Crucified (Army of Lovers song)

"Crucified" is a 1991 song by the Swedish band Army of Lovers. It is the first single from their second album, Massive Luxury Overdose and the seventh single to be released by the band. It was released on May 1991 (in Sweden), February–April 1992 (in the UK and US), and July 2013 (Crucified 2013). It was written by Alexander Bard, Anders Wollbeck and Jean-Pierre Barda and features Barda (vocals, drums), Bard (vocals, computer) and La Camilla (vocals, bass). The song was successful in several European countries, including Belgium, where it reached the number-one,[1] and Germany, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland, where it reached the Top 10. In the United States, "Crucified" became a huge club hit and radio favorite, debuting at number 6 on the Billboard Dance singles chart and spending a total of 14 weeks in the Top 20. The two remixes available on the CD maxi and vinyl 12" maxi are made by Nuzak.

"Crucified"
Single by Army of Lovers
from the album Massive Luxury Overdose
B-side	"Love Revolution"
Released	May 1991, April 1992 and July 2013
Recorded	Sonet Studios, Stockholm
Genre	Dance pop techno
Length	3:32
Songwriter(s)	Alexander Bard Anders Wollbeck Jean-Pierre Barda
Producer(s)	Alexander Bard Anders Wollbeck
Army of Lovers (1991) singles chronology
"Supernatural" (1990) "Crucified" (1991) "Obsession" (1991)
Army of Lovers (1992) singles chronology
"Ride the Bullet" (1992) "Crucified" (1992) "Judgment Day" (1992)
Army of Lovers (2013) singles chronology
"Signed on my Tattoo (feat. Gravitonas)" (2013) "Crucified 2013" (2013) "People are Lonely (Gravitonas feat. Army of Lovers)" (2014)
Music video
"Crucified" on YouTube
Music video
"Crucified 2013" on YouTube
Alternative Cover
1992 U.K cover
Alternative cover
1992 U.S cover
Alternative cover
2013 cover

In 2013, Army of Lovers made a new version of the song, simply called 'Crucified 2013'. It contains new vocals from Dominika Peczynski.[2]

Bard's future music project, Gravitonas uses a sample of this song on the track "Sacrifice" from their 2012 Black Ceremony EP.

Kurt Cobain of the hugely successful alternative rock group Nirvana praised the band in his posthumously published journals, specifically the song "Crucified."[3]

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Ned Raggett described the song as a "totally over-the-top disco anthem on all fronts that takes ABBA's winning combination of memorable hooks and harmonies as inspiration and slathers a load of glitter and make-up over the whole thing." He noted further that "having ultracampy lyrical asides like "I cry, I pray, mon dieu" doesn't hurt the sheer giddiness at work, and neither do the "I'm crucified like my saviour" chorus, church organ and twangy Duane Eddy guitar."[4] Larry Flick from Billboard said it is a "super-hot slammin' houser".[5] Bevan Hannah from The Canberra Times wrote, "Judging by the video for their first single release Crucified, their image was carefully plotted, combining cabaret style costumes and graphics with groovy European dance rhythms."[6] Music Week wrote that the song is "a bizarre pop/dance confection, both commercial and camp."[7] Newcastle Evening Chronicle called it a "clever almost choral rock approach on a lively danceable number."[8] They noted "the ebullient bounce" of the track.[9] People Magazine wrote in their review, that "disco goes to church in this hip-hop hallelujah".[10] James Hamilton from Record Mirror commented that "Crucified" is "camp and corny party fun from Sweden, this Abba-ishly chorused, phonetic guy rapped, strings swirled and — just to cap it all! — Duane Eddy-ish guitar twanged 0-122bpm jiggly jumper sounds like a pop hit with wide gimmick appeal".[11] Sophie Lawrence reviewed the song for Smash Hits, writing, "It's one of those records where you can imagine everyone at a disco dancing around with their hands in the air, isn't it? I like it. It's got a gospel feel and really good harmonies on it."[12]

Chart performance

"Crucified" went on becoming very successful on the charts in Europe, peaking at number-one in Belgium. It remains to date one of the bands biggest hits, reaching the Top 10 also in Austria, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland in 1991. In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart on February 23, 1992.[13] On the Eurochart Hot 100, it climbed to number 14. Outside Europe, "Crucified" was successful also in the US, where it peaked at number 6 on both the Billboard Dance Club Songs and the Billboard Dance/Electronic Singles Sales.

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song. It was directed by Swedish directors Fredrik Boklund and Martin Persson. The video was uploaded to YouTube in May 2016. As of August 2020, it has got more than 7,7 million views.[14]

Usage in media

The music video of "Crucified" was used in an episode of American adult animated sitcom Beavis and Butt-Head.[15]

The song was played in Gabriel Aghion's 1996 film, Pédale douce, and was thus included in the track listing of the soundtrack. It was also played in the film Marock (2005), and was in the video game Just Dance 4 on the Wii.[16]

Covers by other artists

The song has been covered by the Swedish band Ghost in their 2013 EP titled If You have Ghost.

Formats and track listings

7" single (1991 & 1992)

1. Crucified - 3:32
2. Love Revolution - 4:02

12" maxi-single (1991)

1. Crucified (The Nuzak Remix) - 8:03
2. Crucified (Yherushalaim Dub) - 7:42
3. Crucified (Radio Edit) - 3:32

CD-Single (1991)

1. Crucified (Radio Edit) - 3:32
2. Crucified (The Nuzak Remix) - 8:03
3. Crucified (Yherushalaim Dub) - 7:42

12" maxi-single (U.K, 1992)

1. Crucified (The Nuzak Mix) - 8:03
2. Crucified (Crucifixion Hardcore '92 Mix) - 5:06
3. Crucified (The Maffia Mix) - 5:53

12" maxi-single (U.S, 1992)

1. Crucified (Judas Mix) - 6:47
2. Crucified (Judas Mix Instrumental) - 6:38
3. Crucified (Judas Mix Dubstrumental) - 4:19
4. Crucified (Teknostalgia Mix) - 4:14
5. Ride the Bullet (The DNA Remix) - 4:54
6. Ride the Bullet (The DNA Remix Dub) - 5:42
7. Crucified (Yherushalaim Dub) - 7:40
8. Crucified (Crucifixion Mix) - 5:09

CD-Single (U.K, 1992)

1. Crucified (Radio Edit) - 3:32
2. Crucified (Crucifixion Hardcore '92 Mix) - 5:06
3. Crucified (The Maffia Mix) - 5:53
4. Crucified (The Nuzak Mix) 8:03

CD-Maxi (U.S, 1992)

1. Crucified (Single Version) - 3:31
2. Crucified (Nuzak Remix) - 8:00
3. Crucified (Judas Mix) - 6:47
4. Crucified (Judas Mix Dubstramental) - 4:19
5. Crucified (Teknostradamus Mix) - 6:36
6. Crucified (Teknostalgia Mix) - 4:14
7. Crucified (Crucifixion Mix) 5:09
8. Ride the Bullet (The DNA Remix) - 4:54
9. Ride the Bullet (Molotov Cocktail Mix) - 4:58
10. Ride the Bullet (Tren De Amor Mix) - 6:24

Digital-download (2013)

1. Crucified 2013 (Radio Edit) - 3:15
2. Crucified 2013 (Sound Factory Radio) - 3:29
3. Crucified 2013 (Per QX + Sonny Switch Radio) - 3:00
4. Crucified 2013 (NORD Radio Edit) - 3:31
5. Crucified 2013 (Extended Version) - 5:54
6. Crucified 2013 (Sound Factory Paradise Anthem) - 8:32
7. Crucified 2013 (Per QX + Sonny Switch Club Mix) - 5:49
8. Crucified 2013 (NORD Club Mix) - 5:54
9. Crucified 2013 (Sound Factory Dark Dub) - 8:25

Credits and personnel

Produced by: Alexander Bard and Anders Wollbeck Co-produced and engineered by: Per Adebratt Recorded and mixed at: Sonct Studios, Stockholm Lead vocals by: Jean-Pierre Barda and Dominika Peczynski (2013) Backing vocals by: Katarina Wilczewski, Erika Essen-Möller, Malin Bäckström, Jean-Paul Wall and Rickard Evenlind Keyboards and programming by: Anders Wollbeck. Katarina Wilczewski appears courtesy of Caprice Records. Jean-Paul Wall and Richard Evenlind appear courtesy of Sonet Grammofon. Anders Wollbeck appears courtesy of Sunrise Records.

Executive producer: Ola Håkansson Sleeve design by: Marie S-Wollback Photography by: Carl-Johan Paulin Stylist: Camilla Thulin Hair and make-up by: Jean-Pierre Barda Promotion supervisor: Jonas Holst Video clip directed by: Fredrik Boklund and Martin Persson Management: La La La Entreprises

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1991) Peak position Australia (ARIA Charts)[17] 56 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 1 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[20] 14 France (SNEP)[21] 22 Germany (Media Control Charts)[21] 5 Greece (IFPI)[22] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[23] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 3 Spain (AFYVE)[25] 10 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] 8 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 6 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[26] 47 Chart (1992) Peak position UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[27] 31 UK Music Week Dance Singles[28] 42 US Billboard Dance Club Songs[29] 6 US Billboard Dance/Electronic Singles Sales[30] 6 Chart (2014) Peak position US Billboard Dance Club Songs[31] 18 US Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs[32] 45

Year-end charts Chart (1991) Position Netherlands (Single Top 100 over 1991)[23] 25 Chart (1992) Position Austria (Jahreshitparade 1992)[18] 25

References

1. Number One hits in Belgium, 1991
2. Army of Lovers: ‘Crucified 2013′
3. Felix Burrichter. "Kitsch of the Day | Army of Lovers", tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com, 18 May 2009. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
4. "Army of Lovers - Massive Luxury Overdose". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
5. "DANCETRAX" (PDF). Billboard. 1991-08-24. p. 24. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
6. Hannah, Bevan (1992-03-05). "Future dag music should be enjoyed". The Canberra Times. p. 15. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
7. "Mainstream: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1992-02-08. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
8. "ALBUMS/SINGLES". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 1991-08-13. page 33. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
9. "ALBUMS/SINGLES". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 1991-12-03. page 28. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
10. "Picks and Pans Review: Prime Cuts". People. 1992-06-15. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
11. "DJ Directory: Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Record Mirror. 1991-08-03. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
12. Lawrence, Sophie (1991-08-21). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 41. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
13. "Official Singles Chart Top 75 23 February 1992 - 29 February 1992". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
14. "Army Of Lovers - Crucified". YouTube. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
15. "BEAVIS & BUTT-HEAD - ARMY OF LOVERS". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
16. "'Just Dance 4' full track list unveiled". Polygon. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
17. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
18. "JAHRESHITPARADE 1992" (in German). Top30. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
19. "Ultratop.be – Army of Lovers – Crucified" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
20. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
21. "Crucified", in various Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 10 February 2008)
22. "Top 10 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
23. "Single top 100 over 1991" (pdf) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
24. "Dutchcharts.nl – Army of Lovers – Crucified" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
25. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
26. "Official Charts > Army of Lovers". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
27. "crucified full Official Chart History". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
28. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 15 February 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
29. "Army of Lovers Crucified Chart History | Billboard". Retrieved 15 July 2019.
30. "Army of Lovers Crucified Chart History | Billboard". Retrieved 9 October 2019.
31. "Army of Lovers Crucified 2013 Chart History | Billboard". Retrieved 15 July 2019.
32. "Army of Lovers Crucified (2013) Chart History | Billboard". Retrieved 9 October 2019.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics