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| "Where Is the Love?" | |||||||||||
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| Single by The Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake | |||||||||||
| from the album Elephunk | |||||||||||
| B-side | "Sumthin for That Ass" | ||||||||||
| Released | June 16, 2003 | ||||||||||
| Format | CD single | ||||||||||
| Genre | Hip hop, contemporary R&B | ||||||||||
| Length | 4:32 (Album Version) 3:47 (Radio Edit) |
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| Label | A&M/Interscope | ||||||||||
| Writer(s) | will.i.am, Taboo, Apl.de.ap, Ron Fair, Printz Board | ||||||||||
| Producer | will.i.am, Ron Fair | ||||||||||
| Certification | Platinum (RIANZ) | ||||||||||
| The Black Eyed Peas singles chronology | |||||||||||
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"Where Is the Love?" is the first single from the Black Eyed Peas' third album, Elephunk, released in 2003. It was the first single to feature the new member, Fergie. The single peaked at #8 in the USA, becoming The Black Eyed Peas' first Top 10 hit; the single also peaked at #1 in Australia and the UK. The single is most known as the band's breakthrough single. The song is also notable for beating out The Darkness's biggest hit, "I Believe in a Thing Called Love", at number one in the UK.
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Background and writing
Although the song was one of the biggest worldwide hits of 2003, it almost did not happen. Following the commercial failures of their previous albums and singles, there was doubt over whether the Black Eyed Peas would continue to record together. A&R executive Ron Fair approached them and suggested a crossover to a more mainstream pop sound. will.i.am in particular resisted the idea for fear that they would be seen as sellouts. However, after discussions and some writing sessions the idea was pursued.[1]
Shortly after Christmas 2001, will.i.am created a loop and a guitar part that he liked. Repressing his emotions since September 11, will.i.am was able to get a few things off his chest as lyrics like:
- "Overseas we tryin' to stop terrorism, but we still got terrorists here livin', in the U.S.A., the big CIA, the Bloods and the Crips and the KKK...".
However, this line was altered to not include the CIA, the Ku Klux Klan and the gangs mentioned when the song was performed at President Obama's inauguration[citation needed].
Taboo and Apl.de.ap also heard the track and were able to write similar lyrics over it. Justin Timberlake was allegedly introduced to the band by new band member Fergie, and got a chance to hear the track that will.i.am created. Impressed with the music, Timberlake helped write and sing the chorus.
Lyrics
The song was written by Will.I.Am, Taboo, apl.de.ap, Ron Fair, P. Board, G. Pajon Jr, M. Fratantuno, and J. Curtis, and co-produced by will.i.am and Ron Fair. In this anti-war pacifist anthem, The Black Eyed Peas lament on various worldwide problems. Many issues are discussed, which include but are not limited to terrorism, U.S. government hypocrisy, racism, war, intolerance and greed. Some view this song as an anthem against the War on Terror and the 2003 invasion of Iraq since it was released shortly after the invasion began[citation needed].
Reception
Although "Shut Up" had originally been planned as the album's first single, there was nothing among The Peas and Fair that "Where Is The Love?" was a stronger first single, and "Shut Up" was delayed as the next single. However, another problem arose before chart release: Timberlake was in the midst of promotion of his solo album, Justified, and his label Jive Records was concerned about overexposure. The Peas were worried as that had been the original point of this song: to get some assistance from an established pop star. A compromise was reached eventually in which Jive gave clearance for the vocals of Timberlake to be released on the song. However, Timberlake would not appear in the song's music video nor would he be credited on the song as an artist.
Despite the song's rough path to production, it was rewarded with nominations at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004 for Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration[citation needed].
Track listings
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Credits
- Arranged by Ron Fair
- Engineered by Dylan Dresdow and Tal Herzberg
- Assistant by Christine Sirois
- Vocals by Justin Timberlake, Taboo and will.i.am
- Produced by Ron Fair
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia[2] | 2 x Platinum | 2003 | 140,000 |
| Belgium[3] | Gold | November 22, 2003 | 25,000 |
| Germany[4] | Gold | 2003 | 150,000 |
| Norway[5] | Platinum | 2003 | 10,000 |
| UK[6] | Platinum | October 31, 2003 | 600,000 |
| U.S.[7] | Gold | October 25, 2004 | 500,000 |
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart[8] | 1 |
| Ö3 Austria Top 40[8] | 1 |
| Belgium (Flanders) Singles Chart[8] | 1 |
| Belgium (Wallonia) Singles Chart[8] | 19 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Danish Singles Chart[8] | 1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart[9] | 1 |
| Eurochart Hot 100 Singles | 1 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart[8] | 16 |
| German Singles Chart[9] | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart[9] | 1 |
| Italian FIMI Singles Chart[8] | 3 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart[8] | 1 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart[8] | 1 |
| Romanian Singles Chart[10] | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart[8] | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart[9] | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks[11] | 19 |
| U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40[11] | 9 |
| U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream[11] | 1 |
| U.S. ARC Weekly Top 40 | 1 |
See also
References
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484775/20040203/black_eyed_peas.jhtml
- ^ Australian certifications aria.com (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ Belgian certifications Ultratop.be (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ German certifications musikindustrie.de (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ Norwegian certifications Ifpi.no (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ UK certifications Bpi.co.uk (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ U.S. certifications riaa.com (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Where Is the Love ?", in various singles charts charts.org.nz Charts.org.nz (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ a b c d "Where Is the Love ?", in various singles charts Acharts.us (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
- ^ "Romanian Top 100" Please see "Issue 1" of the year 2004
- ^ a b c d Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved March 29, 2009)
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