Wikipedia

Satisfaction (Benny Benassi song)

"Satisfaction" is a song by Italian DJ Benny Benassi. It was released in Italy on 5 January 2002 as the lead single from his album Hypnotica. Using MacinTalk, the song's vocals consist of two speech synthesizers, one male and one female, repeatedly saying "Push me and then just touch me till I can get my satisfaction". The track was Benassi's debut single and most successful song, peaking at number two in the United Kingdom and earning a gold certification in Australia, Belgium, France, and the United States. As of August 2014, it was the 54th best-selling single of the 21st century in France, with 382,000 units sold.[2]

"Satisfaction"
simple stylized humanoid outlines, one pink and one blue, with the pink one having a hole in the crotch and the blue one having a phallic cylinder in the same location
The cover of "Satisfaction"
Single by Benny Benassi presents The Biz
from the album Hypnotica
Released5 January 2002 (2002-01-05)
GenreElectro house
Length6:56[1]
LabelD:vision
Songwriter(s)Alle Benassi
Producer(s)Benny Benassi
Benny Benassi singles chronology
"Satisfaction"
(2002) 		"Able to Love"
(2003)
Audio sample
Benny Benassi presents The Biz - "Satisfaction" (Isak original edit)
Alternative cover
CD single – version by Benny Benassi and the Biz

"Satisfaction" is considered to be the forerunner of electro house that brought the genre into the mainstream.[3]

Background and composition

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Benassi stated that the inspiration for “Satisfaction” came from his personal experiences as a DJ and the desire to create a track that would connect with people on a deeper level. He aimed to capture the feeling that occurs on the dance floor when the music takes control and unites a crowd as one. Benassi explained that the identifying melody of the song was brought to him by his cousin Alle Benassi: "When my cousin came to the studio after his tour in Tunisia, he played me a bunch of notes." Alle told DJ Mag: "When I was in Tunisia I was playing the clarinet in my room and there was a traffic jam under the street. And it fixed a bunch of notes into my brain". Following the composition of the instrumental they needed a vocal part, but according to Benassi "getting a vocalist" in Italy wasn't easy, so he "tried with this vocoder".[4] Additionally, the song draws influence from electronic and techno music that was popular during the early 2000s.[citation needed] The track is in the key of B major and plays at 130 beats per minute.[5]

Music videos

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Benny Benassi

The first version of the music video features the three men and the woman on the cover of Hypnotica. It consists of one three-second take of the four people turning to face the camera and smile, played in slow-motion to match the length of the song. Overlaid are various animations including close-up pictures of the lips of a man and a woman singing along to the song. This music video was barely played on music channels, although in some countries, it replaced the "construction" version.

The second version of the music video features women in skimpy construction outfits. The video plays almost as a musical advertisement for a variety of power tools. All are used in a sexual manner. This version was mainly relegated to nighttime hours. It stars British lad mag models Jerri Byrne, Rachel Hallett, Thekla Roth and Natasha Mealey, American Playboy Playmate Suzanne Stokes and British Page 3 girl model turned porn star and escort[6] Lena Franks.

Remakes

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In 2008, men from Viborg, Denmark, got together to re-enact the music video with middle-aged men.[7] It gained some popularity in Denmark and was covered on TV.[8]

On the International Women's Day in 2011, the women's associations of the General Federation of Belgian Labour and Socialistische Partij Anders released a "Granny Remake" of the original video. It was made to raise awareness of the gender pay gap by showing the scantily clad women still working the same jobs at 60–70 years of age.[9]

2018 Russian protest parodies

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In late 2017, cadets at Russia's Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation marked the end of their term by making a parody of the video that drew on a similar parody four years earlier by British soldiers.[10] Wearing just their uniform caps and ties, belts worn around their shoulders, underwear (with the crotches stuffed) and black boots, the cadets twerked, gyrated suggestively, performed maintenance tasks and cleanup in a fashion similar to the video as the cameraman moved from one to the other in their dormitory. The video, which soon went viral, had strong homoerotic elements and suggestions of BDSM culture.[10]

Officials at the institute, described as the oldest and most prestigious pilot training school in Russia, were furious, particularly since the cadets had used school property and worn their uniform caps. Sergey Krasov, the institute's director, said: "If they had joked like that at home, nobody would have batted an eyelid."[11] Shortly after the video became a subject of national discussion,[12] the Federal Air Transport Agency convened a commission to investigate the video and identify the cadets, believed to be in their first year at the institute, who had made it. "Frivolous dances in underwear with the uniform cap of the Institute covering the face on the grounds of the aviation university are unacceptable" the agency said. Any cadets it found to be involved could face expulsion.[13]

While some prominent Russian commentators expressed similar outrage on government-run television channels, many more sympathized with the cadets, and made videos of their own in support of them. Most were from other groups of students at trade schools for farmers, construction workers and emergency services, but the Russian women's biathlon team also made one. A Ukrainian swim club filmed part of its video underwater, and a group of retired women living in a St. Petersburg communal apartment contributed their own. Russian American journalist Masha Gessen wrote in The New Yorker that the videos were an unexpected and widespread protest against the state's anti-LGBT policies. "Each clip is at once a show of solidarity with a group of young strangers and a show of ordinary people’s ability to organize and act together—an ability that the state would seem to have stamped out."[12]

Legacy

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"Satisfaction" is credited for playing a pivotal role in shaping the electronic music scene and solidifying Benny Benassi’s status as a leading figure in the genre. The song’s success opened doors for both Benassi and the genre as a whole, bringing electronic music further into the mainstream and gaining recognition from a broader audience.[14] "Satisfaction" is also considered to be the forerunner of electro house that brought the genre into the mainstream.[15]

Sampling and other versions

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David Guetta released his remix of the track in 2022
  • American rapper Ludacris sampled "Satisfaction" in his song "Ultimate Satisfaction" for his 2006 album Release Therapy.
  • Cuban-American DJ Laz used the song's instrumental in his song "Move Shake Drop".
  • American rapper Flo Rida's "Touch Me" from his 2009 album R.O.O.T.S. also interpolates parts of "Satisfaction".
  • On August 12, 2022, French DJ and producer David Guetta released his remix of "Satisfaction". The Guetta remix mixes the original track's sound with future rave music. Keeping Benassi's synthesizers and vocoders intact, Guetta added "eerie arpeggios" and a "thumping electro sound design" to the track.[16] Talking about the making of the remix, Guetta said “I actually first remixed the track as a sound design exercise for myself, but I liked the sound of it so much that I started playing it in my sets. The reactions of the crowd were so crazy that I had to release it!”. Benassi also spoke about the 2022 remix of his track: “I’ve known David for over 20 years. I remember I would get messages from resident DJs in Ibiza who heard David playing "Satisfaction" at Pacha two decades ago! So he was definitely one of the very first supporters of the original version, and when he played me his initial idea for this new version, I totally loved it. He’s made it current again, it’s very Ibiza with a really great intro and it’s perfect for today’s DJ sets. I played it out for the first time in Mykonos and people went crazy. Everyone was asking me what it was. I am really excited about this collab!”[17]

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57] Gold 35,000^
Belgium (BEA)[58] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[59] Gold 250,000*
Italy (FIMI)[60] Gold 50,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[61]
David Guetta Remix 		Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[63] Gold 500,000^

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

Release history

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Region Release date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Italy 12 June 2002 12-inch vinyl D:vision [64]
United Kingdom 14 July 2003
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Data [65]
Australia 21 July 2003 CD Hussle [66]

References

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  1. ^ "Hypnotica: Benny Benassi". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Top 100 des singles les plus vendus du millénaire en France, épisode 5 (60-51)". Chartsinfrance. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Benny Benassi Announces New Album". Noiseporn. Retrieved 1 March 2018. The chart-topping track paved the way for Benassi's career and for what we know today as electro house.
  4. ^ "The Story Behind Benny Benassi's 'Satisfaction'".
  5. ^ https://songbpm.com/benny-benassi/satisfaction [bare URL]
  6. ^ "Lena Franks in London". 2016.
  7. ^ Christian Hald (6 February 2009). "Sexede, halvnøgne Viborg-mænd scorer på YouTube" (in Danish). Århus Stiftstidende.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ Lars Fjord Nielsen. "Nyheder" (in Danish). DR1. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021.
  9. ^ Marc van Gurp (8 March 2011). "Satisfaction: the Granny Remake for EqualPayday". Osocio. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ a b Antonova, Maria (24 January 2018). What Homoerotic Videos Can Teach Us About Modern Russia. New York Times. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
    army satisfaction. 8 February 2013. YouTube. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  11. ^ Sharkov, Damien (17 January 2018). "Topless Russian Students Spark Scandal With Viral Dance Video". Newsweek. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  12. ^ a b Gessen, Masha (22 January 2018). "How Russia's Hilarious, Homoerotic "Satisfaction" Became a Meme of Solidarity". The New Yorker. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Росавиация проводит проверку случая с курсантами ФГБОУ ВО "Ульяновский институт гражданской авиации имени Главного маршала авиации Б.П. Бугаева"" [Rosaviyatsiya Conducts Investigation of the Case of the Ulyanovsk Civil Aviation Institute Cadets in the Boris Bugayev Dorm] (Press release) (in Russian). Federal Air Transport Agency. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018. Фривольные танцы в нижнем белье с форменной фуражкой Института, прикрывающей лица, на территории авиационного вуза недопустимы.
  14. ^ "Benny Benassi 'Satisfaction': Looking Back at Sensational Hit & Music Video". October 2023.
  15. ^ "Benny Benassi Announces New Album". Noiseporn. Retrieved 1 March 2018. The chart-topping track paved the way for Benassi's career and for what we know today as electro house.
  16. ^ "Celebrate 20 Years of Benny Benassi's Iconic "Satisfaction" with David Guetta's New Remix". 12 August 2022.
  17. ^ "20 years on Benny Benassi and David Guetta get their Satisfaction". 15 August 2022.
  18. ^ Satisfaction (Italian CD single liner notes). Benny Benassi. D:vision Records. 2003. DV 340/03 CDS.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Satisfaction (German CD single liner notes). Benny Benassi. ZYX Music. 2003. ZYX 9618-5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Satisfaction (UK CD single liner notes). Benny Benassi. Data Records, Ministry of Sound. 2003. DATA58CDS.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Satisfaction (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Benny Benassi. Data Records, Ministry of Sound. 2003. DATA58T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ Satisfaction (UK cassette single sleeve). Benny Benassi. Data Records, Ministry of Sound. 2003. DATA58MCS.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ Satisfaction (US CD single liner notes). Benny Benassi. You. 2003. YOU017-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ Satisfaction (Australian CD single liner notes). Benny Benassi. Hussle Recordings. 2003. HUSSYCD5031.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  26. ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA Club Tracks – 16th June 2003" (PDF). ARIA. 16 June 2003. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Issue 701" ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  29. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  30. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction". Tracklisten. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  31. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 22, no. 32. 2 August 2003. p. 7. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  32. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  33. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  34. ^ IFPI Greece Top 50 Singles Chart
  35. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  36. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Satisfaction". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  37. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 32, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  39. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Editia 37, saptamina 29.09-05-10, 2003". Archived from the original on 14 May 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  40. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  41. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  42. ^ "Benny Benassi – Satisfaction". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  43. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  44. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  45. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  46. ^ "Benny Benassi Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard.
  47. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003". ARIA. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  48. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Club Chart 2003". ARIA. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  49. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Dance Singles 2003". ARIA. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  50. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2003" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  51. ^ "Rapports annuels 2003" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  52. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2003" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2003". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2003. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  54. ^ "Single top 100 over 2003" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  56. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  57. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  58. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2003". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  59. ^ "French single certifications – Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  60. ^ "Italian single certifications – Benny Benassi – Satisfaction" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 28 August 2023. Select "2023" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Satisfaction" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  61. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 April 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Satisfaction in the search box.
  62. ^ "British single certifications – Benny Benassi pts The Biz – Satisfaction". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  63. ^ "American single certifications – Benny Benassi – Satisfaction". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  64. ^ "Benny Benassi electro anthem 'Satisfaction' turns 18 years old". 14 June 2020.
  65. ^ "Reviews – For Records Released on 14 July 2003" (PDF). Music Week. 5 July 2003. p. 17. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  66. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st July 2003" (PDF). ARIA. 21 July 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2003. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
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