Bang Bang (will.i.am song)

"Bang Bang" is a song recorded by American producer and rapper will.i.am featuring the vocals of Shelby Spalione. The single[2] features as the third track on the soundtrack album of the 2013 Baz Luhrmann film The Great Gatsby. "Bang Bang" is also featured on the deluxe edition of will.i.am's fourth studio album #willpower. "Bang Bang" 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 Voice UK, 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.

"Bang Bang"
Single by will.i.am
from the album #willpower and The Great Gatsby: Music from Baz Luhrmann's Film
ReleasedJune 26, 2013
Recorded2012
GenreElectro swing[1]
Length4:38
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Will.i.am singles chronology
"Crazy Kids"
(2013)		 "Bang Bang"
(2013)		 "Fall Down"
(2013)
Music video
"Bang Bang" on YouTube

Composition

"Bang-Bang" is an up-tempo fusion of 1920s jazz instrumentals along with synth-pop elements.[3][4][5] The track features partially Louis Armstrong-inspired lead vocals by will.i.am and additional sing-along by guest vocalist "Shelby Spalione".[6] It incorporates elements of the 1923 Cecil Mack–James P. Johnson composition "Charleston".[5] 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.[7]

Live performances

will.i.am performed "Bang Bang" live on May 2, 2013, during season 12 of American Idol.[8] 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).[9] The original version of "Bang Bang" rose to a peak of number three on the UK Singles Chart following the performance.[10] will.i.am later hinted that a duet version of the song with McFall would be officially released.[9]

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 Mat Zo.[11] "Bang Bang", in particular, was alleged to have copied the chord progression of the drop from "Epic".[12]

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.[13] The video features a 1920s-themed speakeasy stage show by will.i.am and a band playing various brass instruments.[14] 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

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom June 26, 2013[28] Contemporary hit radio Interscope
Australia September 26, 2013[29]

References
  1. Polonsky, Naomi (April 8, 2014). "Introduction to... Electro-Swing".
  2. "Will.i.am announces UK arena tour for December 2013". BBC. July 23, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  3. Gamboa, Glenn (May 3, 2013). "Hear 'The Great Gatsby' soundtrack now". Newsday. New York. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  4. McCabe, Kathy (May 3, 2013). "The Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann delivers audacious soundtrack". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
  5. Jones, Lucy (May 3, 2013). "'The Great Gatsby' Soundtrack – First Listen, Track-By-Track". NME. London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  6. "will.i.am - Bang Bang (American Idol)" – via www.youtube.com.
  7. Seale, Jack (June 22, 2013). "Andrea Begley wins The Voice UK 2013". Radio Times. London. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  8. "will.i.am Performs 'Bang Bang' on 'American Idol'". Rap-Up. Los Angeles. May 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  9. "Will.I.Am Teases Leah McFall Bang Bang Release". MTV (UK). Viacom Media Networks. July 2, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  10. 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.
  11. Brown, Justin (April 17, 2013). "Will.I.Am 'Rips Off' Two EDM Tracks On New Album". Mixmag. London. Archived from the original on 2013-08-06. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  12. Wiederhorn, Jon (April 17, 2013). "Black Eyed Peas Frontman will.i.am Accused of Plagiarism… Again". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  13. "will.i.am – Bang Bang (Official Video)". williamVEVO. YouTube. May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  14. Corner, Lewis (May 21, 2013). "will.i.am premieres 'Bang Bang' music video – watch". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  15. "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  16. "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  17. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201331 into search. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  18. "will.i.am Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  19. "will.i.am – Bang Bang" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  20. "Chart Track: Week 29, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  21. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  22. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  23. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  24. "will.i.am Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  25. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  26. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  27. "British single certifications – will i am – Bang Bang". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  28. "BBC Radio 1 Playlist – 26 June 2013". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  29. "News Wrap". Auspop. September 26, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
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