Mr. Vain#Certifications

German DJ and producer Torsten Fenslau and his friend Jens Zimmerman formed Culture Beat in Frankfurt in 1989.Ramesh, Randeep (2 September 1993). "Just Set The Beat, Mr. Vain". The Guardian. They took the name from the idea of trying to mix high culture and music, and had their first hit same year, entitled "Der Erdbeermund" ("Strawberry Lips"), which meshed house sounds with the poetry of 15th century French writer François Villon. With the success of songs like "Rhythm Is a Dancer" by German group Snap! in 1992, which several critics later would compare "Mr. Vain" to, the formula for what would be known as 90s Eurodance was now beginning to establish. Fenslau wanted to develop the group further{{cite book|first= Juha |last= Soininen |title= Move Your Body (2 The 90's): Unlimited Eurodance |publisher= BoD - Books on Demand |date= 26 August 2020 |page= 61 |isbn= 9789528026303 |access-date= 11 February 2023 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_WD5DwAAQBAJ}} and American rapper Jay Supreme and British singer Tania Evans were recruited to front a new single and album. Supreme had moved to Germany after being in the US Army, while Evans had been working as backing singer for Neneh Cherry. The lyrics to "Mr. Vain" were written by German musician and songwriter Nosie Katzmann with Supreme and Steven Lewis, and the single was released on 16 April 1993.

AllMusic editor William Cooper called "Mr. Vain" an "engaging house tune". He compared it to Snap!'s "Rhythm Is a Dancer" and Real McCoy's "Another Night" with its "instantly memorable keyboard hook". Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "chirpy rave/NRG track", stating that "if its European chart success is a fair indicator", then the song "will be all the rage within minutes."{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |author-link= Larry Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= Billboard |volume= 105 |issue= 39 |page= 73 |issn= 0006-2510 |date= 25 September 1993 |access-date= 1 February 2020 |url= https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1993/BB-1993-09-25.pdf}} Nicole Leedham from The Canberra Times noted Culture Beat's "combination of soul, insightful lyrics and dance floor-friendly music".{{cite news|first= Nicole |last= Leedham |title= Everybody Dance Now |newspaper= The Canberra Times |page= 27 |date= 19 May 1994 |access-date= 23 April 2020 |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118212508}} Student newspaper Columbia Daily Spectator stated that "near-indiscernible rapping over a pulsing techno beat and an unforgettable synth line" make it "the quintessential '90s dance track."{{cite news|first1= Atossa |last1= Abrahamian |first2= John |last2= Klopfer |title= From Dashboard to Dixie Chicks, Pop is More Than Just Pep |newspaper= Columbia Daily Spectator |page= B5 |date= 21 October 2005 |access-date= 15 March 2020 |url= http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs20051021-02.2.17}}

Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger wrote that "Mr. Vain" "heads straight for the dark heart of the club, sketching a dancefloor predator who – like Eezer Goode {{sic}} – is as much metaphor as character. For drugs, lust, loss of control – who knows? The lyrics' almost-there English works to the song's benefit – there's an awkward poetry to "Call him Mr Raider, call him Mr Wrong" – and for once the obligatory rap isn't an embarrassment, with Jay Supreme's gloating, bassy flow reminding me of knowingly devilish Chicago house classics like "Your Only Friend". "Mr Vain" is the hustling flipside to "All That She Wants", and almost as good a pop record."{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Ewing |title= Culture Beat – "Mr Vain" |website= Freaky Trigger |date= 2 May 2012 |access-date= 6 March 2020 |url= http://freakytrigger.co.uk/popular/2012/05/culture-beat-mr-vain/}} John Patrick from Lake District News stated, "The beat is a dream to any dance and the words become so familiar, you can sing along with the chorus on cue."{{cite news|first= John |last= Patrick |title= Column dedicated to deejay |newspaper= Lake District News |date= 26 October 1994 |page= B4}}

In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "Stand by for the dance hit of the summer." He added that "although in actual fact as one of the best European dance records of the year so far it would probably have been a major hit anyway."{{cite web|first= James |last= Masterton |author-link= James Masterton |title= Week Ending August 7th 1993 |website= Chart Watch UK |date= 1 August 1993 |access-date= 15 September 2021 |url= https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1993/week-ending-august-7th-1993}} Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed it as an "audacious rewrite" of "Rhythm Is a Dancer", and categorized it as "house music. Not rave, not techno, but good ol' rump-pumping Hi-NRG house." He also remarked, "When Evans purrs, "I know what I want, and I want it NOWWW", empires crumble."{{cite magazine|first=Simon|last=Price|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52974886461/|title=Albums|magazine=Melody Maker|date=18 September 1993|page=39|access-date=17 June 2023|author-link=Simon Price}} Diana Valois from The Morning Call noted its formula of "staccato beats, deep bass lines, and nervous and tinny keyboard riffs." She added, "Balancing the somber vocals of Jay Supreme is the optimistic soulfulness of a cheery Tania Evans".{{cite news|first= Diana |last= Valois |title= Culture Beat – Serenity |newspaper= The Morning Call |date= 29 January 1994 |page= A32}}

Machgiel Bakker from Music & Media called "Mr. Vain" a "snappy and poppy dance groove".{{cite magazine|first= Machgiel |last= Bakker |title= Culture Beat Spans Dance/EHR Boundary |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 10 |issue= 29 |date= 17 July 1993 |pages= 1, 25 |accessdate= 5 November 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-07-17.pdf}} Alan Jones from Music Week declared the song as "maddeningly commercial but lyrically nonsensical",{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |title= Market Preview > Mainstream – Albums |magazine= Music Week |page= 19 |date= 28 August 1993 |access-date= 30 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-08-28.pdf}} and with "hugely commercial hooks".{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |title= Market Preview > Mainstream – Singles |magazine= Music Week |page= 14 |date= 25 December 1993 |access-date= 8 April 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-12-25.pdf}} Jim Farber from New York Daily News described it as "propulsive", with "snappy electronic rhythms and trendy rap break". He commented, "Musically, the song strongly recalls Snap!'s smash "Rhythm Is a Dancer", but its clash of two voices offers a fresh twist. One voice (provided by R&B singer Tania Evans) mockingly describes the ace narcissist "Mr. Vain", while a second (from a rapper named Jay Supreme) embodies the title character's selfish desire – it's a winkling comment on self-absorption on a track made for the indulgent world of dance clubs." In a 2014 retrospective review, Pop Rescue praised it as "fantastically catchy".{{cite web|title= Review: "Serenity" by Culture Beat (CD, 1993) |website= Pop Rescue |date= 6 August 2014 |access-date= 5 April 2020 |url= https://poprescue.com/2014/08/06/pop-rescue-serenity-by-culture-beat-cd-1993-review/}}

"Mr. Vain" first experienced success in Germany, topping the German Singles Chart for nine consecutive weeks from June to August 1993, before spreading to other European countries. The song spent 33 weeks within the German Top 100. It also topped the charts of Austria (1 week), Belgium (4 weeks), Denmark (7 weeks), Finland (6 weeks), Ireland (5 weeks), Italy (2 weeks), the Netherlands (2 weeks), Norway (2 weeks), Switzerland (4 weeks), and the United Kingdom."Mr. Vain" spent 7 weeks at number one on the Danish singles chart in August and September 1993.

• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-07.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=32|date=7 August 1993|page=16}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-14.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=33|date=14 August 1993|page=16}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-21.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=34|date=21 August 1993|page=24}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-28.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=35|date=28 August 1993|page=24}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-04.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=36|date=4 September 1993|page=24}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-11.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=37|date=11 September 1993|page=14}}
• Week 7: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-18.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Denmark|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=38|date=18 September 1993|page=15}}"Mr. Vain" spent 6 weeks at number one on the Finnish singles chart in August and September 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-07.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Finland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=32|date=7 August 1993|page=16}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-14.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Finland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=33|date=14 August 1993|page=16}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-04.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Finland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=36|date=4 September 1993|page=24}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-11.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Finland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=37|date=11 September 1993|page=14}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-18.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Finland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=38|date=18 September 1993|page=15}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-25.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Finland|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=39|date=25 September 1993|page=22}}{{cite web|title=Retro Top Ten Chart 1993: Eurodance smash 'Mr Vain' spent five weeks at number one in Ireland|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/lifestyle/retro-top-ten-chart-1993-eurodance-smash-mr-vain-spent-five-weeks-at-number-one-in-ireland/a1382896869.html|work=Irish Independent|date=30 August 2023|access-date=14 November 2024}}"Mr. Vain" spent 2 weeks at number one on the Italian Musica e dischi singles chart in October 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-10-02.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Italy|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=40|date=2 October 1993|page=14}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-10-09.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe: Italy|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=41|date=9 October 1993|page=13}} In the UK, the song hit the top spot during its fourth week on the UK Singles Chart, on 22 August 1993, after entering the chart at number 24. It was the first single to top the chart that was not released on 7-inch vinyl,{{cite book|first1= Jon |last1= Kutner |first2= Spencer |last2= Leigh |year= 2013 |orig-year= 2005 |title= 1,000 UK Number One Hits |publisher= Omnibus Press |type= E-book |location= London, England |pages= 1009–1010 |isbn= 978-0-85712-360-2}}{{cite magazine|title= No seven-inch for number one single |magazine= Music Week |page= 1 |date= 4 September 1993 |access-date= 8 April 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-09-04.pdf}} spending four weeks at the top and 15 weeks inside the UK Top 100. It sold more than 442,000 copies in the UK,{{cite web|title= Official Chart Flashback 1993: Culture Beat – Mr Vain |publisher= Official Charts Company |date= 30 August 2013 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-flashback-1993-culture-beat-mr-vain__4596/}} and also topped the Music Week Dance Singles chart as well as reaching number five on the UK Airplay chart.{{cite magazine|title= Dance Singles |magazine= Music Week |page= 24 |date= 14 August 1993 |access-date= 9 April 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-08-14.pdf}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-10-02.pdf|title=The Airplay Chart|magazine=Music Week|date=2 October 1993|page=30|access-date=2 May 2024}} Additionally, "Mr. Vain" peaked at number two in Sweden for 4 weeks, behind UB40's "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You" and 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up", and was a top-3 hit in France, Iceland and Spain.{{cite magazine |title= Íslenski Listinn: Topp 40: Vikan 2. – 8. sept. |magazine= Dagblaðið Vísir |page= 20 |date= 2 September 1993 |access-date= 7 February 2018 |url= https://timarit.is/page/2616637?iabr=on#page/n1/mode/2up |language= is}}{{cite book|first= Fernando |last= Salaverri |date= September 2005 |title= Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |edition= 1st |publisher= Fundación Autor-SGAE |location= Spain |isbn= 84-8048-639-2 |language= es}} The song debuted on the Eurochart Hot 100 at number 65 on 5 June,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-06-05.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=23|date=5 June 1993|page=19|access-date=24 March 2024}} after charting in Germany. It peaked at number one thirteen weeks later, on 28 August, and stayed at the top position for six consecutive weeks,"Mr. Vain" spent 6 weeks at number one on the Eurochart Hot 100 from August to October 1993.
• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-08-28.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=35|date=28 August 1993|page=23}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-04.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=36|date=4 September 1993|page=23}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-11.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=37|date=11 September 1993|page=13}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-18.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=38|date=18 September 1993|page=12}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-09-25.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=39|date=25 September 1993|page=21}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-10-02.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|magazine=Music & Media|volume=10|issue=40|date=2 October 1993|page=13}} before Haddaway's "Life" took over the top position at the chart.

Outside Europe, "Mr. Vain" peaked at number one in Australia (1 week), on the RPM Dance chart in Canada for ten weeks

• Week 1: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=1446&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=7|date=28 August 1993|page=}}
• Week 2: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6624&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=8|date=4 September 1993|page=}}
• Week 3: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6478&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=9|date=11 September 1993|page=}}
• Week 4: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9252&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=10|date=18 September 1993|page=}}
• Week 5: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6497&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=11|date=25 September 1993|page=}}
• Week 6: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6498&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=12|date=2 October 1993|page=}}
• Week 7: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=10216&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=13|date=9 October 1993|page=}}
• Week 8: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=6693&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=14|date=16 October 1993|page=}}
• Week 9: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9615&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=15|date=23 October 1993|page=}}
• Week 10: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=9616&|title=RPM Dance|magazine=RPM|volume=58|issue=16|date=30 October 1993|page=}} and in Zimbabwe for a week.{{cite book|first= Chris |last= Kimberley |year= 2000 |title= Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe Singles Chart Book |location= Harare}} In the United States, the single reached number 15 on the Cash Box Top 100{{cite magazine|title= Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles – Week ending January 22, 1994 |magazine= Cash Box |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/90s_files/19940122.html |archive-date= 10 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121010195951/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/90s_files/19940122.html}} and number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning a gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Mr. Vain" also peaked at number two for two weeks on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart.{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 2004 |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003 |publisher= Record Research |page= 67}} It charted also in Asia, peaking at number ten on the Japanese Oricon chart.{{cite web|script-title= ja:カルチャー・ビートのヒストリー |publisher= Oricon |access-date= 23 January 2014 |url= http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/55477/profile/history |language= ja}}

The song also earned a gold record in Austria (25,000), the Netherlands (50,000), Sweden (25,000), Switzerland (25,000) and the UK (400,000), while it received a silver record in France (125,000). It was also awarded a 3× gold record in Germany, with a sale of 750,000 units, and a platinum record in Australia (70,000) and Norway.

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Swedish-based director Matt Broadley.{{cite web|title= Credits – Matt Broadley |website= Mattbroadley.com |access-date= 29 January 2017 |url= http://www.mattbroadley.com/credits/}} It features Evans and Supreme at a baroque house party populated by a mélange of powdered dandies and silver-vested ravers.{{cite web|first= Karyna |last= McGlynn |title= How One Sexy Can Perplex Me: Me & Mr Vain by Karyna McGlynn |website= Marchxness.com |date= |accessdate= 29 March 2023 |url= http://marchxness.com/jenniferpaigevsculturebeat |author-link= Karyna McGlynn}} The video begins with Supreme in black-and-white, looking at himself in a mirror, putting on a ring. As he looks into the mirror again, he sees the cracks in his face. He then attends the house party. Now in colours, people are dancing at the party and Evans sits in the corner of the room, seeing Supreme peeking by the curtain. He walks towards her and offers her his hand. She leaves, with him following her. Meanwhile, an epic arrangement of fruit is served at the party and it devolves into an hedonistic orgy of juice. As the video ends, after being followed through the hallway and up a dark staircase, Evans finds a hand-mirror lying on a nightstand and puts it up to Supreme's face. In black-and-white, his face becomes cracked and chipped again.{{cite web|first= Pam |last= Avoledo |title= Video Review: Culture Beat "Mr. Vain" |website= I Want My Pop Culture |date= 20 March 2020 |accessdate= 16 September 2021 |url= https://iwantmypopculture.com/2020/03/20/video-review-culture-beat-mr-vain/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200920133211/https://iwantmypopculture.com/2020/03/20/video-review-culture-beat-mr-vain/|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 20 September 2020}} The last shot depicts a white rocking horse rocking alone in a room littered with leaves. The video received heavy rotation on MTV Europe in July 1993. Broadley would also be directing the videos for Culture Beat's next singles, "Anything" and "World in Your Hands".

In 1994, the German Echo Award honored the song with an award in the category for "Best International Dance Single", and it also received an award in the category for "Best Hi-NRG 12-inch" at the WMC International Dance Music Awards in the US. Same year, Peter Paphides and Simon Price of Melody Maker praised songs such as "Rhythm Is a Dancer", "What Is Love" and "Mr. Vain" as modern classics, "butt-shaking Wagnerian disco monsters. Or, as someone else who knew a thing or two put it: Che Guevara and Debussy to a disco beat."{{cite magazine|first1=Peter|last1=Paphides|first2=Simon|last2=Price|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53155344146/|title=Europa Uber Alles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=14 May 1994|page=25|access-date=8 October 2023|author-link1=Peter Paphides|author-link2=Simon Price}} In 2005, Freaky Trigger ranked "Mr. Vain" number 78 in their list of "Top 100 Songs of All Time".{{cite web|title=Top 100 Songs of All Time|url=https://freakytrigger.co.uk/freaky-triggers-top-100-songs-of-all-time|website=Freaky Trigger|access-date=21 February 2024}} In 2012, The Guardian featured it in their "Sounds of Germany: A History of German Pop in 10 Songs", writing, "Culture Beat's glorious "Mr Vain", with its rollicking beat, diva vocals and stilted rapping, comes as close as anything to summarising the spirit of the genre."{{cite news|first= Andrew |last= Khan |title= Sounds of Germany – day one: a history of German pop in 10 songs |newspaper= The Guardian |date= 25 June 2012 |access-date= 20 April 2019 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jun/25/sounds-europe-german-pop}} Same year, Australian music channel Max included "Mr. Vain" in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time".{{cite web |title= Top 1000 Greatest Songs of All Time – 2012 |publisher= Max |year= 2012 |access-date= 26 April 2020 |url= https://www.maxtv.com.au/top-1000-greatest-songs-of-all-time-2 |archive-date= 25 April 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200425172245/https://www.maxtv.com.au/top-1000-greatest-songs-of-all-time-2 |url-status= dead }} In their "The ABC in Eurodance" in 2016, Finnish broadcaster Yle noted, "If someone could look up "The archetypal Eurodance hit song" in an Encyclopedia there would probably be a link to an audio file for "Mr Vain" - a song that more than anyone else came to define the 90's dance music."{{cite web|first1= Antti |last1= Koivukangas |first2= Jukka |last2= Isojoki |title= ABC i Eurodance: C som i Culture Beat |website= Yle |date= 3 August 2016 |access-date= 20 April 2019 |url= https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2016/08/03/abc-i-eurodance-c-som-i-culture-beat |language= sv}} In 2017, BuzzFeed ranked it number 17 in their "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s" list.{{cite web|first1= Matt |last1= Stopera |first2= Brian |last2= Galindo |title= The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s |website= BuzzFeed |date= 11 March 2017 |access-date= 11 October 2018 |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump}} In 2024, MTV 90s ranked "Mr. Vain" number four in their list of "Top 50 Rhythms of Eurodance".{{cite web|title=50 Rhythms of Eurodance|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Jhj6bQEIw|publisher=MTV 90s via YouTube|date=July 2024|access-date=14 November 2024}}{{cite web|title=MTV 90s - Top 50 Rhythms of Eurodance|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32310411/|publisher=IMDb|date=2024|access-date=14 November 2024}}

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• CD maxi single (Germany, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Vain Mix) – 6:35
2. "Mr. Vain" (Decent Mix) – 7:05
3. "Mr. Vain" (Special Radio Edit) – 4:17

• CD maxi single – Remix (Germany, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. House) – 6:18
2. * Remixed by Doug Laurent
3. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Rave) – 6:42
4. * Remixed by Doug Laurent
5. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Trance) – 6:20
6. * Remixed by Doug Laurent
7. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Hardcore) – 6:37
8. * Remixed by Doug Laurent

• CD maxi single (United States, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Radio Edit) – 4:17
2. "Mr. Vain" (Intense Radio Edit) – 3:52
3. "Mr. Vain" (Vain Mix) – 6:35
4. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Intense) – 5:28
5. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Hardcore) – 6:38
6. * Remixed by Doug Laurent

• 12-inch vinyl single (US, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Vain Mix) – 6:35
2. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Club) – 6:39
3. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Intense) – 5:28
4. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Liebrand) – 5:40
5. "Mr. Vain" (Mr. Hardcore) – 6:38

• Cassette single (US, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Radio Edit) – 4:17
2. "Mr. Vain" (Radio Edit) (w/o Rap) – 4:17

• CD single – Promo (US, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Lone Star Edit) – 3:30

• CD maxi single – (United Kingdom, 1993)

1. "Mr. Vain" (Special Radio Edit) – 4:17
2. "Mr. Vain" (Vain Mix) – 6:35
3. "(Cherry Lips) Der Erdbeermund" (Single Version) – 4:05
4. "I Like You" (Single Version) – 3:58

• CD maxi single – Remix (Japan, 1996)

1. "Mr. Vain" (FM 802 Rock Kids 802 Mix) – 4:25
2. "Mr. Vain" (Hyper Rave Mix) – 5:32
3. "Mr. Vain" (Tribal Mix) – 4:47
4. "Anything" – 6:26
5. "Mr. Vain" (Album Version) – 5:39
6. "Culture Beat Mega Mix" – 6:38

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Mr. Vain"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|certref={{cite book|first= Gavin |last= Ryan |year= 2011 |title= Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 |publisher= Moonlight Publishing |location= Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}{{page needed|date=July 2024}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=2024|id=13990}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Silver|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|source=infodisc}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1993|certyear=2023|access-date=9 July 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Platinum|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|nosales=true|access-date=23 August 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|id=4410-581-1|access-date=13 June 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Culture Beat|title=Mr. Vain|award=Gold|relyear=1993|certyear=1994}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

One of the song's original writers, Nosie Katzmann, recorded a new country version of the song.

• List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1993
• List of European number-one hits of 1993
• List of number-one hits of 1993 (Austria)
• List of number-one hits of 1993 (Germany)
• List of number-one hits of 1993 (Italy)
• List of number-one singles of 1993 (Ireland)
• List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1990s
• List of number-one singles of the 1990s (Switzerland)
• List of RPM number-one dance singles of 1993
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1990s
• VG-lista 1964 to 1994
• VRT Top 30 number-one hits of 1993

{{Reflist}}

{{Culture Beat}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Vain}}

Category:1993 singles

Category:1993 songs

Category:Culture Beat songs

Category:Dance Pool singles

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:East West Records singles

Category:English-language German songs

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Matt Broadley

Category:Music Week number-one dance singles

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Austria

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Number-one singles in Italy

Category:Number-one singles in Norway

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Number-one singles in Zimbabwe

Category:Songs written by Jay Supreme

Category:Songs written by Nosie Katzmann

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles