP)" and "Lemonade" at French event Starfloor 2012.[10]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Cliché (Hush Hush) and The Collection.[15] [16]
| Chart (2012–13) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI)[17] | 28 |
| Japan (Japan Hot 100)[18] | 11 |
| Romania (Airplay 100)[19] | 91 |
| Date | Version | Format(s) | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 3 October 2012 | Original | MediaPro | ||
| Italy | 12 October 2012 | Vae Victis | |||
| 19 October 2012 | Radio airplay | Ego | [20] | ||
| 23 November 2012 | Remix EP | Vae Victis | |||
| 11 December 2012 | Acoustic | ||||
| Spain | 6 November 2012 | Original | Blanco y Negro | [21] |