Strict Machine

The song was released as the album's second single on 21 July 2003.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-07-19.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=35|date=19 July 2003|access-date=8 September 2021}} It received a positive reception from music critics and became the band's second single to appear in the top 30 on UK Singles Chart. On 10 May 2004,{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=29|date=8 May 2004}} the song was re-issued and became Goldfrapp's first top-20 single in the UK. In the United States, "Strict Machine" was released to success on the Billboard dance charts, where it reached the top position on the Dance Club chart and number three on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart. The song won the dance award at the 49th Ivor Novello Awards.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/the-darkness-are-named-songwriters-of-year-564976.html |title=The Darkness are named songwriters of year |newspaper=The Independent |first=Ciar |last=Byrne |date=28 May 2004 |accessdate=30 August 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

"Strict Machine" received positive reviews from music critics. In a review for the NME, Peter Robinson called it "a solid gold, honest-to-goodness hit record which should be Number One immediately."{{cite magazine |authorlink=Peter Robinson (journalist) |last=Robinson |first=Peter |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/goldfrapp/7417 |title=Goldfrapp : Strict Machine |magazine=NME |date=27 May 2004 |accessdate=30 September 2008}} Andy Hermann wrote for PopMatters that the song was "a future S&M club anthem if ever there was one".{{cite magazine |last=Hermann |first=Andy |url=https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/goldfrapp-black.shtml |title=Goldfrapp: Black Cherry |magazine=PopMatters |date=2 May 2003 |accessdate=30 September 2008}} Dorian Lynskey of Blender magazine also linked "Strict Machine"'s lyrics to sadomasochism, and he compared it to Donna Summer's 1977 disco single "I Feel Love".{{cite magazine |last=Lynskey |first=Dorian |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/new/50740/black-cherry.html |title=Goldfrapp : Black Cherry Review |magazine=Blender |accessdate=30 August 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} In his review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis likened the song's "tubthumping drums" to Gary Glitter, 1980s arena rock, and hardstep, adding that "the end result is not only fantastic, but quiveringly sexy to boot".{{cite news |author-link=Alexis Petridis |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/apr/18/popandrock.artsfeatures1 |title=Goldfrapp: Black Cherry |newspaper=The Guardian |date=18 April 2003 |accessdate=30 September 2008}}

In August 2009, American music web site Pitchfork Media listed "Strict Machine" in their Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s at number 379.{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7685-the-top-500-tracks-of-the-2000s-500-201/3/ |title=Staff Lists: The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s: 500-201 |website=Pitchfork |date=17 August 2009 |accessdate=30 August 2009}}

The song became Goldfrapp's second top-30 single when it debuted at number twenty-five on the singles chart, and spent a total of six weeks in the top 75. Following the song's re-release in May 2004, it surpassed its previous chart position in the UK by re-charting at number 20, becoming Goldfrapp's first top-20 single.

The song was also successful outside the UK. It reached number twenty-six in Canada and became Goldfrapp's first single release to chart in the country. Although the single sold considerably, "Strict Machine" did not chart on the Canadian BDS Airplay chart, receiving most of its sales from its fans in the dance clubs. In Australia, the song peaked at number fifty-four and would remain as Goldfrapp's only single to chart in the country until the release of "Ooh La La" in 2005.

After the favourable reception of "Twist" and "Black Cherry" on the dance charts, "Strict Machine" was released in the United States. It became their first release to reach the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where it remained for one week.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2004-06-19/dance-club-play-songs |title=Hot Dance Club Play |magazine=Billboard |access-date=4 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227003919/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2004-06-19/dance-club-play-songs |archive-date=27 December 2013 }} It also performed well on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart, where it reached number three.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r629424|pure_url=yes}} |title=Black Cherry > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles |website=Allmusic |accessdate=4 October 2008}} The single sold over 170,000 copies worldwide.{{cite journal |title=Albums 22.05.04: Goldfrapp |journal=Music Week |page=35 |date=22 May 2004}}

When Rachel Stevens released "Some Girls" in 2004, critics noted the similarity to the sound of Black Cherry,{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Gary |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music/chameleon-like-goldfrapp-return-957963 |title=Chameleon-like Goldfrapp return |work=Manchester Evening News |date=19 June 2008 |access-date=10 January 2017}}{{cite web |last=Price |first=Simon |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/goldfrapp-dome-brighton-317984.html |title=Goldfrapp, Dome, Brighton |work=The Independent |date=9 October 2005 |access-date=14 October 2016}} and in particular "Strict Machine", to which "Some Girls" was described as "startlingly similar" by the Manchester Evening News. Goldfrapp had given X an unmixed copy of their song to remix only to reject his efforts; shortly thereafter he wrote the Stevens song.

File:StrictMachineVideo.png-style buildings.]]

The song's music video, a mixture of graphic and live action segments, builds upon the art direction featured on the band's album and single covers. Throughout the video, Alison Goldfrapp is surrounded by black and white animated backgrounds, Siberian Husky-headed dancers, and colourful butterflies. The video uses kaleidoscopic layouts and dense graphic designs.{{cite book |last=Willis |first=Holly |title=New Digital Cinema |page=57 |publisher=Wallflower Press |year=2005 |isbn=1-904764-25-8}}

The music video was directed by Jonas Odell. The settings' architecture is inspired by the work of Archigram.{{cite journal |last=Zappaterra |first=Yolanda |title=Short range |journal=Design Week |volume=19 |issue=45 |page=21 |date=4 November 2004}} Goldfrapp and her back-up dancers were filmed in London against a bluescreen. The animated sequences were done by Odell's Filmtecknarna studio in Stockholm, Sweden."Nexus creates kaleidoscope promo for Goldfrapp". Televisual. 1 August 2003.

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Strict Machine".

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• CD single 1{{cite AV media notes |title=Strict Machine (2003, CD1, CD)|others=Goldfrapp |year=2003|type=UK CD single 1 inlay |publisher=Mute Records|id=0724355247322}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Single Mix) – 3:45
2. "White Soft Rope" – 4:30
3. "Hairy Trees" (Live in London)* – 6:48

• CD single 2{{cite AV media notes |title=Strict Machine (2003, CD2, CD)|others=Goldfrapp |year=2003|type=UK CD single 2 inlay |publisher=Mute Records|id=0724354728129}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Ewan Pearson Instrumental Remix) – 5:53
2. "Strict Machine" (Rowan's Remix) – 6:03
3. "Train" (Ewan Pearson Dub) – 7:46

• DVD single{{cite AV media notes |title=Strict Machine (2003, DVD)|others=Goldfrapp |year=2003|type=UK DVD single inlay |publisher=Mute Records|id=0724349068995}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Ewan's Stripped Machine Remix) – 8:33
2. "Deep Honey" (Live in London)* – 4:45
3. "Lovely Head" (Live in London) (Video)** – 4:01

• CD single 1 (2004){{cite AV media notes |title=Strict Machine (2004, CD1, CD)|others=Goldfrapp |year=2004|type=UK CD single 1 inlay |publisher=Mute Records|id=0724354870224}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Single Mix) – 3:42
2. "Strict Machine" (Benny Benassi Sfaction Edit) – 3:29

• CD single 2 (2004){{cite AV media notes |title=Strict Machine (2004, CD2, CD)|others=Goldfrapp |year=2004|type=UK CD single 2 inlay |publisher=Mute Records|id=0724354796326}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Paris Loaded) – 3:39
2. "Strict Machine" (We Are Glitter) – 6:28
3. "Strict Machine" (Benny Benassi Sfaction Extended Mix) – 6:50
4. "Strict Machine" (Benny Benassi Dub) – 6:26

• DVD single (2004){{cite AV media notes |title=Strict Machine (2004, DVD)|others=Goldfrapp |year=2004|type=UK DVD single inlay |publisher=Mute Records|id=0724359963594}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Calderone + Suryanto Mix Edit) (Audio) — 8:09
2. "Sartorius" (Live)*** – 4:52
3. "Deer Stop" (Live)** – 4:18

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• Digital single 1 (2018){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/strict-machine-ep/1438445395 |title=Strict Machine - EP by Goldfrapp on Apple Music |website=Apple Music |access-date=20 June 2021}}

1. "Strict Machine" (Single Mix) – 3:42
2. "White Soft Rope" – 4:30
3. "Hairy Trees" (Live in London)* – 6:48
4. "Strict Machine" (Ewan Pearson Instrumental Remix) – 5:52
5. "Strict Machine" (Rowan's Mix) – 6:07
6. "Train" (Ewan Pearson Dub) – 7:42
7. "Strict Machine" (Ewan's Stripped Machine Mix) – 8:27
8. "Deep Honey" (Live in London)* – 4:41
9. "Strict Machine" (Peter Rauhofer UK Mix) – 5:42
10. "Strict Machine" (Peter Rauhofer NYC Mix) – 8:31
11. "Strict Machine" (Ewan Pearson Extended Vocal) – 8:46

• Digital single 2 (2018){{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/strict-machine-single/1438549615 |title=Strict Machine - Single by Goldfrapp on Apple Music |website=Apple Music |access-date=20 June 2021 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626162058/https://music.apple.com/us/album/strict-machine-single/1438549615 |url-status=dead }}

1. "Strict Machine" (Single Mix) – 3:42
2. "Strict Machine" (Benny Benassi Sfaction Edit) – 3:29
3. "Strict Machine" (Paris Loaded) – 3:38
4. "Strict Machine" (We Are Glitter) – 6:29
5. "Strict Machine" (Benny Benassi Sfaction Extended Mix) – 6:50
6. "Strict Machine" (Benny Benassi Dub) – 6:25
7. "Strict Machine" (Calderone and Suryanto Mix) – 12:02

• *Recorded at ULU, 6 March 2003.
• **Filmed at Shepherd's Bush Empire, 4 December 2001.
• ***Filmed at La Route du Rock, 11 August 2001.

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U.K. garage trio Band of Skulls performed a folk version of the song for Australia's Triple J radio station.{{cite web |url=http://www.covermesongs.com/2010/08/band-of-skulls-cover-goldfrapp-song-about-joyful-sex-rats.html |title = Band of Skulls Cover Goldfrapp Song about Joyful Sex Rats - Cover Me| date=18 August 2010 }}

Suzi Quatro covered the track for her 2011 album, In the Spotlight. The lyrics of Quatro's version of the song contain two extra lines from her number one hit "Can the Can", in order to show the similarity of the two tunes. Jon O'Brien of AllMusic wrote that Quatro's "Strict Machine" is "a guitar-chugging mash-up of Goldfrapp's electro-pop reinvention in 'Strict Machine'; [with] her own 1973 U.K. chart-topper 'Can the Can,' cleverly referencing the subtle similarities between the two".

{{cite web

| last = O'Brien

| first = Jon

| title = AllMusic review

| work = www.allmusic.com

| publisher = AllMusic

| location = Ann Arbor, USA

| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-spotlight-r2239057/review

| accessdate = 22 October 2011

}}

On 16 November 2011 the music video for Quatro's "Strict Machine" was released via the SUZI QUATRO OFFICIAL YouTube channel. It was produced by Victory Tischler-Blue, formerly Vicky Blue of The Runaways, and includes the extra two lines from "Can the Can".

{{cite video

| people = Victory Tischler-Blue (video producer), Suzi Quatro (actor, vocals, bass), Mike Chapman (album producer)

| date = 16 November 2011

| title = Suzi Quatro Strict Machine Official Video

| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZT1itl8UlE

| medium = Trailer

| publisher = SUZI QUATRO OFFICIAL YouTube channel

| accessdate = 23 November 2011

| quote = From the studios of the brilliant Victory Tischler Blue - here is the official video for Suzi Quatro's Strict Machine. It includes live footage from Suzi's recent Rocks The Spotlight Tour (Sept/Oct 2011) of Australia. Suzi's version of the Goldfrapp song is on her new album In the Spotlight.

|display-authors=etal}}

• List of number-one dance singles of 2004 (U.S.)

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20181014025758/https://www.goldfrapp.co.uk/ Goldfrapp's official website]

{{Goldfrapp singles}}

{{Suzi Quatro}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2003 singles

Category:2003 songs

Category:2004 singles

Category:Goldfrapp songs

Category:Mute Records singles

Category:Songs about BDSM

Category:Songs written by Alison Goldfrapp

Category:Songs written by Will Gregory

Category:Suzi Quatro songs