- My Humps
-
"My Humps" Single by The Black Eyed Peas from the album Monkey Business B-side "So Real" Released September 20, 2005 (US)
November 14, 2005 (AUS, UK)Format Digital download, CD single Recorded 2004 Genre Hip hop, R&B, electropop Length 5:27 (Album Version)
4:10 (Single Version)
3:44 (Radio Edit)
3:56 (Video Edit)Label A&M, will.i.am, Interscope Writer(s) will.i.am, David Payton Producer will.i.am Certification 2x Platinum (RIAA) The Black Eyed Peas singles chronology "Don't Lie"
(2005)"My Humps"
(2005)"Pump It"
(2006)Audio sample "My Humps" is the third single by The Black Eyed Peas from their fourth album, Monkey Business. It samples a section of the song "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harassment,[1] as well as the 1989 song "Wild Thing" by Tone Lōc and "It's Automatic" by Freestyle. Released in 2005, it reached number three in the U.S., becoming The Black Eyed Peas' third top ten single in the U.S. The single also reached number three in the United Kingdom, where it became their sixth top ten single. The song was not initially released as a single; "Don't Lie" was intended to be the lead-off release for the album. The song won the 2007 Grammy Award for "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal." In an interview with British morning TV show This Morning, will.i.am claims that he originally wrote the song for the Pussycat Dolls.[2]
In June 2011, Lynn Tolliver, a Cleveland, Ohio disk jockey who wrote "I Need a Freak" for his concept band Sexual Harassment, won a $1.2 million judgment by a New York jury as a result of the band's unauthorized sampling of his song in "My Humps." The lawsuit purportedly lasted for over ten years: in effect, it began five years prior to the actual release of the song.[1]
Contents
Music video
The official music video for "My Humps," directed by Fatima Robinson and Malik Hassan Sayeed, premiered on TRL. It shows Fergie dancing with backup dancers as images of expensive items such as Louis Vuitton purses and jewelry, which is supposed to be the jewelry her men have bought her, appear on the screen. The other members of The Black Eyed Peas — apl.de.ap, Taboo, and will.i.am — sing about how much they spend on Fergie as she sings about her "humps" and "lovely lady lumps." In some vignettes Taboo, Apl.de.ap, and will.i.am are behind women erotically dancing.
The video received the award for "Best Hip-Hop Video" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards on August 31, 2006.
Parodies
The repetitive, simple lyrics of the song have been a satire target, spawning many parodies.
Novelist and composer Jack Heath cited the song and its "objectification of women disguised as empowerment"[3] as his primary inspiration for his 2005 style parody "Don't Stall."
Peaches covered the song in 2006, altering the lyrics humorously and changing the title to "My Dumps".[4]
Alanis Morissette covered the song in 2007, seemingly as an April Fools' Day prank.[3] In contrast to the original "My Humps," Morissette's cover is performed slowly and in the style of a ballad, with only a piano accompanying the vocal. On April 2, a video in which Morissette parodies Fergie's dancing moves in the original "My Humps" music video was added to the website YouTube. By April 3, the video was the most viewed on Technorati,[5] and it was viewed 1.5 million times six days later.[3] The video has been hosted on Morissette's official website. TIME stated that the parody proved that Morissette "under[stands]" irony, in reference to her hit single, "Ironic." On April 15, Fergie confirmed to E! News that she thought that the parody was "hilarious" and "genius." Fergie also said that she sent Alanis a cake in the shape of a "derrière."[6] Peaches subsequently created yet another "My Dumps" parody of the song with accompanying video, this time parodying Morissette's parody.
American Greetings parodied the song in their Christmas e-card, "Three Wise Camels," in which the camels of the Three Wise Men rap about the gifts awaiting baby Jesus, which are sitting on their humps.
Afroman parodied the song for his album Waiting to Inhale entitled "My Chunk." His lyrics have opposite meaning: he raps about his genitals and receiving money from women because he's a pimp.
Sketch-comedy show MADtv did a parody titled "My Slump" that featured George W. Bush.
Flight of the Conchords did a parody of the song entitled "Sugarlumps" in the second season episode "The New Cup."
A hidden track located at the end of Dr. Acula's first EP, titled Chillogy has the members performing numerous gags and one-liners. One of the members eventually starts singing; "Pussy tit, my fuckin' little tit. All up on my clitty clit. Check it out."
Critical reception
"My Humps" has been the subject of severe criticism by the music press. John Bush, writing for Allmusic, described it as "one of the most embarrassing rap performances of the new millennium,"[7] while Bill Lamb, writing for About.com, called it "the musical equivalent of a bad Farrelly Brothers movie."[8] Hua Hsu of Slate said, "It's not Awesomely Bad; it's Horrifically Bad. ... There are bad songs that offend our sensibilities but can still be enjoyed, and then there are the songs that are just really bad—transcendentally bad, objectively bad."[9]
In a poll conducted by Rolling Stone in 2007, the song was ranked first in the list of 20 most annoying songs.[10]
Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio also ranked the song at #80 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, advising the girls that they should "try to make the song as pretty as the subject" if they want to sing about their "special parts."[11]
Despite the heavy criticism, it became a huge hit, charting at #3 in the United States and staying there for about two months.[citation needed]
In the U.S., "My Humps" reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming their second top 5 on the chart from the album Monkey Business and the third overall. As of June, 2009, "My Humps" has so far sold 2,203,000 downloads in the United States.[12]
Pitchfork Media ranked the song in its 15 worst releases of 2005, stating 'Like "Who Let the Dogs Out" before it, "My Humps" is so monumentally vacuous, slapped together and tossed-off that it truly tests the definition of "song."' and described it as a 'five-minute commercial jingle'[13]
Live performances
In an April 2011 interview with MTV News, will.i.am stated that the group has retired the song.
"For a while, [we did] 'My Humps' and then it got to the point where we didn’t want to play 'My Humps' no more. You know, ’cause, ‘I met a girl down at the disco,’ I just didn’t want to say that no more, lyrically..."[14]He concluded that "My Humps" will not be performed on future tours, admitting the track isn't his best writing work.[14]
Track listings
- CD maxi
- "My Humps" (single version)
- "My Humps" (Lil' Jon remix version)
- "So Real"
- "My Humps" (video)
- iTunes digital download
- "My Humps" (Lil Jon remix version)
- 12 inch 33⅓ rpm black vinyl record from A&M Records
- "My Humps" (radio edit) - 3:44
- "My Humps" (instrumental) - 4:10 Side B
- "My Humps" (album version) - 5:26
- "My Humps" (a cappella) - 4:08
Charts and sales
Peak positions
Chart (2005/06) Peak
positionAustralia (ARIA)[15] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)[16] 4 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 40 Wallonia)[18] 5 Czech Republic (IFPI)[19] 7 Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] 5 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[21] 4 European Hot 100 Singles[22] 2 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 7 France (SNEP)[24] 11 Germany (Media Control AG)[25] 4 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[26] 8 Ireland (IRMA)[27] 1 Italy (FIMI)[28] 9 New Zealand (RIANZ)[29] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[30] 4 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] 19 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 3 UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[33] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[34] 3 US Pop Songs (Billboard)[35] 2 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[36] 57 End of year charts
End of year chart (2005) Position Australian Singles Chart[37] 44 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[38] 94 Dutch Top 40[39] 71 Irish Singles Chart[40] 14 End of year chart (2006) Position Australian Singles Chart[41] 36 Austrian Singles Chart[42] 31 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[43] 39 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[44] 64 Swiss Singles Chart[45] 29 Certifications
Country Certification Date Sales certified[46] Australia[47] Platinum 2005 70,000 Brazil[48] Platinum 2009 100,000 U.S.[49] 2 x Platinum June 14, 2006 2,000,000 United Kingdom[50] Silver 2005 200,000+ Chart successions
Preceded by
"Hung Up" by MadonnaAustralian ARIA Singles Chart number-one single
November 27 - December 11, 2005Succeeded by
"Maybe Tonight" by Kate DeAraugoPreceded by
"Gold Digger" by Kanye West featuring Jamie FoxxRIANZ (New Zealand) number-one single (first run)
November 28 – December 5, 2005Succeeded by
"Jingle Bells" by Crazy FrogPreceded by
"You Raise Me Up" by WestlifeIrish Singles Chart number-one single
December 8, 2005Succeeded by
"JCB Song" by NizlopiPreceded by
"Stickwitu" by The Pussycat DollsRIANZ (New Zealand) number-one single (second run)
January 9–16, 2006Succeeded by
"Stickwitu" by The Pussycat DollsReferences
- ^ a b Heaton, Michael (June 28, 2011). "Former Cleveland DJ Lynn Tolliver wins $1.2 million in music sample suit". The Plain Dealer. http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2011/06/former_cleveland_dj_lynn_tolli.html. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
- ^ Sanches, Rowena Joy A. (April 5, 2010). "Second-hand songs that became hits". Manila Bulletin. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/251158/secondhand-songs-became-hits. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Don't Stall" June 14th, 2009.
- ^ (2007-06-21). Peaches and Scream SPIN. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ^ "Alanis Morissette 'My Humps' Video". Spin. April 3, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
- ^ Herndon, Jessica. "Fergie Sends Alanis 'Derriere' Cake for 'Humps' Video". People. April 11, 2007.
- ^ Allmusic
- ^ About.com
- ^ Slate
- ^ Rolling Stone : The 20 Most Annoying Songs
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (September 11, 2010). "100 Worst Songs Ever -- Part Two of Five". AOL Radio. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/09/11/100-worst-songs-ever-part-two-of-five/. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
- ^ Week Ending May 31, 2009: "Boom Boom Pow" Sets Digital Record Chart Watch by Paul Grein, Retrieved: June 3, 2009
- ^ http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/6219-2005-comments-lists-the-15-worst-releases-of-2005/
- ^ a b "Black Eyed Peas Retire "My Humps"". Popcrunch. 22 April 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popcrunch.com%2Fblack-eyed-peas-retire-my-humps%2F&date=2011-04-24. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ^ "Australian-charts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien.
- ^ "The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps – Austriancharts.at" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps" (in French). Ultratop 40. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200608 into search.
- ^ "Danishcharts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". Tracklisten. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Black Eyed Peas search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40.
- ^ "Black Eyed Peas Album & Song Chart History" European Hot 100 for Black Eyed Peas. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "Finnishcharts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". Suomen virallinen lista. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps" (in French). Les classement single. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
- ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". Top Digital Download. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Charts.org.nz – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". VG-lista. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
- ^ "The Black Eyed Peas – My Humps – swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung Medien.
- ^ "Chart Stats – Black Eyed Peas – My Humps" UK Singles Chart. Chart Stats.
- ^ "Black Eyed Peas Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Black Eyed Peas. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "Black Eyed Peas Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Black Eyed Peas. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "Black Eyed Peas Album & Song Chart History" Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Black Eyed Peas. Prometheus Global Media.
- ^ "2005 Australian Singles Chart". aria. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2005.htm. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2005 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart" (in Dutch). Ultratop. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2005. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Single top 100 over 2005" (in Dutch) (pdf). Top40. http://www.top40.nl/pdf/Top%20100/top%20100%20-%202005.pdf. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2005 Irish Singles Chart". IRMA. http://www.irma.ie/best2005.htm. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2006 Australian Singles Chart". aria. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-EndofYearCharts-Top100Singles2006.htm. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2006 Austrian Singles Chart" (in German). Austriancharts. http://www.austriancharts.at/2006_single.asp. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2006 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart" (in Dutch). Ultratop. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2006. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2006 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart" (in French). Ultratop. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2006. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "2006 Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Swisscharts. http://www.swisscharts.com/year.asp?key=2006. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
- ^ "Certification for every country in the world". IFPI. http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/certification-award-levels.pdf. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
- ^ "2005 Australian certifications". aria. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2005.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
- ^ http://www.abpd.org.br/certificados_interna.asp
- ^ "U.S. certifications". Riaa. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
- ^ http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/Search.aspx
The Black Eyed Peas Studio albums Extended plays Video albums Behind the Bridge to Elephunk · Live from Sydney to VegasTours Monkey Business Tour · Honda Civic Tour · Black Blue & You Tour · The E.N.D. World Tour · The Beginning Massive Stadium TourRelated articles Discography · Atban Klann · The E.N.D. Summer 2010 Canadian Invasion Tour: Remix Collection · The Black Eyed Peas ExperienceThe Black Eyed Peas singles DiscographyBehind the Front "Joints & Jam"Bridging the Gap Elephunk Monkey Business The E.N.D. The Beginning "The Time (Dirty Bit)" · "Just Can't Get Enough" · "Don't Stop the Party"Promotional singles Featured singles Other songs "Bebot"Categories:- 2005 singles
- Electro-hop songs
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in New Zealand
- Alanis Morissette songs
- Peaches (musician) songs
- Singles certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
- Songs written by will.i.am
- The Black Eyed Peas songs
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