"Ode to the Bouncer" | ||||||||
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Single by Studio Killers | ||||||||
from the album Studio Killers | ||||||||
Released | 6 April 2011 | |||||||
Format | Digital download | |||||||
Recorded | 2011 | |||||||
Genre | Electropop, house | |||||||
Length | 3:26 | |||||||
Label | Studio Killers | |||||||
Writer(s) | Studio Killers | |||||||
Producer(s) | Studio Killers, James F. Reynolds | |||||||
Studio Killers singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Ode to the Bouncer" is a song written, performed and produced by electropop group Studio Killers. The energetic three-minute and 26-second dance-pop song, which plays in the key of F-sharp major, tells the story of somebody trying to dance but being prevented by a bouncer from doing so. Break beats, synth loops and vocals are depicted in the song's arrangement. Dyna Mink and Goldie Foxx composed the tune, while the lyrics were made by vocalist Chubby Cherry.
The single was first issued on 6 April 2011 as the lead single from Studio Killers' self-titled debut studio album, which was later released in 2013. The music video was released on 7 April. The single was the most successful in the Netherlands, where it was number one on charts such as the Dutch Top 40 and Mega Single Top 100 and went gold. It also made several chart appearances in Denmark, Finland, and Belgium. The song has been met with positive critical reviews, with praise going towards the song's production and arrangement. It became the anthem of benefit event Serious Request on the Dutch radio station 3FM in 2011, and appeared on Spin's "20 Best Songs of the Summer" that same year.
Studio Killers formed after bandmembers Dyna Mink and Goldie Foxx had a tune to be sent to a girl group in the United Kingdom. However, the girl group dropped from their label, and by then the two had nobody to write lyrics for the song or release it. They met up with Chubby Cherry at an international airport, suggesting that she be the track's vocalist and lyricist, thus forming Studio Killers. The tune was used for "Ode to the Bouncer". Dyna Mink played the keyboards, which were programmed by Goldie Foxx, and Chubby Cherry was vocalist.James F. Reynolds mixed the song and handled additional production, while Dick Beetham mastered it at 360 Mastering in London.
"Ode to the Bouncer" is an energetic electropop dance-pop track with influences of Giorgio Moroder, Vince Clarke, Daft Punk and ABBA. The piece is in the key of F♯ Mixolydian, and plays for 3 minutes and 26 seconds at a tempo of 123 beats per minute. Lyrically, the song depicts a woman trying to get into a nightclub by claiming that it's her birthday, that she has friends inside, and that she's not wearing any underwear or proper shoes for the cold temperature outside, only for the bouncer to continue to refuse her entrance. She then begins insulting the "empowered and aroused" bouncer and the song eventually culminates with her sneaking into the club through the ladies' room window. The production includes "skipping break beats" and "synth loops", and Scandipop.co.uk described it as "a cross between PWL or Pete Hammond back in the 80′s [sic], and modern day Scandinavian electro acts like Eva & The Heartmaker or Electric Lady Lab."