Open Sesame (song)

"Open Sesame" is a song by Swedish Eurodance artist Leila K, released 23 October 1992 as the lead single from her second album, Carousel (1993). Co-written and co-produced by Denniz PoP, it was a huge success in many European countries in 1993. It reached number-one in Belgium and peaked within the top 10 in at least nine other countries. In 1999, the song was released in a new remix as "Open Sesame '99". Dutch singer Daisy Dee released a cover of the song in 2000, which reached number 78 in Germany.

This article is about the Leila K song. For the by Kool & the Gang song, see Open Sesame (Kool & the Gang album).
"Open Sesame"
Single by Leila K
from the album Carousel
B-side"Remixes"
Released23 October 1992
Recorded1992
Genre
Length3:24
LabelMega
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Denniz PoP
  • Douglas Carr
Leila K singles chronology
"Rok the Nation"
(1990)		 "Open Sesame"
(1992)		 "Ça Plane Pour Moi"
(1993)
Music video
"Open Sesame" on YouTube

Critical reception

Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, that "this high-powered commercial rap coupling a rave beat with a ragga style delivery may just revive her career."[1] Andy Beevers from Music Week rated the song four out of five, adding, "This commercial Swedish house track combines a Felix-style tune and reggae toasting. The UK release features a more adventurous remix by Felix himself."[2] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits commented, "Ragamuffin rapping in a Swedish accent may sound like a thoroughly appalling notion, but Ms K goes for it with such pzazz that you soon come round to the idea. This girl has more energy than Linford Christie after a Lucozade binge, and this record is a real Sesame treat."[3]

Chart performance

"Open Sesame" was very successful on the charts in Europe, reaching number-one for one week in Belgium (Flanders), with a total of 16 weeks at the Ultratop 50 chart, and number three in the Netherlands. Additionally, it peaked within the top 10 in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. In the UK, the single reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, but was more successful on the UK Dance Singles Chart, peaking at number 10. In Leila K's native Sweden, it only reached number 21, staying at Sverigetopplistan for three weeks. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it hit number six in April 1993, while peaking at number 12 at Music & Media's European Dance Radio Chart and number 18 on Music Week's Record Mirror Club Chart.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Open Sesame" was directed by Swedish-based director Matt Broadley.[4] It was later published on Mega Records' official YouTube channel in December 2011. The video has amassed more than five million views as of September 2021.[5]

Track listing

Charts

References
  1. Masterton, James (January 17, 1993). "Week Ending January 23rd 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. Beevers, Andy (January 9, 1993). "Market Preview: Dance" (PDF). Music Week. p. 17. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  3. Sutherland, Mark (January 6, 1993). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 45. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  4. "Credits — Matt Broadley". mattbroadley.com. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  5. "Leila K - Open Sesame (Official)". YouTube. December 8, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  6. "Leila K. – Open Sesame" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  7. "Leila K. – Open Sesame" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  8. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. April 3, 1993. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  9. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. April 3, 1993. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  10. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. February 27, 1993. p. 10. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  11. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  12. German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  13. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved April 10, 2008)
  14. Italian Single Chart Hit parade Italia (Retrieved May 30, 2008)
  15. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Leila K" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  16. "Leila K – Open Sesame" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. March 27, 1993. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  18. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  19. "Leila K. – Open Sesame". Singles Top 100.
  20. "Leila K. – Open Sesame". Swiss Singles Chart.
  21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  22. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 23, 1993. p. 22. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  23. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). January 30, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  24. "Jaaroverzichten 1993" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  25. "1993 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 18, 1993. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  26. "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1993" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  27. "Jaarlijsten 1993" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  28. "JAAROVERZICHTEN - Single 1993". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
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