This Is How We Do It Explained

This Is How We Do It
Cover:ThisIsHowWeDoIt.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Montell Jordan
Album:This Is How We Do It
Released:February 6, 1995
Genre:
Length:
  • 4:37 (album version)
  • 3:59 (radio edit)
  • 3:39 (without rap)
Label:
Producer:
  • Montell Jordan
  • Oji Pierce
Next Title:Somethin' 4 da Honeyz
Next Year:1995

"This Is How We Do It" is the debut single of American singer-songwriter Montell Jordan. It was released by Def Jam Recordings on February 6, 1995, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name (1995). The single was Def Jam's first R&B release, and is Jordan's signature song.[2]

The song is exemplary of the hip hop soul style popular at the time.[3] [4] It features Jordan singing over an enhanced Teddy Riley drumbeat sample of Slick Rick's "Children's Story" which in turn has an added interpolation of the bass of Bob James' "Nautilus".[5] "This Is How We Do It" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on April 15, 1995, rising from number six the previous week and displacing Madonna's "Take a Bow" from the top spot. It remained at number one for seven consecutive weeks. It was also number one for seven weeks on the R&B singles chart.[6] The single sold one million copies domestically and received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[7] [8] The accompanying music video for "This Is How We Do It" was directed by Hype Williams.[9] [10]

The song earned Jordan a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards. The same year, the song was named Best R&B 12-inch at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami.[11]

Critical reception

Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel found that the track "combines enough elements to make for an unavoidable crossover hit, as Jordan's lilting voice meshes with "phat" beats, an incessant title refrain and a sample of rapper Slick Rick's 'Children's Story'."[12] Connie Johnson from Los Angeles Times felt the American R&B crooner and songwriter "has a youthful bravado", describing the song as "hard-slammin’".[13] Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed it as "Bobby Brown grooves with Snoop Dogg rhymes".[14] Another Melody Maker editor, David Stubbs, noted its "auto-pilot, fast-buck, anthemic swingbeat with the usual ring-a-ring-a-roses singalong chant and laboured partytime chorus."[15] Dele Fadele from NME praised it as "anthemic, defiant, and catchy".[16] Ralph Tee from Music Weeks RM Dance Update wrote, "This record is typical of everything that urban contemporary soul is about with its chugging swing/funk rhythms and intense Aaron Hall-style vocal and it's been flying out on import lately. Its main appeal is the infectious multi-vocal chorus, blasting out the song's title to ram home its anthemic qualities." He remarked that "there's masses of dancefloor appeal".[17] Another RM editor, James Hamilton, described it as a "soulfully whined, chanted and rapped rolling jackswing joller".[18]

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by American music video and film director Hype Williams.[9] [10] The video opens at a house party with people mingling. Jordan sings and dances at the party, with back dancers on a sound stage, and later sitting in a booth with a woman. It was nominated for two awards at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, in the categories for Best Dance Video and Best R&B Video.[10] Remastered in HD, the video has generated more than 176 million views on YouTube as of January 2023.[19]

Impact and legacy

British music newspaper NME ranked "This Is How We Do It" number 12 in their list of the Top 20 of 1995 in December 1995.[20] In 1996, the song earned Jordan a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards. The same year, the song was named Best R&B 12-inch at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami.[11] German magazine Spex included "This Is How We Do It" in their "The Best Singles of the Century" list in 1999.[21]

Track listing

  1. "This Is How We Do It" (LP Version) — 3:59
  2. "This Is How We Do It" (LP Instrumental) — 3:44
  3. "I Wanna" (LP Version) — 5:25
  4. "This Is How We Do It" (Acappella) — 3:47
  1. "This Is How We Do It" (Radio Mix) — 3:43
  2. "This Is How We Do It" (Tee's Radio Mix) — 3:46
  3. "This Is How We Do It" (Tee's Club Mix) — 5:19
  4. "This Is How We Do It" (Barr 9 Mix) — 4:05
  5. "This Is How We Do It" (Tee's Dub Mix) — 4:51
  6. "This Is How We Do It" (Wino Mix) — 3:58

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1995)Peak
position
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[22] 1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[23] 19
Europe (European Dance Radio)[24] 3
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[25] 29
UK on a Pop Tip Club Chart (Music Week)[26] 28
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[27] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1995)Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[28] 89
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[29] 15
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[30] 82
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[32] 10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[33] 2

Decade-end charts

Chart (1990–1999)Position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[34] 69
US Billboard Hot 100[35] 29

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesFebruary 6, 1995
JapanApril 26, 1995CDRush Associated Labels[36]
United KingdomMay 1, 1995[37]

Mis-Teeq version

This Is How We Do It
Type:single
Artist:Mis-Teeq
Album:Lickin' on Both Sides
A-Side:Roll On
Released:[38]
Genre:
Length:3:47
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:B with Me
Prev Year:2002
Roll On
Title2:This Is How We Do It
Next Title:Scandalous
Next Year:2003

In 2002, British girl group Mis-Teeq released their version as a double A-side with "Roll On". It peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, faring four places higher than the original there. The recording by Jordan was featured in the 2002 film Ali G Indahouse alongside the Rishi Rich mix of Mis-Teeq's version. The Rishi Rich remix of "This Is How We Do It" is included on the film's soundtrack. "This Is How We Do It" is included on the special edition of the album Lickin' on Both Sides.

Charts

"The Party (This Is How We Do It)"

The Party (This Is How We Do It)
Cover:ThisIsHowWeDoIt Joe Stone.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Joe Stone featuring Montell Jordan
Released:May 15, 2015[41]
Recorded:2015
Genre:House
Label:Spinnin'
Chronology:Joe Stone

Dutch DJ Joe Stone released a remixed version of the song in 2015 with Jordan credited as the featured artist.

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
IrelandJuly 31, 2015Digital downloadSpinnin'
United Kingdom[42]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Vibe. Vibe Vixen. January 2002 . 124. 1070-4701.
  2. Web site: The 53 Best R&B Songs of the '90s . . November 3, 2022 .
  3. Encyclopedia: Hip-Hop Soul . The Vibe History of Hip-Hop . Three Rivers Press . Gardner, Elysa . Light, Alan . 1999 . 1st . 307–317.
  4. Is Hip-Hop's Growing Dominance of R&B an Evolutionary Step, Or Is It Displacing Traditional Soul Music Altogether? . Reynolds, J.R. . Billboard . June 3, 1995 . 107 . 22 . 2.
  5. Web site: The 50 Best R&B Songs That Flipped Rap Beats . Complex . March 19, 2013 . July 23, 2014 . Ernest Baker . Alysa Lechner . David Drake . Insanul Ahmed . Tannis Spencer . July 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140729022704/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-50-best-rb-songs-that-flipped-rap-beats/tamia-so-into-you . live .
  6. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 310.
  7. Best-Selling Records of 1995 . Billboard Communications . January 20, 1996 . May 5, 2015 . 56 . 0006-2510 . 108 . 3 . September 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150905223300/https://books.google.com/books?id=3g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 . live .
  8. United States. Jordan, Montell. This Is How We Do It.
  9. Web site: This Is How We Do It (1995) by Montell Jordan. IMVDb. January 13, 2024.
  10. Web site: Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It. IMDb. January 13, 2024.
  11. Euro-focused Miami Gets Thumbs Up. Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). March 30, 1996. 1. August 17, 2021. August 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828114311/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-30.pdf. live.
  12. Campbell, Chuck (April 14, 1995). "Collective Soul Priming To Be More Than Opener". Knoxville News Sentinel.
  13. News: Connie. Johnson. In Brief. Los Angeles Times. April 16, 1995. January 22, 2023.
  14. Simon. Price. Albums. Melody Maker. May 13, 1995. 38. January 13, 2024. Simon Price.
  15. David. Stubbs. Singles. Melody Maker. May 13, 1995. 34. January 13, 2024. David Stubbs.
  16. Dele. Fadele. Long Play. NME. April 29, 1995. 40. January 12, 2024. Dele Fadele.
  17. Ralph . Tee . Hot Vinyl . . February 18, 1995 . 10 . May 5, 2021 . May 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210505164835/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-02-18.pdf . live .
  18. James . Hamilton . Dj directory . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . May 13, 1995 . 11 . May 9, 2021 . September 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210930133634/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-05-13.pdf . live . James Hamilton (DJ and journalist).
  19. Web site: Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It. YouTube. June 17, 2009. January 13, 2024.
  20. 'Tonic Boom! The On Top 20. NME. December 23, 1995. 35. May 9, 2024.
  21. Web site: Die besten Singles aller Zeiten at home.rhein-zeitung.de. June 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20120706022353/http://home.rhein-zeitung.de/~tommi.s/spex20jh.htm#singles. July 6, 2012. dead.
  22. Hits of the World: Canada. Billboard. July 22, 1995. 42. November 17, 2022.
  23. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 12. 21. May 27, 1995. 31. April 11, 2023.
  24. European Dance Radio. Music & Media. 12. 24. June 17, 1995. 27. April 21, 2023.
  25. The RM Club Chart . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . May 6, 1995 . 6 . September 2, 2021 . September 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210930133619/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-05-06.pdf . live .
  26. The RM on a Pop Tip Club Chart . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . May 27, 1995 . 12 . September 6, 2021 . May 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210509003009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-05-27.pdf . live .
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  28. Web site: RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1995. RPM. November 26, 2017. March 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160324022145/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2840&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062. live.
  29. Web site: Canada Top 50 Dance Tracks of 1995. January 14, 2012. September 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170910040757/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.2842&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=b276f8ju3l7iljpnkpteccdbh2. live.
  30. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1995. Dutch Top 40. November 30, 2021. November 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211130064053/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1995. live.
  31. Web site: End of Year Charts 1995. Recorded Music NZ. December 3, 2017. December 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204121519/https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3884. live.
  32. Web site: Billboard Top 100 - 1995. August 27, 2010. August 15, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090815124541/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995. live.
  33. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1995. Billboard. November 30, 2020. August 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150803035313/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1995/hot-r-b-hip-hop-songs. live.
  34. Web site: Lwin. Nanda. Top 100 singles of the 1990s. Jam!. https://web.archive.org/web/20000829070927/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html. August 29, 2000. March 26, 2022.
  35. Book: Geoff Mayfield . 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s . . December 25, 1999 . January 9, 2012.
  36. Web site: ジス・イズ・ハウ・ウイ・ドゥ・イット モンテル・ジョーダン. This Is How We Do It Montell Jordan. Oricon. ja. September 13, 2023.
  37. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 39. April 29, 1995.
  38. New Releases – For Week Starting 17 June 2002: Singles. Music Week. 31. June 15, 2002. August 26, 2021.
  39. Reviews: Single Reviews. Music Week. 11. June 8, 2002. June 25, 2022. The latest cut sees the Mis-Teeq girls moving away from garage to serve up a perfect slice of summery R&B pop..
  40. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 20. 28. July 6, 2002. 15. September 14, 2020.
  41. Web site: The Party (This Is How We Do It) ft. Montell Jordan from SPINNIN' RECORDS on Beatport. www.beatport.com. August 23, 2016. August 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828194240/https://www.beatport.com/release/the-party-this-is-how-we-do-it-ft-montell-jordan/1523378. live.
  42. Web site: The Party (This Is How We Do It) [feat. Montell Jordan] - Single by Joe Stone]. itunes.apple.com. March 11, 2019. September 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220925120628/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-party-this-is-how-we-do-it-feat-montell-jordan-single/1444866313. live.

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