Spectrum (Say My Name)

Florence and the Machine premiered "Spectrum" along with two other songs from the album, "Never Let Me Go" and "Heartlines", as part of their set list at Brooklyn's Creators Project on 15 October 2011, two weeks before the release of the album.Sources talking about the premiere of "Spectrum", "Never Let Me Go" and "Heartlines" on 15 October 2011 during the band's set list at New York's Creators Project before the release of Ceremonials:

• {{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/59836|title=Watch Florence and the Machine perform three new tracks from 'Ceremonials' – video|work=NME|date=16 October 2011|access-date=2 July 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a345974/florence--the-machine-perform-three-new-tracks-live-video.html|title=Florence + the Machine perform three new tracks live – video|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias|first=Robert|last=Copsey|date=17 October 2011|access-date=2 July 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/10/watch-florence-the-machine-debut-3-new-songs-at-cr.html|title=Watch Florence and the Machine Debut Three New Songs at Creator's Project|work=Paste|publisher=Wolfgang's Vault|first=K.|last=Alexander Smith|date=17 October 2011|access-date=2 July 2012}}
• {{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/18/showbiz/creators-project-art-music-tech/|title=Creators Project brings together art, music and tech|publisher=CNN|first=Abbey|last=Goodman|date=18 October 2011|access-date=2 July 2012}}

Musically, "Spectrum" is a downtempo orchestral pop,{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/archive/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials |title=Florence & The Machine – Ceremonials |date=28 October 2011 |publisher=DIY magazine |access-date=5 May 2016}} R&B,{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/florence-and-the-machine/12419 |title=Album review: Florence + The Machine – 'Ceremonials' |date=28 October 2011 |work=NME|access-date=4 May 2016}} krautrock{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-florence-the-machine-ceremonials-island-2376712.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-florence-the-machine-ceremonials-island-2376712.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Album: Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials (Island) |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=4 May 2016}} and disco song with drums while backing vocals repeatedly sing "Say my name" throughout the choruses. According to the sheet music published by Universal Music Publishing Group on the website Musicnotes.com, the song is set in the key B minor.{{cite web|title=Spectrum – Sheet Music (Digital Download)|first1=Florence|last1=Welch|first2=Paul|last2=Epworth|publisher=Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group}} The song's beat is set in common time, and moves at a tempo of 124 beats per minute. Welch's vocals span from the note of F#3 to the note of F#5 or B5 in the Calvin Harris remix.

"Spectrum" received mostly positive reviews by critics. While reviewing Ceremonials, Jillian Mapes of Billboard complimented Welch's vocal performance, stating, "'Say my name,' she howls then later croons, both filled with sensuality. Welch's impressive vocal range and volume are firing on all cylinders here."{{cite magazine |last=Mapes |first=Jillian |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/465357/florence-the-machine-ceremonials-track-by-track-review |title=Florence + The Machine, 'Ceremonials': Track-By-Track Review |magazine=Billboard |date=2 November 2011 |access-date=28 June 2012}} A writer of Rolling Stone praised the song calling it "a huge, churchy tune, even in the context of the band's typically bombastic blend of arena rock and gospel." Lewis Corner from Digital Spy gave the song four stars out of five, saying "if there's one thing latest single 'Spectrum' proves, it's that she knows how to write a distinctive uptempo number without compromising her style." He added that the song "[...] belts over a rapturous chorus complete with rousing piano and delicate strings – demonstrating that techno synths are not the only key to a euphoric hook."{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a391975/florence--the-machine-spectrum-single-review.html|title=Florence + the Machine: "Spectrum" – Single review – Music Singles Review|first=Lewis|last=Corner|publisher=Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias|date= 6 July 2012|access-date=6 July 2012}}

Matthew Cole from Slant Magazine said along with "Lover to Lover" and "Remain Nameless"; "spectacular when taken alone or on a playlist."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials/2666|title=Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials|magazine=Slant Magazine|first=Matthew|last=Cole|date=30 October 2011|access-date=15 September 2012}} Kitty Empire from The Guardian gave it a mixed remark, saying "Clubby and kaleidoscopic, 'Spectrum' sounds like another rallying cry."{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/oct/30/florence-machine-ceremonials-review |title=Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials – review|work=The Observer|first=Kitty|last=Empire|date=30 October 2011|access-date=15 September 2012}} Margaret Wappler of Los Angeles Times said they could hear a "harp gorgeously flutter[s] and dips around her."{{cite web |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/10/album-review-florence-the-machines-ceremonials.html|title=Album review: Florence + the Machine's 'Ceremonials'|work=Los Angeles Times|date=31 October 2011|first=Margaret|last=Wappler|access-date=15 September 2012}} Chris Saunders from musicOMH compared it, musically, to the song from Florence's previous record Lungs.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/florence-and-the-machine-2_1011.htm|title=Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials (Island)|publisher=musicOMH|first=Chris|last=Saunders|date=31 October 2011|access-date=15 September 2012}} The Independent commented; "The only time she and The Machine stray from the formula is the Krautrock-disco motorik of 'Spectrum'; elsewhere, declamatory piano chords and burring organ underpin the banked [...]"{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-florence--the-machine-ceremonials-island-2376712.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-florence--the-machine-ceremonials-island-2376712.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Album: Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials (Island )|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Limited|first=Andy|last=Gill|date=28 October 2011|access-date=15 September 2012}}

An accompanying music video for the song was released on Florence and the Machine's YouTube account on 30 May 2012. Directed by David LaChapelle and John Byrne, the video depicts ballet dancers of California's Southland Ballet Academy/Festival Ballet Theatre pirouetting, jumping, and dancing around Welch. During an interview, Welch spoke about her collaboration with LaChapelle, "It was a complete dream to work with David LaChapelle. I collected his books as a teenager, and I fantasised that he would direct the video for 'Spectrum' from the moment the song was written. I still can't believe it actually happened, and I'm completely overjoyed that he felt such a connection with the song."{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/watch-florence-the-machine-spectrum |title=Watch: Florence & The Machine – Spectrum |work=Clash |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=2 July 2012}} During an interview, LaChapelle also spoke about his collaboration with Welch, "It's a beautiful song that really touched me and inspired me to create imagery that matches its power. 'Spectrum' is free of scepticism, irony, and the coldness one finds in a lot of contemporary popular music. It's the opposite—full of light, positivity and authentic joy. I hope that I can do justice to this moving modern classic."

Upon the release of the video, critics praised Welch's look and the video's dark atmosphere. A writer of Rolling Stone wrote, "Music video legend David LaChappelle rose to the challenge of making a clip for the song, matching its drama and energy with a vivid color pallette and incredibly theatrical staging."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/florence-and-the-machines-ultra-theatrical-spectrum-clip-20120530 |title=Florence and the Machine's Ultra-Theatrical 'Spectrum (Say My Name)' Clip |magazine=Rolling Stone |publisher=Wenner Media |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=28 June 2012}} Robbie Daw of Idolator stated the video's visual is "as bombastic and over the top as the song itself [...] there's enough completely koo koo eye candy being hurled at us that we're barely even paying attention to the song itself."{{cite web |last=Daw |first=Robbie |url=http://idolator.com/6547762/florence-the-machine-spectrum-video |title=Florence + The Machine's "Spectrum (Say My Name)" Video: Watch |publisher=Idolator. Buzz Media |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=28 June 2012}}

The band performed the song on first series of the American version of The X Factor during its semi-finals.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/563IavLCjAA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160104152237/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=563IavLCjAA Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=563IavLCjAA| title = Florence + The Machine - Spectrum - X Factor USA 2011 | website=YouTube| date = 2 May 2014 }}{{cbignore}} Florence and the Machine added the song to the set list of their second worldwide Ceremonials Tour (2011–12) where the song was performed during the encore of the concerts along with "No Light, No Light".{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} On 12 September 2012, Florence performed a stripped-down version of the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.{{cite web |url=http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2012/09/florence-the-machine-perform-spectrum-say-my-name/ |title=Florence + The Machine Perform "Spectrum (Say My Name)" |publisher=NBCUniversal Media|access-date=13 September 2012}}

British DJ and producer Ilan Bluestone played a mashup of Spectrum with his song "Under My Skin" during his live set at Madison Square Garden for Above & Beyond's ABGT100 show.

A remix of the album version of "Spectrum", titled "Spectrum (Say My Name)", was released on 6 July 2012 by Island Records, serving as the fourth single from Ceremonials. Scottish DJ Calvin Harris remixed "Spectrum", producing the uptempo electro house-inspired single. "Spectrum (Say My Name)" received positive reviews from music critics, praising the production and Welch's vocals. Commercially, it became the group's first single to peak at number one on the UK Singles Chart, selling 64,816 copies in its first week. It also reached number one in Ireland and Scotland and has peaked within the top five in Australia and New Zealand.

On 25 May 2012, a lyric video was released for the Calvin Harris remix. The song was released as the album's fifth single on 5 July 2012. It was serviced to radio in the UK on 2 July 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.radio1.gr/music/forthcoming_uk_singles.htm |title=New Releases U.K. – Forthcoming Singles |publisher=Radio1 Rodos Greece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426235805/http://www.radio1.gr/music/forthcoming_uk_singles.htm |archive-date=26 April 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=3 July 2012}} On the release of the single, the Calvin Harris remix was released. Lewis Corner of Digital Spy commented that "While the single version is near perfection, an accompanying Calvin Harris remix highlights just how big a Florence house anthem can be". The instrumental version of "Spectrum" was used extensively during the BBC's coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, often as the backing track to their round-up of the day's sporting action.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

"Spectrum" debuted at number 104 on the UK Singles Chart based on the sales of the album version.{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Paul |url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1050348 |title=Midweek Charts: Florence eyeing first singles chart-topper |work=Music Week |publisher=Intent Media |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=13 July 2012}} On 15 July 2012, following the release of the Calvin Harris remix of the song, it climbed the chart to become the band's first number-one single in the UK, selling 64,816 copies in its first week.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1050399 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Newton Faulkner needs just 16k sales to hit No.1 |work=Music Week |publisher=Intent Media |date=16 July 2012 |access-date=16 July 2012}} The song stayed on top of the chart for three weeks. It also debuted at number 35 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, until rising to number two, becoming the group's first top ten single in that country. It peaked at the top spot in the Republic of Ireland. In the UK, it was the best-selling single of the third quarter of 2012, selling 453,000 copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-selling-singles-of-the-summer-revealed-1626/|title=The biggest selling singles of the summer revealed! |website=OfficialCharts.com |date=4 October 2012 |access-date=4 October 2012}} The song has sold 554,000 copies in the UK in 2012, and was the 19th best-selling single of 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-selling-singles-of-2012-revealed-1784/ |title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles Of 2012 revealed! |author=Dan Lane |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=2 January 2013|access-date=5 January 2013}} However, in 2013, it was certified platinum for selling over 600,000 copies. It is Florence + the Machine's best-selling single in the United Kingdom.

{{track listing

| headline = "Spectrum (Say My Name)" Remixes EP{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/spectrum-say-my-name-ep/1445314926 |title=Spectrum (Say My Name) [Remixes] – EP by Florence + The Machine |date=January 2012 |publisher=iTunes Store (UK). Apple Inc |access-date=28 June 2012}}

| title1 = Spectrum (Say My Name)

| note1 = Calvin Harris Remix

| length1 = 3:38

| title2 = Spectrum (Say My Name)

| note2 = Calvin Harris Extended Remix

| length2 = 6:25

| title3 = Spectrum (Say My Name)

| note3 = AlunaGeorge Remix

| length3 = 3:29

| title4 = Spectrum (Say My Name)

| note4 = Maya Jane Coles Remix

| length4 = 5:00

| title5 = Spectrum (Say My Name)

| note5 = Taito Tikaro and Flavio Zarza Remix

| length5 = 7:26

}}

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• List of Billboard Dance Club Songs number ones of 2012

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• {{YouTube|iC-_lVzdiFE|Spectrum Music Video}}

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Category:2012 singles

Category:Florence and the Machine songs

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Island Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by David LaChapelle

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Song recordings produced by Paul Epworth

Category:Songs written by Paul Epworth

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Florence Welch

Category:2011 songs

Category:Synth-pop songs

Category:Remix singles