Eenie Meenie

"Eenie Meenie"
Single by Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber
from the album Back 2 Life and My World 2.0
Released March 23, 2010 (2010-03-23)
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded King of Kings Studio
(Miami, Florida)
Genre R&B, dance-pop, reggae fusion
Length 3:21
Label Beluga Heights, Epic
Writer(s) Kisean Anderson, Justin Bieber, Carlos Battey, Steven Battey, Benjamin Levin, Marcos Palacios, Ernest Clark
Producer Benny Blanco
Sean Kingston singles chronology
"Feel It"
(2010)		 "Eenie Meenie"
(2010)		 "Letting Go (Dutty Love)"
(2010)
Justin Bieber singles chronology
"Baby"
(2010)		 "Eenie Meenie"
(2010)		 "Somebody to Love"
(2010)

"Eenie Meenie" is a song by Jamaican-American recording artist Sean Kingston and Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. The song was written by Kingston, Bieber, Carlos Battey, Steven Battey, Benny Blanco, Marcos Palacios and Ernest Clark, and was produced by Blanco. It was released as the first single from Kingston's third studio album Back 2 Life on March 23, 2010, and is also included on Bieber's My World 2.0. The song, a dance-pop number with Kingston's reggae influences and Bieber's R&B vocals, is lyrically about an indecisive lover.

The song received generally positive reviews. It was a moderate international success, appearing on charts worldwide, including the top ten in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and the top twenty in Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United States. The accompanying music video features Kingston and Bieber at a pool party at a condo, being pursued by the same girl.

Contents

Background and composition

When talking about how the collaboration first came about, Kingston told MTV News, "I met Justin about two years ago before he was the teenage phenom that he is now. I don't really have that same chemistry with some celebrities. God just made it happen."[1] The song was first premiered on March 4, 2010, on Ryan Seacrest's website,[2] and it was released officially on March 23, 2010, in the United States.[3] It is a dance-pop song, with R&B, and reggae fusion influences,[4][5] written in B minor (recorded in B-flat minor), with a vocal range from the tone of F♯4 to the note of A5.[6] It moves at 120 beats per minute and is set in common time.[6] The song features a prominent synthesized back beat, followed by verses from both singers, then a rap interlude, while utilizing the children's rhyme "Eenie Meenie Miny Moe."[7] "Eenie Meenie" has been described to be a mix of Kingston's "Fire Burning" and Chris Brown's "Forever."[8]

Critical reception

Kyle Anderson of MTV said that "Eenie Meenie" melds Sean Kingston's island-inflected dance-pop with Bieber's sweet tween R&B."[5] Bill Lamb of About.com said "Both make the song sound effortless", and says that the song was "one of the first releases of the spring to point toward a more summery sound."[8] A reviewer of DJBooth said, "The record’s crown jewel, of course, is the chorus, which will worm its way into your head whether you like it or not."[9] Although he called the song catchy, Chris Richards of The Washington Post said Kingston "hogs the mike" on the song.[10] Rudy Klapper of Sputnikmusic wrote about the lyrics, on the album review, that those are "disturbing", but at the same time "unintentionally hilarious." She also criticized the production: "There's not much to say about the kind of producer who thinks the use of the term 'shorty' with an elementary school gimmick is a good idea."[11] Luke O'Neil from The Boston Globe noted "Sultry reggaeton is repackaged here for the tween set with Sean Kingston's 'Eenie Meenie.' 'Shorty' was never sung so literally."[12]

Chart performance

In the United States "Eeenie Meenie" the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number thirty on April 7, 2010, where it was the highest debut of the week.[13] The next week it dropped three places,[14] and stayed there for another additional week.[15] On the Billboard issue dated May 15, 2010, the single reached its peaked, at number fifteen,[16] and it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.[17] As of February 2011, the single was sold 1,238,000 times.[18] In Australia, it debuted at number forty-nine within the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart on April 4, 2010,[19] the next week, "Eenie Meenie" reached the number thirty, but it fell out the chart the following week.[19] It re-entered at number forty-five on April 25, 2010, and reached its peak at number eleven on May 30, 2010, where it stayed for three weeks.[19] Later it was certified as gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[20] The song appeared in the UK Singles Chart on May 22, 2010, at number fifty-eight. The next week "Eenie Meenie" rose to number seventeen and peaked at number nine in the next two weeks.[21]

In Ireland, it debuted at number forty-one in the Irish Singles Chart on April 15, 2010,[22] and rose the number twelve on May 17, 2010.[23] In the Canadian Hot 100 "Eenie Meenie" debuted and peaked at number fourteen, becoming the highest debut of the week.[24] But in the next issue, the single became the biggest drop, falling to the number thirty-one.[25] It was certified gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.[26] In New Zealand it debuted at number thirteen on March 29, 2010, and in its eighth week the song peaked at number five.[27] It also was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.[28]

Music video

The music video was filmed on March 30, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California,[29] and was directed by Ray Kay, director of Bieber's "Baby" video.[30] On the topic of choosing the lead girl, Kingston told MTV News, "I picked the main girl, basically, because Justin is 16 and I'm 20 years old, so it had to be a girl that fit the both of us, because in the video and song, she's trying to play the both of us. So there had to be a contrast. She fit it perfectly."[31] Additionally, Kingston explained the plot of the video to Rap-Up, commenting, "The video is basically about this girl trying to play both of us and at the end... we end up both at the same place at one time, and she's left with a stupid look on her face."[32] Appearances are made by Bieber's friend, Christian Beadles, as well as rapper Lil Romeo and singer/actress Jasmine Villegas.[31][33] Jocelyn Vena of MTV News reviewed the video, "Here's the play-by-play: While Kingston and the lady in question are flirting out on the deck, Bieber is chilling inside. But, wait — there she is flirting with Bieber while Kingston is hanging out, wondering where she went. The fickle girl eventually leaves Bieber to chill with Kingston, and then — boom — there she is with Bieber again. And, well, you get it. Of course, the 'eenie-meenie-miny-moe lover' eventually gets caught. While she's chatting up Kingston, along comes Bieber, and her game is blown. The dudes are cool with it. Well, they're not cool with her playing them, but they seem to remain friends despite both going for the same girl."[34]

Track listing

  1. "Eenie Meenie" - 3:21

Credits and personnel

Source:[36]

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[19] 11
Australia (ARIA Urban Singles)[37] 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)[38] 64
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[39] 47
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[40] 4
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[41] 14
Czech Republic (IFPI)[42] 52
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[43] 95
European Hot 100 Singles[44] 36
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 12
Germany (Media Control AG)[45] 60
New Zealand (RIANZ)[27] 5
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[46] 69
Slovakia (IFPI)[47] 79
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[48] 52
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 74
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[21] 9
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 15
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[50] 19

Year-end charts

Charts (2010) Position
Australian Singles Chart[51] 74
Canadian Hot 100[52] 76
UK Singles Chart[52] 107
US Billboard Hot 100[52] 89

Certifications

Region (provider) Certifications
(sales thresholds)
Australia (ARIA) Gold[20]
Canada (CRIA) Gold[26]
New Zealand (RIANZ) Gold[28]
United States (RIAA) Platinum[17]

Release history

Region Date Label Format
United States March 15, 2010[53] Beluga Heights, Epic Airplay
March 23, 2010[3] CD single
France[54] March 28, 2010 Digital download
Germany[55]
United Kingdom[56]
United States[57]
Canada[58] June 29, 2010
Japan[59]
United Kingdom[60] July 5, 2010

References

  1. ^ Vena, Jocelyn. "Justin Bieber, Sean Kingston Throw Pool Party For 'Eenie Meenie' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1635250/20100401/bieber_justin.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  2. ^ "Listen To Justin Bieber & Sean Kingston's New Single "Eenie Meenie" (Audio)". Ryan Seacrest Official Website. 2010-03-04. http://www.ryanseacrest.com/blog/whats-happening/listen-to-justin-bieber--sean-kingstons-new-single-eenie-meenie-audio/. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  3. ^ a b Bartolomeo, Joey (2010-03-04). "Listen: Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston's New Jam". People. Time Inc.. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20348478,00.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  4. ^ O'Neill, Luke (March 29, 2010). "Justin Bieber, ‘My World 2.0’". The Boston Globe (The New York Times Company). http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/03/29/justin_bieber_my_world_20/. Retrieved 2010-07-2010. 
  5. ^ a b Anderson, Kyle (2010-03-04). "Justin Bieber, Sean Kingston Collaboration 'Eenie Meenie' Premieres". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633167/20100304/bieber_justin.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  6. ^ a b Sheet music for My World 2.0. Beluga Heights Records, Epic Records (2010).
  7. ^ Anderson, Sara (2010-03-04). "Justin Bieber 'Eenie Meenie' Feat. Sean Kingston -- New Song". AOL. AOL Inc.. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/03/04/justin-bieber-eenie-meenie-sean-kingston/#comments. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  8. ^ a b "Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber Join Forces on 'Eenie Meenie'". About.com. The New York Times Company. 2010-03-04. http://top40.about.com/b/2010/03/04/sean-kingston-and-justin-bieber-join-forces-on-eenie-meenie.htm#comment-81597. Retrieved 2010-07-11. 
  9. ^ "Sean Kingston - Eenie Meenie". DJBooth. The DJ Booth LLC. http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/sean-kingston-eenie-meenie/. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  10. ^ Richards, Chris. "Album review: Justin Bieber, "My World 2.0"". The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company). http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2010/03/album_review_my_world_20.html. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  11. ^ Klapper, Rudy (2010-03-24). "Justin Bieber - My World 2.0". Sputnikmusic. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=35703. Retrieved 2010-08-08. 
  12. ^ O'Neil, Luke (2010-03-29). "Justin Bieber, ‘My World 2.0’". The Boston Globe (The New York Times Company). http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2010/03/29/justin_bieber_my_world_20/. Retrieved 2010-08-08. 
  13. ^ "Week of April 10, 2010". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 2010-04-10. http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/hot-100?chartDate=2010-04-10&order=gainer. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  14. ^ "US Singles Top 100 (April 17, 2010)". aCharts.us. http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2010/15. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  15. ^ "US Singles Top 100 (April 24, 2010)". aCharts.us. http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2010/16. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  16. ^ a b "Justin Bieber Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Justin Bieber. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  17. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum - Justin Bieber". Recording Industry Association of America. http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Justin%20Bieber&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  18. ^ http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74331/week-ending-feb-13-2011-songs-gagas-milestone-hit/
  19. ^ a b c d "Sean Kingston feat. Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie". Aria Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Sean+Kingston+%2F+Justin+Bieber&titel=Eenie+Meenie&cat=s. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 
  20. ^ a b "Aria Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1U50. Retrieved 2010-07-13. 
  21. ^ a b "Chart Stats – Sean Kingston and Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie" UK Singles Chart. Chart Stats. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  22. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Gfk. http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2010&year=2010&week=18. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  23. ^ a b "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  24. ^ "Week of April 10, 2010". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 2010-04-10. http://www.billboard.com/song/sean-kingston-justin-bieber/eenie-meenie/18128101#/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2010-04-10&order=gainer. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  25. ^ "Week of April 17, 2010". Billboard. Nielsen Company. 2010-04-17. http://www.billboard.com/song/sean-kingston-justin-bieber/eenie-meenie/18128101#/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2010-04-17&order=drop. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  26. ^ a b "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Plaitinum". Canadian Recording Industry Association. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0410_g.php. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  27. ^ a b "Charts.org.nz – Sean Kingston feat. Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  28. ^ a b "nztop40.com". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. http://www.nztop40.com/. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  29. ^ "Video: Sean Kingston f/ Justin Bieber – ‘Eenie Meenie’". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 2010-04-29. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/04/29/video-sean-kingston-f-justin-bieber-eenie-meenie/#more-45559. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  30. ^ "Video: Justin Bieber f/ Ludacris – 'Baby'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 2010-02-19. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/02/19/video-justin-bieber-f-ludacris-baby/comment-page-1/#comment-269565. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  31. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn. "Sean Kingston Breaks Down 'Eenie Meenie' Video, Frame By Frame". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638703/20100507/kingston_sean.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-07-11. 
  32. ^ "Rap-Up TV: On Set of Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber’s ‘Eenie Meenie’ Video". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 2010-03-31. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/03/31/rap-up-tv-on-set-of-sean-kingston-justin-biebers-eenie-meenie-video/. Retrieved 2010-07-11. 
  33. ^ Ryan, Chris. "5 Reasons Why The 'Eenie Meenie' Video Proves Justin Bieber Is A Baller". MTV Buzzworthy. MTV Networks. http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/05/04/5-reasons-why-eenie-meenie-video-proves-justin-bieber-baller/. Retrieved 2010-07-11. 
  34. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (2010-04-29). "Justin Bieber, Sean Kingston Flirt With Same Girl In 'Eeenie Meenie' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638058/20100429/bieber_justin.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-04-29. 
  35. ^ "Eenie Meenie - Single by Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber". iTunes. Apple Inc.. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/eenie-meenie-single/id359966550. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 
  36. ^ My World 2.0 (Liner Notes) Island Records/Raymond-Braun Music Group. (2010)
  37. ^ "Pandora Archive" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  38. ^ "Sean Kingston / Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie – Austriancharts.at" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  39. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sean Kingston / Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  40. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sean Kingston / Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie" (in French). Ultratip. ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  41. ^ "Justin Bieber Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Justin Bieber. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  42. ^ "Radio Top100 Oficiální – Kingston Sean feat. Bieber Justin – Eenie Meenie - Czech Republic". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Czech Republic. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=2&titul=148148&sec=23fdd88c839993607456b04a61c1f879. Retrieved 2010-08-08. 
  43. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Sean Kingston / Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  44. ^ "Justin Bieber Album & Song Chart History" European Hot 100 for Justin Bieber. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  45. ^ "Justin/Eenie+Meenie/single Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  46. ^ Top 100 - Editia 46 01.08.2010
  47. ^ "Radio Top 100 Oficiální Slovakian – Bieber Justin feat. Kingston Sean – Eenie Meenie". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Slovakia. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?a=titul&hitparada=18&titul=146100&sec=c13fe74e324790b059faf0dbcc5a60d5. Retrieved 2010-07-11. 
  48. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Sean Kingston / Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  49. ^ "Sean Kingston / Justin Bieber – Eenie Meenie – swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  50. ^ "Justin Bieber Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Justin Bieber. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  51. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2010.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  52. ^ a b c "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Company. December 8, 2010. http://www.billboard.com/charts-year-end/hot-100-songs?year=2010#/charts-year-end/hot-100-songs?year=2010&begin=81&order=position. Retrieved December 9, 2010. 
  53. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings: 3/15 Mainstream". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services. FMQB. http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239#210. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  54. ^ "Eenie Meenie" (in French). Amazon France. Amazon.com Inc.. http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B003B0RJJ6. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  55. ^ "Eenie Meenie" (in German). Amazon Germany. Amazon.com Inc.. http://www.amazon.de/dp/B003B0EC3W. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  56. ^ "Eenie Meenie". Amazon United Kingdom. Amazon.com Inc.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003EDT7LI. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  57. ^ "Eenie Meenie". Amazon. Amazon.com Inc.. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BRI04C. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  58. ^ "Eenie Meenie (Import) (Single)". Amazon Canada. Amazon.com Inc.. http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B003H695QO. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  59. ^ "Eenie Meenie (Import) (Single) (from US)" (in Japanese). Amazon Japan. Amazon.com Inc.. http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B003H695QO. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 
  60. ^ "Eenie Meenie". HMV Group. http://hmv.com/hmvweb/simpleMultiSearch.do?searchUID=&pGroupID=0&adultFlag=false&primaryID=0&simpleSearchString=eenie+meenie. Retrieved 2010-07-10. 

External links

Sean Kingston
Studio albums
Mixtapes
Singles
"Beautiful Girls" · "Me Love" · "Take You There" · "There's Nothin (Remix)" · "Fire Burning" · "My Girlfriend" · "Face Drop" · "Eenie Meenie" · "Letting Go (Dutty Love)" · "Dumb Love" · "Party All Night (Sleep All Day)" · "Born to Be Wild"
Featured singles
Other songs