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Faces (2 Unlimited song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Faces
| cover = 2 Unlimited Faces Single Cover.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Widely distributed variant of the standard artwork
| type = single
| artist = 2 Unlimited
| album = No Limits!
| released = 23 August 1993
| recorded = 1993
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Eurodance
| length = 3:48
3:30
| label =
*Byte
*Zyx
*PWL
| writer =
*Phil Wilde
*Jean-Paul De Coster
*Ray Slijngaard
*Anita Dels
| producer =
*Phil Wilde
*Jean-Paul De Coster
| prev_title = Tribal Dance
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = Maximum Overdrive
| next_year = 1993
| misc =
}}
"'Faces'" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. As their seventh single, it was released on 25 August 1993 as the third single from their second album, 'No Limits!' (1993). Co-written by band members Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, it peaked at number eight in the UK, while peaking at number six on the Eurochart Hot 100.
Release and reception
The single version of "Faces" is a radio edit of the album version included on the 'No Limits!' album internationally. "Faces (Radio Edit)" substitutes the less-palatable, harsh synth lead with a milder rendition of the same riff. In the United States, this radio edit of "Faces" was included on the 'No Limits!' album instead of the album version found on all international pressings. In the UK, the radio edit of "Faces" omitted the main rap, but like "Tribal Dance", the song left in more vocals from Ray Slijngaard. The UK album version instead deletes Rays vocals during the main raps, but kept Rays spoken vocals during the break.
Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "This new single if anything contains more depth than their average work, with changes of tempo rife throughout." Alan Jones from 'Music Week' wrote, "A more complex than usual offering from the Dutch duo who eschew their simple and highly effective straight-ahead rave style in favour of a tempo-changing and less instant song. They'll pay the price at retail with one of their smaller hits to date, though the Top 20 is still a cert." James Hamilton from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update described it as a "techno synth buzzed but unrushed tinkling blippy sweet loper". Toby Anstis reviewed the song for 'Smash Hits', stating that "this is just a taster of what the album sounds like". He added that "it'll be a hit". Australian student newspaper 'Woroni' picked "Faces" as an "obvious highlight" of the 'No Limits!' album, together with "No Limit" and "Tribal Dance".
Chart performance
"Faces" scored chart success in many European countries, peaking at number two in their homeland of the Netherlands, number three in Belgium, number four in Spain and number five in Finland. It also reached the Top 10 in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania and the UK. In the latter, it peaked at number eight in its second week on the UK Singles Chart on 5 September 1993. The single spent two weeks at that position. It was also a Top 10 hit on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it made it to number six, and on the European Dance Radio Chart, where it peakead at number two. Additionally, the song was a Top 20 hit in Denmark, France, Italy and Sweden. Outside Europe, it reached number 54 in Australia.
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by British director Nick Burgess-Jones. He also directed the videos for "No Limit" and "Tribal Dance". The backdrop of the video shows a desert landscape where Ray and Anita are surrounded by machines and screens where different faces are shown. Sometimes Ray and Anita are seen in black-and-white, with the surroundings still in colours. There were made two different edits of "Faces"; the rap version and the no rap version. The rap version was later published on 2 Unlimited's official YouTube channel in July 2014. It has amassed more than 1,2 million views as of April 2022. The other version was published in June 2014.
Track listing
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1993 songs
Category:1993 singles
Category:2 Unlimited songs
Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Category:Songs written by Jean-Paul De Coster
Category:Songs written by Phil Wilde
Category:Songs written by Ray Slijngaard
Category:Songs written by Anita Doth
Category:Byte Records singles
Category:ZYX Music singles
Category:Music videos directed by Nick Burgess-Jones
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