A Public Affair
Studio album by
Jessica Simpson
ReleasedAugust 26, 2006
RecordedEarly 2005 – July 14, 2006[1]
Genre
Length54:26
LabelEpic
Producer
Jessica Simpson chronology
ReJoyce: The Christmas Album
(2004)		 A Public Affair
(2006)		 Do You Know
(2008)
Singles from A Public Affair
  1. "A Public Affair"
    Released: June 29, 2006
  2. "I Belong to Me"
    Released: September 26, 2006

A Public Affair is the fifth studio album by American pop singer Jessica Simpson. The album was released on August 26, 2006 in the United States by Epic Records. The album is Simpson's first effort following her divorce from Nick Lachey.[2][3]

The album was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Cory Rooney, Scott Storch, Stargate and Lester Mendez. Simpson appears as a co-writer of nine of the thirteen songs on the album. A Public Affair received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who complimented its musical diversity from Simpson's previous albums, while also criticizing its length. The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 101,000 copies. A Public Affair has sold 500,000 units in the United States and over one million copies worldwide to date.[4][5]

Two singles were released from the record; the lead single "A Public Affair" became Simpson's sixth top-twenty single in the United States and her third song to reach number fourteen, tied with "With You" (2004) and "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (2005).[6] The second and final single, "I Belong to Me", failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, however, it charted at number 10 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100.[7] "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" was released as a promotional single. Her version of the song failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number twenty on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. Simpson's version contains new lyrics and only preserves the chorus of the song.[8]

Background and artwork

Simpson holding a signed Maxim copy featuring her on the cover in August 2006

MTV first reported that Simpson's first album after her divorce would be released in late 2005.[9]

Simpson was inspired by Janet Jackson for the album, saying "I do love singing ballads, but I took a different approach. I didn't do a big string-session type of ballad I'm used to." "I took more of a Janet Jackson approach. More of an 'Earth Angel' type of approach."[10] Simpson contacted Jackson's main producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to produce several songs on the album.[11]

With only a month to go until the release of A Public Affair, Simpson switched the cover photo of the album. The first cover art for the album surfaced showing a sultry Simpson with her hair down, sporting a dress with the straps pulled down. Ultimately, Simpson's representative Rob Shuter told TMZ the final decision on a cover had not been made by the time one had to be provided to Simpson's record label, so the first cover option (of three choices they had) was given. The original cover was ultimately not chosen, and Simpson went with the cover eventually released. The chosen album cover has a casual-looking Simpson "with nothing but a T-shirt on", her hair pulled back and wearing a ring on her right index finger.[12]

Music and lyrics

Simpson said in an interview to a magazine, "A Public Affair" was an album that is a "fun night" with friends and not her failed marriage to Nick Lachey, although the first single was inspired by the rupture of the couple. The album opens with the first single "A Public Affair" musically, it is a moderate dance-pop groove song with disco influences. It also exhibits elements of pop rock and teen pop genres. The next song "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" is an updated version of Dead or Alive 1980s hit of the same name in the way Rihanna's "S.O.S." is a remake of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love", written by Pete Burns, Wayne Hussey, Mike Percy, Tim Lever & Steve Coy.[13][14] The third track of the album, "B.O.Y." is an electro and disco song which features distorted synthesizers emulating sonar pulses, was written by Driscoll, Gagel, Ocasek. The fourth song "If You Were Mine" was tailored for the clubs and recalls Janet Jackson's "When I Think of You".[15] "Walkin' 'Round in a Circle", the album's fifth track, is another song co-written by Simpson for the album. The song has a touch of Euro disco love song with new wave influences. The sixth track, "The Lover in Me" it is a mid-tempo pop song, contains instruments such as piano and guitar. The seventh track, "Swing with Me" a new rendition of Benny Goodman's 1938 classic "Sing, Sing, Sing". "Push Your Tush" the eighth track is a Euro disco song with disco influences.[16] It relies heavily on a sample of the Ohio Players 1976 hit "Who'd She Coo?"[17] "Back to You" track number nine, is a pop song with an urban influence, the song is one of the ballads on the album. "Between You & I" is the solecismic title of longest song on the album. "I Don't Want to Care" is another ballad about love, this time utilizing a piano. "Fired Up", the song title came from something one of Simpson's best friends, CaCee Cobb, always says: "Let's get fired up!". "Let Him Fly" is a cover of Patty Griffin's song of the same name. It is the final track on the album's original pressing. "I Belong to Me" was not included in the original pressing of the album, however, released as a Walmart bonus track. In September 2006, Simpson's label decided to release future pressings with "I Belong to Me" as a regular track. It was released as the album's second and final single.

Singles

"A Public Affair" was released as the album's lead single on June 29, 2006.[18] The song received mixed reviews from critics, with many criticizing its close similarity with "Holiday". The song also channeled Janet Jackson with its "breathy vocals, cheery, almost sickeningly sweet melody", and "mid-song giggle".[19] The music video features appearances by Christina Applegate, Christina Milian, Eva Longoria, Maria Menounos, Andy Dick and Ryan Seacrest. On July 19, Simpson visited Total Request Live to world premiere the video.[20] In the chart Billboard Hot Videoclip Tracks peaked at the number 5.[21] The single debuted at number thirty-nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart,[22] Simpson's second highest debut after "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'". It had previously debuted at number twenty on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which represents the twenty-five singles below the Hot 100's number 100 position that have not yet appeared on the Hot 100. Digital download sales were moderate until the release of the single's music video. In late July "A Public Affair" joined Ashlee Simpson's song "Invisible" in the top ten on the US iTunes Store's list of most popular songs, the first time in iTunes history that two siblings had different songs in the top ten. The song peaked in its fifth week on the Hot 100.

When the first official single was released, fans expected the official follow-up single to be club track "Fired Up". Weeks later, in an MTV interview, Simpson stated that "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" might be the second single from the album and that she would like to tour after three or four songs had been released from the record. However, on August 9, 2006, Simpson stated on her official website that she wanted her fans to choose the second single from the album; she provided five choices, which were: "If You Were Mine", "The Lover in Me", "I Belong to Me", "B.O.Y." and "I Don't Want to Care".

Simpson stated in a radio interview on August 23, 2006 that the second official single from the album would be "I Belong to Me". The album originally did not include the track "I Belong to Me"; Simpson stated that the track would only be included on a special version of the album sold exclusively in Wal-Mart. The track is also included on the iTunes version of the album. However, less than two weeks after the album's release, Simpson's record company decided to start shipping copies with "I Belong to Me" included; today, the album can be purchased anywhere with the bonus track included. Simpson mentioned that the album would feature a special code with which fans could download the song for free.[23]

Jessica Simpson's version of the "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" was released as a promo single in 2006. Her version of the song barely made the Pop 100, and failed to make the Billboard Hot 100 chart, however, it charted to no. 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, which is equivalent to no. 120. Simpson's version has new lyrics and only preserves the chorus of the song.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[24]
BBCmixed[25]
Entertainment WeeklyC[26]
Rolling Stone[27]
Slant Magazine[19]
Music Server[28]

A Public Affair received mixed reviews in the press, including a two-star rating from Rolling Stone. The album was criticized for lack of originality, particularly its similarities to previous Top 40 pop and disco hits from the '70s and '80s, with few contemporary elements. The lead single "A Public Affair" was especially criticized for its similarities to Madonna's "Holiday", Diana Ross' "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Let's Groove", but was favorably likened to Janet Jackson for its "breathy vocals" and "sweet melody".[19] Bill Lamb from About.com stated: "The final 5 songs of A Public Affair are worth hearing for Jessica Simpson fans. I just hope fans can maintain their interest long enough to get there."[29] Several songs on the album were considered "Janet Jackson-like," with "If You Were Mine" described as combining "the lyrics of "If" with the backing track from "When I Think of You".[15][30] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine regarded Simpson's work with Jackson's producers as unexpected, saying "Ironically, though, the tracks on A Public Affair produced by Janet's longtime collaborators, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, aren't dance-pop at all; the duo's three contributions are, surprisingly, country-inspired."[19]

Commercial performance

Simpson in August 2006

The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 101,000 copies in its first week.[31][32] However, total sales for the album ended up being disappointing, only selling 300,000 copies in the US.[33] A Public Affair, was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for denoting 500,000 in shipments.[34]

In Canada, the album debuted at number six, marking Simpson's highest position on the Canadian Albums Chart and was later certified Gold for 50,000 copies sold. A Public Affair also reached the top forty in Ireland and Australia, in the latter country peaking lower than In This Skin which reached number thirteen and was certified Platinum. To date, the album has sold one million copies worldwide.[35][36]

Track listing

A Public Affair – Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."A Public Affair"
Lester Mendez3:21
2."You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)"
Cory Rooney3:49
3."B.O.Y."
3:22
4."If You Were Mine"
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Kurstin
3:17
5."Walkin' 'Round in a Circle"
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis4:40
6."The Lover in Me"
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Gray
  • Candice Childress
Mendez3:41
7."Swing with Me"
  • Rooney
  • Shea
3:25
8."Push Your Tush"
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis4:48
9."Back to You"
  • J. Simpson
  • Harris III
  • Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis4:11
10."Between You & I"
  • J. Simpson
  • Rooney
  • Rooney
  • Shea
4:58
11."I Don't Want to Care"
Stargate3:57
12."Fired Up"
Storch3:58
13."Let Him Fly"Patty GriffinMendez3:11
Total length:50:38
A Public Affair – Circuit City exclusive edition (bonus track)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."A Public Affair" (extended mix)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Lester Mendez5:48
Total length:56:26
A Public Affair – US Walmart, international and reissue edition (bonus track)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."I Belong to Me"Diane WarrenStargate3:40
Total length:54:23
A Public Affair – Japan edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."A Public Affair" (karaoke version)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Lester Mendez3:24
16."A Public Affair" (extended mix)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Lester Mendez5:48
Total length:1:03:45
A Public Affair – iTunes Store reissue edition (bonus tracks)[37]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."A Public Affair" (Cass&Dubs Remix)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Lester Mendez3:15
16."A Public Affair" (music video)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Brett Ratner4:15
Total length:58:08
A Public Affair – United Kingdom and Ireland edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) / Director(s)Length
15."These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis3:59
16."A Public Affair" (music video)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Brett Ratner4:15
Total length:62:37
A Public Affair – International digital special edition (bonus tracks)[38]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."A Public Affair" (Cass&Dubs Remix)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Lester Mendez3:15
17."A Public Affair" (extended mix)
  • J. Simpson
  • Austin
  • Kurstin
  • Watters
  • Biancaniello
  • Ashford
  • V. Simpson
Lester Mendez5:48
Total length:59:41
A Public Affair – Best Buy exclusive edition (bonus DVD)[39]
No.TitleDirector(s)Length
1."A Public Affair" (Making of the Video)Benjamin Hurvitz21:35
Total length:72:13

Personnel

Credits for A Public Affair adapted from AllMusic.[40]

  • Ron Allaire – engineer
  • Chris August – backing vocals
  • Xandy Barry – producer
  • Magnus Beite – keyboards
  • Louis Biancaniello – keyboards, mixing, producer, programming
  • Jerry Brown – drums
  • Ravaughn Brown – backing vocals
  • Sherree Ford Brown – backing vocals
  • Orlando Calzada – engineer
  • Vince Cherico – drums
  • Cacee Cobb – backing vocals
  • Ian Cross – engineer, mixing
  • Barry Danielian – trumpet
  • Mikkel S. Eriksen – engineer, instrumentation, vocal producer
  • Wally Gagel – engineer, instrumentation, mixing, producer
  • Siedah Garrett – backing vocals, vocal arrangement
  • Steve Geuting – assistant engineer
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals
  • Conrad Golding – engineer
  • Tamyra Gray – backing vocals
  • Keith Gretlein – assistant engineer
  • Niki Haris – backing vocals
  • Dorian Holly – backing vocals
  • Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar
  • Jimmy Jam – keyboards, producer
  • Justin King – guitar
  • Greg Kurstin – guitar, keyboards, producer, programming
  • Dan Kurtz – bass
  • Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums
  • Evan Lamberg – A&R
  • Terry Lewis – producer
  • Espen Lind – keyboards
  • David Andrew Mann – tenor saxophone
  • Matt Marrin – engineer, mixing
  • Farra Mathews – A&R
  • Chris Megert – vocal arrangement
  • Ozzie Melendez – trombone
  • Vlado Meller – mastering
  • Lester Mendez – arranger, beats, Moog synthesizer, piano, producer
  • Jessica Paster – wardrobe
  • Ken Paves – hair stylist
  • Dave Pensado – mixing
  • Rafael Padilla – percussion
  • Brett Ratner – photography
  • Eric Rennaker – assistant engineer
  • Makeba Riddick – backing vocals
  • Tim Roberts – mixing assistant
  • Reuben Rodriguez – bass
  • Cory Rooney – drum programming, keyboards, producer, vocal producer
  • Laurie Rosenwald – cover typeset
  • Bobby Ross Avila – bass
  • Andrew Rugg – engineer
  • Dan Shea – keyboards, producer
  • Jessica Simpson – vocals, executive producer
  • Joe Simpson – executive producer, management
  • Scott Storch – producer
  • Phil Tan – mixing
  • Mike Terry – engineer
  • Tony Tolbert – backing vocals
  • Valente Torrez – assistant engineer
  • David LeVita – guitar
  • Peter Wade – engineer
  • Brian Warwick – assistant engineer
  • Sam Watters – mixing, producer
  • David E. Williams – guitar
  • Joe Wohlmuth – engineer
  • Lyle Workman – guitar
  • James "Big Jim" Wright – keyboards
  • Joe Zook – mixing

Charts

Chart (2006–07) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[41] 33
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[42] 6
Irish Albums (IRMA)[43] 32
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[44] 63
Scottish Albums (OCC)[45] 76
UK Albums (OCC)[46] 65
US Billboard 200[47] 5
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[48] 3
US Top Internet Albums (Billboard)[49] 2

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[50] Gold 50,000^
United States (RIAA)[51] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Catalog Ref.
Australia August 26, 2006 CD Sony BMG 82876832152
Canada August 29, 2006
United States Epic 88697001742 [52]
Japan September 27, 2006 Sony BMG EICP 664 [53]
United Kingdom February 12, 2007 RCA 88697059592 [54][55]

References

  1. ↑ "Jessica Simpson". jessicasimpson.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  2. ↑ "Jessica Simpson biography". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Bio". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Biography". jessicasimpsonmusic.net. Archived from the original on 2014-04-28. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Famous People Biographies - Celebrities Net Worth". Archived from the original on 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  6. ↑ "Jessica Simpson - The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. 2006-08-12. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  7. ↑ "Jessica Simpson - Artist Chart History - Singles". Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-06-23.
  8. 1 2 "A Public Affair – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "For The Record: Quick News On Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, Paris Hilton, Biggie And Serj Tankian, AFI & More – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". Mtv.com. 2005-10-12. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  10. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Covers Song That Convinced Her To Let Nick Go - Music, Celebrity, Artist News - MTV.com". MTV News. Moss, Corey. 2006-04-02. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  11. ↑ "Laughing, Acting Or Singing, Jessica Simpson Aims To Entertain And Inspire". MTV News. 2006-06-28. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  12. ↑ "Public Affair". 29 August 2006 – via Amazon.
  13. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Covers Song That Convinced Her To Let Nick Go". MTV.
  14. ↑ "A Public Affair - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  15. 1 2 "A Public Affair - Album Reviews - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Sheffield, Rob. 2006-09-07. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  16. ↑ "Findance.com". Archived from the original on 2007-04-01.
  17. ↑ D, Spence (31 August 2006). "Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair".
  18. ↑ "Remember 2006? Here Are the Year's 100 Best Pop Songs". Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Slant Magazine review
  20. ↑ "Nervous Simpson Debuts Video on Minnillo's Show", Contactmusic.com, July 20, 2006.
  21. ↑
  22. ↑ Clover Hope, "Furtado Remains No. 1 With 'Promiscuous'", July 6, 2006].
  23. ↑ 2nd Single Poll Archived 2006-08-21 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ↑ A Public Affair at AllMusic
  25. ↑ Ennever, Lizzie. "BBC - Music - Review of Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair".
  26. ↑ "A Public Affair". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  27. ↑ "A Public Affair". Rolling Stone.
  28. ↑ http://musicserver.cz/clanek/18099/Jessica-Simpson--A-Public-Affair/link Musicserver.cz
  29. ↑ "Jessica Simpson – A Public Affair: Review of Jessica Simpson's album 'A Public Affair' – About.com". Top40.about.com. 2009-11-03. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  30. ↑ "Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair". Channel 24. Kakora, Megan. 2007-04-16. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  31. ↑
  32. ↑ Mayfield, Geoff (September 16, 2006). "Dylan Stands Tall; Simpson Fades Despite Fanfare". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 37. p. 57. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  33. ↑ Trust, Gary (February 20, 2009). "Ask Billboard - A Little Bit Country". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Gold & Platinum: Jessica Simpson". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Turns Down Huge Book Deal -- to Record New Album!". 6 March 2015.
  36. ↑ "From Music to Merch, Find Out All About Jessica Simpson's Net Worth—And Whether She's a Bona Fide Billionaire". Parade. 28 December 2021.
  37. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-public-affair/id310901664
  38. ↑ https://music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B001GT86WI
  39. ↑ "Jessica Simpson - A Public Affair (CD, Album + DVD-V, NTSC + Bes) at Discogs". Discogs.com. August 29, 2006. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  40. ↑ "A Public Affair – Jessica Simpson – Credits". AllMusic.
  41. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Jessica Simpson – A Public Affair". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  43. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Jessica Simpson". Hung Medien.
  44. ↑ "ジェシカ・シンプソンのランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Jessica Simpson | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  47. ↑ "Jessica Simpson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  48. ↑ "Albums: Top Digital". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 37. September 16, 2006. p. 72. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Albums: Top Internet". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 37. September 16, 2006. p. 72. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Jessica Simpson – A Public Affair". Music Canada. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  51. ↑ "American album certifications – Jessica Simpson – A Public Affair". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Public Affair". 29 August 2006 – via Amazon.
  53. ↑ "Public Affair" – via Amazon.
  54. ↑ "A Public Affair". 12 February 2007 – via Amazon.
  55. ↑ "A Public Affair" – via Amazon.
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