Both of Us

"Both of Us" is a song by American rapper B.o.B, released on May 22, 2012, as the third single from his second studio album, Strange Clouds (2012).[1] The song features vocals from American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The artists co-wrote the song alongside Ammar Malik and the song's producers, Dr. Luke and Cirkut.

"Both of Us"
Single by B.o.B featuring Taylor Swift
from the album Strange Clouds
ReleasedMay 22, 2012
Recorded2011
Genre
Length3:36
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
B.o.B singles chronology
"So Good"
(2012)		 "Both of Us"
(2012)		 "Out of My Mind"
(2012)
Taylor Swift singles chronology
"Eyes Open"
(2012)		 "Both of Us"
(2012)		 "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"
(2012)
Music video
"Both of Us" on YouTube

"Both of Us" was released to critical acclaim, most praising Swift's feature, with some calling the country rap collaboration as a sweet and melodic catchy song.[2] It debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 46. The song sold 143,000 copies in its first week of release in the United States, debuting at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut.

"Both of Us" is an alternative hip hop song, with musical influences of country rap and dubstep, and lyrical influences of conscious hip hop.

Background

The lyrics of "Both of Us" talks about racism and bullying. It was Swift who came up with the idea for the collaboration after she visited B.o.B's label, Grand Hustle Records. The rapper explained, "She came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle. I wasn't there. Tip was there and I eventually linked with her in Dallas and the rest is history." This is not the first time Swift contributed to a hip hop song; her other collaborations include a song with T-Pain at the 2009 CMT Music Awards, and inviting T.I., Nicki Minaj, and Flo Rida to her Speak Now World Tour in 2011.[3]

Music video

The music video, directed by Jake Nava, was released on June 27, 2012. B.o.B announced the video on Twitter, sharing a photo and a release date time frame: "On the set of the #BothOfUs music video in Nashville with @taylorswift13. Video premieres end of June!".[4]

Synopsis

The video begins with B.o.B standing before a small American flag then cuts to Swift singing the song's hook in a dark lit pool hall. B.o.B then takes to the train tracks and streets to deliver his verses while Swift croons the hook in a picturesque field while donning a white cotton dress, and shows a dog that leaves Swift awestruck with his high flying antics. Footage of the artists is interspliced with scenes of life in Nashville's less glamorous neighborhoods like tatted locals, cowboy-boot-wearing young women, shirtless youths playing in sprinklers, teens kissing, a mobile home (this leaves viewers knowing that the video isn't glamorous, but instead leaves viewers appreciating the little things in life – It's not about the money, it's understanding that a romp through a sprinkler or a good game of billiards is enough to take you away from the mundane moments of everyday life). As the first chorus precedes Swift is shown singing at a field covered with dandelions and flowers and several shots of B.o.B and Swift are interspliced. As the video closes out, viewers are left with a sort of fantasy, with B.o.B and Swift re-imagined as the every man and every woman living simple life in rural Tennessee, much like the folks in the video. At the end, we see B.o.B standing in a driveway with a car backing up and B.o.B staring at it. As of January 2020 the video has over 55 million views on YouTube.

Chart performance

The song was successful in Australia and New Zealand, charting within the top ten in both Australia and New Zealand. It debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 46 and eventually peaked at number five. The song also peaked at number ten in New Zealand. The song sold 143,000 copies in its first week, along with the album release, debuting at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut. The single sold over 1,000,000 digital copies as of November 2017.[5]

Live performances

Swift performed the song with B.o.B on April 19, 2013 in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta when the rapper was invited as a surprise guest for the show for Swift's Red Tour.

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18] Platinum 70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[19] Gold 7,500[20]
United States (RIAA)[21] Platinum 1,000,000*

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history
Country Date Format Label
Various May 22, 2012 Digital download Atlantic
United States[22][23] Contemporary hit radio
United Kingdom[24] July 22, 2012 Digital download Atlantic
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References
  1. "Both Of Us ft. Taylor Swift - B.o.B Official Blog". Bobatl.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  2. "Song of the Week: 'Both of Us,' B.o.B featuring Taylor Swift". NJ.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  3. "Both of Us by B.o.B Songfacts". Songfacts.com. April 11, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  4. "Twitter / MTV: MUSIC VIDEO PREMIERE @bob..." Twitter.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  5. Trust, Gary (November 26, 2017). "Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales". Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  6. "Australian-charts.com – B.o.B Feat. Taylor Swift – Both Of Us". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  7. "ARIA Urban Singles Chart - 23/3/15" (PDF). ARIA Colle scheissearts. October 11, 2015. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012.
  8. "Club Music, Hot Dance Songs, Club Songs, Dance Club Music Charts". Billboard.com. June 2, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  9. "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard.
  10. "Chart Track: Week 32, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  11. "Charts.nz – B.o.B Feat. Taylor Swift – Both Of Us". Top 40 Singles.
  12. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  13. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  14. "R&B Singles Top 40 - 22nd July 2012". Official Charts. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  15. "Club Music, Hot Dance Songs, Club Songs, Dance Club Music Charts". Billboard.com. June 2, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  16. "Chart Highlights: Katy Perry's 'Wide Awake' Debuts on Pop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  17. "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  18. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  19. "New Zealand single certifications – B.O.B – Both Of Us". Recorded Music NZ.
  20. "RIANZ". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  21. "American single certifications – B.o.B – Both of Us". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  22. "Both Of Us ft. Taylor Swift - B.o.B Official Blog". B.o.B Official Website. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  23. "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates ..." All Access. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  24. "Both Of Us (Feat. Taylor Swift) – MP3 Single". Tesco Entertainment. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
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