Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back) Explained

Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)
Cover:Eamon I dont want you.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Eamon
Album:I Don't Want You Back
Label:Jive
Producer:Milk Dee
Next Title:I Love Them Ho's (Ho-Wop)
Next Year:2004

"Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)" is the debut single of American singer-songwriter Eamon. The song was co-written by Eamon, Kirk Robinson and Mark Passy. It was released on November 10, 2003, as the lead single from his debut album, I Don't Want You Back (2004). The song is notable for the frequency of its expletives.

"Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)" peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)" topped the charts in many countries, including Australia, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The single appeared in Billboard magazine as "F**k It (I Don't Want You Back)". An Italian-language version titled "Solo" (English: "Alone") was also released, peaking within the top ten of the charts in Italy.

History

The success of the single and the controversial nature of its lyrics prompted production of an answer song, "F.U.R.B. (Fuck You Right Back)", by female singer Frankee, who claimed to be Eamon's ex-girlfriend.[1] While Eamon initially said that he selected Frankee to record the song at an audition, he later stated that his only involvement was in clearing the use of the music with the following statement:

"I was not involved with 'F.U.R.B.' I have never met Frankee and she is definitely not my girlfriend or ex-girlfriend. The only way I was associated with it was when I was asked for licensing permission by Frankee's representatives, which makes me a writer on her song by copyright law. But I really didn't expect all this to come out of it, they are having fun with it, it's cool but in the end they are paying me for their 15 minutes of fame and I welcome her to my world of Ho-Wop!"[2] [3]

During the success of both songs in the United Kingdom, BBC Radio 1 host Chris Moyles was heavily critical of them, going as far as to record and broadcast his own spoof version; "We Want You to Leave", claiming that both singles were the product of what amounted to nothing more than a cynical marketing ploy by Eamon and Frankee's record labels.

Because of the great success of the song in Italy, an Italian version of the song was released. Its title was "Solo" and its lyrics, written by J-Ax, were changed so they did not contain any expression deemed offensive. "Solo" reached number two on the Italian Singles Chart and ended 2004 as the country's 32nd-best-selling hit.

The song reached number 1 in the Netherlands and even led to a parody song called "Vakkenvuller" by Dutch singer Hans Goes (using the alias 'Simon'), which was also a big hit.[4] [5]

Music video

The video starts with black and white footage of Eamon and his girlfriend enjoying a trip together, then it cuts to color purporting to be present day outside at Bari's Pizza in Staten Island, New York. Eamon and his girlfriend are sitting across from one another while a different couple at another table kiss each other. Eamon's girlfriend starts to well up with tears in her eyes while Eamon is singing.

A teardrop comes out of her left eye and drops into a puddle below, causing ripples to appear. The video then cuts to varying scenes of couples on park benches, Eamon in a sound recording booth, and Eamon in a room as he rips a picture to shreds and throws a wine bottle at the camera. Eamon stands with his back to the Brooklyn Bridge, singing. The video cuts back to Bari's Pizza showing the girl continuing to cry, as Eamon angrily throws the pizza on the ground and then gets up and walks away on a path and the girl gets up.

The video ends with footage of them both kissing in black and white then cutting back to the present with Eamon walking along a pathway and his girlfriend follows him.

Track listing

iTunes album version

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–2004)Peak
position
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
Croatia (HRT)[6] 1
Czech Republic (IFPI)[7] 1
scope="row"
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 1
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
Poland (Polish Airplay Charts)[9] 13
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[10] 2
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[12] 37
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[13] 9
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[14] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)Position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 5
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[18] 18
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[19] 5
France (SNEP)[20] 18
Germany (Official German Charts)[21] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[22] 2
Italy (FIMI)[23] 2
Italy (FIMI)
32
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[24] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[25] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[29] 2
US Billboard Hot 100[30] 63
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[31] 39
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 32

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009)Position
Germany (Official German Charts)[33] 65
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 96
UK Singles (OCC)[35] 57

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesContemporary hit radioJive[36]
AustraliaCD[37]
United Kingdom[38]

Notes and References

  1. News: Eamon's Alleged Old Flame Burns Him With Dis Track – MTV. https://web.archive.org/web/20141020135843/http://www.mtv.com/news/1485501/eamons-alleged-old-flame-burns-him-with-dis-track/. dead. October 20, 2014. Wiederhorn. Jon. March 2, 2004. MTV News. March 21, 2018.
  2. Web site: Eamon Distances Himself From Frankee Track, Welcomes Her To Ho-Wop World. https://web.archive.org/web/20141019013437/http://www.mtv.com/news/1485731/eamon-distances-himself-from-frankee-track-welcomes-her-to-ho-wop-world/. dead. October 19, 2014. March 12, 2004. MTV News.
  3. News: 12 Years On, We Reflect On The Feud Which Shook The World Of Music To Its Core. Casey. Gavin. November 24, 2015. The Sliced Pan. March 21, 2018.
  4. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Web site: Simon - Vakkevuller . September 15, 2006 . YouTube.
  5. Web site: De hit V*kkenvuller van Simon viert zijn tienjarig jubileum. January 31, 2014 .
  6. Web site: Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija. Croatian Radiotelevision. https://web.archive.org/web/20040626124131/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html. dead. June 26, 2004. April 14, 2023.
  7. Web site: Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 31/2004. IFPI ČR. cs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040803142148/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm. August 3, 2004. January 13, 2020.
  8. Hits of the World – Eurocharts. Billboard. 116. 22. 57. May 29, 2004. December 18, 2020.
  9. Web site: Polish Airplay Charts – Lista krajowa 28/2004. PiF PaF Production. pl. January 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20041106161800/http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_28_2004.html. November 6, 2004. dead.
  10. Web site: Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 35, saptamina 30.08 – 5.09, 2004. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20041013032811/http://www.rt100.ro/ed.php?tn=x10134. October 13, 2004. October 5, 2021.
  11. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. February 21, 2004. August 9, 2023.
  12. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. February 21, 2004. subscription. August 9, 2023.
  13. Pop Airplay. Billboard. March 6, 2004. subscription. August 9, 2023.
  14. Rhythmic Airplay. Billboard. March 20, 2004. subscription. August 9, 2023.
  15. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004. ARIA. December 18, 2020.
  16. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2004. de. December 18, 2020.
  17. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2004. Ultratop. nl. July 7, 2018.
  18. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2004. Ultratop. fr. July 7, 2018.
  19. Europe's Top Singles of 2004. Billboard. 116. 52. 51. December 25, 2004. December 18, 2020.
  20. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2004. SNEP. fr. December 18, 2020.
  21. Web site: Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2004. GfK Entertainment. de. February 7, 2016.
  22. Web site: Best of Singles 2004. IRMA. February 7, 2016.
  23. Web site: Mix e singoli. FIMI. it. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060510005652/http://www.fimi.it/documenti/Classifiche_TUTTE_2004.pdf. May 10, 2006. December 17, 2020.
  24. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2004. Top40. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. nl. February 7, 2016.
  25. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2004. MegaCharts. nl. July 7, 2018.
  26. Web site: End of Year Charts 2004. Recorded Music NZ. December 18, 2020.
  27. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2004. Sverigetopplistan. sv. December 17, 2020.
  28. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 2004. de. February 7, 2016.
  29. Web site: End of Year Charts: 2004. UKChartsPlus. July 28, 2015.
  30. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2004. Billboardtop100of.com. December 18, 2020.
  31. 2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 12. 51. 22. December 17, 2004.
  32. 2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 12. 51. 29. December 17, 2004.
  33. Web site: Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste. Free: 'Hits of the New Millennium' List. RTL. de. 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110220224718/http://www.rtl.de/cms/unterhaltung/tv-programm/show/die-ultimative-chartshow/hits-neue-jahrtausend-download.html?limit=20&start=60. February 20, 2011. August 29, 2021.
  34. Web site: Decennium Charts – Singles 2000–2009. MegaCharts. nl. May 3, 2022.
  35. Radio 1 Official Chart of the Decade, as broadcast on BBC Radio 1 on December 29, 2009, presented by DJ Nihal
  36. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1529. 23. November 7, 2003. May 18, 2021.
  37. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 22nd March 2004. ARIA. 27. March 22, 2004. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040406140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040407-0000/Issue734.pdf. April 6, 2004. May 18, 2021.
  38. Key Releases: Singles. Music Week. 19. April 10, 2004.