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The song was a critical failure with reviewers claiming it as "goofy" and "more of a parody" of its original concept. However, "Hoedown Throwdown" managed to have commercial success and became a top twenty hit in various nations including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "Hoedown Throwdown" reached its highest international peak in the [[Irish Singles Chart]], at number ten. The single never received an official music video, but an excerpt from ''Hannah Montana: The Movie'' was used for promotion. Cyrus incorporated "Hoedown Throwdown" into the set list of her first international concert tour, the [[Wonder World Tour]].
The song was a critical failure with reviewers claiming it as "goofy" and "more of a parody" of its original concept. However, "Hoedown Throwdown" managed to have commercial success and became a top twenty hit in various nations including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "Hoedown Throwdown" reached its highest international peak in the [[Irish Singles Chart]], at number ten. The single never received an official music video, but an excerpt from ''Hannah Montana: The Movie'' was used for promotion. Cyrus incorporated "Hoedown Throwdown" into the set list of her first international concert tour, the [[Wonder World Tour]].


==Background==
==Writing==
"Hoedown Throwdown" is an instructional [[dance music|dance]] song that has heavy [[country music|country]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[R&B]], and [[hip-hop]] influences.<ref name="about.com">{{cite web|url=http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/musicreviews/fr/hmmovie.htm|title=Miley Cyrus - Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack|work=[[About.com]]|first=Warren|last=Truitt|accessdate=October 16, 2009|publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref> The song was created for Cyrus' 2009 film ''Hannah Montana: The Movie'' and was written by Adam Anders and Nikki Hasman, who also wrote "[[Send It On (song)|Send It On]]", a charity single Cyrus collaborated on later in 2009. Lyrically, the song is a tribute to down-home family times.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfqxz8kldae~T1|work=[[Allmusic]]|publisher=[[Macrovision Corporation]]|accessdate=October 16, 2009|title=allmusic {{{Hannah Montana: The Movie [Soundtrack] > Review}}}|first=Heather|last=Phares}}</ref> Film director [[Peter Chelsom]], who directed ''[[Hannah Montana: The Movie]]'', said that the movie need a big dance-number, like a "'[[Macarena (song)|Macarena]]' for 2009", and the song fit perfectly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=276454020&uo=4|title=Hannah Montana The Movie - Video Podcast|work=iTunes Store|publisher=|Apple Inc|accessdate=October 16, 2009}}</ref> Cyrus stated "Hoedown Throwdown" was one of those on the soundtrack that "is all about [[Nashville]]" and her roots, "the reason why [she is who she is]."<ref name="cma mtv">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607867/20090326/cyrus__miley.jhtml|title=Miley Cyrus To Perform At Academy Of Country Music Awards|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|accessdate=October 9, 2009|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom]]|date=March 26, 2009}}</ref>
"Hoedown Throwdown" was created for the 2009 [[musical film]] ''Hannah Montana: The Movie'', in which Cyrus stars as a famous [[pop star]] sent to reconnect with her Southern roots and family. The film's director, [[Peter Chelsom]], felt the movie needed a big dance-number, similar to the "[[Macarena (song)|Macarena]]"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=276454020&uo=4|title=Hannah Montana The Movie - Video Podcast|work=iTunes Store|publisher=|Apple Inc|accessdate=October 16, 2009}}</ref> or the "[[Chicken Dance|Funky Chicken]]".<ref name="prod" /> Chelsom knew he wanted a song in which Cyrus' character, [[Miley Stewart]], [[Caller (dancing)|called]] dance steps that captured Cyrus' "real silliness physically" and her "great abandon".<ref name="prod" /> In addition, Chelsom wanted the song to represent the two worlds of Stewart, the main theme of the film, by "combin[ing] Miley Stewart’s L.A. hip-hop/pop style with her country roots", the theme of the film.

Because the song is an an instructional [[dance]] song, it became an ongoing collaboration between Chelsom, choreographer Jamal Sims, and the song's songwriters, Adam Anders and Nikki Hasman. Anders and Hasman also wrote "[[Send It On (song)|Send It On]]", a charity single Cyrus collaborated on later in 2009.<ref name="prod" /> The collaborators referred to the song by the [[working title]] "The Project" for a while before naming it the "Hoedown Throwdown". The filmmakers also nicknamed the song "Miley’s Macarena".<ref name="prod" />

==Music and lyrics==
"Hoedown Throwdown" merges sounds and [[dance move]]s from [[country music|country]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[R&B]], and [[hip-hop]] music.<ref name="about.com">{{cite web|url=http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/musicreviews/fr/hmmovie.htm|title=Miley Cyrus - Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack|work=[[About.com]]|first=Warren|last=Truitt|accessdate=October 16, 2009|publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref> It is set in [[common time]] with a moderate [[tempo]] of 104 [[beats per minute]]. "Hoedown Throwdown" is written in the key of [[E♭ major]] or [[E-flat major]]. Cyrus' vocals span two [[octave]]s, from [[B♭ (musical note)|B♭<sub>3</sub>]] to [[F (musical note)|F<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name="sheet">[http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0073849 Hoedown Throwdown Sheet Music]</ref> The song begins with an [[Introduction (music)|intro]] in which Cyrus repeats "Boom Boom clap, boom di-clap di-clap" four times before singing any other words. The line is reused in the [[outro]]<ref name="sheet" />

[[Allmusic]] described the song as a tribute to "down-home family times".<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfqxz8kldae~T1|work=[[Allmusic]]|publisher=[[Macrovision Corporation]]|accessdate=October 16, 2009|title=allmusic {{{Hannah Montana: The Movie [Soundtrack] > Review}}}|first=Heather|last=Phares}}</ref> Cyrus stated "Hoedown Throwdown" was one of those on the film's soundtrack that "is all about" her [[Nashville]] roots and "the reason why [she is who she is]."<ref name="cma mtv">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607867/20090326/cyrus__miley.jhtml|title=Miley Cyrus To Perform At Academy Of Country Music Awards|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|accessdate=October 9, 2009|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[Viacom]]|date=March 26, 2009}}</ref>


==Dance==
==Dance==

Revision as of 05:19, 20 October 2009

"Hoedown Throwdown"
Song
B-side"Radio Disney Interview"

"Hoedown Throwdown" is a pop song performed by American recording artist Miley Cyrus. It was released as the second single from the soundtrack to Hannah Montana: The Movie. "Hoedown Throwdown" was sent to Radio Disney on February 13, 2009 and was then released via iTunes Store on March 10, 2009 as a Radio Disney exclusive that had an interview as a B-side. A karaoke version is available in the soundtrack's karaoke series.[2] "Hoedown Throwdown" is an instructional dance song with country, pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences and dancce steps. The song's lyrics pertain down-home family fun. The choreography was designed by Jamal Sims and incorporates influences from line dancing.

The song was a critical failure with reviewers claiming it as "goofy" and "more of a parody" of its original concept. However, "Hoedown Throwdown" managed to have commercial success and became a top twenty hit in various nations including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "Hoedown Throwdown" reached its highest international peak in the Irish Singles Chart, at number ten. The single never received an official music video, but an excerpt from Hannah Montana: The Movie was used for promotion. Cyrus incorporated "Hoedown Throwdown" into the set list of her first international concert tour, the Wonder World Tour.

Writing

"Hoedown Throwdown" was created for the 2009 musical film Hannah Montana: The Movie, in which Cyrus stars as a famous pop star sent to reconnect with her Southern roots and family. The film's director, Peter Chelsom, felt the movie needed a big dance-number, similar to the "Macarena"[3] or the "Funky Chicken".[4] Chelsom knew he wanted a song in which Cyrus' character, Miley Stewart, called dance steps that captured Cyrus' "real silliness physically" and her "great abandon".[4] In addition, Chelsom wanted the song to represent the two worlds of Stewart, the main theme of the film, by "combin[ing] Miley Stewart’s L.A. hip-hop/pop style with her country roots", the theme of the film.

Because the song is an an instructional dance song, it became an ongoing collaboration between Chelsom, choreographer Jamal Sims, and the song's songwriters, Adam Anders and Nikki Hasman. Anders and Hasman also wrote "Send It On", a charity single Cyrus collaborated on later in 2009.[4] The collaborators referred to the song by the working title "The Project" for a while before naming it the "Hoedown Throwdown". The filmmakers also nicknamed the song "Miley’s Macarena".[4]

Music and lyrics

"Hoedown Throwdown" merges sounds and dance moves from country, pop, R&B, and hip-hop music.[5] It is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 104 beats per minute. "Hoedown Throwdown" is written in the key of E♭ major or E-flat major. Cyrus' vocals span two octaves, from B♭3 to F5.[6] The song begins with an intro in which Cyrus repeats "Boom Boom clap, boom di-clap di-clap" four times before singing any other words. The line is reused in the outro[6]

Allmusic described the song as a tribute to "down-home family times".[7] Cyrus stated "Hoedown Throwdown" was one of those on the film's soundtrack that "is all about" her Nashville roots and "the reason why [she is who she is]."[8]

Dance

The dance for "Howdown Throwdown" is heavily influenced by line dancing and merges some hip-hop.[9] In the first move, "Pop it", the left hand is extended as far as possible to the front. In "Lock it", the back is hunched and the arms form right angles with fists that point toward the stomach. To "Polka dot it", the dancer shuffles to the left while shaking his right index finger. In "Countrify it", the dancer grabs his waist and extends the heel of his right and then left foot. "Hip-hop it" consists of three moves: First, turning to the right by kicking the left leg, pulling the arms backward, and ending in "Lock it" while facing left. For "Hawk in the sky", the dancer faces forward, crosses his arms in front of the chest, and flaps them as he lifts and stomps his right leg. With the arms still crossed, the torso turns left and then right for "Move side to side". In "Jump to the left", the dancer jumps and turns to face left; as he jumps, he switches his feet so that the left foot is behind him and his right foot is brought forward. The dancer closes his feet and faces left for "Stick it" before sliding backwards on the left leg for "Glide". In "Zig-Zag Touch", the ball of the right foot is pointed to the left, then the right, lifted behind the left thigh, and finally "touched" by the dancer's left arm. For "Across the floor" the dancer shuffles diagonally left while grabbing his waist. He shuffles back to the origin and then to the right in "Shuffle in Diagonal" while waving his arms in a robotic manner. In "Hit the drum", the left foot kicks up and the right arm punches down; the opposite occurs afterwards. Hands are then placed on the hips for "Hands on your hips". The dancer next turns to face the back; he returns to face forward by hopping three times on his left leg for "180 twist". The dancer then performs another "Zig-Zag-Touch" before stepping and sliding to the left. Next in "Lean it", the dancer faces the right and tilts his body backwards while snapping. He then bends forward and "Clap[s] 3 Times" while straightening. "Shake it off" is a completed 360 degrees turn. Finally, in "Throw it all together", the dancer taps his right foot behind his left and bends forward, then steps back and throws his arms upward.

File:How to Do the Hoedown Throwdown.jpg
Cyrus and choreographer Jamal Simms in the instructional video "How to Do the Hoedown Throwdown".

A video starring Cyrus and Hannah Montana: The Movie's choreographer Jamal Simms entitled "How to Do the Hoedown Throwdown", premiered on Disney Channel on February 20, 2009.[9] The video features Cyrus and Simms, accompanied by several back-up dancers, in a pink room and sporting workout attire. Throughout the evening, Cyrus and Simms broke down each dance move.[9] At the end of the night, Cyrus and Simms put together all of the dance steps at once into a competition entitled "Hoedown Throwdown Showdown".[9] Cyrus explained the dance requires "semi-coordinat[ion]".[10] Ann Donahue of Billboard says that by chance she found out "exactly how Cyrus' legion of preteen female fans is learning the dance: YouTube onscreen, phone to ear, someone on phone offering encouragement amid occasional peals of laughter."[10] She also drew similarities to Billy Ray Cyrus' choreography for "Achy Breaky Heart".[10] Reportedly, the "Hoedown Throwdown," caused a sizable younger audience "jumping on the country bandwagon".[8] In an interview with Just Jared, Cyrus said

"I have all these different kids at events who say, 'Oh yeah, I know the "Hoedown Throwdown" now,' and that's really cool that they're getting to dance to it. In the theaters, I think if they danced to it, it would be kind of cool."[8]

Critical reception

The song received general criticism from reviewers. Warren Truitt described the song as Cyrus' "only misstep" in Hannah Montana: The Movie because of its "weird" merge of country and hip-hop "that sound[ed] like Disney's trying a liiittle [sic] bit too hard to cover all genres".[5] Heather Phares of Allmusic stated the song was the exception for Cyrus' songs, which were more husky and natural.[7] Phares added the that "Hoedown Throwdown" was "goofy" and "feels more like a parody of down-home fun than a tribute to it".[7] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly described the song as "deep-fried [...] sort of goofy Hee [sic] Haw".[11]

Chart performance

The song received mediocre airplay due to it not being released for mainstream radio and only Radio Disney. However, due to digital sales, the song debuted at number sixty-eight in the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 21, 2009.[12] The then scaled to new peaks at number forty-six and twenty-eight on the chart, respectively.[13] For the week ending May 2, 2009, "Hoedown Throwdown" peaked at number eighteen on the Billboard Hot 100 due to digital downloads that placed it at number eight on Hot Digital Songs.[14] The song also peaked at number twenty-nine the canceled Pop 100 chart.[15] In Canada, the song peaked at number fifteen for the week ending May 2, 2009.[12][14] In the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, the song debuted at number forty and peaked at number twenty after three weeks of finding new peaks.[16] "Hoedown Throwdown" debuted and peaked at number forty in the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart.[17]

In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number sixty-two for the week ending March 18, 2009.[12][18] It then ascended to find new peaks for four weeks, until settling for number eighteen for the week ending May 16, 2009.[12][18] The song reached its highest international peak in Ireland. IT entered the Irish Singles Chart on the week ending May 7, 2009 debuted and peaked at number ten.[12][19] In mainland Europe, "Hoedown Throwdown" peaked at number fifty in the European Hot 100[14] and at number seventeen in the Norwegian Singles Chart.[12][20] The song also reahced charts in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.[12]

Promotional music video

Cyrus performing the "Hoedown Throwdown" in its promotional music video, an excerpt from Hannah Montana: The Movie.

The song's promotional music video, directed by Peter Chelsom, is an excerpt from Hannah Montana: The Movie that premiered on February 16, 2008 on Disney Channel.[21]

The video begins with a black background and blue printed letters that spell "boom". It the switches words, at the end completing "boom, clap, boom dee clap". A quick montage of Hannah Montana and Miley Stewart then play which ultimately skips to the video's main setting. Cyrus is at a crowded barn, wearing a plaid blouse, jean skirt, and boots, on top of a stage. Blue printed letters that spell the lyrics then make an appearance, as Cyrus attempts to teach the crowd the dance. After the crowd learns the dance routine, scenes of Mitchel Musso, Moises Arias, Vanessa Williams, Tyra Banks, Jason Earles, and Emily Osment doing the "Hoedown Throwdown" are played. When Cyrus' scene reappears she is off the stage and performing with the rest of the crowd. In the conclusion, Cyrus finishes singing onstage and the audience applauds.

Live performances

Cyrus performing "Hoedown Throwdown" in the Wonder World Tour. - September 14, 2009; Portland, Oregon

Cyrus never sang "Hoedown Throwdown" live in televised events, instead she performed the dance, usually with the track as playback. On April 3, 2009, Cyrus performed the "Howdown Throwdown" on Tonight with Jay Leno.[22] Cyrus performed the dance on Good Morning America on April 8, 2009, along with performances of "Butterfly Fly Away" and "The Climb".[23] On April 10, 2009 Cyrus danced to the track with some of the movie's castmates on The Tyra Banks Show.[24]

Proceeded by a performance of "Let's Get Crazy" as herself and succeeded by "These Four Walls", Cyrus performed "Hoedown Throwdown" as part of her set list in her first worldwide concert tour, the Wonder World Tour. For the performances Cyrus dressed in a short white tutu-like dress and performed the dance with her background dancers.[25] Mid-way through the song, will.i.am appeared on the screens to congratulate Cyrus and continued speaking as she left the stage.[25] When he finished, the dancers performed to a remix of "Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas.[25]

Charts and peaks

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[12][16] 20
Austrian Singles Chart[12] 41
Canadian Hot 100[12][14] 15
European Hot 100[14] 50
German Singles Chart[12] 66
Irish Singles Chart[12][19] 10
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart[12][17] 40
Norwegian Singles Chart[12][20] 17
Swiss Singles Chart[12] 87
UK Singles Chart[12][18] 18
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[12][14][15] 18
U.S. Billboard Pop 100[15] 29

References

  1. ^ "Radio Disney Exclusive: Hoedown Throwdown - Single". iTunes Store. Apple, Inc. March 10, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  2. ^ "Disney's Karaoke Series: Hannah Montana The Movie". Walt Disney Records. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  3. ^ "Hannah Montana The Movie - Video Podcast". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 16, 2009. {{cite web}}: Text "Apple Inc" ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference prod was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Truitt, Warren. "Miley Cyrus - Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  6. ^ a b Hoedown Throwdown Sheet Music
  7. ^ a b c Phares, Heather. "allmusic {{{Hannah Montana: The Movie [Soundtrack] > Review}}}". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (March 26, 2009). "Miley Cyrus To Perform At Academy Of Country Music Awards". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d "Miley Cyrus Brings Hip Hop to the Hoedown, Teaching Dance Moves from Hannah Montana: The Movie, Friday, February 20 on Disney Channel" (Press release). Disney Channel. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  10. ^ a b c Donahue, Ann (March 20, 2009). "Miley Cyrus". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  11. ^ Greenblatt, Leah. "Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner, Inc. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown - Music Charts". aCharts.us. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  13. ^ Ben-Yehuda, Ayala (April 11, 2009). "'Hannah Montana' Boosts Six Songs On Hot 100". Billboard. Pietroluong, Silvio: Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Hoedown Throwdown". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  15. ^ a b c "allmusic {{{Miley Cyrus > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles}}}". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  16. ^ a b "Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown (Song)". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  17. ^ a b "Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown (Song)". Charts.org.nz. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  18. ^ a b c "Chart Stats - Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown". Chart stats.com. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  19. ^ a b "The Irish Charts - Hoedown Throwdown". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  20. ^ a b "Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown (Song)". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  21. ^ "Hoedown Throwdown - Music Video". Disney.com. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  22. ^ "Miley Cyrus; Tom Lennon". TV.com. April 3, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  23. ^ Agostini, Evan (April 8, 2009). "Star Tracks: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 'Morning Glory': Miley Cyrus". People. Time Warner, Inc. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  24. ^ "Miley Cyrus". The Tyra Banks Show. CBS Television Distribution. April 9, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  25. ^ a b c Harrington, Jim (September 15, 2009). "Concert Review: Miley Cyrus Leaves Hannah Montana Behind at Oakland Show". Oakland Tribune. MediaNews Group. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
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