"Whistle" | ||||
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Single by Flo Rida | ||||
from the album Wild Ones | ||||
Released | April 24, 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:45 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Flo Rida singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Whistle" on YouTube |
"Whistle" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida from his fourth album Wild Ones (2012). It was released on April 24, 2012, as the third single from the album. "Whistle" was written by Flo Rida, David Glass, Marcus Killian, Justin Franks, Breyan Isaac and Antonio Mobley while production was handled by DJ Frank E and Glass.
"Whistle" is an electropop song characterized by a whistling melody. Upon its release, the song received mixed to negative reviews from music critics who generally praised its pop sound and noted that it had the potential of becoming another hit with its "catchy" hook. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Flo Rida's third number one hit and his first since 2009's "Right Round". [1] Outside of the United States, "Whistle" topped the charts in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in many others, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
An accompanying music video for the song, directed by Marc Klasfeld, was released on May 24, 2012. It was filmed in Acapulco, Mexico and makes use of split screen at various points. It mostly shows shots of Flo Rida and several girls on a beach. Upon its release, it received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who noted that it was a perfect accompaniment for the song. Flo Rida also promoted the song by performing it during the finale of the talent show, The Voice . This song is the second track on Now 44 . The cover image of the single also drew praise for its subtlety and originality.
"Whistle" was written by Flo Rida, David Glass, Marcus Killian, DJ Frank E, Breyan Isaac, and Antonio Mobley while production was handled by DJ Frank E and Glass. [2] The song premiered online in April 2012. [3] During an interview with Billboard magazine, Flo Rida described the song as "the biggest record I've done yet". [4] Later, during an interview with MTV News, Flo Rida revealed that the lyrics of the song are sung in a metaphorical way, saying that it had sexually suggestive lyrics. He noted, "Well, put your own swing on it, but for the most part I keep it clean, but if you listen to it, you can take it another way as well". When asked how does he know where to draw the line between sexually suggestive and downright dirty lyrics, he acknowledged that when he's in the studio, "I have my boys in there and they'll tell me and give me their suggestions and what they think..... If it's too much I'll go back." [5]
"Whistle" is an electropop song written in the key of A minor, [6] instrumentally complete with a guitar and a whistling melody. [7] The guitar riff has been noted for its similarity to the final track on the Silent Hill 2 OST, "Promise", by Akira Yamaoka. [8] It opens with a whistle heard in the background. [9] Robbie Daw of the website Idolator, Kevin Rutherford of Billboard magazine and Katherine St Asaph noted that the use of whistling throughout the song was very similar to Maroon 5's and Christina Aguilera's 2011 song "Moves like Jagger". [1] [10] [11] Rutherford further compared it with OneRepublic's 2010 song "Good Life". [10]
"There's the real problem, and it's probably inevitable: between the guitar mess and chorus comedown, 'Whistle' wants to be something like a Gym Class Heroes or Maroon 5 track. But both those groups use hook singers: Adam Levine, Neon Hitch, Bruno Mars. Flo's just got himself, and he can't make the verses more than throwaways or deliver a chorus that probably wouldn't even work without him. He doesn't have a sample, either, to steal the show. He's just got his anonymous self and that whistle. 'Moves Like Jagger' had a very similar whistle, and a month in, its (very similar) whistle sample stopped sounding catchy and started to sound mocking. 'Whistle' already does."
Upon the release of the song, it received polarized reviews from music critics. A writer of Rap-Up described it as "catchy" and further wrote that it contains a whistling chorus, "that you won't be able to get out of your head". [7]
Kevin Rutherford of Billboard magazine praised the song, writing: "The result is a sun-drenched, happy-go-lucky tune, that's sure to provide Flo with a horse in the summer anthem race... Flo's not a formidable singer, so his latest offering may lack the pop pizzazz of 'Good Feeling' and 'Wild Ones.' But with the track's care-free vibe, the rapper's transgressions are easy to forgive." [10] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy was negative about the song, grading it with two out of five stars and adding, "Even more surprising is that in this instance, the Florida-born rapper hasn't relied on an accomplice to bolster the song's commercial appeal. He's not even dug out a song from yesteryear to sample. In that sense, 'Whistle' could be the most original song Flo Rida has turned out to date; even if the metaphor dreamed up by its thirteen co-producers is anything but." [12]
Upon the release of "Whistle", many music critics commented on the song's sexually suggestive lyrics, with many claiming that the chorus is a subtle reference to oral sex. Daw and Rutherford described it as "the least subtle song ever". [1] [10] Rob Markman of MTV News noted that he makes "catchy tunes that appeal to the masses, but Flo is also a master of the double entendre, masking some pretty suggestive lyrics with a candy-pop coating. His latest single, 'Whistle,' is a perfect example." [5] Markman further noted that Flo Rida's 2009 hit "Right Round" contained sexual suggestive lyrics. [5] Katherine St Asaph of the website Popdust, gave a negative review for the song, grading it with one-and-a-half out of five stars and writing:
"The gimmick here, as you've probably guessed, is a whistled hook. This is a problem. Whistling was last year's trend, and a certain pair of Jagger-movers made it overplayed. Whistling the melody to 'Just Can't Get Enough' is not an improvement. Nor is pairing it with a double-entendre ripped off near-verbatim from Lauren Bacall–a metaphor ruined by being made more explicit. Flo's obvious enough to taunt 'blow my whistle, baby,' but his quoted instructions would not literally work. 'Whistle while you work it,' later, might have worked–it's a snowclone just stupid enough to stick as a hook–but Flo smothers it in a bunch of Flo Rida delivery." [11]
"Whistle" debuted at number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. For the week dating August 25, 2012, the song reached number one on the chart, selling 317,000 copies and overtaking Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", which had been at the top for the preceding nine weeks since June 23, 2012. [13] The following week, however, it was overtaken by Taylor Swift's crossover hit "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together". On the week of September 8, 2012, "Whistle" once again topped the Billboard Hot 100 for another week, until once again being overtaken by "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together ." The song has sold 3,372,000 copies in the US as of November 2012. [14]
On May 6, 2012, the song debuted at number eight on the ARIA Singles Chart. [15] It moved to number one on the chart the next week and it kept the first position for the next seven weeks. [16]
In the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart on June 10, 2012 – for the week ending date June 16, 2012 – beaten to the top of the chart by "Sing" by Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band featuring Military Wives. [17] [18] For the same chart issue, it debuted at the top of the UK R&B Chart. [19] According to the Official Charts Company, "Whistle" sold 620,000 copies in the United Kingdom in 2012, making it Britain's 15th best-selling single of that year. [20]
In the Republic of Ireland, for the chart issue dated May 31, 2012, "Whistle" debuted at number eight on the Irish Singles Chart. [21] For the next two weeks, the song moved to number three on the chart. [22] [23] For the chart issue dated June 22, 2012, "Whistle" moved from number three to number one on the Irish Singles Chart removing Cheryl Cole's "Call My Name" from the top spot of the chart. [24] As of August 14, 2012 the single has sold over 4 million copies around the globe. [25]
A 2014 YouTube fan video made for actor Josh Hutcherson using a cover of "Whistle" went viral on TikTok in 2023 after users started posting bait and switch videos in which the viewer is unexpectedly shown the video in various creative situations. It was viewed as a modern-day successor to the Rickroll internet trend. [26]
The music video for "Whistle" was directed by Marc Klasfeld and premiered on May 24, 2012, at 4 p.m. EST. [27] [28] [29] A preview of the video was released on May 21, 2012. [28] It was filmed in Acapulco, Mexico. [4] [30] A behind-the-scenes video was released the next day on May 25, 2012. [29] It makes use of split screen at various points. It mostly shows Flo Rida lying on a bed on a beach singing the song.[ citation needed ]
Hamish Macbain of NME described the video, "The video setting: Flo Rida, topless, head shaved, shorts on, on a cliff edge. Other video personnel: women in bikinis, some allowed to whistle to take Flo Rida’s dream outlined at the beginning of this track one step closer to reality." [9] Becky Bain of Idolator reviewed the video positively, saying: "Flo Rida's thinly-veiled sexual euphimism, 'Whistle', gets exactly the type of video you’d expect: shot in sunny Acalpulco, the ... vid[eo] features boobs, babes, bikinis, and little else. The clip also acts as a video pamphlet for any millionaires out there looking to find the next location for their luxury vacation. Flo Rida and his booty-shakin’ ladies not included, but with an unbelievable setting like this, you can do more than just whistle the night away." [30] A writer of Rap-Up noted that "Water, women, and wild parties rule" with the video and further wrote that viewers will "escape to paradise with Flo". [31] Katherine St Asaph of Popdust gave a mixed review for the video, writing that "it's fitting that the 'Whistle' video is basically an update of 'Wild Ones,' with less Sia and more whistling". [32] However, she praised the landscapes in the video, saying that "This could double as a travel commercial–a commercial for the very idea of travel.". [32]
The week before Flo Rida's version entered the UK Singles Chart, a pre-release cover version by a tribute collective under the name of Can You Blow My, entered the chart at number 55, moving up to number 38 the following week. [33]
Credits are taken from the liner notes of Wild Ones . [2]
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [110] | 7× Platinum | 490,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [111] | Platinum | 30,000* |
Belgium (BEA) [112] | Gold | 15,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [113] | 5× Platinum | 400,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [114] | Gold | 15,000^ |
France (SNEP) [115] | Gold | 75,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [116] | 5× Gold | 750,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [117] | 2× Platinum | 60,000* |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [118] | Platinum+Gold | 90,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [119] | 2× Platinum | 30,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [120] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF) [121] | 5× Platinum | 200,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [122] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [123] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [124] | 5× Platinum | 3,372,000 [14] |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [125] | 4× Platinum | 7,200,000† |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Country | Release date | Format(s) | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | April 24, 2012 [34] | Digital download | |
United Kingdom | June 5, 2012 [126] | ||
Germany | June 8, 2012 [127] | CD single | |
United States | June 26, 2012 [128] | Mainstream radio airplay |
"Low" is the debut single by American rapper Flo Rida featuring American singer T-Pain, from the former's debut studio album Mail on Sunday and also featured on the soundtrack to the 2008 film Step Up 2: The Streets. An official remix was made which also features Pitbull. The song peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
"Elevator" is Flo Rida's overall second single, and the first single from Flo Rida's debut album Mail on Sunday. It was produced by Timbaland, who also features on the track. The piano intro features a melody based on the Halloween theme by John Carpenter and the second verse imitates the chorus of "The Donque Song" by will.i.am featuring Snoop Dogg. The song features Timbaland's signature percussion and vocals, as well as former Beatclub recording artist Kiley Dean on the background vocals. The song is similar in structure, key, and rhythm to the Timbaland-produced "4 Minutes" by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. The song was featured in the plot for the episode "Desperately Seeking Serena" of teen drama Gossip Girl.
"In the Ayer" is the third single from rapper Flo Rida's debut album Mail on Sunday. It was produced by and features will.i.am. Tiffany Villarreal performs background vocals on the song. It interpolates the 1984 song "Jam the Box" by Pretty Tony.
"Right Round" is a single performed by American rapper Flo Rida featuring guest vocals from American singer Kesha. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, R.O.O.T.S. (2009). It was released to radio on January 27, 2009, and was digitally released on February 10 by Poe Boy Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The song heavily interpolates the chorus of the 1980s Dead or Alive song "You Spin Me Round " in its hook. According to one of the song's writers, the chorus refers to a stripper. Kesha contributed guest vocals to the song, but was uncredited in the United States and Canada during its run atop the charts.
"Sugar" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida, featuring American singer-songwriter Wynter Gordon. The song's chorus interpolates the song "Blue " by Italian electronic music group Eiffel 65. The song was written by Flo Rida, The Jackie Boyz, Jeffrey Jey, Maurizio Lobina, and Massimo Gabutti, and was produced by DJ Montay for Flo Rida's second album, R.O.O.T.S.. The song was released as the album's third official single in March 2009 as a digital download.
American rapper Flo Rida has released four studio albums, four extended plays, 41 singles as a lead artist, twelve promotional singles, and 24 music videos. Growing up in Florida, the state from which his name was derived, he was involved in a hip hop group in his teenage years. A solo demo recording initially met rejection from several label companies, but was eventually accepted by Poe Boy Entertainment, with whom Flo Rida signed in 2006.
"Club Can't Handle Me" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida featuring French DJ David Guetta. Carmen Key sings background vocals during the chorus. It was released as a digital download on iTunes on June 28, 2010, as the lead single of the Step Up 3D soundtrack album and is also included on Flo Rida's third studio album, Only One Flo .
"Where Them Girls At" is a song by French DJ and record producer David Guetta featuring American rapper Flo Rida and Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj. The track was released on 2 May 2011, via Virgin Records, serving as the lead single from Guetta's fifth studio album, Nothing but the Beat. The track was written by the artists alongside Jared Cotter, Play-N-Skillz, Giorgio Tuinfort, and Sandy Vee & Mike Caren, who produced the song with Guetta.
"Domino" is a song by British singer and songwriter Jessie J from her debut studio album, Who You Are (2011). The song was released on 29 August 2011 as the fifth single from the album. Musically, "Domino" is an electropop and dance-pop song. Jessie J co-wrote "Domino" with its producers, Dr. Luke and Cirkut, with extra writing from Claude Kelly and Max Martin.
"Good Feeling" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida from his 2012 EP of the same name, also appearing on his fourth studio album, Wild Ones. It was released as the album's lead single on August 29, 2011, in the United States. The song was written by Flo Rida, Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Breyan Isaac, Arash Pournouri, Avicii, Etta James, Leroy Kirkland and Pearl Woods. It was also produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut.
"Hangover" is a song by English singer Taio Cruz from his third studio album, TY.O. Released on 4 October 2011 in United States, 18 October 2011 in Germany and 4 March 2012 in the United Kingdom, the song serves as the album's international lead single, and follows "Troublemaker" as the album's second British single. American rapper Flo Rida contributes guest vocals. Another alternate version of the song, titled "Takeover", was leaked online via NewJams.net.
"Wild Ones" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida featuring Australian singer-songwriter Sia from his fourth studio album of the same name (2012). It was by written by the artists alongside Jacob Luttrell, Marcus Cooper, Niklaas Vogel-Kern, and producers soFLY & Nius and Axwell, while the engineering and recording of the record was handled by Skylar Mones. Lyrically, the song contracts themes including partying, love and dancing while the musical composition is an uptempo dance-pop song that is influenced by house music and electro house.
"Let It Roll" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida from his fourth studio album, Wild Ones. The song was written by Earl King, Mike Caren, soFLY & Nius, Flo Rida, Axwell, Breyan Isaac, Antonio "Jovii Hendrix" Mobley and produced by soFLY & Nius and Axwell. Part two of the song features American rapper Lil Wayne and is featured on the soundtrack of the football video game FIFA 13. It was also performed on the 2012 edition of the WWE Tribute to the Troops event. Part one also appears as DLC in Dance Central 3, which was released on 2012. The song appeared on The CW TV Now promo.
"I Cry" is a song by American hip hop artist Flo Rida. The track was first released on June 28, 2012, as the fourth single from his fourth studio album, Wild Ones. The song samples Bingo Players' "Cry ", which in turn interpolates lyrics from the song "Piano in the Dark" by Brenda Russell. "I Cry" was produced by the French production duo soFLY & Nius and the Futuristics, and it was written by Flo Rida, The Futuristics, Scott Cutler, Calvin Harris, Jeffrey Hull, Brenda Russell, and soFLY & Nius.
"Troublemaker" is a song by English recording artist Olly Murs, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Right Place Right Time (2012). It features American rapper Flo Rida. "Troublemaker" was co-written by Murs, Steve Robson, Claude Kelly and Flo Rida, and was produced by Robson. The song premiered on 8 October 2012, in the United Kingdom on the Capital FM radio station and was made available to download on 12 October in certain international territories.
"Can't Believe It" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida. The song features a rap verse from Cuban-American rapper Pitbull. The song samples "Infinity" by London-based duo Infinity Ink. The music video for "Can't Believe It" was directed by Geremey and Georgie Legs.
"G.D.F.R." is a song by American rapper Flo Rida featuring American rapper Sage the Gemini and American music producer and DJ Lookas from the former's EP My House (2015). It was released as the album's lead single on October 21, 2014, in the United States. The song was written by Flo Rida, Sage the Gemini and P-Lo and produced by DJ Frank E and Andrew Cedar with co-production from Lookas and Miles Beard.
"I Don't Like It, I Love It" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida from his fifth studio album My House. The song features American singer Robin Thicke and Earth, Wind & Fire bassist Verdine White. It was released as the album's third promotional single on March 31, 2015. The song was released as the album's second official single on June 19, 2015, in the Republic of Ireland and on June 21 in the United Kingdom. In the latter country, BBC Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw began playing an unofficial version of the song in which soundbites by Audrey Roberts from the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street were played over it. The song was heard in the climax of the 2016 comedy film Ride Along 2.
"My House" is a song by American rapper Flo Rida from his 2015 EP of the same name. The song was released as the album's third official single on September 24, 2015, in the US. The song samples the drum break from "Impeach the President" by The Honey Drippers.
"Greenlight" is a song by American rapper Pitbull featuring fellow American rappers Flo Rida and LunchMoney Lewis. It was released for digital download on July 22, 2016, as the second single of Pitbull's tenth studio album Climate Change, through RCA Records, Polo Grounds Music, and Mr. 305 Inc. The song was written by the artists alongside producers Dr. Luke and Cirkut.
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