Where Is the Love?

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"Where Is the Love?"
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	Pop rap, contemporary R&B
Length	4:32 (Album Version) 3:47 (Radio Edit)
Label	A&M/Interscope
Writer(s)	will.i.am, Taboo, Apl.de.ap, Ron Fair, Printz Board, George Pajon Jr., Mike Fratantuno, J. Curtis
Producer	will.i.am, Ron Fair
Certification	Platinum (RIANZ)
The Black Eyed Peas singles chronology
"Request Line" (2001) "Where Is the Love?" (2003) "Shut Up" (2003)
Justin Timberlake singles chronology
"I'm Lovin' It" (2003) "Where Is the Love?" (2003) "Signs" (2005)

"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 breakthrough single of the Black Eyed Peas.

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.

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...".

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 wrote the song's chorus and wanted to record it.

The song samples rapper Nas' song "One Love".

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.

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 of overexposure. The Peas and oak 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 a nomination at the 2004 Grammys for Record of the Year.

Track listings

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

Charts

See also

• Nonviolence
• Opposition to the Iraq War

References