“Sing It Back” by Moloko is a sleek, hypnotic dance track that became a massive hit in its remixed form in 1999, though it originally appeared in a more subdued version on their 1998 album I Am Not a Doctor. The version that brought global attention was the Boris Dlugosch remix, which transformed the song from a quirky downtempo track into a floor-filling house anthem. Boris Dlugosch’s Boris Musical Mix was included on the 2000 album, “Things to Make and Do”.
The song is driven by Róisín Murphy’s distinctive vocals, which are sultry, cool, and emotionally detached—perfect for the song’s mix of seduction and distance. The lyrics deal with control, desire, and vulnerability, with lines like “Bring it back, sing it back to me” forming a kind of mantra over the pulsating beat.
Dlugosch’s remix turned the song into a club classic, with a clean, groove-heavy production and a looping bassline that became instantly recognizable in late-’90s dance scenes. It helped introduce Moloko to a wider audience outside of electronic and trip-hop circles.
Commercially, the remix was a huge success in Europe, reaching the Top 5 in the UK Singles Chart and becoming a staple in clubs worldwide. It also topped the UK Dance chart and Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart in the United States, and helped solidify Róisín Murphy’s reputation as a bold and unconventional performer, paving the way for her later solo career.
“Sing It Back” stands out as a perfect blend of cool, cerebral electro-pop and irresistible dancefloor energy—a rare crossover hit that still holds up in clubs and chill-out playlists alike.