"Strike the Match" is a song by German pop trio Monrose. It was written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder and singer Deborah "SoShy" Epstein and recorded for the group's third studio album I Am (2008). Production on the track was helmed by Tedder, with additional production provided by Christian Ballard, Pete Kirtley, and Andrew Murray.

The song premiered on 23 May 2008 on German radio network Planet Radio and was first performed on the final episode of Germany's Next Topmodel, Cycle 3 on 5 June. On 6 June 2008, it was released by Starwatch Music as the lead single from I Am. Following its physical single release, "Strike the Match" debuted at number 10 on the German Singles Chart and within the top 20 in Austria and Switzerland. It also reached the top 40 on a composite Eurochart.

Background

"Strike the Match" was written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder and singer Deborah "SoShy" Epstein. Though not specifically written for Monrose, it was selected out of several demos. Band member Bahar Kizil commented on the record: "The song is a huge step [for us]. We're trying to bring summer back, similar to "Hot Summer". The song is very, very hot. It's a feel-good song."

Chart performance

"Strike the Match" was released by Starwatch Music on 6 June 2008 as the lead single from Monrose's third studio album I Am (2008). It debuted and peaked at number ten on the German Singles Chart in the week of 20 June 2008, becoming the band's sixth consecutive top ten hit. The song would spend ten weeks inside the top 100 of the chart. GfK ranked it 94th on its 2008 year-end singles chart. In Switzerland, the song peaked at number 11, becoming the group's highest-charting single since "Hot Summer." In Austria, "Strike the Match" became Monrose's third consecutive single to reach number 16 on the Austrian Singles Chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number seven on Billboard's European Hot 100 Singles.

Music video

A music video for "Strike the Match" was filmed in Berlin in May 2008. It made its television debut on 29 May on German music network VIVA's show VIVA Live!.

It shows the girls dancing in a club with friends. Other scenes show them in front of a car at night, and in a digital black and white city.

Track listings

CD maxi-single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Strike the Match"Ryan TedderDeborah EpsteinTedderAndrew Murray[a]Christian Ballard[a]2:55
2."After Making Love"TJ CasesTJ CasesPeter Killer[b]4:30
3."Strike the Match" (Instrumental)TedderEpsteinTedderMurray[a]Ballard[a]2:54
2-track CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Strike the Match"TedderEpsteinTedderMurray[a]Ballard[a]2:55
2."Strike the Match" (Instrumental)TedderEpsteinTedderMurray[a]Ballard[a]2:54

Notes

  • ^[a] denotes co-producer
  • ^[b] denotes vocal producer

Credits and personnel

Christian Ballard – additional producer, instruments, mixing Mandy Capristo – vocals Senna Gammour – vocals Pete Kirtley – additional producer, instruments, recordingBahar Kizil – vocals Andrew Murray – additional producer, instruments Ryan Tedder – engineer, instruments, producer Claus Üblacker – vocal editing

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Strike the Match"
Chart (2008)Peak position
Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Strike the Match" Chart (2008) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 16 European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) 34 Germany (GfK) 10 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 11Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Strike the Match" Chart (2008) Position Germany (Official German Charts) 94
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)16
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)34
Germany (GfK)10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)11
Chart (2008)Position
Germany (Official German Charts)94

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Strike the Match
RegionDateFormatLabelRef
Various6 June 2008CD maxi singledigital downloadStarwatch MusicWarner