Songs About Girls

2007 studio album by will.i.am

Songs About Girls

Studio album by

will.i.am

Released| September 19, 2007
Recorded| 2006–2007
Genre|

* Hip hop
* electronic
* R&B

Length| 60:00
Label|

* will.i.am
* Interscope

Producer|

* will.i.am
* Polow da Don
* Fernando Garibay
* Lil Jon
* LRoc
* Paper-Boy
* Klasic

Will.i.am chronology
| Must B 21
(2003)  | Songs About Girls
(2007)  | #willpower
(2013)

|
|

Singles from  Songs About Girls

1. "I Got It from My Mama"
Released: July 31, 2007
2. "One More Chance"
Released: October 2, 2007
3. "Heartbreaker"
Released: November 1, 2007

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [1]
BBC| (unfavorable)[2]
Entertainment Weekly| (C-)[3]
Rolling Stone| [4]
Slant| [5]
Philadelphia Inquirer| [6]
Los Angeles Times| [7]
Atlanta Journal Constitution| (A-)[8]

Songs About Girls is the third studio album by American musician will.i.am, known from his work with The Black Eyed Peas. The original title of the album was Keep the Beeper. The album was released on September 19, 2007. The first single released from the album was a club track titled "I Got It from My Mama" which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #93 on August 17, 2007.[9] will.i.am enlisted guest appearances from Cheryl and Snoop Dogg. The album was recorded by Pardraic Kerin and will.i.am, and mixed by Dylan Dresdow.

## Background

[edit]

The album has been described by will.i.am as semi-autobiographical conceptual album "where all the songs could tell a story of falling in love, falling out of love, trying to get back in love, destructing love and destroying love and then starting a new situation. That journey is what makes this unique."[10] The album is partially based on a seven-year relationship that will.i.am experienced and the infidelities and the break-up of that relationship.[11] According to will.i.am's video on MySpace TV, he considers Songs About Girls to be his debut album, with his first two being production compilations.

## Critical reception

[edit]

Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone remarked "Though Snoop Dogg makes a cameo and Will breaks into more than a few nimble rhymes, Songs About Girls isn't a hip-hop record, but a pop R&B album of mellow head-nodders that veer between chilled-out soul and lite-electro funk."[4] While Tom Jones of the BBC called Songs About Girls a "soulless record", which "wore thin very quickly" and is "far too long."[2] John Bush of Allmusic praised the album saying, "Boasting the best album-length production of the year, will.i.am's Songs About Girls is a tour de force of next-generation contemporary R&B...Recorded everywhere from Rio to The Record Plant, Songs About Girls percolates with more innovation, enthusiasm, and excitement than contemporary work by Pharrell, Kanye West, Mark Ronson, or anyone else remotely in the same league."[1]

## Collaborations

[edit]

will.i.am revealed on the Canadian MTV e2 show that the album would feature collaborations with: Slick Rick, Ice Cube, Q-Tip, Common, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Busta Rhymes and Ludacris.[12] Unfortunately, the only collaboration that made the final cut is the Snoop Dogg collaboration. Kat Graham sings in "I Got It from My Mama", "One More Chance" and "The Donque Song" but she is not credited. will.i.am also recorded a song with American R&B singer Justin Timberlake on a song called: "Going Crazy" - though never made the final album cut.[13]

## Album release

[edit]

In September 2006, will.i.am became the head of marketing of the online music distribution company Musicane.[14] Musicane allows artists to directly sell their songs to the public without a record company overseeing the distribution of the album.[15] will.i.am has stated that he intends for Songs About Girls to be an infinitely expandable collection of songs that are distributed through Musicane and other online music services.[11] According to will.i.am; "If I have an album filled with songs about girls, what happens if tomorrow I write another song about a girl?", he explains. "So something that started off just with 15 songs, in the next ten years could have 100 songs. Having 12 songs on a record? That day is done".[11]

Despite Will's success with The Black Eyed Peas and as a producer for numerous other artists, the album was not a commercial success. It debuted at #38 on the Billboard 200 with sales of just 21,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.[16] This was significantly less than The Black Eyed Peas' Elephunk (#14) and Monkey Business (#2) and also Fergie's solo effort The Dutchess (#2). The album leaked to the Internet on September 19, 2007. The album debuted on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart on October 1, 2007 at number 58 with sales of 870 copies.[17] The album was released on Argentina on October 5, 2007. The album went Gold in Poland three days before its release. "Dynamite Interlude" has no writing or production credits.

## Track listing

[edit]

All songs produced by will.i.am, except where noted.

No.| Title| Writer(s)| Producer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Over"| William Adams, Jeffrey Lynne|  | 4:00
2.| "Heartbreaker"| Adams|  | 5:27
3.| "I Got It from My Mama"| Adams, Jean-Luc Drion, Dominique Régiacorte|  | 4:01
4.| "She's a Star"| Adams, Jamal Jones| Polow da Don| 3:47
5.| "Get Your Money"| Adams, Patrick Bodmer, Booka Shade, Philipp Jung|  | 5:24
6.| "The Donque Song" (featuring Snoop Dogg)| Adams, Fernando Garibay, Calvin Broadus| will.i.am, Garibay| 4:29
7.| "Impatient" (featuring Dante Santiago)| Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir|  | 4:17
8.| "One More Chance"| Adams, Fernando Garibay| will.i.am, Garibay| 4:24
9.| "Invisible"| Adams, George Pajon Jr., Mike McHenry, Jean Baptiste, Joshua Klasic Singleton for The Bullets Production Team, Speir| will.i.am, Paper Boy| 3:56
10.| "Fantastic"| Adams, Berry Gordy, Alphonso Mizell, Fredrick Perren, Deke Richards|  | 3:25
11.| "Fly Girl"| Adams, George Pajon Jr., Keith Harris| will.i.am| 4:46
12.| "Dynamite" (Interlude)| Adams|  | 1:19
13.| "Ain't It Pretty"| Adams, Jamal Jones| will.i.am, Polow da Don| 4:35
14.| "Make It Funky"| Adams|  | 3:59
15.| "S.O.S. (Mother Nature)"| Adams, Paul Simon, Phil Ramone|  | 4:17

International bonus track[18][19]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

16.| "Spending Money"| Adams| 3:57

UK bonus track[20]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

17.| "Mamma Mia"| Adams, Ray Charles| 3:39

Japanese & iTunes Store bonus track version bonus track[21][22]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

18.| "Damn Damn Damn"| Adams, L.A. Jefferson, Craig Love, Jonathan Smith| 4:28

Samples credits
[23]

* "Over" samples "It's Over" by Electric Light Orchestra[2][5] and it samples a break from T-Ski Valley's 1981 rap classic "Catch the Beat".[24]
* "Get Your Money" samples "Body Language" by M.A.N.D.Y. and Booka Shade[1]
* "Impatient" samples "Love Foolosophy" by Jamiroquai
* "Fantastic" samples the guitar hook played by David T. Walker in "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5[5]
* "S.O.S. (Mother Nature)" samples Steve Gadd's drumming in "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon[24]
* "Mamma Mia" samples "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles[24]

## Charts and certifications

[edit]

### Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for Songs About Girls | Chart (2007)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] | 58
French Albums (SNEP)[26] | 89
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[27] | 8
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] | 27
Russian Albums (2M)[29] | 7
UK Albums (OCC)[30] | 68
US Billboard 200[31] | 38
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[32] | 9
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[33] | 14

### Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for Songs About Girls | Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Japan (RIAJ)[34] | Gold  | 100,000^
Poland (ZPAV)[35] | Gold  | 10,000*
Russia (NFPF)[36] | Gold  | 10,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for Songs About Girls Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Japan  | September 19, 2007  | CD | Universal | [37]
Germany  | September 21, 2007  | [38]
Canada  | September 25, 2007  | [39]
United States  | Interscope | [40]
October 2, 2007  | LP | [41]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Bush, John. "Will.I.Am - Songs About Girls". Allmusic. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
2. ^ a b c Young, Tom. "BBC - Music - Review of Will.I.Am - Songs About Girls". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
3. ^ Drumming, Neil (October 1, 2007). "Songs About Girls". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
4. ^ a b Ganz, Caryn (October 15, 2007). "Songs About Girls : Will.i.am : Review : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
5. ^ a b c Cinquemani, Sal (September 22, 2007). "Review: will.i.am, Songs About Girls". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
6. ^ DeLuca, Dan (September 25, 2007). "Autumn's big sounds". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
7. ^ Powers, Ann (September 24, 2007). "ALBUM REVIEW; Female objectification? Nah, he's just havin' fun!; The Black Eyed Peas auteur does stylish bubblegum pop better than almost anyone". Los Angeles Times. p. E.8. ProQuest 422197236.
8. ^ HARRISON, SHANE; MCCALL, MICHAEL; MARINO, NICK; MURRAY, SONIA (March 27, 2007). "JUST OUT / MUSIC". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E.2. ProQuest 337406248.
9. ^ "I Got It from My Mama". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
10. ^ "will.i.am Has Love On The Brain For Solo Debut". Billboard.com. July 26, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
11. ^ a b c Batey, Angus (August 10, 2007). "Peas in our time". Times Online. London. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
12. ^ "MTV e2: will.i.am". MTV.ca. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
13. ^ Video on YouTube [dead link]
14. ^ "Will.i.am joins musicane as head of marketing". Remix Mag. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2007.
15. ^ "Musicane Announces Launch of the DRM-free will.i.am On-Line Music Store". Top40-charts.com. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
16. ^ Katie Hasty, "Rascal Flatts Races To No. 1 In Debut-Heavy Week", Billboard.com, October 3, 2007
17. ^ Cashmere, Paul, (October 1, 2007). "Foo Fighters Slaughter Competition for Number 1 Spot" Archived 2008-04-09 at the Wayback Machine. Undercover Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
18. ^ "Songs About Girls".
19. ^ "Songs About Girls". Amazon Germany. 2007.
20. ^ "Songs About Girls". Amazon UK. 2007.
21. ^ "ソングス・アバウト・ガールズ". Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
22. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20160914071743/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/songs-about-girls-bonus-track/id264021113
23. ^ will.i.am (2007). Songs About Girls (CD liner notes). Interscope Records.
24. ^ a b c Daryl Easlea (2012). Let's Get It Started: The Rise & Rise of the Black Eyed Peas. Omnibus. p. 190\. ISBN 9780857127952.
25. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 302.
26. ^ "Lescharts.com – will.i.am – Songs About Girls". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
27. ^ "ソングス・アバウト・ガールズ | ウィル・アイ・アム" [Songs About Girls | will.i.am] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
28. ^ "Swisscharts.com – will.i.am – Songs About Girls". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
29. ^ "will.i.am - Songs About Girls chart peaks". Music Square. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
30. ^ "will.i.am | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
31. ^ "will.i.am Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
32. ^ "will.i.am Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
33. ^ "will.i.am Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
34. ^ "Japanese album certifications – will.i.am – Songs About Girls" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 10, 2019. Select 2007年9月 on the drop-down menu
35. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2007 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
36. ^ "Russian album certifications – will.i.am – Songs About Girls" (in Russian). National Federation of Phonogram Producers (NFPF). Retrieved September 10, 2019.
37. ^ "Songs About Girls WILL.I.AM CD Album". CDJapan.co.jp.
38. ^ "Songs About Girls". Amazon Germany. 2007.
39. ^ "Songs About Girls". Amazon.ca. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
40. ^ "Songs About Girls". Amazon.com.
41. ^ "Songs About Girls". Amazon.com.

## External links

[edit]

* Official will.i.am website

* v
* t
* e

will.i.am

* Discography
* Production discography

Studio albums|

* Lost Change
* Must B 21
* Songs About Girls
* #willpower

Soundtrack albums|

* Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Singles|

* "I Got It from My Mama"
* "Heartbreaker"
* "One More Chance"
* "Check It Out"
* "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)"
* "Great Times"
* "This Is Love"
* "Scream & Shout"
* "#thatPOWER"
* "Fall Down"
* "Bang Bang"
* "Feelin' Myself"
* "It's My Birthday"
* "Boys & Girls"
* "Mind Your Business"

Featured singles|

* "Beep"
* "I Love My Bitch"
* "Fergalicious"
* "Hip Hop Is Dead"
* "A Dream"
* "Baby Love"
* "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)"
* "Be OK"
* "I Want You"
* "In the Ayer"
* "What's Your Name"
* "All My Life (In the Ghetto)"
* "3 Words"
* "I'm in the House"
* "OMG"
* "Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix)
* "Forever"
* "Free"
* "Hall of Fame"
* "In My City"
* "Crazy Kids"
* "Something Really Bad"
* "It Should Be Easy"
* "Home"
* "Ew!"
* "I'm So Excited"
* "The Girl Is Mine 2008"

Promotional singles|

* "Here I Come"
* "Yes We Can"
* "It's a New Day"
* "America's Song"
* "I Wanna Go Crazy"
* "Reach for the Stars (Mars Edition)"

Other songs|

* "I Like to Move It"
* "Big Fat Bass"
* "Let's Go"

Related articles|

* Atban Klann
* Black Eyed Peas

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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