Mickey (Toni Basil song)

Background

The song was originally performed by British pop group Racey, with the title "Kitty", and was included on their debut studio album Smash and Grab in 1979. The original Racey song did not include the "Oh Mickey, you're so fine" chant, which Basil added.

For many years it was rumored that the name was changed to Mickey on speculations that Basil had developed a crush on The Monkees' drummer and lead vocalist Micky Dolenz after meeting him on the set of their film Head, for which she was the choreographer. However, that claim has been denied by Basil, who said that she "didn't really know Micky at all".

In January 2020, Basil released a re-recording of the song as "Hey Mickey" to digital and streaming platforms.

Legal claims

On August 31, 2017, Basil filed a multi-claim lawsuit against Razor & Tie Direct, Forever 21, Disney, Viacom, VH1, and South Park. Basil alleged that the defendants had commercially used the song "Mickey" without a license and damaged her right of publicity, claiming excess of $25,000 in damages. Basil also filed a lawsuit against AMC on May 12, 2020, for the unauthorized use of "Mickey" in a trailer for Preacher. On August 27, 2020, a California state of appeals court affirmed dismissal of Basil's case.

In 2013, a separate legal filing for the song was made by Basil. After almost a decade later in 2022, the courts ruled Basil was the sole copyright owner of her album Word Of Mouth, which included the song "Mickey".

Composition

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music, the song is written in the key of E major and is set in time signature of common time with a tempo of 145 beats per minute. Basil's vocal range spans from B3 to C♯5.

Critical reception

Rock critic Robert Christgau commented on the perceived 'obscene' content of the lyric "So come on and give it to me / Any way you can / Any way you want to do it / I'll take it like a man". Christgau wrote in a review at the time that Basil "was the only woman ever to offer to take it up the ass on Top 40 radio." However, Basil has adamantly denied that the song is about anal sex, stating: "NO! That's ridiculous."

The single reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week and number two on the UK Singles Chart. It is Basil's only top 40 success. The song was ranked at number 6 on VH1's "100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s".

Music video

The music video was directed, produced and choreographed by Basil herself. The cheerleaders featured in the video were members of a championship squad from Carson High School in Carson, California. The cheerleading uniform Basil wore in the music video was the one she actually wore in high school. According to Basil, "They didn't put anything in the budget, I did everything myself. And this is the actual cheer sweater from Las Vegas High."

Track listings and formats

US 7" single

1. "Mickey" – 3:36
2. "Thief on the Loose" – 3:50

International 7" single

1. "Mickey" – 3:36
2. "Hanging Around" – 4:06

US 12" single

1. "Mickey" (Special Club mix) (Short) – 4:32
2. "Mickey" (Special Club mix) (Long) – 5:58

Alternate US 12" single

1. "Mickey" (Special Club mix) – 5:58
2. "Mickey" (Spanish version) – 5:12

• 7" single

1. "Mickey" – 3:30
2. "Hanging Around" – 3:59

• SG CD single (1994)

1. "Mickey" (Original Version) – 3:29
2. "Mickey" (7" New Mix) – 6:03
3. "Mickey" (12" New Mix) – 4:13
4. "Mickey" (12" Alternative Version) – 3:57
5. "Mickey" (7" Instrumental) – 6:16
6. "Mickey" (7" Smart E's Version) – 6:04
7. "Mickey" (12" Smart E's Version – 6:16
8. "Mickey" (Smart E's Dub) – 6:16

• US CD single (1999)

1. "Mickey" (Radio Remix) – 3:29
2. "Mickey" ("Back to the Future" Club Mix) – 6:03
3. "Mickey" ("Killa Klub" Edit) – 3:57
4. "Mickey" ("Killa Klub" Mix) – 6:16
5. "Mickey" ("Killa Klub" Dub) – 6:04

• HK CD single (1999)

1. "Mickey" (Radio Remix) – 3:29
2. "Mickey" ("Back to the Future" Club Mix) – 6:03
3. "Mickey" (Jason Nevins Radio Remix) – 4:13
4. "Mickey" ("Killa Klub" Edit) – 3:57
5. "Mickey" ("Killa Klub" Mix) – 6:16
6. "Mickey" ("Killa Klub" Dub) – 6:04

• Digital rerecording (2020)

1. "Hey Mickey" – 4:12

Credits and personnel adapted from Word of Mouth album liner notes.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

Other versions

Lolly version

English singer Lolly covered "Mickey" which was released in September 1999 as the second single from her debut album My First Album. Her version reached number four on the UK Singles Chart the same month. A karaoke version appears on both the single and album.

Track listings

UK CD1 and Australian CD single

1. "Mickey" – 3:35
2. "Sweetheart" – 2:52
3. "Mickey" (karaoke version) – 3:35
4. "Mickey" (CD ROM video)

UK CD2

1. "Mickey" – 3:35
2. "Mickey" (Creator remix) – 5:58
3. "Mickey" (D-Bop remix edit) – 4:22
4. "Mickey" (The Bold & the Beautiful remix) – 5:50

UK cassette single

1. "Mickey" – 3:35
2. "Mickey" (karaoke version) – 3:35

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Other artists

In addition to Lolly's version, several other artists were inspired by Toni Basil's original version of Mickey. Carola Häggkvist released a Swedish version of the song in 1983, which achieved success in Scandinavia. The Swedish version had lyrics written by Ingela "Pling" Forsman for the 1983 album Främling. In 1983, Mexican pop band Timbiriche included a Spanish adaptation of the song on their album En Concierto. The entire structure of the Run–D.M.C. song "It's Tricky" was consciously lifted from "Mickey". Irish girl group B*Witched did a cover of the song that was included on the soundtrack of the film Bring It On (2000). "Speed Drive" is a song by British singer Charli XCX from Barbie the Album, the soundtrack of the 2023 film Barbie, which interpolates the song.

References

References

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6. Day, Adrienne. (August 17, 2012). "Vulture Investigates: Is Toni Basil's 'Mickey' Really About...Well, You Know?". [[Vulture (blog).
7. (January 24, 2020). "Hey Mickey – Single". [[Apple Music]].
8. Shanley, Patrick. (August 31, 2017). ""Mickey" Singer Sues Disney, Viacom, 'South Park,' Others for Unauthorized Use of Song". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
9. Jahner, Kyle. (May 12, 2020). "Not so Fine: Singer Sues AMC for Using Song 'Mickey' in Promo". [[Bloomberg Law]].
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46. (2000-08-22). "Bring It On (Music from the Motion Picture) by Various Artists on Apple Music".
47. (29 June 2023). "Charli XCX Slams the Gas Pedal on 'Speed Drive' From ''Barbie'' Soundtrack".