Like U Like

"Like U Like" is a song by the British recording artist Aggro Santos featuring the Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh. The song was written by Steve Mac, Wayne Hector and Aggro Santos and produced by Mac for his first album, AggroSantos.com (2011). After Santos mentioned to Gary Barlow that he was interested in making a duet with Walsh, Barlow contacted her and arranged their duet. Originally, Walsh's part was sung by a male. The song uses synthesiser noises while Walsh's voice was described by reviewers as sultry and monotone.

"Like U Like"
Single by Aggro Santos featuring Kimberley Walsh
from the album AggroSantos.com
Released	January 17, 2011
Genre	Electro-hop grime R&B
Length	3:26
Label	Mercury, Future Records
Songwriter(s)	Steve Mac, Wayne Hector, Aggro Santos
Producer(s)	Steve Mac
Aggro Santos singles chronology
"Saint or Sinner" (2010) "Like U Like" (2011)
Kimberley Walsh singles chronology
"Like U Like" (2011) "One Vision" (2012)

The song received mixed reviews from critics complimenting the synthesiser noises but criticising Walsh's contribution to the song. An accompanying music video, directed by the Lennox Brothers, shows Santos trying to win Walsh's affections during speed dating. It was noted that Walsh looked like her bandmate Cheryl Cole. The single entered at number eight and thirteen on the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart, respectively.

Background and composition

In an interview with MTV United Kingdom, Santos said that Walsh replaced a male vocalist on the song. "I think it suits a girl's vocal more. It's more of a softer song and Kimberley did a great job on the vocals."[1] He also said that Gary Barlow had arranged the duet. "I was a big fan of Girls Aloud for years and I mentioned that to Gary Barlow who is a friend of Kim's. I said I would be up for working with her. He spoke to her and she was up for it, so we made 'Like U Like'."[1]

"Like U Like" is a rap-electro song which uses "grinding synths", "techno bleeps" and "catchy hand-claps" with Walsh providing a sultry voice.[2] The song was written by Mac, Hector and Santos. Santos said that "Like U Like" "[is] more pop, bubbly and commercial than my last track, 'Saint or Sinner'".[3]

Critical reception

"Like U Like" received mixed reviews from critics. Robert Copsey from Digital Spy wrote, "[Kimberley Walsh's] sultry tones garnishing 'Like U Like's spicy mix of grinding synths, techno bleeps and catchy hand-claps in oh-so tasty fashion."[2] Leanne Rain of Hive Magazine praised the song. "[The] single has all the ingredients of a pop classic, and possesses one of the biggest pop hooks of the year."[4] Other critics criticised Walsh's appearance. Jon O'Brien from AllMusic said, "[the song] won't exactly threaten Cheryl Cole's status as the band's chief success." He also described "Like U Like" as a "tuneless dirge".[5] Rach Read from Teentoday also commented on Walsh's appearance. "Like U Like is a tacky trashtastic 'club banger' that would have completely slipped under our radar [if it] had it not featured Girls Aloud's most shapely member [...] That's in addition to looking extremely lovely, working some super-sexy moves and contributing some not terribly good vocals."[6] Morwenna Ferrier from The Guardian wrote that Santos raps like he has chips stuffed in his cheeks.[7]

Music video

Walsh and Santos during their speed dating

The music video for "Like U Like" was directed by the Lennox Brothers.[8] The video has Santos adopting a variety of different looks to try to win the affections of Walsh during speed dating.[9]

Reception

Rach Read from Teentoday described the speed dating as the "worst speed-dating session in the world" because "every other participant seems to be Aggro himself. Get your money back, love!"[6] A reviewer from Sugar said that he loved the video particularly commenting on Kimberley's dance moves.[10]

Formats and track listings

Digital download[11]

1. "Like U Like" (featuring Kimberley Walsh) - 3:25

Like U Like - EP[12]

1. "Like U Like" (featuring Kimberley Walsh) - 3:25
2. "Like U Like" (Digital Dog Remix) - 6:09
3. "Like U Like" (Instrumental) - 3:10
4. Album Preview Mix - 5:23

Charts

Chart (2011)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[13]	13
Scotland (OCC)[14]	7
UK Singles (OCC)[15]	8

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
United Kingdom	January 14, 2011	Digital download[11]	Mercury Records
	January 16, 2011	Extended play[12]
Ireland[16]		Digital download	Universal Music

References

1. Dorken, Joanne (1 January 2011). "Aggro Santos: Gary Barlow Sorted Kimberley Duet". MTV UK. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
2. Copsey, Robert (11 January 2011). "Music - Singles Review - Aggro Santos ft. Kimberley Walsh: 'Like U Like'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
3. Copsey, Robert (13 January 2011). "Music - Singles Interview - Aggro Santos". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
4. Raine, Leanne (22 November 2010). "Music Video: Like U Like by Aggro Santos feat. Kimberley Walsh". Hive Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
5. O'Brien, Jon (28 July 2010). "Aggro Santos.com - Aggro Santos". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
6. Read, Rach (20 November 2010). "Aggro Santos featuring Kimberley Walsh – Like You Like video: shit or hit?". Teentoday. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
7. Ferrier, Morwenna (15 January 2011). "This week's new singles". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
8. "Aggro Santos' Like U Like featuring Kimberley Walsh by Lennox Brothers". Promonews. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
9. "Aggro Santos - Like U Like". 4Music. 23 November 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
10. "Kimberley Walsh goes speed dating in new video". Sugar. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
11. "Like U Like: Kimberley Walsh: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
12. "Like U Like - EP by Aggro Santos & Kimberley Walsh". iTunes Store. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
13. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Like U Like". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
16. "Kimberley Walsh / Aggro Santos - Like U Like MP3 Downloads - 7digital". Ie.7digital.com. 16 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.