Released 3 May 2013 Length 3:35 | Genre Electronic | |
Format Digital download, promo Label Warner Music Finland
Studio Killers Records Writer(s) Studio Killers, Rob Davis | ||
"Jenny" is a song written, produced and performed by the virtual band Studio Killers, released in May 2013 as the fourth single from their self-titled debut studio album. Played in the key of B major, the song, inspired by singer Chubby Cherry's crush with a person named Jenny, discusses a girl falling in love with her best friend. The single was a number-two hit on the Finnish Singles Chart, and was received positively by critics.
Contents
Production and composition
Studio Killers wrote, produced and performed "Jenny", with additional songwriting done by Rob Davis. Goldie Foxx and Dyna Mink made the instrumental beat, while Chubby Cherry wrote the melody and lyrics and performed the vocals. According to Chubby Cherry, this was one of the songs she wrote before forming Studio Killers. It was inspired by a crush Cherry had on a person named Jenny. She said the lyrics "sort of changed along the way because [Goldie Foxx and Dyna Mink] added some of their feelings with my feelings and it became kind of intriguing." About the song having to do with lesbian relationships, the most discussed topic in Finland at the time the song was released, the group thought "it should be nothing to shy away from." Lyrically the song describes a relationship with two women, in which one of them, Jenny, has a boyfriend. According to Popmatters writer Ryan Lathan, "it appears her dearest pal is stealing things out of her room and sleeping with her shirt as if it were a pillowcase. [The narrator] then is suggesting Jenny "forget those amigos" and shack up with her."
"Jenny" is a "half Europop, half commercial house" steel drum-filled track, with "a little bit of a Caribbean-meets-Mediterranean flair". The original track includes an accordion performed by Le Chien de Paris and steel drums played by Miguel Barradas. The song was mixed by James F. Reynolds, and later mastered by Dick Beetham at 360 Mastering in London. The track lasts for three minutes and 36 seconds, and is performed in B major at a tempo of 134 beats per minute. Writers noted the song's similar groove to Edward Maya's "Stereo Love".
Release and reception
"Jenny" is the seventh track off Studio Killers' self-titled debut album, and was issued as the fourth single off the album, the third in Finland. The band released a two-minute preview of the song on their official SoundCloud page on 1 May. The single was released on 3 May to digital music stores in Finland by Warner Music, and later a CD promotional single came out on 11 May in Finland by Studio Killers Records. The song debuted at number 18 on the Finnish Singles Chart, reaching number two on the chart, as well as peaking number three on both Finland's download chart and Billboard's Finland Digital Songs chart.
"Jenny" has received a positive critical reception, with critics calling the song "an obvious must-listen for your beach (and/or light stalking) playlists", "this summer's surprise hit waiting to happen," and "Another hit out of the park for Studio Killers". A writer for Scandipop said the song sounded like the group "abandoned the (admittedly hugely endearing) eccentricities of their previous singles, and instead concentrated on making a straightforward pop banger, that would simultaneously unite listeners and ignite amyl fumes." It is Chubby Cherry's favourite track off Studio Killers, saying that it "holds a personal place in my heart."
Personnel
Credits from liner notes of Studio Killers: