"Praise You," a rather insistent little earworm, emerged from the sonic forge of the English maestro of big beat, Fatboy Slim. It was unleashed upon the unsuspecting masses as the third single from his sophomore effort, You've Come a Long Way, Baby, in the year of our lord 1999, specifically on January 4th. This track didn't just chart; it conquered, reaching the coveted number one spot in the United Kingdom and Iceland, a respectable fourth place in the vast expanse of Canada, sixth in the Emerald Isle of Ireland, and a solid 36th in the United States. By the close of 1999, it had shifted over 150,000 units in the US, a testament to its undeniable, if sometimes grating, appeal.
Sampling: A Culinary Collage of Sound
The true genius, or perhaps the sheer audacity, of "Praise You" lies in its intricate tapestry of samples. It’s not merely a song; it’s a meticulously curated sonic buffet, drawing from no fewer than nine distinct sources. The most prominent vocal thread is undeniably the opening of "Take Yo' Praise" by the formidable Camille Yarbrough, a voice that injects the track with a soulful, almost gospel-like fervor. But the sonic architecture doesn't stop there. A significant piano sample is lifted from "Balance and Rehearsal," a track from a rather esoteric 1973 test album released by the audio behemoth JBL. This particular recording session was for a piece titled "Captain America," sung by Hoyt Axton, and a faint echo of Axton's humming can indeed be detected in the album version of "Praise You," tucked away like a hidden Easter egg on You've Come a Long Way, Baby.
The sampling spree continues with a guitar flourish pilfered from the opening bars of "It's a Small World," a rather saccharine piece found on the Disneyland Records album Mickey Mouse Disco. Then there’s Michael Gray's theme from the animated escapades of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, a snippet of which makes its way into the mix. The electric piano riff? That’s courtesy of the Steve Miller Band and their track "Lucky Man." And for a touch of gritty texture, we have a guitar swell borrowed from Billy Squier's "You Should Be High Love." Even the percussive backbone is a composite, with drum beats sourced from "What'd I Say" by Rare Earth, "Joe Bell" by Isaac Hayes, and "Running Back To Me" by Ruby. It’s a testament to Norman Cook’s (aka Fatboy Slim) ability to weave disparate sonic threads into a surprisingly cohesive, and undeniably catchy, whole.
Camille Yarbrough herself, when interviewed in 2021, expressed her approval of Fatboy Slim’s use of her vocals, noting that he had managed to preserve the essential spirit of "Take Yo' Praise." It’s a rare instance where sampling isn’t just appropriation, but a form of sonic collaboration, albeit one-sided and certainly uncompensated in any meaningful way.
Music Video: Guerrilla Tactics and Unintentional Genius
The visual accompaniment to "Praise You" is, in itself, a piece of art born from unconventional means. Directed by the inimitable Spike Jonze, with a nod to Roman Coppola, the video saw Jonze adopting the persona of "Richard Koufey," leading a troupe known as the fictional Torrance Community Dance Group. The opening credits rather grandly declared it "A Torrance Public Film Production," a statement that, in hindsight, is dripping with irony.
The entire production was executed in a guerrilla-style manner. This meant no permits, no permissions, just pure, unadulterated nerve. Filmed on location outside the Fox Bruin Theater in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, the scene unfolded before a backdrop of bewildered onlookers. Jonze, heavily disguised, along with his "dance group," launched into a spontaneous, unannounced performance, effectively creating a flash mob before the term was even common parlance. Their impromptu dance session was eventually, and rather anticlimactically, shut down by a theater employee who, understandably perturbed, switched off their portable stereo. One of the dancers, Michael Gier, even documented the chaotic making of the video on his personal website.
The genesis of this iconic video is as quirky as its execution. Jonze, having been unable to collaborate with Fatboy Slim on the video for "The Rockafeller Skank," sent Cook a solo dance video of himself performing to "Skank" as a sort of consolation prize, or perhaps a creative offering. Cook, it turns out, was so taken with Jonze’s unorthodox submission that he gave the green light for the fictional Torrance Community Dance Group to bring "Praise You" to life. Cook himself admitted he preferred this low-fi, spontaneous creation over the video for "The Rockafeller Skank," a sentiment that speaks volumes about the unpredictable nature of creative synergy.
Cook makes a fleeting appearance in the video himself, a curious observer among the crowd, his gaze drawn to the spectacle unfolding before him. He's most clearly visible at the video’s conclusion, peering over Jonze’s shoulder as the "b-boy moves" are attributed to a stint in New York City.
The entire endeavor was reportedly accomplished on a shoestring budget of a mere US$800, a figure that seems almost laughably modest given the video's enduring cultural impact.
The "Praise You" video was a critical darling, snagging three significant awards at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards: Breakthrough Video, Best Direction (credited to the "Torrance Community Dance Group"), and Best Choreography (awarded to "Richard Koufey & Michael Rooney"). It also received a nomination for Best Dance Video, though it didn't clinch that particular prize. The group even graced the awards ceremony with a live dance performance. By 2001, in a poll celebrating the 20th anniversary of MTV, the video was lauded as the best of all time, a remarkable achievement for a project born from such humble, almost accidental, beginnings.
Accolades and Chart Performance: A Global Footprint
"Praise You" left an indelible mark on the global music charts. In 1999, it ascended to the pinnacle in the United Kingdom and Iceland, demonstrating its broad appeal. Canada welcomed it at number four, while Ireland placed it at number six. The United States saw it reach number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song’s success was further recognized with a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2000. It also garnered significant attention at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, where it triumphed in multiple categories, as detailed above. Beyond these major accolades, the song found its way onto numerous year-end charts, solidifying its status as a defining track of its era.
Track Listings: A Symphony of Variations
The release of "Praise You" was accompanied by a variety of formats, each offering slightly different sonic experiences. The UK and Australian CD single featured the radio edit, the full album version, the B-side "Sho Nuff," and a remix of "The Rockafeller Skank" by Mulder. The UK 12-inch single presented the main track and "Sho Nuff" on opposing sides, a classic vinyl pairing. A UK cassette single mirrored the CD offerings.
European CD singles provided both the radio edit and the full album version. In the US, CD, 12-inch, and cassette singles all included "Praise You," "Sho Nuff," and the Mulder remix of "The Rockafeller Skank." The Japanese CD single, however, was the most comprehensive, offering the full version, radio edit, "Sho Nuff," the "Rockafeller Skank" remix, and an additional track, "How Can You Hear Us?"
Personnel: The Architects of the Sound
The sonic construction of "Praise You" was primarily the work of Fatboy Slim himself. His studio arsenal included the distinctive tones of the Studio Electronics SE-1 and Roland TB-303 synthesizers, the sampling capabilities of the Akai S950, and programming on an Atari ST. The instantly recognizable sampled lead vocals belonged to Camille Yarbrough, whose contribution was pivotal to the song's identity.
Charts and Certifications: A Global Stamp of Approval
The chart performance of "Praise You" was nothing short of impressive, reflecting its widespread popularity. It secured top positions in the UK, Iceland, and even on the US Dance Club Songs chart in 2019. The song also performed admirably across Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Its commercial success was further validated by certifications in several key markets. Brazil awarded it a Gold certification, Italy recognized it with a Gold status, and the United Kingdom certified it a remarkable 2× Platinum, indicating sales exceeding 1.2 million units. These figures underscore the song's significant commercial impact.
Release History: A Phased Global Rollout
The single's release was strategically managed across different territories. It first hit the shelves in the United Kingdom on 4 January 1999, available on 12-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette, distributed by Skint Records. Japan followed shortly after on 20 February 1999, with a CD release. The United States saw its release on 23 February 1999 across multiple formats, courtesy of Astralwerks, with its push to contemporary hit radio commencing on 9 March 1999.
Other Versions: Echoes and Reinventions
"Praise You" has proven to be a fertile ground for reinterpretation. In 2017, Hannah Grace, accompanied by the London Contemporary Voices Choir, recorded a version for a Lloyds Bank advertising campaign. Grace’s rendition notably incorporated an additional refrain featuring lyrics from Yarbrough's original composition.
The track received a modern update in 2018 with a remix by Purple Disco Machine, a version that itself climbed to the number one spot on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. More recently, in 2023, British artist Rita Ora released a re-worked version titled "Praising You," featuring Fatboy Slim himself. This iteration found prominence after being featured in the film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.
In Media and Pop Culture: A Ubiquitous Presence
The enduring appeal of "Praise You" is evident in its frequent appearances across various media. It soundtracked a pivotal scene in the 1999 film Cruel Intentions, accompanying Sebastian Valmont and Annette Hargrove on their drive. The song was also included on the film’s official soundtrack album. In the same year, the season 3 finale of the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan, titled "A Day in the Life," utilized the song during a montage honoring the late cast member David Strickland.
More recently, the song has featured in advertisements for brands such as Forevermark Diamonds (a cover version sung by Jon Kenzie in 2017), Grubhub (an instrumental rendition in 2020), and Advil (Hannah Grace's version in 2020). It has also found its way into beloved television series: it played during the prom scene in the 1999 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "The Prom," during a tense moment in The Story of Tracy Beaker in 2002, and at the poignant conclusion of the Derry Girls 2022 episode "Halloween." Even the chaotic world of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia featured Dee Reynolds roller-skating to the track in a 2021 episode. Most recently, the song provided a soundtrack to a montage in the 2024 documentary The Blue Angels and played prominently in the opening of the 2024 film Y2K. Its persistent presence across film, television, and advertising speaks to its undeniable cultural resonance.