Let's Get It Started

"Let's Get It Started" is a song by American group the Black Eyed Peas. It is a clean version of the original "Let's Get Retarded" from their third studio album, Elephunk (2003).^[4][5] The album version was originally only reworked for its use in promotion for the 2004 NBA playoffs on ABC in April 2004,^[6] and the clean version was released as the fourth and final single from Elephunk on June 1, 2004, by A&M Records and Interscope Records; it also appears on a reissue of the album.^[7]

"Let's Get It Started" peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top ten in Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France and New Zealand. Critically acclaimed, it won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards (2005), and was also nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap Song. The song's accompanying music video features the group energetically performing in a nighttime Los Angeles setting.

"Let's Get It Started" was remixed for the Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album The E.N.D. (2009) as "Let's Get Re-Started"; it is included on its deluxe edition bonus disc. It was also featured on their remix album The E.N.D. Summer 2010 Canadian Invasion Tour: Remix Collection (2010). In early 2022, "Let's Get Retarded" was replaced with "Let's Get It Started" on the track listing of Elephunk on all digital and streaming platforms;^{[8][non-primary source needed][9][non-primary source needed][10][non-primary source needed]} however, it is still available with the purchase of the full Let's Get It Started – EP release in the iTunes Store.^{[11][non-primary source needed]}

Background

The song grew out of a track from Busta Rhymes' old group Leaders of the New School. The track was from the album T.I.M.E..^[12] The Arc of the United States successfully lobbied The Black Eyed Peas’ recording company to change the original title of the song from "Let's Get Retarded" to "Let's Get It Started."^[13]

Music video

The music video for "Let's Get It Started" takes place in a nighttime setting on a Los Angeles street. It features the Black Eyed Peas, particularly will.i.am, performing energetic dances while singing the song, while varying objects in the background (including a grand piano) smash against the ground in real time, slow and fast motion, and in reverse. The choruses feature the band on stage singing to a large crowd.

Track listings

• Canadian and European CD single, Australian CD 1^[14][15][16]

UK 12-inch single^[17]

1. "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37
2. "The Way U Make Me Feel" – 4:19
3. "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38

• UK CD single^[18]

1. "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37
2. "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38
3. "Bridging the Gaps" – 4:56
4. "Let's Get It Started" (video)

• German mini-CD single^[19]

1. "Let's Get It Started"
2. "The Way U Make Me Feel"

• Australian CD2 and digital EP^[11][20]

1. "Let's Get It Started"
2. "The Way U Make Me Feel"
3. "Bridging the Gaps"
4. "Let's Get Retarded"

Personnel

The Black Eyed Peas

• will.i.am – vocals, production, engineering
• apl.de.ap – vocals
• Taboo – vocals
• Fergie – vocals

Additional musicians

• George Pajon – guitar
• Mike Fratantuno – bass
• Terence Yoshiaki – drums
• Dante Santiago – backing vocals
• Noelle Scaggs – backing vocals (single version)
• Keith Harris – additional drums (single version)
• Tim "Izo" Orindgreff – saxophone, flute (single version)
• Printz Board – trumpet (single version)

Production personnel

• Ron Fair – executive production
• Dylan Dresdow – additional vocal engineering
• Tony Maserati – mixing
• Brian Gardner – mastering
• Lee Groves – programming (single version)
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (single version)
• Robert Haggett – assistant mixing (single version)
• David Treahearn – assistant mixing (single version)

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References

1. ^ Elephunk (US CD album booklet). A&M Records. 2003. B0000699-02.
2. ^ "For the Record: Quick News on Black Eyed Peas, Xzibit, Nickelback, Nelly Furtado, The Roots, Danger Mouse & More". MTV. April 5, 2004. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. The Black Eyed Peas have re-recorded 'Let's Get Retarded' as 'Let's Get It Started'...
3. ^ Clarke, Betty (September 25, 2003). "Black Eyed Peas". The Guardian. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
4. ^ Peyser, Tony (January 12, 2004). "In a word, it's too easy to dis the disabled". Los Angeles Times. Archived November 25, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
5. ^ Johnson, Bridget (October 7, 2004). "'Tard and Feathered — How did "Let's Get Retarded" turn into "Let's Get It Started"?". The Wall Street Journal. Archived February 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
6. ^ "For the Record: Quick News on Black Eyed Peas, Xzibit, Nickelback, Nelly Furtado, The Roots, Danger Mouse & More". MTV. April 5, 2004. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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8. ^ "Elephunk". Spotify. Spotify AB. 2003. Archived December 15, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
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10. ^ Black Eyed Peas (March 31, 2022). "Let's Get It Started (Spike Mix)". YouTube. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
11. ^ "Let's Get It Started - EP by Black Eyed Peas on Apple Music", June 22, 2004, retrieved August 20, 2024
12. ^ Easlea, Daryl (October 15, 2012). Let's Get It Started: The Rise & Rise of the Black Eyed Peas. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-795-2.
13. ^ Bell, Christopher M. (February 1, 2012). Blackness and Disability: Critical Examinations and Cultural Interventions. MSU Press. ISBN 978-1-62895-485-2.
14. ^ Let's Get It Started (Canadian CD single liner notes). A&M Records. 2004. 9863032.
15. ^ Let's Get It Started (European CD single liner notes). A&M Records. 2004. 0602498627389.
16. ^ Let's Get It Started (Australian CD1 liner notes). A&M Records. 2004. 9862738.
17. ^ Let's Get It Started (UK 12-inch single sleeve). A&M Records. 2004. 9863019.
18. ^ Let's Get It Started (UK CD single liner notes). A&M Records. 2004. 9863032.
19. ^ Let's Get It Started (German mini-CD single liner notes). A&M Records. 2004. 06024 9863124 (9)
20. ^ Let's Get It Started (Australian CD2 liner notes). A&M Records. 2004. 9862737.
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46. ^ riaa
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