Cheyne met producer and writer Andy Van in a dance club. Van was the founder of the Vicious Vinyl record label and had remix credits for Tina Arena and CDB. Van had also won an ARIA award for his production work on "Coma" by Pendulum.
The duo started working together mainly as writers and producers in 1988. Their first single "Fly" featured Kellie Wolfgram as the vocalist. However, Cheyne sang on the group's breakthrough single "Don't Call Me Baby" because Andy Van liked her version initially used as the guide track for the intended singer. Van took the song to the MIDEM Conference leading to the band being signed by Virgin Records in the UK and Sony Music for the rest of the world.
"Don't Call Me Baby" proved to be a breakthrough record for Madison Avenue topping the Australian charts in 1999. It sold 200,000 singles in Australia, the best singles sales achieved by any Australian act in that country for 1999 and Madison Avenue were the first Australian dance act to top the Australian singles charts. The single was released internationally in 2000. In the UK, the song sold 400,00 copies and topped the singles chart, and was a hit throughout Europe. "Don't Call Me Baby" also topped the Billboard dance charts in the US. By this stage, Cheyne was widely established as the public face of the band, although Madison Avenue was originally intended to be a collective dance group like C&C Music Factory or Soul II Soul.
The single's accompanying album, Polyester Embassy, was released in 2000 and reached #4 on the Australian album charts. It spawned three further singles:
* "Who The Hell Are You" - a #1 hit in Australia and on the Billboard Dance Charts, it also reached #10 in the UK.
* "Everything You Need" - went to #6 and was certified gold in Australia, as well as breaking into the UK's Top 40.
* "Reminiscing" - a cover version of the 1978 hit by Australian rock band Little River Band, it was the 9th most popular single by an Australian artist in Australia in 2001 (reaching #9 in the Australian singles charts that year).
In 2001, Madison Avenue won the Best Dance Artist at the International Dance Awards in Miami. Destiny's Child, Madonna, *NSYNC and Britney Spears were also nominated for the award.
The group officially disbanded in 2003, with Cheyne going on to pursue a solo career.
Who The Hell Are You (original
Madison Avenue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now she, she told me true, she said one day you would probably break my heart in two
But now I, I beg to differ baby, I don't take it, the way you like to give it
Now look at you, on your knees, sweet as sugar baby, saying please...
I said I'm looking at you, well
Said I'm looking at you, aah nah
I said I'm looking at you, yeah
[Chorus:]
Now who the hell are you, to treat me like that?
I don't care where you've been, what you've done, or where you're at
Now who the hell are you, to act the way you do?
You won't be smiling by the time I'm through with you
Now who the hell are you?
Well now, ain't no cheating, ain't no lying
Ain't no explaining, justifying going on around here
Now stand up, and be a man, if you want it, come and get it
Baby, catch me if you can
Come on and catch me if you can
Well, you know that, if you want it, come and get it
If you want it, oww
[Chorus]
The song "Who The Hell Are You" by Madison Avenue is about standing up for oneself and not allowing others to treat them poorly. The lyrics start with the singer recalling advice from her mother about the harsh realities of the world, including the possibility of having her heart broken. However, she now disagrees with her mother's warning and refuses to take mistreatment from anyone, especially the person to whom the song is directed. The singer questions the person's identity and challenges them to explain why they are treating her poorly, stating that they won't be smiling by the time she's finished with them.
The chorus provides further insight into the song's main message, with the singer demanding to know who this person thinks they are to treat her badly. She makes it clear that their past or current circumstances do not excuse their behavior and that they will face consequences for their actions. The lyrics suggest a sense of empowerment, urging listeners to stand up for themselves and not allow others to treat them poorly.
Overall, "Who The Hell Are You" is a high-energy, empowering song about refusing to tolerate mistreatment and standing up for oneself. The lyrics are straightforward and draw from personal experiences, making it relatable to many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Now when I, was a little girl, my mama sat me down and told me all about the world
My mother taught me about the world since I was a little girl
Now she, she told me true, she said one day you would probably break my heart in two
My mother told me that one day you will break my heart
But now I, I beg to differ baby, I don't take it, the way you like to give it
Now, I disagree and don't accept the way you treat me
Now look at you, on your knees, sweet as sugar baby, saying please...
Now, you're on your knees begging me sweetly
Now who the hell are you, to treat me like that?
Who are you to treat me badly?
I don't care where you've been, what you've done, or where you're at
I don't care about your past, present or whereabouts
Now who the hell are you, to act the way you do?
Who are you to behave that way?
You won't be smiling by the time I'm through with you
You won't be happy with me after I'm done with you
Well now, ain't no cheating, ain't no lying
There is no cheating or lying
Ain't no explaining, justifying going on around here
There's no explaining or justifying happening here
Now stand up, and be a man, if you want it, come and get it
Be brave and come get what you want
Baby, catch me if you can
Catch me if you're able, baby
Come on and catch me if you can
Hurry up and try to catch me!
If you want it, oww
If you want it, go for it!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: VERNON D. BURCH, HOWARD JR. REDMON, APRIL-CHEYNE COATES, ANDREW VAN DORSSELAER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lollypop8515
Now when I, was a little girl, my mama sat me down and told me all about the world
Now she, she told me true, she said one day you would probably break my heart in two
But now I, I beg to differ baby, I don't take it, the way you like to give it
Now look at you, on your knees, sweet as sugar baby, saying please...
I said I'm looking at you, well
Said I'm looking at you, aah nah
I said I'm looking at you, yeah
Now who the hell are you, to treat me like that?
I don't care where you've been, what you've done, or where you're at
Now who the hell are you, to act the way you do?
You won't be smiling by the time I'm through with you
Now who the hell are you?
Well now, ain't no cheating, ain't no lying
Ain't no explaining, justifying going on around here
Now stand up, and be a man, if you want it, come and get it
Baby, catch me if you can
Come on and catch me if you can
Well, you know that, if you want it, come and get it
If you want it, oww
Now who the hell are you, to treat me like that?
I don't care where you've been, what you've done, or where you're at
Now who the hell are you, to act the way you do?
You won't be smiling by the time I'm through with you
Now who the hell are you?
@Psysama
Nobody cares what year this is, people still listen to this song.
@p6mkq
They also do you know what to it. ;)
@chrishuston1992
@@p6mkqENGLISH
@TheCory42
Melbourne in the late 90’s, early 2000’s was such a great place to live.
@robinsinaga4912
Gosh.... Miss this kind of music.....i'm so lucky to be born at this era...Viva house music 🎶
@kyachdistent1301
Really, as it sounds like the sort of identikit tripe burped out by every barbie bimbo twat today. Music was long dead before this thing came out, you know. The 90s was hellish mostly-and the following decades just compounded it.
@mamocontreras5028
I was looking for the name of this song since 2005, and finally found it. How happy I feel to have found this spectacular song! :) :'( Greetings from Chile! :) 🇨🇱
@VictorGabrielRS
No mamos nomames
@claudioulloa6662
Viva Chile 👍🏽🥃
@epicon6
I had been looking for this for 10+ years too :) And i never remembered the artist name and got lucky that youtube recommended this.