Beautiful People (Barbara Tucker song)

"Beautiful People" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Barbara Tucker, who co-wrote it with India, Lem Springsteen and "Little" Louie Vega, who along with partner Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, co-produced the track. It was released on March 2, 1994, as her first single by Strictly Rhythm Records, and was also Tucker's first of seven number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, reaching the top spot on April 16, 1994.[1] On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number 23,[2][3][4] while it topped both the UK Dance Singles Chart and the UK Club Chart.

"Beautiful People"
Single by Barbara Tucker
ReleasedMarch 2, 1994
Recorded1993
GenreHouse
Length4:06
LabelStrictly Rhythm Records (US)
Positiva Records (UK)
Quality Records (Canada)
EMI Records (Australia)
ZYX Records (Germany)
Songwriter(s)Barbara Tucker
India
Lem Springsteen
Louie Vega
Producer(s)Gladys "Ski" Pizarro
Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez & "Little" Louie Vega
Barbara Tucker singles chronology
"Beautiful People"
(1994)		 "I Get Lifted"
(1994)
Music video
"Beautiful People" on YouTube

Mixmag featured "Beautiful People" in their list of "The 30 Best Vocal House Anthems Ever" in 2018,[5] and Pitchfork featured it in their list of "The 30 Best House Tracks of the ’90s" in 2022.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard felt "Beautiful People" had Tucker "flexing her gospel-honed voice to maximum effect. Factor in crafty production by "Little" Louie Vega that carefully balanced assertive beats with a wicked hook, and you had an unstoppable star vehicle."[6] He also declared it as an "instantly memorable house anthem".[7] British electronic dance and clubbing magazine Mixmag called it "a wonderfully crafted track. The fleet-fingered organ line and snares that hit like hand claps give it a rapturous gospel feel, packing the production full of soul. And Barabara Tucker takes this feeling to another level with her peerless vocal turn. She’s one of the most deified voices in house music and ‘Beautiful People’ is a shining example as to why."

Maria Jimenez from Music & Media described it as "seriously smooth"[8] and "a delicious garagey house number with a massaging bass, smooth rhythm and on target vocals."[9] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it five out of five, complimenting it as a "superb New York garage track".[10] He stated that the singer "really does justice to the excellent uplifting lyrics."[11] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update declared it as a "superb breezily attractive gospel-ish romper".[12]

Impact and legacy

British clubbing magazine Mixmag ranked "Beautiful People" as one of "The 30 Best Vocal House Anthems Ever" in 2018.[5]

In 2022, Pitchfork featured it in their list of "The 30 Best House Tracks of the ’90s", writing that "Tucker's sassy, yearning delivery rides a wave of jazzy chord changes, exquisite high notes, and back-to-church organs. She's got one of the most recognizable voices in house music: Its soulful tones, immaculate control, and a hint of unspecified naughtiness are enough to draw the most introverted wallflower onto the floor."[13]

Track listing
  1. "Beautiful People" (Radio Edit) – 4:06
  2. "Beautiful People" (Underground Network Mix) – 9:08
  3. "Beautiful People" (Beautiful Reprise) – 5:41
  4. "Beautiful People" (CJ's Club Mix) – 7:38
  5. "Beautiful People" (CJ's Dub) – 8:08
  6. "Beautiful People" (Original Club Mix) – 9:28
  7. "Beautiful People" (CJ's Instrumental) – 8:08
  8. "Beautiful People" (Mood II Swing Dub) – 5:26

Charts

References
  1. "Hot Dance Club Songs, Billboard.com". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 16, 1994. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 568. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. Everyhit.com Archived October 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Charts & Awards / Billboard Singles". AllMusic.com. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  5. "The 30 Best Vocal House Anthems Ever". Mixmag. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  6. Flick, Larry (December 24, 1994). "Dance Trax: Club Acts Rise Yet Still Hang Left Of Mainstream" (PDF). Billboard. p. 36. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  7. Flick, Larry (February 5, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 71. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  8. Jimenez, Maria (May 7, 1994). "Groovemix: Short Grooves" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 7. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  9. Jimenez, Maria (February 12, 1994). "New Grooves" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 12. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  10. Beevers, Andy (February 19, 1994). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 13. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  11. Beevers, Andy (February 5, 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 6. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  12. Hamilton, James (February 26, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 5. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  13. Sherburne, Philip; Cardew, Ben (October 13, 2022). "The 30 Best House Tracks of the '90s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  14. Single release information at Discogs
  15. "Dance/Urban – Volume 59, No. 17 May 16, 1994". RPM. May 16, 1994. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  16. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. March 12, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  17. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. April 16, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 13 March 1994 – 19 March 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  20. "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 5, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  21. "The RM Club Chart 14.2.94" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). February 12, 1994. p. 4. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  22. "Barbara Tucker Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  23. "Barbara Tucker Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  24. "The RM Club Chart of the Year" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). December 24, 1994. p. 10. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
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