For Whom the Bell Tolls (J. Cole song)

Last updated
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Song by J. Cole
from the album 4 Your Eyez Only
ReleasedDecember 9, 2016
Recorded2016
Genre Hip hop
Length2:08
Label
Songwriter(s) Jermaine Cole
Producer(s)
  • Elijah Scarlett
  • J. Cole

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a song by American rapper J. Cole from his fourth studio album 4 Your Eyez Only (2016). It was written by Cole with production by Cole and Elijah Scarlett. It contains an interpolation from "Divine", written by Aknostra and Tiad Hilm, as performed by Tiad Hilm.

Contents

The song was recorded at the Sheltuh in North Carolina and Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Commercially, the song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, peaked just outside the top ten on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and reached the top 30 in 20 other countries.

Background

The title of the song references the 1940 novel For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway. [1] The novel tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American engaged in guerrilla warfare during the Spanish Civil War. The novel focuses on themes of death and suicide. [2] "For Whom the Bell Tolls" also features background vocals from Kay Foxx. [3]

Commercial performance

Upon its first week of release, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, [4] and number 13 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [5] Outside the United States, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" reached the top 30 in Canada and the top 20 in the United Kingdom. [6] [7]

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [8] 30
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 82
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 23
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 13

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<i>Janet Jackson</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is the debut studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released in September 1982 by A&M Records. Janet Jackson is described as a dance and contemporary R&B record. Songwriters Angela Winbush and René Moore contributed to much of the album's lyrics. Moore and Winbush share production credits with Foster Sylvers, Jerry Weaver, and Bobby Watson. On release Janet Jackson charted on the Billboard 200 and in New Zealand. Three singles from the album had little impact on Billboard Hot 100 charts, among them "Young Love", "Come Give Your Love to Me" and "Say You Do", though these singles achieved success on the R&B charts. Jackson performed "Young Love" and "Say You Do" on American TV shows American Bandstand and Soul Train in 1982. The cover artwork of Jackson's body submerged in water was based on a photo of Elizabeth Taylor. Worldwide, the album has sold 300,000 copies.

<i>The Force</i> (Kool & the Gang album) 1977 studio album by Kool & the Gang

The Force is the ninth studio album by the funk band Kool & the Gang, released in 1977 on De-Lite Records. The album peaked at No. 33 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Changed My Mind</span> 2004 single by Keyshia Cole

"I Changed My Mind" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole, recorded for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005). It was written by the singer along with John Legend and Kanye West, while production on the track was helmed by the latter. Released on November 9, 2004 as the lead single from the album, it was mildly successful commercially, peaking at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Should Have Cheated</span> 2005 single by Keyshia Cole

"I Should Have Cheated" is a song by American recording artist Keyshia Cole. It was written by 112 members Daron Jones and Quinnes "Q" Parker for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005), while production was helmed by Jones along with Ron Fair. The song was released on August 3, 2005 as the album's third single, following "I Changed My Mind" and "(I Just Want It) To Be Over." It rose to number four on US Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its music video made it to the top five on 106 and Park and remained there for 46 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Take You There</span> 1972 single by the Staple Singers

"I'll Take You There" is a song written by Al Bell, and originally performed by soul/gospel family band the Staple Singers. The Staple Singers version, produced by Bell, was released on Stax Records in February 1972, and spent a total of 15 weeks on the charts and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. By December 1972, it had sold 2 million units and is ranked as the 19th biggest American hit of 1972. It remains one of the best-selling gospel songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoulda Let You Go</span> 2007 single by Keyshia Cole featuring Amina

"Shoulda Let You Go" is a song by American R&B singer Keyshia Cole. It was written by Cole and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins for her second studio album Just like You (2007), while production was helmed by Jerkins. The song features additional vocals by rapper Amina. "Shoulda Let You Go" premiered on August 25, 2007, on V103, an Atlanta-based radio station, and was later released as the album's second single. It reached number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven Sent (Keyshia Cole song)</span> 2008 single by Keyshia Cole

Heaven Sent is a song recorded by American singer Keyshia Cole. It was written by Cole, Jason Farmer, Alex Francis, and Lamont Wilson for her second studio album Just like You (2007), while production was overseen by Francis and Farmer with additional credit by Ron Fair. The ballad was released as the album's fourth and final single in March 2008. "Heaven Sent" became Cole's third chart topper on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and earned two Grammy Award nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song. An accompanying music video was shot in Hawaii and is based on the poem "Footprints."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Respect Yourself</span> 1971 single by the Staple Singers

"Respect Yourself" is a song by American R&B/gospel group the Staple Singers. Released in late 1971 from their album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, the song became a crossover hit. The Staple Singers' version peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100, No. 2 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and is one of the group's most recognizable hits. In 2002, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2010 it was ranked #468 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, moving down 4 spots from #464 in 2004.

<i>Intuition</i> (Jamie Foxx album) 2008 studio album by Jamie Foxx

Intuition is the third studio album by American R&B singer Jamie Foxx. It was released on December 16, 2008, by J Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It</span> 2009 single by Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain

"Blame It" (also known as "Blame It (On the Alcohol)") is a song by American singer and actor Jamie Foxx, released as the second official single from his third studio album, Intuition (2008). It features American singer T-Pain and was written by Christopher "Deep" Henderson, Nate Walker, James T. Brown, John Conte Jr., David Ballard and Brandon Melanchon and produced by Christopher "Deep" Henderson. Both Jamie Foxx and T-Pain use the Auto-Tune effect. T-Pain also uses some elements from "I Luv Your Girl" by The-Dream.

<i>Millennium</i> (Earth, Wind & Fire album) 1993 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Millennium is the sixteenth studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire released in September 1993 on Warner Bros. Records. The album reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart, No. 39 on the US Billboard 200, No. 18 on the Japanese Pop Albums chart and No. 29 on the Dutch Album Top 100. Millennium has also been certified Gold in Japan by the RIAJ.

<i>Unpredictable</i> (Natalie Cole album) 1977 studio album by Natalie Cole

Unpredictable is an album by the American singer Natalie Cole. Released on February 22, 1977, by Capitol Records, the album includes the single "I've Got Love on My Mind", which peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart.

<i>Everlasting</i> (Natalie Cole album) 1987 studio album by Natalie Cole

Everlasting is the eleventh studio album by American singer Natalie Cole, released on June 14, 1987 by Manhattan Records. The album peak to number 8 on Billboards Top R&B Albums chart, and number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing My Way</span> 1997 single by K.P. & Envyi

"Swing My Way" is a bass song by American hip-hop duo K.P. & Envyi. For each of them, it is their only top 40 hit, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 14, 1998. It entered the Hot 100 on the week ending December 27, 1997, at No. 86.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planez</span> 2015 single by Jeremih featuring J. Cole

"Planez" is a song by American singer Jeremih from his third studio album, Late Nights (2015). It features American rapper J. Cole, and was released on January 2015 as the second single from the album. It interpolates "Put It in Your Mouth" by Akinyele. The original version of the song featured a verse from fellow Chicago native Chance The Rapper. "Planez" garnered mixed reviews from critics, praising Jeremih's performance but criticized J. Cole's guest verse. The track peaked at numbers 15 and 44 on both the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot 100 charts respectively. It was also certified 5x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The single garnered Jeremih's first career Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>4 Your Eyez Only</i> 2016 studio album by J. Cole

4 Your Eyez Only is the fourth studio album by American rapper J. Cole. It was released on December 9, 2016, by Dreamville Records, Roc Nation and Interscope Records. The album was Cole's first release with Interscope—his previous albums were released by Columbia Records. 4 Your Eyez Only was released exactly two years after Cole's previous studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive.

"Change" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on December 9, 2016 from his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only.

"Immortal" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on December 9, 2016 from his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only.

<i>Folarin II</i> 2021 album by Wale

Folarin II is the seventh studio album by American rapper Wale released on October 22, 2021, by Every Blue Moon, Maybach Music Group and Warner Records. The production on the album was handled by several producers, including Cool & Dre, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Hitmaka, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Lee Major, OG Parker and Rogét Chahayed among others. The album features guest appearances by Rick Ross, Chris Brown, J. Cole, Jamie Foxx, Ant Clemons, Yella Beezy, Maxo Kream, Chase Young, and Shawn Stockman. The album was executive produced by Ross and Wale. It is the sequel to Wale's 2012 mixtape Folarin.

<i>The Temptations</i> (1981 album) 1981 studio album by the Temptations

The Temptations is a studio album by American R&B group the Temptations, released via Motown's subsidiary label, Gordy Records on August 7, 1981. The album is the group's third album upon their return to Gordy Records after their brief stint at Atlantic Records.

References

  1. ↑ "For Whom the bell Tolls by J. Cole". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  2. ↑ "For Whom the Bell Tolls | Novel by Hemingway, Summary, & Facts". Britannica.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "J. Cole – for Whom the Bell Tolls". Genius.com.
  4. ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard .
  5. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard .
  6. ↑ "J. Cole". Billboard .
  7. ↑ "J. Cole". Billboard .
  8. ↑ "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  9. ↑ "J Cole: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  10. ↑ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  11. ↑ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.