Number 1 (Tinchy Stryder song)

"Number 1" is a song composed by Tinchy Stryder featuring vocals from Dappy of N-Dubz, and co-written by Dappy, James Lavelle and Fraser T. Smith, who is responsible for the production, from Tinchy Stryder's second studio album, Catch 22. The song was released as a single on 20 April 2009 from Tinchy Stryder's studio album Catch 22 and a remix was later included on N-Dubz's second studio album, Against All Odds.

"Number 1"
Single by Tinchy Stryder featuring N-Dubz
from the album Catch 22 and Against All Odds
B-side"Stuck on My Mind"
Released20 April 2009
Recorded2009
Genre
Length3:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Fraser T. Smith
Tinchy Stryder singles chronology
"Take Me Back"
(2009)		 "Number 1"
(2009)		 "Never Leave You"
(2009)
N-Dubz singles chronology
"Strong Again"
(2009)		 "Number 1"
(2009)		 "Wouldn't You"
(2009)
Dappy singles chronology
"Number 1"
(2009)		 "Spaceship"
(2011)
Music video
"Number 1" on YouTube

The version released as a single and included on Catch 22 features verses by Dappy and Stryder only; however, the version that appears on Against All Odds features new verses by Tulisa and Fazer. "Number 1" topped the UK Singles Chart, a position it maintained for three weeks. Internationally, the song also topped the charts in the Republic of Ireland as well as peaking within the top forty of the charts in Denmark and Slovakia. When "Number 1" topped the UK Singles Chart, it became the first single entitled "Number 1" to peak at number one on any national singles chart in the world.

Background

According to producers James Lavelle and Fraser T. Smith in an interview with HitQuarters, although Dappy was involved in the writing of the song, he had worked with an up-and-coming artist J-Rhymz and whilst in the studio with the young singer/songwriter, his appearance on the final version happened by accident.

"We’d worked with him on a track called "Strong Again" ... and we wanted to work with him more because he’s an amazing talent. So 'Number 1' came about from a co-writing session. Dappy put the hook down and it sounded so good we thought it had to stay."[3]

Critical reception

"Number 1" has received positive reviews from Digital Spy and the BBC. David Balls of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review: "A savvy collaboration with urban pop trio N-Dubz, this offering places Tinchy's distinctively gritty vocals over shimmering disco beats and even throws in a few strings for good measure. The result, while catchy enough, falls a little short of its predecessor and will no doubt leave some grime enthusiasts claiming: "I don't understand how you're number one".[4] BBC chart blog also gave the song a positive review: "N-Dubz. Everything they do raises a grin to my chops. Dappy's insistence on throwing in a "nah-nah-naiii-hee" as soon as his microphone is switched on is a brilliant pop thing. Tinchy's singy-raps, contrasting nicely with Dappy's rappy-singing. And I use the word 'contrasting' quite wrongly there. The song was awarded a four star rating.[5]

Chart performance

"Number 1" entered at the top of the UK Singles Chart on 26 April 2009 – for the week ending dated 2 May 2009 – selling 87,000 copies in its first week[6] and beating competition from La Roux's "In for the Kill" with over 20,000 copies, according to the All Around the World website.[7] The song spent three weeks at number one before dropping to number two in its fourth week, replaced at number one by "Boom Boom Pow" by The Black Eyed Peas. "Number 1" spent 18 consecutive weeks in the top 40, and 38 weeks in the top 100. On BBC Radio 1's Chart Show, it was revealed that the track was the first song with the words "number one" in its title ever to reach number one on both the British and Irish charts – and, in turn, anywhere in the world. In Ireland, the song entered at number eight before rising to the top the following week. The song spent five weeks at the top.[8]

Promotion

N-Dubz and Tinchy performed the single version of the song on GMTV and on the Uncle B Tour, N-Dubz performed the version later included on Against All Odds. The artists performed the song at Radio 1's Big Weekend in the United Kingdom. They also performed the song together on BBC "Sound" in May 2009, BBC Switch Live in November 2009 and the MOBOs in Glasgow in September 2009.

Music video
Tinchy Stryder and Dappy in a scene in the music video for "Number 1".

The music video was directed by Emil Nava and produced by Ben Pugh.[9] The video features both Tinchy Stryder and Dappy but also has cameo appearances from Tulisa and Fazer. It begins with Tinchy Stryder holding a Star in the Hood necklace and then begins singing the opening credits, introducing himself and N-Dubz, with all members of N-Dubz beside him. The video continues with Tinchy Stryder and Dappy dancing in front of various backgrounds while Stryder has various outfit changes, including a red Adidas tracksuit. The video frequently cuts between scenes with both N-Dubz and Tinchy, two provocative female dancers and a string quartet. At one point in the video it features Tinchy Stryder standing in front of a giant "Number 1". Towards the end it shows both Tinchy and Dappy with a background of stars.

Track listings and formats
CD single (2701362)
No.TitleLength
1."Number 1" (radio edit)3:35
2."Number 1" (Bimbo Jones remix)3:15
3."Number 1" (remix featuring Kano)3:34
4."Stuck on My Mind"3:46
Total length:14:10
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Number 1"3:35
2."Number 1" (remix featuring Kano)3:34
3."Number 1" (Bimbo Jones remix)3:15
4."Number 1" (Hypasonic remix)5:41
Total length:16:05

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[17] Platinum 600,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
  1. Chisling, Matthew. "Review: Catch 22". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 July 2020. "Number 1" is electric first, rap second, and is perfect just like that
  2. Balls, David. "Review: Tinchy Stryder: 'Catch 22' ". Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 2 July 2020. With experienced hand Fraser T. Smith (James Morrison, Craig David) behind the mixing desk for half the album, Eurodance synths and clubby beats are used in abundance, and the tricks that gave 'Number One' and 'Take Me Back' their radio appeal are repeated on 'Spotlight', 'Halo' and the Olive-sampling 'You're Not Alone'
  3. "Interview With Fraser T Smith". HitQuarters. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  4. Tinchy Stryder ft N-Dubz - Number One. Digital Spy.
  5. Tinchy Stryder ft N-Dubz - Number One. BBC News.
  6. "Rascal 'will be bestseller of the year'". digitalspy.co.uk. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  7. Number 1 sells 20,000 copies Archived 8 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine. AATW.
  8. Tinchy and N-Dubz Continue Irish Chart Reign. Digital Spy.
  9. Emil Nava joins up with Tinchy once more. somanistyle.com/news.php (OBE Management - Representing Creative Talent - Music Video Directors).
  10. "Danishcharts.com – Tinchy Stryder feat. N-Dubz – Number 1". Tracklisten.
  11. "Tinchy Stryder – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Tinchy Stryder. (subscription required)
  12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Number 1". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  13. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200931 into search.
  14. "Tinchy Stryder: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  15. "Charts Plus Year end 2009" (PDF). Charts Plus. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  16. Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by Nihal on Tuesday 29 December 2009
  17. "British single certifications – Tinchy Stryder feat. N-Dubz – Number 1". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Number 1 in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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