Vain" achieved success worldwide, reaching the number-one position in at least 19 countries,[4] including 9, 7 and 6 weeks at number one in Germany, Denmark and Finland.
[7] German DJ and producer Torsten Fenslau and his friend Jens Zimmerman formed Culture Beat in Frankfurt in 1989.
[8] They took the name from the idea of trying to mix high culture and music,[8] and had their first hit same year, entitled "Der Erdbeermund" ("Strawberry Lips"), which meshed house sounds with the poetry of 15th century French writer François Villon.
[3][2] Fenslau wanted to develop the group further[9] and American rapper Jay Supreme and British singer Tania Evans were recruited to front a new single and album.
Vain" were written by German musician and songwriter Nosie Katzmann with Supreme and Steven Lewis, and the single was released on April 16, 1993.
[2] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "chirpy rave/NRG track", stating that "if its European chart success is a fair indicator", then the song "will be all the rage within minutes.
"[10] Nicole Leedham from The Canberra Times noted Culture Beat's "combination of soul, insightful lyrics and dance floor-friendly music".
[11] Student newspaper Columbia Daily Spectator stated that "near-indiscernible rapping over a pulsing techno beat and an unforgettable synth line" make it "the quintessential '90s dance track.
Vain" "heads straight for the dark heart of the club, sketching a dancefloor predator who – like Eezer Goode [sic] – is as much metaphor as character.
The lyrics' almost-there English works to the song's benefit – there's an awkward poetry to "Call him Mr Raider, call him Mr Wrong" – and for once the obligatory rap isn't an embarrassment, with Jay Supreme's gloating, bassy flow reminding me of knowingly devilish Chicago house classics like "Your Only Friend".
"[13] John Patrick from Lake District News stated, "The beat is a dream to any dance and the words become so familiar, you can sing along with the chorus on cue.
"[15] Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed it as an "audacious rewrite" of "Rhythm Is a Dancer", and categorized it as "house music.
"[16] Diana Valois from The Morning Call noted its formula of "staccato beats, deep bass lines, and nervous and tinny keyboard riffs."
[20] Jim Farber from New York Daily News described it as "propulsive", with "snappy electronic rhythms and trendy rap break".
Vain", while a second (from a rapper named Jay Supreme) embodies the title character's selfish desire – it's a winkling comment on self-absorption on a track made for the indulgent world of dance clubs.
Vain" first experienced success in Germany, topping the German Singles Chart for nine consecutive weeks from June to August 1993,[22] before spreading to other European countries.
Vain" peaked at number two in Sweden for 4 weeks, behind UB40's "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love with You" and 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up", and was a top-3 hit in France, Iceland and Spain.
[49] It features Evans and Supreme at a baroque house party populated by a mélange of powdered dandies and silver-vested ravers.
[50] As the video ends, after being followed through the hallway and up a dark staircase, Evans finds a hand-mirror lying on a nightstand and puts it up to Supreme's face.
[6] Same year, Peter Paphides and Simon Price of Melody Maker praised songs such as "Rhythm Is a Dancer", "What Is Love" and "Mr.