Tennessee (Arrested Development song)

Last updated

"Tennessee"
Arrested Development - Tennessee.jpg
1993 UK re-release artwork
Single by Arrested Development
from the album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of...
ReleasedMarch 24, 1992
Recorded1991
Genre Hip hop
Length4:32
Label Chrysalis, Cooltempo
Songwriter(s) Todd Thomas, Aerle Taree, Prince
Producer(s) Speech
Arrested Development singles chronology
"Tennessee"
(1992)		"People Everyday"
(1992)
Music video
"Tennessee" on YouTube

"Tennessee" a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in March 1992 as the first single from their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992). The song contains a sample of Prince's 1988 hit "Alphabet St.". "Tennessee" peaked at number six in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1993. The song's music video was directed by Milcho Manchevski. A 2007 poll of VH1 viewers placed the song at number 71 on the list of the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" and is listed as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was also ranked number 78 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop".

Contents

Background

Group member Speech was inspired to write the song after meeting up with his brother at his grandmother's funeral in Tennessee. Shortly afterward, his brother died suddenly from a bad asthma attack, [1] and Speech wrote the song about the experience of losing two loved ones so close together. [2]

"Tennessee" uses a sample from Prince's "Alphabet St." that was not cleared ahead of time. Prince's lawyers waited until after the song sold well and then charged the group $100,000 for the use of said sample. [2] Speech later said he felt Prince gave him "a break" by demanding a single payment instead of co-writing credit on the song, which would have entitled Prince to a share of all royalties in the future. [3]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Melodic, sing-song rap possesses a modern spiritual quality. Female vocalist Dionne adds heavy, soulful element to the proceedings. Socially relevant, thought-provoking lyrics lead listener into a hook-driven, memorable chorus. Track has a unique appeal and would add a new dimension to the average urban playlist." [4] Clark and DeVancey from Cash Box said that Arrested Development "straight blew up on the scene" with "Tennessee", noting its "rapping-while-singing approach". [5] James Bernard from Entertainment Weekly felt the lyrics of the song "resonate like Speech's most private thoughts, betraying his desperate moments." [6] Robert Hilburn from Los Angeles Times wrote, "Some of pop’s best moments come from groups that seem to arrive from nowhere with a confidence and mature vision--and that’s the case here. The Georgia rap group tries in this graceful, spiritually-tinged song to reconcile life’s blessings with social injustice." [7] Another editor, Chris Willman, remarked that it "may go down in the history books as the first major sad rap hit. Not bitter, not raging or recriminatory, just flat-out, soul-and-heaven-searchingly heartsick." [8] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton stated, "The group who seemingly can do no wrong at present notch up their third hit." [9]

Jim Arundel from Melody Maker said, "It's quite brilliant. Another step forward for rap." [10] Andy Beevers from Music Week gave it five out of five and named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, complimenting it as "arguably the best track on the LP". [11] Parry Gettelman from Orlando Sentinel felt the album's "killer single", "Tennessee", "has a simple, irresistible melodic hook, a lazy beat that recalls hot afternoons and amazingly complex lyrics." [12] A reviewer from People Magazine found that "the half-sung, half-rapped delivery of the band’s leader, Speech (Todd Thomas), suggests a hayride with Sly Stone and Prince on the buckboard." [13] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update described it as a "familiar jiggly roller". [14] Pete Stanton from Smash Hits also gave the song five out of five, writing, "Slip on some dungarees, chew on a length of straw and groove your groovy bits with the yokels down on the farm. The Development's infectious rap is taking us over and no one is struggling to get free. This track [...] starts with a "Ten-Ten-Ten-Tennessee" and is followed by a bumping, grinding and a dash of groove. They are without doubt the greatest rap outfit about at the mo." [15]

Chart performance

"Tennessee" topped the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for one week and peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the song spent seven weeks on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 46, but after the top-10 successes of both "People Everyday" and "Mr. Wendal" on the chart, it was re-released in 1993, charting for a further six weeks and peaking at number 18.

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by New York-based Macedonian film director, photographer and artist Milcho Manchevski. It was shot in Georgia, with friends of the group and people from the local area appearing in the clip. [16]

Impact and legacy

Slant Magazine listed "Tennessee" at number 98 in their ranking of "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s" in 2011, writing, "Perhaps no other track from the early ‘90s provided better (or catchier) proof that hip-hop was more versatile and capable than prevailing gangster-rap themes than Arrested Development’s "Tennessee", its stuttering drumline ably providing a clean backdrop for expositions on civil rights, genealogical discovery, Southern culture, the devastating legacy of slavery, and the nature of God. A pained but uplifting narrative struggles at times to catch up with the song's driving gait, but "Tennessee" satisfies nonetheless, mixing raw, percussive power, quirky sampling, and inspirational imagery into one cerebral whole." [17]

Bob Dylan played the song on the "Tennessee" episode of the first season of his Theme Time Radio Hour show in 2006, noting that Arrested Development had "kind of updated the Sly and the Family Stone sound for the hip-hop generation”. [18]

A 2007 poll of VH1 viewers placed it at number 71 on the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" list and was also ranked as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was also listed at number 78 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop". The song served as the theme to the short-lived Malcolm-Jamal Warner 1992 sitcom Here and Now.

Track listings

  1. "Tennessee" (edit)
  2. "Tennessee" (remix)
  3. "Fishin 4 Religion" (live)
  4. "Mama's Always on Stage"
  1. "Tennessee" (remix) – 4:48
  2. "Tennessee" (For DJs Only) – 2:18
  3. "Tennessee" (Dubb mix) – 4:45
  4. "Natural" – 4:19
  1. "Tennessee" (The Mix) – 4:33
  2. "Tennessee" (remix) – 4:40
  3. "Tennessee" (For DJs Only) – 2:15
  4. "Tennessee" (Dubb mix) – 4:40
  5. "Natural" – 4:19

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [43] Gold500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesMarch 24, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Chrysalis [ citation needed ]
United KingdomApril 27, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Cooltempo [44]
June 8, 1992Cassette [45]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let the Music Play (Shannon song)</span> 1983 single by Shannon

"Let the Music Play" is a song recorded by American singer Shannon and released on September 19, 1983, as both her debut single and the lead single from her 1984 debut studio album of the same name. Written by Chris Barbosa and Ed Chisolm, and produced by Barbosa and Mark Liggett, "Let the Music Play" was the first of Shannon's four number ones on the US Dance Club Songs chart, reaching the top spot in October 1983. It also became a huge crossover hit in the US, peaking at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1984. It was Shannon's only Top 40 hit in the US. Some mark "Let the Music Play" as the beginning of the "dance-pop" era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump Around</span> 1992 single by House of Pain

"Jump Around" is a song by American hip hop group House of Pain, produced by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, who has also covered the song, and was released in May 1992 as the first single from their debut album, House of Pain (1992). The song became a hit, reaching number three in the United States. A 1993 re-release of the song in the United Kingdom, where the initial release had been a minor hit, peaked at number eight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump (Kris Kross song)</span> 1992 single by Kris Kross

"Jump" is a song by American hip hop duo Kris Kross, released on February 6, 1992, as their first single from their debut studio album, Totally Krossed Out (1992). It achieved international success, topping charts in Switzerland, Australia, and the United States. Additionally, it was the third-best-selling song of 1992 in the United States, with sales of 2,079,000 physical copies that year. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Rich Murray and filmed in Atlanta. Billboard magazine featured "Jump" in their lists of "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s" in 2019 and "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gin and Juice</span> 1994 single by Snoop Dogg

"Gin and Juice" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on January 18, 1994, as the second single from his debut album, Doggystyle (1993). The song was produced by Dr. Dre and contains an interpolation from Slave's "Watching You" in its chorus and a sample from George McCrae. Tony Green created its bassline; additional vocalists on the song include Dat Nigga Daz, Jewell, Heney Loc, and Sean "Barney" Thomas. "Gin and Juice" peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It earned a gold certification from the RIAA and sold 700,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lean Back</span> 2004 single by Terror Squad

"Lean Back" is a song by American hip hop group Terror Squad. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, True Story, on June 1, 2004. An uptempo hip hop song built for the club environment, it contains vocal performances from group members Fat Joe and Remy Ma and production from Scott Storch. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, starting on August 21, 2004, and topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart for seven weeks. Worldwide, the song reached the top 20 in several other countries, including Denmark, where it peaked at number five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alphabet St.</span> 1988 single by Prince

"Alphabet St." is a song from American musician Prince's tenth album, Lovesexy (1988). It was the first single from that album and the album's only top 10 single, reaching the top 10 in both the UK and US. Initially written as an acoustic blues song, the song's final version includes a rap by Cat Glover and is full of samples. "Alphabet St." generally echoes themes from the rest of Lovesexy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang</span> 1993 single by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg

"Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" is a song by American rapper Dr. Dre, featuring fellow American rapper Snoop Dogg, on Dre's debut solo album, The Chronic (1992). As the album's first single it reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 20, 1993, behind "Informer" by Snow, outperformed The Chronic's other singles, "Fuck wit Dre Day ", which peaked at number 8, and "Let Me Ride", which peaked at number 34. The single also reached number 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and was a number 31 hit in the UK. Its music video was directed by Dr. Dre himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set Adrift on Memory Bliss</span> 1991 single by P.M. Dawn

"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" is a song by American hip-hop group P.M. Dawn, released in August 1991 as the second single from their debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience (1991). It is built around samples of Spandau Ballet's "True", the Soul Searchers' "Ashley's Roachclip", and the Bob James version of Paul Simon's "Take Me to the Mardi Gras", with the remainder of the song written by P.M. Dawn vocalist Attrell "Prince Be" Cordes. Only Prince Be and "True" writer Gary Kemp were credited for writing the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Was a Good Day</span> 1993 single by Ice Cube

"It Was a Good Day" is a song by American rapper Ice Cube, released on February 21, 1993 as the second single from his third solo album, The Predator (1992). The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 27 on the UK Charts. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at No. 15, making it Ice Cube's highest-charting single on the chart to date. The song's lyrics describe a generic pleasant day from his life; according to Ice Cube, he had no specific date in mind, though several attempts have been made to identify one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O.P.P. (song)</span> 1991 single by Naughty by Nature

"O.P.P." is a song by American hip hop group Naughty by Nature, released in August 1991 by Tommy Boy as the lead single from the group's self-titled second album, Naughty by Nature (1991). It was one of the first rap songs to become a pop hit when it reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart. Rodd Houston and Marcus Raboy directed the music video for the song. Its declaration, "Down wit' O.P.P", was a popular catchphrase in the US in the early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Informer (song)</span> 1992 single by Snow

"Informer" is a song by Canadian reggae musician Snow, released in December 1992 as the first single from his debut album, 12 Inches of Snow (1993). The song is well known for the line "a licky boom boom down" and for Snow's fast toasting and often unintelligible lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twisted (Keith Sweat song)</span> 1996 single by Keith Sweat

"Twisted" is a song by American singer Keith Sweat, released as a single in June 1996. It was the first song released from his self-titled fifth album. R&B group Kut Klose and remix rapper Pretty Russ are also featured on the song. The radio version of "Twisted" omits Pretty Russ' rap before the final chorus, though some urban stations kept the rap verse. A second mix of the song, referred to as the Flavahood Sexual remix, features a different backbeat sampled from Marvin Gaye's song "Sexual Healing". "Flavahood" also saw significant airplay on radio but was never released on an album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me Myself and I (De La Soul song)</span> 1989 single by De La Soul

"Me Myself and I" is a song by American hip hop trio De La Soul, released in April 1989 as a single from their debut studio album, 3 Feet High and Rising (1989). It was the group's only number one on the US Billboard R&B chart. The song also topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whoomp! (There It Is)</span> 1993 single by Tag Team

"Whoomp! " is the debut single by 1990s rap duo Tag Team, written by members Cecil "DC the Brain Supreme" Glenn and Steve "Rolln" Gibson. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1993. "Whoomp!" reached multi-platinum status and broke records for the number of consecutive weeks in the top 10. Tag Team is considered a one-hit wonder, as their subsequent singles did not find the same success, "Whoomp!" has remained a pop culture staple with multiple placements in film, television, and advertisements. The song has also endured as a mainstay at sporting and arena events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby-Baby-Baby</span> 1992 single by TLC

"Baby-Baby-Baby" is a song by American girl group TLC. It was the second single released from their debut studio album, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992), and their second consecutive top-10 hit. It was the most successful single from the album, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, giving them their first number-one single on that chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince song)</span> 1991 single by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

"Summertime" is a song by American hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, released in May 1991 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Homebase (1991). The song was produced by Chicago-based producers Hula and K. Fingers, and it won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1992 Grammy Awards. It spent a week at number #1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart, as well as reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became the duo's first single to enter the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Loverman</span> 1991 single by Shabba Ranks

"Mr. Loverman" is a song by Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks, released in 1992 and 1993 as a single by Epic. The song reached number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart, as well as the top 20 in France, Germany and Ireland. It was written by Ranks, Mikey Bennett and Hopeton Lindon. The music video for the song was directed by Fab 5 Freddy. Spex included "Mr. Loverman" in their "The Best Singles of the Century" list in 1999, and Q Magazine featured it in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever" in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Wendal</span> 1992 single by Arrested Development

"Mr. Wendal" is a song by American rap group Arrested Development from their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992). In Europe and Australia, it was issued as a double A-side with their following single, "Revolution." In the United States, the song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 500,000 copies and earning a gold certification. Worldwide, it reached the top 10 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The song's music video was directed by Keith Ward and received a nomination at the 1994 Soul Train Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be (Foxy Brown song)</span> 1997 single by Foxy Brown

"I'll Be" is a song recorded by American rapper Foxy Brown for her debut studio album, Ill Na Na (1996), featuring Brooklyn-based rapper Jay-Z. It was released as the second single from the album on March 4, 1997, by Violator and Def Jam Recordings. The song was written by Shawn Carter, Jean-Claude Olivier, Samuel Barnes, Angela Winbush, René Moore, Bobby Watson and Bruce Swedien with production by Trackmasters, and samples René & Angela's 1985 song "I'll Be Good". It was recorded at Chung King Studios in New York City, while the mixing of the track was finished at The Hit Factory. "I'll Be" is a hip hop and R&B song with explicit lyrics that revolve around sex and money.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People Everyday</span> 1992 single by Arrested Development

"People Everyday" is a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in July 1992 as the second single from their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992). The song reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the group's biggest hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart in November 1992. The song also reached the top 10 on the charts of Australia, France, and New Zealand, peaking at number six in all three countries. NME ranked "People Everyday" number 38 in their list of "Singles of the Year" in December 1992.

References

  1. ↑ Unsung musical documentary program on TV One cable channel, airdate Monday August 13, 2012
  2. 1 2 "Speech of Arrested Development Interview". Songfacts.com. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Why Arrested Development wouldn't exist without Prince" . Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  4. ↑ Flick, Larry (February 15, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 78. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  5. ↑ Clark, Randy; DeVancy, Bryan (May 2, 1992). "Music Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Cash Box . p. 5. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  6. ↑ Bernard, James (May 22, 1992). "3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of..." Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ Hilburn, Robert (December 31, 1992). "Dance Energy Saves Dreary '92: Year-End Review". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ Willman, Chris (January 17, 1993). "A Reason to Celebrate". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  9. ↑ Masterton, James (March 28, 1993). "Week Ending April 3rd 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  10. ↑ Arundel, Jim (May 2, 1992). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 31. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ Beevers, Andy (March 20, 1993). "Market Preview: Dance - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week . p. 6. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  12. ↑ Gettelman, Parry (April 24, 1992). "Arrested Development". Orlando Sentinel .
  13. ↑ "Picks and Pans Review: 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of..." People Magazine . August 17, 1992. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  14. ↑ Hamilton, James (April 3, 1993). "Djdirectory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 2. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  15. ↑ Stanton, Pete (March 31, 1993). "New Singles". Smash Hits . p. 51. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Arrested Development - Tennessee". YouTube. March 12, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  17. ↑ "The 100 Best Singles of the 1990s". Slant Magazine . January 9, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Episode 31: Tennessee". Theme Time Radio Hour Archive. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 2014." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  21. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 34. August 22, 1992. p. 23. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  23. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  24. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  25. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee". Top 40 Singles.
  26. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee". Singles Top 100.
  27. ↑ "Arrested Development – Tennessee". Swiss Singles Chart.
  28. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  29. ↑ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week . May 23, 1992. p. 20. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  31. ↑ "Arrested Development Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  32. ↑ "Arrested Development Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  34. ↑ "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  35. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 16. April 17, 1993. p. 27. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  36. ↑ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media . May 8, 1993. p. 17. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  37. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tennessee". Irish Singles Chart.
  38. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  39. ↑ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 3, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  40. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  41. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1992" . Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1992". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  43. ↑ "American single certifications – Arrested Development – Tennessee". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  44. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . April 25, 1992. p. 21.
  45. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. June 6, 1992. p. 17.
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.