The Boy Does Nothing: Difference between revisions

| genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[dance-pop]]|[[Mambo (music)|mambo]]|[[Swing music|swing]]|[[jazz]]}}

"'''The Boy Does Nothing'''" is a song performed by EnglishBritish singer-songwriter [[Alesha Dixon]]. It is the [[lead single]] from her second studio album, ''[[The Alesha Show]]'' (2008). The song was written by Alesha along with the help of [[Xenomania|Brian Higgins]], [[Miranda Cooper]], [[Carla Marie Williams]], and other members of [[Xenomania]].<ref name=written>{{cite web|accessdate=23 February 2009|url=http://www.geocities.com/xenomaniasite/aleshaboy.htm|publisher=[[GeoCities]]|title=The Xenomania Discography|last=Van Der Kamp|first=Aufrett|date=13 October 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022183023/http://geocities.com/xenomaniasite/aleshaboy.htm|archivedate=22 October 2009}}</ref> The single was her first since 2006 after "[[Knockdown (song)|Knockdown]]" was released in October of that year. It was also her first since signing with her new record label [[Asylum Records]].

The song, described as being "the stand-out track" on ''The Alesha Show'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-alesha-dixon-the-alesha-show-ndash-encore-asylum-1824450.html | work=The Independent | location=London | title=Album: Alesha Dixon, The Alesha Show – Encore (Asylum) | first=Andy | last=Gill | date=20 November 2009 | accessdate=25 May 2010 | archive-date=21 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821051059/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-alesha-dixon-the-alesha-show-ndash-encore-asylum-1824450.html | url-status=live}}</ref> received predominatelylargely goodpositive reviews and became a commercial success, charting within the top 10 on the majority charts it entered and entering the charts in over 20 different territories worldwide. The single was certified Gold in the United Kingdom and sold over 1 million copies worldwide.<ref name="900,000">{{cite news|author=Sarah Swain|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/features-editors-picks/alesha-and-i-are-a-team-its-like-a-second-marriage.13996565|title=Alesha and I are a team ... it's like a second marriage!|newspaper=[[Evening Times]]| date=9 June 2011 |accessdate=3 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054214/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/features-editors-picks/alesha-and-i-are-a-team-its-like-a-second-marriage.13996565|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1,000,000">{{cite news|url=http://instagram.com/p/rZ-4shNEtC/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/carlamarieuk/781932585301592898 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Photo by carlamarieuk|publisher=[[Instagram]]| date=7 August 2014 |accessdate=9 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Dixon stated that despite the title "The Boy Does Nothing", the song is "not a male-bashing kind of record,"<ref name="Talking Shop">{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7709237.stm |title= Talking Shop: Alesha Dixon |publisher= [[BBC]] | date= 7 November 2008 |accessdate= 5 August 2009 |archive-date= 10 November 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081110124347/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7709237.stm |url-status= live }}</ref> explaining that "the lyrical content is just cheeky more than anything".<ref name="Talking Shop"/>

Dixon had worked with [[Brian Higgins (producer)|Brian Higgins]], of [[Xenomania]], on her previous single, "[[Knockdown (song)|Knockdown]]", but it failed to enter the top 40 on the [[UK Singles Chart]], resulting in Dixon being dropped by her record label, [[Polydor Records]]. In early 2007, still with no recording contract, Dixon received a phone call from Higgins, who asked if she would like to continue working together.<ref name="Strictly Alesha's Show">{{cite news|url= http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/newsxtra/3868009.print/|title=This time it's strictly Alesha's show|newspaper=Dudley News | date=29 November 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2009|archive-date=25 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725185039/http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/newsxtra/3868009.print/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dixon stated, "The plan was to make the whole record with Brian without talking to any record labels, we were just going to wait until we had made something special and then approach people with a finished album."<ref name="Strictly Alesha's Show"/> However Dixon's profile was raised when she signed up to compete in ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', which she eventually won. Soon afterwards, Dixon signed a deal with [[Asylum Records]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a114433/alesha-discusses-record-label-axe.html |title=Music – News – Alesha discusses record label axe |website=Digital Spy |date=24 July 2008 |accessdate=23 November 2009 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007103844/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a114433/alesha-discusses-record-label-axe.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> "The Boy Does Nothing", by this time already written, was originally intended to be a [[jazz]] orientated track, but Dixon and Higgins decided to change the genre, incorporating [[Mambo (music)|mambo]] influences, due to her experience on ''Strictly Come Dancing''.<ref name="Strictly Alesha's Show"/> Dixon described the song as "a very tongue-in-cheek record"<ref name="Talking Shop"/> and Higgins likened the song to "bottled happiness".<ref name="Talking Shop"/>

"The Boy Does Nothing" is a pop[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]-[[Mambo (music)|mambo]] song with an [[up-tempo]] beat consisting of 88 [[beats per minute]].<ref name="sheet">{{cite web|url=http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/44523/Product.aspx |title=Alesha Dixon: The Boy Does Nothing|accessdate=7 March 2010|work=Sheet music direct.com|archive-date=2 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502012003/http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/44523/Product.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> The original key is [[E-flat minor|E{{music|flat}} minor]].<ref name="sheet"/> The instruments used were the bass guitar, drums, guitar and the keyboard.<ref>''The Alesha Show'' liner notes. [[Asylum Records]]</ref>

The lyrics focus on the men in Dixon's past relationships and their lazy attitudes. The chorus states her frustration with men not completing everyday [[housekeeping]] tasks; "Does he wash up? Never wash up/Does he clean up? No he never cleans up/Does he brush up? He never brushed up". In the final verse the lyrics state, "And if the man can't dance/He gets no second chance"; a reference to her refusal to date men if they cannot dance. In an interview Dixon explained in further detail about the lyric, saying "I have to be honest, I do like a man who can dance, but it's not a deal-breaker. It's nice if they can dance, but if they can't we'll just have to work on other areas!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a132930/alesha-dixon.html|title=Alesha Dixon|author=Nick Levine|date=19 October 2008|work=Digital Spy|access-date=22 November 2009|archive-date=20 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220100433/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a132930/alesha-dixon.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dixon performed her new single on the results show of ''Strictly Come Dancing'' on 19 October 2008, with the show's professional dancers, including her professional partner whilst on the show in 2007, [[Matthew Cutler]]. On 8 November, Dixon performed a 5-song set at London's [[G-A-Y]] [[Nightclub|Club]]. On 14 November, she presented and performed for [[Children in Need 2008]]. She presented at the beginning of the show in the [[BT Tower]], monitoring the calls and donations, and later performed in the [[BBC Television Centre]]. On Saturday 13 December, Dixon sang at [[Miss World 2008]],<ref>http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/blog,happy-christmas-from-alesha_23.htm{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> which is said to have been watched by over 2&nbsp;billion people worldwide. She also performed at [[GMTV]], and on 31 December 2008 she performed on the BBC as part of the New Year celebrations. On 20 February 2009 Dixon performed the single at Le Grand Journal on French TV to promote her single and album in France.<ref>{{cite avAV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_-HG3NKSTY|title=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> Alesha promoted the album in Spain, performing "The Boy Does Nothing" on ''[[Operación Triunfo (Spain)|Operación Triunfo]]'',<ref>http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/news,alesha-dixons-classic-performance-at-operacion-triunfo-in-spain_97.htm{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> a reality television show similar to ''[[Star Academy]]''. She also performed on other Spanish television shows, such as ''[[El Hormiguero]]''.{{cncitation needed|date=January 2020}} In Australia, the song was used to promote the 2009 season of the Australian ''[[Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' and has since seen an Australian release, seeing regular radio play. On 20 November 2009, Dixon performed "The Boy Does Nothing" as the opener to [[Children in Need 2009]], which she also co-hosted, alongside [[Terry Wogan]] and ''Strictly Come Dancing'' colleague [[Tess Daly]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8371905.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=In pictures: Children in Need 2009 | date=21 November 2009 | accessdate=25 May 2010}}</ref>

:"The Boy Does Nothing", a song that bears more than a passing resemblance to "[[Mambo No. 5]]", is a smart choice of comeback single from Dixon. She could easily have wiggled her hips to its salsa-pop rhythms on Strictly, and the cheeky, lighthearted lyrics suit her personality. "If the man can't dance, he gets no second chance," she sings towards the end. On this evidence, Dixon has grabbed hers by the horns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a132941/alesha-dixon-the-boy-does-nothing.html|title=Alesha Dixon: 'The Boy Does Nothing'|author=Nick Levine|date=19 October 2008|work=Digital Spy|access-date=9 June 2009|archive-date=9 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609210857/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a132941/alesha-dixon-the-boy-does-nothing.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

:Starts off like "Mambo No. 5". Ends up like [[Perez Prado]]'s "Guaglione". Has a brilliant "HEY!" bit in it. Has about 28 different [[Hook (music)|hooks]] and catchy bits. Will appeal as much to Strictly Come Dancing viewers as it does to annoying self-appointed internet pop 'sophisticates' like us lot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2991&Itemid=279|title=Popjustice – 100% Solid Pop Music|work=Popjustice|access-date=9 June 2009|archive-date=30 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930073903/http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2991&Itemid=279|url-status=live}}</ref>

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:theBDN.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Dixon flanked by her dancers in the video of "The Boy Does Nothing"]] -->

The video for "The Boy Does Nothing" is directed by the art director from the film ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]'', Michael Gracey, and Pete Commins. The choreography for the music video was created by [[Ashley Wallen]].<ref>{{cite avAV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8yhnwbDcrM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/k8yhnwbDcrM |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Alesha Dixon – The Boy Does Nothing [MAKING OF]|date=17 October 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The video, filmed in [[Tottenham]] Town Hall]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.real.com/music/blog/2008/12/11/alesha-dixon-interview|title=RealPlayer and RealTimes Official Homepage – Real.com|website=uk.real.com|accessdate=29 June 2017|archive-date=1 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201162709/http://uk.real.com/music/blog/2008/12/11/alesha-dixon-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> takes place in a theatre style [[ballroom]], where two children; one boy and one girl are spying from a balcony onto the stage below, with onethe gal worrying that they shouldn't be watching. Dixon is dancing on a stage wearing a yellow dress with six other girls dressed in pink. There are also around fifty other audience members, dressed in [[1945–1960 in fashion|1950s style clothing]], dancing along as well enjoying the show. Towards the end of the video, everyone starts to sing the last lines of the songs [[a cappella]], and various male dancers try to impress Dixon with their dancing while everyone repeats the verse "If the man can't dance, he gets no second chance".

"The Boy Does Nothing" was nominated in the 'best video' category at the 2009 [[MOBO Awards]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6095726/Mobo-Awards-2009-nominations-unveiled.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=Mobo Awards 2009 nominations unveiled | first=Anita | last=Singh | date=26 August 2009 | accessdate=25 May 2010 | archive-date=1 September 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901170535/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6095726/Mobo-Awards-2009-nominations-unveiled.html | url-status=live }}</ref> however the award was given to "[[Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)]]" by Beyoncé.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobo.com/2009|title=MOBO history – 1996 to the present day – MOBO Awards}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

"The Boy Does Nothing" debuted at No. 84 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. The single became her first solo single to reach the top 10, following a 76 spot jump from No. 84 to No. 8 on downloads alone, selling 27,683 copies. On 16 November 2008, "The Boy Does Nothing" had advanced to No. 5 on the chart after the physical release of the single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/c/uk/single_charts.html|title=Yahoo Celebrity UK|access-date=10 November 2008|archive-date=11 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811212612/http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The song spent 16 weeks in the UK Top 40. On the [[Irish Singles Chart]], the song peaked at No. 19 on 11 November 2008 and falling to No. 20 the following week.<ref>[{{Cite web |url=http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=24986&sort=chartid |title=Peak positions of ''The Boy Does Nothing''] |access-date=23 February 2009 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524214345/http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=24986&sort=chartid |url-status=live }}</ref>

On the [[Sverigetopplistan|Swedish Singles Top 60]] the song debuted at No. 30, becoming her first ever chart appearance in Sweden. The following week, it jumped a further eight places to No. 22. On 12 February 2009 the song peaked at No. 11. "The Boy Does Nothing" debuted in the top twenty on the Finnish Singles Chart at No. 19. The following week, it jumped to the No. 5. It has now reached a peak of number No. 2. The single entered the French Single Charts at No. 2. In Spain, the song debuted at No. 35. It jumped in the following weeks to No. 16, but the massive success came when she performed live the single in [[Operación Triunfo (Spain)|Operación Triunfo]], a famous talent show in Spain. After that performance "The Boy Does Nothing" jumped to No. 5, and peaked at No. 2 for three non-consecutive weeks. Finally it achieved 2× Platinum certification due to the 80,000 copies sold.

*Guitar: Nick Coler, [[Jason Resch]]

! scope="col"| Chart (2008–092008–2009)

{{singlechartsingle chart|Australia|8|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Austria|34|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Flanders|16|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Wallonia|18|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Czech Republic|1|year=2009|week=18}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Denmark|31|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Finland|2|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|France|2|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Germany2Germany|40|artist=Dixon,Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing|songid=528890|accessdate=21 May 2019}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Hungary|1|year=2009|week=35}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Ireland2|19|song=The Boy Does Nothing|accessdate=15 January 2020}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Italy|8|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|NorwayDutch100|35|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Scotland|3|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing|date=2008-11-1620081116}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Slovakia|16|year=2009|week=19}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Spain|2|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

| stylealign="text-align:center;"|5

{{singlechartsingle chart|Sweden|7|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|UK|5|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing|date=2008-11-1620081116}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|UKdownload|8|artist=Alesha Dixon|song=The Boy Does Nothing|date=2008-11-1620081116}}

{{singlechartsingle chart|Poland|53|year=2017|chartid=2342|accessdate=19 June 2017}}

|[[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="UK2009year">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusYE2009.pdf |title=Charts Plus Year end 2009 |publisher=Charts Plus |accessdate=19 July 2010 |archive-date=21 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821103352/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusYE2009.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

|Australian Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2009.htm|title=ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2009|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=9 January 2010|archive-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105205243/http://aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2009.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2009|title=Jaaroverzichten 2009|publisher=Ultratop|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-date=23 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723093957/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2009|title=Rapports Annuels 2009|publisher=Ultratop|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-date=31 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131041409/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Dutch Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2009|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2009|publisher=Dutch Top 40|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407113230/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Dutch Single Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2009&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2009|website=dutchcharts.nl|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-date=17 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217023539/https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2009&cat=s|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Hungarian Airplay Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2009|title=Éves összesített listák – MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 (súlyozott)|publisher=Mahasz|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-date=1 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501043929/http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

|Swedish Singles Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2009&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar – År 2009|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=Swedish|accessdate=17 January 2020|archive-date=8 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008120713/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2009&dspp=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

|[[Swiss Singles Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/year.asp?key=2009|title=2009 Year End Swiss Singles Chart|year=2009|accessdate=16 July 2010|publisher=[[Swiss Music Charts]]|archive-date=27 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527041505/http://swisscharts.com/year.asp?key=2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

|UK Singles Chart<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1039511&sectioncode=22 |title=Bad Romance is back on top|work=[[Music Week]]|quote= Total sales for 2009 was 882,059|last=John|first=Alan|accessdate=6 February 2010|date=30 January 2010|archive-date=19 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919220120/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1039511&sectioncode=22|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''The Boy Does Nothing''}}

| 18 January 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=24986&sort=chartid|title=The Boy Does Nothing release dates|publisher=top40-charts.com|accessdate=23 February 2009|archive-date=24 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524214345/http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=24986&sort=chartid|url-status=live}}</ref>

| 24 April 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warnermusic.de/aleshadixon/music/?allreleasespage%3D1 |title=ArchivedWarner copyMusic Germany - Alesha Dixon - Veröffentlichungen |accessdate=1 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930061826/http://www.warnermusic.de/aleshadixon/music/?allreleasespage=1 |archivedate=30 September 2011 }}</ref>