Can't Speak French
| "Can't Speak French" | ||||||||||||
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| Single by Girls Aloud | ||||||||||||
| from the album Tangled Up | ||||||||||||
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| Released | 14 March 2008 | |||||||||||
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| Recorded | London, England | |||||||||||
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| Length | 3:19 (radio edit/single version) 4:04 (album version) |
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| Label | Fascination | |||||||||||
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| Producer(s) | Xenomania | |||||||||||
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"Can't Speak French" is a song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fourth studio album Tangled Up (2007). The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania. Described as "a swirling, slower cut with great jazzy guitar changes," Higgins said it was "the easiest Girls Aloud single they made." Upon its release in March 2008, "Can't Speak French" charted within the top ten on the UK Singles Chart, continuing their five-year streak of top ten hits.
The music video sees Girls Aloud seduce guests at a dinner party in elaborate costumes inspired by Marie Antoinette and 18th century French fashions. "Can't Speak French" was promoted through numerous live appearances and has since been performed on all of Girls Aloud's subsequent tours. The "sultry" song received praise from most contemporary musics, cited as an example of Xenomania's creativity.
Described as a "swirling, slower cut with great jazzy guitar changes," "Can't Speak French" is a mid-tempo pop song with a number of influences. It juxtaposes jazz guitar and a swing beat against a 1980s-inspired synthesiser. The lyrics "find[s] the girls at their glummest, desperately trying to impress a guy who turns their "dust to gold" but doesn't realise it." Producer Brian Higgins said it was "perhaps the easiest Girls Aloud single they made." The song begins with a first verse, a bridge, and a chorus. It then leads to a middle 8 sung by Cheryl Cole and an instrumental section before repeating the chorus. "Can't Speak French" was slightly remixed by Jeremy Wheatley for single release.
"Can't Speak French" was one of many options for a third single; others included "Close to Love" and Girl Overboard". The single was confirmed on 15 January 2008 on the official site. Promotion for "Can't Speak French" was initially put on hold, so that Cheryl Cole could sort through her marital problems with Chelsea and England player Ashley Cole, but later resumed. Their new television series, Passions of Girls Aloud, also premiered on 14 March, with the Passions Mix of "Can't Speak French" being used as the programme's theme.
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Wikipedia