imported>ResolutionsPerMinute: /* Year-end charts */ +Sweden

2025-04-07T14:25:15Z

Year-end charts: +Sweden

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{{Short description|1991 single by C+C Music Factory}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Things That Make You Go Hmmm...
| cover = ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmmC+C.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[C+C Music Factory]] featuring [[Freedom Williams]]
| album = [[Gonna Make You Sweat]]
| released = {{start date|1991|6|12}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* [[Dance-pop]]<ref name="MusicHound R&B">{{cite book|last=Deggans|first=Eric|chapter= C+C Music Factory|editor-last1=Graff|editor-first1=Gary|editor-last2=du Lac|editor-first2=Josh|editor-last3=McFarlin|editor-first3=Jim|date=January 1, 1998|title=MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide|publisher=[[Visible Ink Press]]|location=Detroit|page=88}}</ref>
* [[funk]]<ref name="MusicHound R&B"/>

| length = {{Duration|m=5|s=23}}
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer =
* Robert Clivillés
* [[Freedom Williams]]
| producer =
* Robert Clivillés
* David Cole
| chronology = [[C+C Music Factory]]
| prev_title = [[Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)]]
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = [[Just a Touch of Love (song)|Just a Touch of Love]]
| next_year = 1991
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|XF2ayWcJfxo|"Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..."}}}}
}}
"'''Things That Make You Go Hmmm...'''" is a song by American [[Electronic dance music|dance]] group [[C+C Music Factory]]. It was released in June 1991 by [[Columbia Records]] as the third single from their debut album, ''[[Gonna Make You Sweat]]'' (1990). The single version features [[Freedom Williams]] and [[Zelma Davis]] who also appear in the accompanying music video, directed by [[Marcus Nispel]], while female vocals are provided by [[Deborah Cooper]] instead of Davis on the original album version. The song was inspired by a running gag on ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', where Arsenio, while allegedly on a long drive, pondered certain thoughts and referred to them as "things that make you go hmmm...."

The C+C song was a success in the United States, reaching number four on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], number 31 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Singles]] chart, and number one on the [[Dance Singles Sales|12-inch Singles Sales]] and [[Dance Club Songs|Dance Club Play]] charts. It also reached number four on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and number two in New Zealand. The song was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 copies.

==Critical reception==
[[AllMusic]] editor Jose F. Promis remarked that the song took a phrase popularized by [[Arsenio Hall]] and made it into "another cleverly infectious Top Ten smash."<ref>{{cite web|first=Jose F.|last=Promis|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/gonna-make-you-sweat-mw0000311450|title=C+C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|date=|accessdate=February 17, 2020}}</ref> [[Larry Flick]] from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote, "After forging a guitar-driven [[Pop hip hop|pop/hiphop]] sound that is being heavily copied by others, groove clique deftly sidesteps into [[James Brown]]-style funk territory. Rapper [[Freedom Williams]] tells amusing tales amid retro-horns and percussion."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Single Reviews |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= July 13, 1991 |page= 77 |accessdate= October 24, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB1991.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}}</ref> Penelope Layland from ''[[The Canberra Times]]'' named it the best track on the album, "with its clever, catchy lyrics and smooth beat."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Penelope |last= Layland |title= Sound of the future with a tribute to the past |magazine= [[The Canberra Times]] |date= February 7, 1991 |page= 15 |accessdate= April 23, 2020 |url= https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129094732}}</ref>

Dave Sholin from the ''[[Gavin Report]]'' stated that writers/producers [[David Cole (record producer)|Cole]] and [[Robert Clivillés|Clivillés]] "have successfully crossbred a unique brand of rap and melody that's taken them on back-to-back trips into the Top Ten. This third entry maintains their infectious rhythm, strengthened by a title that will keep audiences hummmmin'."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave |last=Sholin |title=Gavin Picks > Singles |magazine=[[Gavin Report]] |issue=1863 |date=July 5, 1991 |page=52 |accessdate=April 17, 2018 |url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Gavin-Report/90/91/Gavin-1991-07-05.pdf}}</ref> A reviewer from ''[[Music & Media]]'' wrote that "the secret behind the success of these [[dance-pop|dance/pop]] providers is the good hook in their songs. This time it's the saxophone part, which is repeated after each line."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-07-27.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=30|date=July 27, 1991|page=11|accessdate=February 22, 2018}}</ref> [[David Quantick]] from ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]'' said, "The old C&Cs have blown it this time with a very ordinary sort of tune indeed that doesn't so much fail to stay in the memory as break the doors down, steal the car and drive to [[Birmingham]]."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Quantick|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52390122107/|title=Singles|work=[[New Musical Express|NME]]|date=June 29, 1991|page=18|access-date=April 29, 2023|author-link=David Quantick}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
"Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." peaked at number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance Singles Sales|12-inch Singles Sales]] and [[Dance Club Songs|Dance Club Play]] charts in the United States and on the ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Dance chart in Canada. On the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], it peaked at number four. In Europe, the single entered the top 10 in Finland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, it peaked at number four during its fourth week on the [[UK Singles Chart]], on July 21, 1991.<ref name="uk"/> Additionally, it was a top-20 hit on the [[UK Dance Singles Chart]], as well as in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. In Oceania, "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." reahced numbers two and six in New Zealand and Australia, respectively. The single was awarded with a [[Music recording certification|gold record]] in the US, after 500,000 singles were shipped there.

==Music video==
The accompanying music video for "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...." was directed by German director [[Marcus Nispel]]. It features silhouetted animation of dancers jumping and dancing in front of a white background, with a stage visible, but also in silhouette. The story of the song is also interpreted with black and gold cut-out animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF2ayWcJfxo|title=C+C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.... (Video Version) ft. Freedom Williams|via=[[YouTube]]|date=October 25, 2009|access-date=September 12, 2020}}</ref>

==Impact and legacy==
Australian music channel [[Max (Australian TV channel)|Max]] included "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Top 1,000 Greatest Songs Of All Time – 2013 |publisher= [[Max (Australian TV channel)|Max]] |date= 2013 |accessdate= April 26, 2020 |url= https://www.maxtv.com.au/max-the-top-1000-greatest-songs-of-all-time}}</ref>

==Track listings==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* '''7-inch single, Europe'''
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...." (7-inch remix) – 4:10
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...." (LP version) – 5:22

* '''12-inch, US; CD maxi, Japan'''
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..." (The Clivillés & Cole Pumped album mix) – 5:19
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..." (The Clivillés & Cole Deep house mix) – 5:13
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..." (The Clivillés & Cole classic house mix) – 7:05
{{col-2}}
* '''CD single, Australia'''
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..." (LP version) – 5:24
# "[[Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)]]" (Clivilles & Cole D.J's Choice mix) – 5:01
# "[[Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)|Here We Go]]" (The Cole/Clivilles house mix) – 7:45

* '''CD maxi, Europe'''
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." (C&C Classic house mix) – 7:05
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." (C&C Deep house mix) – 5:13
# "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." (alt. radio mix 2) – 4:49
{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1991)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|6|artist=C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm....|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|14|chartid=1642|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadadance|1|chartid=1608|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-08-10.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=32|page=21|date=August 10, 1991|access-date=May 2, 2021}}</ref>
| 12
|-
!scope="row"|Finland ([[Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref name="Book">{{cite book|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2006|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|language=fi|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5|location=Helsinki}}</ref>
| 10
|-
{{single chart|Germany|27|artist=C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm....|songid=2298|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|9|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|26|year=1992|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|19|artist=C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm....|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|2|artist=C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm....|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|14|artist=C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm....|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|15|artist=C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams|song=Things That Make You Go Hmmm....|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|4|date=19910727|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021|refname="uk"}}
|-
!scope="row"|UK Dance (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-07-13.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=July 13, 1991|page=20|access-date=September 28, 2020}}</ref>
| 11
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Freedom Williams|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Freedom Williams|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddancesales|1|artist=Freedom Williams|rowheader=true|access-date=March 21, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|31|artist=Freedom Williams|rowheader=true|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1991)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref name="ausye">{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1991/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1991|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=May 2, 2021}}</ref>
| 28
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Dance/Urban (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.1704&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.1704.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.1704|title=RPM Dance Tracks of 1991|magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|via=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|access-date=May 2, 2021}}</ref>
| 5
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1991-12-31|title=End of Year Top 50 Singles 1991|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>
| 12
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden (Topplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammotex.se/topp91singlar.htm|title=Årstopplistan 1991, Singlar|publisher=Grammotex|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010225020647/http://www.grammotex.se/topp91singlar.htm|archive-date=February 25, 2001|access-date=April 7, 2025}}</ref>
| 80
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1991 Top 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=20|date=January 11, 1992}}</ref>
| 53
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1991: Top Pop Singles|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=103|issue=51|page=YE-14|date=December 21, 1991}}</ref>
| 51
|-
!scope="row"|US 12-inch Singles Sales (''Billboard'')<ref name="usdye">{{cite magazine|title=The Year in Music 1991|magazine=Billboard|volume=103|issue=51|page=YE-32|date=December 21, 1991}}</ref>
|13
|-
!scope="row"|US Dance Club Play (''Billboard'')<ref name="usdye"/>
|17
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|certref=<ref name="ausye"/>|access-date=May 2, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=C & C Music Factory|title=Things That Make You Go Hmmm|award=Gold|relyear=1991|id=1991-09-27|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1991}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Music Factory|title=Things That Make You Go Hmmmm ...|award=Gold|relyear=1991|certyear=1991|access-date=May 2, 2021|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

==Release history==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row"|United States
|June 12, 1991
|rowspan="2"|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}}
|rowspan="2"|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
|<ref name="riaa"/>
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|June 24, 1991
|<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=19|date=June 22, 1991}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Japan
|July 11, 1991
|CD
|[[Sony Music Entertainment Japan|Sony]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/3854/products/233016/1/|title=C+Cミュージック・ファクトリー {{!}} ゴーHmm…|trans-title=C+C Music Factory {{!}} Go Hmm...|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|access-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref>
|}

==In popular culture==
British girl group [[Stooshe]] covered the song and released it in 2013 as a B-side to their single "[[Black Heart (Stooshe song)|Black Heart]]", under the title "Things That Make You Go Mmm". The single reached number three in the UK and number four in Scotland.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{C+C Music Factory}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1990 songs]]
[[Category:1991 singles]]
[[Category:Black-and-white music videos]]
[[Category:C+C Music Factory songs]]
[[Category:Columbia Records singles]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Marcus Nispel]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Robert Clivillés]]
[[Category:Songs written by Robert Clivillés]]
[[Category:Sony Music Entertainment Japan singles]]

Things That Make You Go Hmmm... - Revision history

imported>ResolutionsPerMinute: /* Year-end charts */ +Sweden