Ex-Factor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with The X Factor or Case of the Ex.

"Ex-Factor"
A woman crouching down with the white short-skirted dress, bracelets, and necklaces.
One of UK cover arts
Single by Lauryn Hill
from the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
ReleasedDecember 22, 1998
RecordedDecember 1997
Studio
Genre
Length
  • 5:27 (album version)
  • 4:38 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Lauryn Hill
Producer(s)Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill singles chronology
"Doo Wop (That Thing)"
(1998) 		"Ex-Factor"
(1998) 		"Everything Is Everything"
(1999)

"Ex-Factor" is the second single from American recording artist Lauryn Hill from her debut solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). The song incorporates elements of R&B, neo soul and hip hop soul. Released by Ruffhouse and Columbia Records, the song features a sample of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan.[1]

The song has been claimed to be about Hill's former Fugees groupmate Wyclef Jean.[2] Upon its release, critics praised the songs enchanting vocals and lyrics.[3] The song peaked in the Top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached number-one on US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and on the UK R&B chart. It was awarded the Best R&B/Soul single - Female award at the 2000 Soul Train Awards.[4] Spin named it the 3rd best single of 1999.[5] In 2020, The Ringer ranked it as the 18th greatest breakup song of all time.[6]

The song has been sampled by numerous artists including Drake ("Nice for What") and Cardi B ("Be Careful"); and has been covered by Beyoncé,[7] Kelly Clarkson,[8] John Legend,[9] and H.E.R.[10]

Music and lyrics[]

"Ex-Factor" was written and produced by Lauryn Hill and it features replayed elements of "Can It Be All So Simple" by Wu-Tang Clan,[11] which itself samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "The Way We Were".[12]

"Ex-Factor" a soul number which serves as a painful dissection of a failing relationship.[13][14] The accompaniment is driven by two-chord progressions all throughout its melodic variations.[13] Its refrain contains soaring harmonies.[15]

Samples[]

In 2018, rappers Drake and Cardi B sampled it in their songs "Nice for What" and "Be Careful", respectively.[12]

Chart performance[]

Although not as successful as her previous single "Doo Wop (That Thing)", the song still entered several international charts. It spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at 21 on the week of April 10, 1999. It reached number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[16] It also charted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, spending 31 weeks and peaking number 7 on March 13, 1999. It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 16 weeks on the chart, it remains Hill's biggest hit in the UK.

Track listing[]

  • UK CD1'
  1. "Ex-Factor" [Album Version] – 5:27
  2. "Ex-Factor" [Part II Remix] – 4:38
  3. "Ex-Factor" [A Simple Mix] – 4:37
  • UK CD2
  1. "Ex-Factor" [Radio Edit] – 4:38
  2. "Ex-Factor" [A Simple Breakdown] – 4:10
  3. "Lost Ones" [Remix] – 4:17
  • Australian single
  1. "Ex-Factor" [Radio Edit] – 4:38
  2. "Ex-Factor" [Album Version] – 5:27
  3. "Ex-Factor" [Instrumental] – 5:27
  4. "Ex-Factor" [Callout Hook #1] – 0:10
  5. "Ex-Factor" [Callout Hook #2] – 0:05

Credits and personnel[]

Adapted from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill liner notes.[11]

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[34]
sales since 2004 		Gold 400,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ Tardio, Andres (April 3, 2018). "5 Takeaways From Cardi B's New Single 'Be Careful'". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  2. ^ Rush, George; Molly, Joanna; Ogunnake, Lola (July 26, 2000). "Wyclef Says 'Ex' Marks His Spot". Daily News. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  3. ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (December 5, 1998). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  4. ^ "TLC Wins 2 At Soul Train Awards". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "Spin Magazine End Of Year Lists". www.rocklistmusic.co.uk. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  6. ^ Staff, The Ringer (February 14, 2020). "The 50 Greatest Breakup Songs of All Time". The Ringer. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  7. ^ News, Video-7 years ago (July 29, 2014). "Beyonce Covers Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" Live In New Orleans". Okayplayer. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Watch Kelly Clarkson Mash-Up Post Malone, Lauryn Hill and Cardi B". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "When Adam Lambert paid tribute to George Michael with a flawless cover of 'Faith'". Smooth. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  10. ^ H.E.R. - Ex Factor (Lauryn Hill Cover) - Lollapalooza Chicago 2019, retrieved April 14, 2021
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b (1998) Album notes for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill [liner notes]. Ruffhouse Records (Columbia Records).
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Peters, Mitchell (April 7, 2018). "The 'Ex-Factor': How Drake, Cardi B & More Sampled Lauryn Hill's 'Miseducation' Single". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Bush, John. "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  14. ^ Mulvey, John (September 23, 1998). "Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". NME. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  15. ^ Lieberman, Neil. "Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 19, 2003. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  16. ^ "Lauryn Hill". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  18. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16 no. 10. March 6, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  19. ^ "Lescharts.com – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in French). Les classement single.
  20. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  21. ^ "Íslenski Listinn (26.2–5.3. 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 26, 1999. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  22. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ex-Factor". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  23. ^ "week 16 (17 april 1999)" (in Dutch). top40.nl.
  24. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  26. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor". Singles Top 100.
  27. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor". Swiss Singles Chart.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  29. ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  30. ^ "Lauryn Hill Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  31. ^ "Lauryn Hill Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  32. ^ "Lauryn Hill Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  33. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  34. ^ "British single certifications – Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

External links[]

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