Sophie Ellis Bextor's biggest hit, ****** on the Dancefloor, has turned 20 years old. Released on December 3, 2001, the dance-pop / disco track became a top 10 worldwide, except in the US where it wasn't sent to radio until 2002. ****** peaked at #2 on the UK Charts, and it stayed on the chart for 23 weeks.
It was written by Gregg Alexander and Sophie herself, and produced by Alexander and Matt Rowe. It is the second single off Read My Lips, Sophie's debut album, however that wasn't always the plan. Lover was set to be released as the follow-up to Take Me Home, but it was cancelled and replaced for ****** due to unknown reasons.
The iconic music video was directed by Sophie Muller. It shows Sophie Ellis Bextor participating in a dance competition, where instead of shining for her dance capabilities, she focuses on getting rid of every other competitor with several tactics, even bribing one of the judges with her charm. Ultimately she and her partner, oblivious to what she's been doing the entire competition, are declared the winners and we see them receiving their prizes on the winner's podium.
In 2019, an orchestral version of the song was released as part of Sophie's greatest hits compilation The Song Diaries.