Jump to content

London Bridge (Fergie song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"London Bridge"
Single by Fergie
from the album The Dutchess
ReleasedJuly 18, 2006 (2006-07-18)
Recorded2006
Studio
GenrePop rap[1]
Length
  • 4:01 (album version)
  • 3:28 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Polow da Don
Fergie singles chronology
"London Bridge"
(2006) 		"Fergalicious"
(2006)
Alternative cover
One-track digital single cover
Music video
"London Bridge" on YouTube

"London Bridge" is a song recorded by American singer and rapper Fergie for her debut studio album The Dutchess (2006). It was written by Fergie, Mike Hartnett, Sean Garrett, and its sole producer Polow da Don. A pop rap song, it contains compositional samples of "Down to the Nightclub", performed by Tower of Power. It was released as the lead single from The Dutchess on July 18, 2006, by A&M Records, Interscope Records and will.i.am Music Group.

Music critics gave "London Bridge" generally mixed reviews, with some of them criticizing the song's sexually suggestive lyrics and comparing the song to Gwen Stefani's single "Hollaback Girl" (2005). "London Bridge" was a commercial success and reached the top ten in 13 countries. In the United States, it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over two million digital copies and becoming the singer's second best-selling song in the country. An accompanying music video for the single was directed by Marc Webb and features Fergie playing around with men in London. The song was featured in the 2014 film Neighbors and appears on the film's soundtrack.[2]

Writing and production

[edit]

Stacy Ferguson, Sean Garrett and Mike Hartnett wrote "London Bridge" together with Polow da Don, who produced the song.[3] The song contains a compositional sample of "Down to the Nightclub" by Tower of Power.[3] It was recorded at the Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California and at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida.[3]

Polow da Don provided background vocals with Jay Anderson, who also provided additional vocals to the song. Hartnett played the bass and guitar, while Danja played the drums and percussion. The keys for the song were provided by Elvis Williams, while engineering was handled by Demacio "Demo" Castellon and Jason Schweitzer. Phil Tan worked with Josh Houghkirk on mixing the song at the Soapbox Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.

Music and lyrics

[edit]

"London Bridge" incorporates the use of horns.[4] According to the sheet music published by Windswept Holdings, LLC at Musicnotes.com, it was composed in the key of F minor.[5] The song is set in common time to a moderate hip hop groove of 90 beats per minute.[5] Fergie's vocal range spans from the low note of E4 to the high note of F5.[5] Fergie described the song as being "kind of like a punch in the face to let people know I'm coming out"[6] She also said the song was "poking fun at certain things. I'm really not going to spray the paparazzi with mace—I don't know if you know that about me."[7]

IGN writer Spence D. labeled "London Bridge" a "club stomper", while Rebecca Wright of Blogcritics described the song as a catchy and danceable tune with lyrics which are hard to decipher.[8][9] John Murphy of musicOMH claimed that the song also incorporates the use of horns similar to those used by Beyoncé in her song "Work It Out" (2002).[10] Mike Joseph of PopMatters compared the song to Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl", Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous", and the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps".[11] Joseph also said that the song is a mixture of Stefani's "schoolgirl sass" and "a bit of ambiguous sleaze".[11]

Critical reception

[edit]
"London Bridge"'s composition drew comparisons to Gwen Stefani's (pictured) "Hollaback Girl".

Upon its release, "London Bridge" received mixed reviews from music critics. Rolling Stone called the song a "total ripoff of Hollaback Girl", Gwen Stefani's 2005 number-one single.[12] A reviewer of About.com described the song as being "Hollaback Girl" "slathered in puerile sexual raunch".[13] Steve Yates of The Observer describes the song as being "much in the M.I.A. vein".[14] Amy Phillips of Pitchfork noted how much the song and Lil Mama's "Lip Gloss" resembled M.I.A.'s songs, such as her 2003 single "Galang", serving as a reminder of how much the mainstream pop, dance and rap musical landscape had shifted since M.I.A. "first appeared in 2004".[a] AllMusic writer Andy Kellman selected "London Bridge" as one of the best tracks from The Dutchess, describing it as "terrific" and "inexplicably asinine".[16]

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly wrote that Fergie played the role of a sexaholic superstar, especially on the refrain, where she "unsubtly, if memorably", combined "winky" sexual metaphors and "club-banging" beats.[17] Bill Lamb of About.com rated the song two out of five stars, praising the spirit exuded, claiming it resembled that of "Hollaback Girl". However, he labeled "London Bridge" as a derivative of higher quality pop music and criticized it for its explicit sexual lyrics.[4] Benjamin Boles of Now expressed dislike for the song: "Basically, if London Bridge doesn't make you want to rip your ears off, you'll enjoy almost 80 per cent of the album."[18] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine also expressed dislike for the song's sexual suggestiveness, writing that it was "the most uninspired metaphor for oral sex in recorded history."[19]

Norman Mayers of Prefix Magazine labeled "London Bridge" as one of the album's highlights.[20] Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music compared the song to Gwen Stefani, writing that the "raucous thump has Gwen Stefani stamped all over it."[21] Spence D. of IGN labeled "London Bridge" the album's centerpice, but noted that, compared to "Fergalicious" and "Clumsy", it appeared to be "a calculated banger aimed at the unscrupulous club goer."[8] John Murphy of musicOMH found the song annoying, "nothing more, nothing less", but predicted that it would be a commercial success.[10] Heather Murray of Glasswerk.co.uk criticized the song for its lyrics, lack of originality, and Fergie's vocal performance, which she described as "whinely drawl."[22]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, "London Bridge" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 84 on the issue dated August 5, 2006.[23] The song ascended 79 places to number five the next week, achieving the second biggest leap in the Billboard Hot 100 history at the time.[24] It ascended to number one in its third week and stayed there for three consecutive weeks.[24][25] The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on July 11, 2007, almost a year after its release.[26] Its digital download sales stand at 2,115,000 units, becoming her first single to surpass sales of two million downloads.[27] "London Bridge" is Fergie's fifth most-downloaded song, behind "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Fergalicious", "Glamorous", and "Clumsy".[27]

In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number three on the ARIA Singles Chart dated September 24, 2006, staying at the position for two non-consecutive weeks.[28] The song has been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for sales of 35,000 units.[29] On the issue dated October 2, the song debuted and peaked atop the New Zealand Singles Chart.[30] Across Europe, "London Bridge" peaked at number three in Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom.[25] In Switzerland, the song peaked at number six, where it stayed for two non-consecutive weeks and spent a total of 18 weeks on the chart.[31] In France, the song debuted and peaked at number 27 on October 28, spending a total of 18 weeks on the singles chart.[32] In Japan, "London Bridge" debuted at number ten on September 16,[33] peaking at number seven the following week.[34]

Music video

[edit]

The accompanying music video for "London Bridge", directed by Marc Webb, was filmed at Woolwich Barracks in Woolwich, South London in mid-June 2006, during The Black Eyed Peas' The Monkey Business Tour stop in the United Kingdom. Fergie collaborated with her fellow group members will.i.am, Taboo and apl.de.ap on the concept of the music video to make it more distinctive; they all made cameos in the video. She described the concept by saying: "We're doing this androgynous-type thing where my girls and I go into a Gentlemen's club and pull them into a bathroom and come back out in their clothes. They're going to be dressed up really dapper and looking really handsome."[6]

For the video, Fergie brought in backup dancers who doubled as bodyguards, dressed as cholas—tough Mexican girls known for wearing dark lipstick and big hair—to make the video "have a bit more edge, be very distinct, be very mixed."[6] Fergie is seen intermittently sailing down the River Thames just in front of Tower Bridge, which is not the same as London Bridge, despite the song title. Fergie based one of her outfits for the video on her family's crest and tartan, altering it as necessary to modernize it.[6] She also wears a tiara cocked to the side of her head to play off the royal title of her album and having the same last name and nickname as Sarah, Duchess of York. A decade after its original premiere, the music video was uploaded to Fergie's Vevo channel on August 4, 2016.[6]

Track listings and formats

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Dutchess.[3]

Sample credits

Recording

  • Recorded at the Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, and at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami
  • Mixed at the Soapbox Studios in Atlanta

Personnel

  • Demacio "Demo" Castellon – engineering
  • Danja – drums, percussion
  • Stacy Ferguson – songwriting, vocals
  • Sean Garrett – songwriting
  • Mike Hartnett – bass, guitar, songwriting
  • Josh Houghkirk – mixing assistance
  • Polow da Don – production, songwriting
  • Jason Schweitzer – engineering
  • Phil Tan – mixing
  • Elvis Williams – keys

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[82] Platinum 70,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[83]
DMS 		Platinum 60,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[84] Diamond 250,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[85] Gold 4,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[86]
Full-length ringtone 		Gold 100,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[87]
Ringtone 		2× Platinum 500,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[88] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[89] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
United States (RIAA)[90]
Mastertone 		Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "London Bridge"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States July 18, 2006
[91][92][93]
France August 14, 2006 Digital download Polydor
[94]
Italy Universal Music
[95][96]
Spain
[97]
Germany September 1, 2006
  • Digital download
  • digital download (EP)
[98][99]
United Kingdom September 4, 2006 Digital download Polydor
[100]
Germany September 8, 2006
Universal Music
[101][102]
Australia September 11, 2006 Maxi CD
[103]
France
  • Digital download (2-track)
  • digital download (EP)
 Polydor
[104][105]
United Kingdom
  • CD
  • digital download (2-track)
[106][107]
United States September 19, 2006 12-inch vinyl
  • A&M
  • Interscope
  • will.i.am
[108]
France October 23, 2006 CD Polydor
[109]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ After hearing "London Bridge", M.I.A. told Interscope Geffen A&M Records then-chairman Jimmy Iovine: "If I don't sell records and make money for you, you're just going to make them with her anyway". However, Iovine noted that the song was yet another example of how M.I.A. was "an artist who inspires other artists."[15]
  2. ^ Radio edit of "London Bridge" was subtitled "Oh Snap" on numerous editions of the single.
  3. ^ will.i.am Music Group released only the commercial single for "London Bridge" and did not participate in sending the song to radio stations.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Breihan, Tom (February 13, 2023). "The Number Ones: Fergie's "London Bridge"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "'Neighbors' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. April 1, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d The Dutchess (inlay cover). Fergie. A&M Records, Will.i.am Music Group, Interscope Records. 2006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b Lamb, Bill. "Fergie: London Bridge - Review of "London Bridge" by Fergie". About.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  5. ^ a b c "Fergie Digital Sheet Music: London Bridge". Musicnotes.com. Windswept Holdings, LLC. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Black Eyed Peas' Fergie Gets Rough And Regal In First Video From Solo LP". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on March 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-16.
  7. ^ "Fergie free from the Peas". The Age. The Age Company Ltd. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  8. ^ a b D., Spence. "Fergie - The Dutchess". IGN. Ziff Davis Media. Archived from the original on 16 March 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  9. ^ Wright, Rebecca. "Music Review: Fergie - The Dutchess". Blogcritics. Technorati Inc. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  10. ^ a b Murphy, John. "Fergie - London Bridge". musicOMH. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  11. ^ a b Joseph, Mike. "Fergie: The Dutchess". PopMatters. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  12. ^ "The Dutchess". Rolling Stone. 2006-09-30. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  13. ^ "Fergie: London Bridge - Review of "London Bridge" by Fergie". About.com. IAC. 2006-09-19. Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  14. ^ Steve Yates (2007-09-15). "New world order". The Observer. London. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  15. ^ "Fergie | M.I.A Slams Fergie For Copying Her Style". Contactmusic. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  16. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Review: The Dutchess". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  17. ^ Greenblatt, Leah. "Review: The Dutchess". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2014-11-08. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  18. ^ Boles, Benjamin. "Fergie| NOW Magazine". NOW. NOW Communications Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  19. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (18 September 2006). "Fergie: The Dutchess | Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  20. ^ Mayers, Norman. "Album Review: Fergie - The Dutchess". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  21. ^ Gennoe, Dan (2013-10-01). "Fergie The Dutchess Album Review". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  22. ^ Parry, Heather. "Fergie - London Bridge". Glasswerk. Glasswerk.co.uk Ltd. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  23. ^ "Hot 100 - Biggest Jumps". Billboard. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  24. ^ a b "Fergie's 'Bridge' Steamrolls To No. 1 On Hot 100". Billboard. 10 August 2006. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  25. ^ a b "Fergie - London Bridge - Music Charts". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  26. ^ "Gold & Platinum - Clumsy by Fergie". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  27. ^ a b Grein, Paul (2010-07-23). "Chart Watch Extra: Gaga's Nice Round Number". Yahoo! Blog. Yahoo, Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  28. ^ "Australian-charts.com – Fergie – London Bridge". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  29. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  30. ^ "charts.nz – Fergie – London Bridge". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  31. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  32. ^ "Lescharts.com – Fergie – London Bridge". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  33. ^ "Japan Top 20". Top40-Charts.com.
  34. ^ "Japan Top 20". Top40-Charts.com.
  35. ^ "Sampleur Samplé » Divers Samples » Tower Of Power/Fergie". Ultragraphik.com. Retrieved 2011-12-13.
  36. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  37. ^ "Issue 903" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  38. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  39. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  40. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  41. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  42. ^ Fergie — London Bridge. TopHit. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  43. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  44. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 43. týden 2006 in the date selector.
  45. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". Tracklisten.
  46. ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 39. September 30, 2006. p. 63.
  47. ^ "Fergie: London Bridge" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  48. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge" (in French). Les classement single.
  49. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  50. ^ "IFPI archive". Archived from the original on 2006-11-05. Retrieved 2006-11-05.
  51. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  52. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – London Bridge". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  53. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". Top Digital Download.
  54. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Fergie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  55. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  56. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". Top 40 Singles.
  57. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". VG-lista.
  58. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Jan 11, 2007". TopHit. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  59. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  60. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200638 into search.
  61. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". Singles Top 100.
  62. ^ "Fergie – London Bridge". Swiss Singles Chart.
  63. ^ "Fergie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  64. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  65. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  66. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  67. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  68. ^ "Fergie Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  69. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2006". Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  70. ^ "JAHRESHITPARADE 2006". Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  71. ^ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". ultratop.be.
  72. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2006". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  73. ^ "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2006)". TopHit. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  74. ^ "European Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  75. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de.
  76. ^ "www.sverigetopplistan.se - Årslista Singlar - År 2006". 17 February 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-02-17.
  77. ^ Steffen Hung. "Swiss Year-End Charts 2006". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  78. ^ "UK Year-End Charts 2006" (PDF). ukchartsplus.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  79. ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  80. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  81. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2007". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  82. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  83. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Fergie – London Bridge" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  84. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Fergie – London Bridge" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  85. ^ "Forårets guld- og platincertificeringer" (in Danish). IFPI Danmark. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  86. ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Fergie – London Bridge" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved May 28, 2021. Select 2007年1月 on the drop-down menu
  87. ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Fergie – London Bridge" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved June 1, 2021. Select 2007年1月 on the drop-down menu
  88. ^ "British single certifications – Fergie – London Bridge". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  89. ^ "American single certifications – Fergie – London Bridge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  90. ^ "American ringtone certifications – Fergie – London Bridge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  91. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: CHR/Top 40". Going for Adds. Radio and Records. Archived from the original on 2014-02-03. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  92. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". www.fmqb.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  93. ^ "London Bridge – Single by Fergie". United States: Apple Music. July 18, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  94. ^ "London Bridge". France: Amazon Music.
  95. ^ "London Bridge". Italy: Amazon Music.
  96. ^ "London Bridge [Explicit]". Italy: Amazon Music.
  97. ^ "London Bridge [Explicit]". Spain: Amazon Music.
  98. ^ "London Bridge". Germany: Amazon Music.
  99. ^ "London Bridge". Germany: Amazon Music.
  100. ^ "London Bridge". United Kingdom: Amazon Music.
  101. ^ "London Bridge". Amazon Germany.
  102. ^ "London Bridge". Amazon Germany.
  103. ^ "New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th September 2006" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. September 11, 2006. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  104. ^ "London Bridge".
  105. ^ "London Bridge".
  106. ^ "London Bridge". Amazon UK.
  107. ^ "London Bridge". Amazon UK.
  108. ^ "London Bridge". Amazon.
  109. ^ "London bridge – Fergie – CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. October 23, 2006. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=London_Bridge_(Fergie_song)&oldid=1249616657"