WWF The Music, Volume 4 explained

WWF The Music, Volume 4
Type:soundtrack
Artist:World Wrestling Federation
Cover:WWF_The_Music_Volume_4.jpg
Genre:Soundtrack
Label:Koch
Producer:Jim Johnston
Prev Title:WWF The Music, Vol. 3
Prev Year:1998
Next Title:WWF Aggression
Next Year:2000

WWF The Music, Volume 4 is a soundtrack album by WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation, or WWF). Released on November 2, 1999, by Koch Records, it features entrance theme music of various WWE superstars, all of which were composed and performed by Jim Johnston (with the exception of one song, performed by H-Blockx). The album was a commercial success, charting at number four in the U.S.

Composition

All songs on WWF The Music, Volume 4 were written, composed and performed by WWE composer Jim Johnston, with the exception of "Oh Hell Yeah" which was performed by German heavy metal band H-Blockx.[1] Music website AllMusic categorised the album as heavy metal and post-grunge,[2] while a review on Slam! Wrestling identified additional genres including honky-tonk and hip hop on certain tracks.[3]

Reception

Commercial

WWF The Music, Volume 4 was a commercial success. In the US, the album reached number four on the US Billboard 200 and number 17 on the Top Internet Albums chart; in Canada, it reached number five on the Canadian Albums Chart.[4] It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating sales of over a million units.[5] The album also reached number 44 on the UK Albums Chart.[6] WWF The Music, Volume 4 was the second WWE album to sell a million copies, and as of April 2002 had sold a total of 1.13 million copies.[7]

Critical

Music website AllMusic awarded the album two out of five stars. Writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that it "certainly has an audience," but that anyone other than "wrestling nuts ... pretty much knows not to bother in the first place."[2] Alex Ristic of Slam! Wrestling was similarly sceptical, noting that while the album "represents the individual mat stars to a tee," that is "not necessarily a good thing."[3] Ristic criticised tracks such as "Big" and "Sexual Chocolate", although did praise songs including "Break Down the Wall" and "Danger at the Door" and concluded that "the majority of [the material] is quite good."[3]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)5
UK Albums (OCC)44
US Billboard 2004
US Top Internet Albums (Billboard)17

Year-end charts

Certifications

RegionCertificationSales/shipments
Canada (MC)[9] Platinum80,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[10] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA)Platinum1,130,000
^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

Notes and References

  1. WWF The Music, Vol. 4 . . 1999 . .
  2. Web site: World Wrestling Federation: The Music, Vol. 4 - Various Artists . Erlewine . Stephen Thomas . . October 5, 2015 .
  3. Web site: New WWF CD full of surprises . Ristic . Alex . Slam! Wrestling . . October 29, 1999 . October 5, 2015 .
  4. Web site: World Wrestling Federation: The Music, Vol. 4 - Various Artists: Awards . . October 5, 2015 .
  5. Web site: RIAA Gold & Platinum Search "WWF" . . October 5, 2015 .
  6. Web site: James A Johnston . . October 5, 2015 .
  7. Web site: Got Charts? Wrestling With WWF LPs; Breaking Records With Celine . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715094241/http://www.mtv.com/news/1453281/got-charts-wrestling-with-wwf-lps-breaking-records-with-celine/ . dead . July 15, 2014 . Basham . David . . April 5, 2002 . October 6, 2015 .
  8. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2000. Billboard. October 20, 2020.
  9. Web site: Gold/Platinum Search "WWF" . . October 6, 2015 .
  10. Web site: Certified Awards . . October 6, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130124005813/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx . January 24, 2013 . mdy-all . Note: User must manually search for album title in order to see results.