The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)

"The Real Thing" is a 1994 song recorded by Dutch Eurodance band 2 Unlimited. It was released as the first single from their third album, Real Things. The single scored chart success in many European countries topping the charts in Finland and the Netherlands while peaking at number 2 in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Switzerland. It also was a top 10 hit in Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the UK. "The Real Thing" entered the Eurochart Hot 100 May 28, 1994 at 30 and peaked at number-one three weeks later. Outside Europe, the song reached number 2 in Israel and number 39 in Australia.

"The Real Thing"
Single by 2 Unlimited
from the album Real Things
ReleasedMay 1994
Recorded1994
GenreTechno
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Phil Wilde
  • Jean-Paul De Coster
2 Unlimited singles chronology
"Let The Beat Control Your Body"
(1993)		 "The Real Thing"
(1994)		 "No One"
(1994)
Music video
"The Real Thing" on YouTube
UK cover

Composition

"The Real Thing (2 Unlimited song)" contains samples of Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach.[1] According to classicfm.com, it is considered one of the biggest pop songs to sample classical music in the last 25 years."[2]

Critical reception

Music & Media commented in their review, "In no time, chart positions are reported from the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. With this ABBAesque pop dance chorus many territories will follow."[3] Perthshire Advertiser said, "They've found a new formula yet, but it'll still be a smash!"[4] Pop Rescue wrote that "it's clear here that 2 Unlimited were packing a punch with this song 'and we're not gonna stop until we reach the highest top', sings Anita."[5] Select added that the song "has a funky key riff".[6] Smash Hits gave it 3 out of 5, noting, "Ditching their heavy heavy techno techno for a bit of a housey classical vibe, the 'Limited look set to continue their near unblemished run of chart hits."[7]

Chart performance

"The Real Thing" was a major hit in several countries, making it one of 2 Unlimited's most successful songs. It peaked at number-one in Finland and the Netherlands, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100. In addition, the single reached number 2 in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland, and was also a Top 10 hit in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the latter, it went to number 6 on May 22, 1994, in its second week on the UK Singles Chart. Outside Europe, "The Real Thing" peaked at number 2 in Israel, number 22 in New Zealand and number 39 in Australia. It was awarded with a platinum record in the Netherlands, after 60,000 singles were sold.

Airplay

"The Real Thing" entered the European airplay chart Border Breakers at number 12 on June 4 due to crossover airplay in East Central-, West-, Central-, Northwest- and North-European regions, and peaked at the third position on July 2.[8]

Music video
2 Unlimited in "The Real Thing" music video.

The music video for "The Real Thing" was directed by director Nigel Simpkiss. It was released in the UK in May 1994. Simpkiss also directed the music video for "Let the Beat Control Your Body". The video was uploaded to YouTube in December 2013. In August 2020, it has got more than 1,100,000 views.[9]

Track listings
European/Canadian CD maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (Edit) (3:40)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Trance Thing) (6:18)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Extended) (6:20)
  4. "The Real Thing" (Tribal Thing) (5:53)
UK CD single
  1. "The Real Thing" (3:42)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Extended 12") (6:20)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Trance-Thing) (5:39)
  4. "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Thing) (5:55)
US CD maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (Radio Mix) (3:51)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Extended Euro Club Mix) (6:18)
  3. "The Real Thing" (J & D's Wookie Vocal Mix) (6:45)
  4. "The Real Thing" (Doc Baron's 90 Proof Club Mix) (7:54)
  5. "The Real Thing" (The Tribal Thing) (5:56)
7" single
  1. "The Real Thing" (Edit) (3:40)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Edit) (3:55)
European 12" maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (Trance-Thing) (6:18)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Extended) (6:20)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Thing) (5:53)
Italian 12" maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (Extended) (6:20)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Spaans) (6:16)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Tribal-Thing) (5:53)
  4. "The Real Thing" (Trance-Thing) (6:18)
UK 12" maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (Tribal Thing)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Trance Thing)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Extended 12")
US 12" maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (J&D's Wookie Vocal Mix) (6:45)
  2. "The Real Thing" (Extended Euro Club Mix) (6:18)
  3. "The Real Thing" (The Doc & Baron 90 Proof Club Mix) (7:54)
  4. "The Real Thing" (The Tribal Thing) (5:53) :
US 12" maxi
  1. "The Real Thing" (Doc & Baron's NYC Dub Excursion) (10:37)
  2. "The Real Thing" (J&D's Clubstrumental) (4:20)
  3. "The Real Thing" (The It Goes Underground Mix) (6:45)
  4. "The Real Thing" (The Trance Thing) (5:38)

Charts and sales

Remixes
Japan 2001 Remixes
  1. "The Real Thing" (B4 Za Beat Extended Remix) (7:54)
  2. "The Real Thing" (DJ Dee Power Mix) (4:31)
  3. "The Real Thing" (Super Calcium Mix) (5:52)
  4. Nagoya Megamix "発狂" Delight Mix (2:33)

References
  1. Alpha Archived 2008-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1994-06-04. p. 8. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  4. "RECORD REVIEWS". Perthshire Advertiser. 1994-05-17. page 22. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  5. "REVIEW: "REAL THINGS" BY 2 UNLIMITED (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  6. "Reviews: New Singles". Select. 1994-08-01. p. 89. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  7. "new singles". Smash Hits. 1994-05-11. p. 47. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  8. "Border Breakers: Monitoring The Impact Of Euro Talent" (PDF). Music & Media. November 19, 1994. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  9. "2 UNLIMITED - The Real Thing (Official Music Video)". YouTube. December 3, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  10. "The Real Thing", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  11. "Ultratop.be – 2 Unlimited – The Real Thing" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  13. Billboard: Hits of the World, June 18, 1994
  14. "2 Unlimited singles, German Singles Chart" (in German). musicline. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  15. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 23.06.1994 - 29.06.1994" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  16. Israel Top-30 31.05.1994
  17. Top Italian singles of 1994
  18. "Single top 100 over 1994" (pdf) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  19. "Dutchcharts.nl – 2 Unlimited – The Real Thing" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 (24 April 1994-28 May 1994)". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
  21. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  22. "The Real Thing", UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  23. "jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  24. "1994 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  25. 1994 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived 2011-08-20 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved January 30, 2009)
  26. "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  27. "JAAROVERZICHTEN - Single 1994" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  28. "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  29. "1994 Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Swisscharts. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  30. Dutch certifications nvpi.nl (Retrieved December 9, 2008)
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