Tennessee (Arrested Development song)
Encyclopedia
"Tennessee" is the title of a number-one R&B single by alternative hip hop
group, Arrested Development, from their album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...
. The song contains a sample of Prince
's "Alphabet St.
". The music video for the song was directed by Milčo Mančevski
and shot in Georgia
, with friends of the group and people from the local area appearing in the clip. The song won the Grammy Award
for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
in 1993. A recent poll of Vh1 viewers placed the song at number 71 on the list of the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" and is listed as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
. It was ranked number 78 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
was inspired to write the song after meeting up with his brother at his grandmother's funeral in Tennessee. Shortly afterwards, his brother died, and Speech wrote the song about the experience of losing two loved ones so close together. The song uses a sample from Prince's "Alphabet Street" which was not cleared ahead of time. Prince's lawyers waited until after the song sold well and then charged the group $100,000 for the use of said sample.
. It also charted in the UK in 1992 for a 7 week run, stalling at #46, but after the Top 10 successes of both "People Everyday
" and "Mr. Wendal
", it was re-released in 1993, charting for a further 6 weeks and peaking inside the top 20 at #18.
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
group, Arrested Development, from their album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...
3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...
3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... is the debut album by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in 1992 . The album's chart success was the beginning of the popularization of Southern hip hop. 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... stood in stark contrast to the...
. The song contains a sample of Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's "Alphabet St.
Alphabet St.
"Alphabet St." was the first single from Prince's 1988 album, Lovesexy, and the album's only top 10 single, reaching the top-10 in both the UK and U.S.. The song includes a rap by Cat Glover and is full of samples, and generally repeats themes from Lovesexy...
". The music video for the song was directed by Milčo Mančevski
Milco Mancevski
Milcho Manchevski , usually credited as Milcho Manchevski, is a film director and screenwriter from Macedonia.-Biography:Milcho Manchevski wrote and directed the feature films "Before the Rain" , "Dust'" , Shadows" and "Mothers" , over 50 short forms, including “TENNESSEE” for Arrested Development...
and shot in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, with friends of the group and people from the local area appearing in the clip. The song won the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
in 1993. A recent poll of Vh1 viewers placed the song at number 71 on the list of the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" and is listed as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
. It was ranked number 78 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Background
SpeechSpeech (rapper)
Todd Thomas , better known by the stage name Speech, is an American rapper and musician. He is a member of the progressive hip hop group Arrested Development and has released a number of solo albums.-Background:...
was inspired to write the song after meeting up with his brother at his grandmother's funeral in Tennessee. Shortly afterwards, his brother died, and Speech wrote the song about the experience of losing two loved ones so close together. The song uses a sample from Prince's "Alphabet Street" which was not cleared ahead of time. Prince's lawyers waited until after the song sold well and then charged the group $100,000 for the use of said sample.
Chart performance
"Tennessee" topped the US R&B chart for one week and peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It also charted in the UK in 1992 for a 7 week run, stalling at #46, but after the Top 10 successes of both "People Everyday
People Everyday
"People Everyday" is the first hit single for rap/hip-hop group Arrested Development. It was released in 1992, taken from their critically acclaimed album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of.......
" and "Mr. Wendal
Mr. Wendal
"Mr. Wendal" is a single released by influential rap group Arrested Development in 1992, from their most commercially successful album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of.......
", it was re-released in 1993, charting for a further 6 weeks and peaking inside the top 20 at #18.
Peak positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
6 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 34 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 40 |
See also
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1992 (U.S.)