Both of Us

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"Both of Us" is a song by American hip hop recording artist B.o.B, released on May 22, 2012, as the third single from his second studio album, Strange Clouds (2012).[1] The song features vocals from American country pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The artists co-wrote the song alongside Ammar Malik and the song's producers, Dr. Luke and Cirkut.

"Both of Us" was released to critical acclaim, most praising Swift's feature, with some calling the country rap collaboration as a sweet and melodic catchy song.[2] It debuted on the Australia Top 50 singles chart at number 46. The song sold 143,000 copies in its first week, along with the album release, debuting at 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut.

"Both of Us" is an alternative hip hop song, with musical influences of country rap and dubstep, and lyrical influences of conscious hip hop.

Background

The lyrics of "Both of Us" talks about racism and bullying. It was Swift who came up with the idea for the collaboration after she visited B.o.B's label, Grand Hustle Records. The rapper explained, "She came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle. I wasn't there. Tip was there and I eventually linked with her in Dallas and the rest is history." This is not the first time Swift contributed to a hip hop song, her other collaborations with include her hook up with T-Pain at the CMT Music Awards (2009) and two years later, the superstar recruited T.I., Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, to assist her during the Speak Now Tour.[3]

Music video

The music video, directed by Jake Nava, was released on June 27, 2012. B.o.B announced the video on Twitter, sharing a photo and a release date time frame: "On the set of the #BothOfUs music video in Nashville with @taylorswift13. Video premieres end of June!".[4]

Synopsis

The video begins with B.o.B standing before a small American flag then cuts to Swift singing the song's hook in a dark lit pool hall. B.o.B then takes to the train tracks and streets to deliver his verses while Swift croons the hook in a picturesque field while donning a white cotton dress, and shows a dog that leaves Swift awestruck with his high flying antics. Footage of the artists is interspliced with scenes of life in Nashville's less glamorous neighborhoods like tatted locals, cowboy-boot-wearing young women, shirtless youths playing in sprinklers, teens kissing, a mobile home (this leaves viewers knowing that the video isn't glamorous, but instead leaves viewers appreciating the little things in life - It's not about the money, it's understanding that a romp through a sprinkler or a good game of billiards is enough to take you away from the mundane moments of everyday life). As the first chorus precedes Swift is shown singing at a field covered with dandelions and flowers and several shots of B.o.B and Swift are interspliced. As the video closes out, viewers are left with a sort of fantasy, with B.o.B and Swift re-imagined as the every man and every woman living simple life in rural Tennessee, much like the folks in the video. At the end, we see B.o.B standing in a driveway with a car backing up and B.o.B staring at it.

Chart performance

The song was successful in Australia, charting within the top ten in both Australia and New Zealand. It debuted on the Australia Top 50 singles chart at number 46 and eventually peaked at number five. The song also peaked at number ten in New Zealand. The song sold 143,000 copies in its first week, along with the album release, debuting at 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut. The single sold over 1,000,000 digital copies as of August 25, 2013. [5]

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[6] 5
Australia Urban (ARIA)[7] 1
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 23
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 26
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 10
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[11] 22
UK R&B Chart[12] 5
Ukraine (FDR Pop Singles)[13] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 18
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[15] 24

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Australia (ARIA)[16] Platinum 70,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[17] Gold 7,500[18]
United States (RIAA)[19] Platinum 1,000,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[1][20] May 22, 2012 Digital download Atlantic Records
Contemporary hit radio
United Kingdom[21] July 22, 2012 Digital download Atlantic Records

References

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  5. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/chartbeat/480278/ask-billboard-taylor-swifts-career-sales
  6. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – B.o.B Feat. Taylor Swift – Both Of Us". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 32, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  10. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – B.o.B Feat. Taylor Swift – Both Of Us". Top 40 Singles.
  11. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-07-28" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  17. ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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