"Uptight" is a song by English singer-songwriter Shara Nelson, released in January 1994 by Cooltempo Records as the fourth single from her first solo album, What Silence Knows (1993). Co-written by Nelson with Attrell Cordes, the song was produced by Michael Peden and became a top-20 hit in the UK, peaking at numbers 19 on the UK Singles Chart. The accompanying music video was directed by American director Kevin Bray.[1]
Critical reception
Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song a score of four out of five and named it Pick of the Week, saying, "It's a perky uptempo song, with a funky, shuffling Motown-esque beat, and great pop potential." He added that Nelson "is certain of another Top 40 hit".[2] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "It's hard to keep your cool with this funky groover, with Miss Nelson wrapping her vocals around the staccato sung chorus."[3] Terry Staunton from NME wrote, "This isn't quite up to that mark [as 'Down That Road' and 'One Goodbye in Ten'], but it's still a glorious record, reminiscent of Motown in the good old days."[4] Andy Beevers from the Record Mirror Dance Update noted Nelson's "atmospheric vocal",[5] while James Hamilton named it a "plaintive jiggly roller" in his weekly dance column.[6] Jonathan Bernstein from Spin noted the song's "insecurity".[7]
Music video
The music video for "Uptight" was directed by American director Kevin Bray and produced by Lisa Bonahan for DNA. It was released on 7 February 1994 and features Nelson tramping the chilly streets of New York City accompanied by a cast of locals.[8]
Track listings
- UK CD single (7243 8 81184 2 2)
- "Uptight" (Uno Perfecto Edit) - 4:30
- "Uptight" (Uno Perfecto Mix) - 7:05
- "Uptight" (Dirty Lowdown Vocal Mix) - 5:30
- "What Silence Knows" (Unreleased Version) - 7:52
- European CD single (7243 8 81186 2 0)
- "Uptight" (Uno Perfecto Edit) - 4:32
- "Uptight" (Dirty Lowdown Dub) - 5:29
- "Uptight" (Uno Perfecto Mix) - 7:06
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
| Chart (1994)
|
Position
|
| UK Singles (OCC)[14]
|
195
|
|
Release history
References
- ^ "Music Video: Production Notes" (PDF). Billboard. 15 January 1994. p. 31. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- ^ Jones, Alan (29 January 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 5. 29 January 1994. p. 10. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ Staunton, Terry (29 January 1994). "Singles". NME. p. 47. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Beevers, Andy (22 January 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 7. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ Hamilton, James (19 February 1994). "DJ directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (July 1994). "Spins". Spin. p. 70. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "Promos In Production" (PDF). Music Week. 29 January 1994. p. 12. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 9. 26 February 1994. p. 14. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Official Charts > Shara Nelson". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 26 February 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 February 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ "The RM Club Chart 31.1.94" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). 29 January 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "1994 – Singles". Hit Music. 7 January 1995. p. 31.
- ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. 29 January 1994. p. 25.
- ^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 18/04/94: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 218. 17 April 1994. p. 20.
External links