If you're only just discovering Sophie Ellis-Bextor because of the much-talked-about final scene of Saltburn with Barry Keoghan, I guess it's a case of better late than never. However, she has quite the incredible back catalogue which warrants a closer listen. Murder On The Dancefloor, featured in the aforementioned scene, was a hit single from Sophie's debut album and it peaked at number 2 on the UK charts back in 2001 and became Europe's most played song of 2002. Now, because of the renewed interest in the song thanks to the film, it has returned to the number 2 spot 22 years later, making it her first top-10 single since 2007. The song's revitalization has even prompted the rerelease of the single on a limited edition CD featuring Saltburn-inspired artwork as well as on 7 inch vinyl for the first time.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor started her musical career as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience in the 1990s. Her collaboration with Italian DJ Spiller on the global hit Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), which went to number 1 in the UK, in 2000 really put her on the map. This was followed by the release of her debut solo album, Read My Lips, which featured the hit Murder On The Dancefloor as well as her nu-disco cover of Cher's Take Me Home. She went on to release six studio albums: Shoot From The Hip (2003), Trip The Light Fantastic (2007, Make A Scene (2011), Wanderlust (2014), Familia (2016) and Hana (2023).
During COVID lockdown in the UK, she streamed "Kitchen Disco" concerts live on Instagram from her kitchen (these performances also featured her five sons with husband Richard Jones). These sessions were incredibly popular, especially for fans who were also stuck at home with limited entertainment options, and were followed by her first greatest hits album, Songs From The Kitchen Disco, featuring her biggest hits as well as covers of other artists' songs, such as Alcazar's brilliant Crying At The Discoteque.
If you are one of those who has never had the pleasure of listening and/or dancing to Sophie Ellis-Bextor, here are my top 10 SEB songs to get you started:
10|| Synchronized (2011)
A stunning downtempo track about feeling a deep emotional connection with someone, of being in sync as the title suggests, from the album Make A Scene.
9|| Wild Forever (2016)
Wild Forever is the opening track on her Latin American influenced album, Familia. The track is laced with subtle synths and a steady beat that gradually builds until it bursts into a youthful, carefree chorus.
8|| Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) (2000)
The aforementioned collaboration with Spiller remains a firm favorite of mine. Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger highlighted the "beautiful tension" in the song, describing "an apt flirtation between Bextor’s languid, cut-glass vocals and the delightful indulgence of Spiller's music".
7|| Crystalise (F9 Radio Edit) (2016)
While the original is a beautiful and smooth ballad with dreamy violins, I love the F9 Radio Edit of the song which elevates it to a sophisticated dance track.
6|| Hypnotized (with Wu Oh) (2022)
Sophie first performed the song on her Kitchen Disco Tour but it also appears on her 2023 album, Hana. The track has been described as "avant-pop", "disco pop" and an "icy club banger".
5|| Bittersweet (Freemasons Radio Edit) (2010)
The Freemasons add their magic touch to the third single from Make A Scene, creating a dancefloor banger with a satisfying 80s vibe.
4|| Get Over You (2002)
A catchy breakup song with some of my favorite Sophie lyrics:
Go, go, go, go, go
I'll get over you
You drive me crazy, up the wall
Goodbye Mr Know-it-all
The song is featured on the 2002 re-issue of Read My Lips.
3|| Breaking The Circle (2023)
The lead single from her most recent album, Hana (Hana is the Japanese word for ‘blossom’ and it was inspired by a trip to Japan) is fresh and optimistic while remaining true to her dancefloor roots. The Sudlow Radio Mix of the song made it onto my list of top 10 remixes of 2023.
2|| Murder On The Dancefloor (2001)
As mentioned above, this was a massive hit for Sophie and I'm thrilled that the song (and by association Sophie) is getting the attention it deserves more than 20 years since it reached the top of the charts. It's also the perfect song for that final Saltburn scene, which Sophie herself has given her stamp of approval.
1|| Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) (2009)
Sophie collaborated with English production duo The Freemasons for this lead single from her 2009 album, Make A Scene. This is top tier dance-pop with flawless production and vocals and an irresistible beat.
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