"Expression" is a song by American group Salt-N-Pepa, released in November 1989 by Next Plateau 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 as the first (and only) single from Salt-N-Pepa's remix album, Rapped in Remixes: The Greatest Hits Remixed, 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.

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." 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." 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'."

Track listing A-side "Expression" – 4:04 "Expression" (No Shorts mix) – 5:17 "Expression" (acappella) – 1:16

B-side "Expression" (instrumental) – 4:04 "Expression" (Bonus Beats) – 1:30 "Clubhouse" (vocal) – 5:29 "Clubhouse" (instrumental) – 5:29

CD maxi-single (1992 release) "Expression" (Hard Ecu Edit) – 3:59 "Expression" (Full Length Hard Ecu Mix) – 6:18 "Expression" (House mix) – 6:18 "Expression" (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) – 5:46

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 99Italy Airplay (Music & Media) 1 Chart (1992)PeakpositionEurope (European Dance Radio) 11UK Airplay (Music Week) 21UK Dance (Music Week) 12 UK Club Chart (Music Week) 61

Year-end charts Chart (1990)PositionUS 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard) 31US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard) 63US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard) 1

Certifications

Release history RegionVersionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesOriginalNovember 13, 1989Next PlateauUnited KingdomBrixton Bass mixMarch 26, 1990Expression EPApril 30, 199012-inch vinylJapanBrixton Bass mixJune 1, 1990CDAustraliaJune 4, 1990June 18, 1990CDUnited KingdomHard Ecru mixMarch 16, 1992 Misprinted as March 15. The New Albums section uses the correct date.

References