Bang Bang (will.i.am song)

Last updated
"Bang Bang"
Will.i.am Bang Bang.png
Single by will.i.am
from the album #willpower and The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film
ReleasedMay 20, 2013
Recorded2012
Genre Electro swing [1]
Length4:38
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Will.i.am singles chronology
"Crazy Kids"
(2013)		"Bang Bang"
(2013)		"Fall Down"
(2013)
Music video
"Bang Bang" on YouTube

"Bang Bang" is a song recorded by American rapper and producer will.i.am featuring the vocals of Shelby Spalione. The single [2] features as the third track on the soundtrack album of the 2013 Baz Luhrmann film The Great Gatsby . "Bang Bang" is also featured on the deluxe edition of will.i.am's fourth studio album #willpower . "Bang Bang" peaked within the top 10 of the charts in Belgium (Wallonia) and the United Kingdom.

Contents

Composition

"Bang-Bang" is an up-tempo fusion of 1920s jazz instrumentals along with synth-pop elements. [3] [4] [5] The track features partially Louis Armstrong-inspired lead vocals by will.i.am and additional sing-along by guest vocalist "Shelby Spalione". [6] It incorporates elements of the 1923 Cecil Mack–James P. Johnson composition "Charleston". [5] Lyrics include the line "My baby shot me down" from the 1966 song "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" by American recording artist Cher, written by Sonny Bono. [7]

Live performances

will.i.am performed "Bang Bang" live on May 2, 2013, during season 12 of American Idol . [8] He also performed the song in the United Kingdom with Leah McFall during the final of the second season of The Voice UK (will.i.am is a coach on the show). [9] The original version of "Bang Bang" rose to a peak of number three on the UK Singles Chart following the performance. [10] will.i.am later hinted that a duet version of the song with McFall would be officially released. [9]

Controversy

In April 2013, controversy arose over allegations that two songs from #willpower – "Bang Bang" and "Let's Go" – may have used unauthorized samples from the EDM instrumentals "Epic" by Sandro Silva and Quintino and "Rebound" by Arty and Mat Zo. [11] "Bang Bang", in particular, was alleged to have copied the chord progression of the drop from "Epic". [12]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Bang Bang" was first released onto YouTube on May 20, 2013, at a total length of two minutes and fifty-seven seconds. [13] The video features a 1920s-themed speakeasy stage show by will.i.am and a band playing various brass instruments. [14] He is later accompanied by Spalione in Charleston flappers-style; will.i.am and his band then perform highly choreographed routines. The video also features a tap dance solo by will.i.am.

Charts and certifications

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United KingdomJune 26, 2013 [28] Contemporary hit radio Interscope
AustraliaSeptember 26, 2013 [29]

References

  1. ↑ Polonsky, Naomi (April 8, 2014). "Introduction to... Electro-Swing".
  2. ↑ "Will.i.am announces UK arena tour for December 2013". BBC. July 23, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  3. ↑ Gamboa, Glenn (May 3, 2013). "Hear 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack now". Newsday . New York. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  4. ↑ McCabe, Kathy (May 3, 2013). "The Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann delivers audacious soundtrack". The Daily Telegraph . Sydney. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Jones, Lucy (May 3, 2013). "'The Great Gatsby' Soundtrack – First Listen, Track-By-Track". NME . London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ "will.i.am - Bang Bang (American Idol)". 7 May 2013 – via www.youtube.com.
  7. ↑ Seale, Jack (June 22, 2013). "Andrea Begley wins The Voice UK 2013". Radio Times . London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ "will.i.am Performs 'Bang Bang' on 'American Idol'". Rap-Up . Los Angeles. May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Will.I.Am Teases Leah McFall Bang Bang Release". MTV (UK). Viacom Media Networks. July 2, 2013. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ Corner, Lewis (July 1, 2013). "will.i.am teases Leah McFall version of 'Bang Bang' for release". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines UK . Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  11. ↑ Brown, Justin (April 17, 2013). "Will.I.Am 'Rips Off' Two EDM Tracks On New Album". Mixmag . London. Archived from the original on 2013-08-06. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  12. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon (April 17, 2013). "Black Eyed Peas Frontman will.i.am Accused of Plagiarism… Again". Yahoo! Music . Yahoo! . Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  13. ↑ "will.i.am – Bang Bang (Official Video)". williamVEVO . YouTube. May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  14. ↑ Corner, Lewis (May 21, 2013). "will.i.am premieres 'Bang Bang' music video – watch". Digital Spy . Hearst Magazines UK . Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  15. 1 2 "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  16. ↑ "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  17. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 31. týden 2013 in the date selector. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  18. ↑ "will.i.am Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  19. ↑ "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  24. ↑ "will.i.am Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  25. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  27. ↑ "British single certifications – will i am – Bang Bang". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  28. ↑ "BBC Radio 1 Playlist – 26 June 2013". BBC Radio 1 . BBC. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  29. ↑ "News Wrap". Auspop. September 26, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
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