Cleopatra's Theme

"Cleopatra's Theme"
Single by Cleopatra
from the album Comin' Atcha!
Released2 February 1998 (1998-02-02)
Length4:09 (album version)
3:51 (radio edit)
LabelWEA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Damien Mendis
  • Stuart Bradbury
Cleopatra singles chronology
"Cleopatra's Theme"
(1998) 		"Life Ain't Easy"
(1998)

"Cleopatra's Theme" is a song by British R&B girl group Cleopatra from their first album, Comin' Atcha! (1998). Released by WEA as the group's debut single, it reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was their only song to reach the top 40 in the United States, where Cleopatra promoted the song by appearing on several children's programming blocks.[1]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Are ya ready for the female equivalent of Hanson? This UK teen trio has already won the ardent approval of kids throughout much of Europe on the strength of a light-funk groove, a candy-sweet chorus, and charmingly girlish harmonies. Precocious lead singer Cleopatra Higgins has the makings of a baby diva, as she vamps with a surprisingly soulful hand." He added further, "Early reaction from top 40 programmers here hints that this adorable sister act's music will be on the lips of mall America within seconds. "Cleopatra's Theme" is just one of numerous tasty treats to be discovered on the forthcoming full-length debut, Comin' Atcha! You'll be hearing just about all of 'em soon enough."[2]

Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel said, "Granted, this song is infectious, especially when the girls' voices sweep together into the light R&B hook."[3] A reviewer from Music Week gave "Cleopatra's Theme" four out of five, adding, "Take three currently successful music trends — all-girl groups, teenage exuberance and R&B — combine in one neat package and provide an infectious, radio-friendly debut single for this attractive trio. They can't fail."[4] Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror gave it nine out of ten, concluding, "This group of hip-hopping Manchester teens are some serious soul divas in the making. Keep a look out."[5]

Music video

The music video for the song, directed by Max & Daria consists of the girls singing and dancing in their room, after being told by their mother to turn the television off. It received airplay on U.S. channels, such as Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, MTV, and BET.

Track listings

  • UK, European, Australian, and Japanese CD single[6][7]
  1. "Cleopatra's Theme" (radio edit) – 3:51
  2. "Cleopatra's Theme" (D+A mix) – 4:17
  3. "Cleopatra's Theme" (Brooklyn Funk R&B mix) – 5:11
  4. "Cleopatra's Theme" (Brooklyn Funk club mix) – 6:08
  5. "Cleopatra's Theme" (Booker T's Mass Fusion Lick) – 5:52
  • UK cassette single and US CD single[8][9]
  1. "Cleopatra's Theme" (radio edit) – 3:51
  2. "Cleopatra's Theme" (D+A mix) – 4:17

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[31] Gold 25,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 200,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 2 February 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 WEA [33]
United States 2 June 1998
[34]
Japan 25 June 1998 CD WEA Japan [35]

References

  1. ^ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (11 July 1998). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 28. p. 86.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry, ed. (6 June 1998). "Reviews & Previews: New & Noteworthy" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 23. p. 20. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  3. ^ Campbell, Chuck (10 July 1998). "Junkies Find Their Way 'Home'". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  4. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1998. p. 27. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  5. ^ Hyland, Ian (1 February 1998). "Best singles". Sunday Mirror.
  6. ^ Cleopatra's Theme (UK, European & Australian CD single liner notes). Cleopatra. WEA. 1998. WEA133CD, 3984 21971 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Cleopatra's Theme (Japanese CD single liner notes). Cleopatra. WEA Japan. 1998. WPCR-1965.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Cleopatra's Theme (UK cassette single sleeve). Cleopatra. WEA. 1998. WEA133C, 3984 21972 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Cleopatra's Theme (US CD single liner notes). Cleopatra. Warner Bros. Records, Maverick. 1998. 9 17229-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 9. 28 February 1998. p. 10. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  14. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  16. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Cleopatra's Theme". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  21. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  22. ^ "Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  23. ^ "Cleopatra: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  24. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  25. ^ "Cleopatra Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  26. ^ "Cleopatra Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  27. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1998" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Rapports annuels 1998" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1998". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  30. ^ "End of Year Charts 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  32. ^ "British single certifications – Cleopatra – Cleopatra's Theme". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  33. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 31 January 1998. p. 31. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  34. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1250. 29 May 1998. pp. 73, 79.
  35. ^ "クレオパトラのテーマ | クレオパトラ" [Cleopatra's Theme | Cleopatra] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 30 August 2023.