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"'''Friday'''" is a song written by [[Clarence Jey]] and Patrice Wilson, performed by Rebecca Black, a 13-year-old singer from [[Anaheim Hills]], [[California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pedrowatcher.ocregister.com/2011/03/15/o-c-teen-rebecca-black-is-a-viral-video-hit-with-friday/34525/ |title=O.C. teen Rebecca Black is a viral video hit with ‘Friday’ |author=Larsen, Peter |date=March 15, 2011 |work=The Orange County Register |publisher= |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref> It was released as a single on March 14, 2011.<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/friday-single/id426285657 |title=Friday - Single by Rebecca Black |publisher=[[iTunes Store]]|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> "Friday" was produced by the [[ARK Music Factory]], a company owned by Jey and Wilson.<ref name="Salon1">{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/03/14/rebecca_black_friday_horror/|title=What's behind the "worst music video ever"? |last=Williams|first=Mary Elizabeth |work=[[Salon.com]]|date=2011-3-14|accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref> Within a week after being released on [[iTunes]] it has jumped the iTunes sales chart to 19 as of March 19, 2011.<ref name="Forbes2">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.forbes.com/meghancasserly/2011/03/18/rebecca-black-andrea-canning-good-morning-america-friday/|title=Rebecca Black’s GMA Bullying: Best Friday Ever |last=Cassidy |first=Meghan|work=[[Forbes]]|date=2011-3-18|accessdate=2011-03-18}}</ref>
"'''Friday'''" is a song written by [[Clarence Jey]] and Patrice Wilson, performed by Rebecca Black, a 13-year-old singer from [[Anaheim Hills]], [[California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pedrowatcher.ocregister.com/2011/03/15/o-c-teen-rebecca-black-is-a-viral-video-hit-with-friday/34525/ |title=O.C. teen Rebecca Black is a viral video hit with ‘Friday’ |author=Larsen, Peter |date=March 15, 2011 |work=The Orange County Register |publisher= |accessdate=March 16, 2011}}</ref> It was released as a single on March 14, 2011.<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/friday-single/id426285657 |title=Friday - Single by Rebecca Black |publisher=[[iTunes Store]]|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> "Friday" was produced by the [[ARK Music Factory]], a company owned by Jey and Wilson.<ref name="Salon1">{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/feature/2011/03/14/rebecca_black_friday_horror/|title=What's behind the "worst music video ever"? |last=Williams|first=Mary Elizabeth |work=[[Salon.com]]|date=2011-3-14|accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref>


The music video for the song became a [[viral video|viral]] hit,<ref name="HuffPost1">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/rebecca-blacks-friday_n_835495.html|title=Rebecca Black's 'Friday' Becomes Internet Sensation (VIDEO)|last=|first=|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=2011-3-14|accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref><ref>Sloame, Joanne. [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2011/03/15/2011-03-15_rebecca_black_friday_youtube_viral_video_pales_in_comparison_to_justin_bieber_hi.html Rebecca Black 'Friday' YouTube viral video pales in comparison to Justin Bieber hits]. ''[[New York Daily News]]''. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.</ref> starting on Friday, March 11, 2011, when the video's view count on [[YouTube]] jumped from around 3,000 views to 18 million a week later.<ref name="OKMag">{{cite news|url=http://www.okmagazine.com/2011/03/rebecca-black-adds-official-twitter-with-help-from-ryan-seacrest-we-so-excited/|title=Rebecca Black adds Official Twitter with help from Ryan Seacrest|last=|first=|work=[[OK Magazine]]|date=2011-3-19|accessdate=2011-03-19}}</ref> The sudden surge was attributed to a ''[[Tosh.0]]'' blog post titled "Songwriting Isn't for Everyone", posted on March 11.<ref>Shultz, Cara Lynn. [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20474201,00.html Singer Rebecca Black Takes Back the Internet from Charlie Sheen]. ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''. March 17, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.</ref> Since the growth in popularity of the song and video, there have been numerous parody videos and remixes.<ref name="SMH1">{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/who-is-rebecca-black-and-is-she-really-bigger-than-japan-20110315-1bvkj.html|title=Who is Rebecca Black? And is she really bigger than Japan? |last=Gallo |first=Lee-Maree|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=2011-3-15|accessdate=2011-03-15}}</ref><ref name=vansun>Parry, Chris. [http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Rebecca+Black+Black+Friday+Vanity+music+project+makes+teen+YouTube+laughingstock/4443490/story.html Rebecca Black's Black Friday: Vanity music project makes teen a YouTube laughing stock]. ''[[Vancouver Sun]]''. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' stated that the notoriety of the song is another sign of the power of social media &ndash; specifically [[Twitter]], [[Facebook]], and [[Tumblr]], in this instance &ndash; in the ability to create "overnight sensations."<ref>Pasetsky, Mark. [http://blogs.forbes.com/markpasetsky/2011/03/14/rebecca-black-why-is-she-trending-on-twitter/ Rebecca Black: Why is She Trending on Twitter?]. ''[[Forbes]]''. March 14, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011.</ref><ref name="Stone">Perpetua, Matthew. [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/why-rebecca-blacks-much-mocked-viral-hit-friday-is-actually-good-20110315 Why Rebecca Black's Much-Mocked Viral Hit 'Friday' Is Actually Good]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.</ref>
The music video for the song became a [[viral video|viral]] hit,<ref name="HuffPost1">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/rebecca-blacks-friday_n_835495.html|title=Rebecca Black's 'Friday' Becomes Internet Sensation (VIDEO)|last=|first=|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=2011-3-14|accessdate=2011-03-14}}</ref><ref>Sloame, Joanne. [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2011/03/15/2011-03-15_rebecca_black_friday_youtube_viral_video_pales_in_comparison_to_justin_bieber_hi.html Rebecca Black 'Friday' YouTube viral video pales in comparison to Justin Bieber hits]. ''[[New York Daily News]]''. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.</ref> starting on Friday, March 11, 2011, when the video's view count on [[YouTube]] jumped from around 3,000 views to 18 million a week later.<ref name="OKMag">{{cite news|url=http://www.okmagazine.com/2011/03/rebecca-black-adds-official-twitter-with-help-from-ryan-seacrest-we-so-excited/|title=Rebecca Black adds Official Twitter with help from Ryan Seacrest|last=|first=|work=[[OK Magazine]]|date=2011-3-19|accessdate=2011-03-19}}</ref> The sudden surge was attributed to a ''[[Tosh.0]]'' blog post titled "Songwriting Isn't for Everyone", posted on March 11.<ref>Shultz, Cara Lynn. [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20474201,00.html Singer Rebecca Black Takes Back the Internet from Charlie Sheen]. ''[[People (magazine)|People]]''. March 17, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.</ref> Since the growth in popularity of the song and video, there have been numerous parody videos and remixes.<ref name="SMH1">{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/who-is-rebecca-black-and-is-she-really-bigger-than-japan-20110315-1bvkj.html|title=Who is Rebecca Black? And is she really bigger than Japan? |last=Gallo |first=Lee-Maree|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=2011-3-15|accessdate=2011-03-15}}</ref><ref name=vansun>Parry, Chris. [http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Rebecca+Black+Black+Friday+Vanity+music+project+makes+teen+YouTube+laughingstock/4443490/story.html Rebecca Black's Black Friday: Vanity music project makes teen a YouTube laughing stock]. ''[[Vancouver Sun]]''. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' stated that the notoriety of the song is another sign of the power of social media &ndash; specifically [[Twitter]], [[Facebook]], and [[Tumblr]], in this instance &ndash; in the ability to create "overnight sensations."<ref>Pasetsky, Mark. [http://blogs.forbes.com/markpasetsky/2011/03/14/rebecca-black-why-is-she-trending-on-twitter/ Rebecca Black: Why is She Trending on Twitter?]. ''[[Forbes]]''. March 14, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011.</ref><ref name="Stone">Perpetua, Matthew. [http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/why-rebecca-blacks-much-mocked-viral-hit-friday-is-actually-good-20110315 Why Rebecca Black's Much-Mocked Viral Hit 'Friday' Is Actually Good]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.</ref>

Revision as of 05:44, 22 March 2011

"Friday"
Song

"Friday" is a song written by Clarence Jey and Patrice Wilson, performed by Rebecca Black, a 13-year-old singer from Anaheim Hills, California.[1] It was released as a single on March 14, 2011.[2] "Friday" was produced by the ARK Music Factory, a company owned by Jey and Wilson.[3]

The music video for the song became a viral hit,[4][5] starting on Friday, March 11, 2011, when the video's view count on YouTube jumped from around 3,000 views to 18 million a week later.[6] The sudden surge was attributed to a Tosh.0 blog post titled "Songwriting Isn't for Everyone", posted on March 11.[7] Since the growth in popularity of the song and video, there have been numerous parody videos and remixes.[8][9] Forbes stated that the notoriety of the song is another sign of the power of social media – specifically Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, in this instance – in the ability to create "overnight sensations."[10][11]

Background, writing, and recording

Black grew up a fan of singers popular among tweens, such as Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. She began performing in public in 2008 when she joined patriotic singing group Celebration USA, then auditioned for school shows and attended music summer camps.[12]

In the fall of 2010, a classmate of Black and music-video client of Ark Music Factory, a Los Angeles record label that allows young singers to gain experience in the industry by recording a track for a fee, told her about the company.[12][13] Black's mother, Georgina Kelly, paid Ark Music $2,000 for a package that included a choice of two pre-written songs; according to Kelly, the payment covered one half or less of the production costs of the music video, and Black's family could have paid nothing in exchange for giving up all rights to the song.[12] Black chose "Friday", as "the other song was about adult love – I haven't experienced that yet. 'Friday' is about hanging out with friends, having fun. I felt like it was my personality in that song." Ark Music handled the song's recording, which used the pitch-correcting software Auto-Tune. Kelly had some doubts over the quality of the lyrics, but was told by Black that "I sang it as they wrote it, Mom."[13]

Music video

The concept for the music video is based on the lyrics and presented as a typical Friday for Black.[14] She wakes up and goes to school, meeting her friends on the way. In the evening, Black and her friends ride in a convertible before arriving at a party.[15] "Friday" co-writer Patrice Wilson appears near the end of the song, delivering a short rap sequence while driving a car.[16]

The video was shot in January 2011 at Black's father's house, with friends and family as extras and requiring multiple takes over 12 hours. Ark Music, according to Black's parents, cautioned them and her that they should not expect Black to become famous. She hoped that her friends and family would enjoy watching the video on YouTube, and that the it would perhaps help her to later begin a singing career. The video received 4,000 views, enough to please Black, before the Tosh.0 blog post drew attention to it.[12]

Style

In a review for Rolling Stone writer Matthew Perpetua described the vocals as having "a peculiar tonality that inadvertently highlights the absurdity of boilerplate pop lyrics," adding that the tone of her refrain "sounds unlike anything else in pop music." He noted the sound as being not entirely agreeable to listen to, but states that Black ultimately ends up "sounding like a distinct singer with an alluring sort of anti-charisma."[11]

Reception

Reviews

"Friday"'s co-writer and producer, Clarence Jey, said about the song that "the concept we feel seems to have crossed a lot of boundaries, for the better or worse."[13] The song has received almost universally negative reviews, with some considering it to be the "worst song ever."[17] Observers have called it "bizarre," "inept," and "hilariously dreadful."[4][18][19] The song and singer were "savaged" on social networks across the Internet,[20] while being seen as a "YouTube laughing stock."[9] The song has also received widespread criticism for its heavy use of autotune.

Kevin Rutherford, a columnist for Billboard magazine, wrote, "Black's video for 'Friday' is one of those rare occurrences where even the most seasoned critics of Internet culture don't know where to begin. From the singing straight out of Auto-Tuned hell to lyrics such as 'Tomorrow is Saturday / And Sunday comes afterwards / I don't want this weekend to end' and a hilariously bad rap about passing school buses, 'Friday' is something that simply must be seen and heard to be fully appreciated."[21] Many other reviewers also singled out the lyrics in particular for criticism,[22][23] which were described as "overly simple and repetitive" by TNT Magazine.[24] Jim Edwards of BNET and Doug Gross of CNN both noted that the rap break from the considerably older rapper was "creepy."[25][26]

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, some reviewers had positive things to say about the song and video. Entertainment Weekly writer Joseph Lynch noted that there was "something sickeningly catchy about this tune that keeps you coming back for more."[18] Rolling Stone writer Matthew Perpetua stated, "When you see this video, you immediately notice everything that it does 'wrong', but it actually gets a lot of things about pop music right, if just by accident."[11] OK! Magazine also noted that "some are calling the 13-year-old signed singer the next Justin Bieber."[27] Pop star Chris Brown also added his view: "Honest opinion? It was great. I'll be jammin' to it on Friday, Friday."[28] Simon Cowell praised Black, saying: "I love her [and] the fact that she's gotten so much publicity. People are so upset about the song, but I think it's hysterical...I want to meet her. Anyone who can create this much controversy within a week, I want to meet. I love people like that."[29] He observed that "any song to do with the weekend annoys you. It reminds me of 'Saturday Night'...It’s what we call a 'hair-dryer song,' a song girls sing into their hair dryers as they’re getting ready to go out. But the fact that it’s making people so angry is brilliant.”[30]

Response

After reading the harsh reviews of her song, Black said that "those hurtful comments really shocked me."[31] Ark Music offered to take the video down from YouTube, but Black refused the offer, saying that she did not wish "to give the haters the satisfaction that they got me so bad I gave up."[31]

In response to criticism over the significant use of Auto-Tune when recording "Friday", Black performed an acoustic version during an interview with ABC News.[32] Later in the interview Black's mother, Kelly, stated that she was "angry and upset" after Black was brought to tears by comments such as "I hope you go cut [yourself] and die" and "'I hope you cut yourself, and I hope you'll get an eating disorder so you'll look pretty."[33][34] Black said, however, that she soon got over such comments,[35] and asked Bieber, her idol, to perform a duet with her.[36] Although Bieber has not released an official announcement regarding the offer, he posted on Twitter "sunday comes after saturday? weird", implying that he did not view "Friday" with high regard.[37]

Rolling Stone's Perpetua continued to praise Black after the interview, stating that "she is actually a pretty decent singer...she is a total sweetheart...[and] Black comes off as a well-adjusted, happy and grateful kid."[38] He also pointed out Black's intention to donate most of the profits from the song to school arts programs and relief efforts in Japan following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[38]

Revenue

As of 21 March 2011, the "Friday" music video has been viewed more than 30 million times on YouTube and has reportedly sold more than two million downloads from iTunes, where it ranks #45 among singles. Based on such data, Forbes estimated that Black and Ark Music had received "easily" more than $1 million from iTunes sales, and $20,000 more from YouTube's revenue-sharing program.[39]

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
New Zealand Singles Chart[40] 33

References

  1. ^ Larsen, Peter (March 15, 2011). "O.C. teen Rebecca Black is a viral video hit with 'Friday'". The Orange County Register. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  2. ^ "Friday - Single by Rebecca Black". iTunes Store. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  3. ^ Williams, Mary Elizabeth (2011-3-14). "What's behind the "worst music video ever"?". Salon.com. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Rebecca Black's 'Friday' Becomes Internet Sensation (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. 2011-3-14. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Sloame, Joanne. Rebecca Black 'Friday' YouTube viral video pales in comparison to Justin Bieber hits. New York Daily News. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  6. ^ "Rebecca Black adds Official Twitter with help from Ryan Seacrest". OK Magazine. 2011-3-19. Retrieved 2011-03-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Shultz, Cara Lynn. Singer Rebecca Black Takes Back the Internet from Charlie Sheen. People. March 17, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Gallo, Lee-Maree (2011-3-15). "Who is Rebecca Black? And is she really bigger than Japan?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2011-03-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b Parry, Chris. Rebecca Black's Black Friday: Vanity music project makes teen a YouTube laughing stock. Vancouver Sun. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  10. ^ Pasetsky, Mark. Rebecca Black: Why is She Trending on Twitter?. Forbes. March 14, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c Perpetua, Matthew. Why Rebecca Black's Much-Mocked Viral Hit 'Friday' Is Actually Good. Rolling Stone. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d Larsen, Peter (2011-03-17). "O.C.'s Rebecca Black talks about 'Friday'". Orange County Register. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Lee, Chris (17 March 2011). "Rebecca Black: 'I'm Being Cyberbullied'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  14. ^ Smith, Russell (16 March 2011). "How to be an instant Internet superstar – for a fee". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  15. ^ "Teen girl's pop video mercilessly dissected by Internet masses". Reuters. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  16. ^ Hawks, Asa (17 March 2011). "Who is the rapper in the Rebecca Black "Friday" video? Meet 'Pato' Patrice Wilson". starcasm.net. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  17. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (2011-3-14). "Is YouTube Sensation Rebecca Black's "Friday" The Worst Song Ever?". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 2011-03-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b Lynch, Joseph Brannigan (2011-3-14). "Rebecca Black's 'Friday': The Internet's latest bizarre music video obsession". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  19. ^ Gibson, Megan (2011-3-14). "Rebecca Black's Bizarrely Bad Video for 'Friday': Is This For Real?". Time. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Lee, Ann. Rebecca Black savaged on Twitter over YouTube hit video Friday. Metro. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  21. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (2011-03-14). "Rebecca Black's 'Friday' a Viral Sensation for All the Wrong Reasons". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  22. ^ Ribeiro, Ricky (16 March 2011). "Rebecca Black and the Art of Being Bad". b2cmarketinginsider.com. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  23. ^ "Rebecca Black: So Bad It's a Viral Hit; Rebecca Black's "Friday"". b2cmarketinginsider.com. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  24. ^ "Rebecca Black: 'worst song' Friday tops Japan earthquake + VIDEO". TNT. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  25. ^ Edwards, Jim (16 March 2011). "Worst Video Ever? How Rebecca Black's "Friday" Explains the Future of Pop Music". Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  26. ^ Gross, Doug (16 March 2011). "Rebecca Black's 'Friday' goes viral for all the wrong reasons". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  27. ^ Talarico, Brittany (16 March 2011). "Rebecca Black's "Friday": Best YouTube Cover Videos (And No, Bob Dylan Didn't Write It)". okmagazine.com. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  28. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (18 March 2011). "Chris Brown explains nude photo, weighs in on Rebecca Black". USA Today. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  29. ^ Shira, Dahvi (18 March 2011). "Rebecca Black's Biggest Fan – Simon Cowell!". People. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  30. ^ Karger, Dave (2011-03-18). "Simon Cowell scoop: The 'X Factor' star talks L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul...and Rebecca Black". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  31. ^ a b Lee, Ann (18 March 2011). "Rebecca Black lashes out at Friday 'haters' and refuses to quit as singer". Metro. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  32. ^ Rebecca Black - Friday (Unplugged) on YouTube
  33. ^ "'I cried over all the nasty comments': How did an innocent wannabe like Rebecca Black become America's most reviled teenager?". Daily Mail. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  34. ^ CNN.com
  35. ^ Serpe, Gina (18 March 2011). "Rebecca Black Defends "Friday" Lameness, Drags Justin Bieber Into It". eonline.com. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  36. ^ Carbone, Nick (18 March 2011). "It's Friiiiday: Let the Rebecca Black Media Blitz Begin". TIME. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  37. ^ Eggenberger, Nicole (21 March 2011). "Justin Bieber Tweets About Rebecca Black: "Sunday Comes After Saturday?"". OK!. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  38. ^ a b Perpetua, Matthew (18 March 2011). "What You Need to Know About Teen Viral Phenom Rebecca Black". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  39. ^ Barth, Chris (2011-03-21). "Mock Rebecca Black All You Want, She's Laughing To The Bank". Forbes. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  40. ^ "Chart #1765 – Monday 21 March 2011: Top 40 Singles Chart". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
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