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Bang Bang (will.i.am song)

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"Bang Bang"
Song

"Bang Bang" is a song recorded by American producer and rapper will.i.am featuring the vocals of Shelby Spalione. The single[1] features as the third track on the soundtrack album of the 2013 Baz Luhrmann film The Great Gatsby. "Bang Bang" is also featured on deluxe edition of will.i.am's fourth studio album #willpower. The song peaked within the top ten of the charts in Belgium (Wallonia) and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, will.i.am is a coach on the country's version of the Voice and an alternate version of the song featuring vocals from Leah McFall ― the runner-up on season two of the show ― is included on the compilation Now 86.

Composition

"Bang-Bang" is an up-tempo fusion of 1920s jazz instrumentals along with synthpop elements.[2][3][4] The track features partially Louis Armstrong-inspired lead vocals by will.i.am and additional sing-along by guest vocalist "Shelby Spalione".[5] It incorporates elements of the 1923 Cecil Mack–James P. Johnson composition "Charleston".[4] Lyrics include the line "My baby shot me down" from the 1966 song "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" by American recording artist Cher, written by Sonny Bono.[6]

Live performances

will.i.am performed "Bang Bang" live on May 2, 2013 during the season 12 finale of American Idol.[7] He also performed the song in the United Kingdom with Leah McFall during the final of the second season of The Voice UK (will.i.am is a coach on the show).[8] The original version of "Bang Bang" rose to a peak of number three on the UK Singles Chart following the performance.[9] will.i.am later hinted that a duet version of the song with McFall would be officially released.[8]

Controversy

In April 2013, controversy arose over allegations that two songs from #willpower – "Bang Bang" and "Let's Go" – may have used unauthorized samples from the EDM instrumentals "Epic" by Sandro Silva and Quintino and "Rebound" by Arty and Matt Zo.[10] "Bang Bang", in particular, was alleged to have copied the chord progression of the drop from "Epic".[11]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Bang Bang" was first released onto YouTube on May 20, 2013 at a total length of two minutes and fifty-seven seconds.[12] The video features a 1920s-themed speakeasy stage show by will.i.am and a band playing various brass instruments.[13] He is later accompanied by Spalione in Charleston flappers-style; will.i.am and his band then perform highly choreographed routines. The video also features a tap dance solo by will.i.am.

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[14] 12
Belgium (Ultratop Dance Bubbling Under)[14] 9
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[15] 9
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[16] 83
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] 5
France (SNEP)[18] 53
Ireland (IRMA)[19] 14
Scotland (OCC)[20] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[21] 3
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[22] 1
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[23] 21

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Platinum 600,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom June 26, 2013[25] Contemporary hit radio Interscope Records
Australia September 26, 2013[26]

References

  1. ^ "Will.i.am announces UK arena tour for December 2013". BBC. July 23, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  2. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (May 3, 2013). "Hear 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack now". Newsday. New York. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  3. ^ McCabe, Kathy (May 3, 2013). "The Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann delivers audacious soundtrack". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Jones, Lucy (May 3, 2013). "'The Great Gatsby' Soundtrack – First Listen, Track-By-Track". NME. London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  5. ^ "will.i.am - Bang Bang (American Idol)".
  6. ^ Seale, Jack (June 22, 2013). "Andrea Begley wins The Voice UK 2013". Radio Times. London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  7. ^ "will.i.am Performs 'Bang Bang' on 'American Idol'". Rap-Up. Los Angeles. May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Will.I.Am Teases Leah McFall Bang Bang Release". MTV (UK). Viacom Media Networks. July 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  9. ^ Corner, Lewis (July 1, 2013). "will.i.am teases Leah McFall version of 'Bang Bang' for release". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved September 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  10. ^ Brown, Justin (April 17, 2013). "Will.I.Am 'Rips Off' Two EDM Tracks On New Album". Mixmag. London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  11. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (April 17, 2013). "Black Eyed Peas Frontman will.i.am Accused of Plagiarism… Again". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved September 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  12. ^ "will.i.am – Bang Bang (Official Video)". williamVEVO. YouTube. May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  13. ^ Corner, Lewis (May 21, 2013). "will.i.am premieres 'Bang Bang' music video – watch". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved September 1, 2013. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  14. ^ a b "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  15. ^ "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  16. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 31. týden 2013 in the date selector. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  17. ^ "will.i.am Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  18. ^ "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  19. ^ "Chart Track: Week 29, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  22. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  23. ^ "will.i.am Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  24. ^ "British single certifications – will.i.am – Bang Bang". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Bang Bang in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  25. ^ "BBC Radio 1 Playlist – 26 June 2013". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  26. ^ "News Wrap". Auspop. September 26, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
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