Movie Star (song)

Not to be confused with Moviestar (song).

"Movie Star"
Single by Róisín Murphy
from the album Overpowered
B-side	"Slave to Love"
Released	14 October 2008
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2007
Genre	Electropop, electroclash, synthpop
Length	4:02
Label	EMI
Writer(s)	Róisín Murphy, Paul Dolby, Mike Patto
Producer	Parrot & Dean
Róisín Murphy singles chronology
"You Know Me Better" (2007) "Movie Star"/"Slave to Love" (2008) "Orally Fixated" (2009)

"Movie Star" is a song by Irish recording artist Róisín Murphy from her second solo studio album, Overpowered. Written by Murphy, Paul "Seiji" Dolby (of Bugz in the Attic) and Mike Patto, and produced by Parrot & Dean, the song was released digitally in the United States as the album's fourth and final single.

Release

The track was set to be released as the album's fourth single on 21 July 2008, but has since been pushed back many times for a release in November. It was to be released as a double A-side single with a cover of Bryan Ferry's 1985 song "Slave to Love" to coincide with its use in the Gucci Pour Homme advertising campaign.

On 4 December 2008, it was announced that the European and UK release of the single had been cancelled. Nevertheless, "Movie Star" was released on the iTunes Store in the United States on 14 October 2008.

Critical reception

Heather Phares of Allmusic referred to "Movie Star" as "Murphy's spin on Goldfrapp's glossy glam pop (and the only time she seems in danger of being overpowered by someone else's sound on the album)."^[1] Stephen Trouss of Pitchfork Media agreed, saying the song "laces itself a little too tighly into Alison Goldfrapp's glam pop corset."^[2] Digital Spy music editor Nick Levine, however, wrote that the song is "possibly Murphy's most immediate moment yet, a trancey dance-pop epic with a chorus that reaches for the stars. The lyrics, which tell the tale of an ambitious starlet desperate to 'break into cinema', are sharp and amusing too."^[3] Jax Spike from About.com viewed the track as "a departure in conception and more reminiscent of something closer to early 90s eurodance crossed with industrial which generates an urgent, grinding sound."^[4]

Music video

The original music video was directed by Simon Henwood and features Murphy on a night out in London with several drag queens and performers, including Jodie Harsh and Theo Adams. Some scenes are inspired by the work of John Waters, such as the attack by Lobstora from his 1970 film Multiple Maniacs and the appearance of Divine lookalikes.

Track listings

US iTunes EP^[5]

1. "Movie Star" – 4:01
2. "Movie Star" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
3. "Movie Star" (Jnrsnchz Cinespace Mix) – 8:28
4. "Movie Star" (Kid Gloves Remix) – 10:19

UK promo CD single

1. "Movie Star" (Radio Edit) – 3:46
2. "Movie Star" (Instrumental) – 3:59
3. "Slave to Love" – 3:40
4. "Slave to Love" (Instrumental) – 3:40

UK promo CD maxi single

1. "Movie Star" (Radio Edit) – 3:45
2. "Movie Star" – 3:59
3. "Movie Star" (Instrumental) – 3:59
4. "Movie Star" (Jnrsnchz Lax Mix) – 4:40
5. "Movie Star" (Jnrsnchz Cinespace Mix) – 8:31
6. "Movie Star" (Sam & Di Angelis 'She Is Beautiful' Remix) – 6:15
7. "Movie Star" (Sam & Di Angelis 'For Jodie Harsh' Remix) – 5:28
8. "Movie Star" (Kid Gloves Remix) – 10:22
9. "Movie Star" (Kid Gloves Dub) – 10:22
10. "Slave to Love" – 3:40
11. "Slave to Love" (Instrumental) – 3:40

Personnel

• Róisín Murphy – vocals
• Tom Elmhirst – mixing
• Dean Honer – producer, synthesizer, programming, additional recording
• Ross Orton – drums
• Parrot – producer, synthesizer, programming
• Mike Patto – guitar
• Seiji – engineer

Charts

Chart (2008)	Peak position
US Hot Singles Sales	8
US Hot Dance Singles Sales[6]	3

References

1. ^ Phares, Heather. "Overpowered – Róisín Murphy – Review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/overpowered-r1214639/review. Retrieved 10 July 2010. 
2. ^ Trouss, Stephen (18 October 2007). "Róisín Murphy: Overpowered". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10794-overpowered/. Retrieved 10 July 2010. 
3. ^ Levine, Nick. "Roisin Murphy: 'Movie Star'". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/singlesreviews/a108373/roisin-murphy-movie-star.html. Retrieved 10 July 2010. 
4. ^ Spike, Jax. "Roisin Murphy – 'Overpowered'". About.com. The New York Times Company. http://dancemusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/Roisin_Murphy_-_Overpowered.htm. Retrieved 10 July 2010. 
5. ^ "Movie Star – EP by Róisín Murphy". iTunes Store US. Apple Inc.. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/movie-star-ep/id292236873. Retrieved 10 July 2010. 
6. ^ "Overpowered – Róisín Murphy – Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/overpowered-r1214639/charts-awards/billboard-single. Retrieved 10 July 2010.