Come Back In One Piece
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"Come Back in One Piece" is a song recorded by American singer
Aaliyah Aaliyah Dana Haughton ( ; January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer, actress, dancer, and model. Known as the " Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop", she is credited with helping to redefine contemporary R&B, p ...
, featuring a guest appearance by American rapper DMX, for the
soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...
to the 2000 film ''
Romeo Must Die ''Romeo Must Die'' is a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his directorial debut, and features fight choreography by Corey Yuen. The film stars Jet Li, Aaliyah (in her film debut), Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, ...
''. It was written by DMX,
Stephen Garrett Stephen Ellis Garrett Jr. (November 11, 1974 – February 25, 2008), known professionally as Static Major (and previously as Static), was an American R&B and hip hop producer, singer, rapper, and songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky. He is be ...
,
Irv Gotti Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. (June 26, 1970 – February 5, 2025), professionally known as Irv Gotti or DJ Irv, was an American record producer and music executive. Gotti started off as a New York hip-hop DJ in the 1980s, then becoming an A&R t ...
, Rob Meys, George Clinton,
Bernie Worrell George Bernard Worrell, Jr. (April 19, 1944 – June 24, 2016) was an American Keyboard instrument, keyboardist and record producer best known as a founding member of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective. In later years, he also worked with ...
and
William Collins William Collins may refer to: Arts * William Collins (poet) (1721–1759), English poet * William Collins (painter) (1788–1847), English landscape artist * William Lucas Collins (1815–1887), English author and clergyman of the Church of Engla ...
, while the production was handled by Gotti and Lil Rob. The song was released as the second single from ''Romeo Must Die'' on June 6, 2000, by
Blackground Records Blackground Records 2.0 (legal name Blackground Records, LLC, formerly known as Blackground Records, also known as Blackground Entertainment) is an American record label founded and owned by Jomo and Barry Hankerson. Initially named Blackground ...
and
Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), ...
. Upon its release, "Come Back in One Piece" received generally favorable reviews from
music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...
, with many critics praising the chemistry between Aaliyah and DMX. However, it failed to enter the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 17 on its extension chart
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (also known as Bubbling Under the Hot 100) is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. The chart lists the top songs that have not yet charted on the main ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Chart ...
. Internationally, the song was released as a double A-side single with " I Don't Wanna". The accompanying
music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
for "Come Back in One Piece" was directed by
Little X Julien Christian Lutz (born October 31, 1975), known professionally as Director X, is a Canadian music video director. Having trained under Hype Williams, Lutz has been credited for directing over a hundred music videos spanning various genres si ...
and featured an "authentic" street theme, mixed with scenes from ''Romeo Must Die''.


Background

In 1999, Aaliyah landed her first film role in ''
Romeo Must Die ''Romeo Must Die'' is a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his directorial debut, and features fight choreography by Corey Yuen. The film stars Jet Li, Aaliyah (in her film debut), Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, ...
'' (2000), a loose adaptation of
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
's ''
Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...
''. Aaliyah starred opposite martial artist
Jet Li Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April 1963), better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean Martial arts, martial artist and actor. With a Jet Li filmography, film career spanning more than forty years, Li is re ...
, playing a couple who fall in love amid their warring families. It grossed US$18.6 million in its first weekend, reaching number two at the box office. In addition to acting, Aaliyah served as an executive producer of the
film soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured ...
, to which she contributed four songs, including "Come Back in One Piece". Aaliyah revealed that the production team "actually talked about the soundtrack before we even shot the movie". In a 2011 interview with ''Billboard'', DMX stated that Aaliyah and ''Romeo Must Die''s producer
Joel Silver Joel Silver (born July 14, 1952) is an American film producer. Life and career Silver was born and raised in South Orange, New Jersey, the son of a writer and a public relations executive. His family is Jewish. He attended Columbia High School ...
personally asked him to be a part of the film, stating: "When I was on tour, her and Joel Silver came to my dressing room to see if I wanted to be a part of the movie", adding: "Most people would have their people call, but she came herself. I'm like, 'Is this a trick question? You have to ask me if I want to be in a movie with Aaliyah? Hell yeah.' We
hen Hen commonly refers to a female animal: a female chicken, other gallinaceous bird, any type of bird in general, or a lobster. It is also a slang term for a woman. Hen, HEN or Hens may also refer to: Places Norway *Hen, Buskerud, a village in R ...
met up in Vancouver to o''Romeo Must Die''."


Music and lyrics

Musically, "Come Back in One Piece" is an "effective blend of R&B and
Hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...
". In their book ''Listen to Hip Hop!: Exploring a Musical Genre'' (2021), authors Anthony J. Fonesca and Melissa Ursula Dawn Goldsmith described the song as a "
funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African-Americans in the ...
infused hip-hop love song". ''Billboard'' explained that, the song, "has a definite funk feel, complete with wailing bass kicks". While,
MTV.com MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
stated a similar sentiment saying the record has a "propulsive funk backing track". Production wise it incorporates a sample from the song "Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk" by
Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...
, from their album '' Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome'' (1977). It also uses "repetitive harmonic motion to reaffirm the home key by starting on G major and resolving to F-sharp major (or II-I in F-sharp major). On the record, Aaliyah's vocals "are not multi-tracked or processed much but rather kept thin and dry, which gives the overall impression that she is girlish". She is sometimes backed by harmonizing female vocalists and her verse "prefigures the refrain melody". Chuck Taylor from ''Billboard'', noted that on the song Aaliyah is "playing the role of the concerned girlfriend who worries about the actions of her lover, but she understands what he has to do". While, analyzing the lyrics, Quentin B. Huff from ''
PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...
'' mentioned: "In "Back in One Piece", Aaliyah's role is the devoted worrier. She's afraid for her man's safety when he goes out at night. "I barely sleep," she sings, almost breathless. Wishing he would just call her to let her know he's not "in some heat", Aaliyah's verse and refrain are pleas that he'll check in with her and "make it back in one piece." Huff also stated, "They are also prayers, I think, because she knows he won't check in and any promises he makes to come home safely are far from guarantees. DMX's rap is short on reassurances. With lines like, "Let me go, I'll be back, I ain't got time to convince", he sounds as if he's in too much of a rush to console her".


Release and promotion

"Come Back in One Piece" was serviced to
rhythmic contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as Rhythmic Top 20, Rhythmic Top 30, Rhythmic Top 40, Rhythmic CHR or rhythmic crossover, is a primarily American music-radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and upbeat R&B hit ...
and
urban contemporary Urban contemporary music, also known as urban music, urban pop, or just simply urban, is a music radio format. The term was coined by New York radio DJ Frankie Crocker in the early to mid-1970s as a synonym for Black music. Urban contemporary r ...
radio stations in the United States on June 6, 2000, by
Blackground Records Blackground Records 2.0 (legal name Blackground Records, LLC, formerly known as Blackground Records, also known as Blackground Entertainment) is an American record label founded and owned by Jomo and Barry Hankerson. Initially named Blackground ...
and
Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), ...
. It was later released internationally as a double A-side single with " I Don't Wanna". To promote ''Romeo Must Die'', Aaliyah and DMX performed "Come Back in One Piece" together on ''Romeo Must Die: The Kickoff Special'', which aired on
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
in March 2000. ''
Rap-Up ''Rap-Up'' is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the ...
'' ranked her kickoff special performance as one of her 10 greatest live performances saying, "Who knew that the 2000 film was so anticipated it warranted a kickoff special? That’s just the kind of effect Aaliyah had on people. This was confirmed in her ability to make DMX crack a smile and momentarily turn from street to sweet, which is pretty much what Aaliyah was always the perfect combination of." In August 2021, it was reported that Aaliyah's recorded work for Blackground (since rebranded as Blackground Records 2.0) would be re-released on physical, digital, and, for the first time ever,
streaming services A streaming media service (also simply called a streaming service) is an online platform that allows users to watch or listen to content, such as film, movies, Television show, TV shows, music, or podcasts, over the internet. Instead of downloadi ...
in a deal between the label and
Empire Distribution Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an independent American record label, distribution and publishing company founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, ...
. ''Romeo Must Die: The Album'', including "Come Back in One Piece", was re-released on September 3.


Critical reception

Derrick Mathis from
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
felt that DMX "takes control of things in his duet with Aaliyah on Come Back in One Piece." In his review of "Come Back in One Piece", Chuck Taylor from ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' stated: "Although the two stars couldn't be any more opposite – Aaliyah with her velvet tones and smooth moves, and DMX, who is known for his gruff, grimy flow – the contrast works in conveying the theme of the song".
BET Black Entertainment Television (BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting Black American audiences. It is the flagship channel of the BET Media Group, a subsidiary of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group. Originally launched ...
stated that the song "shows that Aaliyah was an "around the way girl," just as comfortable in the 'hood with the toughest of rappers as she was gracing lavish red carpets". In 2016, ''
Complex Complex commonly refers to: * Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe ** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
'' compiled a list of Aaliyah's best songs and included "Come Back in One Piece". Writer Jacob Moore stated: "What made the song work so well wasn’t just DMX using dog metaphors to proclaim loyalty for his girl—it was Aaliyah meeting him somewhere in the middle", adding: "When she sang "Come Back in One Piece," she did it like she really understood that all things, even DMX, are more complicated than they seem". Bianca Gracie from
Fuse Fuse or FUSE may refer to: Devices * Fuse (electrical), a device used in electrical systems to protect against excessive current ** Fuse (automotive), a class of fuses for vehicles * Fuse (hydraulic), a device used in hydraulic systems to protec ...
felt that the song's sample of Parliament's "Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk" balanced out DMX's "thuggish flow" with Aaliyah's "honey-sweet melody" While reviewing Romeo Must Die: The Album,
The Ledger ''The Ledger'' is a daily newspaper serving Lakeland, Florida, and the Polk County area. History The paper was founded on August 22, 1924, as the ''Lakeland Evening Ledger''. In 1927, it bought its main competitor, the morning ''Lakeland S ...
felt that Aaliyah "gets bonus points for taming a usually barking (now charmingly hoarse) DMX on the near-romantic Come Back in One Piece". Christopher O'Conner from
MTV News MTV News was the news production division of MTV. The service was available in the US with localized versions on MTV's global network and an online news team. In 2016, MTV refreshed the MTV News brand to compete with the likes of BuzzFeed and ...
said that Aaliyah, "takes a hardcore Irv Gotti beat tailored for DMX (he opens the song with a guest verse) and drives it without a hitch". Quentin B. Huff from ''
PopMatters ''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...
'' praised the song by saying: "I like that the song doesn't try to wrap things up neatly with a meeting of the minds. Instead, both sides are entrenched in their positions, forcing them to agree to disagree. I suspect the two personalities in this song would argue a lot, and there's quite a bit of realism in that". Mya Singleton from
YardBarker Yardbarker is a digital media property focused on the publishing of sports and entertainment news and information. Founded in 2006, the property distributes content on Yardbarker.com, social media platforms and via third party syndication partn ...
stated, "DMX's signature bark and grit were perfect alongside Aaliyah's smooth vocal tone".


Music video


Background

The accompanying
music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
for "Come Back in One Piece" was directed by
Little X Julien Christian Lutz (born October 31, 1975), known professionally as Director X, is a Canadian music video director. Having trained under Hype Williams, Lutz has been credited for directing over a hundred music videos spanning various genres si ...
. It was filmed in March 2000 in
Yonkers Yonkers () is the List of municipalities in New York, third-most populous city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and the most-populous City (New York), city in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County. A centrally locate ...
, DMX's hometown, and
Mount Vernon, New York Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is an inner suburb of New York City, immediately to the north of the Borough (New York City), borough of the Bronx. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Moun ...
. While speaking with
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
about the video's theme, Little X stated: "I'm just trying to shoot DMX's hood, an area that he's from, because when you do a street joint, it has to be authentic". In a 2011 interview with ''Billboard'', DMX discussed filming the video with Aaliyah, stating: "We did the video in Mount Vernon and Yonkers. I got to bring Aaliyah to the hood. Not many people can say that". According to
MTV News MTV News was the news production division of MTV. The service was available in the US with localized versions on MTV's global network and an online news team. In 2016, MTV refreshed the MTV News brand to compete with the likes of BuzzFeed and ...
, during the video shoot security guards restrained "Mount Vernon junior and senior high school girls as they yelled, I love ya DMX!". A few fans shared their experience from being at the video shoot with MTV. After getting his autograph, one fan recalled, "DMX is the realest rapper out there, "I'm so glad I got to see him in my neighborhood. Most rappers wouldn't come here to shoot a video in front of their fans like that. I just love him." Another fan, "who wore a Ruff Ryders bandana around his head" stated, "I'm so amped that they shot the video down the street from my house, That's what makes the dog MXso real."


Fashion

For the music video, Aaliyah wore a variety of different looks including a Python print outfit,
Roberto Cavalli Roberto Cavalli (; 15 November 1940 – 12 April 2024) was an Italian fashion designer and inventor. He was known for exotic prints and for creating the sand-blasted look for jeans. The Roberto Cavalli fashion house sells luxury clothing, perf ...
jeans, and a sweatsuit. While speaking about the Python print outfit, Aaliyah's former stylist Derek Lee stated "it was pricey". Lee continued speaking on the outfit saying ," I can’t remember the Black designer who made it but I told him what I needed and he made it". The embellished Roberto Cavalli jeans were purchased by Lee just one day before the video shoot. In the video Aaliyah wanted to look "Hood", says lee. "She was like, I’m with DMX, we are in the Bronx, I need to look like I belong.” The sweatsuit is my favorite honestly. It was a very New York thing to wear jeans underneath the sweatsuit. She is wearing jeans, but she has a name belt. And the whole point of wearing the jeans is so she can wear her name belt and have the sweats swag. So she has on jeans with a name belt that’s unbuckled slightly to give that I don’t give a f kind of attitude. And then she has the baggy sweatpants over the jeans with Timbs. That’s classic New York Bronx style".


Synopsis and reception

The video begins with a clip from ''
Romeo Must Die ''Romeo Must Die'' is a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his directorial debut, and features fight choreography by Corey Yuen. The film stars Jet Li, Aaliyah (in her film debut), Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, ...
'' on a small television screen, which then leads to the opening shot of the video with Aaliyah and DMX standing in front of a brick wall. In the next scene, DMX and his crew of friends get into a street fight in front of a liquor store. The video follows with Aaliyah singing in various locations, such as a dingy hallway and outside with DMX. Aaliyah is also shown walking and hanging out with a group of thugs while carrying her dog. She is also shown with her friends, getting into a street fight with a group of girls similar to DMX's street fight scene, as well as playing with her dog as she is lying in bed. During the final scene of the video, various residents from DMX's old neighborhood are taking pictures in front of murals of Aaliyah and DMX. The video ends with another scene from ''Romeo Must Die''. The music video for "Come Back in One Piece" made its television debut on
BET Black Entertainment Television (BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting Black American audiences. It is the flagship channel of the BET Media Group, a subsidiary of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group. Originally launched ...
during the week ending April 17, 2000. During the week ending May 1, the video became the 15th most-played video on BET. It debuted on The Box during the week of May 13. During the week ending June 26, the video became the 27th most-played on MTV.


Track listings and formats

*European maxi CD single #"Come Back in One Piece" (album version) (featuring DMX) – 4:18 #"Come Back in One Piece" (instrumental) (featuring DMX) – 4:18 #"Come Back in One Piece" (music video) – 3:36 *UK maxi CD single #" I Don't Wanna" – 4:14 #"Come Back in One Piece" (solo version) – 3:41 #"Come Back in One Piece" (album version) (featuring DMX) – 4:18 #"Come Back in One Piece" (music video) – 3:36


Charts


Release history


References


Bibliography

* *


External links

*
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Come Back In One Piece 2000 singles Aaliyah songs DMX songs Music videos directed by Director X Song recordings produced by Irv Gotti Songs written by Static Major Songs written by Irv Gotti 1999 songs Songs written by DMX Songs written by Bernie Worrell Songs written by George Clinton (funk musician) Songs written by Bootsy Collins