{{Short description|1999 single by Basement Jaxx}} {{About|the Basement Jaxx song|other songs with the same title|Red Alert (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox song | name = Red Alert | cover = Red_alert_(single).jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = Basement Jaxx | album = Remedy | B-side = Razocaine | released = {{start date|1999|4|19|df=y}} | format = | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Club<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=Record Reviews (Basement Jaxx: Remedy) |last=Savlov |first=Marc |date=10 September 1999 |newspaper=The Austin Chronicle |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/1999-09-10/73807/ |access-date=11 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021227163051/http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/1999-09-10/music_recviews10.html |archive-date=27 December 2002 |url-status=live}}</ref> | length = 4:17 | label = XL | writer = * Felix Buxton * Simon Radcliffe | producer = Basement Jaxx | chronology = Basement Jaxx | prev_title = Fly Life | prev_year = 1996 | next_title = Rendez-Vu | next_year = 1999 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|SJyhZ-3Z8A8|"Red Alert"}}}} }} "'''Red Alert'''" is a song by English electronic music duo Basement Jaxx. It was released on 19 April 1999 by record label XL as the first single from their debut album, ''Remedy'' (1999). The vocals from the track were provided by Blu James. It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and became their first number-one hit on the US ''Billboard'' Dance Club Play chart. As of September 2023, the single has sold and streamed 600,000 units in the United Kingdom, allowing it to receive a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Two different music videos were produced to accompany the song; the UK version was directed by Dawn Shadforth.
==Background and release== "Red Alert" was written by Basement Jaxx members Felix Buxton and Simon Radcliffe.<ref name="ukcd1"/> Craig Roseberry from ''Billboard'' cited Parliament and Funkadelic as inspirations for the track.<ref name="BillboardJuly1999">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=Red+Alert+basement+jaxx&pg=PA29|title=Astralwerks' Basement Jaxx Creates Unique 'Remedy'|last=Roseberry|first=Craig|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=27|page=29|date=3 July 1999|access-date=14 May 2022}}</ref> Vocals on the track are sung by Blu James.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Remedy|title-link=Remedy (Basement Jaxx album)|year=1999|type=UK CD album booklet|publisher=XL Recordings|id=XLCD 129}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, XL Recordings released the song on 19 April 1999 as two CD singles and a 12-inch single.<ref name="ukrel">{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1999/Music-Week-1999-04-17.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 19 April, 1999: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=17 April 1999|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> In the United States, where Astralwerks served as the song's label, it was released on 13 July 1999 across two formats: a maxi-CD single and a 12-inch single. It was also released in Canada on 13 July.<ref name="BillboardJuly1999"/>
==Critical response== The song received critical acclaim from music critics. Robert Christgau and AllMusic's John Bush both chose it as one of their track picks from ''Remedy''.<ref name="Christgau">{{cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Basement+Jaxx |title=Robert Christgau: CG: Basement Jaxx |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |website=robertchristgau.com |access-date=17 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Bush">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/remedy-mw0000243592 |title=''Remedy'' – Basement Jaxx <nowiki>| Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |</nowiki> AllMusic |last=Bush |first=John |website=AllMusic |access-date=17 September 2011}}</ref> Marc Savlov from ''The Austin Chronicle'' described it as a "club staple" with the "propulsive, feel-fucked-up joy."<ref name="auto"/> Joshua Klein from ''The A.V. Club'' stated, "For the BPM-minded, the retro single 'Red Alert' has more than enough faux funk and chic camp to keep the masses moving, proving that Buxton and Ratcliffe know well enough to think with their feet as well as their heads."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/review/basement-jaxx-emremedyem-17957 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115051135/http://www.avclub.com/review/basement-jaxx-emremedyem-17957 |title=Basement Jaxx: ''Remedy'' |last=Klein |first=Joshua |date=19 April 2002 |website=The A.V. Club |archive-date=15 November 2014 |access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref> Larry Flick from ''Billboard'' magazine described the song as a "zippy, ears-pricking pop/dance track", and noted further that it is loaded with "space-age lasers, bloopy bounce rhythms, an unexpected dollop of cello, and a beat meant to ignite the airwaves into a froth of summertime glory." He also added that it is "a gallon hat full of fun, with a female vocal that will force fingers to drum, toes to tap, and heads to nod with abandon. The message here: oh, never mind, it's just about dancing and letting the music raise your soul to the rafters."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1999/BB-1999-07-24.pdf|title=Single Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=24 July 1999|access-date=10 February 2020|page=32}}</ref> Scottish ''Daily Record'' named it "classic disco with a heavy slice of feel-good 70s beats."<ref>"Chartslot". ''Daily Record''. 30 April 1999.</ref>
Stevie Chick from ''NME'' commented, "A truly rockin' P-Funk groove in the classic Basement Jaxx style, 'Red Alert' is a smouldering funky track with dirty basslines, sirens, synths and a pure-sexy female vocal to boot. It's twisted punk garage for 1999."<ref>{{cite web|first= Stevie |last= Chick |title= This Week's Singles April 24 1999 |url= http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/singles240499.html |work= NME |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20001003223134/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/singles240499.html |access-date= 24 November 2020|archive-date= 3 October 2000}}</ref> Writing for ''Rolling Stone'', Barry Walters called the song a "sharp, steady groove is subverted by a succession of P-Funk chanting, G-funk synth screeching, string-section interludes, furious bass doodles and sassy diva wails."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Walters |first=Barry |date=19 August 1999 |title=Album Reviews: Basement Jaxx — ''Remedy''|magazine=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/basementjaxx/albums/album/230932/review/5941033/remedy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112003220/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/basementjaxx/albums/album/230932/review/5941033/remedy |archive-date=12 November 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> Amanda Nowinski from ''Salon'' commented that "the everywhere club anthem that almost everyone with the prefix "DJ" seems to have already remixed, continues the hesher ragga vibe with the added P-Funk bass lines and who-you-lookin'-at? vocals."<ref>{{cite web|first= Amanda |last= Nowinski |title= BASEMENT JAXX |magazine= Salon |date= 13 August 1999 |access-date= 9 August 2020 |url= http://salon.com/ent/music/review/1999/08/13/jaxx/index.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000817064631/http://salon.com/ent/music/review/1999/08/13/jaxx/index.html |archive-date= 17 August 2000}}</ref> ''Sunday Mirror'' said it is "so funky it hurts."<ref>''Sunday Mirror''. 18 April 1999. p. 44.</ref> ''USA Today'''s Edna Gundersen said the song and "Rendez-Vu" "have personality as well as slapping bass lines and deep grooves."<ref>{{cite news |last=Gundersen |first=Edna |date=31 August 1999 |title=Basement Jaxx, ''Remedy'' |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/408778621 |access-date=30 August 2013}}</ref> Bill Werde, assistant editor of ''CMJ New Music Monthly'' listed it as one of his best tracks of 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4wjPUdBdZZcC&q=Red+Alert+moby+basement+jaxx&pg=PA34|title=CMJ New Music Report|date=10 January 2000}}</ref> ''The Village Voice'' listed the track at number 27 on their annual Pazz & Jop poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres99.php|title=Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 1999: Critics Poll}}</ref>
==Music video== The song has two different music videos, one for the UK and the other for the US. In the UK version, which was directed by Dawn Shadforth, Basement Jaxx work at a greasy spoon cafe that is entered by a group of androids, who causes a meteor that was flying above to crash into the diner, which turns everyone into a group of rave-themed zombies. While this happens, one chef gets a plate in his head, another is morphed wearing a Chinese dragon head, the waitress is given an outfit in the similar style of the androids and several cafe patrons are forced to dance.
The US version was shot in New York City, directed by Brian Beletic with creative direction by David Levinel, and features the Giuliani-era NYPD busting musical instrument owners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA101|title=Production Notes|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=33|page=101|date=14 August 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cargocollective.com/davidlevine/Basement-Jaxx|title=Basement Jaxx - david levine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/privacy-and-regulation/dma-rockefeller-s-data-law-make-info-secure/291702|title=DMA: Rockefeller's Proposed Data Law Would Make Info Less Secure|date=13 February 2014|website=adage.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.create-hub.com/review/bug-xl-recordings-special-review/|title=BUG XL Recordings Special – Review}}</ref> This version takes place in a world where music is outlawed and follows cops as they find and bust musicians, similar to the plot of ''Fahrenheit 451'' but substituting books with music. The video includes cameo appearances by other musicians being arrested, most notably Moby.
==Legacy== ''Pitchfork'' ranked the song at number 69 in their list of the "Top 200 Songs of the 1990s".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7851-the-top-200-tracks-of-the-1990s-100-51/4/ |title=Staff Lists: The Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s: 100–51 <nowiki>| Features |</nowiki> Pitchfork |date=1 September 2010 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/4768|title=NME Reviews - Basement Jaxx : Red Alert - NME.COM|author=NME.COM|work=NME.COM|date=12 September 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/basement-jaxx-singles/|title=We Looked Back on All 27 of Basement Jaxx's Singles - and They're Fucking Brilliant|author=Daniel Montesinos-Donaghy|work=Thump}}</ref> Dutch author Ray Kluun's first and well-known novel ''Komt een vrouw bij de dokter'' (Love Life) quoted the lyrics from the song.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bA4p4tKRb4EC&q=Red+Alert+basement+jaxx&pg=PT130|title=Love Life|isbn=9780330540391|last1=Kluun|first1=Ray|date=19 November 2010}}</ref> ''Mixmag'' included the Steve Gurley mix of "Red Alert" in their list of "16 of the Best Uplifting Vocal Garage Tracks".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/16-the-best-uplifting-vocal-garage-tracks|title=16 of the best uplifting vocal garage tracks|website=Mixmag}}</ref> In 2022, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it number 80 in their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|first1=Jon|last1=Dolan|first2=Julyssa|last2=Lopez|first3=Michaelangelo|last3=Matos|first4=Claire|last4=Shaffer|title=200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/200-greatest-dance-songs-of-all-time-1372888|work=Rolling Stone|date=22 July 2022|accessdate=30 October 2022}}</ref>
==Track listings== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * '''UK CD1'''<ref name="ukcd1">{{cite AV media notes|title=Red Alert|year=1999|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=XL Recordings|id=XLS 100 CD}}</ref> # "Red Alert" (Jaxx radio mix) # "Razocaine" # "Red Alert" (Jaxx Nitedub)
* '''UK CD2 and US 12-inch single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Red Alert|year=1999|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=XL Recordings|id=XLS 100 CD2}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Red Alert|year=1999|type=US 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Astralwerks|id=ASW6273-6}}</ref> # "Red Alert" (Jaxx club mix) # "Red Alert" (Eric Morrillo + Harry Romero dub) # "Red Alert" (Steve Gurley mix) {{col-2}} * '''US and Canadian maxi-CD single, Australian CD single'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Red Alert|year=1999|type=US maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Astralwerks|id=ASW 6274-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Red Alert|year=1999|type=Canadian maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=XL Recordings|id=XLSCD 100 CA}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Red Alert|year=1999|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Addiction Records|id=ADICT066CD}}</ref> # "Red Alert" (Jaxx radio mix) # "Razocaine" # "Red Alert" (Jaxx Nitedub) # "Red Alert" (Jaxx club mix) # "Red Alert" (Eric Morrillo + Harry Romero dub) # "Red Alert" (Steve Gurley mix) {{col-end}}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"|Chart (1999) !scope="col"|Peak<br/>position |- !scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=25}}</ref> |84 |- {{single chart|Flanders|36|artist=Basement Jaxx|song=Red Alert|rowheader=true|access-date=15 September 2014}} |- {{single chart|Canadadance|9|chartid=8354|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1999/MM-1999-05-08.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=16|issue=19|page=8|date=8 May 1999|access-date=26 June 2018}}</ref> |25 |- {{single chart|France|70|artist=Basement Jaxx|song=Red Alert|rowheader=true|access-date=15 September 2014}} |- !scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2985903#page/n9/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 328 Vikuna 17.6. – 24.6. 1999)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=10|date=18 June 1999|access-date=14 July 2018}}</ref> |28 |- {{single chart|Ireland2|22|song=Red Alert|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- !scope="row"|Italy (''Musica e dischi'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=Musica e dischi|language=it|access-date=5 June 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Basement Jaxx".</ref> |37 |- {{single chart|Dutch40|31|year=1999|week=21|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|41|artist=Basement Jaxx|song=Red Alert|rowheader=true|access-date=15 September 2014}} |- {{single chart|Scotland|6|date=19990501|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- {{single chart|UK|5|date=19990501|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- {{single chart|UKdance|1|date=19990501|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- {{single chart|UKindie|1|date=19990508|rowheader=true|access-date=9 November 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Basement Jaxx|rowheader=true|access-date=10 March 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddancesales|29|artist=Basement Jaxx|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2021}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !scope="col"|Chart (1999) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=22 January 2000}}</ref> |81 |- !scope="row"|UK Airplay (''Music Week'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-01-22.pdf#page=53|title=Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=22 January 2000|access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref> |42 |- !scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1999 The Year in Music: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=52|page=YE-60|date=December 25, 1999}}</ref> |14 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Basement Jaxx|title=Red Alert|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|source=radioscope|access-date=5 December 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Basement Jaxx|title=Red Alert|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=9359-1685-1|access-date=24 September 2023}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
==Release history== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |19 April 1999 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD}} |rowspan="2"|XL |<ref name="ukrel"/> |- !scope="row"|Canada |rowspan="2"|13 July 1999 |Maxi-CD |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1999/jul99.html|title=Album Releases: July 1999|publisher=Jam!|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817161003/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicReleases1999/jul99.html|archive-date=17 August 2000|access-date=6 January 2023}}</ref> |- !scope="row"|United States |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|maxi-CD}} |Astralwerks |<ref name="BillboardJuly1999"/> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * Performance video {{YouTube|Q-ccw9x56gI|"Red Alert"}} at Mexico City - 13 October 2012
{{Basement Jaxx}} {{Authority control}}
Category:1999 songs Category:1999 singles Category:Astralwerks singles Category:Basement Jaxx songs Category:Songs written by Felix Buxton Category:Songs written by Simon Ratcliffe (musician) Category:UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles Category:XL Recordings singles