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"'''Baby'''" is a song by Canadian recording artist [[Justin Bieber]]. It was released as the lead single from the latter half of Bieber's debut album, ''[[My World 2.0]]''. The track was written by Bieber with [[Christopher "Tricky" Stewart]] and [[Terius Nash|Terius "The-Dream" Nash]] who worked with Bieber on "[[One Time]]" and also by R&B singer [[Christina Milian]] and labelmate, rapper [[Ludacris]].<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/baby/id350389778?i=350389789&v0=WWW-NAUS-ITSTOP100-SONGS&ign-mpt=uo%3D2|title=Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Single by Justin Bieber|publisher=[[iTunes]]|accessdate=2010-01-18}}</ref><ref name="RAPUP" /> It was available for digital download on January 18, 2010.<ref name="iTunes" /> The song received airplay directly after release, the song officially impacted [[Top 40|mainstream]] and [[Rhythmic Top 40|rhythmic]] radio on January 26, 2010.<ref name="Radio">{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/26/2010&Format=1|title=R&R Going for Adds - CHR/Top 40 - Week Of: January 26, 2010|publisher=RadioandRecords|accessdate=2010-01-19}}</ref>
"'''Baby'''" is a song by Canadian recording artist [[Justin Bieber]]. It was released as the lead single from the latter half of Bieber's debut album, ''[[My World 2.0]]''. The track was written by Bieber with [[Christopher "Tricky" Stewart]] and [[Terius Nash|Terius "The-Dream" Nash]] who worked with Bieber on "[[One Time]]" and also by R&B singer [[Christina Milian]] and labelmate, rapper [[Ludacris]].<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/baby/id350389778?i=350389789&v0=WWW-NAUS-ITSTOP100-SONGS&ign-mpt=uo%3D2|title=Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Single by Justin Bieber|publisher=[[iTunes]]|accessdate=2010-01-18}}</ref><ref name="RAPUP" /> It was available for digital download on January 18, 2010.<ref name="iTunes" /> The song received airplay directly after release, the song officially impacted [[Top 40|mainstream]] and [[Rhythmic Top 40|rhythmic]] radio on January 26, 2010.<ref name="Radio">{{cite web|url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/26/2010&Format=1|title=R&R Going for Adds - CHR/Top 40 - Week Of: January 26, 2010|publisher=RadioandRecords|accessdate=2010-01-19}}</ref>


The song has received positive reviews from critics who complimented the song's effective lyrics and chorus, and commended Ludacris' part and the song's ability to have an urban twist. It has become Bieber's biggest hit to date, charting at three and five, respectively in Canada and the United States. It has also charted in New Zealand and Australia, and set to impact other countries soon. The accompanying music video takes place in a mall/bowling-alley setting. The video features several cameos such as [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]], in which Bieber chases after a girl.
The song has received positive reviews from critics who complimented the song's effective lyrics and chorus, and commended Ludacris' part and the song's ability to have an urban twist. It has become Bieber's biggest hit to date, charting at three and five, respectively in Canada and the United States. It has also charted in New Zealand and Australia, and set to impact other countries soon. The accompanying music video takes place in a mall/bowling-alley setting. The video features several cameos such as [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]] and Lil Twist, in which Bieber chases after a girl.


==Background and writing==
==Background and writing==

Revision as of 02:12, 25 February 2010

"Baby"
Song

"Baby" is a song by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. It was released as the lead single from the latter half of Bieber's debut album, My World 2.0. The track was written by Bieber with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The-Dream" Nash who worked with Bieber on "One Time" and also by R&B singer Christina Milian and labelmate, rapper Ludacris.[1][2] It was available for digital download on January 18, 2010.[1] The song received airplay directly after release, the song officially impacted mainstream and rhythmic radio on January 26, 2010.[3]

The song has received positive reviews from critics who complimented the song's effective lyrics and chorus, and commended Ludacris' part and the song's ability to have an urban twist. It has become Bieber's biggest hit to date, charting at three and five, respectively in Canada and the United States. It has also charted in New Zealand and Australia, and set to impact other countries soon. The accompanying music video takes place in a mall/bowling-alley setting. The video features several cameos such as Drake and Lil Twist, in which Bieber chases after a girl.

Background and writing

When asked how the collaboration initially came about, Bieber said, "[Ludacris and I] both live in Atlanta. I met him a year prior to this and we figured it was a perfect collaboration for him, so we invited him out to do it." Bieber first premiered the song performing on MuchMusic on December 28, 2009.[4] A few days before the release of the single, Bieber posted an acoustic version of the song to his YouTube with his guitarist Dan Kanter, similar to the way he did with "Favorite Girl". Billboard said that: "Bieber delivers his characteristically clean vocals with conviction: "My first love broke my heart for the first time / and I'm like, 'baby, baby, baby, no!' I thought you'd always be mine."[5]. Also in a review of the acoustic version Bill Lamb of About.com said that "I think the vocals here will convince some that Justin Bieber really does have the vocal chops."[6]

In an interview with MTV News, Ludacris said that he had to "dig deep" for lyrics for the song.[7] He said, "He's talking about [how] he's mad that his girl left him and he still cares for her. As soon as I heard it I knew it was a hit, I just had to figure out how I could get on a record with a 15-year-old. So I sat there and said, 'Let me reminisce on the past,' and that's basically how I stepped on the record. And I guarantee you, mark my word, that's going to be one of the biggest songs of the year 2010."[7]

Composition

"Baby"
A sample of "Baby" featuring Bieber singing the chorus and repetitive hook, and the beginning of Ludacris' verse.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The song is predominatly upbeat, featuring Bieber’s R&B vocals over a dance beat[8], full of keyboard and synths. Lyrically, Bieber’s lines explain his distress over his lost love, and promise to get it back, featured in lines like, “And I wanna play it cool/ But I'm losin' you…/I'm in pieces/ So come and fix me…”[8] The chorus features the distinct and repetitive “Baby, Baby, Baby, Ohhhh (Nooooo)” hook. After the second verse, Ludacris comes in with the verse-rap, an anecdote of young love when he was thirteen, as it runs “When I was 13/ I had my first love/...She had me going crazy/ Oh, I was star-struck/ She woke me up daily/ Don't need no Starbucks…."[9] Due to the rap verse, the song does not have a distinct and slower middle eight, which all of Bieber’s previous singles included. However, the acoustic rendition by Bieber himself did originally have a middle eight. The outro is reminiscent of the hook, with a repetitive “Yeah”, however with Bieber providing additional vocals with it.

Critical reception

Bill Lamb of About.com gave the single a rating of four and a half our of five stars.[10] Lamb said that the song happened to be "the best vehicle yet for Justin Bieber's sweet soulful voice, and its chart achievements should ultimately reflect that fact." Lamb gave credit to production duo Tricky Stewart and the The-Dream who "connected" with Christina Milian for a "confident, mature, and effortless sound here that goes well beyond 'One Time'." Lamb went on to say that Bieber sings as well as Michael Jackson at that age, "the lyrics are pitched perfectly in reference to young love, and Ludacris demonstrates raps in a pop hit can be charming and safe for young children to hear. Add in tasteful strings, and this a pop confection that is first rate." The review complimented the song's chorus which Lamb says "..glides effortlessly into your head" followed by Ludacris' "charm-filled rap." Lamb reviewed that the song has the potential to be Bieber's first number one pop hit, and said "Baby" is a model for pre-teen pop and makes parents understand why Bieber is an "outstanding musical role model for their children."[10] Melanie Bertoldi of Billboard said, "The midtempo number's undeniably contagious chorus should keep Bieber's tween fan base satisfied, and Ludacris' brief cameo adds a welcome urban twist. The matchup adds a layer of maturity to Bieber's repertoire and should further solidify his growing presence on the charts."[11] Rap-Up magazine said that "the sweet pop fare gets a little street cred courtesy of the teen sensation’s labelmate Ludacris."[2]

Chart performance

The song debuted at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and number three on the Canadian Hot 100, becoming Bieber’s biggest hit to date.[12] His previous peak was reaching sixteen and ten on the respective charts with “One Less Lonely Girl”. The song was also Ludacris’s biggest song to date, solo or featuring, since 2007’s "Runaway Love". Taylor Swift’s "Today Was a Fairytale" also debuted in the Hot 100 top five at number two. The debut of the pair of songs was just the third time in history that the Hot 100 had two new top five debuts. The instance had last happened in 2003 when American Idol’s Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken’s debut singles charted at number one and two.[12] During its first week of radio impact, the song had over 1400 spins, and was the top gainer for mainstream and rhythmic radio formats.[13] The song debuted at thirty-three on the Pop Songs chart on the week labeled February 13, 2009. The song missed out becoming the greatest gainer by one spot, which was Kesha's Blah Blah Blah.[14] However the following week, the song did collect greatest gainer recognition, jumping to twenty-five on the chart, and has since peaked at twenty-three.[15][16] The song marked Bieber's first entry into the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, debuting at ninety-six. The debut, along with "My Chick Bad", featuring Nicki Minaj, made Ludacris tie with Snoop Dogg for third-most entries onto the chart with fifty eight.[17]. It also has debuted and peaked at number eleven on the ARIA Urban Singles chart.[18]

On the issue dated February 8, 2010, the song debuted in Australia on the official ARIA Singles Chart at number thirty-seven.[19] The following week, it set a new peak jumping one place to number thirty-six.[20]

Music video

File:Baby screencaps.jpg
Bieber in scenes in front of a backdrop with Ludacris and in a scene with Villegas and others.

Filming for the music video began during the week of January 25, 2010, in Los Angeles during the week of the 52nd Grammy Awards, at which Bieber presented with Kesha.[21] It was filmed at Universal CityWalk by director Ray Kay, who had previously directed videos for Beyoncé Knowles, Lady Gaga, and Alexandra Burke, among others.[22] Ludacris said that the video "is like a 2010 version of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel". Bieber said that the video "will capture the song's message of trying to woo back a girl."[7] In explaining the concept of the video, Bieber said, "It starts off, I really like this girl, but we didn't [get] along; we couldn't be together. Basically I want her back and [I'm] kind of going through the whole thing. I'm chasing her around, trying to get her, and she's kind of playing hard to get, but I'm persistent. I keep going."[7] The video premiered exclusively on VEVO on Friday, February 19, 2010.[23]Singer/actress Jasmine Villegas portrays Bieber's love interest in the video. Bieber's friends, Young Money artists Canadian rapper Drake, and Lil Twist also appeared in the video.[7] The video takes place in a mall-like setting with a bowling alley and more. After the video was released, MTV commented on the video being the new version of "The Way You Make Me Feel" saying, "..and the choreography does use a few of Jackson's less-suggestive moves."[24] The MTV review goes on saying, "most of the video takes place in the bowling alley, there are also scenes of Bieber in other settings, hanging out with Luda, doing the moonwalk, messing with his hair and mugging for the camera. Regardless of his lady's apparent frustration with him, Bieber eventually wins her over. The video concludes with the pair walking off into the night holding hands."[24]

Live performances

Bieber premiered an acoustic verison of the song on December 28, 2009 on MuchMusic, and it remains to be his only major performance of the song performed acoustically.[4] During most live performances of the song, Bieber jerks during the end of the chorus. He sung the song on VH1's Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam, along with other performers Rihanna and Timbaland, and on CBS' The Early Show as a part of their Super Bowl programming.[25] He performed the song the first time with Ludacris on BET's SOS: Saving Ourselves - Help for Haiti Telethon, on February 6, 2009, which also aired on VH1, and MTV.[24] During the chorus, he changed the lyrics to "Baby, baby, Haiti", to show support for the cause, and the reason everyone came together for the show.[24]

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[20] 36
Australian Urban Chart[18] 11
Canadian Hot 100 3
New Zealand Singles Chart[26] 19
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 5
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 96

Release history

Region Date Format
United States January 18, 2010[1] Digital download
January 26, 2010[3] Mainstream, rhythmic airplay
Australia January 29, 2010[27] Digital download
Germany February 22, 2010[28]
March 5, 2010[29] CD single
United Kingdom March 15, 2010[30] Airplay

References

  1. ^ a b c "Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Single by Justin Bieber". iTunes. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  2. ^ a b "New Music: Justin Bieber f/ Ludacris – 'Baby'". Rap-Up. 2010-01-18. Retrieved 2010-02-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b "R&R Going for Adds - CHR/Top 40 - Week Of: January 26, 2010". RadioandRecords. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  4. ^ a b "Infiltrating Bieber's Live@Much". MuchMusic.com. 2009-12-28. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  5. ^ "Justin Bieber Gives Fans A Peek At New Single 'Baby'". Billboard. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2009-01-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Preview "Baby" From Justin Bieber's Upcoming Second Part of Debut Album My World". About.com. 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  7. ^ a b c d e Vena, Jocelyn (2010-02-03). "Justin Bieber Happy To Leave The Rapping To Ludacris". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
  8. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (2010-01-19). "Justin Bieber's 'Baby' Features Ludacris Rapping About First Love". MTV News. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  9. ^ "Ludacris Raps On Bieber's "Baby"". RTT News. 2010-01-20. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  10. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Justin Bieber - "Baby" featuring Ludacris". About.com. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  11. ^ "Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris, "Baby"". Billboard. 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2010-02-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b "Chart Beat Thursday: 'Hope' Helps Haiti". Billboard. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-01-30. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Justin Bieber's Newest Single - 'Baby' Featuring Ludacris Debuts at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100". PRNewswire. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
  14. ^ "Chart Highlights: Adult Pop, Jazz Songs & More". Billboard. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2010-02-01. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Chart Highlights: Rock, Alternative, Christian Songs & More". Billboard. 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-02-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ "Justin Bieber Featuring Ludacris- "Baby" - Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-02-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Trust, Gary (2010-02-18). "Chart Beat Thursday: A Whole New 'World'". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-02-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ a b ARIA Urban Charts
  19. ^ "Australia Singles Top 50". Australian Recording Industry Association. (acharts.us). February 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  20. ^ a b "Australia Singles Top 50". Australian Recording Industry Association. (acharts.us). February 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  21. ^ "Album Preview: Ludacris – 'Battle of the Sexes'". Rap-Up. 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  22. ^ "Video: Justin Bieber f/ Ludacris – 'Baby'". Rap-Up. 2010-02-19. Retrieved 201-02-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ ""Baby" Video Premiere Friday 2.19". Island Def Jam Music Group. 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
  24. ^ a b c d "Justin Bieber Bowls With Drake, Ludacris In 'Baby' Video". MTV News. 2010-02-19. Retrieved 2010-02-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) Cite error: The named reference "MTV2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  25. ^ "Justin Bieber Fever Hits Miami". CBS News.com. 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  26. ^ "GFK Chart-Track". GFK. Retrieved 2010-01-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Single". Apple Inc. iTunes Store (Australia). January 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  28. ^ "Baby:Justin Bieber Feat.Ludacris: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  29. ^ "Baby (2-Track):Justin Bieber: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-02-14.
  30. ^ "Forthcoming UK single releases". Radio 1. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
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