Miami (Will Smith song)

Last updated

"Miami"
Miami WS.jpg
Single by Will Smith
from the album Big Willie Style
B-side
ReleasedNovember 23, 1998 (1998-11-23)
Genre R&B [1]
Length3:18
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Will Smith singles chronology
"Just the Two of Us"
(1998)		"Miami"
(1998)		"Wild Wild West"
(1999)
Music video
"Miami" on YouTube

"Miami" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith from his debut solo album, Big Willie Style (1997). It samples the Whispers's 1979 single "And the Beat Goes On". Released as a single on November 23, 1998, the song charted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart.

Contents

"Miami" won the Best Male Video award at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. The video, which incorporates the first two verses and refrains of the selection's "radio edit" followed by the third verse and refrain of its "Miami Mix", features an early on-screen appearance of Smith's future Hitch co-star, Eva Mendes.

Critical reception

Larry Flick of Billboard wrote, "Smith should have no problem maintaining the momentum of his current album, "Big Willie Style", with this third single, following the ubiquitous "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" and "Just The Two Of Us". On "Miami", he talks us up with an ode to the heat, style, and hip factor of that city. This time around, Smith employs the instrumental hook of the Whispers' 1979 single "And The Beat Goes On", which adds a classic, string-filled disco backdrop as festive as the city itself. With Smith's record on the airwaves and at the box office, as well as his appeal with younger demographics, this really is a no-brainer, now isn't it?" [2]

Music video

In the music video for the song, Smith and members of his band are freezing in Philadelphia, where it is −30 °F (−34 °C), causing a bandmate to curse Jack Frost. They hop on a plane to Miami, and are shown going around Miami in their car and various scenes morph into one another. The video ends with Will Smith and his band performing a concert. The video features samples from Gloria Estefan's hits "Conga" and "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)".

Track listings

Charts

Sales and certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA) [46] Gold25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [47] Platinum90,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [48] Gold250,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [49]
digital sales since 2009 		Gold50,000‡
Sweden (GLF) [50] Gold15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [51]
digital sales since 2008 		2× Platinum1,200,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesOctober 6, 1998 Urban radio Columbia [52]
October 13, 1998 [53]
United KingdomNovember 23, 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 [54]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Wild West (Will Smith song)</span> 1999 single by Will Smith

"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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Men in Black (song)</span> 1997 single by Will Smith

"Men in Black" is the debut solo single of American rapper and actor Will Smith from the 1997 film of the same name, in which he also played the lead role. The song was released by Columbia Records on June 3, 1997, as the lead single from both the soundtrack and Smith's debut solo album, Big Willie Style (1997), and it was Smith's first solo single following his work with DJ Jazzy Jeff. The accompanying music video was directed by Robert Caruso, featuring Smith dancing with an alien.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gettin' Jiggy wit It</span> 1998 single by Will Smith

"Gettin' Jiggy wit It" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith, released as the third single from his debut solo album, Big Willie Style (1997). The verse is based around a sample of "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge, and the chorus is sampled from "Sang and Dance" by the Bar-Kays. Released in early 1998, the song was Smith's second hit produced by Poke & Tone and L.E.S., who replaced his long-time partner Jazzy Jeff, though the record-scratching techniques of Jazzy Jeff can be heard in the song. The record scratching is from Whistle's song Just Buggin'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)</span> 1998 single by the Offspring

"Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" is a song by American rock band the Offspring. It is the fourth track from the band's fifth studio album, Americana (1998), and was released as its first single in November 1998. The song peaked at number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was successful internationally, reaching number one in 10 countries, including Australia, where it stayed at number one for six weeks and was certified quadruple platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria (Blondie song)</span> 1999 song by Blondie

"Maria" is a song by American rock band Blondie. The song was written by Blondie keyboardist Jimmy Destri and produced by Craig Leon. Taken from their seventh album, No Exit (1999), it was Blondie's first new release since 1982. "Maria", issued as a single in Europe on January 11, 1999, reached number one in the United Kingdom; Blondie's sixth UK chart-topper. The song also topped the charts of Greece and Spain, becoming a top-20 hit across Europe and in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailamos</span> 1999 single by Enrique Iglesias

"Bailamos" is a single by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias sung in English with some lines in Spanish. The song was released in 1999 as part of the soundtrack to the film Wild Wild West (1999) and later included on Iglesias's fourth and debut English-language album, Enrique (1999). "Bailamos" reached number one on the Spanish Singles Chart and on the US Billboard Hot 100, and it became a top-three hit in Canada, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden. In both New Zealand and Spain, it was the second-most-successful single of 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Up and Down (Vengaboys song)</span> 1998 single by Vengaboys

"Up and Down" is a song by Dutch Eurodance group Vengaboys. Originally released in the Netherlands in February 1998, it reached number four in the United Kingdom in November 1998. It also reached number one on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1999. The Tin Tin Out remix of the song was sampled in DMC's remix of Cher's "Believe". The "Wooo!" voice in the song is sampled from "Crash Goes Love" by Loleatta Holloway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweetest Thing</span> 1998 single by U2

"Sweetest Thing" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It was originally released as a B-side on the "Where the Streets Have No Name" single in 1987. The song was later re-recorded and re-released as a single in October 1998 for the band's compilation album The Best of 1980–1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King of My Castle</span> 1997 single by Wamdue Project

"King of My Castle" is a song by American electronic music producer Chris Brann under his Wamdue Project alias, with vocals by Gaelle Adisson. It was originally released in 1997 as a downtempo song but became a worldwide club hit in 1999 when it was remixed by Italian house producer Roy Malone and included on the 1998 album Program Yourself. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart by 2000, topped the UK Singles Chart, and peaked within the top 10 in at least 12 other countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Know Me (Armand Van Helden song)</span> 1999 single by Armand van Helden

"You Don't Know Me" is a song by American record producer Armand van Helden featuring vocals from American singer Duane Harden. It was released on January 25, 1999, as the lead single from his third studio album, 2 Future 4 U. The creation of the song came about when Helden created a looping track composed of several music samples and left Harden to write and record the lyrics alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want to Miss a Thing</span> 1998 single by Aerosmith

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" is a song recorded by American hard rock band Aerosmith as the theme song for the 1998 science fiction disaster film Armageddon, in which lead singer Steven Tyler's daughter Liv starred. It is one of four songs performed by the band for the film, the other three being "What Kind of Love Are You On", "Come Together", and "Sweet Emotion". The power ballad was co-written by Diane Warren, who originally envisioned it would be performed by "Celine Dion or somebody like that", and Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry, although only Warren got songwriting credit. The song received its airplay premiere on May 12, 1998, and was officially added to radio a week later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong Enough (Cher song)</span> 1999 single by Cher

"Strong Enough" is a song by American recording artist Cher from her 22nd studio album, Believe (1998). The song was released as the second single from the album on February 22, 1999, by Warner Music. The song's composition and musical style is strongly reminiscent of 1970s disco music. The song received positive reviews from music critics, many calling it a highlight to Believe and comparing it to Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". "Strong Enough" peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Worldwide, it reached number one in Hungary and entered the top 10 in 14 other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Feels So Good</span> 1998 single by Sonique

"It Feels So Good" is a song by British singer Sonique. It was originally released on 9 November 1998 and peaked at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart. In May 2000, in the wake of the song's success in the United States, the single was re-released and spent three weeks at number one on the same chart. The song remained in the top 40 for 14 weeks and became the third-biggest-selling single of 2000 in Britain. It has sold over 800,000 copies in the UK as of May 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Close (Next song)</span> 1998 single by Next

"Too Close" is a song by American R&B group Next featuring uncredited vocals from Vee of Koffee Brown. It contains a sample of "Christmas Rappin" by Kurtis Blow and was released on January 27, 1998, as the second single from their debut album, Rated Next (1997). The song reached number one on the US Hot 100 and R&B charts, topping the former for five non-consecutive weeks, and has gone platinum, making it their biggest and best-known hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel It (The Tamperer featuring Maya song)</span> 1998 single by the Tamperer featuring Maya

"Feel It" is a song by Italian musical group the Tamperer featuring Maya, released by various labels as the first single from their only album, Fabulous (1999). Produced by Falox, a production team that then consisted of Tamperer members Mario Fargetta and Alex Farolfi, the song is based on the Jacksons' 1981 hit "Can You Feel It" and quotes Heather Leigh West's lyrics from Urban Discharge's 1996 song "Wanna Drop a House."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)</span> 1998 single by Will Smith

"Just the Two of Us" is a song by American rapper & actor Will Smith. It was released as the fourth single from his debut solo studio album, Big Willie Style (1997), on July 20, 1998. The song was inspired by Bill Withers' and Grover Washington, Jr.'s love song of the same title; Smith's version samples and incorporates lyrics from the original. Instead of love between a couple, "Just the Two of Us" focuses on the relationship between a father and son. The song features Fuzzy and Sauce from the R&B group Somethin' for the People with Fuzzy providing the chorus and ad-libs, while Sauce is a credited as a producer on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Will Come to You</span> 1997 single by Hanson

"I Will Come to You" is a song by American pop rock band Hanson. It was released on November 10, 1997, as the third single from the band's debut album, Middle of Nowhere (1997). "I Will Come to You" reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was more successful in Australia, reaching number two and receiving a platinum certification, and in Sweden, where it topped the chart for four weeks and was also certified platinum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save Tonight</span> 1997 single by Eagle-Eye Cherry

"Save Tonight" is a song written and performed by Swedish rock musician Eagle-Eye Cherry, released on 7 October 1997 as the lead single from his debut album, Desireless (1997). It is the album's opening track and gained substantial radio success, reaching number three in Ireland, number five in the United States, number six in the United Kingdom, and number two in Cherry's native Sweden. "Save Tonight" was awarded the Rockbjörnen award in the "Swedish song of the year 1997" category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will 2K</span> 1999 single by Will Smith

"Will 2K" is the second single taken from American rapper Will Smith's second studio album, Willennium (1999). The single was released on November 8, 1999. Sampling instruments and lyrics from the chorus of the Clash's "Rock the Casbah," as well as bits from "Superslapin'" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, the song was co-written by Smith and produced by Trackmasters. The song features vocals from K-Ci. "Will 2K" peaked at number two in the United Kingdom and pays homage to the new millennium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch It (Monifah song)</span> 1998 single by Monifah

"Touch It" is the lead single from American R&B singer Monifah's second album, Mo'hogany. The song was produced and written by Jack Knight and Screwface. It uses a sample of Laid Back's 1983 hit "White Horse", so songwriters Tim Stahl and John Guldberg are given writing credits.

References

  1. ↑ Farley, Keith. Various Artists - Jock Jams, Vol. 5 (1999) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ Flick, Larry (October 3, 1998). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard . p. 24. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  3. ↑ Miami (UK CD1 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666678 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ Miami (UK CD2 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666678 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ Miami (UK cassette single sleeve). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666678 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ Miami (European CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. COL 666488 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Miami (Australian CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666488 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7472." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7465." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 7. February 13, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Will Smith: Miami" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 13. March 27, 1999. p. 12. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (13.11–20.11. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 13, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  20. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Miami". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 4, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami". VG-lista. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Major Market Airplay – Week 50/1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 50. December 12, 1998. p. 23. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Will Smith – Miami". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Will Smith: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Will Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Will Smith Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1998" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Best Sellers of 1998 – Singles Top 100". Music Week . January 16, 1999. p. 7.
  37. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop . Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  38. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. December 13, 1999. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  39. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 13, 1999. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1999" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1999" (in German). Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  47. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Will Smith – Miami". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  48. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Will Smith; 'Miami')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Will Smith – Miami" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  51. ↑ "British single certifications – Will Smith – Miami". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  52. ↑ "AddVance Notice". Radio & Records . No. 1268. October 2, 1998. p. 56.
  53. ↑ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1269. October 9, 1998. pp. 54, 60.
  54. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 21, 1998. p. 23. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.