The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)

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"The Real Thing"
2 Unlimited The Real Thing Single Euro Cover.jpg
Single by 2 Unlimited
from the album Real Things
Released
  • 9 May 1994 (UK)
  • 16 May 1994 (Netherlands)
Recorded1994
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Jean-Paul De Coster
2 Unlimited singles chronology
"Let The Beat Control Your Body"
(1993) 		"The Real Thing"
(1994) 		"No One"
(1994)
Music video
"The Real Thing" on YouTube
UK cover
Therealthing.jpg

"The Real Thing" is a 1994 song recorded by 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, Italy, 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.[1] According to classicfm.com, it is considered one of the biggest pop songs to sample classical music in the last 25 years."[2]

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".[3] 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."[4] 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."[5]

James Hamilton from the magazine's RM Dance Update deemed it a "typically cheesy frantic pop galloper".[6] Scottish newspaper Perthshire Advertiser said, "They've found a new formula yet, but it'll still be a smash!"[7] 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."[8] Tim Marsh from Select stated that it "has a funky key riff".[9] 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."[10]

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, Latvia 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, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it went to number six on May 22, 1994,[11] 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. It was awarded with a platinum record in the Netherlands, after 60,000 singles were sold.

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.[12]

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.[13]

Track listings[]

Charts and sales[]

Remixes[]

Japan 2001 Remixes
  1. "The Real Thing" (B4 Za Beat Extended Remix) — (7:54)
  2. "The Real Thing" (DJ Dee Power Mix) — (4:31)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Super Calcium Mix) — (5:52)
  4. Nagoya Megamix "発狂" Delight Mix — (2:33)

References[]

  1. ^ Alpha Archived 12 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "17 pop songs you didn't know were directly inspired by classical music".
  3. ^ Masterton, James (15 May 1994). "Week Ending May 21st 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  4. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 June 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. ^ Jones, Alan (14 April 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 18. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  6. ^ Hamilton, James (21 May 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  7. ^ "RECORD REVIEWS". Perthshire Advertiser. 17 May 1994. page 22. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  8. ^ "REVIEW: "REAL THINGS" BY 2 UNLIMITED (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  9. ^ Marsh, Tim (1 August 1994). "Reviews: New Singles". Select. p. 89. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  10. ^ Doyle, Tom (11 May 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 47. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 22 May 1994 - 28 May 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Border Breakers: Monitoring The Impact Of Euro Talent" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 November 1994. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  13. ^ "2 UNLIMITED - The Real Thing (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 3 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "The Real Thing", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 10 April 2008)
  15. ^ "2 Unlimited – The Real Thing" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  16. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 18 June 1994. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  17. ^ Musik-Charts durchsuchen
  18. ^ Billboard: Hits of the World, 18 June 1994
  19. ^ "2 Unlimited singles, German Singles Chart" (in German). musicline. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  20. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 23.06.1994 - 29.06.1994" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  21. ^ Israel Top-30. 31 May 1994.
  22. ^ a b Top Italian singles of 1994
  23. ^ "2019 09 01 – M-1". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Single top 100 over 1994" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  25. ^ "2 Unlimited – The Real Thing" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 (24 April 1994-28 May 1994)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  27. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  28. ^ "The Real Thing", UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved 10 April 2008)
  29. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 21 May 1994. p. 28. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  30. ^ "jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  31. ^ "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 24 December 1994. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  32. ^ 1994 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived 20 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 30 January 2009)
  33. ^ "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  34. ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN - Single 1994" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  35. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  36. ^ "1994 Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Swisscharts. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  37. ^ Dutch certifications nvpi.nl (Retrieved 9 December 2008)
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