"Criticize" is a song by the American singer Alexander O'Neal, written by O'Neal and Jellybean Johnson. It was the second single from O'Neal's second solo album, Hearsay (1987). The song's distinctive backing vocals were performed by Lisa Keith.
Release
In the US, "Criticize" reached number four on the R&B chart, and number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Criticize" reached number four on the UK singles chart, becoming O'Neal's biggest hit in Britain, and in 2020 was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry. It reached number 14 on the Irish Singles Chart.
Music video
The music video was directed by Marcelo Anciano.
Track listing
- 12" Maxi (Tabu TBU 651158 6)
- "Criticize (Remix)" â 7:00
- "Criticize (Edit)" â 3:55
- "Criticize (A Cappella)" â 2:40
- "Criticize (Critical Mix)" â 5:30
- "Criticize (Critical Edit)" â 3:45
- "Criticize (Critical Dub)" â 4:30
- "Criticize (Nag Mix)" â 1:35
- "Criticize (Remix)" â 7:00
- "Criticize (Critical Mix)" â 5:30
- "Fake (Extended Version)" â 5:20
- 7" Single (Tabu 651158 7)
- "Criticize" â 4:00
- "A Broken Heart Can Mend" â 3:40
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.
Sales chart performance
Peak positions
Certifications
Re-recording
Alexander OâÂÂNeal re-recorded âÂÂCriticizeâ in 1998 with producers Errol Jones and John Girvan. The song was released as a commercial single, peaking at number 51 on the UK Singles Chart.
Track listing
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 Critical Yojo Working Radio Mix)" â 3:59
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 Chill Out Positivity Krew Radio Mix)" â 4:38
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 Critical Yojo Working Club Mix)" â 6:56
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 House Positivity Mix)" â 4:20
- UK 12â Single (OWET3)
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 Critical Yojo Working Club Mix)" â 6:56
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 Critical Yojo Working Radio Mix)" â 3:59
- "Criticize (âÂÂ98 Dub Mix)" â 4:38
- Germany 12â Single (0066260CLU)
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Club Vocal Mix)" â 7:22
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Ocean Dub)" â 6:05
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Subsonic Vocal Mix)" â 8:30
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Subsonic Dub)" â 7:52
- Germany 12â Single (0066540CLU)
- "Criticize (Stonebridge Club Mix)" â 9:52
- "Criticize (Critical Yojo Working Club Mix)" â 6:56
- "Criticize (Jamie Lewis Phat Club Mix)" â 7:49
- Italy 12â Single (BLUE012)
- "Criticize '99 (Jamie Lewis Phat Club Mix)" â 7:49
- "Criticize '99 (Harley & Muscle Deep House Mix)" â 7:54
- Italy 12â Single (BLUE013)
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Club Vocal Mix)" â 7:22
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Ocean Dub)" â 6:05
- "Criticize 1999 (Bini & Martini Sub Sonic Vocal Dub)" â 8:30
References