Jump to content

Wild Wild West (Will Smith song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Wild Wild West"
Single by Will Smith featuring Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee
from the album Wild Wild West (soundtrack) and Willennium
B-side
  • "Y'all Know"
  • "Chasing Forever"
ReleasedMay 11, 1999 (1999-05-11)
Genre
Length
  • 4:05 (album version)
  • 3:29 (radio version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Will Smith singles chronology
"Miami"
(1998) 		"Wild Wild West"
(1999) 		"Will 2K"
(1999)
Kool Moe Dee singles chronology
"Rise N Shine"
(1991) 		"Wild Wild West"
(1999) 		"Downtown"
(2015)
Dru Hill singles chronology
"These Are the Times"
(1998) 		"Wild Wild West"
(1999) 		"You Are Everything"
(1999)
Music video
"Wild Wild West" on YouTube

"Wild Wild West" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith from the 1999 film of the same name, in which he also starred. The song plays during the film's closing credits. The single includes parts of the chorus from Kool Moe Dee's song of the same name, and samples Stevie Wonder's 1976 hit song "I Wish". Kool Moe Dee re-performed the chorus for the song, and additional guest vocals are provided by Dru Hill. The album version of the song is introduced by a brief spoken-word interlude where Smith asks his infant son Jaden what song he should play next, interpreting Jaden's repeated non-verbal response as "Wild Wild West".

"Wild Wild West" was released on May 11, 1999, as a single from the film's soundtrack and as the lead single from Smith's second studio album, Willennium (1999). The song became a number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, and its extended music video, directed by Paul Hunter, features Wonder and several other celebrities as guest stars. The song was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000.[2]

Music video

[edit]

Directed by Paul Hunter,[3] the music video includes several dialog sequences featuring Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Dru Hill, and a guest appearance by Stevie Wonder, intercut with clips from the film, featuring the film's characters. Salma Hayek also appears as her character Rita Escobar in the video's dialog sequences, as does an actor resembling Kenneth Branagh and his character of Dr. Loveless. Latin pop star Enrique Iglesias also appeared in the video playing a Prince. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star and tap dancer Alfonso Ribeiro appeared in the music video as one of the dancers. Other cameos include actor Larenz Tate, Shari Headley, singer/writer/producer Babyface and rapper MC Lyte.

Track listings

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[70] Gold 35,000^
Belgium (BEA)[71] Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP)[72] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[73] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[74] Gold 5,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[75] Gold  
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[76] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Gold 480,000[77]
United States (RIAA)[80] Gold 500,000[79]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 11, 1999
[81]
May 24, 1999 Urban radio [82]
United Kingdom June 28, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 Columbia [83]
United States July 6, 1999
  • Overbrook
  • Columbia
 [84]
Canada CD — [85]
[edit]
  • The song is featured as a playable song in the music rhythm game Just Dance 4. If the song is completed on the Extreme Version with 5 stars, players receive the "New Sheriff in Town" achievement.[86][87]
  • OutsideXbox's Andy Farrant is known for having memorized the song and rapping portions of it during the Oxventure Dungeons & Dragons campaign quest Wild Wild Woods.[88]
  • The song has been featured as the intro to Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast since 2016.[89]
  • Wild Wild West is sampled in Neil Cicierega's[90] mashup album Mouth Moods, specifically the song "Wow Wow".

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Number Ones: Will Smith's "Wild Wild West" (Feat. Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee)". Stereogum. July 15, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  2. ^ "1999 Grammy Winners". Grammy Awards. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "Production Notes". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 23. June 5, 1999. p. 123. Will Smith [...] teamed up with director Paul Hunter for the 'Wild Wild West' video.
  4. ^ Wild Wild West (US CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Overbrook Entertainment, Columbia Records. 1999. 38K 79157.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Wild Wild West (US cassette single sleeve). Will Smith. Overbrook Entertainment, Columbia Records. 1999. 38T 79157.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Wild Wild West (Australian CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Overbrook Entertainment, Columbia Records. 1999. 667525.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Wild Wild West (Japanese CD single liner notes). Will Smith. SME Records. 1999. SRCS 8940.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Wild Wild West (European CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Overbrook Entertainment, Columbia Records. 1999. COL 667288 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Wild Wild West (UK CD1 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 667596 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Wild Wild West (UK CD2 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 667596 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Wild Wild West (UK cassette single sleeve). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1999. 667596 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  13. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  14. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  15. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  16. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8387." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  18. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8469." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 8374." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  20. ^ "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on August 29, 1999. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  21. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 30. July 24, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  22. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 29. July 17, 1999. p. 9. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  23. ^ "Will Smith: Wild Wild West" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  24. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  25. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  26. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 32. August 7, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved June 8, 2020. See LW column.
  27. ^ "Dominan los puertorriqueños en la preferencia musical de latinoamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). September 6, 1999. p. 43. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  28. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 38. September 18, 1999. p. 18. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wild Wild West". Irish Singles Chart.
  30. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 31. July 31, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 28, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  32. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  33. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  34. ^ "Dominan los puertorriqueños en la preferencia musical de latinoamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). September 6, 1999. p. 43. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  35. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West". VG-lista. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  36. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  37. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West" Canciones Top 50.
  38. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  39. ^ "Will Smith – Wild Wild West". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  40. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  41. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  42. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  43. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  44. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  45. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  46. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  47. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  48. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  50. ^ "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  51. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved November 28, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  52. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Retrieved November 28, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  53. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. January 1, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  54. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1999" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  55. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  56. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  58. ^ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  59. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005.
  60. ^ "Tabla 16. CD-Singles Más Vendidos en 1999" [Table 16. Top Selling CD-Singles in 1999] (in Spanish). AFYVE. p. 206. Retrieved November 11, 2021. Click on Música grabada.
  61. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  62. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1999" (in German). Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  63. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
  64. ^ "Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 2000. p. 31. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  65. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  66. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-57.
  67. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Rap Singles". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-59.
  68. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  69. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53.
  70. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  71. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  72. ^ "French single certifications – Will Smith – Wild Wild West" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  73. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Will Smith; 'Wild Wild West')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  74. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Will Smith – Wild Wild West". Recorded Music NZ.[dead link]
  75. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  76. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Wild Wild West')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  77. ^ Myers, Justin (July 11, 2014). "Official Charts Flashback 1999: Ricky Martin – Livin' La Vida Loca". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  78. ^ "British single certifications – Will Smith – Wild Wild West". British Phonographic Industry.
  79. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 4. January 22, 2000. p. 63. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  80. ^ "American single certifications – Will Smith – Wild Wild West". Recording Industry Association of America.
  81. ^ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1298. May 7, 1999. pp. 77, 83. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  82. ^ "AddVance Notice" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1300. May 21, 1999. p. 56. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  83. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 28 June, 1999" (PDF). Music Week. June 26, 1999. p. 25. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  84. ^ Pietroluongo, Silvio (May 22, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 21. p. 99. Columbia is scheduled to release a retail single for 'West' July 6.
  85. ^ "Singles". CDPlus.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2002.
  86. ^ Corriea, Alexa Ray (August 15, 2012). "'Just Dance 4' full track list unveiled". Polygon. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  87. ^ "New Sheriff in Town achievement in Just Dance 4". TrueAchievements. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  88. ^ "Dungeons & Dragons LIVE: WILD WILD WOODS! (Ep. 2 of 2)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  89. ^ "New 'SNL' Castmember Shane Gillis Under Fire for Racial Slur in Resurfaced Audio". The Hollywood Reporter. September 12, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  90. ^ Romano, Aja (March 7, 2017). "This '90s kid turned his love of a decade into the internet's best mashup albums". Vox. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wild_Wild_West_(Will_Smith_song)&oldid=1248182009"