"Ooh La La"
Single by Britney Spears
from the album The Smurfs 2: Music from and Inspired By
B-side"Vacation"
ReleasedJune 17, 2013 (2013-06-17)
GenreSynth-pop
Length4:17
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
Britney Spears singles chronology
"Scream & Shout"
(2012)		 "Ooh La La"
(2013)		 "Work Bitch"
(2013)
Music video
"Ooh La La" on YouTube

"Ooh La La" is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for the soundtrack of the 2013 family film The Smurfs 2. It was written and produced by Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Joshua "Ammo" Coleman, Henry "Cirkut" Walter, with additional writing from Bonnie McKee, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Lola Blanc, and Fransisca Hall.

Background and production

"Ooh La La" was written by Ammo, Fransisca Hall, and Lola Blanc, and was intended to become Blanc's debut single as it was a play on her name. However, upon the request of producer Dr. Luke, a deal was made in which Spears was allowed to record the track. He collaborated with additional writers Cirkut, Jacob Kasher, and Bonnie McKee to rewrite some lyrics into a more child-friendly nature.[1] Production was handled by Dr. Luke, Cirkut, and Ammo. Spears decided to record this song to contribute to the soundtrack of The Smurfs 2 because, in her own words, she "always loved the Smurfs as a kid and now my boys are the biggest Smurfs fans EVER. I wanted to surprise them with a song in the movie. I know they'll think it's Smurftastic!".[2]

Composition

Katy Perry (pictured) and Bonnie McKee provided some background vocals on the song.

"Ooh La La" is a synthpop song.[3] Writing for E! Online, Alexis L. Loinaz described the song as "vintage Britney", with an "oddly folksy pop-tart twist."[4] Melinda Newman of HitFix deemed it a "sweet, slight, little love song" which is about "loving someone for their true blue self."[5] It begins as a "pure pop" song mixed with electronica.[5] The song then transitions, with Spears "speak-singing, Kesha style", over an electroclash beat.[5] This is followed by an acoustic-guitar-driven section, which, according to Newman, is "fluffy, retro pop", similar to Madonna in the early 1980s.[5] "Ooh La La" contains a "compelling breakdown", which is "full of scrambled vocals" and "dense beats", that lasts for a duration of 30 seconds.[3] Spears' "whimsical vocals" contain "catchy ditty layers."[4] Singer Katy Perry revealed during the film's premiere that she, along with co-writer Bonnie McKee, provided some background vocals on the song.[6] The song has been composed in the key of F# Major. It has a BPM of 128 crotchet beats per minute. It follows a chord progression of B-C#-F#-D#m in the chorus.

Critical reception

"Ooh La La" received generally positive response from critics. Rolling Stone's Dan Reilly highlighted the song's catchiness, writing "now that you've heard it, try and get it out of your head".[7] An editor from Billboard magazine described the track as a "sweet spot of sugary synth-pop", adding that the song is "highlighted by a compelling breakdown, full of scrambled vocals and dense beats."[8] Brian Mansfield of USA Today stated that "Momma Spears' kid-friendly track is energetic to the point of hyperactivity, caroming from a rap section to an acoustic-guitar-driven chorus to a buzzy electronic breakdown. Smurftastic? Maybe."[9] Jenna Hally Rubenstein from MTV News was enthusiastic about the song, describing it as a "bright, sunshiny pop jam that perfectly caters to the Smurfs 2 demographic."[10]

In 2014, "Ooh La La" was nominated for two Radio Disney Music Awards for Best Song That Makes You Smile and Favorite Song from a Movie or a TV Show. The award's ceremony took place on April 26, 2014, with the song winning the award for Best Song That Makes You Smile.[11]

Music video

The music video was filmed in June and was directed by Marc Klasfeld. The video features appearances by Spears' children, Sean Preston and Jayden James Federline, as well as a brief appearance by Spears' niece, Maddie Aldridge. The video premiered on Spears' Vevo channel at 12PM ET on July 11, 2013.[12] MSN Music described the opening scene from the video as an homage to the video for Janet Jackson's 1986 song "Nasty", stating that "the clip plays out like a more kid-friendly version of Janet Jackson's "Nasty" video, with Spears and her kids taking in a movie when mom is suddenly transported into the on-screen action."[13]

The video features Spears and her son's watching The Smurfs 2 in a theater and as Gargamel zaps Spears, she finds herself in Smurf village singing and dancing with the smurfs. The music video heavily samples clips of the movie.

Track listings

CD single / digital single / 7"
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ooh La La" (performed by Britney Spears)
4:17
2."Vacation" (performed by G.R.L.)
3:36
Total length:7:53
German CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ooh La La"
  • Gottwald
  • Coleman
  • Walter
  • McKee
  • Hindlin
  • Blanc
  • Hall
4:14
2."Ooh La La" (Instrumental)
  • Gottwald
  • Coleman
  • Walter
  • McKee
  • Hindlin
  • Blanc
  • Hall
4:14
Total length:8:28

Credits and personnel

Credited personnel list adapted from track info on Tidal.[14]

  • Britney Spears – vocals
  • Katy Perry – backing vocals (uncredited)[15]
  • Kandice Melonakos – composer, lyricist
  • Fransisca Hall – composer, lyricist
  • Jacob Kasher Hindlin – composer, lyricist
  • Bonnie McKee – composer, lyricist
  • Henry Walter – composer, lyricist, producer, programmer
  • Lukasz Gottwald – composer, lyricist, producer, programmer
  • Joshua Coleman – composer, lyricist, producer, programmer
  • Emily Wright – engineer
  • Clint Gibbs – engineer
  • John Hanes – engineer

Charts

Chart (2013–2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[16] 11
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[17] 8
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] 37
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[19] 21
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[20] 29
CIS (TopHit)[21] 158
France (SNEP)[22] 73
Germany (Official German Charts)[23] 86
Hungary (Single Top 40)[24] 5
Italy (FIMI)[25] 68
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[26] 54
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[27] 13
South Korea International Chart (Gaon)[28] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[29] 72
US Billboard Hot 100[30] 54
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[31] 21

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
France[32] June 17, 2013 Digital download Sony Music
Germany[33]
United States[34]
Italy[35] June 21, 2013 Mainstream radio Sony Music
United States[36] June 25, 2013 CD single (Walmart exclusive) RCA
United States[37] Mainstream radio
United Kingdom[38] July 28, 2013 Digital download
Germany[39] August 2, 2013 CD single Sony Music
China[40] September 6, 2013

References

  1. ↑ "Lola Blanc's "Bad Tattoo": Idolator Premier". Idolator. 6 June 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Britney Spears Records New Song For 'Smurfs 2' Soundtrack". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Britney Spears' 'Smurfs 2' Single 'Ooh La La' Hits The Web". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Britney Spears Debuts New Song Ooh La La From Smurfs 2–Listen Now! | E! Online UK". Ca.eonline.com. May 17, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Newman, Melinda (May 17, 2013). "Britney Spears new song Ooh La La from The Smurfs 2: Listen". Hitfix.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Exclusive: Britney Spears & Katy Perry's Secret Collaboration Revealed!". E! Online. 28 July 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  7. ↑ Dan Reilly (2013-05-17). "Listen: Britney Spears' New Song 'Ooh La La' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  8. ↑ "Britney Spears Releases 'Ooh La La,' Talks 'New Approach' to Next Album". Billboard. 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  9. ↑ Brian Mansfield and Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY (2013-06-18). "Playlist: Britney Spears, plus 10 more". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  10. ↑ "New Song: Britney Spears, 'Ooh La La'". Buzzworthy.mtv.com. 2013-06-17. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  11. ↑ "@britneyspears #OohLaLa just won the #SoHappy #ARDY brought to you by #ToothTunes at the #RDMAs". Twitter.
  12. ↑ "Tijdlijnfoto's". Facebook. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  13. ↑ "Britney Spears debuts "Ooh La La" music video". MSN Music. July 11, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  14. ↑ Ooh La La (from, retrieved 2018-08-23
  15. ↑ "Oops! Did Katy Perry Jump On Britney Spears' 'Smurfs' Track?". MTV News. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  16. ↑ "Britney Spears – Ooh La La" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  17. ↑ "Britney Spears – Ooh La La" (in French). Ultratip.
  18. ↑ "Britney Spears Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "Britney Spears Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "Britney Spears Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  21. ↑ Britney Spears — Ooh La La. TopHit. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Britney Spears – Ooh La La" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Britney Spears – Ooh La La" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  24. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Ooh La La by Britney Spears". Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Britney Spears Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  27. ↑ "Tipparade-lijst van week 32, 2013". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  28. ↑ "GAON DIGITAL CHART" (in Korean). GAON. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Britney Spears Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  31. ↑ "Britney Spears Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  32. ↑ "Ooh La La (from The Smurfs 2): Britney Spears: Amazon.fr: Téléchargements MP3". Amazon.fr. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  33. ↑ "Ooh La La (from The Smurfs 2): Britney Spears: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  34. ↑ "Ooh La La (from The Smurfs 2): Britney Spears: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  35. ↑ http://radioairplay.fm/radio-date/BRITNEY-SPEARS--Ooh-La-La-30869-21-06-2013%5B%5D
  36. ↑ "The Smurfs 2: Ooh la La (Walmart Exclusive)".
  37. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  38. ↑ "Ooh La La: Britney Spears: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  39. ↑ "Ooh la la: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  40. ↑ "布兰妮 Britney Spears:Ooh La La(动画电影《蓝精灵2》主题曲)(CD)". Amazon.cn. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
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