Flat Beat

{{Infobox song

| name = Flat Beat

| cover = Flat Beat single.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Mr. Oizo

| album = Analog Worms Attack

| B-side =

"Monday Massacre"
"Sick Dog Try to Speak"

| released = {{start date|1999|3|22|df=y}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-03-27.pdf|title=Eric's Prospects Anything but Flat|last=Lorenz|first=Christian|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=13|page=9|date=27 March 1999|access-date=25 September 2020}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

Electro house{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/news/discover-story-behind-mr-ozios-worldwide-hit-flat-beat|title=Discover the Story Behind Mr. Ozio's Worldwide Hit 'Flat Beat'|date=24 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/01/07/sander-van-doorn-flat-beat-mr-oizo-nari-milani/|title=Sander van Doorn's label is releasing a track that sounds like 'Flat Beat' – and Mr. Oizo is not happy – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.|date=7 January 2015}}
French electronica{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-05-15.pdf|title=French Electronica's Domestic Strife|last1=Bouton|first1=Rémi|last2=Lorenz|first2=Christian|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=20|page=10|date=15 May 1999|access-date=25 September 2020}}
techno

| length =

5:25 (original version)
4:00 (radio edit)

| label = F Communications

| writer = Mr. Oizo

| producer = Mr. Oizo

| prev_title = Analog Worms Attack

| prev_year = 1999

| next_title = Last Night a DJ Killed My Dog

| next_year = 2000

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|qmsbP13xu6k|"Flat Beat"}}}}

}}

"Flat Beat" is an instrumental by French musician Mr. Oizo. It was released on 22 March 1999 through F Communications and was included as a bonus track on his debut studio album, Analog Worms Attack. An accompanying music video was released on VHS. The music video features Flat Eric, a puppet, head banging to the track.

Widely publicised by Flat Eric's appearance in many commercials for Levi's and the popularity of the music video, the track became a surprise European hit.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-04-24.pdf|title=Airplay – On the Air|last=Visser|first=Menno|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=17|page=20|date=24 April 1999|access-date=25 September 2020}} "Flat Beat" peaked at number five on the French Singles Chart and reached number one in Austria, Finland, Flanders, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In 2003, Q Magazine ranked "Flat Beat" number 175 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".{{cite web|url=http://www.muzieklijstjes.nl/Q1001bestsongsever.htm|title=Q – 1001 best songs ever (2003)|magazine=Q}}

Background

In an interview with XLR8R magazine, Quentin Dupieux stated that it took him only two hours with a Korg MS-20 to produce. The instrumental is mainly composed of a repeated bassline, and it samples "Put Your Love in My Tender Care" by the Fatback Band.

Reception

=Critical reception=

Stevie Chick from NME wrote, "Leading sociologists are calling it the 'Flat Eric Phenomenon'. Red-top tabloids print instructions for the Flat Eric window moves and White Van Man is overjoyed. Yes, helped along by his friends at the Levi's company, Mr Oizo could soon be celebrating the inevitable outcome of such a profitable partnership, a Number One record. And that would be a fine thing, not least because 'Flat Beat' is a sleek slice of supremely filtered, speaker-busting electro that would undoubtedly be a minor specialist hit in its own right if released without the might of this high-profile campaign, but also because Flat Eric, the ice-cool yellow muppet, is one of the most fascinating creatures to have entered the crazy world of rock'n'roll in recent memory."{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/singles270399.html|title=This Week's Singles March 27 1999|last=Chick|first=Stevie|website=NME|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001004211527/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/singles270399.html|archive-date=4 October 2000|access-date=24 November 2020}}

=Commercial reception=

The song was a surprise international success in Europe, topping the charts in Austria, Finland, Flanders, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, it was the seventh song featured in a Levi's advert to top the UK Singles Chart and the 25th instrumental single to top the chart.{{cite web|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1999/week-ending-april-3rd-1999|title=Week Ending April 3rd 1999|last=Masterton|first=James|author-link=James Masterton|publisher=Chart Watch UK|date=28 March 1999|access-date=11 March 2021}}{{cite journal|last=Siegler|first=Dylan|date=April 2000|title=Mr. Oizo|journal=CMJ New Music|publisher=College Music Journal|issue=80|page=39|issn=1074-6978|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GCoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39 }} On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Flat Beat" peaked at number two and was Europe's 11th-most-successful hit of 1999. "Flat Beat" was not as successful in France, where it peaked at number five and did not receive airplay, selling only a quarter of the copies as it did in the UK.

=Legacy=

In 2003, Q Magazine ranked "Flat Beat" number 175 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever". In September 2005, Stylus Magazine included the track's bassline at number 13 in their list of the "Top 50 Basslines of All Time",{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/stylus-magazines-top-50-basslines-of-all-time.htm|title=Stylus magazine's Top 50 Bassline of All Time|website=Stylus Magazine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829074124/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/stylus-magazines-top-50-basslines-of-all-time.htm|archive-date=29 August 2015|access-date=8 August 2015}} while Mixmag included it in their "The Best Basslines in Dance Music" in 2020. The magazine added, "Disclaimer: it's likely you'll be thinking there's a bees' nest in the corner of your room after listening to it. Don't let that put you off, though. "Flat Beat" boasts one of the best basslines of all time."{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/best-basslines-dance-music|title=The Best Basslines In Dance Music, According To You|magazine=Mixmag|date=7 May 2020|access-date=16 October 2024}}

Music video

File:Flatbeet.jpg

Prior to the "Flat Beat", Dupieux created Flat Eric, a fictional puppet character, for Levi's commercials for Sta-Prest One Crease Denim Clothing, built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/299803.stm |title=Entertainment {{!}} Flat Eric's Cruise to the Top|publisher=BBC News|date=20 March 1999|access-date=14 October 2011}} The popularity of the commercials lead to a music video for the song being created, also featuring Flat Eric.

The accompanying music video for "Flat Beat" was directed by Quentin Dupieux and released alongside the single release. The video was released on VHS and later on digital download services and YouTube on the official F Communications channel. The video was listed in Maxim{{'}}s list of Best Puppets in a Music Video.{{cite web|url=https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/best-puppets-music-video|title=Best Puppets in a Music Video|work=Maxim|date=20 August 2012 |access-date=2 May 2018}}

Track listings

{{Track listing

| headline = French VHS single{{cite AV media notes|title=Flat Beat|others=Mr. Oizo|year=1999|type=VHS tape|publisher=F Communications|id=F 104 VHS}}

| title1 = Flat Beat

| length1 = 3:06

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Flat Beat|others=Mr. Oizo|year=1999|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=F Communications|id=F 104 CDS}}

| title1 = Flat Beat

| note1 = radio edit

| length1 = 4:00

| title2 = Monday Massacre

| length2 = 3:36

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Flat Beat|others=Mr. Oizo|year=1999|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=F Communications|id=F104 CDUK}}

| title1 = Flat Beat

| note1 = radio edit

| length1 = 4:00

| title2 = Flat Beat

| length2 = 5:25

| title3 = Monday Massacre

| length3 = 3:36

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Flat Beat|others=Mr. Oizo|year=1999|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=F Communications|id=F 104}}

| title1 = Flat Beat

| length1 = 5:25

| title2 = Monday Massacre

| length2 = 3:36

| title3 = Sick Dog Try to Speak

| length3 = 3:36

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Flat Beat|others=Mr. Oizo|year=1999|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=F Communications|id=F 104 MC}}

| title1 = Flat Beat

| note1 = radio edit

| length1 = 4:00

| title2 = Flat Beat

| length2 = 5:25

|}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Australian and New Zealand single{{cite AV media notes|title=Flat Beat|others=Mr. Oizo|year=1999|type=Australian & New Zealand CD single liner notes|publisher=Creative Vibes|id=137.01 04.22 / 081P}}

| title1 = Flat Beat

| length1 = 5:25

| title2 = Monday Massacre

| length2 = 3:36

| title3 = Sick Dog Try to Speak

| length3 = 3:36

| title4 = Flat Beat

| note4 = radio edit

| length4 = 4:00

}}

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|url=http://i.imgur.com/k5T9YwF.png\|title=ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 5th July 1999 (71–100) (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 488)\|publisher=ARIA\|via=Imgur\|access-date=2 May 2017}} N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak achieved. \| 84
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"\|Chart (1999–2000) !scope="col"\|Peak position
{{single chart\|Austria\|1\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true\|refname="charts"}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|1\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Wallonia\|2\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Denmark (Tracklisten){{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AwEAAAAMBAJ&q=hits+of+the+world\|title=Danish peak\|via=Google Books\|date=19 June 1999\|access-date=17 July 2012}} \| 3
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-04-17.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=16\|issue=16\|page=7\|date=17 April 1999\|access-date=26 January 2020}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Finland\|1\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|France\|5\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|1\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|songid=3885\|rowheader=true\|access-date=9 November 2018}}
scope="row"\|Greece (IFPI){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-07-03.pdf\|title=Top National Sellers\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=16\|issue=27\|page=13\|date=3 July 1999\|access-date=8 June 2020}} \| 5
scope="row"\|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news\|url=https://timarit.is/page/2985903#page/n9/mode/2up\|title=Íslenski Listinn (17.6–24.6. 1999)\|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir\|language=is\|page=10\|date=18 June 2019\|access-date=5 October 2019}} \| 5
{{singlechart\|Ireland2\|2\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true\|access-date=9 November 2018}}
scope="row"\|Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-05-01.pdf\|title=Top National Sellers\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=16\|issue=18\|page=12\|date=1 May 1999\|access-date=28 November 2019}} \| 1
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|4\|year=1999\|week=17\|rowheader=true\|access-date=9 November 2018}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|5\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true\|access-date=9 November 2018}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|12\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Norway\|2\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|1\|date=19990328\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Spain (AFYVE){{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ig0EAAAAMBAJ&q=hits+of+the+world\|title=Billboard: Hits of the World, May 22, 1999\|via=Google Books\|date=22 May 1999\|access-date=17 July 2012}} \| 2
{{single chart\|Sweden\|4\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|4\|artist=Mr. Oizo\|song=Flat Beat\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UK\|1\|date=19990403\|rowheader=true\|refname="uk"}}
{{single chart\|UKdance\|1\|date=19990403\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UKindie\|1\|date=19990403\|rowheader=true\|access-date=9 November 2018}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"\|Chart (1999) !scope="col"\|Position
scope="row"\|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1999\|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1999\|language=de\|access-date=9 November 2018}} \| 20
scope="row"\|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web\|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1999\|title=Jaaroverzichten 1999\|publisher=Ultratop\|language=nl\|access-date=9 November 2018}} \| 21
scope="row"\|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web\|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1999\|title=Rapports annuels 1999\|publisher=Ultratop\|language=fr\|access-date=9 November 2018}} \| 9
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-01-01.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=17\|issue=1\|page=11\|date=1 January 2000\|access-date=26 January 2020}} \| 11
scope="row"\|France (SNEP){{cite web\|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1999\|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1999\|publisher=SNEP\|language=fr\|access-date=25 September 2020}} \| 26
scope="row"\|Germany (Media Control){{cite web \|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1999 \|title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1999\|publisher=GfK Entertainment\|language=de\|access-date=21 April 2018}} \| 8
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1999\|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|access-date=14 March 2020}} \| 60
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web\|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1999&cat=s\|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999\|publisher=MegaCharts\|language=nl\|access-date=9 November 2018}} \| 42
scope="row"\|Spain (AFYVE){{cite web\|url=http://www.anuariossgae.com/anuario2000/frames.html\|title=Tabla 16. CD-Singles Más Vendidos en 1999\|trans-title=Table 16. Top Selling CD-Singles in 1999\|publisher=AFYVE\|language=es\|page=206\|access-date=11 November 2021}} Click on Música grabada. \| 11
scope="row"\|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web\|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1999&dspp=1\|title=Årslista Singlar, 1999\|publisher=Sverigetopplistan\|language=sv\|access-date=14 March 2020}} \| 46
scope="row"\|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web\|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1999\|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 1999\|language=de\|access-date=9 November 2018}} \| 24
scope="row"\|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine\|title=Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100\|magazine=Music Week\|location=London, England\|page=27\|date=22 January 2000}} \| 9

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (1999)

!scope="col"|Position

scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1999|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1999|language=de|access-date=9 November 2018}}

| 20

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1999|title=Jaaroverzichten 1999|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=9 November 2018}}

| 21

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1999|title=Rapports annuels 1999|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=9 November 2018}}

| 9

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-01-01.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999|magazine=Music & Media|volume=17|issue=1|page=11|date=1 January 2000|access-date=26 January 2020}}

| 11

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1999|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1999|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=25 September 2020}}

| 26

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control){{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1999 |title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1999|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=21 April 2018}}

| 8

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1999|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=14 March 2020}}

| 60

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1999&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=9 November 2018}}

| 42

scope="row"|Spain (AFYVE){{cite web|url=http://www.anuariossgae.com/anuario2000/frames.html|title=Tabla 16. CD-Singles Más Vendidos en 1999|trans-title=Table 16. Top Selling CD-Singles in 1999|publisher=AFYVE|language=es|page=206|access-date=11 November 2021}} Click on Música grabada.

| 11

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1999&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1999|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=14 March 2020}}

| 46

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1999|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 1999|language=de|access-date=9 November 2018}}

| 24

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100|magazine=Music Week|location=London, England|page=27|date=22 January 2000}}

| 9

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=Mr. Oizo|title=Flat Beat|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|certyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=single|artist=Mr. Oizo|title=Flatbeat|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=2000|salesamount=5,075}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Mr. Oizo|title=Flat Beat|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|relmonth=3|certyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|access-date=23 April 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Mr. Oizo|title=Flat Beat|award=Platinum|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|id=2301-1902-1|salesamount=678,000|refname="bpi"|salesref={{cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-top-40-best-selling-singles-of-1999__33647/|title=Official Top 40 best-selling singles of 1999|last=Copsey|first=Rob|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=27 March 2024|date=23 July 2021|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210112621/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-top-40-best-selling-singles-of-1999__33647/|url-status=live}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=single|nocert=true|salesamount=3,000,000|salesref={{cite news|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/culture/musiques/electro-mr-oizo-revient-sur-son-arbre-perche-4547428|publisher=Ouest France|title=Electro. Mr Oizo revient sur son arbre perche|date=10 October 2016|first=Nadine|last=Boursier|newspaper=Ouest-France.fr |accessdate=27 March 2024}}}}