Number 1 (Goldfrapp song)

2005 singly by Goldfrapp

"Number 1" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song features a synthesiser and bass guitar arrangement and was written about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last. The song was released as the album's second single in October 2005 to positive reviews from music critics. It was a commercial success, reaching the top 40 on the majority of the charts it appeared, and topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song has been remixed a number of times and was featured in advertising campaigns for the US retail company Target.

"Number 1" is a mid tempo electronic love song about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last. The song was composed as a collaborative effort between Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory in late 2004 in the countryside of Bath, England. According to Goldfrapp, the song's lyrics are "a little bit more reflective and sensual" than those she had composed on Felt Mountain (2000) and Black Cherry (2003). "Number 1" is written in the common verse chorus form and features instrumentation from synthesisers and a bass guitar. It contains a synth and bass arrangement that the duo would use frequently on the rest of Supernature. Most of the song was composed on an old Roland String synth keyboard because Goldfrapp enjoyed the sounds that it exudes. The video is set in a plastic surgery clinic where the staff and the patients, except Alison Goldfrapp, have a dog's head and a human body. The video's theme is a reference to the song's lyrics in which Goldfrapp sings "I'm like a dog to get you". The video depicts the story of a white poodle who is being operated on by Great Dane and Yorkshire Terrier surgeons (the receptionist and attendant nurses are saluki). Scenes of Alison Goldfrapp acting like a dog and dancing with the clinic's staff are intercut throughout the video. The video premiered in the UK in early October 2005. The duo performed only one concert in North America at the Nokia Theatre in New York City on 5 December 2005. The US concert sold out rapidly, which overwhelmed Goldfrapp who did not expect the large turnout. In late 2006, "Number 1" was featured in Christmas advertising campaigns for the US retail company Target. The song, along with "Fly Me Away", was featured in six winter themed television commercials. "Number 1" was released as a various formats throughout the world. In the United Kingdom, a CD single was distributed on 31 October 2005. While most territories received a CD single and digital download release, the single was also issued as a vinyl single in November 2005 in the UK. A DVD single was also issued and included the "Postcards from the Summer" music video and a special performance film for "Satin Chic".

"Number 1" received positive reviews from music critics. MusicOMH. com's Michael Hubbard described it as a "warmer, calmer and cosier" song than previous single "Ooh La La", and wrote that "it maintains those Numanoid synth riffs that Goldfrapp now do so well". AllMusic gave the song a strong review, indicating it as a track pick from the album, commenting that "Number 1" "nails the laid back sexiness that many of the other slower songs [on Supernature] attempt". Stylus Magazine gave Supernature a C+ rating but called the song "refreshing and effective", while About. com wrote that the track was "a stunning profession of love served up over electronic burbles and bouncy bass."

"Number 1" entered the UK Singles Chart on 7 November 2005 at number nine, remaining on the chart for four weeks. while Pop Journalism Magazine called the remix "dismal" and a poor choice. Braxe and Falk also created two other remixes, "Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Club Remix" and "Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Instrumental Remix", which appeared on the UK vinyl single. Icelandic electronic group Múm created the "Múm Remix", which provided the song with a minimalist ambient sound. The remix was included on Goldfrapp's remix album We Are Glitter in 2006, and the home console version of the dancing video game Dance Dance Revolution SuperNOVA 2 in 2007. A cover version by Jont appears on the 2007 compilation album, The Saturday Sessions: The Dermot O'Leary Show.