Take Me Away (Fefe Dobson song)

"Take Me Away" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Fefe Dobson from her eponymous debut studio album (2003). It was released to radio as the second single from the album on 18 November 2003, by Island Records. The song was written by Dobson and Jay Levine, whilst production was helmed by Levine and James Bryan McCollum. "Take Me Away" debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 15, 2003 and later peaked at 87.

"Take Me Away"
Single by Fefe Dobson
from the album Fefe Dobson
B-side"Bye Bye Boyfriend"
Released18 November 2003 (2003-11-18)
StudioMetalworks (Mississauga)
Genre
Length3:32
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Fefe Dobson singles chronology
"Bye Bye Boyfriend"
(2003)
"Take Me Away"
(2003)
"Everything"
(2004)
Music video
"Take Me Away" on YouTube

Production edit

The song was written by Dobson and Jay Levine, whilst production was helmed by Levine and James Bryan McCollum. The song had added an alternative rock flavour with rebellious themes, Guitars and drums were also added.

Artwork edit

Dobson would later question the design of the "Take Me Away" single cover and its seeming intention to mask her mixed race, suggesting it might've been done "to not shock people" and possibly present her as a white woman (although she is half-Jamaican Canadian).[3]

Critical reception edit

Chuck Taylor of Billboard called "Take Me Away" a "refreshing change of pace" in the pop music landscape and wrote that the song "rocks steady with a siren assault of hyper-hooky guitars."[4]

Music video edit

The music video was directed by Michael Palmieri and produced by Mike O'Connor.[citation needed] It shows her performing the song in a concert style. There is also an official 'making of' video.[5]

Accolades edit

Year Award Result
2004 Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Solo Artist [CHR (Top 40)][6] Won
MuchMusic Video Awards for Best Pop Video[7] Nominated
Muchmusic Video Awards for People's Choice Favourite Canadian Artist[7] Nominated

Track listings and formats edit

  1. "Take Me Away"  – 3:32
  2. "Bye Bye Boyfriend"  – 4:14

Credits and personnel edit

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Fefe Dobson album liner notes.[9]

  • Fefe Dobson – vocals, writer, vocal arrangements
  • Jay Levine – writer, producer, instrumentation, orchestration, arrangements, vocal arrangements, digital editing, Pro Tools operation
  • Dan Kanter – guitar
  • James Bryan McCollum – guitar, producer, instrumentation, orchestration, arrangements, digital editing, Pro Tools operation
  • Kirk Broadbridge – guitar
  • Tom Lord-Alge – mixing
  • James Murray – engineering, digital editing, Pro Tools operation
  • Dave Schiffman – additional engineering
  • Jennifer Klein – engineering assistant
  • Steve Chahley – engineering assistant
  • Nir Z – drums
  • Colin Robinson – percussion
  • Jack Dailey – bass

Charts edit

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Singles Chart)[10] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 87
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[12] 25

Release history edit

Country Date Format Label Ref.
United States August 18, 2003 Contemporary hit radio [13]
Various September 9, 2003 CD single [14]

References edit

  1. ^ Hall, Rashaun (13 December 2003). Billboard (Vol. 115, No. 50 ed.). Nielsen Business Media. p. 44. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  2. ^ "The 20 Best Rock Songs By Pop Stars". Spin. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  3. ^ Lau, Kathleen Newman-Bremang,Vai Yu Law,Yazmin Butcher,Elaine Jyll Regio,Jasmin Stephen At The Canvas Agency,Pamela. "Fefe Dobson Is Ready To Let It All Out Again". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Taylor, Chuck (27 September 2003). Billboard (Vol. 115, No. 39 ed.). Nielsen Business Media. p. 44. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Fefe Dobson – 'Take Me Away' (making of)". The Island Def Jam Music Group. VEVO (FefeDobson Channel) at YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  6. ^ "Canadian Radio Music Awards. List of Past CRMA Winners". CAB/ACR. Archived from the original on 15 December 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  7. ^ a b "MMVA 04 Much Music Video Awards". Much Music. 2004. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  8. ^ Take Me Away (United States CD single liner notes). Fefe Dobson. The Island Def Jam Music Group. 2003. B0001184-32.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Fefe Dobson (CD liner notes). Fefe Dobson. Island. 2003. B0001244-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ "Fefe Dobson | Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Fefe Dobson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "Fefe Dobson Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "R&R Going For Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. 15 August 2003. p. 24. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Take Me Away - Fefe Dobson | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2020.