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Run It!
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| "Run It!" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana | ||||
| from the album Chris Brown | ||||
| Released | June 30, 2005 | |||
| Studio | The Hit Factory Criteria (Miami) Battery Studios (New York City) | |||
| Genre | Crunk&B | |||
| Length | 3:50 (album)
| |||
| Label | Jive | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Storch | |||
| Chris Brown singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Juelz Santana singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Run It!" on YouTube | ||||
"Run It!" is the debut single by American singer Chris Brown featuring American rapper Juelz Santana. It was produced by Scott Storch, who wrote the song alongside Sean Garrett and Santana. The song appeared on Brown's self-titled debut album (2005), and was released as a single on June 30, 2005. The remix features fellow American rappers Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri and was performed at the 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards by Bow Wow and Chris Brown.
Commercially, the song topped the charts in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. "Run It!" also managed to peak inside the top ten in six other countries and the top twenty in another five. The song's music video, directed by Erik White, earned nominations at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Viewer's Choice and won in the Best R&B Video category at the 2006 MTV Australia Awards.
Background and composition
[edit]The song was recorded at The Hit Factory Criteria, in Miami, during the sessions for Brown's self-titled first studio album. Scott Storch talked about the making of the track in a 2020 interview: "At that moment in my life, I was literally on fire (..) And [Chris Brown] came in, he was just about to turn 16, and I didn’t know how to do anything except make you a hit record, like that’s the only thing I could do. I was in there every day, every minute, every hour in the studio. And it was me, Sean Garrett, and we literally, immediately, made something so effortlessly. And I had told him right before we started making it, I was like, ‘I’m about to make you a number one song and you’ll be a superstar.’"[1] In a 2023 interview, Brown recalled that he felt insecure about releasing "Run It!" as his first single: "I [didn't] know if I liked the song, because I was too nervous in my head (..) but I knew I wanted to dance in it".[2]
"Run It" was released as Brown's debut single on June 30, 2005, through digital distribution, as a solo version. On July 19, 2005, Jive and Zomba Records serviced the song to rhythmic crossover radio in the United States, with Juelz Santana being added as a featuring artist to it. They later solicited the song to contemporary hit radio on October 3, 2005.[3] "Run It" was written and produced by Scott Storch and Sean Garrett, and features vocals by Juelz Santana.[4] Santana's introduction on the song interpolates The Waitresses' 1980 single "I Know What Boys Like", written by Christopher Butler. The track is composed in the key of C♯ Phrygian as a Crunk&B song, that was described for having "slinky synth beats", a "catchy chorus", and an "ominous, creepy background".[5][4] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone compared the song's musicality to the 2004 single "Yeah!" by Usher, stating that it features a "mix of smooth seduction and cunning come-ons in Brown's baby-mack vocals."[5]
Critical reception
[edit]Lyana Robertson of Vibe, praised "Run It!" as a "prelude to what Brown would continue to do for the next decade: relentlessly disrupt the constructs of rhythm and blues", noting that with the song "the young singer began an evolution of the genre."[6] Bill Lamb of About.com awarded "Run It!" a four-star rating, commending the song's backing music, Brown's voice, and chorus, but called it "another cookie cutter Scott Storch production."[7] Andy Kellman of AllMusic noted it as one of the album's top tracks, commenting that the song's "way of tempering Brown's small-town innocence with hard-edged backing and a guest spot from an MC of ill repute is clearly a strategy to make the singer appeal to more than tween girls."[4] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone commended the song calling it a "hot single".[5] HotNewHipHop listed "Run It!" among the singer's best singles, stating that it "laid the foundation for his future hits, establishing him as a fresh and dynamic force in the music industry".[8][9]
Chart performance
[edit]"Run It!" debuted at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the issue dated August 27, 2005.[10] After eight weeks on the chart, the song entered the top ten at number eight on October 22, 2005, receiving the airplay gainer title.[11] It gained the airplay title again in the following week, climbing to number two on the chart, where it stalled for a month.[12] On November 26, 2005, "Run It!" peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number one, becoming Brown's first number one single on the chart, and making him the third youngest solo artist to top the chart, behind only Stevie Wonder and Peggy March, and the fourth youngest overall. That same week, the song was also at the top of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the US Radio Songs.[13] Two weeks later, it topped the US Pop Songs chart. The song remained on top of the Hot 100 for five weeks, becoming his longest lasting number one single on the chart.[14] It was certified 5x multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of five million copies.[15]
"Run It!" debuted and peaked at number one on the Australian Singles Chart in the issue dated January 29, 2006.[16] The song remained at the top of the chart for three non-consecutive weeks and exited after fifteen weeks.[16] It earned a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 35,000 copies.[17] In New Zealand, the song entered the singles chart at number 39 on the week ending January 2, 2006.[18] Six weeks later, the song peaked at the top of the chart, where it remained for one month.[18] "Run It!" entered the Swiss Singles Chart at number twelve on the week ending February 12, 2006.[19] In the next week, it peaked at number five and remained in the top ten for six consecutive weeks.[19]
Music video
[edit]A music video for "Run It!" was released on August 8, 2005.[20] Directed by Erik White, it portrays an underground dance inside a school gym, where Brown meets a girl (portrayed by Destiny Lightsy) that he is suddenly attracted to and with whom he wants to dance. The video features several dance sequences in which the men and women dance off against each other. During the sequences, Brown makes several movements toward his love interest. At the end, Brown and his love interest are about to kiss before the security guards arrive, and the whole gym is evacuated, with both of them pulled in separate directions. However, as soon as the guards find nobody there, they start dancing. The music video received two nominations at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards for Best New Artist and Viewer's Choice, but lost to Avenged Sevenfold's "Bat Country" and Fall Out Boy's "Dance, Dance", respectively.[21] The music video on YouTube has received over 200 million views as of July 2024.[22]
Credits
[edit]Credits adapted from Chris Brown liner notes, Columbia Records.[23]
- Scott Storch – songwriting, production
- Sean Garrett – songwriting, production
- Brian Stanley – mix engineer
- Val Braithwaite – assistant mix engineer
- Mike Tschupp – assistant mix engineer
- Herb Powers Jr. – mastering engineer
- Charles McCrorey – recording engineer
- Conrad Golding – recording engineer
- Alonzo Vargas – recording engineer
- Wayne Allison – recording engineer
Track listings
[edit]
|
|
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit] |
Year-end charts[edit]
Decade-end charts[edit]
All-time charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[79] | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[80] | Platinum | 60,000* |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[81] Jason Nevins Extended Mix |
Platinum | 60,000* |
| Canada (Music Canada)[82] (Ringtone) |
Gold | 20,000* |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[83] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[84] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[85] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[86] | Gold | 5,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[87] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[88] | 5× Platinum | 5,000,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[89] (Mastertone) |
Platinum | 1,000,000* |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
Radio and release history
[edit]| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various[90] | June 30, 2005 | Digital download | Zomba Records |
| United States | July 19, 2005 | Rhythmic crossover |
|
| October 3, 2005 | Contemporary hit radio | ||
| Australia[91] | January 30, 2006 | EP | Zomba Records |
| New Zealand[92] | |||
| Austria[93] | Single (featuring Juelz Santana) | ||
| Belgium[94] | |||
| Brazil[95] | |||
| Denmark[96] | |||
| Finland[97] | |||
| France[98] | |||
| Germany[99] | |||
| Ireland[100] | |||
| Italy[101] | |||
| Mexico[102] | |||
| Netherlands[103] | |||
| New Zealand[104] | |||
| Norway[105] | |||
| Spain[106] | |||
| Sweden[107] | |||
| Switzerland[108] | |||
| United Kingdom[109] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Scott Storch says he told Chris Brown "Run It!" would make him a "superstar"".
- ^ "Chris Brown Joins Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay Podcast", therewxndz.com, September 13, 2023
- ^ "Airplay Archive". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c Kellman, Andy. "Chris Brown - Chris Brown". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ a b c Hoard, Christian (November 28, 2005). "Chris Brown". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "In 10 Years, Chris Brown Single-Handedly Transformed R&B". Vibe. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
- ^ Lamb, Bill. "Run It! - Chris Brown". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown Songs: His Best Singles". HNHH. April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown Essential Songs". HNHH. June 26, 2024.
- ^ "Hot 100 (August 27, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 (October 22, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 (October 29, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Hot 100 (November 26, 2005)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "Chris Brown - Run It! - Music Charts". aCharts.us. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
- ^ "American single certifications - Chris Brown - Run It!". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Charts — Accreditations — 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved April 14, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Run It!". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 9, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ "MTV Video Music Awards (2006)". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on July 6, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ Chris Brown - Run It! (Official HD Video) ft. Juelz Santana.YouTube
- ^ Chris Brown (Media notes). Jive Records, Zomba Records. 2005.
- ^ "Run It". August 30, 2005 – via Amazon.
- ^ "Chris Brown (4) Featuring Juelz Santana - Run It!". Discogs. August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown (4) Featuring Juelz Santana - Run It!". Discogs. August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown (4) Featuring Juelz Santana - Run It! (Special Dutch Edition With The Partysquad Remix)". Discogs. August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Shazam". Shazam.
- ^ a b "Run It!". July 26, 2005 – via Amazon.
- ^ "The ARIA Report, Issue 832". ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "RR Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1635. December 2, 2005. p. 27. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 14. týden 2006" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Tracklisten. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 7. February 18, 2006. p. 67.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana: Run It!" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Run It!". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". VG-lista. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: May 25, 2006". TopHit. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 5/2/2006 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Chris Brown Ft Juelz Santana Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 5/2/2006 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Latin Rhythm Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Chris Brown Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2005". Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Billboard 200 Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
- ^ "2006 Annual ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2006". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2006". Ultratop. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "European Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2006" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2006". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2006". TopHit. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "Hot 100: Year End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006". Billboard.biz. 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks - Decade Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It!" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
- ^ "Canadian ringtone certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Music Canada.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana – Run It!". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Chris Brown feat. Juelz Santana; 'Run It!')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It!". Radioscope. Retrieved December 25, 2024. Type Run It! in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
- ^ "British single certifications – Chris Brown ft Juelz Santana – Run It". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "American ringtone certifications – Chris Brown – Run It". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Sources for "Run It!" Single release:
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Belgium). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Denmark). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Finland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! - Single" (in French). iTunes Store (France). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Germany). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Italian). iTunes Store (Italy). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Mexico). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Dutch). iTunes Store (Netherlands). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (Norway). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Spain). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single" (in Swedish). iTunes Store (Sweden). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- "Run It! – Single". iTunes Store (United States). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! – EP". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. January 28, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! – EP". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. January 28, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Austria). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Belgium). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Brazil). Apple. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Denmark). Apple. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Finland). Apple. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in French). iTunes Store (France). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Germany). Apple. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Ireland). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Italian). iTunes Store (Italy). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Mexico). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Dutch). iTunes Store (Netherlands). Apple. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (New Zealand). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Norway). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (Spain). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (Sweden). Apple. Retrieved December 16, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single" (in German). iTunes Store (Switzerland). Apple. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
- ^ "Run It! (feat. Juelz Santana) – Single". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). Apple. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
Run It!
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
"Run It!" is the debut single by American singer Chris Brown featuring fellow American rapper Juelz Santana, released on June 30, 2005, as the lead single from Brown's self-titled debut studio album.[1] The track was produced by Scott Storch and co-written by Sean Garrett and Juelz Santana, blending uptempo R&B with crunk and hip-hop influences to create an energetic dance anthem centered on a flirtatious challenge at a party.[2]
The song achieved massive commercial success, debuting at number 92 on the US Billboard Hot 100 before climbing to number one on November 26, 2005, where it remained for five consecutive weeks, marking Brown's first chart-topper.[3][4] This accomplishment made Brown the first male artist since Montell Jordan in 1995 to have a debut single reach the summit of the Hot 100.[5] It also topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, reaching number one in Australia and New Zealand, and number two in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[6][7] By 2019, "Run It!" had been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales and streaming equivalent to three million units in the United States.[8]
The accompanying music video, directed by Erik White and released on August 8, 2005, depicts Brown and a group of friends dancing and interacting with girls at a high school party and gymnasium, emphasizing his youthful charisma and dance skills.[9] Critically, the song received positive reviews for its infectious energy and Brown's promising vocal delivery, with outlets like Billboard praising its "sprint to the top" as a breakout hit that showcased his potential as a teen sensation comparable to Michael Jackson and Usher.[3][2]
"Run It!" propelled Brown's debut album to number two on the Billboard 200 and established him as a major force in R&B and pop music at just 16 years old, launching a career that has since yielded over 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries and numerous awards.[1] Its enduring popularity is evident in its role as a cornerstone of Brown's catalog, often cited as a defining track that blended street credibility with mainstream appeal during the mid-2000s crunk era.[10]
^ Shipments figures; * Sales only; ‡ Sales + streaming.[23][8]
By 2019, the song had sold 3 million units in the US, including digital downloads and streaming equivalents, with no further certification updates as of November 2025. Its inclusion in Brown's debut album, certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA, underscored its role in launching his career with over 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries to date. The track is often cited as blending crunk and R&B, influencing mid-2000s teen pop and establishing Brown's dance-oriented style.[8]
Background and development
Concept and influences
The concept for "Run It!" originated as a high-energy dance anthem centered on a flirtatious challenge between a young man and a girl at a party, blending uptempo R&B with crunk and hip-hop elements to capture the vibe of mid-2000s club culture.[11] Co-written by Sean Garrett and Juelz Santana, the song drew heavy inspiration from Usher's 2004 hit "Yeah!", replicating its siren-like synths, handclap-heavy beat, and party seduction theme while aiming to position 16-year-old Chris Brown as the next big teen R&B star akin to Michael Jackson and Usher.[11][2] Garrett, who met Brown during early sessions, described the teenager's infectious energy and dance skills as pivotal in shaping the track's youthful, charismatic tone. Juelz Santana's feature was selected to add a gritty hip-hop edge, reflecting the era's fusion of R&B with rap from artists like Dipset, enhancing the song's street credibility and appeal to a broader audience.[12]Recording process
"Run It!" was recorded in 2005 at The Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, Florida, during sessions for Brown's self-titled debut album with Jive Records. Producer Scott Storch helmed the track, crafting its pulsating beat at around 150 beats per minute with layered synths and rhythmic claps to drive the energetic pace.[13][14] Brown's vocals were tracked in the studio, showcasing his smooth delivery and ad-libs, while Santana recorded his verse separately to infuse the rap section. Engineers Conrad Golding and Wayne Allison handled the recording, ensuring a polished mix that balanced the R&B hooks with hip-hop flair. Storch later recalled predicting the song's success, telling Brown it would make him a superstar. Post-production focused on tightening the transitions and mastering for radio play, completed ahead of the single's June 2005 release.[13][14]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Run It!" is an uptempo R&B song with crunk and hip-hop influences, produced by Scott Storch.[15] The track features a danceable groove built around a repetitive, energetic beat reminiscent of Usher's "Yeah!" but with a lighter, more youthful "de-crunked" approach suitable for Brown's teenage audience.[11][2] The song structure follows a standard verse-chorus format, opening with Juelz Santana's introductory rap before transitioning into Brown's verses and the catchy chorus. It includes layered synths, crisp percussion, and a prominent bass line that drives the rhythm, creating an infectious energy ideal for club and party settings. The runtime is 3:49, with Brown's smooth vocals layered over the beat to emphasize agility and charisma.[15] Key production elements include Storch's signature synth hooks and rhythmic builds that heighten the track's urgency without overwhelming the vocal performance.[11]Lyrical content
The lyrics of "Run It!" revolve around themes of youthful confidence, flirtation, and a playful dance challenge at a party. Chris Brown narrates spotting an attractive girl and boldly approaching her, emphasizing his appeal despite his young age: "Don't underestimate me, boy / 'Cause I can run it, run it."[15] The verses depict a scenario of gathering friends to "run it" on the dance floor, portraying a lighthearted competition or invitation to dance with lines like "They hop out and you hop in / I got friends and you got friends."[15] Juelz Santana's rap verse adds a hip-hop edge, boasting about style and swagger with references to luxury and dominance, such as "One in the same, so whatever I do, you do / That's why I gotta run it, run it."[15] The repeating chorus reinforces the central hook—"Run it, run it"—as a call to action, symbolizing taking control of the moment and showcasing dance moves. Overall, the content captures mid-2000s party culture, blending innocence with bravado to appeal to a teen demographic.[11]Release and promotion
Initial single release
"Run It!" was released on June 30, 2005, by Jive Records as the lead single from Chris Brown's self-titled debut studio album. The single was made available in digital download, CD, and promotional 12-inch vinyl formats, featuring the original version with Juelz Santana and various remixes.[13] Promotion centered on Brown's emerging talent as a 16-year-old artist, with heavy radio airplay on urban contemporary and rhythmic stations to build buzz ahead of the album's November 2005 release. The campaign included live performances on television programs such as BET's 106 & Park, where Brown debuted the track, showcasing his dance moves and vocal abilities to target a young audience. Teasers and behind-the-scenes content were shared through music industry channels, emphasizing the song's crunk-inspired energy and party theme.[16][2]Music video
Development and filming
The music video for "Run It!" was directed by Erik White and premiered on August 8, 2005.[9] The choreography was created by Todd Sams.[9] Specific details on filming locations and production dates are not widely documented in public sources.Content and themes
Directed by Erik White, the video portrays an underground dance party held in a high school gymnasium. Chris Brown and his friends arrive at the event, where he notices an attractive girl and attempts to impress her with his dance moves and flirtatious interactions. Juelz Santana appears during his rap verse, contributing to the energetic atmosphere. The setting highlights Brown's youthful charisma and emerging dance talent, aligning with the song's themes of confidence and party flirtation.[17][18]Reception
Critical reviews
"Run It!" received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release, who praised its high-energy production, catchy hook, and Brown's youthful charisma as a promising R&B newcomer. Billboard described the track as a "sprint to the top," highlighting its breakout success and Brown's potential as a teen sensation akin to Michael Jackson and Usher.[3] In a 2023 retrospective, Stereogum noted the song's energetic urgency and memorable hook, though critiqued it as a derivative of Usher's "Yeah!" with awkward elements in Juelz Santana's verse, assigning it a grade of 5/10.[10] Overall, the single was seen as an infectious dance anthem that effectively blended R&B, crunk, and hip-hop, launching Brown's career. No aggregate critic scores are available from sites like Metacritic, as formal reviews were limited for debut singles in 2005.Commercial performance
"Run It!" was a major commercial success, debuting at number 92 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on September 24, 2005, before ascending to number one on November 26, 2005, where it held the top position for five consecutive weeks.[3] This made Brown the first male artist since Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" in 1995 to reach number one with a debut single.[5] The song also topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts.[6] Internationally, it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 10 in Australia (number six), Ireland (number four), and New Zealand (number three), among others.[1] By August 23, 2019, "Run It!" was certified triple platinum by the RIAA, denoting three million units in sales and streaming equivalents in the United States.[8] As of November 2025, the song has accumulated approximately 480 million streams on Spotify.[19]Legacy and impact
Chart achievements
"Run It!" achieved significant commercial success upon release, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for five weeks and marking Chris Brown's first number-one single as a lead artist.[20] It also led the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. Internationally, the song reached number one in Australia and New Zealand, number two in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and entered the top ten in countries including the Netherlands (#9), Switzerland (#5), and Norway (#9). In Europe, it peaked at number one on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. The track's performance established Brown as a global teen pop sensation at age 16. The song has maintained enduring popularity, with no major recent resurgences but consistent streaming and radio play. As of November 2025, it has accumulated over 479 million streams on Spotify and 230 million views on YouTube.[19][21] In 2025, marking its 20th anniversary, it was highlighted in retrospectives as a foundational hit in Brown's career.[22]Certifications and sales
"Run It!" has earned multiple certifications worldwide, reflecting its lasting commercial impact.| Country | Certification (Certifier) | Units certified |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 3× Platinum | 210,000^ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Platinum | 60,000* |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 150,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway) | Gold | 5,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |