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No Coke
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = No Coke
| cover = No_coke.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Dr Alban
| album = Hello Afrika
| released = 3 November 1990
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
*Dancehall
*reggae
| length =
*3:43
*7:00 (Album Version)
| label = Sonet / Warner Music
| writer =
*Dr Alban
*Denniz PoP
| producer = Denniz PoP
| prev_title = Hello Afrika
| prev_year = 1990
| next_title = U & Mi
| next_year = 1991
| misc =
}}
"'No Coke'" is a song recorded by Sweden-based musician and producer Dr Alban. It was originally released as the B-side of the 12" version of his debut single "Hello Afrika" and became the second single off his debut album, 'Hello Afrika' (1990). Released in November 1990, the song was a hit in several European countries and reached number-one in Sweden. To date, it is one of Dr Alban's most successful songs, along with "It's My Life" and "Sing Hallelujah". It was produced by Denniz Pop, who recorded the song's signature bassline using a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer.'Hitlatens historia: No Coke'. SVT. Aired on 27 November 2017. The song is performed in English and the lyrics describe a tragic event outside Alban's nightclub Alphabet Street in Stockholm. In November 2017, it was the topic at SVT:s 'Hitltens historia'.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from 'Billboard' viewed the song as a "cleverly written anti-drug anthem", "particularly potent and U.S. club-friendly." He added that "pure (and clever) toasting is woven into a fabric of accessible hip-hop and reggae threads" and concluded that the song is "a brilliant piece of work".
Chart performance
"No Coke" was very successful on the charts in Europe, peaking at number-one in Sweden. It spent two weeks at the top spot and 5 weeks within the Top 10. The single made it to the Top 10 also in Austria, Germany, Greece (number three), the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. In Austria, it peaked at
number two, being held off reaching number-one by Roxette's "Joyride". It spent four weeks at that position. Additionally, "No Coke" was a Top 20 hit in Finland and Italy, and a Top 30 hit in Belgium. It didn't chart on the UK Singles Chart, but reached number 59 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The single earned a gold record in Sweden, where the song broke all records by staying for five consecutive weeks at number-one in national radio SR's popular show "Tracks". That's a feat not even achieved by ABBA.
Music video
A music video was made for "No Coke", directed by Scottish director Paul Boyd. He also directed the video for "Hello Afrika". The video was later published on Dr. Alban's official YouTube channel in December 2011. By September 2020, it had more than 10.2 million views.
Track listings
* '7" single'
# "No Coke" (radio mix) 3:43
# "No Coke" (swe-flow-mix) 3:50
* 'CD single'
# "No Coke" (radio mix) 3:43
# "No Coke" (swe-flow-mix) 3:50
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
Category:1990 singles
Category:Dr. Alban songs
Category:Dancehall songs
Category:Number-one singles in Sweden
Category:Songs written by Denniz Pop
Category:Song recordings produced by Denniz Pop
Category:Songs written by Dr. Alban
Category:1990 songs
Category:English-language Swedish songs
Category:Songs about cocaine
Category:Reggae fusion songs
Category:Music videos directed by Paul Boyd
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