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"In the Middle" is a song by English girl group Sugababes, released on 22 March 2004 as the third single from their third studio album, Three (2003). The Sugababes were inspired to compose the song based upon the different situations experienced on a night out; they wrote it in collaboration with Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, Andre Tegler, Phil Fuldner and Michael Bellina. Higgins, Xenomania and Jeremy Wheatley produced the song. "In the Middle" is a dance-pop and funk-influenced record that contains a sample of German DJ Moguai's song "U Know Y".
The song received rave reviews from critics, who commended its production and appeal, and was nominated for Best British Single at the 2005 BRIT Awards. The single reached the top ten on the charts in Hungary, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It also peaked within the top forty on the charts in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. Matthew Rolston directed the song's music video, which was filmed at Pinewood Studios, London. It features the green screen effect and magical settings for the video's environments. The Sugababes performed the song on their tours in support of Three, Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006) and Change (2007).
The Sugababes wrote "In the Middle" in collaboration with Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, André Tegeler, Phil Fuldner and Michael Bellina, for their third studio album, Three (2003). Group member Heidi Range revealed that the band wanted to write a song with which they could have fun; it was inspired by different situations experienced during a night out. Keisha Buchanan, another member of the Sugababes, told Digital Spy that she wrote 90% of the song but could not comprehend the meaning of the lyrics: "I think it's because as I've got older I don't really relate to the lyrics. It was more of a fun song but I just don't really feel that attached to it any more." Higgins, Xenomania and Jeremy Wheatley produced the song; the latter mixed it at the Town House Studios, London. "In the Middle" was programmed by Matt Duguid, Nick Coler, Tim Powell and Tim Larcombe.
The Sugababes confirmed through their official website in February 2004 that "In the Middle" would be the released as the album's third single. Island Records released it on 22 March 2004 as a CD single and digital download. The song's release coincided with the commencement of the group's UK tour in March 2004. The CD single and digital download releases contain a B-side titled "Disturbed". A maxi single was released; it includes the B-side "Colder in the Rain", and two remixes of the track, including one by DJ Hyper, which appears on his remix album, Wired (2004). In Australia, the song was issued on 5 April 2004 as a CD single. "In the Middle" is featured on the Sugababes' greatest hits album Overloaded: The Singles Collection.
"In the Middle" is a dance-pop song with elements of funk. The Jerusalem Post's Harry Rubenstein described it as a "club-style experimental". According to the digital sheet music published by Hal Leonard Publishing, "In the Middle" was composed in the key of B minor using common time, with a tempo of 128 beats per minute. It is reminiscent of the group's singles "Round Round" and "Hole in the Head", both of which were also produced by Xenomania. "In the Middle" contains a sample of "U Know Y" by German DJ Moguai, and features guitar and keyboard instrumentation.[ The song contains a low bassline that derives from a synthesised trombone. The lyrical content of "In the Middle" is about finding a man after a night out, in which the chorus is opened with the lines, "I'm caught up in the middle, jumping through the riddle, I'm falling just a little tonight".
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Overloaded: The Singles Collection.
Songwriting – Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Niara Scarlett, Shawn Lee, Lisa Cowling, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, Heidi Range, Andre Tegler, Phil Fuldner, Michael Bellina Production – Brian Higgins, Xenomania, Jeremy Wheatley Additional production – MOGUAI, Phil Fuldner, Michael Bellina Mixed by Jeremy Wheatley at the Townhouse Studios, London Programming – Matt Duguid, Nick Coler, Tim Powell, Tim Larcombe Keyboards – Brian Higgins, Tim Powell, Tim Larcombe Guitars – Nick Coler, Shawn Lee
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