"Toxygene" is a single by electronic music artist the Orb. It was released in 1997 as the first single from the album Orblivion. The song was originally commissioned as a remix of Jean-Michel Jarre's "Oxygène 8" from Oxygène 7–13.[2] However, the Orb "obliterated it" and reassembled only a few fragments for their remix, much to the chagrin of Jarre, who reportedly "threw a fit and refused to release it".[2] The Orb released the track themselves under the name "Toxygene", which further irritated Jarre, to whom Paterson retorted "The French are always five years behind us, anyway."[2] In statements made after the release of "Toxygene", Jarre denied the reports: "It's not that I didn't like it, but I wanted the first wave of remixes to be linked to Oxygene's theme and textures."[3] The release was accompanied by a music video directed by Ben Stokes.
| "Toxygene" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Orb | ||||
| from the album Orblivion | ||||
| B-side | "Alternate mixes" | |||
| Released | 27 January 1997[1] | |||
| Genre | Ambient house | |||
| Length | 5:19 | |||
| Label | Island | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Le Gonidec | |||
| Producer(s) | Alex Paterson, Andy Hughes, Thomas Fehlmann | |||
| The Orb singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
"Toxygene" became the highest-charting single by the Orb, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart on 8 February 1997. The band appeared on Top of the Pops to promote the song, but the pretence of a live performance was avoided; instead, the group danced around on playground rides. Outside the United Kingdom, "Toxygene" reached number 23 in Ireland and was an alternative hit in Canada, climbing to number four on the RPM Alternative 30 chart.
Music video
editThe video for the song is inspired by the CIA's experimental mind control program: MK-ULTRA.
Track listings
editCD 1
- "Toxygene (Edit)" – 3:37
- "Toxygene (Way Out West Begbie Mix)" – 7:40
- Remix - Way Out West
- "Delta MK II (Dal Vivo A Roma)" – 7:14
- Written by Giraudy, Hillage, Fehlmann
- "Toxygene (Kris Needs Up For A Fortnight Mix)" – 7:17
- Remix - Henry Cullen, Kris Needs
CD 2
- "Toxygene (Edit)" – 3:37
- "Toxygene (Fila Brazillia Mix)" – 6:10
- Remix - Fila Brazillia
- "Rose Tinted (Dal Vivo A Roma)" – 7:14
- Written by Lewis Keogh, Thomas Fehlmann
- "Toxygene (Toxic Genes Mix)" – 7:59
12" single
- A1 "Toxygene (Toxic Genes Mix)" – 7:59
- A2 "Delta MK II (Dal Vivo A Roma)" – 6:15
- B "Toxygene (Kris Needs Up For A Fortnight Mix)" – 9:50
- Remix - Henry Cullen, Kris Needs
Charts
editReferences
edit- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 January 1997. p. 33. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Smith, Andrew (16 February 1997). "Music of the Spheres". The Sunday Times. p. 13.
- ^ Aston, Martin (27 January 1997). "Dotmusic Talent: Jean Michel Jarre". Dotmusic (retrieved from the Internet Archive). Archived from the original on 8 July 1998. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
- ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7020." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Toxygene". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1997" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- ^ "RPM's Top 50 Alternative Tracks of '98". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 March 2019.