Wikipedia

I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time

"I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time" is an instrumental by American musician André 3000 and the opening track from his debut studio album New Blue Sun (2023). Upon its debut on the Billboard Hot 100, it became the longest song to chart on the Hot 100, overtaking Tool's "Fear Inoculum".[1][2][3][4]

"I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time"
Instrumental by André 3000
from the album New Blue Sun
ReleasedNovember 17, 2023
GenreAmbient
Length12:20
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • André 3000
  • Carlos Gabriel Niño

Background edit

In an interview with NPR Music, André 3000 explained the song's title saying: "So the title, "I Really Wanted To Make A Rap Album, But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time" [is] because this album is about wind and breathing. In that way, it is true. It is literally blowing me this way and I'm blowing flutes and I'm blowing digital instruments."[5] He chose the song as the opening track from New Blue Sun because he wanted to make it clear that the album did not contain rap, not wanting to mislead people.[5][6]

Composition edit

The song is instrumental and ambient, without vocals.[1][7] It features instrumental contributions from André 3000 on flute, Carlos Niño on percussion and production, Surya Botofasina on keyboard, and Nate Mercereau on guitar.[8]

Reception edit

AllMusic's Fred Thomas described the song as "among the most structured pieces, moving in patient ripples."[9] Sadie Sartini Garner of Pitchfork described it as flooded with "a mood as blue and deep as the water off Catalina."[8] HipHopDX's Dash Lewis described André 3000's "command of rhythm" as "sinewy and elastic as ever."[10] Gerrod Harris of Spill Magazine wrote that the song is "an exercise in anticipation, but rather than cause tension as it builds, the anticipation is accompanied by a sense of peace."[7] American rapper Lupe Fiasco released a remix to the song, rapping over the instrumental.[11][12]

The song debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is André 3000's seventh Hot 100 entry as a solo artist.[1][13] Upon the song's release, it became the longest song to chart on the Hot 100, overtaking Tool's "Fear Inoculum".[1][14][15]

Charts edit

Chart performance for "I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a 'Rap' Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[16] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[17] 90
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] 12

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Trust, Gary (2023-11-28). "André 3000 Breaks Hot 100 Record With 12-Minute, 20-Second Hit From New Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  2. ^ Boisvert, Lauren (2023-11-29). "André 3000 Breaks Billboard Record with Longest Song in Hot 100 History". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  3. ^ Curto, Justin (2023-11-28). "André 3000 and His Flute Now Have the Longest Song Ever on the Hot 100". Vulture. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  4. ^ Jones, Abby (2023-11-28). "André 3000 Has the Longest Song to Ever Chart on the Billboard Hot 100". Consequence. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  5. ^ a b Carmichael, Rodney (2023-11-17). "André 3000 opens up about 'New Blue Sun,' his daring new solo album". NPR Music. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  6. ^ Baron, Zach (2023-11-16). "André 3000 on His New Album and Life After Outkast: The GQ Video Cover Story". GQ. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  7. ^ a b Harris, Gerrod (November 17, 2023). "SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ANDRÉ 3000 - NEW BLUE SUN". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Sartini Garner, Sadie (November 20, 2023). "André 3000: New Blue Sun". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  9. ^ Thomas, Fred. "André 3000 – New Blue Sun Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  10. ^ Lewis, Dash (November 25, 2023). "Andre 3000 Surprises & Delights On Unexpected 'New Blue Sun'". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  11. ^ Turner-Williams, Jaelani. "Lupe Fiasco Responds to Joe Budden Trolling His Freestyle Over André 3000 Track, Compares Spotify Listener Averages". Complex. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  12. ^ Mendez, Marisa (2023-11-22). "Lupe Fiasco Makes Good On His Promise To Rap Over André 3000's Flute Beats". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  13. ^ Singh, Surej (2023-11-29). "André 3000 scores longest-ever song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100". NME. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  14. ^ Trapp, Philip (2023-11-29). "The Artist That Broke Tool's Record for Longest Song on the Hot 100". Loudwire. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  15. ^ Enis, Eli (2023-11-28). "ANDRÉ 3000 beats TOOL for longest Hot 100 hit ever". Revolver. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  16. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "Andre 3000 Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  18. ^ "Andre 3000 Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
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