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"2 Hearts" is a pop rock song performed by Australian singer Kylie Minogue for her tenth studio album, X (2007). The song is a cover version of a track originally recorded by Kish Mauve, who also produced Minogue's version. "2 Hearts" was Minogue's first commercial single release since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005.

The song was released as the album's lead single in November 2007 to mixed reviews from music critics. It was a commercial success, reaching the top forty on all but two of the charts it entered, and topped the Australian and Spanish singles charts.

In 2006, Minogue began recording material in London, England for her first album since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. "2 Hearts" was written and originally recorded by London-based electro group Kish Mauve, who gave the song to Minogue. Commenting on the song, Minogue said that she "loved it from the moment I heard it". She also described the recording sessions with Kish Mauve as "a joy".

The song and its remixes were leaked onto file sharing websites on October 9, 2007. "2 Hearts" was released in various formats throughout the world. While most territories received a CD single and digital download release, the song was released as a limited edition vinyl single in the United Kingdom.

Critical reception

"2 Hearts" received mixed reviews from pop music critics. Victoria Newton, in a review for The Sun, described the song as "a surefire number one", remarking that "it's on a par with "Can't Get You out of My Head". Pitchfork Media reviewer Tom Ewing compared the song to the music of Goldfrapp, and wrote that "it's an unexpected stylistic move" and "it plays to her strengths". However, Sarah Walters of the Manchester Evening News was less impressed, commenting that "it takes more than a bunch of singable wooh's to maketh the memorable single". Drowned in Sound reviewer Alex Denney called "2 Hearts" a "disappointment", stating that "it's a genetic three-way splice of the burlesque chic Christina Aguilera's been peddling for the last 12 months to a worldwide chorus of mehs, Alison Goldfrapp's vampish electro shtick and, quite literally, Feist's "1234".

Rolling Stone ranked "2 Hearts" at number ninety-four on its list of the Top 100 Songs of 2007, even though the song had not been released in the United States. The song also ranked at number forty on Stylus Magazine's Top 50 Songs of 2007.

Music video

The music video for "2 Hearts" was directed by Dawn Shadforth and filmed at Shepperton Studios in London, England. The video features Minogue dressed in a black latex catsuit, red lipstick and big curly blonde hair performing with her band, similar to Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot. It begins with Minogue singing into a microphone on top of a piano. The video concludes with Minogue and her band performing on a stage with multi-colored confetti falling around them.

Minogue drew inspiration from London nightclub BoomBox, where she DJed during London Fashion Week. The costumes worn by Minogue and her band were designed by Gareth Pugh and Christopher Kane. The video premiered on GMTV on October 10, 2007.

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, "2 Hearts" was officially solicited to radio on October 10, 2007. The song debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number twelve on November 11, 2007, based solely on digital download sales. It reached a peak position of number four on November 19, 2007, and remained in the top seventy-five for a total of thirteen weeks. "2 Hearts" debuted at number twenty-nine on the Irish Singles Chart, a week before its physical single release. The track reached a peak position of number twelve the following week, and remained in the top fifty for seven weeks.

Elsewhere, "2 Hearts" was largely successful, reaching number one in Spain and Taiwan and the top five in Bulgaria, Italy and Sweden. In Australia, it debuted at number one on November 19, 2007, selling 6,149 copies. The song became Minogue's tenth number one single in Australia. "2 Hearts" exited the top ten after three weeks and remained in the top twenty of the Australian Singles Chart for six weeks. On the United World Chart, the single debuted at number thirty-nine on November 17, 2007. It reached the peak position of number seven six weeks later.

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "2 Hearts".

Charts

Release history

Personnel

The following people contributed to "2 Hearts":

• Kylie Minogue – lead vocals
• Kish Mauve - production
• Dave Bascombe - mixing
• Geoff Pesche - mastering

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