Let's Get It Started Explained

Let's Get It Started
Cover:LetsGetItStarted.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:The Black Eyed Peas
Album:Elephunk
B-Side:
  • "The Way U Make Me Feel"
  • "LET'S GET RETARDED"
  • "Bridging the Gaps"
Recorded:September 11, 2001-October 31, 2001[1]
Studio:The Stewchia (Los Angeles)
Genre:Rap rock[2]
Length:3:37
Label:
Producer:will.i.am
Chronology:The Black Eyed Peas
Prev Title:Hey Mama
Prev Year:2004
Next Title:Don't Phunk with My Heart
Next Year:2005

"Let's Get It Started" is a song by American group The Black Eyed Peas. It is a clean version of "Let's Get Retarded" from their third studio album, Elephunk (2003). The album version was originally only reworked for its use in promotion for the 2004 NBA playoffs on ABC in April 2004,[3] and the clean version was released as the fourth and final single from Elephunk on June 1, 2004, by A&M Records and Interscope Records, also appearing on a reissue of the album.[4]

"Let's Get It Started" peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top ten in Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France and New Zealand. Critically acclaimed, it won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards (2005), and was also nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap Song. The song's accompanying music video features the group energetically performing in a nighttime Los Angeles setting.

"Let's Get It Started" was remixed for The Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album The E.N.D. (2009) as "Let's Get Re-Started", being included on its deluxe edition bonus disc. It was also featured on their remix album (2010). In early 2022, "Let's Get Retarded" was replaced with "Let's Get It Started" on the track listing of Elephunk on all digital and streaming platforms,[5] [6] thus becoming unavailable.[7]

Music video

The music video takes place in a nighttime setting on a Los Angeles street. It features the Black Eyed Peas, particularly will.i.am, performing energetic dances while singing the song, while varying objects in the background (including a grand piano) smash against the ground in real time, slow and fast motion, and in reverse. The choruses feature the band on stage singing to a large crowd.

Track listings

UK 12-inch single[11]

  1. "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37
  2. "The Way U Make Me Feel" – 4:19
  3. "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38
  1. "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37
  2. "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38
  3. "Bridging the Gaps" – 4:56
  4. "Let's Get It Started" (video)
  1. "Let's Get It Started"
  2. "The Way U Make Me Feel"
  1. "Let's Get It Started"
  2. "The Way U Make Me Feel"
  3. "Bridging the Gaps"
  4. "Let's Get Retarded"

Personnel

The Black Eyed Peas

Additional musicians

Production personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004)Peak
position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[15] 2
Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)[16] 1
Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)[17] 14
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[18] 6
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[19] 14
Greece (IFPI)[20] 38
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[21] 20
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[22] 52

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)Position
Australia (ARIA)[23] 44
Australian Urban (ARIA)[24] 19
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[25] 98
Brazil (Crowley)[26] 72
France (SNEP)[27] 63
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] 35
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[29] 159
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] 52
UK Singles (OCC)[31] 127
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 88
US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[33] 32
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[34] 23

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesJune 1, 2004Digital download
June 14, 2004Contemporary hit radio
AustraliaJune 21, 2004CDUniversal Music
United StatesJune 22, 2004Digital download
AustraliaJune 28, 2004Maxi CDUniversal Music
United KingdomPolydor
GermanyJuly 12, 2004Maxi CDUniversal Music
FranceAugust 24, 2004Polydor

Notes and References

  1. Elephunk. Elephunk. The Black Eyed Peas. 2003. US CD album booklet. A&M Records. B0000699-02.
  2. Web site: Black Eyed Peas. Clarke. Betty. The Guardian. September 25, 2003. May 23, 2023.
  3. Web site: For the Record: Quick News on Black Eyed Peas, Xzibit, Nickelback, Nelly Furtado, The Roots, Danger Mouse & More. https://web.archive.org/web/20120209150256/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486187/black-eyed-peas-rework-song-nba-ads.jhtml. dead. February 9, 2012. MTV. April 5, 2004. December 11, 2012.
  4. Web site: Black Eyed Peas to Make Their Own 'Walk This Way' — With the Darkness. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014064205/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1487022/black-eyed-peas-collaborating-with-darkness.jhtml. dead. October 14, 2013. MTV. May 14, 2004. December 11, 2012.
  5. Web site: Elephunk . Spotify . Spotify AB . December 15, 2022 . https://archive.today/20221215083449/https://open.spotify.com/album/3eqkfT9f1XyM8GME1gVDrD . December 15, 2022 . 2022.
  6. Web site: Black Eyed Peas . Let's Get It Started (Spike Mix) . YouTube . December 15, 2022 . March 31, 2022.
  7. Web site: Black Eyed Peas . Elephunk . Spotify . Spotify AB . 2003 . December 15, 2022 . https://archive.today/20221215082803/https://open.spotify.com/album/4jOESXHbPsfy1IYdyvwjYI . December 15, 2022.
  8. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. Canadian CD single liner notes. A&M Records. 9863032.
  9. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. European CD single liner notes. A&M Records. 0602498627389.
  10. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. Australian CD1 liner notes. A&M Records. 9862738.
  11. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. UK 12-inch single sleeve. A&M Records. 9863019.
  12. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. UK CD single liner notes. A&M Records. 9863032.
  13. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. German mini-CD single liner notes. A&M Records. 06024 9863124 (9).
  14. Let's Get It Started. The Black Eyed Peas. 2004. Australian CD2 liner notes. A&M Records. 9862737.
  15. The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. March 31, 2020.
  16. R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30. Radio & Records. 1572. 28. September 10, 2004. October 13, 2020.
  17. R&R Canada Hot AC Top 30. Radio & Records. 1579. 50. October 29, 2004. April 21, 2024.
  18. Web site: Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden 8 . cs . . April 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050306015753/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm . March 6, 2005.
  19. Hits of the World – Eurocharts. Billboard. 116. 38. 53. September 18, 2004. March 31, 2020. See last week column.
  20. Web site: Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 17–23/10. IFPI. el. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20041026020424/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm. October 26, 2004. July 1, 2020.
  21. Web site: Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 37, saptamina 13.09 – 19.09, 2004. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050118233930/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10136.html. January 18, 2005. May 16, 2020.
  22. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Jul 22, 2004. TopHit. April 24, 2024.
  23. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004. ARIA. February 16, 2020.
  24. Web site: ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2004. ARIA. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200415011513/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-urban-singles-2004.htm. April 15, 2020. September 17, 2020.
  25. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2004. Ultratop. fr. February 16, 2020.
  26. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2004. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
  27. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2004. SNEP. fr. July 10, 2020.
  28. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2004. Dutch Top 40. February 16, 2020.
  29. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2004. TopHit. 23 April 2024. 23 April 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240423175500/https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2004. live.
  30. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2004. hitparade.ch. de. February 16, 2020.
  31. Web site: UK Year-End Chart 2004. Official Charts Company. February 16, 2020.
  32. Web site: Top 100 Hits of 2004. November 2, 2018.
  33. 2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Dance Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 12. 51. 56. December 17, 2004.
  34. 2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 12. 51. 22. December 17, 2004.
  35. 2005 The Year in Charts: Top Adult Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 13. 50. 31. December 16, 2005.

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