Revolution (Arrested Development song)

Last updated
"Revolution"
Single by Arrested Development
from the album Malcolm X
Released1992
Genre Hip hop
Length4:48
Songwriter(s) Speech, Aerle Taree
Producer(s) Speech
Arrested Development singles chronology
"Mr. Wendal"
(1992)
"Revolution"
(1992)
"Natural"
(1993)
Music video
"Revolution" on YouTube

"Revolution" is a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, from the soundtrack to the 1992 film Malcolm X .

Contents

Background

Speech has expressed gratitude for the film's depiction of a "side" of Malcolm X which shares the perspective of Arrested Development. Spike Lee, the director of the film, had asked Speech to write a song for it. Speech considered it a personal responsibility to "acknowledge that there is a need for struggle, because of all the bad things going on in the nation", which is reflected in the line "Am I doing as much as I can for the struggle?" [1] He composed the song with a purpose to urge people into action in bringing about change. [2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Spike Lee. [1] It was shot in a high school, a city block, and a street in Brooklyn with "about 500 extras". Each location had at least 100 people in the filming. According to Speech, the video was shot in seven hours. [2]

Charts

Chart (1992–1993)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [3] 7
France (SNEP) [4] 30
Germany (Official German Charts) [5] 31
Ireland (IRMA) [6] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [7] 42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [8] 2
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 4
US Billboard Hot 100 [10] 90
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 49

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References

  1. 1 2 White, Timothy (October 22, 1992). "Inspired by Malcolm X". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 Williams, Stereo. "Arrested Development on "Revolution" at 30". Rock the Bells. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  3. "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  4. "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in French). Les classement single.
  5. "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  6. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mr Wendal / Revolution". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  7. "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  8. "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". Top 40 Singles.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  10. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  11. "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2023.