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Laundromat (song)

January 31, 2023

This article is about the Nivea song. For other songs, see Laundromat (disambiguation).

"Laundromat" is a song by American singer Nivea from her 2002 self-titled debut album. Jive released it in the UK as a double A-side single along with "Don't Mess With My Man" on April 28, 2003. R. Kelly wrote and produced "Laundromat", and performed some uncredited vocals on the recording, which is an R&B and pop track. It was recorded and mixed in Chicago, and was one of the last songs to be produced for the album. The track is structured as a telephone call in which Nivea breaks up with her boyfriend, who is played by Kelly. The lyrics use the laundromat as a metaphor for the washing away of an old relationship.

"Laundromat"
Single by Nivea
from the album Nivea
Released
  • January 21, 2003 (2003-01-21) (US)
  • April 28, 2003 (2003-04-28) (UK)
StudioRock Land (Chicago)
Genre
Length4:25
LabelJive
Songwriter(s)R. Kelly
Producer(s)R. Kelly
Nivea singles chronology
"Don't Mess With My Man"
(2002) 		"Laundromat"
(00000006) 		"25 Reasons" / "Ya Ya Ya"
(2003)

Critics praised Kelly for his contributions to the song. In the US, "Laundromat" peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number 92 on the Billboard Year-End chart for Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The single received heavy airplay and appeared on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart; journalists cited this success as evidence that Kelly's 2002 arrest for possessing child pornography did not hurt his career. "Laundromat" further reached number 33 on the UK Singles Chart, number 89 on the Scottish Singles Chart, and number 98 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.

"Laundromat" was supported through live performances and a music video, although Nivea did not perform it with Kelly. The song's accompanying music video was filmed in a laundromat and includes Nick Cannon in Kelly's role. In 2013, Solange Knowles covered "Laundromat" in a laundromat; her performance was praised by critics, who enjoyed the song choice and the venue.

Background and recording

After Nivea's debut solo single "Don't Mess With the Radio" underperformed in 2001, her record label Jive delayed the US release of her self-titled debut album to the following year.[1] During this time, she worked with R. Kelly on the songs "Ya Ya Ya", "The One for Me", and "Laundromat" for the album; these were the last tracks to be added to Nivea prior to its release.[2][3] Although Nivea was delayed in the US, Jive released the album internationally with a different track list, which did not include Kelly's songs.[4]

Kelly wrote, arranged, and produced "Laundromat", and performed uncredited vocals on the track.[2][5] In a 2003 Sister 2 Sister interview, Nivea said she did not know Kelly had not been credited and denied claims this was done to hide his involvement with the song.[3] "Laundromat" was recorded and mixed at Rock Land recording studio, Chicago. Kelly mixed the song with Ian Mereness, who programmed it with Abel Garibaldi. Jason Mlodzinski assisted with mixing and programming. Andy Gallas recorded the track with Mereness and Garibaldi. Tom Coyne mastered all of the songs for Nivea, including "Laundromat".[2]

Music and lyrics

 
"Laundromat"
Billboard's Chuck Taylor believed "Laundromat" fell between "straight-up R&B and modern pop",[5] while AllMusic's Alex Henderson identified "some '70s sweet soul influence" in the song.[6]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Laundromat" is a four-minute, 25-second R&B and pop song[2][5] performed in the style of a slow jam.[6][7] Billboard's Chuck Taylor reviewed the single as a pop track, describing it as straddling "the line between straight-up R&B and modern pop". Taylor wrote that, after the opening, "Laundromat" moves into "dreamy vocal layers" and a "slow-grooving, sing-songy chorus".[5] AllMusic's Alex Henderson said "Laundromat" has "some '70s sweet soul influence" but noted that Nivea did not follow the same neo soul trend as Mary J. Blige, Jaguar Wright, Alicia Keys, and Jill Scott.[6]

Writing for Vibe, Laura Checkoway referred to "Laundromat" as "an R&B jam-meets-detergent jingle". In her review of the album, Checkoway characterized Nivea's vocals as a "sugary soprano".[8] The song uses the sounds of bursting bubbles and dripping water as a part of its instrumental;[9][10] Rolling Stone writers Hank Shteamer, Elias Leight, and Brittany Spanos identified a contrast between the single's sound and its lyrics, writing: "The bubbly funk arrangement can't conceal the song's tragic core."[11]

"Laundromat" is about the break-up of a relationship that occurs during a telephone call.[11] The song's lyrics use the laundromat as a metaphor for the washing away of an old relationship,[5][11] as exemplified in the chorus: "Soap, powder, bleach, towels / Fabric softener, dollars, change / Pants, socks, dirty drawers / I'm headed to the laundromat."[12] The song opens with Nivea arguing with Kelly, who is referred to as Keith;[3][5] she calls him "a lying, cheating, son of a ..." and later hangs up on him.[11] The New York Times's Neil Strauss described the track as having "a half-spoken and half-sung arrangement", and likened the chorus to a Burt Bacharach song.[10]

Release and promotion

Jive released "Laundromat" in the UK as a double A-side single with "Don't Mess With My Man" on the week of April 28, 2003.[13] "Don't Mess With My Man" was previously distributed as a single on June 3, 2002.[14] In the US, "Laundromat" was promoted as a single in 2003, first distributed to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio stations for the week beginning January 21, 2003;[15] according to Billboard's Carla Hay, this occurred even while "Don't Mess With My Man" was "still in heavy rotation at many radio stations".[1] "Laundromat" was made available as a 12-inch single, cassette, and a CD single.[16] Nivea did not perform the single live with Kelly, and his part was done by a singer named Katrelle.[3] The song appeared on the 2003 compilation album Totally R&B; AllMusic's Andy Kellman praised "Laundromat" as one of its highlights.[17]

Nzingha Stewart filmed the music video for "Laundromat" in a laundromat.[18] Nick Cannon, who had previously collaborated with Kelly, was his stand-in for the video. Discussing Kelly's absence, author Mark Anthony Neal wrote: "A man accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with minors obviously cannot show up in a music video cooing in the ear of a teenager."[19]

Critical reception

Tracey Cooper of the Waikato Times praised "Laundromat", along with "Don't Mess With My Man" and "What You Waitin' For", for having a "cruisy groove and attitude" that would appeal to "the soul sistas".[20] The Herald Sun's Karen Tye described the song as a "blend of silken phrasings and smooth R&B beats".[21] In a People article, Chuck Arnold highlighted its humor,[22] and Steve Jones, writing for the Gannett News Service, considered it one of the "clever tracks" in which Nivea "shows her moxie".[23] In 2007, Vibe's Sean Fennessey wrote that Nivea "never sounded fresher or sharper" than on "Laundromat".[24]

Although he enjoyed the chorus and verses separately, Neil Strauss said they were incompatible in a single song, and criticized the lyrics as seeming "quickly written and unconvincingly delivered".[10] The Courier-Mail's Emma Chalmers enjoyed the chorus, but wrote that its "musical-style singing conversation doesn't come off overall".[25] A reviewer for Music Week disliked the laundry metaphor and said the song was overshadowed by "Don't Mess With My Man" on the double A-side release.[26] In her negative review of Nivea, the Edmonton Journal's Sandra Sperounes was critical of "Laundromat", writing: "You'll find more soul in a bottle of bath gel."[9]

Kelly was praised by reviewers, several of whom cited his songs as highlights of Nivea.[6][7] Chistie Leo of the New Straits Times said that "Laundromat", as well as "Ya Ya Ya", had "catapulted [Nivea] to a promising start".[7] Some retrospective articles remained positive toward Kelly.[12][24] Fennessey included "Laundromat" in his 2007 list of Kelly's essential collaborations; in his entry for the song, he noted Nivea was "another in a long line of young females [he] has err, raised up ... with his vocal talent".[24] In a 2013 Fuse article, Nicole James commended Kelly's performance of the chorus, although they were uncertain about using a laundromat as a metaphor.[12] Other critics had more negative responses.[8][9] While panning the choice of collaborators, Laura Checkoway wrote "the banter between barely legal Nivea and Kelly is unsettling".[8] Sperounes viewed Kelly's songs as the worst on Nivea and was critical of the album as a whole.[9]

Commercial performance

For the week of March 8, 2003, "Laundromat" peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart.[27][28] On the Billboard Year-End chart, it reached number 92 for the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs category.[29] Music journalists pointed to the single's success when discussing how Kelly's 2002 arrest for possessing child pornography did not damage his career.[30][31] In a USA Today article, Steve Jones reported that the song still received "heavy airplay".[30] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Sonia Murray said that 14 months after Kelly was alleged to have made child pornography, ten of his songs, including "Laundromat", were on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart.[31] In a 2018 Vibe article, Khaaliq Crowder said Nivea found "modest success" with "Laundromat" and "Don't Mess With the Radio" but identified "Don't Mess With My Man" as her most successful single.[32]

"Laundromat" peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart. It was Nivea's second top-40 entry following her 2000 collaboration with Mystikal, "Danger (Been So Long)".[33] "Laundromat" reached number two on the UK Independent Singles Chart and number eight on the UK R&B Singles Chart.[34][35] In Scotland, "Laundromat" peaked at number 89 on its singles chart.[36] It reached number 98 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.[37] For these European charts, "Laundromat" charted with "Don't Mess With My Man" as part of its double A-side release.[38]

Solange Knowles cover

On July 29, 2013, Solange Knowles performed a part of "Laundromat" at a laundromat in Boerum Hill as part of a series of live concerts called "Uncapped" that was sponsored by Vitaminwater and The Fader.[39][40] Vitaminwater's brand manager Ben Garnero said the laundromat concert was intended to "take on these iconic, mundane moments and tackle Mondays in New York and these places you never expect to see a show".[39] The event was a part of the company's "Make Boring Brilliant" campaign and was attended by approximately 150 people.[40]

Knowles sang both Nivea's and Kelly's parts while dancing on top of washing machines.[40][41] During the performance, she said: "This laundromat has me feeling the drama queen, so excuse my theatrics."[40] For the concert, Knowles was accompanied by a six-person band.[39] She had rehearsed the cover five minutes before the show began.[40] Knowles performed the first 90 seconds of "Laundromat" before moving into Dirty Projectors' 2009 song "Stillness Is the Move".[40] When asked about her song choice, Knowles described "Laundromat" as one of her most-played songs and one she always wanted to cover.[41]

Critics praised Knowles's performance; The Fader's Deidre Dyer and Nicole James said she picked the perfect venue for the song.[41][42] James said they have enjoyed the decision to set the event in a laundromat more than the actual performance itself.[42] Fuse's Joe Lynch commended the arrangement, saying the band had modified the song for "Solange's casually funky vibe perfectly".[40]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Nivea:[2]

Recording locations

  • Recorded and mixed in Rock Land Studios in Chicago

Personnel

Charts

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b Hay 2003, p. 14.
  2. ^ a b c d e Nivea 2002.
  3. ^ a b c d Nivea 2003, pp. 20–21.
  4. ^ Nivea 2001.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Taylor 2003, p. 31.
  6. ^ a b c d Henderson.
  7. ^ a b c Leo 2003, p. 15.
  8. ^ a b c Checkoway 2003, p. 138.
  9. ^ a b c d Sperounes 2003, p. E3.
  10. ^ a b c Strauss 2003.
  11. ^ a b c d Leight, Spanos & Schteamer 2015.
  12. ^ a b c James 2013a.
  13. ^ Music Week 2003b, p. 27.
  14. ^ Radio & Records 2002, p. 43.
  15. ^ Radio & Records 2003, p. 24.
  16. ^ "Laundromat" 2003a; "Laundromat" 2003b; "Laundromat" 2003c; "Laundromat" 2003d; "Laundromat" 2003a; Music Week 2003b, p. 27
  17. ^ Kellman.
  18. ^ a b "Laundromat" 2003c.
  19. ^ Neal 2006, pp. 278–279.
  20. ^ Cooper 2003, p. 8.
  21. ^ Tye 2003, p. 98.
  22. ^ Arnold 2003, p. 44.
  23. ^ Jones 2002, p. D-4.
  24. ^ a b c Fennessey 2007, p. 87.
  25. ^ Chalmers 2003, p. P07.
  26. ^ Music Week 2003a, p. 7.
  27. ^ a b Billboard A.
  28. ^ a b Billboard B.
  29. ^ a b Billboard C.
  30. ^ a b Jones 2003, p. 9A.
  31. ^ a b Murray 2003, p. D3.
  32. ^ Crowder 2018.
  33. ^ a b Official Charts Company A.
  34. ^ a b Official Charts Company C.
  35. ^ a b Official Charts Company D.
  36. ^ a b Official Charts Company B.
  37. ^ a b Music & Media 2003, p. 12.
  38. ^ Music & Media 2003, p. 12; Official Charts Company A; Official Charts Company B; Official Charts Company C; Official Charts Company D
  39. ^ a b c Hampp 2013.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g Lynch 2013.
  41. ^ a b c Dyer 2013.
  42. ^ a b James 2013b.
  43. ^ "Laundromat" 2003b.
  44. ^ "Laundromat" 2003d.
  45. ^ "Laundromat" 2003a.
  46. ^ "Laundromat" 2003e.

Citations

  • Arnold, Chuck (January 13, 2003). "Nivea". People. Vol. 59, no. 1. p. 44. ProQuest 204369591 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  • Chalmers, Emma (April 4, 2003). "[Nivea]: [1 First With The News Edition]". The Courier-Mail. p. P07. ProQuest 354375249 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  • Checkoway, Laura (February 2003). "Nivea: Nivea". Vibe. 11 (2): 138. ISSN 1070-4701. from the original on March 29, 2020 – via Google Books.
  • Crowder, Khaaliq (September 24, 2018). "Nivea Compares Early Success To Britney Spears On BET's Finding Series". Vibe. from the original on July 13, 2021.
  • Cooper, Tracey (June 26, 2003). "The Wrap: [2 Edition]". Waikato Times. p. 8. ProQuest 313766634 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  • Dyer, Deidre (July 30, 2013). "Interview: Solange". The Fader. from the original on March 31, 2018.
  • "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 21 (22): 12. May 24, 2003. (PDF) from the original on August 25, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  • Fennessey, Sean (May 2007). "12 Play: We Belong Together". Vibe. 15 (5): 87. ISSN 1070-4701. from the original on June 7, 2020 – via Google Books.
  • (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1487. January 17, 2003. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2022.
  • Hampp, Andrew (July 31, 2013). . Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016.
  • Hay, Carla (February 8, 2003). "Shelved For A Year, Nivea Nevertheless Nets Top 10 Hit, Grammy Nod". Billboard. 115 (6): 14. ISSN 0006-2510. from the original on March 29, 2020 – via Google Books.
  • Henderson, Alex. "Nivea: Nivea". AllMusic. from the original on June 3, 2012.
  • James, Nicole (October 21, 2013a). . Fuse. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016.
  • James, Nicole (December 12, 2013b). . Fuse. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  • Jones, Steve (December 29, 2002). "Nivea Hamilton: Nivea". That's Life. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Gannett News Service. p. D-4. Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  • Jones, Steve (January 27, 2003). "Child porn charges follow R&B singer's career". Nation/World. Telegraph-Forum. USA Today. p. 9A. Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  • Kellman, Andy. "Various Artists: Totally R&B;". AllMusic. from the original on March 14, 2016.
  • "Laundromat" (Media notes). Nivea. Jive. 2003a. JDJ-40063-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • "Laundromat" (Media notes). Nivea. Zomba. 2003b. 9254820.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • "Laundromat" (Media notes). Nivea. Jive. 2003c. 9254822.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • "Laundromat" (Media notes). Nivea. Jive. 2003d. 9254820p.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • "Laundromat" (Media notes). Nivea. Jive. 2003e. 9254999.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • "'Laundromat'/'Don't Mess With My Man' (Music)". Music Week (15): 7. April 19, 2003a. ISSN 0265-1548. EBSCOhost 9835914 – via EBSCO Information Services.
  • Leight, Elias; Spanos, Brittany; Schteamer, Hank (October 23, 2015). "'Hello': 10 Classic Sad-Phone-Call Songs". Rolling Stone. from the original on November 29, 2020.
  • Leo, Chistie (July 6, 2003). "Truly a gem of an album". New Straits Times. p. 15. ProQuest 271735561 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  • Lynch, Joe (July 30, 2013). "Solange Sang Nivea's 'Laundromat' in a Real-Life Laundromat Last Night". Fuse. from the original on November 19, 2016.
  • Murray, Sonia (August 30, 2003). "R. Kelly: Woes don't faze fans". Living. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. D3. Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  • Neal, Mark Anthony (2006). "Bringing Up Daddy: A Black Feminist Fatherhood". In Mutua, Athena D. (ed.). Progressive Black Masculinities. Routledge. pp. 263–280. ISBN 9780415976862 – via Google Books.
  • Nivea (July 2003). Interviewed by Overby, Carl. "Nivea and Her Hip-Hop Love Story". Sister 2 Sister. 15 (7–12): 18–31. ISSN 1071-5053. Retrieved October 8, 2021 – via Google Books.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  • Nivea. Jive, Arista (Inlay cover). Nivea. September 25, 2001. 9221992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • Nivea. Jive, Arista (Inlay cover). Nivea. December 10, 2002. 01241-44200-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  • "Nivea: 'Don't Mess With My Man'" (PDF). Radio & Records (1454): 43. May 24, 2002. (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  • "Nivea: Hot 100". Billboard. from the original on March 29, 2020.
  • "Nivea: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. from the original on October 2, 2021.
  • "Nivea: Singles". Official Charts Company. from the original on December 6, 2018.
  • "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. from the original on October 2, 2021.
  • "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 500". Official Charts Company. from the original on October 8, 2020.
  • "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. from the original on October 10, 2020.
  • "Singles" (PDF). Music Week: 27. April 26, 2003b. (PDF) from the original on September 4, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  • Sperounes, Sandra (February 1, 2003). "CD: Nivea". Entertainment. Edmonton Journal. p. E3. Retrieved October 2, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  • Strauss, Neil (May 18, 2003). "Music: Playlist; Not Your Usual Load of Laundry". The New York Times. from the original on February 27, 2021.
  • Taylor, Chuck, ed. (February 22, 2003). "Nivea: 'Laundromat'". Billboard. 115 (8): 31. ISSN 0006-2510. from the original on March 29, 2020 – via Google Books.
  • Tye, Karen (April 13, 2003). "R&B". Herald Sun. p. 98. ProQuest 360618884 – via ProQuest. (subscription required)
  • "Year-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. from the original on November 13, 2016.

External links

  • "Laundromat" music video on YouTube

January 31, 2023
laundromat, song, this, article, about, nivea, song, other, songs, laundromat, disambiguation, laundromat, song, american, singer, nivea, from, 2002, self, titled, debut, album, jive, released, double, side, single, along, with, mess, with, april, 2003, kelly,. This article is about the Nivea song For other songs see Laundromat disambiguation Laundromat is a song by American singer Nivea from her 2002 self titled debut album Jive released it in the UK as a double A side single along with Don t Mess With My Man on April 28 2003 R Kelly wrote and produced Laundromat and performed some uncredited vocals on the recording which is an R amp B and pop track It was recorded and mixed in Chicago and was one of the last songs to be produced for the album The track is structured as a telephone call in which Nivea breaks up with her boyfriend who is played by Kelly The lyrics use the laundromat as a metaphor for the washing away of an old relationship Laundromat Single by Niveafrom the album NiveaReleasedJanuary 21 2003 2003 01 21 US April 28 2003 2003 04 28 UK StudioRock Land Chicago GenreR amp B popLength4 25LabelJiveSongwriter s R KellyProducer s R KellyNivea singles chronology Don t Mess With My Man 2002 Laundromat 00000006 25 Reasons Ya Ya Ya 2003 Critics praised Kelly for his contributions to the song In the US Laundromat peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number 92 on the Billboard Year End chart for Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs The single received heavy airplay and appeared on the Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard chart journalists cited this success as evidence that Kelly s 2002 arrest for possessing child pornography did not hurt his career Laundromat further reached number 33 on the UK Singles Chart number 89 on the Scottish Singles Chart and number 98 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart Laundromat was supported through live performances and a music video although Nivea did not perform it with Kelly The song s accompanying music video was filmed in a laundromat and includes Nick Cannon in Kelly s role In 2013 Solange Knowles covered Laundromat in a laundromat her performance was praised by critics who enjoyed the song choice and the venue Contents 1 Background and recording 2 Music and lyrics 3 Release and promotion 4 Critical reception 5 Commercial performance 6 Solange Knowles cover 7 Track listings 8 Credits and personnel 8 1 Recording locations 8 2 Personnel 9 Charts 9 1 Weekly charts 9 2 Year end charts 10 References 10 1 Footnotes 10 2 Citations 11 External linksBackground and recording EditAfter Nivea s debut solo single Don t Mess With the Radio underperformed in 2001 her record label Jive delayed the US release of her self titled debut album to the following year 1 During this time she worked with R Kelly on the songs Ya Ya Ya The One for Me and Laundromat for the album these were the last tracks to be added to Nivea prior to its release 2 3 Although Nivea was delayed in the US Jive released the album internationally with a different track list which did not include Kelly s songs 4 Kelly wrote arranged and produced Laundromat and performed uncredited vocals on the track 2 5 In a 2003 Sister 2 Sister interview Nivea said she did not know Kelly had not been credited and denied claims this was done to hide his involvement with the song 3 Laundromat was recorded and mixed at Rock Land recording studio Chicago Kelly mixed the song with Ian Mereness who programmed it with Abel Garibaldi Jason Mlodzinski assisted with mixing and programming Andy Gallas recorded the track with Mereness and Garibaldi Tom Coyne mastered all of the songs for Nivea including Laundromat 2 Music and lyrics Edit Laundromat source source track Billboard s Chuck Taylor believed Laundromat fell between straight up R amp B and modern pop 5 while AllMusic s Alex Henderson identified some 70s sweet soul influence in the song 6 Problems playing this file See media help Laundromat is a four minute 25 second R amp B and pop song 2 5 performed in the style of a slow jam 6 7 Billboard s Chuck Taylor reviewed the single as a pop track describing it as straddling the line between straight up R amp B and modern pop Taylor wrote that after the opening Laundromat moves into dreamy vocal layers and a slow grooving sing songy chorus 5 AllMusic s Alex Henderson said Laundromat has some 70s sweet soul influence but noted that Nivea did not follow the same neo soul trend as Mary J Blige Jaguar Wright Alicia Keys and Jill Scott 6 Writing for Vibe Laura Checkoway referred to Laundromat as an R amp B jam meets detergent jingle In her review of the album Checkoway characterized Nivea s vocals as a sugary soprano 8 The song uses the sounds of bursting bubbles and dripping water as a part of its instrumental 9 10 Rolling Stone writers Hank Shteamer Elias Leight and Brittany Spanos identified a contrast between the single s sound and its lyrics writing The bubbly funk arrangement can t conceal the song s tragic core 11 Laundromat is about the break up of a relationship that occurs during a telephone call 11 The song s lyrics use the laundromat as a metaphor for the washing away of an old relationship 5 11 as exemplified in the chorus Soap powder bleach towels Fabric softener dollars change Pants socks dirty drawers I m headed to the laundromat 12 The song opens with Nivea arguing with Kelly who is referred to as Keith 3 5 she calls him a lying cheating son of a and later hangs up on him 11 The New York Times s Neil Strauss described the track as having a half spoken and half sung arrangement and likened the chorus to a Burt Bacharach song 10 Release and promotion EditJive released Laundromat in the UK as a double A side single with Don t Mess With My Man on the week of April 28 2003 13 Don t Mess With My Man was previously distributed as a single on June 3 2002 14 In the US Laundromat was promoted as a single in 2003 first distributed to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio stations for the week beginning January 21 2003 15 according to Billboard s Carla Hay this occurred even while Don t Mess With My Man was still in heavy rotation at many radio stations 1 Laundromat was made available as a 12 inch single cassette and a CD single 16 Nivea did not perform the single live with Kelly and his part was done by a singer named Katrelle 3 The song appeared on the 2003 compilation album Totally R amp B AllMusic s Andy Kellman praised Laundromat as one of its highlights 17 Nzingha Stewart filmed the music video for Laundromat in a laundromat 18 Nick Cannon who had previously collaborated with Kelly was his stand in for the video Discussing Kelly s absence author Mark Anthony Neal wrote A man accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with minors obviously cannot show up in a music video cooing in the ear of a teenager 19 Critical reception EditTracey Cooper of the Waikato Times praised Laundromat along with Don t Mess With My Man and What You Waitin For for having a cruisy groove and attitude that would appeal to the soul sistas 20 The Herald Sun s Karen Tye described the song as a blend of silken phrasings and smooth R amp B beats 21 In a People article Chuck Arnold highlighted its humor 22 and Steve Jones writing for the Gannett News Service considered it one of the clever tracks in which Nivea shows her moxie 23 In 2007 Vibe s Sean Fennessey wrote that Nivea never sounded fresher or sharper than on Laundromat 24 Although he enjoyed the chorus and verses separately Neil Strauss said they were incompatible in a single song and criticized the lyrics as seeming quickly written and unconvincingly delivered 10 The Courier Mail s Emma Chalmers enjoyed the chorus but wrote that its musical style singing conversation doesn t come off overall 25 A reviewer for Music Week disliked the laundry metaphor and said the song was overshadowed by Don t Mess With My Man on the double A side release 26 In her negative review of Nivea the Edmonton Journal s Sandra Sperounes was critical of Laundromat writing You ll find more soul in a bottle of bath gel 9 Kelly was praised by reviewers several of whom cited his songs as highlights of Nivea 6 7 Chistie Leo of the New Straits Times said that Laundromat as well as Ya Ya Ya had catapulted Nivea to a promising start 7 Some retrospective articles remained positive toward Kelly 12 24 Fennessey included Laundromat in his 2007 list of Kelly s essential collaborations in his entry for the song he noted Nivea was another in a long line of young females he has err raised up with his vocal talent 24 In a 2013 Fuse article Nicole James commended Kelly s performance of the chorus although they were uncertain about using a laundromat as a metaphor 12 Other critics had more negative responses 8 9 While panning the choice of collaborators Laura Checkoway wrote the banter between barely legal Nivea and Kelly is unsettling 8 Sperounes viewed Kelly s songs as the worst on Nivea and was critical of the album as a whole 9 Commercial performance EditFor the week of March 8 2003 Laundromat peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 20 on the Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard chart 27 28 On the Billboard Year End chart it reached number 92 for the Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs category 29 Music journalists pointed to the single s success when discussing how Kelly s 2002 arrest for possessing child pornography did not damage his career 30 31 In a USA Today article Steve Jones reported that the song still received heavy airplay 30 The Atlanta Journal Constitution s Sonia Murray said that 14 months after Kelly was alleged to have made child pornography ten of his songs including Laundromat were on the Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard chart 31 In a 2018 Vibe article Khaaliq Crowder said Nivea found modest success with Laundromat and Don t Mess With the Radio but identified Don t Mess With My Man as her most successful single 32 Laundromat peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart It was Nivea s second top 40 entry following her 2000 collaboration with Mystikal Danger Been So Long 33 Laundromat reached number two on the UK Independent Singles Chart and number eight on the UK R amp B Singles Chart 34 35 In Scotland Laundromat peaked at number 89 on its singles chart 36 It reached number 98 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart 37 For these European charts Laundromat charted with Don t Mess With My Man as part of its double A side release 38 Solange Knowles cover EditOn July 29 2013 Solange Knowles performed a part of Laundromat at a laundromat in Boerum Hill as part of a series of live concerts called Uncapped that was sponsored by Vitaminwater and The Fader 39 40 Vitaminwater s brand manager Ben Garnero said the laundromat concert was intended to take on these iconic mundane moments and tackle Mondays in New York and these places you never expect to see a show 39 The event was a part of the company s Make Boring Brilliant campaign and was attended by approximately 150 people 40 Knowles sang both Nivea s and Kelly s parts while dancing on top of washing machines 40 41 During the performance she said This laundromat has me feeling the drama queen so excuse my theatrics 40 For the concert Knowles was accompanied by a six person band 39 She had rehearsed the cover five minutes before the show began 40 Knowles performed the first 90 seconds of Laundromat before moving into Dirty Projectors 2009 song Stillness Is the Move 40 When asked about her song choice Knowles described Laundromat as one of her most played songs and one she always wanted to cover 41 Critics praised Knowles s performance The Fader s Deidre Dyer and Nicole James said she picked the perfect venue for the song 41 42 James said they have enjoyed the decision to set the event in a laundromat more than the actual performance itself 42 Fuse s Joe Lynch commended the arrangement saying the band had modified the song for Solange s casually funky vibe perfectly 40 Track listings Edit12 inch single 43 No TitleLength1 Laundromat radio edit 4 232 Laundromat instrumental 4 233 Don t Mess With My Man remix 3 52 12 inch single 44 No TitleLength1 Laundromat radio edit 4 232 Laundromat instrumental 4 233 Don t Mess With My Man remix 3 524 Don t Mess With My Man version 1 main clean instrumental 3 36 CD single 45 No TitleLength1 Laundromat radio edit 4 252 Laundromat instrumental 4 22 CD single 46 No TitleLength1 Laundromat radio edit 4 252 Don t Mess With My Man 3 33 CD single 18 No TitleLength1 Laundromat radio edit 4 252 Don t Mess With My Man remix 3 523 Laundromat instrumental 4 224 Laundromat music video 4 27Credits and personnel EditCredits adapted from the liner notes of Nivea 2 Recording locations Edit Recorded and mixed in Rock Land Studios in ChicagoPersonnel Edit R Kelly arrangement composition mixing production Ian Mereness mixing programming recording Jason Mlodzinski mixing assistance programming assistance Abel Garibaldi programming recording Andy Gallas recording Tom Coyne masteringCharts EditWeekly charts Edit Weekly chart performance for Laundromat Chart 2003 PeakpositionEurope Eurochart Hot 100 37 98Scotland OCC 36 89UK Indie OCC 34 2UK R amp B OCC 35 8UK Singles OCC 33 33US Billboard Hot 100 27 58US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard 28 20 Year end charts Edit Year end chart performance for Laundromat Chart 2003 PositionUS Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard 29 92References EditFootnotes Edit a b Hay 2003 p 14 a b c d e Nivea 2002 a b c d Nivea 2003 pp 20 21 Nivea 2001 a b c d e f Taylor 2003 p 31 a b c d Henderson a b c Leo 2003 p 15 a b c Checkoway 2003 p 138 a b c d Sperounes 2003 p E3 a b c Strauss 2003 a b c d Leight Spanos amp Schteamer 2015 a b c James 2013a Music Week 2003b p 27 Radio amp Records 2002 p 43 Radio amp Records 2003 p 24 Laundromat 2003a Laundromat 2003b Laundromat 2003c Laundromat 2003d Laundromat 2003a Music Week 2003b p 27 Kellman a b Laundromat 2003c Neal 2006 pp 278 279 Cooper 2003 p 8 Tye 2003 p 98 Arnold 2003 p 44 Jones 2002 p D 4 a b c Fennessey 2007 p 87 Chalmers 2003 p P07 Music Week 2003a p 7 a b Billboard A a b Billboard B a b Billboard C a b Jones 2003 p 9A a b Murray 2003 p D3 Crowder 2018 a b Official Charts Company A a b Official Charts Company C a b Official Charts Company D a b Official Charts Company B a b Music amp Media 2003 p 12 Music amp Media 2003 p 12 Official Charts Company A Official Charts Company B Official Charts Company C Official Charts Company D a b c Hampp 2013 a b c d e f g Lynch 2013 a b c Dyer 2013 a b James 2013b Laundromat 2003b Laundromat 2003d Laundromat 2003a Laundromat 2003e Citations Edit Arnold Chuck January 13 2003 Nivea People Vol 59 no 1 p 44 ProQuest 204369591 via ProQuest subscription required Chalmers Emma April 4 2003 Nivea 1 First With The News Edition The Courier Mail p P07 ProQuest 354375249 via ProQuest subscription required Checkoway Laura February 2003 Nivea Nivea Vibe 11 2 138 ISSN 1070 4701 Archived from the original on March 29 2020 via Google Books Crowder Khaaliq September 24 2018 Nivea Compares Early Success To Britney Spears On BET s Finding Series Vibe Archived from the original on July 13 2021 Cooper Tracey June 26 2003 The Wrap 2 Edition Waikato Times p 8 ProQuest 313766634 via ProQuest subscription required Dyer Deidre July 30 2013 Interview Solange The Fader Archived from the original on March 31 2018 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media 21 22 12 May 24 2003 Archived PDF from the original on August 25 2020 via World Radio History Fennessey Sean May 2007 12 Play We Belong Together Vibe 15 5 87 ISSN 1070 4701 Archived from the original on June 7 2020 via Google Books Going for Adds PDF Radio amp Records No 1487 January 17 2003 p 24 Archived from the original PDF on July 10 2022 Hampp Andrew July 31 2013 Backbeat Solange Makes the Boring Brilliant at Brooklyn Laundromat Performance with Help from vitaminwater The Fader Billboard Archived from the original on November 19 2016 Hay Carla February 8 2003 Shelved For A Year Nivea Nevertheless Nets Top 10 Hit Grammy Nod Billboard 115 6 14 ISSN 0006 2510 Archived from the original on March 29 2020 via Google Books Henderson Alex Nivea Nivea AllMusic Archived from the original on June 3 2012 James Nicole October 21 2013a The 6 Most Random R Kelly Collaborations Fuse Archived from the original on November 19 2016 James Nicole December 12 2013b 31 Best Covers of 2013 Miley Cyrus Adam Lambert Jared Leto 1D amp More Fuse Archived from the original on April 2 2015 Retrieved November 21 2016 Jones Steve December 29 2002 Nivea Hamilton Nivea That s Life Green Bay Press Gazette Gannett News Service p D 4 Retrieved October 2 2021 via Newspapers com Jones Steve January 27 2003 Child porn charges follow R amp B singer s career Nation World Telegraph Forum USA Today p 9A Retrieved October 2 2021 via Newspapers com Kellman Andy Various Artists Totally R amp B AllMusic Archived from the original on March 14 2016 Laundromat Media notes Nivea Jive 2003a JDJ 40063 2 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Laundromat Media notes Nivea Zomba 2003b 9254820 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Laundromat Media notes Nivea Jive 2003c 9254822 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Laundromat Media notes Nivea Jive 2003d 9254820p a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Laundromat Media notes Nivea Jive 2003e 9254999 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Laundromat Don t Mess With My Man Music Music Week 15 7 April 19 2003a ISSN 0265 1548 EBSCOhost 9835914 via EBSCO Information Services Leight Elias Spanos Brittany Schteamer Hank October 23 2015 Hello 10 Classic Sad Phone Call Songs Rolling Stone Archived from the original on November 29 2020 Leo Chistie July 6 2003 Truly a gem of an album New Straits Times p 15 ProQuest 271735561 via ProQuest subscription required Lynch Joe July 30 2013 Solange Sang Nivea s Laundromat in a Real Life Laundromat Last Night Fuse Archived from the original on November 19 2016 Murray Sonia August 30 2003 R Kelly Woes don t faze fans Living The Atlanta Journal Constitution p D3 Retrieved October 2 2021 via Newspapers com Neal Mark Anthony 2006 Bringing Up Daddy A Black Feminist Fatherhood In Mutua Athena D ed Progressive Black Masculinities Routledge pp 263 280 ISBN 9780415976862 via Google Books Nivea July 2003 Interviewed by Overby Carl Nivea and Her Hip Hop Love Story Sister 2 Sister 15 7 12 18 31 ISSN 1071 5053 Retrieved October 8 2021 via Google Books a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a CS1 maint url status link Nivea Jive Arista Inlay cover Nivea September 25 2001 9221992 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Nivea Jive Arista Inlay cover Nivea December 10 2002 01241 44200 2 a href Template Cite AV media notes html title Template Cite AV media notes cite AV media notes a CS1 maint others in cite AV media notes link Nivea Don t Mess With My Man PDF Radio amp Records 1454 43 May 24 2002 Archived PDF from the original on October 16 2020 via World Radio History Nivea Hot 100 Billboard Archived from the original on March 29 2020 Nivea Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard Archived from the original on October 2 2021 Nivea Singles Official Charts Company Archived from the original on December 6 2018 Official Hip Hop and R amp B Singles Chart Top 40 Official Charts Company Archived from the original on October 2 2021 Official Independent Singles Chart Top 500 Official Charts Company Archived from the original on October 8 2020 Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Archived from the original on October 10 2020 Singles PDF Music Week 27 April 26 2003b Archived PDF from the original on September 4 2021 via World Radio History Sperounes Sandra February 1 2003 CD Nivea Entertainment Edmonton Journal p E3 Retrieved October 2 2021 via Newspapers com Strauss Neil May 18 2003 Music Playlist Not Your Usual Load of Laundry The New York Times Archived from the original on February 27 2021 Taylor Chuck ed February 22 2003 Nivea Laundromat Billboard 115 8 31 ISSN 0006 2510 Archived from the original on March 29 2020 via Google Books Tye Karen April 13 2003 R amp B Herald Sun p 98 ProQuest 360618884 via ProQuest subscription required Year End Charts Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs Billboard Archived from the original on November 13 2016 External links Edit Laundromat music video on YouTube Portals Pop music R amp B and Soul Music Music Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Laundromat song amp oldid 1128123206, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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