Nothing Can Stop Us (song)

"Nothing Can Stop Us" is the third single by Saint Etienne. Released by Heavenly Records in 1991, it is the first release to feature Sarah Cracknell, who would continue to front the band from this release on. "Nothing Can Stop Us" reached the number one spot on the American dance charts for one week.[1] The song is based on a looped sample from Dusty Springfield's recording of "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face".

"Nothing Can Stop Us"
Single by Saint Etienne
from the album Foxbase Alpha
A-side"Speedwell"
B-side"3D Tiger"
Released14 October 1991
LabelHeavenly Records - HVN9
Songwriter(s)Bob Stanley; Pete Wiggs
Saint Etienne singles chronology
"Kiss and Make Up"
(1990)		 "Nothing Can Stop Us"
(1991)		 "Join Our Club"
(1992)
Music video
"Nothing Can Stop Us" on YouTube

"Nothing Can Stop Us" was released as a double A side with "Speedwell". As such, "Speedwell" takes lead track duty on the remix 12" single with the Flying Mix and Project Mix. The American remixes were done by the Masters At Work team of Kenny "Dope" Gonzales and Little Louie Vega. The lyric was partly re-written for these mixes, and the changes were retained in subsequent live performances. In 1994, Saint Etienne produced a new version of the song for Kylie Minogue, which was released as a b-side on her single "Confide in Me".

Critical reception

Justin Chadwick from Albumism noted "the buoyant throwback soul" of the song, stating that it is an "indisputable highlight" from the Foxbase Alpha allbum.[2] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that the band "returns with a similar-sounding jam [like "Only Love Can Break Your Heart"]." He added, "In its original form, the tune is an endearing modern-pop gem. With a little (make that a lot) of help from remixers Louie Vega and Kenny Gonzalez, the track is now a hip deep-houser that should thrill club jocks upon impact."[3] Jim Wirth from NME noted that "it's funky, it's got flutes, and it's a totally awesome pop song. There's nothing even remotely ironic about that."[4] Davydd Chong from Record Mirror said it "sounds so familiar, so classic, that you first thought is that it's another cover version. The breathy vocals of Sarah Cracknell, the joyous strings, the impish guitar licks and the loving kiss of romantic optimism belong to the Northern soul era, but, no, it's a St Etienne original."[5] Mark Frith from Smash Hits commented, "Their music is light and ambient but dancey with it. Vocals are breathy and euphoric."[6]

Music Video

There were two different music videos. The original features the band driving and walking around central London with a late 60s movie style. The second version only featured the group utilizing the remixes done in a sixties-esque background setting.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs.

7": Heavenly / HVN9 and 12" (HVN9 12)
No.TitleLength
1."Nothing Can Stop Us"3:58
2."Speedwell"6:31
12": Heavenly / HVN9 12R
No.TitleLength
1."Speedwell (Flying Mix)"3:58
2."Speedwell (Project Mix)"6:31
3."Nothing Can Stop Us (Instrumental)"4:14
4."3D Tiger"4:01
12": Warner Bros. / 9 40395-0
No.TitleLength
1."Nothing Can Stop Us (twelve inch remix)"4:55
2."Nothing Can Stop Us (kenlou dub)"5:52
3."Nothing Can Stop Us (bonus beats)"4:11
4."Nothing Can Stop Us (house mix)"4:50
5."Nothing Can Stop Us (masters at work dub)"5:15
6."Speedwell"6:32
CD: Heavenly / HVN9CD
No.TitleLength
1."Nothing Can Stop Us"3:58
2."Speedwell"6:31
3."Nothing Can Stop Us (Instrumental)"4:16
CD: Warner Bros. / 9 40395-2
No.TitleLength
1."Nothing Can Stop Us (single remix)"3:58
2."Nothing Can Stop Us (twelve inch remix)"4:55
3."Nothing Can Stop Us (house mix)"4:50
4."Speedwell"6:32
5."Nothing Can Stop Us (kenlou dub)"5:52
6."Nothing Can Stop Us (masters at work dub)"5:15

Charts
Chart (1991) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 54
UK Music Week Dance Singles[7] 16
US Billboard Dance/Electronic Singles Sales 15
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 1

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 225.
  2. Chadwick, Justin (14 October 2016). "Saint Etienne's Debut Album 'Foxbase Alpha' Turns 25: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  3. Flick, Larry (25 April 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 74. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  4. Wirth, Jim. "ST ETIENNE – London Kentish Town Forum". NME. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. "DJ Directory: St Etienne" (PDF). Record Mirror. 18 May 1991. p. 4. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  6. Frith, Mark (15 May 1991). "Review: Singles". Smash Hits. p. 44. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 18 May 1991. p. 22. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
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