Chow Down Explained

Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)
Cover:Willam Belli - Chow Down.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Willam Belli featuring Detox and Vicky Vox
Album:The Wreckoning
Released:March 18, 2012
Producer:Markaholic
Chronology:Willam Belli
Prev Title:Trouble
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:The Vagina Song
Next Year:2012

"Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" is a song by American singer and drag queen Willam Belli, featuring Detox and Vicky Vox—known collectively as DWV (Detox-Willam-Vicky), a take on the American R&B trio SWV (Sisters with Voices). The song was released on March 18, 2012, following Willam's sudden elimination midway through the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Upon its release, the song's music video went viral online.[1] [2]

Background and composition

"Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" was written by Willam Belli, Detox, and Vicky Vox as a parody and social-commentary version of "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips.[1] [3] The song was produced by Markaholic.[4] The bridge section features rapping by Detox, inspired by—and in tribute to—Lisa Left-Eye Lopes of TLC and her verses in their 1995 hit "Waterfalls".[5] [6] The song was released as the second single from Willam's first studio album The Wreckoning. "Chow Down" addresses the 2012 Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy and the opening of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood.[2] [3]

Reception

Within three days of its release, the YouTube page for the music video had been viewed over 400,000 times.[7] The music video would eventually gain over 9 million views on Willam’s YouTube channel.

Hugh Merwin, writing for New Yorks Grub Street commented, "It's amazing how oddly and efficiently the drag queen trio in this video approach the notoriously anti-gay, foundational agenda of the Georgia-based fried chicken franchise Chick-fil-A in this video."[6]

Music video

The music video for "Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" was directed by Michael Serrato.[3] Serrato is a writer for the Neil's Puppet Dreams, in which Willam has appeared.[8] RuPaul's Drag Race pit crew member Jason Carter appears in the music video.[9] In the music video, Willam dresses as Wilson Phillips member Chynna Phillips, Detox dresses as Wendy Wilson, while Vicky Vox appears as Carnie Wilson. The music video's rap scene was filmed at the Electric Fountain in Beverly Hills.[5]

Upon release, the music video went viral online.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kinser. Jeremy. EXCLUSIVE: Willam Belli on Drag Queens Eating at Chick-Fil-A. The Advocate. 28 March 2013. 20 March 2012.
  2. Web site: Soloman. Brian. Chick-fil-A Even If You're Gay? Three Drag Queens Lampoon Company In Music Video. Forbes. 28 March 2013. 20 March 2012.
  3. Web site: Willam Belli, RuPaul's Drag Race Star, Chats About Chick-fil-A and More. The Huffington Post. 28 March 2013. Lady Bunny. 24 July 2012.
  4. Web site: markaholic music. Markaholic. 30 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130403041201/http://www.markaholic.com/music.html#snap. 3 April 2013. dead.
  5. Web site: 'Chow Down (At Chick-Fil-A),' Wilson Phillips Drag Spoof, Parodies Fast Food Chain's 'Anti-Gay' Controversy (VIDEO). The Huffington Post. 28 March 2013. 19 March 2012.
  6. Web site: Merwin. Hugh. New Video Declares 'Chow Down at Chick-fil-A, Even If You're Gay'. New York. 30 March 2013. 20 March 2012.
  7. Web site: Goyette. Braden. Drag queens protest Chick-fil-A with Wilson Phillips spoof. Daily News. 30 March 2013. 21 March 2012.
  8. Web site: Joe Manganiello, Willam, Detox & David Burtka Appear In The Latest Webisode Of Neil's Puppet Dreams. Instinct. 28 March 2013. 8 January 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130127113230/http://instinctmagazine.com/blogs/blog/joe-manganiello-willam-detox-david-burtka-appear-in-the-latest-webisode-of-neil-s-puppet-dreams?directory=100011. 27 January 2013.
  9. Web site: Willam Belli, RuPaul's Drag Race Rule Breaker: The Day After. The Huffington Post. 28 March 2013. Lynn, Logan. 21 March 2012.
  10. Caulfield. Keith. RuPaul Nets Highest Charting Album Ever, Plus A 'Drag Race' Chart History. Billboard. 8 March 2014. 6 March 2014.