"They" is the first single released from Welsh singer Jem's debut album, Finally Woken (2004). It includes a sample of the Swingle Singers' 1963 adaptation of Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude in F minor (BWV 881) from their album Jazz Sebastian Bach. Jem recorded the song's vocals in her mother's spare bedroom.
"They" was released in the United States in February 2004 and was issued worldwide the following year. The song became Jem's most successful single, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart, number one in Hungary, and the top 10 in Greece, Ireland, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Music videos Jem released two music videos for "They". The UK version, directed by Laurent Briet, features Jem stripping herself in a spaceship in the style of Jane Fonda in the opening scene of Barbarella (although she remains covered by strategically placed light based holograms of planetary orbital paths); this is actually a boy dreaming about her as he constructs a model of the same spaceship back on Earth. The US version features Jem walking at a park while being accompanied by a number of children. She then encounters several signs and decides to disobey them. Some intercut scenes show her at a roundabout being spun by children.
Track listings UK CD1 "They" "Maybe I'm Amazed" (Paul McCartney)
UK CD2 and Australian CD single "They" (original version) "They" (Cut Chemist remix) "They" (MDK & Ayesha Mix) (Eye in the Sky mix) "They" (video)
Credits and personnel Credits are lifted from the Finally Woken album booklet.
Locations Vocals recorded in Jem's mother's spare bedroom Mixed and mastered at Sanctuary Townhouse Studios (London, England)
Personnel Jem – writing (as Jem Griffiths), production, arrangement Gerard Young – writing Yoad Nevo – instruments, production, arrangement, mixing, mastering Ge-ology – production Andy Saunders – mixing assistance Dan Porter – mixing assistance
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2005)PeakpositionGreece (IFPI)8Russia Airplay (TopHit)11Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)8
Year-end charts Chart (2005)PositionCIS Airplay (TopHit)25Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)17Russia Airplay (TopHit)26Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)21UK Singles (OCC)64
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United States17 February 2004Triple A radioATOUnited Kingdom14 March 2005CDAustralia23 May 2005United States20 June 2005Hot adult contemporary radioATO
References