Men in Black (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Men in Black"
WillSmithMenInBlackCDSingleCover.jpg
Single by Will Smith
from the album Men in Black: The Album and Big Willie Style
B-side
  • "M.I.B. Main Theme"
  • "Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Thing)" (Alicia Keys)
ReleasedJune 3, 1997 (1997-06-03)
Length3:48
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Poke and Tone
Will Smith singles chronology
"Men in Black"
(1997) 		"Just Cruisin'"
(1997)
Music video
"Men In Black" on YouTube

"Men in Black" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith from the 1997 film Men in Black, in which he also starred. The song was released by Columbia Records on June 3, 1997, as the lead single from both the Men in Black soundtrack and Smith's debut solo album Big Willie Style (1997), and was his first solo single following his work with DJ Jazzy Jeff. The song plays during the movie's closing credits and samples "Forget Me Nots" by Patrice Rushen. It features Smith rapping about how the Men in Black "Walk in shadow, move in silence" and play the role of "first, last and only line of defense, against the worst scum of the universe", while SWV singer Coko sings the chorus and background vocals. "Men in Black" reached number one in several countries and won Smith a Grammy Award in 1998 for the Best Rap Solo Performance.

Release and success[]

"Men in Black" features a sample of, and a re-sung chorus from, "Forget Me Nots" by Patrice Rushen. In a twist, the line "To help you to remember" is changed to "They won't let you remember", in reference to the memory-erasing "neuralyzer" devices used in the Men in Black movie.

Aside from appearing on the movie's soundtrack, "Men in Black" also appears on Smith's Columbia Records album Big Willie Style. "Men in Black" topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, "Men in Black" became Smith's second chart-topping song after "Boom! Shake the Room" in 1993, Smith's first solo chart-topping song, and Smith's first chart-topping song released under his real name. "Men in Black" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100 because it was not released as a commercial single in the United States; at the time, only songs that were commercially released as singles were eligible, but it did top the airplay chart. The music video for the song also appears on the DVD The Will Smith Collection. It was also included in the album All Time Greatest Movie Songs, released by Sony in 1999. It was also featured after the end credits of the VHS release of "Men in Black". It was also covered by Forever the Sickest Kids for the compilation album Punk Goes Crunk & by Alvin and the Chipmunks for the album The A-Files: Alien Songs. An instrumental and short version of the song plays over the closing credits in Men in Black: The Series.

Critical reception[]

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Remember when Will Smith was better known as a rapper? That seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it? Well, he returns to music in excellent form on this lighthearted theme song from the soundtrack to his new movie of the same name. Smith has never been a hardcore lyricist, but he also never been anything less than clever, charming, and shrewdly aware of what the masses will dig. There's no doubt that this jam, which nicks its hook from Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots", will be an outta-da-box smasheroo."[1] Music & Media said that Smith builds his raps on the song by Rushen "in an instantly appealing way."[2]

Music video[]

Robert Caruso directed the music video for the song. It starts with a dark hallway lighting up. Tommy Lee Jones enters from around the corner and begins to explain in a voiceover the purpose of the Men in Black. Will Smith enters with the line: "And we dress in black." There is then a cut to what appears to be an alleyway, a steel box which looks a bit like a commercial refrigerator in the middle. The surface begins to deform and show a glowing light from within. The video then cuts to several scenes of Agents experimenting on alien organisms and technology, with Smith rapping into further detail of the operations of the Men in Black. It soon has him surrounded by MIB agents in a warehouse. In the middle of the dance routine, an alien (Mikey from the film) comes in and screams at Smith. Smith then leads the agents and the alien to do a modified Electric Slide, where the alien slips out in the middle.

After dancing along with the agents, he goes after the alien. The same glowing light from the beginning of the video is then seen in the drivers seat of an SUV with the two female Agents who were with Smith in the vehicle; they speed off just as Smith reaches it. Disappointed, he puts on his glasses and takes out a Neuralyzer, pointing it at the camera.

Two versions of the video were made alternating the flash. In one version of the video, the flash takes the viewer back to the empty hallway from the opening scene, effectively erasing the video's contents entirely as if ensuring the viewer doesn't remember what they saw in the video, while in the other, the flash produces a white screen. Just before the flash in both, Smith says, somewhat regretfully, "Sorry".

Track listings[]

Personnel[]

  • Patrice Rushen, Terry McFadden, Will Smith – writers, composers
  • Coko – backing vocals
  • Matthew Wishart – clarinet, trombone
  • Poke and Tone – drum programming, producer
  • Commissioner Gordon, Tony Maserati – mixing
  • John Shriver – recording
  • Paul Griffin – animation director for "Mikey" (video)
  • Rob Chiarelli - recording engineer & remixer

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[56] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[57] Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP)[58] Diamond 750,000*
Germany (BVMI)[59] 3× Gold 750,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[60] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] Platinum 10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[62] Platinum  
Sweden (GLF)[63] Platinum 30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[64] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[66] Platinum 961,805[65]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history[]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 3, 1997 (1997-06-03)
Columbia [67]
United Kingdom August 4, 1997 (1997-08-04)
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [68]

References[]

  1. ^ Flick, Larry (June 14, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 74. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  2. ^ "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. July 26, 1997. p. 17. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Men in Black (US promo 12-inch vinyl disc). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997. CAS 0786.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ Men in Black (Australian CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997. 664770 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Men in Black (Japanese maxi-CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Sony Records. 1997. SRCS-8445.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Men in Black (UK CD1 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997. 664868 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Men in Black (UK CD2 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997. 664868 5.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Men in Black (European CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997. COL 664724 1, 664724 1.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Men in Black (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1997. COL 664724 2, 664724 2.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  12. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  14. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3306." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 3304." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 36. September 6, 1997. p. 14. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 38. September 20, 1997. p. 12. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  19. ^ "Will Smith: Men in Black" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  20. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in French). Les classement single.
  21. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 44. November 1, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  23. ^ "Íslenski Listinn NR. 228 Vikuna 3.7. '97 – 9.7. '97". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). July 4, 1997. p. 22. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  24. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Men in Black". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  25. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Will Smith" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  26. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  27. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black". Top 40 Singles.
  28. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black". VG-lista.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  30. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black". Singles Top 100.
  31. ^ "Will Smith – Men in Black". Swiss Singles Chart.
  32. ^ "Will Smith: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  33. ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  34. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  35. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  36. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  37. ^ "Will Smith Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  38. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  39. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1997" (in German). Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  40. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  41. ^ "Rapports annuels 1997" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  42. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  43. ^ "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Dance Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  44. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  45. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1997" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  46. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  47. ^ "Árslistinn 1997 – Íslenski Listinn – 100 Vinsælustu Lögin". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 25. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  48. ^ "Single top 100 over 1997" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 6, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  50. ^ "End of Year Charts 1997". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  51. ^ "Romanian Top 100 Singles Airplay – Top of the Year 1997" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  52. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1997" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  53. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1997" (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  54. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. January 17, 1998. p. 27.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  56. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Will Smith – Men in Black" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  57. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1997". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  58. ^ "French single certifications – Will Smith – Men in Black" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  59. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Will Smith; 'Men in Black')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  60. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Will Smith – Men in Black" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved November 20, 2019. Enter Men in Black in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  61. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Will Smith – Men in Black". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  62. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  63. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  64. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Will Smith; 'Men in Black')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  65. ^ Copsey, Rob (September 19, 2017). "The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  66. ^ "British single certifications – Will Smith – Men in Black". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  67. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1199. May 30, 1997. pp. 65, 77.
  68. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 2, 1997. p. 27.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""