Magic (B.o.B song)
"Magic" is a song by American hip hop recording artist B.o.B, released on June 7, 2010 as the fifth single from his debut studio album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010). The track features Weezer's lead singer Rivers Cuomo, singing the chorus. It was written by both artists, alongside the song's producer Dr. Luke. In the UK, the track made Radio 1's B-Playlist.[2]
"Magic" | ||||
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Single by B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo | ||||
from the album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray | ||||
Released | July 6, 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Studio | MaGik Studio | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:16 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Dr. Luke, Maciek Albrecht | |||
B.o.B singles chronology | ||||
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Rivers Cuomo singles chronology | ||||
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Composition
"Magic" is written in the key of B major with a tempo of 82 beats per minute in common time. The song follows a chord progression of B5–E5–G♯5–F♯5, and the vocals in the song span from D♯4 to F♯5.[3][4]
Reception
Despite mixed reviews, the song progressed up and down the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching number 10 at its peak.[5] Billboard.com gave it a positive review, saying, "The song's strongest force is an infectious, throbbing synth-guitar hook from Dr. Luke, who seamlessly fuses B.o.B's verses with a chorus by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo that demands a singalong. The result is stellar."[6] The reviewer at TinyMixtapes.com said that "'Magic' is magnificently, triumphantly corny, enough to give Steve Miller and that guy from The Outfield a run for their money. 'Magic' isn't good by any stretch of the imagination, but it is goofily enjoyable."[7]
In his album review for Spin, Kenny Herzog wrote, "The Adventures of Bobby Ray is a hip-hop Scary Movie, tossing off references (Vampire Weekend sample, Rivers Cuomo cameo) while struggling to establish a distinctive identity."[8] Pitchfork questioned "the appearance by Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, whose creepily blank vocals on 'Magic' sound like the engineer has a gun to his head".[9] The Guardian's Paul MacInnes wrote that "all the Chris Martinesque piano lines and calibrated guest appearances – from Weezer's River Cuomo to Janelle Monáe – can't obscure an absence of soul throughout."[10]
Music video
The music video was released on MTV at midnight on September 3, 2010[11] The video features B.o.B trying to wake himself up from a dream. He was also performing with Rivers Cuomo in the video on a stage at a wild party. In addition, Paul Iacono from the MTV show The Hard Times of RJ Berger is featured dancing on stage. The video was directed by Sanaa Hamri.
Track listing
- "Magic" - 3:16
- "Mellow Fellow" - 2:58
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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In other media
- The Treblemakers, an all-male a cappella group in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect, sang this song in their finale performance.
- American rapper Becky G, recorded a new version of the song for The Smurfs 2 soundtrack called Magik 2.0. Her rendition features singer Austin Mahone singing the hook while Becky raps the verses. It was produced by A.C.
References
- Richards, M. T. "Review: B.o.B., B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray".
- "BBC - Radio 1 - Playlist". Radio 1.
- Simmons Jr., Bobby Ray. "B.o.B "Magic" Sheet Music in B Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- "BPM for 'magic' by bob | songbpm.com". songbpm.com. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- "B.o.B Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- "B.o.B featuring Rivers Cuomo, "Magic"". Billboard.
- "B.o.B. - B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray | Music Review". Tiny Mix Tapes.
- Herzog, Kenny (April 26, 2010). "B.o.B, 'The Adventures of Bobby Ray' (Atlantic)". Spin Magazine Online.
- Greene, Jayson (May 13, 2010). "Pitchfork: Album Reviews: B.o.B: The Adventures of Bobby Ray". Pitchfork Media.
- MacInnes, Paul (May 27, 2010). "B.o.B.: B.o.B. Presents the Adventures of Bobby Ray". guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media.
- Anitai, Tamar. "Video Premiere: B.o.B, 'Magic,' Featuring Rivers Cuomo". MTV News.
- "Australian-charts.com – B.o.B feat. Rivers Cuomo – Magic". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- "B.o.B Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- " European Hot 100: Week of November 20, 2010". Billboard.com
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Magic". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – B.o.B feat. Rivers Cuomo" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – B.o.B feat. Rivers Cuomo – Magic" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- "Charts.nz – B.o.B feat. Rivers Cuomo – Magic". Top 40 Singles.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Swedishcharts.com – B.o.B feat. Rivers Cuomo – Magic". Singles Top 100.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
- "B.o.B Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
- "B.o.B Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- "B.o.B Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
- "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
- "Best of 2010: Canadian Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
- "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2010". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
- "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
- "Hot 100 Songs: 2010 Year-End Charts - Billboard". Billboard.
- "Canadian single certifications – B.o.B – Magic". Music Canada.
- "New Zealand single certifications – B.o.B – Magic". Recorded Music NZ.
- "British single certifications – Bob ft Rivers Cuomo – Magic". British Phonographic Industry.
- "American single certifications – B.o.B – Magic". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.