"Hug My Soul" is a single by British band Saint Etienne. It was the third single from the album Tiger Bay, and was released September 1994 (1994-09) by Heavenly Records. It was written by vocalist Sarah Cracknell along with songwriting partners and Johnny Male (Male and Batson would help co-write a number of tracks on Cracknell's solo debut Lipslide).
The single was released with three B-sides: two written by Saint Etienne's songwriting partnership of Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, "I Buy American Records" and "Hate Your Drug", and a cover version of La Poupée Qui Fait Non (No, No, No)", a live recording produced by the band's friend (and future Heavenly label mate) Edwyn Collins. A second CD featured remixes by Motiv8, , Juan "Kinky" Hernandez and Sure is Pure. It reached #32 in the UK charts and was their first single not to be released on 7" vinyl.[1]
This would be Saint Etienne's final release for Warner Bros. Follow up single "He's on the Phone" would be released on MCA Records, lifted from a dance compilation album called Life is a Dance.[2] The US releases included a number of exclusive remixes - including an alternate album version (which was released as a bonus track on the US version of Tiger Bay), a Motiv-8 dub, and the On Tour In '94 dub.
The song bears a resemblance to the 70s disco hit More, More, More by Andrea True Connection. In particular, the phrasing of the "More More More" lyric "Ooh, how do you like your love?" is identical to the "Hug My Soul" lyric "Ooh, what are you dreaming of?", and both lyrics are the opening to each of their representative songs.
The UK release featured cover art involving a photograph of abandoned musical instruments. The US release features a photograph of the band.
Critical reception[]
Tim Sendra from AllMusic described the song as "lush and sophisticated dance-pop".[3]Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Songs like "Hug My Soul" combine a familiar blend of airy modern pop with prominent dance beats and fairly aggressive execution."[4] Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, that Sarah Cracknell and the lads "return with what is probably not the most straightforward single they have ever released, moving away from the pretty pop tunes they have produced of late and going back to their ambient dub roots and the sort of sound that dominates their albums. No major surprises then and no large hits - for now."[5] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Despite the six mixes to draw the attention of the dance-minded, it will always be a pop song. If you don't think you're ready, check out the lovely track I Buy American Records."[6]James Hamilton from Music Week's RM Dance Update deemed it a "strings sawed breathy sweet shuffler".[7]
Music video[]
The single was marketed with a surreal music video inspired by the 1975 French film La Bête.[8] It was directed by British journalist, author, comedian and punk poet Steven Wells.[9] The video involved what was, according to Wells, a “frighteningly realistic bear suit”. Werner Herzog later ripped this idea off for Grizzly Man.[10] In the video, Sarah Cracknell plays a young girl asleep with her stuffed toys; she dreams of being chased by a bear, but ultimately ends up having jelly and ice cream with him in his den. "Hug My Soul" was published on YouTube in May 2012.[11]
Track listing[]
All tracks written and composed by Batson, Cracknell, Male; except where indicated.
