“The Lady Killer” stands as the third studio album by CeeLo Green, a renowned American singer. Elektra Records released this album on November 5, 2010. The production for this musical creation was masterfully orchestrated by a team including Salaam Remi, Element, The Smeezingtons, Fraser T. Smith, Paul Epworth, and Jack Splash.
Upon its debut, the album secured the ninth spot on the prestigious US Billboard 200 chart, selling an impressive 41,000 copies during its inaugural week. Its triumph wasn’t limited to the United States; it garnered commendable chart achievements globally and delivered three distinct singles, notably the widely acclaimed international hit “Forget You.”
Noteworthy to mention is the album’s US sales, totaling 498,000 copies as of October 2012, while simultaneously clinching the prestigious double Platinum certification in the esteemed United Kingdom. Critics bestowed generally positive reviews upon “The Lady Killer,” praising its impeccable production, its dedication to classicist soul music, and CeeLo Green’s exemplary vocal prowess.
Reportedly, CeeLo Green invested a substantial three years in crafting “The Lady Killer,” which led to the recording of nearly 70 songs. Interestingly, thirteen tracks that narrowly missed inclusion in the final album selection found their way online in June 2010 under the title “Stray Bullets.” Among these tracks were collaborations with renowned names like The B-52’s (“Cho Cho The Cat”), Soko (a remix of “I’ll Kill Her”), and Goodie Mob (“Night Train”).
November 9, 2010, marked the official release date of the album via Elektra Records. For a brief period leading up to that, it was also available for streaming on NPR.
The album’s lead single, “Forget You,” saw its release on August 19, 2010, ascending to the impressive position of number two on the illustrious US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This single further extended its reach internationally, triumphing within the top 10 of charts across various countries, including seizing the top spot in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the song’s radio edit included “Forget You” and “FU.” The accompanying music video, revealed on August 19, 2010, showcased the song’s lyrics set against diverse colored backgrounds, with a cinematic grain overlay. The video garnered widespread attention, amassing over two million views in its debut week. The official music video made its appearance on September 1, 2010.
Following suit, the second single “It’s OK” was unveiled on December 13, 2010, making its presence felt on the UK Singles Chart and reaching a respectable position at 20. March 8, 2011, witnessed the release of “Fool for You” as the album’s third single. Keeping the momentum alive, the fourth single “Bright Lights Bigger City” emerged on March 27, 2011, followed by the fifth single “I Want You” on June 5, 2011.
The album’s sixth single, “Cry Baby,” was formally introduced on September 12. The seventh single, the inaugural track from “The Platinum Edition” of the album, titled “Anyway,” was made available on December 11.
Green embarked on an extensive tour during 2010 and 2011, accompanied by the all-female backing band named Scarlet Fever. This enthralling journey included captivating performances for esteemed platforms like Taratata, Reeperbahn Festival, BBC, Late Show with David Letterman, W’s Symmetry Live Concert Series, Saturday Night Live, and even a special show after the Academy Awards on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
The band’s core members comprised of talents such as Sharon Aguilar (lead guitar, violin), Brittany Brooks (drums), Theresa Flaminio (keyboards, background vocals), and Regina Zernay Roberts (bass guitar, moog synthesizer).
The album’s impact was undeniable, reflecting its debut at the ninth position on the revered US Billboard 200 chart, with an impressive opening week performance of 41,000 copies sold in the United States. Furthermore, it gracefully secured the second spot on the esteemed US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. As of October 2012, its cumulative sales in the United States amounted to a notable 498,000 copies.
“The Lady Killer” also made its mark on the international stage. In the esteemed United Kingdom, it made an entry at a commendable number 10 on the Top 40 Albums chart, claiming the top position on the Top 40 RnB Albums chart.
The British Phonographic Industry bestowed the prestigious double Platinum certification upon “The Lady Killer” on November 4, 2011, in recognition of 600,000 copies shipped within the UK. By December 2011, a remarkable 621,000 copies of the album had been sold in the UK. Impressively, it earned the distinction of being the third highest-selling R&B/hip-hop album of 2011 in the UK.
On the global front, the album made its presence felt. It debuted at number 29 on the Top 100 Albums chart in Canada and also marked its entry at various positions including number 91 in Belgium, number 18 in Ireland, number 43 in the Netherlands, number 24 in Australia, number 90 in France, number 53 in Sweden, and number 16 in Scotland.
