Frank Sinatra (Miss Kittin & The Hacker song)

"Frank Sinatra" is a song by French recording duo Miss Kittin & The Hacker. The song was originally included on the duo's 1998 EP Champagne and became an anthem of the electroclash scene.^[1][2] It was later included on the duo's debut studio album First Album (2001), as well as on Miss Kittin's DJ mix album On the Road (2002).

"Frank Sinatra"
Single by Miss Kittin & The Hacker
from the EP Champagne
Released	1998
Genre	Electronica, electroclash
Label	International DeeJay Gigolo
Songwriter(s)	Caroline Hervé, Michel Amato
Producer(s)	Caroline Hervé, Michel Amato
Miss Kittin singles chronology
"The Vogue" (2000) "Frank Sinatra" (1998) "Silver Screen Shower Scene" (2001)
Music video
"Frank Sinatra" on YouTube

Writing and inspiration

Miss Kittin explained in an interview that the song was inspired by her love of Frank Sinatra and jazz music.

"I love Frank Sinatra and the American crooners and romantic jazz in general. I was looking for a rhyme to "area" and here it came. What you don't know, is when I said "He's dead", I really thought he was... A friend told me it was funny because he's still alive... I couldn't believe it and felt guilty, especially when he died three months later..."^[3]

Composition

"Frank Sinatra" is credited as an electroclash and techno song,^[1][4] and is noted for its use of deadpan.^[5] In the song, Miss Kittin discusses having sex in limousines.^[6] According to Terry Sawyer of PopMatters, "In a deadpan cadence done in the accent of Ilsa the She-Wolf of The SS, Miss Kittin [...], created decadent club music for people too arch and smart for typical white label fare. It was a deader and more desolate take on tired convention of the house beat and unknown diva repeating a pithy chorus ad nauseum [sic], an alleged elevation of cliché through the detachment of kitsch.^[7]

Critical reception

Adam Bregman of Allmusic described the song as "undoubtedly the standout cut on the album."^[8] Ed Gonzalez, writing for Slant Magazine, said, "Backed by The Hacker's happy-to-be-cheap retro production, Miss Kittin provides the ultimate electroclash statement: she makes social climbing sound so stupid and empty, while reveling in it."^[9]

Slant Magazine placed "Frank Sinatra" at number eighty-six on its 100 Greatest Dance Songs list.^[9] Rock De Lux placed the song at number thirteen on the Songs of the Year list for 2001.^[10] The Village Voice included the song on its Pazz & Jop Singles list for 2002.^[11]

Cultural impact

"Frank Sinatra" was included on compilation albums Global Underground 010: Athens by Danny Tenaglia,^[12] American Gigolo by Tiga,^[13] Dirty Dirty House Vol. 1 by Junior Sanchez,^[14] Lektroluv by Dr Lektroluv, and GU10.^[15]

In 2003, "Frank Sinatra" was featured in the American biographical comedy-drama film Party Monster and its soundtrack.^[16] The soundtrack peaked at number twenty-one on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums.^[17]

Track listings

• German EP^[18]

A1. "Gigolo Intro" - 1:52

A2. "Frank Sinatra" - 3:51

A3. "The Grey Area" - 5:16

B1. "1982" - 5:17

B2. "Gratin Dauphinois" - 3:31

B3. "Gigolo Outro" - 2:02

B4. "Dirty Talk" - 2:05

• Belgian Vinyl, 12-inch single

1. "Frank Sinatra (Promo)" -
2. "Frank Sinatra (Vocal Out)" -

• U.S. Vinyl, 12-inch single^[4]

1. "Frank Sinatra" -
2. "Frank Sinatra 2001" -
3. "DJ Song" -

References

1. Kellman, Andy. "Miss Kittin". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
2. Reynolds, Simon (2010-01-22). "The 1980s revival that lasted an entire decade". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
3. Rautio, Erkki (2001-01-17). "Miss Kittin interview, Jan '01". pHinnWeb. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
4. "Miss Kittin And The Hacker - Frank Sinatra (Vinyl) – U.S. Vinyl, 12-inch single". Discogs. Zinc Media, Inc. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
5. Werde, Bill (2002-01-29). "Music - Page 1 - Music - New York - Village Voice". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
6. Plagenhoef, Scott; Schreiber, Ryan, eds. (November 2008). The Pitchfork 500. Simon & Schuster. p. 167. ISBN 978-1-4165-6202-3.
7. Sawyer, Terry. "Miss Kittin: I Com < PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
8. Bregman, Adam (2001). "First Album - Miss Kittin & the Hacker". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
9. Gonzalez, Ed (2006-01-30). "100 Greatest Dance Songs". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
10. "Rocklist.net....Rock De Lux Lists..." Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
11. "Rocklist.net...Village Voice (Pazz & Jop) Lists 2002..." Rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-04-19.^{[permanent dead link]}
12. Birchmeier, Jason (2000). "Global Underground: Athens - Danny Tenaglia". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
13. Taylor, Ken (2001). "American Gigolo - Tiga". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
14. "Best of Dirty Dirty House, Vol. 1 - Junior Sanchez". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. 2002. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
15. "GU, Vol. 10 - Various Artists". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. 2006. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
16. "Party Monster (2003) - Soundtracks". IMDb. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
17. "Charts & Awards - Party Monster – Various Artists". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. 2003. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
18. "Miss Kittin And The Hacker* – Champagne! E.P." Discogs. Zinc Media, Inc. Retrieved 2021-01-01.