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
ReleasedJune 26, 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 MackJames 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]

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