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Halo (Texas song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Halo
| cover = Halo (Texas song).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Texas
| album = White on Blonde
| B-side =
| released =
| recorded =
| studio = Abbey Road (London, England)
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 4:10
| label = Mercury
| writer =
| producer =
| prev_title = Say What You Want
| prev_year = 1997
| next_title = Black Eyed Boy
| next_year = 1997
| misc =
}}
"'Halo'" is a song by Scottish alternative rock band Texas, released on 7 April 1997 as the second single from their fourth studio album, 'White on Blonde' (1997). The song was written by Texas frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri and guitarist Johnny McElhone and was produced by Texas and Mike Hedges. "Halo" debuted and peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Charts. The music video, filmed in Hong Kong, features Spiteri and a Chinese woman acting as her "halo".
Release and promotion
"Halo" was released as the second single from 'White on Blonde' on 7 April 1997. It debuted at number 10 in the United Kingdom on 13 April 1997. During the song's second week it fell to number 17, and during its third week it fell to number 21. In its fourth week the song dropped to number 36, and in its fifth week it fell out the UK top 40 at number 51. In total, the song spent eight weeks on the UK Singles Chart. In the band's native Scotland, the single peaked at number three. Outside the UK, it reached number 27 in Iceland and briefly charted in the Flanders region of Belgium.
Critical reception
Dominic Pride from 'Music & Media' wrote that the song is "just as infectious" as "Say What You Want", "with building strings and one of the strongest hooks currently going." He added, "Texas have a knack of making songs which fit radio perfectly, and this one makes Sharleen Spiteri's voice virtually jump out of the speakers. As big a hit as the last one." A reviewer from 'Music Week' rated it four out of five, saying, "This simply-structured, classic-sounding single produced by Mike Hedges boasts another breathtaking vocal from Sharleen Spiteri, and can only further emphasise what a superb comeback 'White On Blonde' is." Ian Hyland from 'Sunday Mirror' gave it seven out of ten, describing it as "radio-friendly", with "strings and brass [that] combine with Deborah Harry-ish vocals to make the perfect breezy summer hit."Hyland, Ian (6 April 1997). "Orbital Make a Heavenly Saints Sound". 'Sunday Mirror'. Retrieved 1 December 2020. David Sinclair from 'The Times' noted "the staid string arrangements" of the song.Sinclair, David (8 February 1997). "The week's top pop releases; Records". 'The Times'.
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Halo" was filmed in Hong Kong in 1997 and begins with a Chinese man running through a street. It features Spiteri wearing a blue dress while singing the song in front of a brick wall. A Chinese woman wearing the same dress is also featured as her "halo". The video was inspired by the Wong Kar-wai film 'Chungking Express'.
"Halo" was published on Texas' official YouTube channel in June 2008. It has amassed more than 1,1 million views as of September 2021.
Track listings
* 'UK CD1'
# "Halo" 4:10
# "Asking for Favours" 3:49
# "Coming Down" 3:50
# "Halo" (orchestral version) 4:25
* 'UK CD2'
# "Halo" 4:10
# "Halo" (Rae & Christian mix) 6:20
# "Halo" (Rae & Christian dub) 5:39
# "Halo" (808 mix) 5:25
# "Halo" (808 dub) 5:52
* 'UK cassette single and European CD single'
# "Halo" 4:10
# "Asking for Favours" 3:49
* 'Australasian maxi-CD single'
# "Halo" 4:10
# "Halo" (Rae & Christian mix) 6:20
# "Halo" (Rae & Christian dub) 5:39
# "Halo" (808 mix) 5:25
# "Halo" (808 dub) 5:52
# "Say What You Want" (live) 3:51
Personnel
Personnel are lifted from 'The Greatest Hits' album booklet.
* Texas production
** Johnny McElhone writing, keyboards, programming, orchestra arrangement
** Sharleen Spiteri writing, guitars
** Ally McErlaine guitars
** Eddie Campbell keyboards, programming, orchestra arrangement
** Richard Hynd drums, programming
* Mike Hedges production
* Martin Greene orchestra arrangement
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1997 singles
Category:1997 songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Hedges
Category:Songs written by Johnny McElhone
Category:Songs written by Sharleen Spiteri
Category:Texas (band) songs
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