Girl Code (song)
{{good article}}
{{short description|2015 single by Countess Luann}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Girl Code
| artist = Countess Luann
| album =
| type = single
| cover = Countess Luann "Girl Code".jpg
| border = yes
| alt = A black background with white tiles spelling out "Girl" and "Code", separated by a pink heart.
| caption =
| language =
| released = {{Start date|2015|07|03}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Dance
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=59}}
| label = Eloli
| writer =
- Luann de Lesseps
- Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis
- Arden Altino
- Angela Ann Hunte
- Tzvetin T. Todorov
- Urales Vargas
| producer = Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis
| tracks =
| chronology = Countess Luann
| prev_title = Chic C'est la Vie
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = Feelin' Jovani
| next_year = 2019
| misc =
}}
"Girl Code"{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Girl Code" has been referred to by the alternative title of "Girl Code (Don't Be So Uncool)".}} is a song by American television personality Luann de Lesseps, under the stage name and former courtesy title of Countess Luann. It was released on July 3, 2015, through Eloli Music, as a standalone single. Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis produced the song and co-wrote it with de Lesseps, Arden Altino, Angela Ann Hunte, Tzvetin T. Todorov, and Urales Vargas. Despite having no plans to release new music, de Lesseps was inspired by her fellow The Real Housewives of New York City cast members and convinced by the series' producer Andy Cohen to release a third single.
"Girl Code" is a funk-influenced dance song that features backing vocals from de Lesseps' daughter, Victoria. She premiered the song during an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and its lyrics partially reference an argument between de Lesseps and American author Carole Radziwill that occurred while vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It received mixed reviews from music critics, with E! Online referring to it as a guilty pleasure song.
Background and release
According to Luann de Lesseps, she did not have any plans to release additional music in her career.{{cite news |last1=Harnick |first1=Chris |title=Countess Luann Reveals Inspiration for 'Girl Code (Don't Be So Uncool),' Watch Out Ladies! |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/669634/countess-luann-reveals-inspiration-for-girl-code-don-t-be-so-uncool-watch-out-ladies |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=E! Online |date=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426023610/https://www.eonline.com/news/669634/countess-luann-reveals-inspiration-for-girl-code-don-t-be-so-uncool-watch-out-ladies |url-status=live }} In 2010, she was signed to Ultra Music, and collaborated with New York City-based musician Chris Young as her producer and co-songwriter.{{cite news |last1=Heyman |first1=Marshall |title='Housewife' Sparks Demand for Producer |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703559004575256644146761022 |access-date=March 22, 2021 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121082433/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703559004575256644146761022 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |last1=Barthel |first1=Mike |title=The 15 Vanity Singles by 'Real Housewife' Bravolebrities: One Is Actually Good! |url=https://www.theawl.com/2013/04/the-15-vanity-singles-by-real-housewife-bravolebrities-one-is-actually-good/ |website=The Awl |access-date=March 17, 2021 |date=April 5, 2013 |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118225002/https://www.theawl.com/2013/04/the-15-vanity-singles-by-real-housewife-bravolebrities-one-is-actually-good/ |url-status=live }} Together, they released "Money Can't Buy You Class" in 2010, and "Chic C'est la Vie" in 2011.{{cite news |last1=Harnick |first1=Chris |title=Countess Luann's 'Girl Code (Don't Be So Uncool)' Is Here! – Plus a Brief History of Real Housewives Songs |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/669507/countess-luann-s-girl-code-don-t-be-so-uncool-is-here-plus-a-brief-history-of-real-housewives-songs |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=E! Online |date=June 24, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426023610/https://www.eonline.com/news/669507/countess-luann-s-girl-code-don-t-be-so-uncool-is-here-plus-a-brief-history-of-real-housewives-songs |url-status=live }} Her appearances on The Real Housewives of New York City proved to be a source of inspiration for developing her third single, "Girl Code"; she said in an interview: "I got really inspired... I'm thrilled with it because the song is really different from what I've done before." The series' producer Andy Cohen also helped convince de Lesseps to release a new song. "Girl Code" was written by de Lesseps, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Arden Altino, Angela Ann Hunte, Tzvetin T. Todorov, and Urales Vargas, while production was handled by Duplessis.{{cite web |title=ACE Repertory |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/title/girl%20code/performer/luann?at=false&searchFilter=SVW&page=1 |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=April 25, 2021}} If necessary, enter the title "Girl Code" to view the song's ASCAP credits.
de Lesseps premiered "Girl Code" as a live performance on the American late-night talk show Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The episode, which was broadcast on June 23, 2015, featured both de Lesseps and Real Housewives co-star Sonja Morgan;{{cite episode |title=Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan |series=Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen |network=Bravo |date=June 23, 2015 |season=12 |number=104}} During the appearance, de Lesseps answered a fan's phone-in question regarding the song's subject matter and title: "I think every woman can understand what that means. When you break the girl code, when you cross the line, and you just do something that is – you know – unforgivable unless someone apologizes."{{cite web |title=Show Highlight: Which Housewife Inspired 'Girl Code'? |date=24 June 2015 |url=https://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live-with-andy-cohen/season-12/episode-104/videos/which-housewife-inspired-girl |publisher=Bravo |access-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505172651/https://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live-with-andy-cohen/season-12/episode-104/videos/which-housewife-inspired-girl |url-status=live }} The song was released on July 3, 2015, when it was distributed for digital download and streaming through Eloli Music. Some publications have referred to the song by the alternative title "Girl Code (Don't Be So Uncool)".{{cite news |last1=Corriston |first1=Michele |title=The Countess Has a New Dance Jam Inspired by the Housewives Being 'So Uncool' |url=https://people.com/tv/countess-luann-de-lesseps-records-new-song-girl-code-dont-be-so-uncool/ |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=People |date=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426023611/https://people.com/tv/countess-luann-de-lesseps-records-new-song-girl-code-dont-be-so-uncool/ |url-status=live }} A music video for the song was filmed during the last week of June 2015.{{cite web |title=We Visited Luann on Her 'Girl Code' Music Video Set |url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/we-visited-luann-on-her-girl-code-music-video-set |publisher=Bravo |access-date=May 5, 2021 |date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129204153/https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/we-visited-luann-on-her-girl-code-music-video-set |url-status=live }}
Music and lyrics
File:Caroles picture.png (pictured in 2007).|alt=A color photograph of author Carole Radziwill posing for a picture in 2007.]]
"Girl Code" is a funk-influenced dance song. de Lesseps' daughter, Victoria, provides backing vocals. Dave Quinn and Jessica Fecteau, writers from People, both noted the song's girl power theme, with the former calling it funky.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Dave |title=The Definitive Ranking of Every Single Real Housewives Song |url=https://people.com/tv/every-real-housewives-song-ranked/ |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=People |date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130014230/https://people.com/tv/every-real-housewives-song-ranked/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hecteau |first1=Jessica |title=Countess LuAnn de Lesseps Shares Seven Girl Codes You Should Never Break |url=https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-new-york-countess-luann-de-lesseps-girl-code-rules/ |access-date=May 5, 2021 |work=People |date=July 16, 2015 |archive-date=April 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415172025/http://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-new-york-countess-luann-de-lesseps-girl-code-rules/ |url-status=live }}
Lyrically, "Girl Code" refers to a moment in de Lesseps' life where she felt betrayed by her friends. While vacationing with the Real Housewives cast in the Turks and Caicos Islands, she took issue with some members, specifically author Carole Radziwill, for entering a relationship with the former boyfriend of de Lesseps' niece.{{cite news |last1=Harnick |first1=Chris |title=Carole Radziwill Reveals 'Uncool' Countess Luann Lunged at Her at 'Real Housewives of New York' Reunion |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/676531/carole-radziwill-reveals-uncool-countess-luann-lunged-at-her-at-real-housewives-of-new-york-reunion |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=E! Online |date=July 15, 2015 |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521154705/https://www.eonline.com/news/676531/carole-radziwill-reveals-uncool-countess-luann-lunged-at-her-at-real-housewives-of-new-york-reunion |url-status=live }} Specifying, de Lesseps revealed to E! Online that "Girl Code" is not entirely about just one incident, but rather "how friends have to look out for each other" and what happens when they do not. One of the lyrics references a catchphrase de Lesseps coined during the trip ("Don't be all, like, uncool"). In the chorus, "I'm just doing me / You broke the girl code / So don't be so uncool / I gotta let you go", Ben Rimalower from Vulture felt she expresses her want of "support and company" from her friendships.{{cite web |last1=Rimalower |first1=Ben |title=The Real Housewives of New York City Recap: You Broke the Girl Code |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/real-housewives-of-new-york-city-recap-season-7-episode-12.html |website=Vulture |access-date=April 21, 2021 |date=June 24, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426023610/https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/real-housewives-of-new-york-city-recap-season-7-episode-12.html |url-status=live }}
Critical reception
Chris Harnick from E! Online referred to "Girl Code" as a guilty pleasure song. Bustle{{'}}s Kristie Rohwedder ranked de Lesseps' first three singles, and provided the lowest score to "Girl Code"; however, she enjoyed its lyrics, danceability, and catchiness.{{cite news |last1=Rohwedder |first1=Kristie |title='Girl Code' By Countess LuAnn Is Not Uncool |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/95542-is-girl-code-luann-de-lesseps-best-song-yet-heres-the-definitive-ranking-of-the-real |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=Bustle |date=July 7, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426023611/https://www.bustle.com/articles/95542-is-girl-code-luann-de-lesseps-best-song-yet-heres-the-definitive-ranking-of-the-real |url-status=live }} Lynsey Eidell of Glamour encouraged her readers to listen to the song "if only for a chuckle".{{cite news |last1=Eidell |first1=Lynsey |title=You Have to Hear Luann de Lesseps' Brand-New Single (Plus 3 More Songs to Add to Your Playlist) |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/luann-de-lesseps-new-single-girl-code |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=Glamour |date=June 25, 2015 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426023610/https://www.glamour.com/story/luann-de-lesseps-new-single-girl-code |url-status=live }}
Retrospectively, Sadie Gennis from TV Guide Magazine listed "Girl Code" as the tenth best Real Housewives song in a 2017 article. She called the song nonsense and said Victoria de Lesseps' feature was the best part of the song.{{cite news |last1=Gennis |first1=Sadie |title=Every Real Housewives Song, Ranked |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/every-real-housewives-song-ranked/ |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=TV Guide Magazine |date=February 16, 2017 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212025347/http://www.tvguide.com/news/every-real-housewives-song-ranked/ |url-status=live }} In a similar 2019 list by People, Quinn listed it as the franchise's 18th best song, and labeled it as "a banger".
Track listing
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "Girl Code" |
| scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Various
| July 3, 2015 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Eloli | style="text-align:center;"| References regarding the release of "Girl Code" by Countess Luann on Apple Music:
|
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|m6QDZIG64ZE|"Girl Code" (Live video from Watch What Happens Live)}}
{{The Real Housewives}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Jerry Duplessis