"It's Up to You" is a 1998 song by Norwegian rock girl band The Tuesdays, released as the first single from their second album, The Tuesdays (1998). Produced by Ole Evenrude, it was a huge hit in Norway, peaking at number 11 on VG-lista and number three on the radio chart Ti i skuddet. It also charted in the Netherlands. Outside Europe, the single hit success in Canada and the US, peaking at number 15 on the RPM Top Singles chart and number 55[1] on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40, and was played on heavy rotation on two of the most important Top 40 radio-stations in the US; WPLJ New York and KIIS-FM Los Angeles.[2] A music video was filmed in L.A., directed by David Hogan.[3]
"It's Up to You" | ||||
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Single by The Tuesdays | ||||
from the album The Tuesdays | ||||
Released | 1998 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 3:59 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Ole Evenrude | |||
The Tuesdays singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"It's Up to You" on YouTube | ||||
J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun noted "a few Beatlesque flourishes" on the ending of the song.[4] Ann Kristin Frøystad from Norwegian newspaper Bergensavisen stated that it has "some charm that the Americans might fall for".[5] Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Remember the good of days when the Bangles and Go-Go's ruled? Well, the Tuesdays apparently do, and they're aiming to fill the girl rock band void. "It's Up To You" is a sunny, pop-soaked strummer on which lead singer Laila Samuels even sounds a bit like ex-Bangle Susanna Hoffs." He added, "With breezy harmonies and fluffy keyboards as a foundation, the chorus is downright irresistible, permanently sticking to the brain upon impact. Rock radio may find the band's execution a tad too lightweight for airplay, though the track is right in the pocket of guitar-conscious top 40 formats. A promising peek into the act's eponymous debut album."[6]
Another editor, Chuck Taylor described the track as a "jangly, skippy Bangles-esque ode to optimism over an unfulfilled love affair, sporting the sunny chorus, "So if you ever change your mind/I'll be waiting first in line/You can hang your toothbrush next to mine/It's up to you"."[7] Beth Johnson from Entertainment Weekly said, "Those long nights in Norway must have given this new babe band lots of time to listen to radio — they've borrowed from practically every pop group of the last 30 years, including early Beatles on the quintet's single "It's Up to You"."[8] Pål Andreassen from Moss Avis called it "hyper-catchy".[9] Scripps Howard News Service said the single "promises to launch the gals out of Scandinavia with an iridescent sound, hooping harmonies (including a layer of "la-la-la's") and the clincher line "You can hang your tootbrush next to mine"."[10]
"It's Up to You" is a moody song with a tempo of 124 BPM. It can also be used half-time at 62 BPM or double-time at 248 BPM. The album track runs 4 minutes and 27 seconds long with a G key and a major mode. It has high energy and is somewhat danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar.[11]
Chart (1998) | Peak positions |
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Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 15 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[12] | 20 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] | 81 |
Norway (VG-lista)[14] | 11 |
Norway (Ti i skuddet)[15] | 3 |
US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 55 |
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 23 |