The Show Goes On (song)
| "The Show Goes On" | |
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"The Show Goes On" is a song by recording artist Lupe Fiasco, released on October 26, 2010 as the first single from his US-chart-topping third studio album Lasers.[1] The song was produced by Kane Beatz who samples the 2004 song "Float On" by Modest Mouse. While also borrowing the chorus melody, the song features backing vocals from JR Get Money. It was released to iTunes on November 9, 2010, and debuted at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was released in the UK on February 20, 2011.
Background
Lupe Fiasco announced the name of the single at the Fiasco Friday protest on October 15, 2010. On that day, Lyor Cohen came down to play the single for the protest turned celebrating fan base situated outside Atlantic Records. In a NovaFM interview, he gave an analysis of the first verse. He went on to say, "For them it was 'why is he talking about the record label, but it's still a great song. For me, I was like 'No, that's my therapy... To give you this song... Now you have to make it a worldwide smash. You have to play it on the radio... So every time you hear it, you're going to hear me talking about your ass."[2] He also has stated during his radio promo tours that he didn't notice the song sample during recording, but he is a fan of "Float On".
On February 28th, 2011, Complex Magazine published an interview with Lupe that detailed the background behind the single.[3]
There’s nothing really to tell about that record, to be honest. I didn’t have nothing to do with that record. That was the label’s record. That wasn’t like I knew the producer or knew the writer or anything like that. That was one of those records the record company gave me, [they even gave me] stuff they wanted me to rap about. It wasn’t like, ‘Hey I did this and I went to a mountain and found inspiration and it was this.’ [...] I had to do ‘Show Goes On,’ that was like the big chip on the table. I had to do it and it had to be the first single if the record was going to come out.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Lupe expanded further on his feelings toward the record.[4]
I was literally told for “The Show Goes On” that I shouldn’t rap too deep. I shouldn’t be too lyrical. It just needs to be something easy on the eyes. Like a record company telling Picasso that we don’t need these abstract interpretations of life, where people have to sit down and look at it and break it down. It was better to paint the Upper West Side lady and her poodle so everyone could look at it right away and understand what was going on. I felt like I was painting poodles. It’s why in the first line of “The Show Goes On” I paraphrase Johnny Rotten at the Sex pistols’ final show: “Have you ever had the feeling that you were being cheated.
The song was released on Lupe Fiasco's website on October 26 for download. This marked the first officially planned released single off of Lasers ("Shining Down" and "I'm Beamin" were leaks re-released as street singles). "The Show Goes On" appeared on the iTunes Music Store on November 9.
Music video
The music video for "The Show Goes On" was released on December 25, 2010. It was directed by Hiro Murai and shows Lupe backstage preparing for a performance.[5] The skull and crossbones glove is actually associated with Mastermind Japan and not Lupe Fiasco's post-punk band, Japanese Cartoon. It was MTV's last Jam Of The Week of 2010.
Chart performance
"The Show Goes On" debuted at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100; it fell to #86 the next week and then fell off the chart but has since re-entered at #92 and reached #15, becoming his second-ever Top 40 hit[6]. It will be released in the UK on February 20, 2011. It was the retired from Battle of the Jamz on Milwaukee's V100.7 JAMS after 4 weeks straight in November. [7][8] It has since reached Radio 1's B list playlist. And has also been chosen as the record of the week by Radio 1 DJ Jo Wiley. It became the song for the Superbowl XLV 2011 pre-game show. As of April 2011, the single has sold more than 1,000,000 digital units in the US.[9].
Charts and certifications
Charts
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Certifications
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References
- ^ Lupe Fiasco in-depth interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' March 2011
- ^ "Lupe Fiasco Takes a Stab at the Music Business in The Show Goes On". NovaFM.com.au. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ "Interview: Lupe Fiasco Hates His Own Album". Complex.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ "Turn It Up: Lupe Fiasco discuess the making of 'L.A.S.E.R.S.":'It was destroying me'". Leisureblogs.ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ "Beyond The Video: "The Show Goes On"". Youtube.com. 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100?begin=21&order=position
- ^ [1]
- ^ "DJHotSauce Interview with Lupe Fiasco". V100.com. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
- ^ http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74353/week-ending-april-10-2011-songs-its-katys-world/
- ^ http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50
- ^ "Lupe Fiasco – The Show Goes On" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 2, 2011". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ^ "Lupe Fiasco – The Show Goes On". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Lupe Fiasco Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Lupe Fiasco Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Lupe Fiasco Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/charts/pop-songs#/charts/pop-songs?order=gainer
- ^ "Top 50 Singles Chart". (G) in Brackets. ARIA - Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ [http:http://www.rapradar.com/2011/02/23/lupe-fiasco-the-show-goes-on-hits-gold?chart=31 "Billboard Hot 100 Chart"]. (G) in Brackets. RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America Ltd. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
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