Too Far (Kylie Minogue song)

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"Too Far"
Single by Kylie Minogue
from the album Impossible Princess
Released 27 September 1997
Format
Recorded
  • 1995–97
  • DMC Studios, Real World Studios and Sarm West Studios
  • (London, England)
Genre
Length 4:44
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Breathe"
(1998)		 "Too Far"
(1998)		 "Cowboy Style"
(1998)

"Too Far" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, taken from her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). It was written and produced by Minogue, with additional production credits to Brothers in Rhythm. The song is a drum and bass song where Minogue describes her anger and frustration through its lyrics. It contains elements of club music and breakbeat music, and employs spoken word techniques. The Brothers in Rhythm remix was released as the lead and only single from Minogue's remix compilation, Mixes (1998), on 21 May 1998 by record label Sony BMG.

Critical reception towards "Too Far" has been universally acclaimed; some critics favoured its commercial appeal, while some felt it was one of Minogue's best dance tracks. Critics have highlighted it as an album and career stand out. "Too Far" failed to chart on any record charts, and no music video was directed. Minogue has performed the track on two of her concert tours; Intimate and Live Tour and Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour, and has been included on her greatest hits albums including Artist Collection (2004) and Confide in Me: The Irresistible Kylie (2007).

Background and composition

"Too Far" was one of the first tracks written for Minogue's sixth album, Impossible Princess.[1] Minogue stated that she left her home for an entire day, and stayed at a local cafe for the morning to write "Too Far".[1] Minogue felt that her home was a "negative atmosphere", and wanted to "get rid of bad energy". She later stated that she wrote "Too Far" "very quickly and at a very bad state."[1] Minogue stated that the lyric "Caught up in this house, trapped my very own self in the snare of my mind," explained her "very well at the time".[1] Minogue felt the lyrics were claustrophobic-like, feeling that she "couldn't find a way out".[1] Although Minogue commented the song was "nothing I have ever done before," she felt the song was a "good form of release" of emotions.[1] Interviewed with the magazine Music Week, Minogue re-alliterated that "Too Far" was "the strangest thing I have ever written."[2]

Minogue wrote "Too Far" herself, and produced/composed it with British duo Brothers in Rhythm.[3] "Too Far" was recorded at DMC Studios, Real World Studios and Sarm West Studios in London, England during 1997.[3] Steve Anderson played synthesizers, keyboards and drum machines, Boguaslaw Kostecki played the fiddle, Pete Lale and Martin Loveday incorporated string arrangements, and Minogue played the grand piano.[3] "Too Far" is a drum and bass song[3] that contains elements of club music[4] and breakbeat.[5] A reviewer from X-Press Magazine said "With all these tracks along with the speaking in toungues-style opening of "Too Far", Kylie shows she's open to moving on and widening her pop arc."[6]

Release

Minogue wanted to release "Limbo" as the lead single because she felt it was a "good choice", but her creative director Steve Anderson felt either "Too Far" or "Jump" were better offerings to promote Impossible Princess.[7] Deconstruction reviewed both their views, but did not promote any them and released "Some Kind of Bliss" as the lead single; "Limbo" appeared as its b-side.[8][9] After several postponements of the album in 1997, Minogue's Australian record label Mushroom Records released "Too Far", alongside Impossible Princess tracks "Some Kind of Bliss", "Say Hey", "Limbo", "I Don't Need Anyone" and "Did It Again" on Australian and New Zealand airplay as promotional singles.[10] In January 1998, "Too Far", alongside five other album tracks, were included on an exclusive cassette tape and given to Deconstruction members to select their opinion on which should be the third single; "Too Far" lost respectively to "Breathe".[11]

Critical reception

File:Kylie too far showgirl manchester.jpg
Minogue performing "Too Far" during her Showgirl: The Homecoming tour, 2006.

"Too Far" achieved critical acclaim from most music critics. Chris True from Allmusic had highlighted the track as an album stand out from Impossible Princess.[12] Sarah Smith from FasterLouder.com highlighted the song as an album stand out and praised Minogue's experimentation on the "spoken word" effect.[13] Gary James from Entertainment Focus praised all her written tracks and had especially praised "Say Hey", "Too Far", "Cowboy Style" and "Limbo" for her being able to portray a "sense of claustrophobia and uncertainty."[14] A reviewer from Sputnikmusic said "Too Far" is "quite possibly one of the best songs not only on the record, but of her entire catalogue."[15] A reviewer from Who was positive, stating "As epic an opening as "Confide in Me" was to Kylie Minogue. A rich, rambling, speedy, chaotic onslaught whose composition is credited solely to one K.Minogue."[6]

Susan Corrigan from I-D had said positively stated that "Too Far" "shimmer[ed]".[16] Robin Bresnek from Melody Maker had discussed their parent review, and said that "Too Far" and "Drunk" were immediate highlights for Minogue showing her "schizophrenic self-disgust" nature that "spins dizzily in the shadow of fluttering heartbeats and inspired rushes of sound."[17] Sam Upton from Select magazine was particularly positive towards the track, saying "'Too Far' sets out the stall perfectly with beats that want to be jungle when they grow up and Kylie slipping between half-rap and the usual sensual breathing's."[18] Upton, however, gave the parent album an overall mixed review.[18] Larry Flick from Billboard commented "From the haunting, almost unsettling drum'n'bass undertow of the set's lead cut, "Too Far," it's clear that the days of kewpie-doll ditties like "The Loco-Motion" and "Better The Devil You Know" have dissolved into a gratefully distant memory."[19]

Live performances

Minogue included "Too Far" on a musical medley that contained several songs from her back catalog on the Mushroom 25 Live Tour on 14 November 1998; it was later included on a live CD release.[20] Minogue has performed the track on one of her concert tours; the Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour. In 2005, Minogue went on her Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour.[21] Minogue was unable to complete the tour as she was diagnosed with early breast cancer and had to cancel the Australian leg of the tour.[22] After undergoing treatment and recovery, she resumed the concert tour in the form of Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour in 2007, and included "Too Far" on the setlist.[23]

Other usage

"Too Far" was released in mid-1997 in the UK on a CD with four other album tracks as part of a promotional release.[24] "Too Far" has been featured on many of Minogue's compilation albums; Its first appearance was on her 2002 BMG greatest hits compilation album Confide in Me, a compilation consisting majority off her singles and tracks from her Deconstruction period; Heather Phares from AllMusic praised the Impossible Princess tracks including "Too Far".[25] It then appeared on her 2004 compilation album Artist Collection, which included most of her Impossible Princess era.[26] The song's last appearance was on the first disc of Confide in Me: The Irresistible Kylie released in July 2007 by UK independent label Music Club.[27] The Junior Vasquez mix appeared on her 1998 remix compilations Mixes and Impossible Remixes; the former appeared on her 2010 remix album Essential Mixes.[28][29][30] The second disc for the re-release of Impossible Princess in 2003 features three remixes of "Too Far"; the Inner Door remix, Junior's Riff dub, and the North Pole remix.[3]

Brothers in Rhythm remix

"Too Far (Remix)"
File:Too-far-kylie.jpg
12 inch vinyl cover.
Single by Kylie Minogue
from the album Mixes
Released 21 May 1998
Format
Recorded
  • 1995–97
  • DMC Studios, Real World Studios and Sarm West Studios
  • (London, England)
Genre
Length 10:24
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Breathe"
(1998)		 "Too Far"
(1998)		 "Cowboy Style"
(1998)

In May 1998, a remix of "Too Far" was commissioned by Brothers in Rhythm, who consisted of Minogue's long-time collaborator Steven Anderson and Dave Seaman. It was released as an exclusive vinyl single through Deconstruction Records on 21 May 1998 in the United Kingdom, and through Minogue's distribution label Sony BMG on 26 May 1998 in the United States. However, Deconstruction halted further promotion of the single because BMG released it in the US without discussion.

The Brothers in Rhythm remix of "Too Far" received favourable reviews from most music critics. They complimented the remixes composition, but some criticized the overworked repetition. Despite an airplay and vinyl release, the Brothers in Rhythm remix failed to appear on any record charts. No music video was directed or produced. The remix version was a mash=up with the original version, and was performed once on Minogue's 1998 concert tour, Intimate and Live.

Background and release

After releasing Impossible Princess in October 1997, Minogue announced she would promote the album with a concert tour in Australia.[32] Minogue intended to only perform in Australia, but strong public demand in the United Kingdom prompt Minogue to tour there too.[32] With tickets selling out instantly, more shows were announced in both Australia and the UK.[32] Just before the tour started in June 1998, Minogue's record label Deconstruction prompt plans in releasing two remix albums to accommodate and increase the sales of Impossible Princess in both Australia and the UK.[32] In May 1998, Minogue and Deconstruction announced via press release about the two remix albums.[33] Revealing to be the remix albums Mixes and Impossible Remixes (1998), Deconstruction said the Mixes album would be released as a triple-vinyl set and set the release date for the following year.[28] However, fans voiced their concerns on expensive import prices for global shipping and with increasingly popular demand, Deconstruction scrapped the idea and released the remixes on a two-set compact disc, and forward the triple vinyl at a later date.[28]

After the announcements, popular demand towards "Too Far" prompt Deconstruction to be announce the release of the original edit of "Too Far" as the fifth and final single from Impossible Princess, and the Brothers in Rhythm remix as the lead single from Mixes.[34] However, Minogue's distribution label Sony BMG released "Too Far" as a vinyl and airplay single in the UK on 21 May 1998, and North America on 26 May.[34][35] This is her first single released in the US since her 1994 single "Confide in Me".[36] Deconstruction call of the singles promotion, and refused to promote it further after BMG released it without discussion.[7]

Reception and appearances

The Brothers in Rhythm remix of "Too Far" received favourable reviews from most music critics. Charlie Porter from Amazon.co.uk was positive towards the remix, stating "Brothers In Rhythm work their slinky magic on "Too Far"...". Porter highlighted the song as an album stand out track.[31] Brendan Swift from AllMusic was mixed in his review from Impossible Remixes, which the Brothers in Rhythm remix of "Too Far" was included on. He commented that "with ten versions of four songs ("Too Far", "Some Kind of Bliss", "Did it Again", and "Breathe"), there's not a lot of room for variation... and the repetition certainly makes for classic club fodder." However, Swift acknowledge that Brothers in Rhythm, and other remix artists from the two accompanying albums, "do their best to mix it up, and they succeed by drip-drying the pop melodies and distilling them into pure club-style mash."[37] Despite an airplay and vinyl release, the Brothers in Rhythm remix failed to appear on any record charts. No music video was directed or produced.

The Brothers in Rhythm remix features on the double disc album Renaissance Presents Ian Ossia and Nigel Dawson, distributed and released by Renaissance Recordings and Passion Music.[38] The Brothers in Rhythm remix was included on two of Minogue's remix compilations: Mixes and Impossible Remixes.[28][29]

Live performances

Minogue first performed the track on her Intimate and Live concert tour. A mash-up of both the remix and the original version, "Too Far" was used as the opening track along with several other tracks on the Impossible Princess album and featured Minogue rising up on the stage inside a rainbow-colored cone, similar to the artwork of the parent album, wearing black overalls.[39] Like the rest off the costumes on the tour including the performance off "Too Far", it features Minogue with a lot of "princess"-inspired outfits that were created by her and her long-time friend and Fashion designer William Baker.[40] The performance was recorded on 30 June and 1 July at Capitol Theatre in Sydney, and appeared on the related CD and DVD.[41][42]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and the singer's official website.[3]

  • songwriting – Kylie Minogue
  • production – Brothers in Rhythm
  • vocals production – Minogue
  • recording – Alan Bremner and Paul Wright; DMC Studios, Real World Studios and Sarm West Studios, London, England. 1997
  • keyboards, synthesizers, other instruments – Steve Anderson
  • fiddle – Bougaslaw Kostecki
  • viola – Pete Lale
  • cello – Martin Loveday
  • mixing, engineering  – Alan Bremner
  • mixing – Paul Wright

Track list

All lyrics written by Kylie Minogue. 

12" Vinyl[36]
No. Title Length
1. "Too Far" (Brothers in Rhythm mix) 10:21
2. "Too Far" (Junior Vasquez Remix) 11:44
Promotional White label vinyl[43]
No. Title Length
1. "Too Far" (Junior Vasquez Remix) 11:44

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Australia[10] 24 September 1997 (1997-09-24) Radio airplay Mushroom Records
New Zealand[10]
United Kingdom[11][34] 2 January 1998 (1998-01-02) Deconstruction Records
21 May 1998 (1998-05-21) Vinyl
North America[35] 2 January 1998 (1998-01-02) Sony BMG

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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