Pussycat Dolls

So how come pretty much the entire population of the pop radio-listening world has got it wrong, that every single gym-going, car stereo-pumping, iPod-carrying person discovered chirping along to the PCDs latest smash "I Wanna Grow Up" seems to think they're singing "I wanna have boobies?" The PCDs, for their part, have no absolutely no idea. However, as they prepare to storm the charts with their sophomore disc, Doll Domination (on sale September 23), the singer-dancers would like to take this opportunity to clear their good names, apologize to those who were unintentionally offended, and come clean once and for all about the often misheard lyrics. The Pussycat Dolls -- Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Melody Thornton and Kimberly Wyatt -- hereby solemnly swear that they would never, ever be so crass as to publicly profess a desire for "boobies." Groupies, on the other hand? Now that's more like it! Dismissing them as a quintet of Frederick's of Hollywood models with mics would be a major mistake. Almost immediately upon its 2005 release, their super-catchy first single, the global smash "Don't Cha" (altogether now: "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?! Don't cha?!"), proved that these post-feminist Pussycats were a Fancy Feast for the ears as well as the eyes. And we're talking a lot of ears! Since it's release three years ago, The Dolls' debut album, PCD, has sold over three million copies in the U.S., and another three million abroad. It was certified at least gold in an astounding 36 countries. Its success surfed the wave of four more international hits: the top-five ballad "Stickwitu"; the teasing "Beep" (featuring will.I.am); "Buttons" (in which Snoop Dogg may have been the first to pronounce vocal wonder Scherzinger "the lead Pussycat"); and "Wait a Minute" (featuring Timbaland). The album found them nominated for numerous industry accolades: MTV Music Video Awards (for which they won their first Moonman, for Buttons), American Music Awards, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards and Stickwitu earned them the sweetest nomination of them all, a Grammy nod for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In addition, PCD was the launch pad for the decade's number-one girl group franchise, racking up the sales of over 5 million singles downloads, over 4 million ringtone downloads, over 400,000 video downloads, and over 150,000 copies of the PCD DVD Live from London. Now, three years later, prepare for continued domination Doll Domination, indeed! Their second act is off to a sizzling start. First single, the Rodney Jerkins-produced smash When I Grow Up has reached the Top 10 in 16 countriesand counting, and The Pussycat Dolls just picked up their second MTV VMA Moonman for the scorching-hot Joseph Kahn-directed video. With the October 2008 Blender cover featuring the PCDs proclaiming, "The new album is hot!" Domination boasts another army of A-list guests and collaborators: Rodney Jerkins leads the production credits on "When I Grow Up" and "Elevator", Snoop Dogg returns to rap on "Bottle Pop", and Timbaland sprinkles his Mosley magic on a tune called, appropriately enough, "Magic", as well as "Halo", "In Person", and "Whatchamacallit." Missy Elliott, meanwhile, appears on second single "Whatcha Think About That," and R. Kelly joins Polow Da Don on "Out of This Club." Thanks to vocal maestro Ron Fair, (also Geffen Records head and mentor to Christina Aguilera and Fergie), Scherzinger displays impressive new range. Cue up the mid-tempo future hit, "I Hate This Part," and fans will find a shot of perfect pop, as the Hawaiian-born vocalist mood-swings from sadness to frustration to fear as she prepares to pull the plug on an already-dead relationship. In the same way as "Stickwitu" became determined young women's ode to keeping relationships together, "I Hate This Part" will become their break-up anthem. Meanwhile, album closer "I'm Done" is a sweet and soaring ballad in which Scherzinger delights in finding The One, even if she wasn't looking for him. Inside every woman is a Pussycat Doll. Scherzinger has insisted that the line Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me is meant to be empowering. Now, if that seems like eye-roll inducing stuff, then you haven't witnessed a five year-old singing this chorus with her hips cocked and beaming with supreme confidence. Love them or hate them, you can't deny them: The Pussycat Dolls have taken their rightful place in the girl-power pantheon next to the Spice Girls, TLC and Destiny's Child. The Pussycat Dolls are taking over the world. Prepare for domination...Doll Domination.