"Untouched" is a song by Australian duo the Veronicas, which is featured on their second studio album Hook Me Up (2007). Toby Gad assisted the duo in writing the song and is also the producer. It was released as the second single from the band's album in Australia on 10 December 2007, and the first single in the UK and US.
"Untouched" received generally positive reviews from music critics, which applauded the departure from their previous music, with some highlighting it as the album's standout track and comparing it to the work of Pink and Avril Lavigne. The song was commercially successful worldwide, as the song reached number seventeen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group's only top twenty there and was known as their breakthrough single. The song also peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom, number two in their native Australia, number nine in New Zealand and at number one in Ireland. The song was certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over one million shipments there.
An accompanying music video was released for the single, directed by Anthony Rose, where it was shot in Sydney, Australia. The video starts with a lot of pictures in the hallway. The video received generally positive reviews, having over 60 million hits on YouTube. The song was featured in 90210, The Hills and then in Hellcats and also featured in EA Sports game, FIFA 09. The song has also been nominated for different awards, being nominated for Highest Selling Single at the ARIA Music Awards and nominated for Favorite Song at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards.
Background and composition
"Untouched" was written by the Veronicas twins Jessica Origliasso and Lisa Origliasso along with Toby Gad, the track's producer. Writing and recording of the song took place at Jessica and Lisa's home in Los Angeles, California. The song relates to Jessica and Lisa's feelings of separation from loved ones. In an interview with Rachel Jones of Female First, Lisa explained the theme of "Untouched": "It's about not physically being able to touch someone or be with them but kind of needing that person".
"Untouched" is an electropop and power pop song set in common time with an energy-filled fast tempo of 176 beats per minute. The song is written in the key of F-sharp minor. The song begins with strings, which are sometimes performed by a real string section in live performances, followed by guitars and synthesized drums. Lisa and Jess's vocal ranges span from A3-E5.
Critical reception
Ben Norman from About.com said "Untouched" is fast, both in BPM and in the way the twins vocally present the song, yet it proves once again that speed and pain are not mutually exclusive ideas.". K. Ross Hoffman from AllMusic had highlighted the track as an album standout, saying " "Untouched" bursts out of the gate with majestic, menacing string stabs and a driving synth-rock pulse beneath its stuttered verses and breathlessly obsessive refrain." Emily Mackay from NME gave it a positive remark from the album review as she described the song as "raunchy". Evan Sawdey from PopMatters highlighted "Untouched" as a standout, saying "some of the best tracks the girls have ever made, some of which ("Untouched", "Revenge Is Sweeter") even outclass previous high points like Secret Life's flawless anthem "When It All Falls Apart"."
David Balls from Digital Spy gave it three stars out of five. He said "Though it's been knocking about for a while, it's 'Untouched' that The Veronicas are touting as their breakthrough single over here." He concluded saying "There's little in the way of originality here, but the girls' vampish style and quirky charm should work in their favour." He had compared the song to the music of Pink and Avril Lavigne. FemaleFirst.co.uk gave the song four-and-a-half out of five stars, saying "Other than that, this looks set to be an epic dance floor tune over the summer of 2009, it’s definitely finding a place on my iPod that’s for sure!".