Reach Out

Album: Best of Hilary Duff (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is based on the Depeche Mode song "Personal Jesus," which features the lyrics, "Reach out and touch faith." Duff changes this to "Reach out and touch me," and dumbs it down quite a bit, making it much more sexual and literal.
  • OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder produced this song. Tedder also co-penned this track, along with Evan "Kidd" Bogart ("Take You There," "S.O.S. (Rescue Me)") and Mika Guillory, for whom this was the first major writing credit.
  • The rapper at the beginning of the song is Prophet, who is a member of the San Francisco group Trojan Horse.
  • Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan told The LA Times about his reaction to Duff borrowing from "Personal Jesus." He said: "I don't know what I think about it... It's a little weird. I think it was something that Martin (Gore, Depeche Mode songwriter) didn't really have any choice over, they kind of did it anyway. But, you know, it is what it is. Look, my daughter loves it. You know what she said to me? 'But it's not the same, Dad.'"

Comments: 4

  • Clovis from Boca Raton, FlI love this song! Probably her best yet!!
    And what a hottie she is!
  • Brad from Lexington, KyWhat a piece of crap. First she "covers" The Who's "My Generation" and changes the lyric to "hope I don't die before I get old" and now this. Pathetic. At least Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears are singing their own crap, instead of destroying classic songs.
  • Clovis from Boca Raton, FlDon't you actually have to have some hits in order to have a 'best of' album?
  • Kayla from Ventura, CaI think this was Hilary Duff's break out song as an adult.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.