1994 single by 2 Unlimited
"The Real Thing" is a song recorded by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited, released in May 1994 as the first single from their third album, Real Things (1994). The song is co-written by bandmembers Ray Slijngaard and Anita Dels, and scored chart success in many European countries. It topped the charts in Finland and the Netherlands, while peaking at number two in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland. The song also was a top 10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the UK. It entered the Eurochart Hot 100 on 28 May at 30 and peaked at number-one three weeks later. Outside Europe, it peaked at number two in Israel and number 39 in Australia. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Nigel Simpkiss.
Composition
"The Real Thing" contains samples of Toccata and Fugue in D minor by German composer and musician Johann Sebastian Bach.[2] According to classicfm.com, it is considered one of the biggest pop songs to sample classical music in the last 25 years."[3]
Critical reception
In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote that this "is just what you would expect from 2 Unlimited. Fast, frantic and fatuous it's still enough to give them an eighth Top 10 hit out of 10 chart singles".[4] A reviewer from Music & Media commented, "In no time, chart positions are reported from the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. With this ABBAesque pop dance chorus many territories will follow."[5] Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five, adding that here, "[2 Unlimited] plough their usual frantic and bouncy techno furrow. The male rap/female singing combination still serves them well and, as usual, this is Top 10 bound."[6] Stuart Bailie from NME commented, "Imagine Bach writing his 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor' if he was rammed to the gills on turbo-power disco biscuits and allowed access to every crap rave slogan of the last five years."[7]
Scottish Perthshire Advertiser said, "They've found a new formula yet, but it'll still be a smash!"[8] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue noted that "it's clear here that 2 Unlimited were packing a punch with this song 'and we're not gonna stop until we reach the highest top', sings Anita."[9] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update declared it as a "typically cheesy frantic pop galloper".[10] Tim Marsh from Select stated that it "has a funky key riff".[11] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, commenting, "ditching their heavy heavy techno techno for a bit of a housey classical vibe, the 'Limited look set to continue their near unblemished run of chart hits."[12]
Chart performance
"The Real Thing" peaked at number one in Finland, Lithuania and the Netherlands, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. The single reached number two in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, and it was also a top-10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it reached to number six on 22 May 1994, during its second week on the UK Singles Chart,[13] while peaking at number 12 on the UK Dance Singles Chart. In addition, the song was a top-20 hit in Iceland, reaching number 14. Outside Europe, "The Real Thing" peaked at number two in Israel, number 22 in New Zealand and number 39 in Australia. The single has sold 633,000 copies worldwide.[14]
Airplay
"The Real Thing" entered the European airplay chart Border Breakers at number 12 on 4 June due to crossover airplay in East Central-, West-, Central-, Northwest- and North-European regions, and peaked at the third position on 2 July.[15]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "The Real Thing" was directed by Nigel Simpkiss and produced by Swivel Films.[16] It was released in the UK in May 1994, receiving heavy rotation on MTV Europe[17] and Germany's VIVA, where it was A-listed.[18] Slijngaard told Melody Maker, "The new look's a bit 'Terminator'. There's a guy on skates with, uh, all computer things and lights, and those two [Steve and Claire, the 2U dancers] are just boogieing away. It's gonna be fast, you know?"[19]
