Modern Times (song) explained

Modern Times
Cover:	Modern_times.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	J-five
Album:	Sweet Little Nothing
B-Side:	"Flags", "Turn It up"
Released:	February 2004
Genre:	Alternative hip hop
Length:	3:16
Label:	Warner M.
Producer:	Mel Richd, D. Godsend, N. Godsend
Next Title:	Find a Way
Next Year:	2004

"Modern Times" is the name of a 2004 song recorded by the Californian singer J-five. Released in 2004 as the first single from his debut album Sweet Little Nothing on which it is the third track, "Modern Times" achieved a success in many European countries, topping the charts in France, traditionally a nation where Chaplin films are most popular.

Release

The song is a tribute to Charlie Chaplin, and particularly his film Modern Times. The chorus of the song is the original recording of Chaplin's gibberish singing from the end of the film (the first time Chaplin's voice had been heard in any of his films, using a deliberately vague mixture of languages).

A music video was produced to illustrate this track, using the appropriate scene from the Chaplin film with the exclusive participation of Dolores Chaplin.

The song is included on the following compilations, released in 2004 in France: Best Of 2004, R&B 2004, NRJ Hit Music Only and Fan2.

Chart performance

In France, the single entered the chart at No. 15 on February 29, 2004, and gained a few places every week until topping the chart for one week, on March 21. The weeks after, the single almost didn't stop to drop on the chart and totaled nine weeks in the top ten, 17 weeks in the top 50 and 25 weeks on the chart.^[1] It was certified Silver disc by the SNEP and was ranked No. 33 on the End of the Year Chart.^[2]

Track listings

• CD single

1. "Modern Times" featuring Charlie Chaplin – 3:16
2. "Flags" – 3:22

• CD maxi

1. "Modern Times" featuring Charlie Chaplin – 3:16
2. "Flags" – 3:22
3. "Turn It up" – 2:06

• CD maxi

1. "Modern Times" (original version) featuring Charlie Chaplin – 3:23
2. "Modern Times" (rove dogs remix) – 3:43
3. "Flags" – 2:06
4. "Modern Times" (video)

Personnel

• Recorded by Len Corey
• Produced by D&N Godsend and Mel Richd
• Artwork by Objectif Lune
• Photography by S. Girzard

"Modern Times"

• Written by J-Five / Daniderff / D&N Godsend / Mel Richd/Bertal & Maubon
• Engineered by Len Corey
• Performed by J-Five and Charles Chaplin
• Charles Chaplin appears courtesy of Roy Export Ltd.

"Flags"

• Written by J-Five / D&N Godsend / Mel Richd
• Engineered Len Corey

Rove dogs remix

• Vocals and keyboards by Franck Lascombes
• Engineered and mixed by Mr Clean

Charts and sales

Weekly charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart^[3]	9
Dutch Singles Chart^[4]	36
French SNEP Singles Chart	1
Italian Singles Chart^[5]	12
Swiss Singles Chart^[6]	15

¹ Remix

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)	Position
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart^[7]	47
French Singles Chart	33
Swiss Singles Chart^[8]	74

Certifications

Notes and References

1. "Modern Times", in French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
2. 2004 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
3. "Modern Times", in Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
4. "Modern Times", in Dutch Singles Chart Dutchcharts.nl (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
5. "Modern Times", in Italian Singles Chart Italiancharts.com (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
6. "Modern Times", in Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
7. 2004 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved May 14, 2008)
8. 2004 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved May 14, 2008)