Freak like Me #Sugababes version

"Freak like Me" is a R&B song with a g-funk beat.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-90s-r-and-b-videos/adina-howard-freak-like-me|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2019|title=The Best R&B Videos of the '90s|website=Complex}} The song's drum beat is sampled from Sly & the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song". The song also interpolates "I'd Rather Be with You" by Bootsy's Rubber Band. Hence, Eugene Hanes, Marc Valentine, Loren Hill, William "Bootsy" Collins, and George Clinton's son George Jr. (the last of whom died in 2010) are credited as joint authors and composers. In honor of the song's 20th anniversary, a documentary focusing on the song's (and singer Adina Howard's) impact was released titled Adina Howard 20: A Story of Sexual Liberation.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4389712/|title=Adina Howard 20: A Story of Sexual Liberation|via=www.imdb.com}}{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Tasasha |date=August 25, 2015 |title=Adina Howard's Sexual Liberation Album "Freak Like Me" Turns 20 |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/adina-howards-sexual-liberation-album-freak-me-turns-20 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=Bitch Media}} It received a nomination for "Outstanding Independent Documentary" at the 2016 Black Reel Awards.

American Billboard magazine wrote, "The G-funkiest R&B smash of the '90s, using a Bootsy Collins interpolation, a Sly & The Family Stone sample and a Chronic-styled synth hook to attract that kind of man (because Adina Howard's that kind of girl)." Bill Speed from the Gavin Report stated that newcomer Howard "is hot with her debut single 'A Freak like Me', but don't be fooled by what appears to be another coochie song. It's way more than that." He concluded that it "will be one of those funky hip-hop flavored hits that all demos will enjoy."{{cite magazine|first=Bill|last=Speed|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/95/Gavin-1995-01-20.pdf|title=Gavin Urban: New Releases|magazine=Gavin Report|date=January 20, 1995|page=19|access-date=January 20, 2023}} Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel complimented its "memorable chorus".Campbell, Chuck (March 31, 1995). "Traci Lords' Passion Turns To Techno Music". Knoxville News Sentinel. Everett True from Melody Maker found that the singer "provides sweet relief with another of those succulent, sensuous G-funk thangs which sounds like a cross between En Vogue and Snoop Doggy Dogg."{{cite magazine|first=Everett|last=True|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53387764067/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=February 25, 1995|page=35|access-date=December 14, 2023|author-link=Everett True}}

Alan Jones from Music Week felt "it's a record with immense pedigree; a softly percolating laidback soul/R&B nugget which reveals its subtle strength. With repeated plays it should dent the Top 40 this time and open up the market for Ms Howard's excellent album Do You Wanna Ride?"{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |title= Talking Music |magazine= Music Week |date= April 15, 1995 |page= 10 |accessdate= May 7, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-04-15.pdf}} A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "God-fearing she's only on the inside, cause the way she shamelessly shakes her ass to the sensual G-funk of the single 'Freak like Me' is enough to disturb the peace in any sincerely devout parish."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-03-18.pdf|title=New Releases: Albums|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=6|date=March 18, 1995|page=11|access-date=March 14, 2025}} Ralph Tee from the Record Mirror Dance Update said, "The track is pure hip hop soul combining Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre beats and sounds with a style of vocal that's taken Brandy all the way with 'I Wanna Be Down'." Another Record Mirror editor, James Hamilton, described it as a "slinkily rolling r&b swayer" in his weekly dance column.{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |title= Dj directory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= February 11, 1995 |page= 11 |accessdate= May 5, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-02-11.pdf |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Spin ranked "Freak like Me" number ten in their End-of-year list of the 20 best singles of 1995.{{Cite web|title=Spin Magazine End Of Year Lists|url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/spinend.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105100102/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/spinend.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 5, 2005|access-date=June 17, 2024|publisher=www.rocklistmusic.co.uk}}

The original music video for the song was directed by American director Hype Williams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8417634/|title=Adina Howard: Freak Like Me|via=IMDb}}

1. "Freak like Me" (radio version) – 4:04
2. "Freak like Me" (remix featuring rap by Inspector Rick) – 4:17
3. "Freak like Me" (dub instrumental) – 4:12
4. "Freak like Me" (remix without rap) – 4:06
5. "Freak like Me" (instrumental) – 4:10
6. "Freak like Me" (a cappella) – 2:35

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Adina Howard|title=Freak like Me|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Adina Howard|title=Freak like Me|award=Platinum|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref={{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1995 |magazine=Billboard |volume=108 |number=3 |page=56 |date=January 20, 1996 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |issn=0006-2510}}|access-date=January 14, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Freak like Me

| cover = Freaklikemetrufaithdubconspiracy.jpg

| type = single

| artist = Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy

| released = {{start date|2000|8|28}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-08-26.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting August 28, 2000: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=August 26, 2000|access-date=August 4, 2021}}

| genre = UK garage

| length = 4:49

| label = Positiva

| writer =

• Eugene Hanes
• Marc Valentine
• Loren Hill
• William "Bootsy" Collins
• George Clinton Jr.
• Gary Lee Cooper

| producer =

• Andrew Hunter
• George Demetriou
• Ian McKenzie
• Maxim Elmaki
• Nial Montgomery

| chronology = Imaani

| prev_title = Where Are You?

| prev_year = 1998

}}

On August 28, 2000, a collaboration between two UK garage groups, Tru Faith & Dub Conspiracy, released a cover version of "Freak like Me". English singer Imaani provided vocals on the song.{{Cite web |last=Ambrose |first=Tom |date=June 17, 2022 |title='It's coming home': a trip back to 1998, and Britain's last Eurovision |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jun/17/eurovision-song-contest-1998-britain-last-host |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=the Guardian}} This version reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK Dance Singles Chart. The CD and 12-inch formats include remixes by Wideboys and Dome.

• UK CD maxi-single

1. "Freak like Me" (radio edit) – 3:21
2. "Freak like Me" (original mix) – 4:49
3. "Freak like Me" (Wideboys Vocal Mix) – 5:01
4. "Freak like Me" (Dome's Freaky Deaky Mix) – 5:59

• UK 12-inch vinyl

:A1. "Freak like Me" (original mix) – 4:49

:A2. "Freak like Me" (Wideboys Dub) – 4:35

:B1. "Freak like Me" (Vocal Remix) – 5:10

:B2. "Freak like Me" (Freaky Deaky Mix) – 5:10

{{Infobox song

| name = Freak like Me

| cover = Dontchafreaklikme.JPG

| type = single

| artist = Sugababes

| album = Angels with Dirty Faces

| B-side = Breathe Easy

| released = April 22, 2002

| recorded = 2001

| studio = London, England

| genre =

• Pop{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/album-reviews/a133030/sugababes-catfights-and-spotlights/|title=Sugababes: 'Catfights and Spotlights'|first=Nick|last=Levine|website=Digital Spy |date=October 19, 2008}}
• R&B{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=atUYm-gM0KEC&dq=r&pg=PT17|title=CMJ New Music Report|last=CMJ Network, Inc|date=September 8, 2003|publisher=CMJ Network, Inc.|via=Google Books}}
• funk{{cite book|first= David|last= Crawford|editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2015 |title= 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die|chapter= Sugababes - "Freak Like Me|publisher= Universe|location= New York|page= 815}}
• electro

| length = 3:14

| label =

• Island
• Universal

| writer =

• Eugene Hanes
• Marc Valentine
• Loren Hill
• William Collins
• George Clinton
• Gary Numan

| producer = Richard X

| prev_title = Soul Sound

| prev_year = 2001

| next_title = Round Round

| next_year = 2002

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|dSAGsiVSoeE|"Freak Like Me"}}}}

}}

In 2002, English girl group Sugababes recorded a cover of "Freak like Me". Conceived and produced by English producer Richard X, the cover samples the 1979 song "Are "Friends" Electric?" by Gary Numan and Tubeway Army. In 2001, Richard X had created a bootleg mashup of the original recordings of "Freak Like Me" and "Are "Friends" Electric?", titled "We Don't Give a Damn About Our Friends", which he released under the alias Girls on Top.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackmelody.com/track.php?id=6 |title=Girls On Top – We Don't Give a Damn About Our Friends / Warm Bitch |publisher=Blackmelody.com |access-date=January 12, 2014}} That song became a successful underground dance track. Richard X wanted to release the mashup commercially, but he could not get permission from Howard to use her vocals, so he enlisted the Sugababes to re-record the vocals.{{Cite news |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |date=January 9, 2005 |title=Mix and Mash |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/09/arts/music/mix-and-mash.html |access-date=June 18, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2018 |title=A Beginner's Guide To RICHARD X |url=https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-richard-x/ |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=Electricityclub.co.uk}}

"Freak like Me" was released on April 22, 2002, as the lead single from their second studio album, Angels with Dirty Faces (2002). It was the first Sugababes single to feature Heidi Range, who joined after the departure of Siobhán Donaghy in August 2001. The Sugababes version blends the original recording's samples into an R&B and rock track.{{Cite magazine |date=April 29, 2002 |title=Sugababes' 'Freak' Tops U.K. Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/sugababes-freak-tops-uk-chart-75955/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807233140/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/sugababes-freak-tops-uk-chart-75955/ |archive-date=August 7, 2022 |access-date=August 7, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |quote=The track is an unusual blend of R&B and rock.}} This version of the song used the radio edit lyrics of Howard's song ("brotha" is used instead of "nigga"). Numan was now credited as a co-writer of the song. A remix of the song, billed as the "We Don't Give a Damn Mix", was used for the video and also appears on Richard X's 2003 album Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1.

The Guardian named "Freak like Me" as the best number-one single of 2002.{{Cite news|last=Paphides|first=Peter|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/may/31/sugababes-freak-like-me|title=The best No 1 records: Sugababes – Freak Like Me|date=May 31, 2012|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 4, 2013|issn=0261-3077}} NME complimented the track as "genius" and claimed, "if this gets to number one, we'll be grinning all summer. Yes, even The Critics."{{cite web|title=Sugababes – Freak Like Me|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/6273|publisher=NME|access-date=August 4, 2013|date=April 16, 2002}} Billboard named the song number 45 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.{{cite magazine|title=100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7857816/100-greatest-girl-group-songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 11, 2017}}

Numan considered the Sugababes version of "Freak like Me" to be better than "Are 'Friends' Electric?".{{cite web|url=http://www.designermagazine.org/GaryNumanINT3.html|title=Gary Numan – Interview|website=Designer Magazine|access-date=May 20, 2018|quote=I did the Graham Norton show and I said I think its better than mine – I think the vocal is a lot more interesting than mine.|archive-date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811193332/http://designermagazine.org/GaryNumanINT3.html|url-status=dead}}

"Freak like Me" was released in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2002.{{cite web|url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/5413/reviews/3635-|title=Sugababes – Freak Like Me|last=Rauf|first=Raziq|website=Drowned in Sound|date=April 19, 2002|access-date=April 30, 2021|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430142106/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/5413/reviews/3635-|url-status=dead}} The song became Sugababes' first number-one single when it debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, remaining in the top 10 for four weeks. The British Phonographic Industry certified the song gold for selling and streaming over 400,000 units.

Outside of the United Kingdom, the song was also successful: it reached the top 10 in Flanders, Ireland, and Norway. In Australia, "Freak like Me" was released on June 17, 2002,{{cite web|url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020627/www.aria.com.au/Issue642.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 17th June 2002|publisher=ARIA|page=25|date=June 17, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040123052054/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020627/www.aria.com.au/Issue642.pdf|archive-date=January 23, 2004|access-date=April 30, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and became the fourth single by Sugababes to make the singles chart, reaching number 44. It would be their lowest-charting single in Australia until the release of "Shape" in 2003.

The music video was directed by Dawn Shadforth and Sophie Muller and was filmed in London. It uses the "We Don't Give a Damn Mix" of the song, which is more faithful to the original mash-up. Set in a strange nightclub, the video serves to introduce then-recently added member Heidi Range. It begins outside the nightclub with a man tumbling down the stairs, with Keisha Buchanan in a long coat, seen only from below the knee, walking out of a door, over the man's body and up the stairs. Mutya Buena is seen standing on the stairs facing the direction where the man is lying. Inside, they spot Range dancing and flirting with many guys. They both quickly clash with her, and a fight between them ensues, which ends with Range falling to the floor unconscious. A man tries to help her up, but Buena grabs him by the neck and throws him away from her. Range wakes up again soon after, and stumbles out of the club with another man, where they begin to kiss, until she suddenly bites hard into his arm. Meanwhile, Buchanan takes a man outside, and she leads him into a dark alley, where they flirt briefly, before she scares him away. Buena then goes outside as well, and overpowers a man who towers over her. The music video ends with Buchanan and Buena accepting Range into the group, and dancing into the night. The demonstrations of supernatural strength shown throughout the video and Range biting the man on the arm are generally understood to imply that the women are, as the song suggests, vampire-like "freaks." Julian Morris stars in the music video as one of the boys running from Buena.

{{tracklist

| headline = UK and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Freak Like Me|others=Sugababes|year=2002|type=UK & Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Island Records|id=CID798, 582898-2}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Freak like Me

| note1 = radio edit

| writer1 = {{hlist|Eugene Hanes|Marc Valentine|Loren Hill|William Collins|George Clinton|Gary Numan}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Richard X|Jeremy Wheatley{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length1 = 3:14

| title2 = Freak like Me

| note2 = We Don't Give a Damn mix

| writer2 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra2 = Richard X

| length2 = 3:39

| title3 = Breathe Easy

| writer3 = {{hlist|Craig Dodds|Keisha Buchanan|Mutya Buena|Heidi Range}}

| extra3 = Dodds

| length3 = 4:09

| title4 = Freak like Me

| note4 = video

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Freak Like Me|others=Sugababes|year=2002|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Island Records|id=12IS798, 582898-1}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Freak like Me

| note1 = Different Gear mix

| writer1 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Richard X|Different Gear{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length1 = 5:01

| title2 = Freak like Me

| note2 = We Don't Give a Damn mix

| writer2 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra2 = Richard X

| length2 = 3:34

| title3 = Freak like Me

| note3 = Capoeira Twins mix

| writer3 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Richard X|Capoeira Twins{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length3 = 5:29

| title4 = Freak like Me

| note4 = Jameson mix

| writer4 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Richard X|Jameson{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length4 = 5:42

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Freak Like Me|others=Sugababes|year=2002|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Island Records|id=CIS798, 582898-4}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Freak like Me

| note1 = radio edit

| writer1 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Richard X|Wheatley{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length1 = 3:14

| title2 = Freak like Me

| note2 = We Don't Give a Damn mix

| writer2 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra2 = Richard X

| length2 = 3:39

| title3 = Freak like Me

| note3 = Jameson mix

| writer3 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Richard X|Jameson{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length3 = 5:46

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Freak Like Me|others=Sugababes|year=2002|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Island Records|id=CIDT798, 582907-2}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Freak like Me

| note1 = radio edit

| writer1 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Richard X|Wheatley{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| title2 = Freak like Me

| note2 = We Don't Give a Damn mix

| writer2 = {{hlist|Hanes|Valentine|Hill|Collins|Clinton|Numan}}

| extra2 = Richard X

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|a}}}} denotes additional producer(s)

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Sugababes|title=Freak Like Me|award=Gold|relyear=2002|certyear=2022|id=2380-402-1|access-date=May 22, 2022|salesamount=387,000|salesref={{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/sugababes-official-top-20-biggest-singles__27523//|title=Sugababes' Official Top 20 biggest singles|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=April 29, 2021|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=October 6, 2021}}}}

{{table end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Adina Howard}}

{{Sugababes}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1994 songs

Category:1995 debut singles

Category:2000 singles

Category:2002 singles

Category:Adina Howard songs

Category:East West Records singles

Category:Island Records singles

Category:Mashup songs

Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams

Category:Music videos shot in London

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Positiva Records singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Richard X

Category:Songs written by George Clinton (funk musician)

Category:Sugababes songs

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Universal Records singles