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The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = The Real Thing
| cover = 2 Unlimited The Real Thing Single Euro Cover.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = 2 Unlimited
| album = Real Things
| released =
| recorded = 1994
| studio =
| venue =
| length = 3:40
| label = *Byte
*Zyx
*PWL
| writer = *Phil Wilde
*Peter Bauwens
*Ray Slijngaard
*Anita Dels
| producer = *Phil Wilde
*Jean-Paul De Coster
| prev_title = Let The Beat Control Your Body
| prev_year = 1993
| next_title = No One
| next_year = 1994
| misc =
}}
"'The Real Thing'" is a 1994 song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released as the first single from their third album, 'Real Things' (1994). It scored chart success in many European countries, topping the charts in Finland and the Netherlands while peaking at number two in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland. The song also was a top 10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the UK. It entered the Eurochart Hot 100 May 28, 1994 at 30 and peaked at number-one three weeks later. Outside Europe, it peaked at number two in Israel and number 39 in Australia.
Composition
"The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)" contains samples of 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor' by German composer and musician Johann Sebastian Bach.[http://www.allegro.philharmonic.me.uk/alpha.htm Alpha] According to classicfm.com, it is considered one of the biggest pop songs to sample classical music in the last 25 years."
Critical reception
Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, that this "is just what you would expect from 2 Unlimited. Fast, frantic and fatuous it's still enough to give them an eighth Top 10 hit out of 10 chart singles". A reviewer from 'Music & Media' commented, "In no time, chart positions are reported from the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. With this ABBAesque pop dance chorus many territories will follow." Alan Jones from 'Music Week' rated the song four out of five, adding that 2 Unlimited "plough their usual frantic and bouncy techno furrow. The male rap/female singing combination still serves them well and, as usual, this is Top 10 bound."
James Hamilton from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update deemed it a "typically cheesy frantic pop galloper". Scottish newspaper 'Perthshire Advertiser' said, "They've found a new formula yet, but it'll still be a smash!""RECORD REVIEWS". 'Perthshire Advertiser'. 17 May 1994. page 22. Pop Rescue noted that "it's clear here that 2 Unlimited were packing a punch with this song 'and we're not gonna stop until we reach the highest top', sings Anita." Tim Marsh from 'Select' stated that it "has a funky key riff". Tom Doyle from 'Smash Hits' gave it three out of five, commenting, "ditching their heavy heavy techno techno for a bit of a housey classical vibe, the 'Limited look set to continue their near unblemished run of chart hits."
Chart performance
"The Real Thing" was a major hit in several countries, making it one of 2 Unlimited's most successful songs. It peaked at number-one in Finland, Lithuania and the Netherlands, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. In addition, the single reached number two in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, and was also a top 10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it went to number six on May 22, 1994, in its second week on the UK Singles Chart. Outside Europe, "The Real Thing" peaked at number two in Israel, number 22 in New Zealand and number 39 in Australia. The single has sold 633,000 copies worldwide.
Airplay
"The Real Thing" entered the European airplay chart Border Breakers at number 12 on June 4 due to crossover airplay in East Central-, West-, Central-, Northwest- and North-European regions, and peaked at the third position on July 2.
Music video
The music video for "The Real Thing" was directed by Nigel Simpkiss and was released in the UK in May 1994. He also directed the video for "Let the Beat Control Your Body". The video was later published on 2 Unlimited's official YouTube channel in December 2013. It has amassed more than 2,2 million views as of September 2021.
Track listings
* '7" single'
# "The Real Thing" (Edit) (3:40)
# "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Edit) (3:55)
* '12" maxi, Europe'
# "The Real Thing" (Trance-Thing) (6:18)
# "The Real Thing" (Extended) (6:20)
# "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Thing) (5:53)
* '12" maxi, Italy'
# "The Real Thing" (Extended) (6:20)
# "The Real Thing" (Spaans) (6:16)
# "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Thing) (5:53)
# "The Real Thing" (Trance-Thing) (6:18)
* '12" maxi, UK'
# "The Real Thing" (Tribal Thing)
# "The Real Thing" (Trance Thing)
# "The Real Thing" (Extended 12")
* '12" maxi, US'
# "The Real Thing" (J&D's Wookie Vocal Mix) (6:45)
# "The Real Thing" (Extended Euro Club Mix) (6:18)
# "The Real Thing" (The Doc & Baron 90 Proof Club Mix) (7:54)
# "The Real Thing" (The Tribal Thing) (5:53)
* '12" maxi, US'
# "The Real Thing" (Doc & Baron's NYC Dub Excursion) (10:37)
# "The Real Thing" (J&D's Clubstrumental) (4:20)
# "The Real Thing" (The It Goes Underground Mix) (6:45)
# "The Real Thing" (The Trance Thing) (5:38)
* 'CD maxi, Europe/Canada'
# "The Real Thing" (Edit) (3:40)
# "The Real Thing" (Trance Thing) (6:18)
# "The Real Thing" (Extended) (6:20)
# "The Real Thing" (Tribal Thing) (5:53)
* 'CD single, UK'
# "The Real Thing" (3:42)
# "The Real Thing" (Extended 12") (6:20)
# "The Real Thing" (Trance-Thing) (5:39)
# "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Thing) (5:55)
* 'CD maxi, US'
# "The Real Thing" (J & D's Wookie Radio Mix) (3:51)
# "The Real Thing" (Extended Euro Club Mix) (6:18)
# "The Real Thing" (J & D's Wookie Vocal Mix) (6:45)
# "The Real Thing" (Doc Baron's 90 Proof Club Mix) (7:54)
# "The Real Thing" (The Tribal Thing) (5:56)
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Remixes
* 'Japan 2001 Remixes'
# "The Real Thing" (B4 Za Beat Extended Remix) (7:54)
# "The Real Thing" (DJ Dee Power Mix) (4:31)
# "The Real Thing" (Super Calcium Mix) (5:52)
# Nagoya Megamix "" Delight Mix (2:33)
References
Category:1994 singles
Category:2 Unlimited songs
Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Finland
Category:Pete Waterman Entertainment singles
Category:1994 songs
Category:Songs written by Phil Wilde
Category:Songs written by Anita Doth
Category:Songs written by Ray Slijngaard
Category:Byte Records singles
Category:ZYX Music singles
Category:Songs written by Peter Bauwens
Category:Music videos directed by Nigel Simpkiss
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