Always on Time

"Always on Time"
Single by Ja Rule featuring Ashanti
from the album Pain Is Love
B-side	"I Cry"
Released	November 27, 2001 (2001-11-27)
Studio	The Crackhouse (New York City)
Length	4:05
Label	Def Jam Murder Inc.
Songwriters	Jeffrey Atkins 7 Aurelius Irving Lorenzo
Producer	Irv Gotti
Ja Rule singles chronology
"Livin' It Up" (2001) "Always on Time" (2001) "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" (2002)
Ashanti singles chronology
"Just Like a Thug" (2001) "Always on Time" (2001) "What's Luv?" (2002)

UK CD1 [3] "Always on Time" (LP version) "Always on Time" (radio version) "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo) "Always on Time" (full length video) UK CD2 and European CD single [4] "Always on Time" (radio edit) "Always on Time" (explicit album version) UK cassette single [5] "Always on Time" (radio version) "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo)

UK 12-inch single [6] A1. "Always on Time" (LP version) B1. "I Cry" (LP version featuring Lil' Mo) B2. "Always on Time" (radio version) Australasian CD single [7] "Always on Time" (radio edit) "Always on Time" (explicit album version) "Always on Time" (instrumental) "Always on Time" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Pain Is Love album booklet. ^[8]

Studios

• Recorded at The Crackhouse (New York City)
• Mixed at The Hit Factory (New York City)
• Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)

Personnel

• Ja Rule – writing (as Jeffrey Atkins)
• 7 Aurelius – writing, all instruments, mixing
• Irv Gotti – writing (as Irving Lorenzo), production, mixing
• Ashanti – featured vocals, additional vocals
• Milwaukee Buck – recording
• Glen Marchese – mix engineering
• Brian Gardner – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Always on Time" Chart (2001–2002) Peak position Australia (ARIA) [9] 3 Australian Urban (ARIA) [10] 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [11] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [12] 26 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) [13] 16 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [14] 33 France (SNEP) [15] 45 Germany (GfK) [16] 22 Ireland (IRMA) [17] 22 Italy (FIMI) [18] 29 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [19] 12 Netherlands (Single Top 100) [20] 11 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [21] 2 Norway (VG-lista) [22] 17 Scotland (OCC) [23] 18 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [24] 45 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [25] 4 UK Singles (OCC) [26] 6 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [27] 2 US Billboard Hot 100 [28] 1 US Dance Singles Sales ( Billboard ) [29] 16 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [30] 1 US Hot Rap Songs ( Billboard ) [31] 4 US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [32] 5 US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [33] 1 US Top 40 Tracks ( Billboard ) [34] 4

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Always on Time" Chart (2002) Position Australia (ARIA) [35] 60 Australian Urban (ARIA) [36] 20 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) [37] 94 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [38] 97 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [39] 78 Netherlands (Single Top 100) [40] 82 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [41] 47 UK Singles (OCC) [42] 64 UK Airplay ( Music Week ) [43] 15 UK Urban (Music Week) [44] 25 US Billboard Hot 100 [45] 12 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard) [46] 7 US Hot Rap Tracks (Billboard) [47] 2 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) [48] 36 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard) [49] 5 Decade-end charts Decade-end chart performance for "Always on Time" Chart (2000–2009) Position US Billboard Hot 100 [50] 82 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) [51] 33

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Always on Time"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [52]	Gold	35,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [53]	Gold	30,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [54]	3× Platinum	90,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [55]	2× Platinum	1,200,000‡
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Always on Time"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	November 27, 2001	Rhythmic contemporary urban radio	Murder Inc. Def Jam	[56]
United Kingdom	January 21, 2002	CD cassette		[57]
United States	January 28, 2002	Contemporary hit radio		[58]
Australia	April 1, 2002	CD		[59]

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2002
• List of number-one R&B singles of 2002 (U.S.)

References

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4. Always on Time (UK CD2 & European CD single liner notes). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 795-2.
5. Always on Time (UK cassette single sleeve). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 946-4.
6. Always on Time (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Ja Rule. Murder Inc. Records, Def Jam Recordings. 2002. 588 946-1.
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