Cliché (Hush Hush) (song) explained

Cliché (Hush Hush)
Cover:Cliche_(Hush_Hush)Alexandra_Stan.jpg
Alt:The cover sees Stan posing in sepia.
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Alexandra Stan
Album:Cliché (Hush Hush)
Released:3 October 2012
Recorded:Maan Studio
Label:MediaPro
Prev Title:Lemonade
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:All My People
Next Year:2013

"Cliché (Hush Hush)" is a song recorded by Romanian recording artist Alexandra Stan for her Japan-only reissue of the same name (2013). Written and produced by Marcel Prodan and Andrei Nemirschi, it was first released for digital download on 3 October 2012 in Romania through MediaPro. Described as a dance-pop track that features eurodance elements into its sound, "Cliché (Hush Hush)" discusses different themes of love. An accompanying music video for the single was posted onto YouTube on 27 September 2012, being filmed by Iulian Moga at Palatul Snagov. It was generally praised by music critics, with Los 40 Principales citing it under their list of Stan's best clips. Particularly, a scene of the video was compared to vampire movies for teenagers, while another one to 1970s film works. The track peaked at number 91 in native Romania, as well as at numbers 11 and 28 in Japan and Italy, respectively. It was promoted by several live performances, including a tour throughout the United States and an appearance at French music event Starlooor 2012.

Composition and reception

According to Romanian sources, "Cliché (Hush Hush)" is a "dynamic" dance-pop track that incorporates influences of Eurodance into its sound; its lyrics speak about love.[1] About the message of the song, Stan confessed that it "shows love in different ways and portrays as well relationships between obvious couples, which fall into a certain pattern. Love can transform everyone and everything in the most wonderful and important thing in the universe". Alvaro from Spanish music website Popelera pointed out major differences between the dance style of the track and that of its predecessor, "Lemonade" (2012),[2] while Mia, writing for Romanian portal Info Music, drew comparisons with the Pussycat Dolls' single "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" (2009). Kevin Apaza of Direct Lyrics implied that Stan "[stepped] away from her 'signature' (very saxobeat) sound to test other 'dance' waters", and wrote that the song "ain't very catchy but [he likes] the pre and the main chorus. Plus, the song is super remixable, [he] can already imagine fist-pumping new versions."[3]

Music video

An accompanying music video for the song was uploaded onto the YouTube channel of Stan's label, Maan Studio, on 27 September 2012,[4] after teasing it on 19 September.[5] The clip was filmed by Iulian Moga at Palatul Snagov[6] [7] It commences with Stan entering a party hall in sepia while being pictured by a photographer. Following her flirting with the man, she leaves the room and the video introduces to pool-party in normal color, where Stan dances along with fellow background dancers sporting a pink outfit. Next, the singer is shown in a dark hall, sitting on an old-fashioned couch. Following this, Stan is portrayed in a church, with her body and face being covered by a red robe; fellow black-clothed people surround her. Subsequently, scenes with the singer and her love interest from a hotel room are shown, after which the clip ends with the people from the church scene getting out of disguise and running through the hall in white lingerie, followed by Stan dancing around a fire after letting candles falling down at a date with her boyfriend.[4]

Alexandra Necula, writing for music website Info Music, compared the opening scene of the video to 1970s films, while stating that some parts of the clip did not match with the song's message.[7] She went on to compare the church scene to vampire films for teenagers; Necula stated that one of the outfits sported by Stan were inspired by S&M fetish.[7] Apaza from Direct Lyrics stated that "her clip is like a mix of Paulina Rubio, Twilight and J.Lo's 'Dance Again' (the orgy scenes)."[3] Showbiz.ro felt that the "80s vibe of the video coincided with the melodic line".[8] Los 40 Principales cited the video as one of Stan's best clips ever.[9]

Live performances

To promote "Cliché (Hush Hush)", Stan embarked on a tour in the United States.[6] She also provided live performances of the song throughout her concert tours that promoted the Japan-only reissue. Furthermore, Stan sang the song in a medley with "Mr. Saxobeat", "Get Back (ASAP)" and "Lemonade" at French event Starfloor 2012.[10]

Track listing

  1. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Raf Marchesini Remix) – 3:35
  2. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Raf Marchesini Remix Edit) – 6:15
  3. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Da Brozz Remix) – 3:51
  4. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Da Brozz Remix Edit) – 5:32
  1. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" – 3:23
  1. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Radio Edit) – 3:23
  2. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Maan Extended Version) – 4:25
  1. "Cliché (Hush Hush)" (Acoustic Version) – 3:22

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Cliché (Hush Hush) and The Collection.[15] [16]

Charts

Chart (2012–13)Peak
position
Italy (FIMI)[17] 28
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[18] 11
Romania (Airplay 100)[19] 91

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateVersionFormat(s)Label
Romania3 October 2012OriginalMediaPro
Italy12 October 2012Vae Victis
19 October 2012Radio airplayEgo[20]
23 November 2012Remix EPVae Victis
11 December 2012Acoustic
Spain6 November 2012OriginalBlanco y Negro[21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alexandra Stan, indragostita?. Libertatea. 9 October 2012. 27 June 2016. Romanian. Alexandra Stan, in love?.
  2. Web site: Alexandra Stan presenta el vídeoclip del tema "Cliché (Hush Hush)". Popelera. 28 September 2012. 27 June 2016. Spanish. Alexandra Stan presents the music video for "Cliché (Hush Hush)". Alvaro.
  3. News: Alexandra Stan – 'Cliche'. Apaza, Kevin. 18 February 2017. 27 September 2012. Direct Lyrics.
  4. Web site: Alexandra Stan – Cliche (Hush Hush). YouTube. 27 September 2012. 27 June 2016.
  5. Web site: Alexandra Stan's New Single (Official Teaser). YouTube. 19 September 2012. 27 June 2016.
  6. Web site: Alexandra Stan a lansta piesa "Cliche (Hush Hush)". TV Mania. 8 October 2012. 27 June 2016. Romanian. Alexandra Stan has released "Cliche (Hush Hush)".
  7. Web site: Alexandra Stan a lansat clipul "Cliche (Hush Hush)". Info Music. 28 September 2012. 27 June 2016. Necula, Alexandra. Romanian. Alexandra Stan has released the clip for "Cliche (Hush Hush)". 14 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121114092304/http://www.infomusic.ro/2012/09/alexandra-stan-a-lansat-clipul-cliche-hush-hush-videoclip/.
  8. Web site: Alexandra Stan: "Iubirea poate transforma pe oricine". Showbiz.ro. 8 October 2012. 27 June 2016. Romanian. Alexandra Stan: "Love can transform anyone". Mia. https://web.archive.org/web/20160811130932/http://www.showbiz.ro/muzica/10175080-alexandra-stan-iubirea-poate-transforma-pe-oricine. 11 August 2016. dead.
  9. Web site: Los mejores videoclips de Alexandra Stan . The best videos of Alexandra Stan . 14 August 2014. Spanish . Los 40 Principales. 20 June 2016.
  10. Web site: Starfloor 2012: Alexandra Stan, Hawana Brown, les bombes ont fait le show. Pure People. 31 October 2013. 27 June 2016. French. Starfloor 2012: Alexandra Stan, Hawana Brown, the bombs have made the show!.
  11. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) [Remixes] – EP di Alexandra Stan su iTunes]. iTunes Store. 23 November 2012. 27 June 2016.
  12. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) – Single by Alexandra Stan on iTunes. iTunes Store. 3 October 2012. 27 June 2016.
  13. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) – Single di Alexandra Stan su iTunes. iTunes Store. 12 October 2012. 27 June 2016.
  14. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) [Acoustic Version] – Single di Alexandra Stan su iTunes ]. iTunes Store. 11 December 2012. 27 June 2016.
  15. Cliché (Hush Hush) . . 2013 . Liner notes/ CD booklet . Maan Records (Barcode: 4 988002 658367) . Constanța, Romania.
  16. The Collection (CD Booklet). Alexandra Stan. Japan: Victor Entertainment. 2015
  17. News: FIMI – Search: Alexandra Stan. FIMI. Italian. 25 October 2018.
  18. Web site: http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0=ts_chart_artistname%3Aalexandra%20stan&f[1]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=alexandra%20stan Alexandra Stan – Chart history ]. . 22 October 2016.
  19. Web site: Airplay 100 – 18 noiembrie 2012. Kiss FM. Romanian. 22 September 2018. 18 November 2012.
  20. Alexandra Stan 'Cliché (Hush Hush)'. Bencivenga, Ilaria. 19 October 2012. Airplay Control. it. 5 May 2023.
  21. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) – Single de Alexandra Stan en iTunes. iTunes Store. 6 November 2012. 27 June 2016. 11 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160911031454/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/cliche-hush-hush-single/id569203579.