"Run It!" is the debut single by American singer Chris Brown. It was produced by Scott Storch, who wrote the song alongside Sean Garrett and featured artist American rapper Juelz Santana. The song appeared on Brown's self-titled debut album (2005), and was released as a single on June 30, 2005. The remix features fellow American rappers Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri and was performed at the 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards by Bow Wow and Chris Brown.
"Run It!" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana | ||||
from the album Chris Brown | ||||
Released | June 30, 2005 | |||
Studio | The Hit Factory Criteria (Miami) Battery Studios (New York City) | |||
Length | 3:50 | |||
Label | Jive | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Storch | |||
Chris Brown singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Juelz Santana singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Run It!" on YouTube |
Commercially, the song topped the charts in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. "Run It!" also managed to peak inside the top ten in six other countries and the top twenty in another five. The song's music video, directed by Erik White, earned nominations at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Viewer's Choice and won in the Best R&B Video category at the 2006 MTV Australia Awards. Also in 2006, the radio version of the song appeared on the compilation album Now That's What I Call Music! 21
Background and composition
editThe song was recorded at The Hit Factory Criteria, in Miami, during the sessions for Brown's self-titled first studio album. Scott Storch talked about the making of the track in a 2020 interview: "At that moment in my life, I was literally on fire (..) And [Chris Brown] came in, he was just about to turn 16, and I didn’t know how to do anything except make you a hit record, like that’s the only thing I could do. I was in there every day, every minute, every hour in the studio. And it was me, Sean Garrett, and we literally, immediately, made something so effortlessly. And I had told him right before we started making it, I was like, ‘I’m about to make you a number one song and you’ll be a superstar.’"[1] In a 2023 interview, Brown recalled that he felt "insecure" about releasing "Run It!" as his first single: "I [didn't] know if I liked the song, because I was too nervous in my head (..) but I knew I wanted to dance in it".[2]
"Run It" was released as Brown's debut single on June 30, 2005, through digital distribution, as a solo version. On July 19, 2005, Jive and Zomba Records serviced the song to rhythmic crossover radio in the United States, with Juelz Santana being added as a featuring artist to it. They later solicited the song to contemporary hit radio on October 3, 2005.[3] "Run It" was written and produced by Scott Storch and Sean Garrett, and features vocals by Juelz Santana.[4] Santana's introduction on the song interpolates The Waitresses' 1980 single "I Know What Boys Like", written by Christopher Butler. The track is composed in the key of C♯ Phrygian as a Crunk&B song, that was described for having "slinky synth beats", a "catchy chorus", and an "ominous, creepy background".[5][4] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone compared the song's musicality to the 2004 single "Yeah!" by Usher, stating that it features a "mix of smooth seduction and cunning come-ons in Brown's baby-mack vocals."[5]
Critical reception
editLyana Robertson of Vibe, praised "Run It!" as a "prelude to what Brown would continue to do for the next decade: relentlessly disrupt the constructs of rhythm and blues", noting that with the song "the young singer began an evolution of the genre."[6] Bill Lamb of About.com awarded "Run It!" a four-star rating, commending the song's backing music, Brown's voice, and chorus, but called it "another cookie cutter Scott Storch production."[7] Andy Kellman of AllMusic noted it as one of the album's top tracks, commenting that the song's "way of tempering Brown's small-town innocence with hard-edged backing and a guest spot from an MC of ill repute is clearly a strategy to make the singer appeal to more than tween girls."[4] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone commended the song calling it a "hot single".[5] HotNewHipHop listed "Run It!" among the singer's best singles, stating that it "laid the foundation for his future hits, establishing him as a fresh and dynamic force in the music industry".[8][9]
Chart performance
edit"Run It!" debuted at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the issue dated August 27, 2005.[10] After eight weeks on the chart, the song entered the top ten at number eight on October 22, 2005, receiving the airplay gainer title.[11] It gained the airplay title again in the following week, climbing to number two on the chart, where it stalled for a month.[12] On November 26, 2005, "Run It!" peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number one, becoming Brown's first number one single on the chart, and making him the third youngest solo artist to top the chart, behind only Stevie Wonder and Peggy March, and the fourth youngest overall. That same week, the song was also at the top of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the US Radio Songs.[13] Two weeks later, it topped the US Pop Songs chart. The song remained on top of the Hot 100 for five weeks, becoming his longest lasting number one single on the chart.[14] It was certified 3x multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of three million copies.[15]
"Run It!" debuted and peaked at number one on the Australian Singles Chart in the issue dated January 29, 2006.[16] The song remained at the top of the chart for three non-consecutive weeks and exited after fifteen weeks.[16] It earned a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 35,000 copies.[17] In New Zealand, the song entered the singles chart at number 39 on the week ending January 2, 2006.[18] Six weeks later, the song peaked at the top of the chart, where it remained for one month.[18] "Run It!" entered the Swiss Singles Chart at number twelve on the week ending February 12, 2006.[19] In the next week, it peaked at number five and remained in the top ten for six consecutive weeks.[19]
Music video
editA music video for "Run It!" was released on August 8, 2005.[20] Directed by Erik White, it portrays an underground dance inside a school gym, where Brown meets a girl (portrayed by Destiny Lightsy) that he is suddenly attracted to and with whom he wants to dance. The video features several dance sequences in which the males and females dance off against each other. During the sequences, Brown makes several movements toward his love interest. At the end, Brown and his love interest are about to kiss before the security guards arrive, and the whole gym is evacuated, with both of them pulled in separate directions. However, as soon as the guards find nobody there, they start dancing. The music video received two nominations at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Viewer's Choice, but lost to Avenged Sevenfold's "Bat Country" and Fall Out Boy's "Dance, Dance", respectively.[21] The music video on YouTube has received over 200 million views as of July 2024.[22]
Credits
editCredits adapted from Chris Brown liner notes, Columbia Records.[23]
- Scott Storch – songwriting, production
- Sean Garrett – songwriting, production
- Brian Stanley – mix engineer
- Val Braithwaite – assistant mix engineer
- Mike Tschupp – assistant mix engineer
- Herb Powers Jr. – mastering engineer
- Charles McCrorey – recording engineer
- Conrad Golding – recording engineer
- Alonzo Vargas - recording engineer
- Wayne Allison – recording engineer
Track listings
edit
|
|
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit |
Year-end chartsedit
All-time chartsedit
|
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[78] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[79] | Platinum | 60,000* |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[80] Jason Nevins Extended Mix |
Platinum | 60,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[81] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[82] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[83] | Gold | 5,000* |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[84] | Gold | 5,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[85] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[86] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
Ringtone | ||
Canada (Music Canada)[87] | Gold | 20,000* |
United States (RIAA)[88] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Radio and release history
editCountry | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
Various[89] | June 30, 2005 | Digital download | Zomba Records |
United States | July 19, 2005 | Rhythmic crossover |
|
October 3, 2005 | Contemporary hit radio | ||
Australia[90] | January 30, 2006 | EP | Zomba Records |
New Zealand[91] | |||
Austria[92] | Single (featuring Juelz Santana) | ||
Belgium[93] | |||
Brazil[94] | |||
Denmark[95] | |||
Finland[96] | |||
France[97] | |||
Germany[98] | |||
Ireland[99] | |||
Italy[100] | |||
Mexico[101] | |||
Netherlands[102] | |||
New Zealand[103] | |||
Norway[104] | |||
Spain[105] | |||
Sweden[106] | |||
Switzerland[107] | |||
United Kingdom[108] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Scott Storch says he told Chris Brown "Run It!" would make him a "superstar"".
- ^ "Chris Brown Joins Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay Podcast", therewxndz.com, September 13, 2023
- ^ "Airplay Archive". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c Kellman, Andy. "Chris Brown - Chris Brown". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ a b c Hoard, Christian (November 28, 2005). "Chris Brown". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "In 10 Years, Chris Brown Single-Handedly Transformed R&B". Vibe. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
- ^ Lamb, Bill. "Run It! - Chris Brown". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Songs: His Best Singles". HNHH. April 25, 2023.
- ^ https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/819983-chris-brown-essential-songs [bare URL]
- ^ "Hot 100 (August 27, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 (October 22, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 (October 29, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 (November 26, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown - Run It! - Music Charts". aCharts.us. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "American single certifications - Chris Brown - Run It!". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Charts — Accreditations — 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved April 14, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Run It!". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 9, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ "MTV Video Music Awards (2006)". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on July 6, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ Chris Brown - Run It! (Official HD Video) ft. Juelz Santana.YouTube
- ^ Chris Brown (Media notes). Jive Records, Zomba Records. 2005.
- ^ "Run It". August 30, 2005 – via Amazon.
- ^ "Chris Brown (4) Featuring Juelz Santana - Run It!". Discogs. August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown (4) Featuring Juelz Santana - Run It!". Discogs. August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown (4) Featuring Juelz Santana - Run It! (Special Dutch Edition With The Partysquad Remix)". Discogs. August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Shazam". Shazam.
- ^ a b "Run It!". July 26, 2005 – via Amazon.
- ^ "Issue 832" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "RR Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1635. December 2, 2005. p. 27. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 14. týden 2006 in the date selector. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Tracklisten. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 7. February 18, 2006. p. 67.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana: Run It!" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Run It!". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". VG-lista. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: May 25, 2006". TopHit. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown Ft Juelz Santana: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Latin Rhythm Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2005". Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
- ^ "2006 Annual ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2006". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006". Ultratop. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "European Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2006". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2006". TopHit. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Hot 100: Year End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006". Billboard.biz. 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It!" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana; 'Run It!')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
- ^ "British single certifications – Chris Brown ft Juelz Santana – Run It". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Canadian ringtone certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Music Canada.
- ^ "American ringtone certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Sources for "Run It!" Single release:
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Belgium). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Denmark). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Finland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! - Single" (in French). iTunes Store (France). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Germany). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Italian). iTunes Store (Italy). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Mexico). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Dutch). iTunes Store (Netherlands). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Norway). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Spain). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Swedish). iTunes Store (Sweden). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! – EP". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. January 28, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! – EP". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. January 28, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Austria). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Belgium). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Brazil). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Denmark). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Finland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in French). iTunes Store (France). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Germany). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Italian). iTunes Store (Italy). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Mexico). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Dutch). iTunes Store (Netherlands). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Norway). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Spain). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Sweden). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Switzerland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.