Sing It Back


"Sing It Back" is a song written and performed by Moloko. It first appeared in its original version on Moloko's second album, I Am Not a Doctor; it was released as a single on 15 March 1999, reaching number 45 on the UK Singles Chart. The song experienced chart success after it was remixed by DJ Boris Dlugosch, peaking at number four in the UK in August 1999. Murphy had started writing the lyrics while clubbing in New York City, and knew the song was at heart a dance track, but the group wanted to record it in a different artistic fashion for its album version.
Together with their record company they had commissioned mixes by Todd Terry. Moloko were not satisfied with the Terry mix and had to convince their label Echo Records to put out the Boris D. version instead. The remixed version was eventually featured on over 100 compilations, and was later added on Moloko's third album, Things to Make and Do, after hitting the top ten on the UK Singles Chart. In 1999 it reached number one on the US dance chart. As a form of barter for the remix, Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy later co-wrote and appeared on Boris D.'s "Never Enough" single, starring in the video for that release as well.
In 2003, Q Magazine ranked "Sing It Back" at number 905 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever". Australian music channel Max placed it at number 887 in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2012. In 2014, the song was listed as number 449 in the German magazine, Musikexpress ranking of the 700 best songs of all-time.

Music video

The music video features Moloko vocalist Róisín Murphy dancing alone in a metallic flapper dress, accompanied by psychedelic lighting effects. The video was directed by Dawn Shadforth. The video is featured on the DVD of Moloko's special edition for the Statues album. Several live videos exist as well, including one in the group's live concert movie 11,000 Clicks, a similar concert version from the Dutch Pinkpop broadcast, a televised version from the TV show Later... with Jools Holland, and a samba version featured on MTV Brasil.
The single has sold 500,000 copies and was featured on over 100 compilations.

Track listings

UK CD1
  1. "Sing It Back" – 3:25
  2. "Sing It Back" – 5:22
  3. "Sing It Back" – 8:32
UK CD2
  1. "Sing It Back – 4:38
  2. "Sing It Back – 5:38
  3. "Sing It Back – 9:02

    Remixes

Boris Dlugosch mixes
Levent Canseven mixes
Mousse T. mixes
Matthew Herbert mixes
Todd Terry mixes
Booker T mixes
Dope Smugglaz mix
Mark Brydon mix
DJ Plankton mix

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications