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"Wind It Up" is a pop song written by Gwen Stefani and Pharrell originally for inclusion on Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005. Because of favorable reception, the song was rerecorded for her second solo album The Sweet Escape (2006). "Wind It Up" was released as the album's first single in late 2006 (see 2006 in music) and has charted highly across the world.

Background and writing

The lyrics of "Wind It Up" include references to Stefani's clothing line, L.A.M.B., and chronicles Stefani's feelings on how boys are infatuated with staring at her. The song features yodelling and a sample of "The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music (1965), which it takes heavy influence from.

Stefani considers The Sound of Music her favorite film, and she had wanted to incorporate a beat to one of its songs all her life. "Wind It Up" was originally written for the first L.A.M.B. fashion show and was not intended to appear on The Sweet Escape until Stefani heard the entire composition. "I literally cried, and I'm not exaggerating," she said.

Critical reception

"Wind It Up" received generally negative reviews by contemporary pop music critics, and many criticized the inclusion of the The Sound of Music sample. All Music Guide said that the song's producers (The Neptunes) forced the sampling "into one of their typical minimalist tracks, over which Gwen spouts off clumsy material-minded lyrics touting her fashion line and her shape". Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine referred to the song as "a musical brain aneurysm", while Bill Lamb of About.com stated that it "gets high marks for entertainment value ... but sounds almost like a retread of old ground".

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Sophie Muller and filmed in Chicago, United States and neighboring towns. Although it does not follow a substantial plot, it features outfits and scenery inspired by The Sound of Music. Stefani and her Harajuku Girls are often dancing in front of fields of flowers and a background of key-like symbols comprised of two G's placed back to back. Throughout the video, Stefani is portrayed as a seamstress and submerged escape artist accompanied by dancers and the Harajuku Girls. In another scene everyone is dressed in pajamas. The song's title is visualized by a colorful sign that reads "wind it up".

"Wind It Up" premiered on MTV's top-ten chart program Total Request Live on November 10 2006, where it reached number two. After its November 17 debut on MuchMusic's Countdown, it peaked at number seven. On VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown, it reached number ten.

Chart performance

"Wind It Up" was released to Canadian and U.S. radio on October 31 2006. It debuted on the U.S. Hot 100 at number forty, Stefani's career-highest debut (with and without No Doubt). In Canada "Wind It Up" debuted at number eighty-eight on the BDS Airplay Chart. The song has reached number-one in New Zealand, the Australian and UK top five, and the Irish top ten.

Charts

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Formats and track listings

• North American 12" Vinyl

1. Wind It Up
2. Wind It Up - original Neptunes mix
3. Wind It Up - instrumental

• UK/Europe 12" Vinyl

1. Wind It Up
2. Wind It Up - original Neptunes mix
3. Wind It Up - instrumental
4. Wind It Up - original Neptunes instrumental

• UK/Europe CD Single

1. Wind It Up
2. Wind It Up - original Neptunes mix

Notes

1. ^ Infantry, Ashante. "Stefani has it all, baby". Toronto Star. A27. Retrieved December 6 2006.
2. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer. MTV.com. "Gwen Stefani's New LP, The Sweet Escape, Set for December". Retrieved November 29 2006.
3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Sweet Escape". All Music Guide. Retrieved December 7 2006.
5. About.com

References

• "Billboard". Billboard Hot 100 airplay and sales charts. Retrieved November 29 2006.
• "Jam Canoe". Canadian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved November 29 2006.
• Vineyard, Jennifer. MTV.com. "Gwen Stefani's New LP, The Sweet Escape, Set for December". Retrieved November 29 2006.
• "SwedishCharts". Swedish sales chart. Retrieved December 4 2006.
• "Australian Recording Industry Association". Australian airplay and sales charts. Retrieved October 19 2005.
• Infantry, Ashante. "Stefani has it all, baby". Toronto Star. A27. Retrieved December 6 2006.

External links

• "Wind It Up" Music Video

• 2000s pop songs
• 2006 singles
• 2006 songs
• Gwen Stefani songs
• Music videos directed by Sophie Muller
• Number-one singles in New Zealand