Play (Jennifer Lopez song)

"Play"
Song

"Play" is a song by American recording artist Jennifer Lopez from her second album J.Lo (2001). Singer Christina Milian co-penned the song for Lopez before hitting the music scene herself. She has also allegedly provided vocals for the chorus. Even though that has never been confirmed nor denied, Milian was credited for providing her vocals for the choruses in the album booklet.

The single was another hit for Lopez, peaking at number eighteen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play.

In 2004 South Korean girl group Baby V.O.X. covered "Play" in Korean and English for their final album, Ride West, with featured vocals from the original version by Christina Milian, though neither she or Lopez appear in the music video.

Critical reception

Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine called it "funky", while Jake Barnes referred to it as a "Prince-like".

Music video

The video, directed by Francis Lawrence, shows Lopez travelling on a futuristic, multi-level airplane. The beginning of the video shows Lopez walking stylishly into the boarding area of the plane, whilst the passengers turn their attention to her. The video then cuts to Lopez, now on the plane, relaxing with a pair of headphones on. Various shots from the outside of the plane are also intercut within the scene. The next scene occurs (presumably) on a different level on the plane. Here, we see Lopez at the entrance of two sliding doors, with a completely different outfit and hairstyle. The doors lead into a club, filled with dancers and partygoers everywhere. This scene again intercuts with shots of Lopez dancing solo on a platform, as well as with back-up dancers. It also has various shots of her in a yellow-lit room, and in a blue-lit room, where she dons a skimpy outfit. The final scene in the video shows Lopez asking the DJ (who takes the avatar of an iris) to play her favorite song. The final shot shows the plane flying towards the horizon. Apart from the actors, the video consists entirely of CGI and took six weeks in post-production to finish.

Track listings

CD 1

1. "Play" (Radio Edit)
2. "Play" (Full Intention Mix Radio)
3. "Play" (Artful Dodger Mix) (Main Mix Radio)
4. "Play" (Thunderpuss Club Mix)
5. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" (Main Rap #1 featuring Puffy)

Enhanced CD 2

1. "Play"
2. "Play" (Full Intention Mix Radio)
3. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" (Main Rap #1 featuring Puffy)
4. "Play" (Video)

Charts

Peak positions

Chart (2000)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	14
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	21
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	8
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)	5
Denmark (Tracklisten)	19
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)	6
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)	10
France (SNEP)	20
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS	19
Ireland (IRMA)	10
Italy (FIMI)	8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	7
Norway (VG-lista)	12
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	10
UK Singles (OCC)	3
US Billboard Hot 100	18
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)	2

Certifications

Country	Certification
Australia	Gold

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)	Position
Australian Singles Chart	73