7 October 2004
Is it possible to separate ‘Call On Me’ from its notorious video? After all, what you bought and heard on the radio was the record. Maybe people loved its generic Euro-house vin ordinaire and its repeated-to-death ’80s soft rock sample. The ‘Call On Me’ CD single tracklisting doesn’t include the video, though it has a remix whose title contains the ableist r-slur. However, not only does the CD cover (above) feature a literal screen-grab from the video, but the Top of the Pops and other TV promotional appearances for ‘Call On Me’ were the dancers from the video recreating its gym workout routine.
So, it’s fair to posit that the otherwise unremarkable ‘Call On Me’ by Eric Prydz got to number one in Ireland, the UK and across Europe on the back of its sexist, leering video, and that the video was intrinsic to the ‘Call On Me’ project. The number ones of 2004 really have been for the most part a toxic bunch. If you can’t find the video online, ask your da.
Irish Number Ones 