Open Sesame (Leila K song) explained

Open Sesame
Cover:Leila - OpenSesame single.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Leila K
Album:Carousel
B-Side:Sesame Music
Released:23 October 1992
Length:3:24
Label:Coma
Producer:
  • Denniz PoP
  • Douglas Carr
Prev Title:Rok the Nation
Prev Year:1990
Next Title:Ça Plane Pour Moi
Next Year:1993

"Open Sesame" is a song by Swedish Eurodance artist Leila K, released in October 1992 by Coma label as the lead single from the artist's second album, Carousel (1993). Co-written and co-produced by Denniz PoP, the song was a huge success in many European countries in 1993. It reached number-one in Belgium and peaked within the top 10 in at least nine other countries. Its music video was directed by Matt Broadley. In 1999, the song was released in a new remix as "Open Sesame '99". Dutch singer Daisy Dee released a cover in 2000, which reached number 78 in Germany.

Critical reception

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton felt that "this high-powered commercial rap coupling a rave beat with a ragga style delivery may just revive her career."[1] Simon Price from Melody Maker complimented it as a "brilliant" hit, where "she reinvented herself as the Ragga Queen of Sheba (did you see that video?), nasally imploring us to "Jump around if you mind can work". Um. Boing! Boing!"[2] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave the song four out of five, writing, "This commercial Swedish house track combines a Felix-style tune and reggae toasting. The UK release features a more adventurous remix by Felix himself."[3] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, saying, "Ragamuffin rapping in a Swedish accent may sound like a thoroughly appalling notion, but Ms K goes for it with such pzazz that you soon come round to the idea. This girl has more energy than Linford Christie after a Lucozade binge, and this record is a real Sesame treat."[4]

Chart performance

"Open Sesame" was successful on the charts across Europe. It reached number one for one week in Belgium (Flanders), with a total of 16 weeks at the Ultratop 50 chart, and number two in the Netherlands. In the latter, the song held the next best chart position for several weeks, being held off the top spot by 2 Unlimited's "No Limit". It entered the top 10 also in Austria (5), Denmark (7), Finland (9), Germany (5), Italy (5), Portugal (7), Spain (6) and Switzerland (5). In the UK, the single reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, but was more successful on the UK Dance Singles Chart, peaking at number ten in January 1993. In Leila K's native Sweden, it only reached number 21, staying at Sverigetopplistan for three weeks. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it hit number six in April 1993, while peaking at number 12 at Music & Medias European Dance Radio Chart and number 18 on Music Weeks Record Mirror Club Chart.

The single earned a gold record in the Netherlands with a sale of 50,000 units.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Open Sesame" was directed by Swedish-based director Matt Broadley.[5] It received heavy rotation on MTV Europe[6] and was later made available on Mega Records' official YouTube channel in 2011. The video had generated more than 6.1 million views as of June 2023.[7]

Track listings

A1: "Open Sesame" (long version)

A2: "Open Sesame" (short version)

AA1: "Open Sesame" (Felix remix)

AA2: "Open Sesame" (Bouncing Baby mix)

  1. "Open Sesame" (radio edit) – 3:24
  2. "Open Sesame" (long version) – 8:43
  3. "Open Sesame" (instrumental) – 4:00
  1. "Open Sesame" (Bouncing Baby mix) - 3:39
  2. "Open Sesame" (Felix remix) – 5:22
  3. "Sesame Music" – 9:16
  1. "Open Sesame" (Final Exit remix) – 5:34
  2. "Open Sesame" (Last Exit mix) – 4:22
  3. "Open Sesame" (Plutonic mix) – 10:54
  1. "Open Sesame '99" (X-2000 radio) – 3:43
  2. "Open Sesame '99" (X-2000 extended) – 6:29
  3. "Open Sesame '99" (Fix & Trix extended) – 7:50
  4. "Open Sesame '99" (Soundfreak remix) – 3:48
  5. "Open Sesame '99" (Sezams Uber Alles remix) – 5:28
  6. "Open Sesame '99" (Fatz-Jr remix) – 4:59
  7. "Open Sesame" (original full length version) – 8:49

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992–1993)Peak
position
Denmark (IFPI)[8] 7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[9] 6
Europe (European Dance Radio)[10] 12
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[11] 9
Italy (Musica e dischi)[12] 5
Portugal (AFP)[13] 7
Spain (AFYVE)[14] 6
UK Dance (Music Week)[15] 10
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[16] 18

Year-end charts

Chart (1993)Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] 14
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[18] 25
Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 19
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 14

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
Europe23 October 1992Coma
United Kingdom11 January 1993Polydor[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Masterton. James. Week Ending January 23rd 1993. Chart Watch UK. 17 January 1993. 10 September 2021. James Masterton.
  2. Simon. Price. Albums. Melody Maker. 18 September 1993. 39. 17 June 2023. Simon Price.
  3. Andy . Beevers . Market Preview: Dance . . 9 January 1993 . 17 . 24 March 2021 .
  4. New Singles . Mark . Sutherland . . 6 January 1993 . 45 . 6 October 2020.
  5. Web site: Credits — Matt Broadley. mattbroadley.com. 10 September 2021.
  6. Station Reports > MTV Europe/London. Music & Media. 6 March 1993. 17. 12 December 2022.
  7. Web site: Leila K - Open Sesame (Official). YouTube. 8 December 2011. 18 June 2023.
  8. Top 10 Sales in Europe. Music & Media. 3 April 1993. 26 February 2018.
  9. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 3 April 1993. 23 March 2018.
  10. European Dance Radio Top 25. Music & Media. 27 February 1993. 10. 3 November 2021.
  11. Book: Pennanen, Timo . 2006 . Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 . fi . 1st . Tammi . 978-951-1-21053-5 . Helsinki.
  12. Web site: Classifiche. Musica e dischi. it. 30 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Leila K".
  13. Top 10 Sales in Europe. Music & Media. 27 March 1993. 20 March 2018.
  14. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st. September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
  15. Top 60 Dance Singles . . 23 January 1993 . 22 . 8 April 2021.
  16. The RM Club Chart . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert) . 30 January 1993 . 4 . 30 October 2021 .
  17. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1993. Ultratop. nl. 28 November 2019.
  18. 1993 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. 18 December 1993. 27 November 2019. Music & Media.
  19. Web site: Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1993. de. GfK Entertainment. 27 November 2019.
  20. Web site: Jaarlijsten 1993. nl. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. 1 December 2019.
  21. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1993. MegaCharts. 28 November 2019.
  22. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 6. 9 January 1993.

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