"Ode to the Bouncer" is a song written, performed and produced by electropop group Studio Killers. The energetic three-minute and 26-second dance-pop song, which plays in the key of F-sharp major, tells the story of somebody trying to enter a venue to dance but being prevented by a bouncer from doing so. Break beats, synth loops and vocals are depicted in the song's arrangement. Dyna Mink and Goldie Foxx composed the tune, while the lyrics were made by vocalist Cherry.

The single was first issued on 6 April 2011 as the lead single from Studio Killers' self-titled debut studio album, which was later released in 2013. The music video was released on 7 April. The single was the most successful in the Netherlands, where it was number one on charts such as the Dutch Top 40 and Mega Single Top 100 and went gold. It also made several chart appearances in Denmark, Finland, and Belgium. The song has been met with positive critical reviews, with praise going towards the song's production and arrangement. It became the anthem of benefit event Serious Request on the Dutch radio station 3FM in 2011, and appeared on Spin's "20 Best Songs of the Summer" that same year.

Production and composition Studio Killers formed after bandmembers Dyna Mink and Goldie Foxx had a tune to be sent to a girl group in the United Kingdom. However, the girl group dropped from their label, and by then the two had nobody to write lyrics for the song or release it. They met up with Chubby Cherry at an international airport, suggesting that she be the track's vocalist and lyricist, thus forming Studio Killers. The tune was used for "Ode to the Bouncer".Meuse, Matt (14 June 2013). Studio Killers are animated, anonymous and unapologetic. CBC Music. Retrieved 27 October 2013.KKS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Studio Killers . Kick Kick Snare. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013. Dyna Mink played the keyboards, which were programmed by Goldie Foxx, and Chubby Cherry was vocalist. James F. Reynolds mixed the song and handled additional production,James F Reynolds' Full Discography. jamesfreynolds-mixing.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2013. while Dick Beetham mastered it at 360 Mastering in London.

"Ode to the Bouncer" is an energetic electropop dance-pop trackLockwood, Andrew. Studio Killers - Studio Killers Album Review. contactmusic.com. Retrieved 26 October 2013.Kellman, Andy. Studio Killers Biography. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 28 October 2013. with influences of Giorgio Moroder, Vince Clarke, Daft Punk and ABBA. The piece is in the key of F Mixolydian, and plays for 3 minutes and 26 seconds at a tempo of 123 beats per minute.ODE TO THE BOUNCER [Studio Killers. Studio Killers Records. Beatport. Retrieved 15 November 2013. Lyrically, the song depicts a woman trying to get into a nightclub by complaining that she's cold, claiming that it's her birthday and she has friends inside, pointing out that she isn't wearing inappropriate shoes and implying that she isn't wearing any underwear, only for the bouncer to continue to refuse her entrance. She then begins insulting the "empowered and aroused" bouncer and the song eventually culminates with her sneaking into the club through the ladies' room window. The production includes "skipping break beats" and "synth loops",Studio Killers - Ode To The Bouncer. contactmusic.com. Retrieved 27 October 2013. and Scandipop.co.uk described it as "a cross between PWL or Pete Hammond back in the 80′s, and modern day Scandinavian electro acts like Eva & The Heartmaker or Electric Lady Lab."Studio Killers: ‘Ode To The Bouncer’. scandipop.co.uk. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2013.

Release

A music video for "Ode to the Bouncer" premiered on 7 April 2011.Studio Killer (7 April 2011). Ode To The Bouncer - Studio Killers on YouTube. Retrieved 27 October 2013. The animated video depicts Cherry trying to fight a bouncer to get into a club. The song was released as the lead single for the group's self-titled debut album, where it appears as the first track. The single was first issued in Norway and Sweden on 6 April 2011. It was later released on 2 May 2011 in Denmark, before premiering in the United Kingdom, United States and Finland later that year.

The song reached number one on record charts in the Netherlands: the Digital Songs,Netherlands Digital Songs: Jan 07, 2012. Billboard Biz. Retrieved 26 October 2013. Dutch Top 40, Mega Dance Top 30, Mega Top 50 and Single Top 100. It also appeared on record charts in Denmark, Finland and Belgium.Finland Digital Songs: Sep 10, 2011. Billboard Biz. Retrieved 26 October 2013. "Ode to the Bouncer" was the anthem of benefit event Serious Request on the Dutch radio station 3FM in 2011,Ode to the Bouncer voert hitlijst aan (in Dutch). nieuws.nl. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2013. and a version of the song played on the station was released as a separate single, with the subtitle "This One's For Mama Version".Studio Killers - Ode To The Bouncer (3FM Serious Request This One's For Mama Version). iTunes. Retrieved 6 November 2013. Artists who have remixed the song include Bobby Rock and Pablo Rindt, Feng Shui, Niels van Gogh and Daniel Strauss, M-3ox, Lee Mortimer, Fear of Tigers, and Xilent.Ode to the Bouncer (Xilent Remix) by Studio Killers. iTunes. Retrieved 14 November 2013.

Critical reception Critical reactions to "Ode to the Bouncer" have been approving, with some reviewers finding it humorous, while liking its production and arrangement. In a review of the group's self-titled debut album, a writer from MuuMuse described the song as "hysterically fierce" and "fresh".Studio Killers, An Animated Band, Deliver Surprise Electro-Pop Debut of the Year. MuuMuse. June 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013. Contactmusic.com's Andrew Lockwood found the song "ridiculously catchy", while Scandipop.co.uk called its chorus stunning "both musically and melodically". Federico Antonioni of the Italian online publication concertionline.com labeled the song as an "excellent example of catchy dance music..."Antonioni, Federico (20 March 2012). Ode to the bouncer – Studio Killers (testo e video) (in Italian). concertionline.com. Retrieved 27 October 2013.

The Irish Times's Jim Carroll called "Ode to the Bouncer" a "Smashing pop humdinger from mysterious combo with Danish, Finnish and UK members who prefer to hide (for now) behind cartoon characters,"Carroll, Jim (17 June 2011). "Morrissey poses his omnivores fans a dilemma". The Ticket (The Irish Times). p. 10. and a PopJustice writer said that it was a great track "that instantly sounds like something you've known forever."Studio Killers – ‘Ode To The Bouncer’. PopJustice. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2013. A staff member from the magazine FHM wrote that "The track’s great with lyrical gems like “you’re just another prick at the door” and the sound being some sort of mutant mash-up of Madonna and Gorillaz."Studio Killers – Ode To The Bouncer. FHM. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2013. Writing for the official site of The Jace Hall Show, Jeff Nau said that "At first, the song is cringingly annoying, but the 3rd time it’s in your head like a chunk of infected code."Nau, Jeff (4 July 2011). Death of A Diva: Animated Avatars Are Killing Your Pop Stars . jacehallshow.com. Retrieved 27 October 2013.

Track listing Streaming & Digital Download "Ode to the Bouncer" – 3:26 "Ode to the Bouncer (Bobby Rock and Pablo Rindt Remix)" – 6:24 "Ode to the Bouncer (Feng Shui Remix)" – 6:30 "Ode to the Bouncer (Niels Van Gogh and Daniel Strauss Remix)" – 6:22 "Ode to the Bouncer (M-3ox Remix)" – 6:26 "Ode to the Bouncer (Lee Mortimer Remix)" – 5:03 "Ode to the Bouncer (Fear of Tigers Remix)" – 4:52

Remixes

Manhattan Clique Mixes "Ode to the Bouncer (Manhattan Clique Remix)" – 6:37 "Ode to the Bouncer (Manhattan Clique Instrumental)" – 6:37 "Ode to the Bouncer (Manhattan Clique Edit)" – 3:38 Niels Van Gogh & Daniel Strauss Mixes "Ode to the Bouncer (Niels Van Gogh & Daniel Strauss Remix)" – 6:22 "Ode to the Bouncer (Niels Van Gogh & Daniel Strauss Edit)" – 3:51 Fear of Tigers Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (Fear of Tigers Remix)" – 4:52 Lee Mortimer Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (Lee Mortimer Remix)" – 5:03 Bobby Rock & Pablo Rindt Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (Bobby Rock & Pablo Rindt Remix)" – 6:24 M-3ox Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (M-3ox Remix)" – 6:26 Feng Shui Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (Feng Shui Remix)" – 6:30 Paradise 45 Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (Paradise 45 Remix)" – 7:10 Xilent Mix "Ode to the Bouncer (Xilent Remix)" – 4:14

Accolades PublicationCountryAccoladeYearRankSpinUnited States20 Best Songs of the SummerAaron, Charles (12 September 2011). SPIN's 20 Best Songs of the Summer. Spin. Retrieved 27 October 2013.2011*"*" indicates the list is unordered.

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2011–2012) PeakpositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders Dance)6Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia Dance Bubbling Under)DANCE BUBBLING UNDER: 21/01/2012 (in French). ultratop.be. Retrieved 26 October 2013.15Italian Airplay (EarOne)52Netherlands (Mega Dance Top 30)Dance Top 30 : 31/12/2011 (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 26 October 2013.1Netherlands (Mega Top 50)3fm Mega Top 50 : 31/12/2011 (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 26 October 2013.1United Kingdom Commercial Pop Top 30 (Music Week)26United Kingdom Upfront Club Top 40 (Music Week)9US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard)Murray, Gordan (21 June 2018). "Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts: Lucas & Steve x Brandy, Studio Killers & Chicane". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2018.9

Year-end charts Chart (2011) Position Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 112 Chart (2012) PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders Dance)JAAROVERZICHTEN 2012 : Dance (in Dutch). ultratop.be. Retrieved 27 October 2013.52Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)31Netherlands (Mega Top 50)JAAROVERZICHTEN - 3FM 2012 (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 27 October 2013.46Netherlands (MegaCharts Download)JAAROVERZICHTEN - DOWNLOAD 2012 (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 27 October 2013.34Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)JAAROVERZICHTEN - SINGLE 2012 (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 27 October 2013.35

Release history