"Doo Wop (That Thing)" | ||||
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Single by Lauryn Hill | ||||
from the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill | ||||
B-side |
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Released | August 10, 1998 | |||
Recorded | 1997–1998 [1] | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Lauryn Hill | |||
Producer(s) | Lauryn Hill | |||
Lauryn Hill singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"Doo Wop (That Thing)" is a song by American rapper and singer Lauryn Hill from her debut solo studio album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written and produced by Hill. The song was released to radio as her solo debut and lead single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on August 10, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. No commercial release was originally intended for the single in the US, but limited-quantity physical formats were issued two months later, on October 27. [2] [3]
"Doo Wop (That Thing)" became Hill's first and only US Billboard Hot 100 number one hit. It marked the first US number one written, produced and recorded by one sole woman since Debbie Gibson's "Lost in Your Eyes" (1989). It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first hip hop song by a soloist to debut at number one, and the first debut single to premiere atop the chart. It also marked the first song by a female rapper to peak at number one on the Hot 100, and remained the only solo song by a female rapper to debut at number one for nearly a quarter of century afterwards. [4] [5] The song reached number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, and surpassed 50 million audience listeners on radio, which was a record at the time for a hip hop song.
Critically acclaimed, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was named the best single of the year by Rolling Stone . [6] It went on to win Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards (1999). According to Apple Music, it is one of the most streamed songs of the 1990s. [7] The song was included in the list of "Songs of the Century", by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts; and was named one of the 300 most important songs of the 20th century by NPR . [8] "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was ranked number 49 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (2021). In 2023, Billboard named it one of the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time". The accompanying music video for "Doo Wop (That Thing)" won Hill four awards at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, including the top prize Video of the Year (a first for a rapper). [9] VH1 and Slant have both ranked it as one of the 100 greatest music videos. [10]
The hip hop and R&B song is a warning from Lauryn Hill to African-American men and women caught in "the struggle". Both the women who "[try to] be a hard rock when they really are a gem", and the men who are "more concerned with his rims, and his Timbs, than his women", are admonished by Hill, who warns them not to allow "that thing" to ruin their lives. The chorus seems to promote egalitarianism between the sexes, but the overall message of the lyrics has been described as conservative. [11]
In terms of production value, Hill borrows heavily from elements of soul music and doo-wop, lending credence to the song's title. In its official album and single release, several of the song's lyrics are censored, though the original words can be found in the liners. [12] The only noted semi-official release of the uncensored version is in a 12-inch promo labelled as "(Album Version)" (different from the 5:21 version) at 4 minutes in length. [13]
In the United States, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the tenth song in the chart's history to debut atop the chart. [14] The track became the first single since Debbie Gibson's 1989 single "Lost in Your Eyes" to reach number one in the US, that was written, produced and recorded by one sole woman. [15] Hill joined Roberta Flack, Linda Goldstein, and Sinéad O'Connor as the only women at the time to solely produce a number one single, and joined the latter three women along with Valerie Simpson and Ellie Greenwich as the sixth woman overall to produce a number one single. [16]
It marked the first number one single by a female rapper, as well as the first rap single by a woman to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; [17] [18] Additionally, it was the first and only solo hip hop song to debut at number one, [19] until "Not Afraid" by Eminem debuted atop the chart in 2010. [20] "Doo Wop (That Thing)" also became the first debut single to enter atop the Hot 100 chart. [21] [22] Furthermore, it became the third rap single by a solo woman to reach the top 10 and was the first solo single by a woman rapper to debut within the top 40. [23] [24] [25]
"Doo Wop (That Thing)" also peaked atop Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart, making her the first unaccompanied woman artist to top both charts simultaneously, and remained the sole single by an unaccompanied female artist to do so, until it was matched by Cardi B's "Up" in 2021. [26] The song reached number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, and became the third rap song to cross 40 million listeners on radio; while it also broke the record for the most listeners on radio for a rap song, when it surpassed 46 million listeners on radio. [27] On the R&B Singles chart, it peaked at number two for three weeks in November 1998. Despite reaching 50 million audience impressions on radio, it was held out of the top spot by "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" by Deborah Cox. [28]
"Doo Wop (That Thing)" remained the only single by a female rapper to debut atop the chart until Nicki Minaj's "Trollz" with 6ix9ine began at number one in 2020. [29] While the song remained the only solo release by a woman rapper to debut at number one, until Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl" debuted atop the Hot 100, matching the feat 24 years later. [30] It stayed at number one for two weeks in November 1998, making Hill the third woman unaccompanied by another artist to do so with a song that debuted at number one, following Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. [31] The song set the record for the longest-running number one by an unaccompanied woman rapper, holding that record for almost 19 years, until it was surpassed by Cardi B's single "Bodak Yellow", which stayed atop the Hot 100 chart for three weeks. [32] [33]
The song experienced similar success abroad, reaching number one in Iceland, and peaking within the top 10 in various other countries worldwide. In the United Kingdom the song peaked at number three, debuted at number one on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Chart, [34] and has been certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. According to Apple Music, it is one of the most streamed songs of the 1990s. [7]
At the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" won two awards: Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. [35] The success of "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill established Hill as a success outside of her group, The Fugees. In 1999, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was ranked at number two on The Village Voice 's Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll, after Fatboy Slim 's "The Rockafeller Skank".
"Doo Wop (That Thing)" was included at number 359 on the Songs of the Century list by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. [36] NPR listed it as one of the 300 most important songs of the 20th century. [8] The song was named as the 21st greatest hip hop song of all time by BBC , being one of the two only songs by a woman to make the list. [37] In 2018, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" came in at number 13 on the "New American Songbook" list by Slate . [38] In 2021, the song was ranked number 49 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. [39] "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was placed as the top song on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "The 90s: Women Who Rock" Spotify playlist. [40] Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama included the song on her "Day of the Girl" Spotify playlist, in honor of International Day of the Girl. [41] XXL placed it among the 60 essential songs from women in hip hop. [42] In August 2023, the song was ranked as the third greatest hip hop song of all time by Consequence. [43] In October 2023, Billboard staff named "Doo Wop (That Thing)" one of the 500 Best Pop Songs of All Time. [44]
In 2001, the song's accompanying music video was placed at number 71 on the VH1 list of the '100 Greatest Videos'. [45] PopSugar named it the 15th most iconic music video of the 90s, [46] while UDiscover Music listed it as one of the music videos that defined the 90s. In 2021, Slant Magazine ranked "Doo Wop (That Thing)" at number 20 on their list of the '100 Greatest Videos'. [10] In 2023, Rolling Stone placed it on their list of the "150 Greatest Hip Hop Music Videos of All Time". [47]
The song's music video was Directed by Monty Whitebloom & Andy Delaney, Bigtv, and filmed in Manhattan's Washington Heights in New York City, with the video showing two Hills singing side by side at a block party. On the left side of the split screen, the 1967 Hill dressed in full retro-styled attire, complete with a beehive and a zebra-printed dress, she pays homage to classic R&B and doo wop, and on the right side of the screen, the 1998 Hill is shown in a homage to hip hop culture. [48] Slant Magazine's Paul Schrodt praised the "Doo Wop (That Thing)" music video, stating "The resulting split-screen music video is the most flabbergasting testament to what the neo soul movement is all about." [49]
The song's music video won four 1999 MTV Video Music Awards for: Best Female Video, Best R&B Video, Best Art Direction, and Video of the Year; with her win for Video of the Year, "Doo Wop (That Thing)" became the first hip hop video to win the award, [9] and made Hill the first solo black artist to win, and second overall following TLC (1995). [50] [51] At the Soul Train Music Awards, the video was awarded the Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video.
In 2014, musician Drake sampled the song on his single "Draft Day", the song was later included on his 2019 compilation album Care Package. [52] In 2021, Kanye West also sampled it for his single "Believe What I Say", from his tenth studio album Donda. [53] It has also been interpolated by the recording artist Lizzo, on the song "Break Up Twice" from her fourth studio album Special . [54]
The song's instrumental has also been used in freestyles by rappers DaBaby, [55] and Jamaican musician Shenseea. [56]
Singer Amy Winehouse covered "Doo Wop (That Thing)" as part of a mashup with her song, "He Can Only Hold Her", during live concerts from 2006 to 2008; her performance of the mashup in May 2007 at Shepherd's Bush Empire, was later included on her live album I Told You I Was Trouble: Live in London . [57] Rihanna also covered the song while touring on Kanye West's Glow in the Dark Tour, in 2008. [58] In 2012, R&B singer Teyana Taylor released her The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill inspired mixtape, The Misunderstanding of Teyana Taylor ; the track "Lauryn's Interlude" from her mixtape features Taylor performing a shortened, a capella version of the song. [59] English girl group Little Mix also performed an a cappella take of "Doo Wop (ThatThing)", that same year. [60] In 2013, Will Holland (billed as Quantic) released a latin version of the song alongside Ana Tijoux. [61]
Alicia Keys performed a rendition of the track during a medley with other popular songs at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. [62] Folk singer Devendra Banhart has also covered the song during multiple live performances, including at the music festivals, Bonnaroo and Pitchfork Music Festival. [63] Bruno Mars sung "Doo Wop (That Thing)" during his 24K Magic World Tour. [64]
The Glee episode "The Back-up Plan", included a cover version of the song performed by Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley) and Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera). [65] The 2015 film Pitch Perfect 2 included a cover of the song by singer Ester Dean, who performed the hook of the song in the 'Riff Off'. [66] Singer John Legend performed a rendition of the song on the ABC network show Greatest Hits. [67] In 2023, rapper/singer Tobe Nwigwe released a cover version of the song for Spotify Singles. [68]
In 2021, author Minda Harts published her second book, Right Within: How We Heal From Racial Trauma in the Workplace, inspired by a verse in the song. [69] TIME magazine named it one of the "8 New Books You Should Read" in October 2021. [70]
US CD and cassette single [71] [72]
US maxi-CD single [73]
UK CD1 [74]
UK CD2 [75]
| UK cassette single and European CD single [76] [77]
Australian CD single [78]
Japanese CD single [79]
|
Credits are taken from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album booklet. [80]
Studios
Personnel
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [123] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [124] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [125] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [126] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | August 10, 1998 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | ||
August 24, 1998 | Urban contemporary radio | |||
Japan | September 9, 1998 | Maxi CD | Sony Music Japan | |
United Kingdom | September 21, 1998 |
| Columbia | |
France | October 5, 1998 | CD | Small | |
United States | October 20, 1998 | Contemporary hit radio |
| |
October 27, 1998 |
|
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is celebrated as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation. Hill is credited with breaking barriers for female rappers, contributing to the mainstream success of both hip-hop and neo soul, and blending rap with melodic vocals. She has been honored as one of the 50 Great Voices by NPR, and one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. In 2015, Billboard named her the greatest female rapper. Among her accolades are eight Grammy Awards—the most for any female rapper.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and singer Lauryn Hill. It was released on August 19, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. Recorded after the Fugees embarked on a hiatus, the album was almost entirely written and produced by Hill. It is a concept album about educating oneself on love, with lyrical themes encompassing relationship complexities, interpersonal conflicts, motherhood, and faith. Predominantly a neo soul and R&B record, it incorporates genres such as hip-hop, reggae, and soul, and features guest appearances from Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige, and D'Angelo.
Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival, also known simply as The Carnival, is the debut studio album released by Haitian hip hop musician Wyclef Jean. The album was released on 24 June 1997. Wyclef Jean also served as the album's executive producer. The album features guest appearances from Celia Cruz and The Neville Brothers and multiple appearances from Jean's former Fugees bandmates, Lauryn Hill and Pras.
"Have You Ever?" is a song by American recording artist Brandy for her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by David Foster. It was released as the album's third single by Atlantic Records in October 1998. The song became Norwood's second song to reach the top position on the US Billboard Hot 100, following the worldwide chart-topping of "The Boy Is Mine". The former further reached number one in New Zealand, number two in Iceland, number eight in Australia, and the top 30 in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
"I Believe" is the debut single of American Idol third season winner Fantasia. The song was co-written by Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, and former American Idol contestant Tamyra Gray. Released in the United States on June 15, 2004, "I Believe" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, selling 142,000 copies during its first week and winning three Billboard awards. The song also reached number one on the Canadian Singles Chart and number four on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart. It was included on Fantasia's debut album, Free Yourself, released on November 23, 2004.
"Fu-Gee-La" is a song by American hip-hop trio, Fugees, released on December 13, 1995 by Ruffhouse Records, as the lead single from their second and final album, The Score (1996). Produced by Salaam Remi, it contains a sample of "If Loving You Is Wrong " by Ramsey Lewis, while its chorus contains an interpolation of "Ooo La La La" by Teena Marie. Immediately following this is a sample of "Shakiyla (JRH)" by the Poor Righteous Teachers.
"Gone till November" a song by Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean, released as the third single from his debut solo album The Carnival (1997). The song was released on 25 November 1997 by Columbia and Ruffhouse, and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Jean's highest-charting solo hit in the UK alongside 2000's "It Doesn't Matter". In the United States, the song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It reached number four in both Canada and New Zealand.
"Everything Is Everything" is a song recorded by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written by Hill and Johari Newton, and produced by Hill. During the recording sessions, Hill wanted to write about injustice and struggles amongst youth communities in inner city areas of the United States. The song contains R&B, 1960s soul, and hip hop influences. It marked the first commercial appearance of singer and pianist John Legend, who was 19 years old when he played the piano on the song. The song was released as the third and final single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on May 3, 1999, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records.
American singer and rapper Lauryn Hill has released one studio album, one live album, and 20 singles. She has also written for and performed on several other tracks.
"Ex-Factor" is a song by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). Written and produced by Hill herself, it incorporates elements of R&B, neo soul and hip hop soul. The song features a sample of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan, hence its songwriters are also credited. It has been claimed to be about Hill's former Fugees groupmate Wyclef Jean. The song was released as the second single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on December 14, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records.
"Turn Your Lights Down Low" is a song by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers from their 1977 album, Exodus. It is the only song on side B of the album that was not released as a single. However, a remastered version featuring Lauryn Hill was released in 1999. The duet was commercially successful, peaking at number one on the UK R&B Chart while topping the charts in New Zealand and Romania. It received a nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 43rd Grammy Awards.
"A Rose Is Still a Rose" is a song recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. It was written and produced by singer Lauryn Hill for Franklin's album of the same name (1998). The song focused on a motherly figure giving advice to a younger woman who keeps getting into bad relationships. Throughout "A Rose Is Still a Rose", Franklin advises that in spite of everything and despite the woman's "scorned roses and thorn crowns," the woman is "still a rose". Elements of the song "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians were sung throughout the song by Hill herself.
"Nothing Even Matters" is a song recorded by American rapper and singer Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written and produced by Hill herself, and features a guest appearance from American singer D'Angelo. The song is an electric piano-driven neo soul, R&B and quiet storm ballad. Lyrically a love song, it discusses falling in love and exploring an idyllic romantic relationship, presumably in reference to Hill's relationship with Rohan Marley.
"Illusions" is a song by American hip hop group Cypress Hill. It was written by members B-Real and DJ Muggs, and produced by the latter, who used a sample of Gary Burton's song "Las Vegas Tango". It was released in February 1996 via Ruffhouse/Columbia Records as the second single from the group's third studio album, III: Temples of Boom. An accompanying music video was directed by McG.
"Lost Ones" is a diss track by American rapper and singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill. It serves as the opening song on her 1998 debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, released through Ruffhouse and Columbia Records. The track was written and produced by Hill, alongside Vada Nobles and Che Pope, and features an interpolation of the reggae classic "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy. While Hill does not explicitly name individuals in the song, it is widely believed to address her former Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean, with whom she had a strained personal and professional relationship.
"Rumble in the Jungle" is a song recorded for the 1996 documentary film When We Were Kings, which depicts the 1974 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman that the song is named after: The Rumble in the Jungle. The song was written and performed by American hip hop group Fugees along with fellow hip hop artists A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and John Forté. Additional writers credited on the song are Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson, and Chip Taylor since "Rumble in the Jungle" samples recordings written by them. The lyrics of the song focus mostly on Ali and his life, as well as the boxing match itself.
"Bodak Yellow" (alternatively titled "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)") is the major-label debut single by American rapper Cardi B. It was written alongside Pardison Fontaine, Klenord Raphael, and producers J. White Did It and Laquan Green, with an additional writing credit going to Kodak Black for the interpolation of his song "No Flockin". It was released on June 16, 2017, by Atlantic Records as the lead single from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018).
"Be Careful" is a song by American rapper Cardi B from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018). It was released on March 30, 2018, as the third single from the album. The song was written by Cardi B, Jordan Thorpe, and produced by Boi-1da, Vinylz, and Frank Dukes. It contains an interpolation from "Ex-Factor", written and performed by Lauryn Hill, which itself samples "Can It Be All So Simple", written and performed by Wu-Tang Clan. The latter song also samples "The Way We Were". Therefore, Hill, the eight members of Wu-Tang Clan, and Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman are credited among the composers.
"Up" is a song by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on February 5, 2021, through Atlantic Records as the second single from her upcoming second studio album. "Up" is a pop-rap and hip-hop song, co-written by Cardi B and written by Joshua Baker and Jordan Thorpe and produced by Yung Dza, DJ SwanQo, Sean Island and DJ Prince.
"Believe What I Say" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The song features additional vocals from Buju Banton, Dem Jointz and Stalone; and samples "Doo Wop " by Lauryn Hill. It was serviced to US rhythmic contemporary radio as the album's third single on November 30, 2021.
...the label will ship the album's first official single, 'Doo Wop (That Thing),' to R&B outlets Aug. 10; there are no plans for a commercial release.
The song [...] is scheduled to be released commercially on Oct. 27 but will be available to retail in limited quantities.
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