Drop Dead Gorgeous (song) explained

Drop Dead Gorgeous
Cover:	Drop Dead Gorgeous cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Republica
Album:	Republica
B-Side:	"Out of This World" "Mutha" "Holly"
Released:	21 April 1997
Genre:	Dance-rock alternative rock
Length:	3:32
Label:	Deconstruction
Producer:	Republica Ben Grosse
Chronology:	single
Prev Title:	Ready to Go
Prev Year:	1996
Next Title:	From Rush Hour with Love
Next Year:	1998

"Drop Dead Gorgeous" is a song by English alternative rock band Republica. Released in 1996 on their self-titled debut album and in 1997 as the album's third and final single from the album, it was as a commercial success, giving the group their only top 10 hit to date in the UK. The single elicited a positive critical reaction, and was also a minor hit in the US, New Zealand, and Germany. The music video, which went into rotation on MTV, was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.

Reception

Critical

The song was praised upon its release. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the song as one of its parent album's highlights, and felt that the song has a "bright, energetic sound that is quite infectious."^[1]

Commercial

The song was a success in the United Kingdom and United States. In the UK, the song gave the group their only top-10 hit to date. The single debuted at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart on the week beginning 3 May 1997; the single spent a total of seven consecutive weeks on the chart, more than any other song by the group. The following year, the song was also successful in the US, entering the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at number 93, spending a total of three weeks on the chart. The single also entered the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it entered the top 40 and peaked at number 39. Elsewhere, "Drop Dead Gorgeous" peaked at number 30 in New Zealand and number 90 in Germany.

Music video

The song's music video was nominated for "Best Video" at the 1998 Brit Awards.^[2] It also went into rotation on MTV.^[3]

Legacy

The song was included on Official Charts' list of "20 Classic Hits Turning 20 Years Old in 2017," with writer Justin Myers noting that both "Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" "still get played on ads or on TV pretty often."^[4]

Track listing

Adapted from AllMusic.^[5]

1. "Drop Dead Gorgeous" – 3:32
2. "Out of This World" – 7:05
3. "Mutha" – 4:00
4. "Holly" – 7:07

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.^[6]

• Donald Christie – photography
• Ben Grosse – mixing, production, programming
• Randy Jacobs – guitar
• Saffron – vocals
• Michael Tuller – programming
• John Vitale – guitar, programming
• Jez Williams – guitar

Charts

Chart performance for "Drop Dead Gorgeous"!Chart (1997)!Peak
position

Australia (ARIA)^[7]	131
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[8]	51

External links

• Hear the song on YouTube

Notes and References

1. Web site: Erlewine. Stephen Thomas. Republica - "Republica" review. AllMusic. RhythmOne. 22 April 2017.
2. Web site: Billboard Feb 7, 1998 (page 50). Google Books. 7 February 1998. Billboard/Nielsen Business Media. 21 April 2017.
3. Web site: Video Monitor: Billboard Jan 11, 1997 (page 95). Google Books. 11 January 1997. Billboard/Nieslen Business Media. 21 April 2017.
4. Web site: Myers. Justin. 20 classic hits turning 20 years old in 2017. Official Charts. Official Charts Company. 21 April 2017.
5. Web site: Drop Dead Gorgeous [CD #2] overview]. AllMusic. RhythmOne. 21 April 2017.
6. Web site: "Drop Dead Gorgeous" credits. AllMusic. RhythmOne. 25 April 2017.
7. Web site: Chart Inquiry. ARIA. Imgur. 25 April 2017.
8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 14. 19. 16. 10 May 1997. 25 October 2020.