"Magic Carpet Ride" is a song by British duo Mighty Dub Katz, which consisted of DJ, musician and record producer Norman Cook and his former flatmate Gareth Hansome (a.k.a. GMoney). It was first released in 1995 and is their biggest hit to date, peaking within the top 10 in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. The song contains a sample of Chakachas' recording "Yo Soy Cubano" from 1970, and Sandee's recording "Notice Me" from 1988. The male vocals are based on Laid Back's "White Horse". A black-and-white music video was shot to accompany the song.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that this "kitchen-sink instrumental from the ever-experimental mind of producer Norman Cook combines elements of disco and merengue-with the occasional splash electro-pop. The end result is a quirky, but endearing jam that will enjoy a nice run on the turntables of adventurous DJs."[1] He also concluded, "File this one under "happy house" and twirl on, children."[2] Pan-European magazine Music & Media described the song as a "Latin house trinket".[3] On the 1997 re-release, Daisy & Havoc from Music Week's RM Dance Update gave it five out of five, adding, "This brilliant unusual track should be a surprise to very few people – it's been around for years. [...] Presumably they're after a summer hit with this one and it's well deserved – nothing else sounds like it or lasts like it."[4]

Chart performance

"Magic Carpet Ride" enjoyed massive success in both clubs and on the chart all over the world. It peaked at number-one on the RPM Dance/Urban chart in Canada in January 1996, with one week at the top. In Europe, the single charted within the top 10 in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. In Norway and Austria, it reached the top 20, while it was a top 30 hit in Iceland, Sweden and the UK, where it peaked at number 24 in 1997. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached its highest position as number 33 in March 1996.

Influence and legacy

Tomorrowland voted "Magic Carpet Ride" number 97 in their official list of "The Ibiza 500" in 2020.[5]

Track listing

  • 12" single, Germany (1995)
  1. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Ulti-Mix) – 6:02
  2. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Son of Wilmot Mix) – 7:29
  • CD single, Europe (1995)
  1. "Magic Carpet Ride" (No Comprende Edit) – 3:50
  2. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Ulti-Edit) – 3:58
  3. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Ulti-Mix) – 6:02
  4. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Son of Wilmot Mix) – 7:29
  5. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Original Version) – 8:06
  • CD maxi, Netherlands (1995)
  1. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Radio Edit) – 3:52
  2. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Son of Wilmot Mix) – 7:33
  3. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Work Remix) – 6:03
  4. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Original Version) – 8:08
  • CD maxi, France (1995)
  1. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Radio Edit) – 4:30
  2. "Magic Carpet Ride" (Vocoder Club Mix) – 8:13
  3. "Son of Wilmot" (No Comprende Mix) – 7:29

Charts

References

  1. ^ Flick, Larry (10 June 1995). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 61. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  2. ^ Flick, Larry (26 August 1995). "Dance Trax: Mariah And Janet Tear Up The Dancefloor" (PDF). Billboard. p. 26. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Dance Grooves" (PDF). Music & Media. 25 November 1995. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  4. ^ Daisy & Havoc (28 June 1997). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 6. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Tomorrowland Ibiza Top 500 (2020)". Spotify. 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Dance/Urban - Volume 62, No. 21 Jan 08, 1996". RPM. 8 January 1996. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 March 1996. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 166 vikuna 20.4. - 26.4. '96". Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Mighty Dub Katz" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  12. ^ "Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride". VG-lista. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  14. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 January 1996. p. 34. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 August 1997. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 27 July 1997 - 02 August 1997". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Canada Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1996". RPM. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  22. ^ "The Club Top 100 of 1997" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental insert). 10 January 1998. p. 5. Retrieved 9 January 2023.