"Not much of a tune," you might be thinking, "but it sounds amazing. Sounds so modern, so now. How very brilliant that she is on the verge of propelling this brand new song into the higher reaches of the pop parade."
CLANG!
The single was first recorded over two and a half years ago by the Murlyn-sponsored four-piece girlgroup Melodi Brown (pictured below), a sort of clearing house for the hitmaking team's talents and a band whose run of nicked songs adds whole new dimension to the phrase 'always the bridesmaid'.
Since the stalled release of their first single 'Naked' in 2003 (it was pulled just a couple of months before it was due to hit the shops, probably something to do with idiot playlist bigwigs not getting it), they've already had 'DJ' recorded by both Samantha Mumba and Jamelia, and 'Spin That Bottle' slapped onto a Rachel Stevens b-side. Melodi Brown's version of 'Do Somethin'' was never released, but they did perform it at their London showcase in 2003.
Around the time, and with that typical Popjustice flair for backing a total loser, we interviewed the group in a pub and they were hilarious, although in the cold light of 2005 we can't remember a word of what happened and the results of our time with the band seem to have disappeared from the Unreliable Popjustice Hard Drive Of Doom.
So where next for the pop goldmine that is the Melodi Brown back catalogue? Well, as we've mentioned once before here on Popjustie, the band's trump card was always the killer slowie 'Never Knew My Baby', a song which simply must turn up somewhere.
Do you think the bookies are ready to take bets on Jamelia scoring this year's Christmas Number One?
Or "Do SUH'in", as Britney insists on singing it. Someone in the Spears camp has realised that you're far more likely to have a long career in this business we call show if you release a stream of fantastic songs, rather than endlessly reworking your one big hit. So, after the polar opposites of 'Toxic' and 'Everytime' comes another right-angle turn of a song in which Britney goes crunk (sort of).
Actually, the hip hop beats, stripped back synths and squealy melodies are closer to '80s rap stars Salt 'N' Pepa than Lil John. And the layer of fuzz which descends like a swarm of grumpy wasps adds some much-needed seedy dirt to the whole affair. Sure, it runs out of steam halfway through, but if you give in and let the beat work its magic on those toes, chances are so will you.
Britney's Do Somethin' entered the Billboard Hot 100 at the #100 spot. It's actually getting 90% of its spins on 2 radio stations only, one in NYC and the other one in LA. The reason why it finally made it on the Hot 100 is because Neilson Soundscan started taking internet downloads into consideration, and Do Somethin' is a hot online download!
Britney set for strong finish in Philippine year-end charts
As of October 17, 2005, Britney Spears's lone 2005 hit 'Do Somethin' is holding steady at No.4 in the race for the year-end top position in the Philippines singles chart.
01.We Belong Together Carey, Mariah The Emancipation of Mimi Peak Position: 7 weeks at #1 Weeks on Chart: 35 weeks
02.The Day You Said Goodnight Hale Hale Peak Position: 7 weeks at #1 Weeks on Chart: 27 weeks
03.Love Moves in Mysterious Ways Nina Nina Live! Peak Position: 6 weeks at #1 Weeks on Chart: 31 weeks
04.Do Somethin Spears, Britney Peak Position: 4 weeks at #1 Weeks on Chart: 24 weeks
2005 was a very strong year for the local music scene in the Philippines with close to 60% of all albums sold coming from local albums. In the singles chart, 6 out of the year-end top 10 songs were sung by local artists, although international pop superstars Mariah Carey and Britney Spears manage to land Top 5 positions.
02-23-2005 08:38 AM
