"Ching-a-Ling" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written by Elliott along with frequent collaborator Cainon Lamb as well as Shawn Campbell and Marshall Leathers from production duo The Arkitects for what was supposed to be Elliott's seventh studio album Block Party, while production was helmed by Lamb, Campbell, and Leathers. In the song, sound elements of the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong are heard throughout the song.
| "Ching-a-Ling" | ||||
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| Single by Missy Elliott | ||||
| from the album Step Up 2 the Streets | ||||
| Released | January 22, 2008 | |||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
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| Missy Elliott singles chronology | ||||
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Serving as the lead single for the soundtrack of the dance drama film Step Up 2 the Streets (2008), the song premiered on both Elliott's MySpace and official website on January 10, 2008 before being released digitally by The Goldmind Inc. and Atlantic Records on January 22, 2008. Within a week, it had debuted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Released to positive reviews, "Ching-a-Ling" was ranked 69th on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.[1]
Critical reception
editBlues & Soul found that "the tune packs a powerful punch and is instantly catchy. It just sounds like one that will burn very brightly for a short while and then be forgotten. It's a club-friendly bubbler that would sit nicely alongside the likes of Eve's "Tambourine," with several winning elements in place – a nonsensical infectious hook, bass-heavy buzzing beat, and a feisty vocal edge."[2] In a retrospective review of the song, Steven J. Horowitz fom Vulture remarked: "There was something repetitive about "Ching-a-Ling" that closely followed the blueprints Elliott had set before it: the reversed vocal lines, the whistles, the incessantly chanted chorus. It felt almost too familiar, and yet, still welcome as one of the liveliest of her post-Cookbook cuts."[3] Rolling Stone ranked the song 69th on its 100 Best Songs of 2008 listing.[1]
Music video
editElliott reteamed with director Dave Meyers to film a music video for "Ching-a-Ling", which features portions from her other Step Up 2 the Streets single "Shake Your Pom Pom" (2008).[4] Filmed in 3D, the video guest-stars the famous Japanese hip hop dance group, U-Min, known for their slow motion dancing and popping.[5] Shot in Los Angeles, California in January 2008, stylist Misa Hylton worked on the set. The video premiered on MTV's TRL and BET's 106 & Park on February 4, 2008.
The "Ching-a-Ling" portion of the music video is set primarily with a white backdrop featuring Elliott and various background dancers, such as U-Min. Other shots are interspersed throughout the video which relates to the lyrics, such as Elliott swinging on a rope swing in an Autumn setting, and playing a DDR-esque game which uses the letters of Ching-A-Ling instead of arrows.[4] The "Shake Your Pom Pom" portion of the music video is set in what appears to be a house party, with Elliott and others dancing before ending with Elliott and others blowing noisemakers at the camera.[4]
Remixes
editThe official remix of "Ching-a-Ling" features rappers Busta Rhymes and singer Ciara.[6] Other additional remixes featuring Kid Capri, Precious Latoye and Buckshot were released via mixtapes and radio airplay.
Charts
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Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | January 22, 2008 | Digital download | [2] |
References
edit- ^ a b "The 100 Best Songs of 2008". Rolling Stone (December 25, 2008). Retrieved 2009-01-12
- ^ a b "Review: Missy Elliott — Ching-a-Ling". Blues & Soul. March 10, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (September 4, 2019). "Every Missy Elliott Song, Ranked Missy has not just redefined pop music — she's consistently reinvented it". Vulture.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Every Missy Elliott Music Video, Ranked". Billboard.com. August 14, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Missy Elliott & Dave Meyers Create History Archived 2008-01-15 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed February 3, 2008.
- ^ "Missy Elliot f. Busta Rhymes & Ciara - Ching-A-Ling (rmx)". HipHopDX. February 18, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott – Ching-a-ling" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
- ^ "Missy Elliott – Ching-A-Ling" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott – Ching-A-Ling". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ Zywietz, Tobias (February 6, 1997). "Chart Log UK: E-40 - E-Z Rollers". Zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Missy Elliott Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2021.