Wild Wild West (Will Smith song)
"Wild Wild West" is a song by American actor and rapper Will Smith from the 1999 film of the same name, in which he also starred. It was released on May 4, 1999 as a single for the film's soundtrack and as the lead single from his second studio album Willennium (1999). The song plays during the film's closing credits.
"Wild Wild West" | ||||
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Single by Will Smith featuring Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee | ||||
from the album Wild Wild West (soundtrack) and Willennium | ||||
B-side | "Chasing Forever" | |||
Released | May 4, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1998 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:07 (album) 3:28 (single) | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Will Smith singles chronology | ||||
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Kool Moe Dee singles chronology | ||||
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The song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and its extended music video, directed by Paul Hunter, was a hit on MTV. Will Smith's "Wild Wild West" single samples Stevie Wonder's 1976 hit song "I Wish", with parts of the chorus from Kool Moe Dee's song of the same name as well. Kool Moe Dee re-performs that chorus for the song, with additional guest vocals from the group Dru Hill. The album version of the song is introduced by a brief spoken word interlude where Smith asks his then-baby son Jaden what song he should play next, interpreting Jaden's repeated non-verbal response as "Wild Wild West". The song was the recipient of the 1999 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song while it was also nominated for a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Song from a Movie. This song later appeared in the video game Just Dance 4 and was also sampled by Neil Cicierega in his song "Wow Wow" from his album Mouth Moods.
Music video
The music video was directed by Paul Hunter, and included several dialog sequences featuring Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Dru Hill and guest appearance by Stevie Wonder, intercut with clips from the film, featuring the film's characters. Hayek also appears as her character Rita Escobar in the video's dialog sequences, as does an actor resembling Branagh and his character of Dr. Loveless. Fellow 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 female rapper MC Lyte. The "Wild Wild West" video put more focus on Dru Hill lead singer Sisqó, while relegating the other three members of the quartet to the background. Dru Hill member James "Woody" Green retired from the group on the set of the video, feeling a need to return to his gospel music roots.
Track listing
- UK CD1
- "Wild Wild West" – 4:05
- "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (album version) – 3:48
- "Big Willie Style" (Left Eye Remix) – 3:35
- UK CD2
- "Wild Wild West" – 4:05
- "Miami" (Jason Nevins' Live on South Beach Dub) – 5:11
- "Chasing Forever" – 4:16
- Thailand maxi single
- "Wild Wild West" – 4:05
- "Wild Wild West" (radio version) – 3:29
- "Wild Wild West" (a cappella) – 4:05
- "Miami" (Miami Mix) – 4:40
- "Just the Two of Us" (Rodney Jerkins Remix featuring Brian McKnight) – 4:14
- US maxi single
- "Wild Wild West" (album version) – 4:08
- "Wild Wild West" (radio version) – 3:28
- "Wild Wild West" (instrumental) – 4:09
- "Wild Wild West" (a cappella) – 4:05
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[46] | Gold | 35,000^ |
France (SNEP)[47] | Gold | 250,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[48] | Gold | 250,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[49] | Gold | 5,000* |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[50] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] | Gold | 480,000[52] |
United States (RIAA)[53] | Gold | 500,000[54] |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
References
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- "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16 no. 30. July 24, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
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- "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16 no. 32. August 7, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved June 8, 2020. See LW column.
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- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wild Wild West". Irish Singles Chart.
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- "British single certifications – Will Smith – Wild Wild West". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Wild Wild West in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- Myers, Justin (July 11, 2014). "Official Charts Flashback 1999: Ricky Martin – Livin' La Vida Loca". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- "American single certifications – Will Smith – Wild Wild West". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH.
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