Aphrodite (song)
Dance-pop title track personifying the Greek goddess of love.
Kylie Minogue's 2010 album Aphrodite features a title track of the same name. Nerina Pallot and Andy Chatterley wrote and produced this dance-pop song, where Minogue takes on the persona of the Greek goddess of love. Released on 5 July 2010, it was later included on her December 2010 EP, A Christmas Gift.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Kylie Minogue
- Album
- Aphrodite
- Studio
- Electric Love (London, England)
- Genre
- Dance-pop, disco
- Label
- Parlophone
- Writer
- Andy Chatterley; Nerina Pallot
- Producer
- Andy Chatterley
- Nerina Pallot
- Stuart Price
Facts from the source article.
Background and composition
The song was written and produced by British singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot and her husband Andy Chatterley. Pallot and Chatterley also collaborated with Minogue on "Better than Today", the album's third single. Pallot described working with Minogue as fortunate, calling her accommodating, lovely, approachable, and normal. "Aphrodite" was also included on Minogue's seventh extended play A Christmas Gift alongside "Can't Beat the Feeling" and "Santa Baby", released on 1 December 2010. Musically, the track is a '90s-influenced dance-pop and disco song with a foot-stomping beat and military drummed instrumentation reminiscent of a marching band. Stuart Price compared it to Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" qualities. The lyrics present a dance anthem where Minogue brags about her sexual prowess and warns against confrontation, as in the lines "I'm fierce and I'm feeling mighty/Don't you mess with me, you don't wanna fight me".
Reception
Critics widely praised the song. Ian Wade of BBC Music said it would be the explosive highlight of Minogue's live performances. Kitty Empire of The Observer admired the production, claiming the song’s stereo panning and chutzpah magically elevate Minogue’s usual silliness. Bradley Stern of MuuMuse ranked it among the album’s best, alongside "Get Outta My Way," and noted that Minogue carries the sass well. Ben Norman of About.com called it entertaining but slightly muddled in theme and delivery. Tim Sendra of AllMusic labeled it a thumping album highlight that adds sass. Priya Elan of NME also singled it out as a standout. Robbie Daw of Idolator argued it would have made a stronger single than "Better than Today." In Belgium, the song entered the Dutch-speaking Flanders Ultratip chart at number 42 on February 12, 2011, climbed to its peak of number six on March 26, and remained on the chart for seven weeks. On the Belgian Airplay chart, it debuted and peaked at number 25 on March 12, staying for two weeks.
Live performances
"Aphrodite" was included in the setlist of Minogue's 2011 Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour, launched to promote the album. Minogue opened the concert shows with the title track, entering the stage surrounded by a large golden clamshell similar to the depiction of Venus in Sandro Botticelli's 1486 painting The Birth of Venus. Hannah Spencer of Contactmusic.com reviewed the performance positively, praising Minogue's confident vocals and noting that the opening track proved the 43-year-old was well and truly back for more with distinctive yet secure vocals.
More in Aphrodite
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced