Get Ready for This

"Get Ready for This" is a song recorded by Dutch music group 2 Unlimited. It was released in 1991 as the lead single from their debut album "Get Ready!" Originally, the single was produced as an instrumental, titled the "Orchestral Mix". Conscious of their popularity, Wilde & De Coster wanted a more accessible, formatted formula for their project to grow. Ray was then asked to write lyrics and add a rap to the track. On Ray Slijngaard's suggestion, Anita Doth joined as the female vocalist.
The single was an immediate success throughout Europe with notable peaks worldwide, including Australia and the U.S. It is arguably the most famous of the band's singles in the United States having charted at number 14 on the US "Billboard" Hot Dance Club Play chart, number 17 on the Top 40 Mainstream and number 38 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, making it the band's only top-40 hit in the U.S. In the UK, this single went to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is one of the most frequently played songs at sporting events around the world.
Background.
In 1990, producers Phil Wilde and Jean-Paul de Coster had previously gained success with AB Logic, and were looking for another vehicle for their songs. 2 Unlimited formed when Wilde and DeCoster were introduced to rapper Ray Slijngaard and vocalist Anita Doth by Marvin D., who had featured both in his rap group in the past.
The rap version was released with raps by Ray Slijngaard and vocals by Anita Doth. For the UK release of the single, an edit of the original "Orchestral Mix" was used, without vocals except for the line "Y'all ready for this?" This was sampled from The D.O.C.'s hit single "It's Funky Enough." This edit was done by record producer Pete Waterman, who owned the record label 2 Unlimited were licensed to for UK releases.
Critical reception.
Larry Flick from "Billboard" wrote, "Spirited and melodic techno/houser reaches these shores after massive pop and club success in the U.K. Although it has yet to be confirmed, rumor has it that famed hi-NRG producers Mike Stock and Pete Waterman are the creative force behind this peak-hour treat. Look for jocks to devour this one heartily." Carolyn Chard from "The Canberra Times" described the song a "mammoth rave hit". She added further, "An instantly recognisable, hands-in-the-air track it belongs to the same Belgium-Dutch school of techno house that produced Quadrophonia, T99 and Technotronic." Andy Kastanas from "The Charlotte Observer" stated that "the raving keyboards and hypnotic dance beat make for a super dance record."
Chart performance.
"Get Ready for This" was successful on the charts on several continents. In Europe, it peaked within the Top 10 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain (number 2) and the United Kingdom, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it hit number 4. In the UK, the single reached number 2 in its fourth week at the UK Singles Chart, on October 20, 1991. It spent a total of two weeks at that position. Additionally, "Get Ready for This" managed to climb into the Top 30 in Finland and the Top 40 in Sweden. Outside Europe, it peaked at number 2 in Australia, number 5 in Zimbabwe, number 6 on the "RPM" Dance Chart in Canada, number 14 on the "Billboard" Hot Dance Club Play and number 38 on the "Billboard" Hot 100.
Music video.
The music video for "Get Ready for This" was directed by British director David Betteridge. He would also direct the video for the band's next single, "Twilight Zone". "Get Ready for This" was uploaded to YouTube in January 2016. As of March 2021, the YouTube video has more than 5.9 million views.
Yves Deruyter remixes.
After the moderate success of the 2 Unlimited compilation album "Greatest Hits Remixes" in 2001, two white labels were released with remixes of "Get Ready for This". The first 12" was released in May 2001 in Belgium with a remix by DJ/producer Yves Deruyter. Although just a single sided pressing featuring the full 12" remix, the radio edit was officially released later in the 2002 release "Trance Remixes (Special Edition)".
Track listing.
A "Get Ready for This" (Yves Deruyter Remix)
Robbie Rivera remixes.
Following the May 2001 release of the Yves Deruyter remixes, August the same year saw the release of another "Get Ready for This" remix by Puerto Rican DJ/producer Robbie Rivera.
Steve Aoki remixes.
In 2013, American DJ/producer Steve Aoki released a remix of "Get Ready for This" on Byte Records as part of a forthcoming 2 Unlimited greatest hits album. The Rap and Orchestral mixes featured on the original "Get Ready for This" single were also included.