"Spectrum (Say My Name)"
Single cover
Single by Florence and the Machine
from the album Ceremonials
B-side"Spectrum (Say My Name)" (Calvin Harris Remix)
Released6 July 2012 (2012-07-06)
Genre
Length
  • 5:11 (album version)
  • 3:40 (Calvin Harris Remix)
  • 6:25 (Calvin Harris Extended Remix)
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Florence and the Machine singles chronology
"Breath of Life"
(2012)		 "Spectrum (Say My Name)"
(2012)		 "Lover to Lover"
(2012)
Music video
"Spectrum" on YouTube

"Spectrum" is a song by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine from their second studio album Ceremonials (2011). It was written by lead singer Florence Welch and Paul Epworth with production being handled by Epworth. The band premiered the song during a concert at Brooklyn's Creators Project on 15 October 2011, prior to the release of the album. The album version of "Spectrum" is a downtempo orchestral pop, dance-pop and disco song. The accompanying music video for the song premiered on 30 May 2012. It was directed by David LaChapelle and John Byrne.

A remix of the album version of "Spectrum", titled "Spectrum (Say My Name)", was released on 6 July 2012 by Island Records, serving as the fourth single from Ceremonials. Scottish DJ Calvin Harris remixed "Spectrum", producing the uptempo single. "Spectrum (Say My Name)" became the group's first single to peak at number one on the UK Singles Chart, selling 64,816 copies in its first week. It also reached number one in Ireland and Scotland and has peaked within the top five in Australia and New Zealand.

Background and composition

Florence and the Machine premiered "Spectrum" along with two other songs from the album, "Never Let Me Go" and "Heartlines", as part of their set list at Brooklyn's Creators Project on 15 October 2011, two weeks before the release of the album.[1] Musically, "Spectrum" is a downtempo orchestral pop,[2] R&B,[3] krautrock[4] and disco song with drums while backing vocals repeatedly sing "Say my name" throughout the choruses. According to the sheet music published by Universal Music Publishing Group on the website Musicnotes.com, the song is set in the key B minor.[5] The song's beat is set in common time, and moves at a tempo of 124 beats per minute.[5] Welch's vocals span from the note of F#3 to the note of F#5 or B5 in the Calvin Harris remix.[5]

Critical reception

"Spectrum" received mostly positive reviews by critics. While reviewing Ceremonials, Jillian Mapes of Billboard complimented Welch's vocal performance, stating, "'Say my name,' she howls then later croons, both filled with sensuality. Welch's impressive vocal range and volume are firing on all cylinders here."[6] A writer of Rolling Stone praised the song calling it "a huge, churchy tune, even in the context of the band's typically bombastic blend of arena rock and gospel."[7] Lewis Corner from Digital Spy gave the song four stars out of five, saying "if there's one thing latest single 'Spectrum' proves, it's that she knows how to write a distinctive uptempo number without compromising her style."[8] He added that the song "[...] belts over a rapturous chorus complete with rousing piano and delicate strings – demonstrating that techno synths are not the only key to a euphoric hook."[8]

Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine said along with "Lover to Lover" and "Remain Nameless"; "spectacular when taken alone or on a playlist."[9] Kitty Empire from The Guardian gave it a mixed remark, saying "Clubby and kaleidoscopic, 'Spectrum' sounds like another rallying cry."[10] Margaret Wappler of Los Angeles Times said they could hear a "harp gorgeously flutter[s] and dips around her."[11] Chris Saunders from musicOMH compared it, musically, to the song from Florence's previous record Lungs.[12] The Independent commented; "The only time she and The Machine stray from the formula is the Krautrock-disco motorik of 'Spectrum'; elsewhere, declamatory piano chords and burring organ underpin the banked [...]"[13]

Music video

Background

An accompanying music video for the song was released on Florence and the Machine's YouTube account on 30 May 2012. Directed by David LaChapelle and John Byrne, the video depicts ballet dancers of California's Southland Ballet Academy/Festival Ballet Theatre pirouetting, jumping, and dancing around Welch. During an interview, Welch spoke about her collaboration with LaChapelle, "It was a complete dream to work with David LaChapelle. I collected his books as a teenager, and I fantasised that he would direct the video for 'Spectrum' from the moment the song was written. I still can't believe it actually happened, and I'm completely overjoyed that he felt such a connection with the song."[14] During an interview, LaChapelle also spoke about his collaboration with Welch, "It's a beautiful song that really touched me and inspired me to create imagery that matches its power. 'Spectrum' is free of scepticism, irony, and the coldness one finds in a lot of contemporary popular music. It's the opposite—full of light, positivity and authentic joy. I hope that I can do justice to this moving modern classic."[14]

Reception

Upon the release of the video, critics praised Welch's look and the video's dark atmosphere. A writer of Rolling Stone wrote, "Music video legend David LaChappelle rose to the challenge of making a clip for the song, matching its drama and energy with a vivid color pallette and incredibly theatrical staging."[7] Robbie Daw of Idolator stated the video's visual is "as bombastic and over the top as the song itself [...] there's enough completely koo koo eye candy being hurled at us that we're barely even paying attention to the song itself."[15]

Live performances

The band performed the song on first series of the American version of The X Factor during its semi-finals.[16] Florence and the Machine added the song to the set list of their second worldwide Ceremonials Tour (2011–12) where the song was performed during the encore of the concerts along with "No Light, No Light". On 12 September 2012, Florence performed a stripped-down version of the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[17]

British DJ and producer Ilan Bluestone played a mashup of Spectrum with his song "Under My Skin" during his live set at Madison Square Garden for Above & Beyond's ABGT100 show.

Calvin Harris remix

A remix of the album version of "Spectrum", titled "Spectrum (Say My Name)", was released on 6 July 2012 by Island Records, serving as the fourth single from Ceremonials. Scottish DJ Calvin Harris remixed "Spectrum", producing the uptempo electro house-inspired single.[8] "Spectrum (Say My Name)" received positive reviews from music critics, praising the production and Welch's vocals.[8] Commercially, it became the group's first single to peak at number one on the UK Singles Chart, selling 64,816 copies in its first week. It also reached number one in Ireland and Scotland and has peaked within the top five in Australia and New Zealand.

Background and development

On 25 May 2012, a lyric video was released for the Calvin Harris remix. The song was released as the album's fifth single on 5 July 2012.[18] It was serviced to radio in the UK on 2 July 2012.[19] On the release of the single, the Calvin Harris remix was released. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy commented that "While the single version is near perfection, an accompanying Calvin Harris remix highlights just how big a Florence house anthem can be".[8] The instrumental version of "Spectrum" was used extensively during the BBC's coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, often as the backing track to their round-up of the day's sporting action.

Commercial performance

"Spectrum" debuted at number 104 on the UK Singles Chart based on the sales of the album version.[20] On 15 July 2012, following the release of the Calvin Harris remix of the song, it climbed the chart to become the band's first number-one single in the UK, selling 64,816 copies in its first week.[21] The song stayed on top of the chart for three weeks. It also debuted at number 35 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, until rising to number two, becoming the group's first top ten single in that country. It peaked at the top spot in the Republic of Ireland. In the UK, it was the best-selling single of the third quarter of 2012, selling 453,000 copies.[22] The song has sold 554,000 copies in the UK in 2012, and was the 19th best-selling single of 2012.[23] However, in 2013, it was certified platinum for selling over 600,000 copies. It is Florence + the Machine's best-selling single in the United Kingdom.

Track listing

"Spectrum (Say My Name)" Remixes EP[18]
No.TitleLength
1."Spectrum (Say My Name)" (Calvin Harris Remix)3:38
2."Spectrum (Say My Name)" (Calvin Harris Extended Remix)6:25
3."Spectrum (Say My Name)" (AlunaGeorge Remix)3:29
4."Spectrum (Say My Name)" (Maya Jane Coles Remix)5:00
5."Spectrum (Say My Name)" (Taito Tikaro and Flavio Zarza Remix)7:26

Charts and certifications

Release history

List of release dates, showing country, record label, and format
RegionDateFormatLabel
Australia[60] 6 July 2012 Digital download – Remixes EP Universal Music
United Kingdom[61] Universal Island
United States 10 July 2012[62] Universal Republic
7 May 2013[63] Mainstream Airplay

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sources talking about the premiere of "Spectrum", "Never Let Me Go" and "Heartlines" on 15 October 2011 during the band's set list at New York's Creators Project before the release of Ceremonials:
    • "Watch Florence and the Machine perform three new tracks from 'Ceremonials' – video". NME. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
    • Copsey, Robert (17 October 2011). "Florence + the Machine perform three new tracks live – video". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
    • Alexander Smith, K. (17 October 2011). "Watch Florence and the Machine Debut Three New Songs at Creator's Project". Paste. Wolfgang's Vault. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
    • Goodman, Abbey (18 October 2011). "Creators Project brings together art, music and tech". CNN. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Florence & The Machine – Ceremonials". DIY magazine. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Album review: Florence + The Machine – 'Ceremonials'". NME. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "Album: Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials (Island)". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Welch, Florence; Epworth, Paul. "Spectrum – Sheet Music (Digital Download)". Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. ↑ Mapes, Jillian (2 November 2011). "Florence + The Machine, 'Ceremonials': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Florence and the Machine's Ultra-Theatrical 'Spectrum (Say My Name)' Clip". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Corner, Lewis (6 July 2012). "Florence + the Machine: "Spectrum" – Single review – Music Singles Review". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  9. ↑ Cole, Matthew (30 October 2011). "Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  10. ↑ Empire, Kitty (30 October 2011). "Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials – review". The Observer. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  11. ↑ Wappler, Margaret (31 October 2011). "Album review: Florence + the Machine's 'Ceremonials'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  12. ↑ Saunders, Chris (31 October 2011). "Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials (Island)". musicOMH. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  13. ↑ Gill, Andy (28 October 2011). "Album: Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials (Island )". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  14. 1 2 Murray, Robin (30 May 2012). "Watch: Florence & The Machine – Spectrum". Clash. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  15. ↑ Daw, Robbie (30 May 2012). "Florence + The Machine's "Spectrum (Say My Name)" Video: Watch". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  16. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Florence + The Machine - Spectrum - X Factor USA 2011". YouTube.
  17. ↑ "Florence + The Machine Perform "Spectrum (Say My Name)"". NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Spectrum (Say My Name) [Remixes] – EP by Florence + The Machine". iTunes Store (UK). Apple Inc. January 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  19. ↑ "New Releases U.K. – Forthcoming Singles". Radio1 Rodos Greece. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  20. ↑ Williams, Paul (11 July 2012). "Midweek Charts: Florence eyeing first singles chart-topper". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  21. ↑ "Official Charts Analysis: Newton Faulkner needs just 16k sales to hit No.1". Music Week. Intent Media. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  22. ↑ "The biggest selling singles of the summer revealed!". OfficialCharts.com. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  23. 1 2 Dan Lane (2 January 2013). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles Of 2012 revealed!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  24. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  25. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  26. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  27. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  28. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201244 into search.
  29. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  30. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  31. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  32. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  33. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  34. ↑ "Media Forest Week 34, 2012". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  35. ↑ "Florence and The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  36. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  37. ↑ "Chart Search Results – Poland Digital Songs 2012-09-08". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  38. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Dance Top 50.
  39. ↑ "Portugal Digital Songs – Peak". Billboard. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  40. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  41. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  42. ↑ "Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  43. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  44. ↑ "Florence + The Machine Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  45. ↑ "Florence + The Machine Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  46. ↑ "Florence & The Machine- Rock Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  47. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart".
  48. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  49. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  50. ↑ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2012" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  51. ↑ "Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  52. ↑ "End of Year 2013" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  53. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  54. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2012". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  55. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Florence & The Machine; 'Spectrum (Say My Name)')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  56. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2014" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Spectrum (Say My Name)" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  57. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Florence + The Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Recorded Music NZ.
  58. ↑ "British single certifications – Florence + The Machine – Spectrum". British Phonographic Industry.
  59. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Florence + The Machine – Break Free". IFPI Danmark.
  60. ↑ "Florence + the Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name) EP". 7digital.com.au (Aus 7Digital). 6 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  61. ↑ "Florence + the Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.co.uk). 6 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  62. ↑ "Florence + the Machine – Spectrum (Say My Name)". Amazon. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  63. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates".
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