We Like to Party! (Vengaboys song) explained

We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)
Cover:Weliketoparty.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Vengaboys
Album:Up & Down – The Party Album The Party Album
Released:May 1998
Genre:Eurodance
Length:3:41
Label:
Producer:
  • Danski
  • DJ Delmundo
Prev Title:Up and Down
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!
Next Year:1998

"We Like to Party!" (subtitled "The Vengabus" for its release as a single) is a song by Dutch Eurodance group Vengaboys. It was released in the Netherlands in May 1998 as the fourth single from the band's debut album, Up & Down – The Party Album (1998). Following its success in Benelux, it was given a worldwide release on 9 November 1998.

"We Like to Party!" became one of the band's most successful hits, topping the chart in Flanders, reaching number two in Australia and the Netherlands, and becoming a top-five hit in Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It is also the band's highest-charting song in the United States, climbing to number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in Canada, where it peaked at number 10.

Composition

"We Like to Party!" is a Eurodance song that runs for 3 minutes and 41 seconds. It is written in the key of A-flat major and maintains a tempo of 136 beats per minute in common time.

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic editor William Cooper described it as a "bouncy eurodisco hit", and noted further that it was "reminiscent of Aqua's "Barbie Girl", with its singalong chorus, cutesy female vocal squeal, and wacky synth beats."[1] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "This wildly energetic foursome (two gals, two guys) from the Netherlands is pretty much a household name throughout Europe, where this infectious pop gem has been a constant on radio and in clubs. Already, "We Like To Party!" has gone platinum and double-platinum in Belgium and the act's homeland, respectively. Here, the song could meet a similar fate, especially since it features a sugar-soaked sing-along chorus that hangs out in your head until you beg for relief. That said, people who embraced Aqua's "Barbie Girl", Cleopatra's "Romeo And Juliet", and Los Del Rio's "Macarena" will be lining up for this latest slice of energetic pop. Are you listening, radio? (It's already hit No. 1 on the playlist of dance leader WKTU New York.) Conversely, this will be a no-brainer for club jocks, who continue to make major noise with the group's sweat-soaked debut, "Up and Down"."[2]

An editor from Daily Record called it "cheesy disco from Europe's top selling boy-girl band who are already lining up a massive summer single."[3] Jim Farber from Entertainment Weekly commented, "Attention, lovers of cheeseball club music. The Vengaboys' hit "We Like to Party!" combines a campy disco beat, party-girl vocals, and a killer hook in the form of a ship horn in full blare. What began as a beach anthem in Ibiza, Spain, is becoming a Stateside smash on the increasingly Euro-driven U.S. charts. And why not? It's too willfully silly to resist."[4] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue remarked its "unmistakeable Vengaboys sound", describing it as "a fast-paced energetic track."[5]

Commercial performance

The single proved to be a higher seller than "Up and Down" in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number three in March 1999, eventually selling 474,000 copies, making it the 29th-biggest hit of the year. The song additionally reached number one in Flemish Belgium, number two in Australia and the Netherlands, number three in Ireland, number four in Germany and Switzerland, number six in Austria and Italy, number nine in New Zealand and number 10 in Canada and Walloon Belgium. It additionally reached the top 20 in France. The song became the group's biggest hit in the United States, peaking at number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and selling 405,000 copies.[6]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "We Like to Party" was directed by Wendelien van Diepen.[7] It first aired in March 1999. The video features all four Vengaboys members and other tourists travelling to various destinations in Province of Barcelona, Piera and Gavà, in a 1930s style mini-bus, the "Vengabus" (a 1933 Chevrolet series O Bus), where they end up in a nightclub in La Barceloneta, Barcelona.

A new "silent" version of the video was released in January 2022 via the band's official YouTube channel. It features isolated vocals and dubbed ambient sound effects based on the visuals.[8] [9]

Track listings

  1. "We Like to Party!" (airplay) – 3:42
  2. "We Like to Party!" (BCM XXL) – 6:21
  1. "We Like to Party!" (airplay) – 3:44
  2. "We Like to Party!" (BCM remix) – 4:04
  3. "We Like to Party!" (more airplay) – 5:49
  4. "We Like to Party!" (original) – 4:06
  5. "We Like to Party!" (BCM XXL) – 6:21
  6. "We Like to Party!" (Baunz mix) – 4:45
  7. "We Like to Party!" (Full Schwingg) – 4:36
  8. "We Like to Party!" (D.J. Vanhaze Hitmix) – 7:01
  1. "We Like to Party!" (airplay mix) – 3:42
  2. "We Like to Party!" (more airplay mix) – 5:49
  1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (more airplay mix) – 5:49
  2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Klubbheads remix) – 6:05
  3. "We Like to Party!" (Tin Tin Out remix) – 6:30
  1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (airplay mix) – 3:42
  2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Jason Nevins remix) – 6:38
  3. "Up and Down" (BCM radio) – 3:28
  1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (airplay edit) – 3:44
  2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Klubbheads mix) – 6:07
  3. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (more airplay) – 5:50
  4. "Up and Down" (video mix) – 3:40
  5. "Up and Down" (Tin Tin Out mix) – 8:14
  1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (airplay) – 3:42
  2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Klubbheads mix) – 6:05
  3. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (BCM remix) – 4:03
  4. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (more airplay) – 5:49
  5. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Full Schwingg) – 4:36
  6. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (DJ Disco mix) – 4:31
  7. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Baunz mix) – 4:45
  8. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (BCM XXL) – 6:21

A1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (extended club mix) – 5:49

A2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (DJ Disco mix) – 4:31

B1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Jason Nevins club mix) – 7:07

C1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Klubbheads mix) – 6:05

C2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Baunz mix) – 4:45

D1. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (BCM mix) – 6:21

D2. "We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)" (Jason Nevins dub mix) – 5:50

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1998–1999)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[19] 7
Denmark (IFPI)[20] 11
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 10
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] 14
Hungary (Mahasz)[23] 3
Italy (Musica e dischi)[24] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[25] 26
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[26] 5
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[27] 23
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[28] 3
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[29] 19

Year-end charts

Chart (1998)Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[30] 8
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[31] 98
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[32] 65
Germany (Official German Charts)[33] 58
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[34] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[35] 11
Chart (1999)Position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[37] 83
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[38] 69
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[39] 3
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[40] 53
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[41] 69
UK Singles (OCC)[42] 29
UK Pop (Music Week)[43] 3
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[44] 98
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[45] 4
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[46] 64

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
NetherlandsMay 1998Breakin'
Europe9 November 1998Various
United Kingdom1 March 1999Positiva[47]

In popular culture

Notes and References

  1. Web site: William. Cooper. Vengaboys - The Party Album!. AllMusic. 18 February 2020.
  2. Larry. Flick. Single Reviews. Billboard. 111. 2. 15. 9 January 1999. 29 January 2018. Larry Flick.
  3. "Chart Slot". Daily Record. 26 March 1999.
  4. Jim. Farber. We Like to Party!. Entertainment Weekly. 16 April 1999. 28 February 2020.
  5. Web site: Review: "The Party Album!" by Vengaboys (CD, 1999). Pop Rescue. 18 September 2015. 14 April 2020.
  6. Billboard - 25 December 1999 - 1 January 2000 - Page 34 "Vengaboys' "We Like To Party! (The Vengabus)" sold 405,000 units"
  7. Web site: Vengaboys: We like to party. Mvdbase.com. 15 October 2018.
  8. Web site: Vengaboys - We Like to Party! (The Vengabus) Silent Music Video . .
  9. https://twitter.com/vengaboys/status/1487099487197798421 Vengaboys on X
  10. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1998. Dutch CD single liner notes. Breakin' Records. KRAK4041.
  11. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1998. Dutch maxi-CD single liner notes. Breakin' Records. KRAK 4042.
  12. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1998. French CD single liner notes. Scorpio Music. 192 542-2.
  13. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1999. UK CD1 liner notes. Positiva Records. CDTIVS108, 7243 8 8590 2 4.
  14. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1999. UK CD2 liner notes. Positiva Records. CDTIV108, 7243 8 86591 2 3.
  15. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1999. UK cassette single sleeve. Positiva Records. TCTIV 108, 7243 8 86590 4 8.
  16. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1999. Australian & New Zealand CD single liner notes. Positiva Records. CSR CD5 0330.
  17. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1998. US maxi-CD single liner notes. Groovilicious. GM061.
  18. We Like to Party! (The Vengabus). 1998. US 2×12-inch single vinyl discs. Groovilicious. GM 061.
  19. Vengaboys Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. 14 November 2021.
  20. Danish Singles Chart. 15 January 1999.
  21. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 16. 12. 8. 20 March 1999. 9 May 2018.
  22. Book: Pennanen, Timo. Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. 2021. Vengaboys. 273. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. Helsinki. 7 July 2022. fi.
  23. Top 10 National Sellers. Music & Media. 15. 51. 20. 19 December 1998. 6 May 2018.
  24. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 15. 43. 16. 24 October 1998. 27 November 2019.
  25. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. 17 April 1999. 2 August 2023.
  26. Dance Club Songs. Billboard. 20 March 1999. subscription. 2 August 2023.
  27. Pop Airplay. Billboard. 15 May 1999. subscription. 2 August 2023.
  28. Dance Singles Sales. Billboard. 20 February 1999. subscription. 2 August 2023.
  29. Rhythmic Airplay. Billboard. 17 April 1999. subscription. 2 August 2023.
  30. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1998. Ultratop. nl. 9 August 2019.
  31. Web site: Rapports annuels 1998. Ultratop. fr. 9 August 2019.
  32. Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998. Music & Media. 15. 51. 8. 19 December 1998. 6 February 2020.
  33. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 1998. GfK Entertainment. de. 18 April 2018.
  34. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998. Dutch Top 40. 24 February 2020.
  35. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998. MegaCharts. nl. 9 August 2019.
  36. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999. ARIA. 3 November 2020.
  37. Web site: Rapports annuels 1999. Ultratop. fr. 9 August 2019.
  38. RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 9 August 2019.
  39. RPM 1999 Top 50 Dance Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 9 August 2019.
  40. Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999. Music & Media. 17. 1. 11. 1 January 2000. 6 February 2020.
  41. Web site: Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050122081829/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-1999.html. 22 January 2005.
  42. Web site: Yearly Best Selling Singles. British Phonographic Industry. https://web.archive.org/web/20100924031612/http://bpi.co.uk/assets/files/yearly%20best%20selling%20singles.pdf. 24 September 2010. 9 August 2019.
  43. Most Broadcast of 1999: Pop Top 20 Tracks of 1999. Music Week. 32. 22 January 2000. 24 April 2022.
  44. Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999. Airplay Monitor. 7. 52. 54. December 24, 1999.
  45. 1999 The Year in Music: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales. Billboard. 111. 52. YE-60. 25 December 1999.
  46. Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999. Airplay Monitor. 7. 52. 53. 24 December 1999.
  47. New Releases – For Week Starting 1 March, 1999: Singles. Music Week. 25. 27 February 1999.
  48. News: Dancing Mr. Six scores with viewers of Six Flags ads. Howard. Theresa. 10 June 2017. USA Today. 11 July 2004.