Bawitdaba

"Bawitdaba" is a song by Kid Rock. Released in 1998 on his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause, "Bawitdaba" helped push the success of the album. It became one of his most popular songs and is his second most-listened to song according to Last.fm.

"Bawitdaba"
Single by Kid Rock
from the album Devil Without a Cause
B-side	"My Oedipus Complex", "Krack Rocks", "Paid", "I Am the Bullgod" (acoustic)
Released	April 8, 1999 (1999-04-08)
Recorded	1998 at Temper Mill Studios, Detroit, Michigan
Genre	Nu metal[1][2] rap metal[3] rap rock[4]
Length	4:26 (album version) 3:33 (radio edit) 3:32 (edit)
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Kid Rock Uncle Kracker Jason Krause
Producer(s)	Kid Rock John Travis
Kid Rock singles chronology
"I Am the Bullgod" (1998) "Bawitdaba" (1999) "Cowboy" (1999)
Audio sample
file help

Background

"Bawitdaba" has been described as having a nu metal sound.[1][2] Its chorus has been described as a "neo-gregorian drone"; this chorus was derived from hip hop chants, such as the refrain from the Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight".[5][6] The lyrics of the song are dedicated to "chicks with beepers", the IRS, as well as "all the crackheads, the critics, the cynics / And all my heroes in the methadone clinic."[7]

In the demo recording of the song, Kid Rock shouts, "Now get in the pit and try to kill someone!"[7] On the album version, Kid Rock changed the lyrics, replacing the word "kill" with "love". Regarding the change, Kid Rock told The Baltimore Sun that he was glad he changed the lyrics, explaining that mosh pits are about coexistence.[7]

Reception

"Bawitdaba" is considered to be one of Kid Rock's best songs.[5][8][9]

In 2009, "Bawitdaba" was named the 47th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.[10]

Track listing

CD single

1. "Bawitdaba"
2. "Bawitdaba" (Instrumental)
3. "Cowboy"

CD single (German)

1. "Bawitdaba" (edit) – 3:32
2. "Bawitdaba" (album version) – 4:25
3. "I Am the Bullgod" (live, electro-acoustic version) – 5:28

Import CD single 1 of 3 (UK)

1. "Bawitdaba" (radio edit)
2. "My Oedipus Complex" (father edit)
3. "My Oedipus Complex" (son edit)
4. "Bawitdaba" (enhanced video)

Import CD single 2 of 3 (UK)

1. "Bawitdaba"
2. "Cowboy"
3. "Prodigal Son"
4. "Cowboy" (enhanced video)

Import CD single 3 of 3 (European)

1. "Bawitdaba" (radio edit)
2. "I Am the Bullgod"
3. "Paid"
4. "I Am the Bullgod" (enhanced video)

"Krack Rocks" single

1. "Bawitdaba" (radio mix)
2. "Krack Rocks"
3. "I Am the Bullgod" (remix)

Promo single #1

1. "Bawitdaba" (radio remix) – 3:18
2. "Bawitdaba" (original radio mix) – 3:31

Promo single #2

1. "Bawitdaba" (edit) – 3:32
2. "Bawitdaba" (album version) – 4:25

Credits and personnel

• Kid Rock – lead vocals
• Kenny Tudrick – lead guitar
• Jason Krause – metal guitar
• Jimmie Bones – organ, synth bass
• Stefanie Eulinberg – drums, percussion
• Uncle Kracker – turntables

Charts

Chart (1999–2001)	Peak position
Germany (Official German Charts)[11]	84
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12]	7
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[13]	32
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14]	41
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[15]	4
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[16]	10
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[17]	11

References

1. "They Did It All for the Nookie: Decibel Explores the Rise and Fall of Nu-Metal". Decibel. August 13, 2005. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
2. Josh Chesler. "10 Nu-Metal Songs That Actually Don't Suck". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
3. Christgau, Robert (May 25, 1999). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Archived from the original on March 23, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
4. Weiss, Dan (April 6, 2012). "Ten Rap-Rock Songs That Are Actually Awesome". LA Weekly.
5. "15 Best Kid Rock singles, from 'Bawitdaba' to 'First Kiss'". amp.azcentral.com.
6. ""Bawitdaba" by Kid Rock".
7. "Song of the Summer: "Bawitdaba," by Kid Rock".
8. "Kid Rock's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". www.billboard.com.
9. "The 10 best Kid Rock songs".
10. "VH1 Top 100 Hard Rock Songs". spreadit.org. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
11. "Offiziellecharts.de – Kid Rock – Bawitdaba". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
12. "Charts.nz – Kid Rock – Bawitdaba". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
13. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
14. "Kid Rock: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
15. "Kid Rock Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
16. "Kid Rock Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
17. "Kid Rock Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 31, 2020.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics