Bottle Pop

Background and composition

Following the commercial success of the Pussycat Dolls' debut album PCD (2005), lead vocalist Nicole Scherzinger opted to pursue in her solo career, and began to work on her own solo album under the title, Her Name is Nicole. However, due to poor lack of success of her singles, Scherzinger focused back on the Pussycat Dolls, and recording commenced for their second studio album, Doll Domination.

"Bottle Pop" was co-written by Sean Garrett, Fernando Garibay and Nicole Scherzinger. Production of the song was helmed by Garret and Garibay while Clubba Langg served as a co-producer. Snoop Dogg appears courtesy of Doggy Style Records/Geffen Records. Scherzinger's vocals were recorded by Miles Walker with the assistance of Mike Hogue, Chris Kasych, and Brian Schunck at Chalice Studios in Los Angeles and Record Plant in Hollywood, while Snoop Dogg's vocals were recorded by Chris Jackson at Irvine Spot in Irvine, California. It was mixed by Tony Maserati at Cannan Road Studios in New York City. The keyboards were played by Kennard Garrett and Raymond "Rayza" Oglesby while Oglesby also handled the Additional Drum Programming. All instrumentation and programming was carried out by Garret and Garibay. Musically the song features sexual innuendo, funky electronica and is backed by electro beats; Nicole Scherzinger has uses breathy vocals while singing the song. Jim Farber of Daily News said that the song has a "moronic hook you can't resist". Jaime Gill of Yahoo! UK & Ireland noted that Scherzinger sounds like Gwen Stefani. Steve Perkins from BBC – Chart Blog said that rhythmically and melodically is influenced by Flo Rida's "Low" and Ciara's "Goodies"/Petey Pablo's "Freek-A-Leek", but with added PCD sass.

Critical

Reviews for "Bottle Pop" were mixed. MusicOMH music reviewer Nic Oliver described Snoop Dogg's and Missy Elliott's parts as "sleepwalking guest parts." He also noted that the lyrics were written by sophomore student. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic called the Snoop Doggs cameo "a phoned-in". Jaime Gill from Yahoo! Music UK described "Bottle Pop" as "heavily treated". However, music critic Jim Farber commented that "'Bottle Pop' has a moronic hook you can't resist". Stuart Derdeyn called the song one of the best tracks of the album. "'Bottle Pop' boasts a Snoop Dogg rap that he could've come up with in his sleep, but Sean Garrett's production is sharp." Nick Levine from Digital Spy, in a review for Doll Domination, compared the sound to Britney Spears' Blackout.

Commercial

Upon the release of Doll Domination, "Bottle Pop" managed to chart on the Canadian Hot 100 at position 88, on the issue dated October 11, 2008. In the United States the song debuted at number 48 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart on March 21, 2009. On May 16, 2009 the song managed to peak at number one, becoming the fifth song from the Pussycat Dolls to peak at number one in as many tries. It also became Snoop Doggs' fourth consecutive chat-topper. In Australia, the song debuted at twenty-five, on March 15, 2009. In the next week it peaked at number seventeen. In New Zealand, the song managed to debut using the remix with Devolo. In its next week it peaked at number seventeen.

Music video

The video was directed by Thomas Kloss. In MTV News, Scherzinger talked about the music video: "It's gonna be so much fun. It's gonna be a dance video. Obviously, you can tell by our wardrobe, it's going to be very colorful and fun ... freaky fun! You guys are going to be wanting to pop some bottles after this one." The video premiered at February 9, 2009. The video features the Dolls breaking into a theater and performing the songs choreography on the stage before a doll-themed backdrop. The male dancers that accompanied the dolls on tour appear towards the end of the video, performing a dance break with them. Snoop Dogg does not appear in the video.

MTV's Jocelyn Vena commented that "The Pussycat Dolls have made a career out of the lethal combination of barely there costumes, big hair and lots of makeup. And seeing them decked out on the set of their new music video for 'Bottle Pop' it is clear that they want the look to illustrate the song they describe as 'freaky fun'." Alison Maloney from The Sun noted that the Dolls were "cavorting in sexy, space-age, metallic outfits for the promo". Jennifer Trevorrow from "Entertainment Wise" agreed saying "[they] look puurfect as they show off their trademark moves in a selection of colorful outfits and glamorous makeup". However some criticism did follow the video. Sound Savvy said, "all their videos look the same – sexy (and slightly slutty) get-ups, choreographed dance routines, and Nicole in the spotlight. Bottom line: ya seen one, ya seen ‘em all…*YAWN* Is their time up yet?"

Live performances

"Bottle Pop" was performed live for the first time at the 2008 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Doll Domination.