1234 (Plain White T's song)

This article is about the song by Plain White T's. For the song by Coolio, see 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New). For the song by Feist, see 1234 (song).
"1, 2, 3, 4"
Single by Plain White T's
from the album Big Bad World
Released December 2008
Format Digital download
Recorded 2008
Genre Emo pop
Length 3:18
Label Hollywood
Writer(s) Tom Higgenson
Producer(s) Plain White T's
Certification 2X Platinum (RIAA)
Plain White T's singles chronology
"Natural Disaster"
(2008)		 "1, 2, 3, 4"
(2008)		 "Rhythm of Love
(2010)

"1, 2, 3, 4" (sometimes subtitled "I Love You") is the second single from the Plain White T's second worldwide album Big Bad World. It reached #34 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in April 2009 and was certified Platinum in June 2011, having sold over 1 million digital copies. The record has since gone 2X Platinum.[1] The song was used in episode 16 of 90210 's first season and a promo for February movies on Hub Network.

Chart performance

Since its release in December 2008, the song has been compared to the band's earlier hit "Hey There Delilah" because of its acoustic rock sound. In February 2009, "1, 2, 3, 4" began to climb on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching a peak of No. 34, becoming their biggest hit on the chart after "Hey There Delilah".[2]

On the Adult Top 40 chart, the song spent 26 weeks on the chart and peaked at No. 5.[2]

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on the MySpace main page January 16, 2009[3] and was subsequently released on MTV, MTVU, VH1, Fuse, Music Choice and YouTube.[4][5][6] It found success on the weekly VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown, charting over five months straight between January and May, peaking at #5. It was listed on the VH1 Top 40 Videos of 2009 at #31.

Directed by Mike Venezia,[7] the video depicts vocalist Tom Higgenson in 18-degree weather around Chicago as he busks with acoustic guitar for passing couples — captions identify each couple, along with tidbits about how and when they met.

Due to its low budget viral nature and success, the making of the video was reported on by CNN News,[8] Chicago Sun Times,[9] WGN News and The Bonnie Hunt Show. Additionally, a feature was added online allowing viewers to personalize the video by incorporating their own pictures.[10][11][12]

Charts

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Germany (Media Control Charts)[13] 37
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 34
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 10
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 5
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[17] 32

Certification

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[18] 2× Platinum 2,000,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

References

  1. ↑ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Plain White T's Chart History". Billboard. 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  3. ↑ "1, 2, 3, 4 - Official Music Video (HQ) Video by PLAIN WHITE T'S". Myspace. Archived from the original on 2009-05-16. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
  4. ↑ "MTV Adds for the Week of 1/26/09". Video Static. 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  5. ↑ "Fuse Adds for the Week of 2/09/09". Video Static. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  6. ↑ "Music Choice Adds for the week of 3/09/09". Video Static. 2009-03-09. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  7. ↑ Anitai, Tamar (2009-02-03). "New Video: Plain White T's, '1,2,3,4'". MTV Buzzworthy Blog (MTV). Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  8. ↑ "Be in a music video!". CNN Video (CNN). 2009-02-11. Archived from the original on 10 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  9. ↑ "Put yourself into the new Plain White T's video". Our Town Blogs (Chicago Sun Times). 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  10. ↑ "Plain White T's Take Innovative Approach to Include Fans in New Video '1,2,3,4". Press Release (Reuters). 2009-02-03. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  11. ↑ "Plain White T’s release video for new single, include fans & you". Skratch Magazine. 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  12. ↑ "Plain White T's Customizable Greeting Card". HDgreetings eCards. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  13. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Plain White T's – 1,2,3,4". GfK Entertainment.
  14. ↑ "Plain White T's Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Plain White T's. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Plain White T's Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Plain White T's. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Plain White T's Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Plain White T's. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Plain White T's Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Plain White T's. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  18. ↑ "American single certifications – Plain White T's – 1,2,3,4". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 26, 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH

External links