"One Pure Thought" is a song by British electronic group Hot Chip, which serves as the third single from their 2008 album Made in the Dark. It was released on 12 May 2008.
| "One Pure Thought" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Hot Chip | ||||
| from the album Made in the Dark | ||||
| B-side | "Slow Death" | |||
| Released | 12 May 2008 | |||
| Length | 4:53 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Hot Chip singles chronology | ||||
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Music video
editThe video, directed by Bevis Martin (brother of Hot Chip member Felix Martin) and Charlie Youle, was described as having an "animated band performing in a pointillist world populated by simple geometric shapes, the kind of place Roy Lichtenstein might have liked to hang out in."[2] The video was produced by Richard Barnett and Trunk Animation.
Critical reception
editThe Guardian said the "cringeworthy, funky guitar chords" that introduce the song are the "best thing" about the song because they "sweeten the flurry of Casio beats and propulsive melody which follow".[3] However, Pitchfork Media said that it opens with "gnarled guitar chords and keening synths" and described the song as "infectious".[4] The song was described by Manchester Evening News as "one of the strongest songs from Made in the Dark, having both lyrical and rhythmic appeal with "infectiously bouncy tropical drums and quirky melodies".[5] Digital Spy said the vocals were "impossibly charming [...] choirboy vocals" and described the song as eccentric with an "unmistakably Hot Chip concoction of rock guitar riffs, electro atmospherics and digital calypso rhythms". The melody was said to be reminiscent of vintage New Order, which Allmusic also reported; "a witty, wordy gem that comes across like Paul McCartney backed by New Order".[6][7] Boomkat.com said the song "gets all the electronic stuff right but sounds rather flimsy when it comes to vocals and guitar, which as per usual are a bit of a shambles".[8]
Track listing
editCD single
edit- "One Pure Thought" – 4:53
- "We're Looking For A Lot Of Love" (Christmas Recording) – 4:36
- "Ready For The Floor" (Hot Chip V.I.P. Mix) – 6:58
- "One Pure Thought (Dominik Eulberg Remix Edit)" – 6:02
- "One Pure Thought (video)"
7" single
edit- "One Pure Thought" — 4:53
- "Slow Death" — 2:12
Personnel
edit- Dan Carey – mixing
- Bevis Martin – artwork illustration
- Alexis Smith – assistant
- Wallzo - artwork design
- Charlie Youle – artwork illustration
Chart positions
edit"One Pure Thought" was not as commercially successful as the previous release, "Ready for the Floor". It charted for 1 week on the UK Singles Top 75, where it reached position #53.[9]
References
edit- ^ "ASCAP Songview repertory entry for this song". Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ Richardson, Mark. "Videos: Hot Chip: "One Pure Thought" (Official) / "Ready for the Floor" (Live on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien")". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2008-07-01.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Swash, Rosie (2008-05-14). "Hot Chip's One Pure Thought bursts with ideas". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ Pytlik, Mark. "Hot Chip: Made in the Dark". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ Ferguson, James. "Hot Chip – One Pure Thought (EMI)". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2008-07-01. [dead link]
- ^ Levine, Nick (29 April 2008). "Hot Chip: 'One Pure Thought'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ Phares, Heather. "Made in the Dark - Hot Chip". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Hot Chip - One Pure Thought". Boomkat.com. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "One Pure Thought - UK chart position". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2008-06-27.