Raoul (song)

Single infobox
Name = Raoul
Artist = The Automatic


from Album = Not Accepted Anywhere
B-side = "Trophy Wives" "On The Camping Trail"
(Re-release)
"Gold Digger" "Easy Target"
Released = flagicon|UK27 March, 2006
8 January, 2007(Re-release)
Length = flagicon|UK3:53
3:41(Re-release)
Format = 7", CD, CD (maxi), Digital Download
Recorded = Elevator Studio Liverpool
Genre = Post-punk revival
Alternative rock
Label = B-Unique Records [ [http://www.b-uniquerecords.com/theautomatic.aspx B-Unique] The Automatic at B-unique Records]
Polydor Records [ [http://www.polydor.co.uk/polydor.html Polydor] List of artists signed to Polydor Records]
Writer = James Frost
Iwan Griffiths
Robin Hawkins
Alex Pennie

Chart position =

• #32 (UK Singles Chart)

Reviews =
*Drowned In Sound [http://www.drownedinsound.com/content/view/895635 (0/5)]
Last single = "Recover"
(2006)
This single = "Raoul"
(2006)
Next single = "Monster"
(2006)
Misc = Extra chronology 2
Artist = Re-release
Type = single
Last single = "Recover (Re-release)"
(2006)
This single = "Raoul (Re-release)"
(2007)
Next single = "Steve McQueen"
(2008) Extra album cover 2
Upper caption =
Lower caption = 2007 Secondary Artwork
Type = CD#Single

Extra album cover 2
Upper caption =
Lower caption = 2007 Primary Artwork
Type = CD#Single

Extra album cover 2
Upper caption =
Lower caption = Original Artwork for 2006 Vinyl
Type = CD#Single

Extra tracklisting
Album = Not Accepted Anywhere
Type = studio
prev_track = "Thats What She Said"
prev_no = 1
this_track = "Raoul"
track_no = 2
next_track = "You Shout You Shout You Shout"
next_no = 3

"Raoul" is a song by Welsh band The Automatic. The second track of their debut album "Not Accepted Anywhere" it was originally released on 27 March 2006 through Polydor Records and Universal Music it was the bands first chart eligible single. [cite web |title= Welsh Music, Raoul, B-Unique|work=BBC Wales|date=March 27 2006|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/automatic/pages/raoul.shtml |accessdate=2008-05-31] The track was re-released on January 8, 2007 from the decision of the bands record label, the band had stated previously that they were not "into the idea of releasing Raoul again". [cite web |title= BBC Nottingham Radio Interview Segment, Prior to NME Indie Rock Tour|work= BBC Radio (Interview with Guitarist James Frost)|date= 2007|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/2007/01/automatic.ram|accessdate=2008-05-31] [cite web |title= The Automatic - Raoul (B-Unique)|work= musicOHM|date= 8 January 2007|url= http://www.musicomh.com/singles/automatic-5_0107.htm|accessdate=2008-05-31]

Music videos

Original

The video directed by Charlie Paul [ [http://www.partizan.com/partizan/musicvideos/?charlie_paul Partizan] ] depicts the 'taking a break' from studio work, the band leave the studio and begin walking through a 1970s style concert where the look at themselves playing, they then walk through a gym, and into another room where they are playing in a smaller dark venue. The video ends up with them at Raoul's sandwich shop, with an actor who represents 'Raoul', making their sandwiches. the line from the song "Lets Go Back To Work" then links in to the video, as they leave. [ [http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/?id=f01108cb-28d7-426c-a79f-7352f76cd794&delivery=rip Raoul] 2006 Music Video 'Raoul Original']

Re-release

The 2007 video directed by Up the Resolution [ [http://www.factoryfilms.net/factory.php Factory Films] ] is set in an office, and opens with a man singing "Monster", another man does not seem to appreciate this and pushes him against a wall, this possibly showing how the band are not happy with just being known for playing the song "Monster".

The video then goes on to show the band members working in the office, firstly Robin Hawkins is delivering mail to the other employers, whilst in clips the whole band are shown at an office party, performing "Raoul", whilst Alex Pennie makes out with another older employee, whose husband is in a meeting with James Frost's character, the video ends with Iwan Griffiths urinating in a bowl. [ [http://exodus.interoutemediaservices.com/?id=25f09288-a8b2-4ebc-937d-7fef565d0754&delivery=stream 2007 Music Video "Raoul"] ]

Production

The song was featured on "Soccer Am's" compilation CD in 2006. [ [http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1&sku=513692 HMV] Soccer AM]

Artist Culprit 1 remixed the song however unlike "Recover" and "Monster" remixes by Culprit 1 the remix was not released on the single.

The song was featured on MOJO's third episode. [ [http://www.mojohd.com/mojoseries/londonlive/episodes/view/episode3 MOJO] Episode 3 of MOJO featuring "Raoul"]

The track was played live on Later with Jools Holland, along with "Thats What She Said and "Monster". [ [http://www.nme.com/news/the-automatic/23337?mp3-freemusic NME] Keane drop out, The Automatic replace]

Meaning

Raoul is the owner of a sandwich shop in Cardiff, who would make the band's sandwiches [ [http://www.channel4.com/music/features/A/automatic.html Who Is Raoul?] Channel 4 Interview With Robin Hawkins] . A man representing him is seen in the original video for Raoul, however he is not Raoul himself. The real Raoul has been tracked down by fans of The Automatic, and pictures have been posted on The Automatics moblog. [ [http://moblog.co.uk/blogs.php?show=7519 moblog] pictures]

Since the track was released the actual sandwich shop where Raoul worked has been closed down. [cite web |title= The Automatic play Sun session|work= The Sun|date= January 12 2007|url= http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/podcasts/bizarre/article28013.ece|accessdate=2008-06-11]

Chart

'Raoul' and 'Monster' both competed for success in the UK singles chart after 'Monster' left the top 40, and re-entered when Downloads via itunes and other online stores were allowed to be included in the Single charts. Ultimately the single only got to 32, with monster staying at re entering at 33.

Artwork

The artwork has been seen from 2006 to 2007 at various performances as the backdrop, it was created by 'Rockdrops'. [ [http://www.rockdrops.com/gallery.html rockdrops] ]

Track listing

tracklist
headline = vinyl March 26 2006
title1 = Raoul
length1 = 3:29
title2 = Trophy Wives
length2 = 1:57tracklist
headline = CD single, March 26 2006
title1 = Raoul
length1 = 3:29
title2 = On The Campaign Trail
length2 = 3:03tracklist
headline = vinyl January 8 2007
title1 = Raoul
length1 = 3:29
title2 = Gold Digger (cover of Kayne West)
length2 = 3:22
title2 = Monster (Fatboy Slim Remix)
length2 = 5:59tracklist
headline = CD single, January 8 2007
title1 = Raoul
length1 = 3:28
title2 = Easy Target
length2 = 3:52

External links

* [http://www.peterhill.net/photos/main-archive/the-automatic/raoul-video-shoot-jan-2006 Behind the scenes video shoot photos] by Peter Hill

References