Don't Cha

## Music Video

"**Don't Cha**" is a song recorded by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls from their debut studio album *PCD*, which serves as the lead single from the record. It was released April 19, 2005 through A&M Records. The song features rapper Busta Rhymes.

The song contains an interpolation of "Swass" which is written and performed by Sir Mix-a-Lot. It is an R&B song. "Don't Cha" was originally recorded by Tori Alamaze who released the song as her first single; however, after minor success and dissatisfaction with her label she gave up her rights to the song. Universal Music Group gave it to the Pussycat Dolls as the label was trying to reinvent the girl group.

Commercially, the song reached #1 in over 20 countries including Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland and more. In the United States the song reached #2 and stayed there for three consecutive weeks, being held off the top spot by Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together".

## Background

Intersope Records signed the Pussycat Dolls, a sextet spun off from the burlesque group which was created by Robin Antin. After Universal Records dropped Alamaze, the label was still very much interested in "Don’t Cha". Doug Morris—then chairman of Universal Music Group—suggested that "Don't Cha" should be given to the Pussycat Dolls as the label was trying to reinvent the girl group. Initially the song's producer Cee-Lo Green was skeptical saying, "I didn't know too much about them [...], but when I found out that [Universal-owned] Interscope Records was involved, that was an alliance I didn't hesitate to make." The Pussycat Dolls version was eventually recorded adding two verses from rapper Busta Rhymes. Lead singer Nicole Scherzinger admitted that two records sounded identical. "I had [Alamaze's] version as a guide. But ours is just a bit fresher." This song was initially offered to both Sugababes and Paris Hilton, but both declined. In 2006, Hilton claimed that she was presented with the track, but was not impressed with it, commenting. "I think I did hear the song, but not in the format that we all came to know and love. If I'd heard that, of course I'd have jumped at the chance".

## Commercial performance

In the United States, "Don't Cha" debuted at number 95 on the *Billboard* Hot 100 on the issue dated May 7, 2005. In its tenth week, "Don't Cha" entered the top ten at number eight. The track reached number two in its sixteenth week, becoming their highest charting single in the country. The song stayed there for three consecutive weeks, being held off the top spot by Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together", which spent a total of 14 non-consecutive weeks at number one. Despite the song not reaching the top position on the *Billboard* Hot 100, it reached number one spot on the Hot Dance Club Play and Pop 100 and charts for three and seven consecutive weeks respectively. "Don't Cha" is the second longest-charting song on the Hot Digital Songs chart spending 68 weeks on the chart. As of 2018 the song has sold over 8 million copies in the United States.

Across Oceania, the song topped the charts in its first week in both Australia and New Zealand. "Don't Cha" spent 7 non-consecutive weeks at number one in Australia, where it also remained on the chart for 23 total weeks. In New Zealand, the song reached number one in its first week and spent more than half of its time on the chart in the top ten.

In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, making the Pussycat Dolls the first American female group to top the singles chart since Destiny's Child's "Survivor" (2001) and the first single under A&M Records to reach number one since The Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is the Love? (2003). By October 2017 the song has sold 634,000 across physical and download formats and was streamed 11.5 million times being the group's highest seller in the United Kingdom. According to the Official Charts Company "Don't Cha" is the 147th best-selling single of the 21st century.

## Music video

An accompanying music video for "Don't Cha" was directed by Paul Hunter during the week of April 11, 2005. Nicole Scherzinger told MTV News that the video was all about having fun. "Busta Rhymes is pretty phat, man. He is so much fun. He's so humble and he just makes you feel good. When you're around him, you feel magical. The lyrics are, 'Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me.'... But if you see the video, it's all about being who you are, having fun and being confident — and feeling hot. It's not so much about looking hot ... although looking hot is important."

The opening sequence of the video features the Pussycat Dolls riding in jeeps and Busta Rhymes rapping his verse, simultaneously. The video continues to switch back and forth from Scherzinger singing her parts separately and the other Pussycat Dolls singing along. Scherzinger is seen throughout the video wearing the infamous "don't cha" hoodie. Once the chorus kicks in, the group is seen performing a dance routine surrounded by walls with graffiti printed on each side. Then, the group is seen at an underground party where each member is jumping from a ground trampoline. The Pussycat Dolls are seen surrounded by party guests as they strut down a case of stairs. Once the girls are on the ground, another dance routine is performed. Busta Rhymes is featured in the next scene where he raps his final verse. The scene continues to switch between Scherzinger and Busta Rhymes together and Scherzinger with the group until chorus starts again and Scherzinger is in the center of the group and then lifts herself and kicks two chairs in front of her. The Pussycat Dolls continue to dance and sing until the video ends. Claude Racine, Robin Antin and Cee-Lo Green make appearances in the video towards the end.

## Lyrics

* Album version
* Radio edit

OK

Yeah

Oh, we about to get it just a lil hot and sweaty in this mu'fucka (oh, baby)

Ladies let's go

Soldiers let's go (Dolls)

Let me talk to y'all and just you know give you a little situation

Listen (fellas)

You see this shit get hot

Every time I come through

When I step up in the spot (are you ready?)

Make the place sizzle like a summertime cookout

Prowl for the best chick, yes I'm on the lookout (let's dance)

Slow banging shorty like a belly dancer with it

Smell good, pretty skin, so gangsta with it (oh, baby)

No tricks only diamonds under my sleeve

Gimme the number, but make sure you call before you leave

I know you like me (I know you like me)

I know you do (I know you do)

That's why whenever I come around

She's all over you

And I know you want it (I know you want it)

It's easy to see (it's easy to see)

And in the back of your mind I know

You should be on with me

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?

Don't cha?

Don't cha?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?

Don't cha?

Don't cha?

Fight the feeling (fight the feeling)

Leave it alone (leave it alone)

'Cause if it ain't love

It just ain't enough to leave my happy home

Let's keep it friendly (let's keep it friendly)

You have to play fair (you have to play fair)

See I don't care

But I know she ain't gonna wanna share

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? (like me)

Don't cha?

Don't cha baby? Don't cha

Alright, sing

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? (Raw)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? (Big fun)

Don't cha?

Ok, I see how it's goin' down (ahh, don't cha)

Seems like shorty wanna little menage pop off or something (let's go)

Well let me get straight to it

Every broad wan watch a n\*\*\*\* when I come through it

It's the god almighty, looking all brand new

If shorty wanna jump in my ass then vanquish

Looking at me all like she really wanna do it

Tryna put it on me till my balls black an blueish

Ya wanna play wit ah playa girl then play on

Strip out the Chanel and leave the lingerie on

Watch me and I'mma watch you at the same time

Looking at ya wan break my back

You're the very reason why I keep a pack ah the Magnum

An wit the wagon hit chu in the back of tha magnum

For the record, don't think it was something you did

Shorty all on me 'cause it's hard to resist the kid

I got a idea that's dope for y'all

As y'all could get so I could hit the both of y'all

See I know she loves you (I know she loves you)

I understand (I understand)

I'd probably be just as crazy about you

If you were my own man

Maybe next lifetime (maybe next lifetime)

Possibly (possibly)

Until then old friend your secret is safe with me

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? (Like me)

Don't cha?

Don't cha baby? Don't cha

Alright, sing

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? (Raw)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? (Big fun)

Don't cha?

Don't cha?

Ahh...ahh

Ooh, baby

Dolls

I know you like me (I know you like me)

I know you do (I know you do)

That's why whenever I come around, she's all over you

And I know you want it (I know you want it)

It's easy to see (It's easy to see)

And in the back of your mind

I know you should be uhh with me

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?

Don't cha, don't cha?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?

Don't cha, don't cha?

Fight the feeling (fight the feeling)

Leave it alone (leave it alone)

'Cause if it ain't love

It just ain't enough to leave a happy home (uh-uh, uh-uh)

Let's keep it friendly (let's keep it friendly)

You have to play fair (you have to play fair, yeahh)

See, I don't care

But I know, she ain't gon' wanna share

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? (oh)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? (like me)

Don't cha, don't cha, baby

Don't cha, alright, sing

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? (raw)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? (big thrills)

Don't cha, ahhh, don't cha

I know I'm on your mind

I know we'd have a good time

I'm your friend, I'm fun and I'm fine

I ain't lyin'

Look at me (shh), you ain't blind

I know I'm on your mind

I know we'd have a good time

I'm your friend, I'm fun and I'm fine

I ain't lyin'

Look at me (shh), you ain't blind

See, I know she loves you (I know she loves ya)

I understand (I understand)

I probably be just as crazy about you if you were my own man

Maybe next lifetime (maybe next lifetime)

Possibly (possibly)

Until then, old friend, your secret is safe with me (shh)

(Hot)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? (oh)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? (like me)

Don't cha, don't cha, baby

Don't cha, alright, sing

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? (raw)

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? (big thrills)

Don't cha (ahh)

Don't cha

Don't cha wish your girlfriend...

## Trivia

* The extra girl dancing with the group in the music video is Claude Racine. At the time of filming, management was still deciding who would be the core members of the group and they were choosing between her and Kimberly. At the end, Kimberly ended up remaining in the group.
* A version was recorded for the game, *The Sims*, sung in the game's language, "simlish". Carmit can be heard singing as well.
	+ Carmit also said that they recorded this while on will.i.am's tour bus while the Dolls were on tour with the Black Eyed Peas.
* At first, Nicole and Melody did not like the song.

## References

1. ↑ "Don't Cha Blink" - *The New York Times*
2. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls remake a minor hit into a major one". - Entertainment Weekly
3. ↑ "Special Interview with Ron Fair, Chief Creative Officer & Executive Vice President of Virgin Records" - *songwriteruniverse.com*
4. ↑ "20 Hit Songs Meant For Other Singers". - *Billboard*
5. ↑ "Paris turned down 'Don't Cha'". - *Digital Spy*
6. ↑ "Stefani Single Ousts 50 Cent From No. 1". - Billboard
7. ↑ "Carey Still No. 1 As 'Together' Goes To 11". - *Billboard*
8. ↑ "Chart Beat: Madonna, Pussycat Dolls, Beyonce". *Billboard*
9. ↑ "The Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes – Don't Cha – Music Charts". *αCharts.us*
10. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls UK Chart History" - *Official Charts*
11. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls & Busta". - *IGN*
12. ↑ "Pussycat Dolls Stress Importance Of Looking And Feeling Hot". - *MTV*