Both of Us (2012)
Both of Us is a song by American rapper B.o.B that was released in May 2012 as the third single from his 2012 studio album, Strange Clouds. The song featured vocals from American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. B.oB and Swift co-wrote the song together with Ammar Malik and the song's producers, Dr. Luke and Cirkut.[1]
Contents
Key Lyrics
Uh, ever thought about losing it
When your money's all gone and you lose your whip
You might lose your grip when the landlord tell ya that you're due for rent
And the grass so green on the other side
Make a nigga wanna run straight through the fence
Open up the fridge 'bout twenty times
But still can't find no food in it
That's foolishness
And sometimes I wonder, why we care so much about the way we look
And the way we talk and the way we act and the clothes we bought, how much that cost
Does it even really matter?
'Cause if life is an uphill battle
We all tryna climb with the same ol' ladder
In the same boat, with the same ol' paddle
Why so shallow? I'm just asking
What's the pattern to the madness
Everybody ain't a number one draft pick
Most of us ain't Hollywood actors
Background
The lyrics of "Both of Us" delivered a message about racism and bullying. It was Swift who bring forward the idea of the collaboration after she visited B.o.B's label, Grand Hustle Records. The rapper explained that Swift came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle when he wasn't there. Tip was there and B.o.B eventually linked with her in Dallas and the rest is history. This was not the first time Swift contributed to a hip hop song; her other notable collaborations was a song with T-Pain at the 2009 CMT Music Awards, and inviting T.I., Nicki Minaj, and Flo Rida to her Speak Now World Tour in 2011.[2]
Reception
Both of Us was released to critical acclaim, most praising Swift's feature, with some calling the country rap collaboration as a sweet and melodic catchy song. It debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 46. The song sold 143,000 copies in its first week of release in the United States, debuting at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut.[3]
The single sold over 1,000,000 digital copies as of November 2017.[4]
Reference
- ↑ "Both Of Us ft. Taylor Swift - B.o.B Official Blog". Bobatl.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ "Both of Us by B.o.B Songfacts". 11 April 2012. Songfacts.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ Tris McCall. "Song of the Week: 'Both of Us,' B.o.B featuring Taylor Swift". 18 May 2012. NJ.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ Gary Trust. "Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift's Career Album & Song Sales". 26 November 2017. Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2021.