Expression (song)

"Expression" is a song by American group Salt-N-Pepa, released as the lead single from their third album, Blacks' Magic (1990). The song was both written and produced by member Cheryl "Salt" James. It became the group's second single to reach the top 40 in the United States, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 while also topping the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart, becoming their first song to do so. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 1992 a re-release charted within the top 30 in Ireland and the United Kingdom and peaked at number 13 in France. The accompanying music video is notable for marking the directorial debut of director Millicent Shelton.^[1]

"Expression"
Single by Salt-N-Pepa
from the album Blacks' Magic
B-side	"Clubhouse"
Released	November 13, 1989
Length	4:04
Label	Next Plateau
Songwriter(s)	Cheryl "Salt" James
Producer(s)	Cheryl "Salt" James
Salt-N-Pepa singles chronology
"Twist and Shout" (1988) "Expression" (1989) "Independent" (1990)

Critical reception

Connie Johnson from Los Angeles Times remarked that "Expression" is written "with a power-to-the-individual emphasis", naming it "one of the wittiest rap tracks to emerge this year."^[2] Terry Staunton from NME wrote, "A bold experiment combining rap and lovers' rock with a built-in tribute to their favourite rappers near the end. This is going to be bloody massive, Top Ten in matter of minutes."^[3] Kim France from Spin described it as "a danceable, darn near perfect number that owes more than a touch to Chaka Khan's 84 proto-hip-house hit "I Feel For You"."^[4]

Track listing

• A-side

1. "Expression" – 4:04
2. "Expression" (No Shorts mix) – 5:17
3. "Expression" (acappella) – 1:16

• B-side

1. "Expression" (instrumental) – 4:04
2. "Expression" (Bonus Beats) – 1:30
3. "Clubhouse" (vocal) – 5:29
4. "Clubhouse" (instrumental) – 5:29

Charts

Chart (1990—1992)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5]	99
France (SNEP)[6]	13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7]	76
UK Singles (OCC)[8]	40
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	26
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[10]	32
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[11]	6
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12]	8
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[13]	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14]	Platinum	1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

1992 re-release

"Expression (Hard Ecu edit)"
Single by Salt-N-Pepa
from the album Rapped in Remixes: The Greatest Hits Remixed
Released	1992
Genre	Hip house
Length	3:59
Label	Next Plateau
Songwriter(s)	Cheryl "Salt" James
Salt-N-Pepa singles chronology
"You Showed Me" (1992) "Expression (Hard Ecu edit)" (1992) "Start Me Up" (1992)

"Expression" was re-released in 1992 as the first (and only) single from Salt-N-Pepa's remix album, Rapped in Remixes: The Greatest Hits Remixed. The song peaked at number 23 in Ireland and the United Kingdom and number 13 in France.

Track listing

• CD maxi-single

1. "Expression" (Hard Ecu edit) – 3:59
2. "Expression" (Hard Ecu full kength) – 6:18
3. "Expression" (House mix) – 6:18
4. "Expression" (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) – 5:46

Charts

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Europe (European Dance Radio)[15]	11
France (SNEP)[16]	13
Ireland (IRMA)[17]	23
UK Singles (OCC)[18]	23

References

1. "Millicent Shelton – Bio". millicentshelton.com. Millicent Shelton. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
2. Johnson, Connie (April 29, 1990). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
3. Staunton, Terry (April 7, 1990). "Singles". NME. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
4. France, Kim (May 1990). "Spins". Spin. p. 78. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
5. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 18. May 5, 1990. p. V. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
6. "Salt 'N' Pepa – Expression" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
7. "Salt 'N' Pepa – Expression" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
9. "Salt N Pepa Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
10. "Salt N Pepa Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
11. "Salt N Pepa Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
12. "Salt N Pepa Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
13. "Salt N Pepa Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
14. "American single certifications – Salt 'N Pepa – Expressions". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
15. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. April 25, 1992. p. 22. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
16. "Salt 'N' Pepa – Expression" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Expression". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 22, 2019.