"C U When U Get There" is a song by American rapper

Coolio Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (August 1, 1963 – September 28, 2022), known professionally as Coolio, was an American rapper. First rising to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle, Coolio achieved mainstream success as a sol ...

featuring 40 Thevz. It was released in June 1997 as the first single from Coolio's third studio album, '' My Soul'' (1997). The track was also featured on the

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...

to the 1997 comedy film '' Nothing to Lose''. It heavily interpolates Johann Pachelbel's Baroque " Canon in D Major." Released on June 17, 1997, the single peaked at number 12 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and number seven on the ''Billboard'' Hot Rap Tracks chart; it was Coolio's last top-40 hit in the US. It was also an international success, reaching the top 10 in many countries throughout Europe. The first live performance of this song was before its actual release during the free concert at Paramount Canada's Wonderland put on by MuchMusic's Electric Circus in August 1997.

Critical reception

Larry Flick Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the music ...

from '' Billboard'' called "C U When U Get There" an "inspiring hip-hop anthem". He added, "The song's "keep pushin' on" message is direct and delivered in street-savvy language that will connect with its desired youth audience. The strong verses give way to a choir-belted chorus that adds a proper splash of emotional intensity. Factor in the track's easy-paced electro beat and a rush of stately strings, and you have the makings of a massive hit." Scottish newspaper '' Daily Record'' described it as a "superb R&B

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or '' ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...

". A reviewer from ''

Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...

'' rated it four out of five, noting that "Coolio goes all laid-back on this comforting, torch-like song which comes complete with an uplifting, harmony chorus." The magazine's Alan Jones commented, "Those who thought Coolio's massive hit

Gangsta's Paradise "Gangsta's Paradise" is a single by American rapper Coolio. Interpolating Stevie Wonder's 1976 song " Pastime Paradise", and featuring American singer L.V., the single was released on August 1, 1995. Certified Platinum in October, the song was ...

was a one-off should think again: his latest single C U When U Get There is an absolute smash. Lifted from the hip-hop heavy soundtrack to the movie '' Nothing To Lose'', it weaves a strong rap into a tapestry that also comprises

Pachelbel Johann Pachelbel (baptised – buried 9 March 1706; also Bachelbel) was a German composer, organist, and teacher who brought the south German organ schools to their peak. He composed a large body of sacred and secular music, and his contri ...

Canon Canon or Canons may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Canon (fiction), the conceptual material accepted as official in a fictional universe by its fan base * Literary canon, an accepted body of works considered as high culture ** Western can ...

and a sweetly singing gospel ensemble. The end result is magic and a substantial hit."

Track listings

* US CD and cassette single, Australian CD single # "C U When U Get There" (Coolio's album version) – 5:07 # "C U When U Get There" (Bill & Humberto's orchestra mix) – 5:25 * US maxi-CD single # "C U When U Get There" (Coolio's album version) – 5:07 # "C U When U Get There" (Ren Swan's mix) – 5:08 # "C U When U Get There" (Bill & Humberto's orchestra mix) – 5:25 # "C U When U Get There" (Humberto's alternate mix) – 5:25 # "Hit 'Em" (album version) – 4:21 * US 12-inch single :A1. "C U When U Get There" (Coolio's album version) – 5:08 :A2. "C U When U Get There" (Ren Swan's mix) – 5:07 :A3. "C U When U Get There" (Ren Swan's instrumental) – 5:08 :B1. "C U When U Get There" (Bill & Humberto's orchestra mix) – 5:25 :B2. "Hit 'Em" (album version) – 4:21 * UK CD1 # "C U When U Get There" (Bill & Humberto's orchestra mix) – 5:25 # "C U When U Get There" (Coolio's album version) – 5:08 # "C U When U Get There" (Humberto's alternate mix) – 5:25 # "C U When U Get There" (Ren Swan's mix) – 5:08 * UK CD2 # "C U When U Get There" (radio edit) – 3:40 # "Hit 'Em" (album version) – 4:30 # "The Winner" (remix) – 3:58 # "All the Way Now (Live)" (Timber mix) – 3:34 * UK cassette single and European CD single # "C U When U Get There" (Coolio's radio edit) – 3:40 # "C U When U Get There" (Ren Swan's radio edit) – 3:57

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Authority control 1996 songs 1997 singles Coolio songs Songs written by Coolio Tommy Boy Records singles