Nobody (Wonder Girls song)

"Nobody"
Single by Wonder Girls
A-side	"Nobody"
B-side	"I Tried" "Saying I Love You"
Released	September 22, 2008 (Korea) June 26, 2009 (United States)
Format	Digital download, CD single
Genre	K-pop, dance pop
Label	JYP Entertainment
Producer	Park Jin-Young
Wonder Girls singles chronology
"So Hot" (2008) "Nobody" (2008) "2 Different Tears" (2010)

"Nobody" is a dance pop song produced by Park Jin-Young and recorded by Korean girl group Wonder Girls. The song was released as a digital download single on September 22, 2008 in their native Korean. Sampling the Italian trio La La's "Johnny Johnny", "Nobody" became popular within hours, becoming a top search term and ranking #1 on various digital music sites.^[1]

History

The official website of Wonder Girls was updated in mid-September 2008, after pictures of the group were leaked, showing a 1960s Motown concept. A teaser video for "Nobody" was then released on September 18, 2008, showcasing a ballad version of the song and scenes from the music video.^[2] The full video was then released on September 22, 2008 on the official website, and then to YouTube.^[3]

The song continued the retro theme of Wonder Girls songs, including the 1980s feel of "Tell Me" and "So Hot". However, "Nobody" is inspired by older music from the 1960s and 1970s,^[3] specifically Motown girl groups.

Plagiarism and lawsuits

In March 2009, it was reported that both JYP Entertainment and Sony/ATV Music Publishing would be taking legal action against other Asian musical groups who had adopted or covered "Nobody" illegally.^[4] JYP Entertainment stated that groups and actresses in People's Republic of China and Cambodia had been "recklessly copying" the group's songs, dances, and costumes.^[5]

Release

After the release of the video, "Nobody" was released to various digital outlets. Within hours, the song quickly became the #1 streamed and sold song online, to the surprise of even their management.^[1][3][6] On the day of its release, the music video was also featured on blogger Perez Hilton's website.^[7]

On September 30, 2008, the physical single was released, with the title The Wonder Years: Trilogy. In addition to "Nobody", the single also had two new songs — "I Tried" and "Saying 'I Love You'" — in addition to a remix of "Nobody" and instrumental versions of all four songs. The intro track was featured in the teaser music video.

A remix of the song, titled "Anybody", featured hip-hop group Dynamic Duo, San E, and Park Jin Young. The song was given a digital release on November 18, 2008.^[8]

Remixes

Various remixes of "Nobody" were produced for various award shows and end-of-year specials. At the 2008 M.Net KM Music Festival (MKMF), the Wonder Girls performed a tango version and a disco version of "Nobody". The rest of the remixes debuted at the 2008 Golden Disk Awards, which showcased each Wonder Girl performing a short clip of a unique "Nobody" remix. On October 11, 2009, the official American remix of the song was released. The remix was done by famous American DJ Jason Nevins.

North American release

The group's official MySpace stated that an English version of "Nobody" would be released in the United States sometime in 2009, serving as their debut single there,^[9] with JYP Entertainment confirming the release in June 2009.^[10] "Nobody" was released to iTunes on June 26, 2009 and to Amazon MP3 a day later. Wonder Girls have set up an official YouTube account and it includes the English version of music video itself.^[11]

On July 20, 2009, the group performed the song on the Wendy Williams Show.

On the October 31, 2009 issue of Billboard Hot 100, the single debuted at number 76.^[12] Wonder Girls became the first South Korean group to enter the chart.^[13]

Charts

Charts (2009)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	76
U.S. Billboard Heatseekers Songs	4[14]
U.S. Billboard Year-end Hot Singles Sales 2009	1[15]

Track listing

Digital download

1. "Nobody (English Version)"

Physical Korean single (The Wonder Years: Trilogy)

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	"Intro" (Background Vocals by Kim Hyuna)	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone", 심은지, 신석철, 신현권, 길은경, 류영민, & K String	0:36
2.	"Nobody" (Background Vocals by J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", and Kim Hyuna)	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" & Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone"	3:33
3.	"I Tried"	홍지상	홍지상	3:35
4.	"Saying I Love You" (Background Vocals by Kim Hyuna)	Park Yeeun	Park Yeeun, 신은지, 신석철, 신현권, 길은경, 류영민, & K String	3:55
5.	"Nobody (Rainstone Remix)" (Background Vocals by Kim Hyuna & Min for JYP USA)	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone", and 박참	4:32
6.	"Nobody (Inst.)"		J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul" & Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone"	3:34
7.	"I Tried (Inst.)"		홍지상	3:36
8.	"Saying I Love You (Inst.)"		Park YeEun, 신은지, 신석철, 신현권, 길은경, 류영민, & K String	3:55
9.	"Nobody (Rainstone Remix)[Inst.]"		J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone", and 박참	4:31

US English single

Track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	"Nobody" (Background Vocals by Kim Hyuna, & J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul")	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone", Ho Yoon Moon "Moonworker", Jun Soo Nuh, Brian Stanley, & Brian Gardner...	3:37
2.	"Nobody Jason Nevins Remix"	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul"	J.Y. Park "The Asiansoul", Woo Seok Rhee "Rainstone", Ho Yoon Moon "Moonworker", Jun Soo Nuh, Brian Stanley, & Brian Gardner	3:35
3.	"Nobody (Karaoke Remix)"			3:34

Remix Edition EP

1. "Nobody" (Jason Nevins Remix)
2. "Nobody" (Jason Nevins Extended Remix)
3. "Nobody" (Jason Nevins Remix Instrumental)
4. "Nobody" (Jason Nevins Extended Remix Instrumental)

Promotion

The Wonder Girls had their official comeback on the weekend of September 26–28, 2008, performing on KBS's Music Bank, MBC's Music Core, and SBS's 인기가요 ("Top Songs"). At the end of October, the group briefly used the "Rainstone Remix" of the song. They also performed "Nobody" on The Wendy Williams Show, a FOX morning talk show. Finally they performed on Fox's hit show So You Think You Can Dance result show.

Music video

The music video begins with Park Jin-Young performing a Motown-style concert with the Wonder Girls as his backup singers. After the show, a couple of record executives give Park sheet lyrics to the song "Nobody", which he prepares to debut on his next show.

Minutes before his show begins, Park is in the men's restroom using a toilet stall when he realizes that there is no toilet paper available. As he frantically calls for help, everyone on stage begins to wonder where he is as the show starts. The executives then motion the Wonder Girls to bring their microphone stands forward and take center stage. At the end of their performance, Park finally appears on stage to congratulate the group for their performance. While the song plays, the video becomes a montage of the group's career progressing to superstardom.

At the end of the video, Park enters another toilet stall and sees that there is toilet paper available. Unfortunately for him, he pulls the last sheet off the dispenser and once again has to call for help.

Reception

In the month of September, the single sold 28,160 copies.^[16]

"Nobody" went #1 on KBS' Music Bank program in early October, then remained there for four consecutive weeks.^[17] The song also won Cyworld's "Song of the Month" award in September and October 2008, giving them a total of 5 "Song of the Month" awards, tying Big Bang.^[18]

At the 2008 MKMF Awards, "Nobody" won awards for "Song of the Year" and "Best Music Video".^[19]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} (Korean)원더걸스 Nobody, 뜨거운 반응 '검색어 1위' (Wonder Girls' "Nobody", Hotly Received, #1 Search Topic). International Business Times. September 23, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
2. ^ WonderGirls M/V trailer. JYP Entertainment/YouTube. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
3. ^ ^{a b c} (Korean)원더걸스 ‘노바디’, 2시간만에 1위 ‘깜짝’ (Wonder Girls' "Nobody", #1 in Two Hours, Surprise). September 23, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
4. ^ International Lawsuit over Wonder Girls' 'Nobody'. Chosun Ilbo. March 16, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
5. ^ Wonder Girls to sue for plagiarism: agent. AFP. March 13, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
6. ^ (Korean)nobody 원더걸스 깜짝 반응 소속사도 놀랐다! ("Nobody" (by the) Wonder Girls Surprise Hit, Even Management Surprised). SportsSeoul. September 24, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
7. ^ How The Koreans Do It. Perez Hilton. September 22, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
8. ^ 원더걸스 Anybody "빵빵한데" (Wonder Girls' Anybody is Explosive). SportsSeoul.com. November 18, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
9. ^ Official Wonder Girls MySpace. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
10. ^ (Korean) Kim, Hyeong-wu. 원더걸스 미국 데뷔 성공 가능성 얼마나 될까 (What are the Wonder Girls' Chances of Succeding in American Debut?). Joins.com/Newsen. June 5, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
11. ^ Wonder Girls Nobody English Version
12. ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (2009-10-22). "Jay Sean Recaptures Hot 100's Top Slot". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/news/jay-sean-recaptures-hot-100-s-top-slot-1004029518.story#/news/jay-sean-recaptures-hot-100-s-top-slot-1004029518.story. Retrieved 2009-10-22. 
13. ^ Nobody Songfacts
14. ^ "Heatseekers Songs". Billboard. billboard.com. October 31, 2009. http://www.billboard.com/charts#/charts/heatseekers-songs?chartDate=2009-10-31. Retrieved 2009-10-29. 
15. ^ "Year-end Hot Singles Sales 2009". Billboard. billboard.com. January 01, 2010. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/01/178_58414.html. Retrieved 2010-01-04. 
16. ^ September 2008 album sales. Recording Industry Association of Korea. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
17. ^ 원더걸스 JYP 선배 비 제치고 뮤직뱅크 1위 등극. Newsen/Joins.com. October 24, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
18. ^ 원더걸스 2달 연속 싸이월드 어워드 수상 ‘총5회 빅뱅과 동률’. Newsen/Joins.com. November 6, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
19. ^ Kim, Shi-eun. ‘MKMF 3관왕’ 원더걸스 “변치 않는 원더걸스 되겠다” (MKMF Triple Winner Wonder Girls "Will Never Change"). HanKyung.com. November 16, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2008.

External links

• Official video, released by JYP Entertainment on YouTube