Over (Portishead song)

"Over" is the second single from English electronic music band Portishead's self-titled second album (1997). It peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart and has been used in numerous TV shows and movies.[citation needed] The promotional black-and-white music video directed by Chris Bran featured lead singer Beth Gibbons singing to the camera in the middle of the darkness and occasionally running from one spotlight to another.

"Over"
Single by Portishead
from the album Portishead
A-side"Over"
Released1997
Recorded1996–1997
Length4:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Portishead
Portishead singles chronology
"All Mine"
(1997)
"Over"
(1997)
"Only You"
(1998)

Critical reception

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British magazine Music Week gave the song three out of five, adding, "Typical of the mood of the parent album, this second spin-off single finds the quartet in very dark emotional waters, though still featuring all the classic Portishead sonic cues. Further listening reaps rewards."[1]

Track list

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  • Original British CD
  1. "Over"
  2. "Over Remix"
  3. "Over Instrumental"
  • British CD "Over 2"
  1. "Over"
  2. "Half Day Closing" (NYC)
  3. "Humming" (NYC)

Personnel

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  • Beth Gibbons – vocals, production
  • Adrian Utley – guitar, bass, production
  • Geoff Barrow – drums, samples, turntables, programming, production
  • Dave McDonald – production

Charts

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Chart (1997) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[2] 159
UK Singles (OCC)[3] 25

Cover versions and samples

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  • Ecuadorian electronic duo The Bunnies included a live version of the song in their 2016 eponymous EP.[4]
  • Musician Steve Adey covered the song on his 2017 LP Do Me a Kindness.
  • The track was sampled by RZA on the track "Kiss of a Black Widow".[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1 November 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2015-07-15". Imgur. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
  3. ^ "Portishead". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  4. ^ "The Bunnies EP, by The Bunnies". The Bunnies. Retrieved 2019-12-01.
  5. ^ "RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard's 'Kiss of a Black Widow' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved 2019-12-01.