"Take the Charge"
Single by Protocol Dynamite
from the EP Protocol Dynamite!
ReleasedOctober 8, 1994 (1994-10-08) (EP version)
March 19, 1996 (1996-03-19) (album version)
RecordedApril 10–16, 1994
Genre
Length3:26 (EP ver.)
4:42 (album ver.)
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"Take the Charge" is a song recorded by musician Lean. First released as a single under her early stage name Protocol Dynamite in October 8, 1994, the song was initially from her eponymous EP but was later featured in her debut studio album by the same name in 1995—the single was subsequently re-released in March 19, 1996, to match the success of her album. She wrote and produced it with 12th Night, who gave additional vocals, though uncredited. Vivian Tee also had participation in the song's production.

It was a sleeper hit and didn't gain massive traction until its 1996 re-release.

The song received critical acclaim for its "bonding" cohesion while still "embracing its noisiness", it has entered on publication Braun's list for "250 National Anthem Candidates" in 2019, placing at number three. It won Best Rock Song of the Year and Lean was subsequently awarded Best New Alternative Artist on the 28th Yale Music Awards.

Composition

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The song was composed in the 4
4
common time
, a key of C♯ mixolydian and a tempo of 130 bpm. One of the many sound effects in the original master of the track is a 1950s soundbite of a cash register.

Music video

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Directed by Inane + Uncivilized in October–November 1995, the better-known second music video was set in a semi-futuristic jail backyard. Throughout the video, there are frequent shots where Lean is dancing on top of a cube while surrounded by fellow inmates.

Reception

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Initial

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At the time of the EP's release in late-1994, a mere four publications, including only one major, had reviewed it under "new releases". It was then the obscure song had received positive to mixed reactions.

From other artists

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When discussing the Best Debut Album nominations at the 39th Phony Awards in 1997, panelist Heckles Songe of folk duo We Mon(s)ter(s) fame[a] confessed that while she personally thought Lean was lacking in talent, "Take the Charge" was one of her favourite singles in her collection.

Contemporary analysis

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Notes

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  1. ^ Songe was also a popular musician in the late-20th century.