"We Be Burnin'" is the first single from Jamaican musician
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques (born 9 January 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall musician. Paul's first album, ''Stage One'', was released in 2000. He gained international fame with his second album, ''Dutty Rock'', in 2002. Its single "Get Busy ...
's third studio album, ''
The Trinity
The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three di ...
'' (2005). It achieved success worldwide, becoming a top-10 hit on at least 10 national music charts, including those of Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Background and release
"We Be Burnin'" was released as the first single from ''
The Trinity
The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three di ...
'' on 22 August 2005 in the US and on 12 September 2005 in the UK. In the US, the single peaked inside the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at number six, and in the UK, the single peaked at number two. The single became his biggest solo hit in the UK, beating the number-three peak of "
Like Glue
"Like Glue" is a song by Jamaican dancehall artist Sean Paul, from his second album, ''Dutty Rock'' (2002). The song was produced by Tony "CD" Kelly, and written by Kelly and Sean Paul. Lyrics from "Like Glue" were originally intended to be the ...
" in 2003 and spending just under five months inside the UK top 75. It was the biggest hit from the album in the UK; however, it was "
Temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that quantitatively expresses the attribute of hotness or coldness. Temperature is measurement, measured with a thermometer. It reflects the average kinetic energy of the vibrating and colliding atoms making ...
" that was the biggest hit from the album in the US.
The original version, sometimes denoted by the title being followed by "Legalize It", features prominent themes of
marijuana
Cannabis (), commonly known as marijuana (), weed, pot, and ganja, List of slang names for cannabis, among other names, is a non-chemically uniform psychoactive drug from the ''Cannabis'' plant. Native to Central or South Asia, cannabis has ...
use, referencing "trees", "weed" and "herb" several times and smoking it for "meditation". Another radio-friendly version was released with the title being followed by "Recognize It", which changed all drug-related lyrics to ones concerning women.
Although the lyrics are different,
Tami Chynn
Tammar Chin Mitchell (born 14 June 1983), known by her stage name Tami Chynn, is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and dancer.
Early life
Chynn was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Her father, Richard Chin, is of Jamaican and Chinese descent and her moth ...
's single "
Hyperventilating" as well as
Capleton
Clifton George Bailey III (born 13 April 1967),Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , pp. 67–69 better known by his stage name Capleton, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician. He is also referred to as Kin ...
's "Or Wah" from the album ''
Reign of Fire'' utilize the same
riddim
In Jamaican dancehall music, a riddim is the instrumental accompaniment to a song and is synonymous with the rhythm section. Jamaican music genres that use the term consist of the ''riddim'' plus the ''voicing'' (vocal part) sung by the deeja ...
as Sean Paul's "We Be Burnin'", since both use the riddim "Stepz".
Music video
The video was shot in Southern California deserts by
Jessy Terrero
Jessy Terrero (born October 7, 1972) is a List of people from the Dominican Republic, Dominican Film director, film and music video director.
Career
Terrero appeared as an extra on the 1992 film ''Juice (1992 film), Juice'' starring Tupac Shakur ...
, With the support of the creative direction of AVA (Alien Visions, Anamorphic) A Quintanilla, Director showing dancers accompanying Paul, and two girls in an overheated
Hummer H2
The Hummer H2 is a full-size off-road sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was marketed by Hummer and built in the AM General facility under contract from General Motors from 2002 until 2009. It is based on a modified GMT820 GM three-quarter-ton pi ...
. Sean Paul is seen dancing with three other girls in front of highly modified trucks.
Track listings
US 12-inch single
:A1. "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It club version) – 3:28
:A2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) – 3:52
:B1. "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It radio version) – 3:36
:B2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) – 3:53
UK CD1 and European CD single
# "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It)
# "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It)
UK CD2
# "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It)
# "Bounce It Right There"
# "We Be Burnin" (video)
# Ringtone
UK 12-inch single
:A1. "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It)
:A2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental)
:B1. "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It)
:B2. "Bounce It Right There"
Australian CD single
# "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It)
# "Bounce It Right There"
# "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It)
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
!scope="col" colspan="3", Ringtone
, -
Release history
References
{{Authority control
Sean Paul songs
2005 singles
2005 songs
Atlantic Records singles
Music videos directed by Jessy Terrero
Songs about cannabis
Songs written by Sean Paul
Songs written by Steven "Lenky" Marsden
VP Records singles