Back Then

For the German film, see Back Then (film).
"Back Then"
Single by Mike Jones
from the album Who Is Mike Jones?
Released February 15, 2005
Format 12"
Recorded 2004
Genre Southern hip hop
Length 4:05
Label Swishahouse
Writer(s) Mike Jones
Producer(s) Salih Williams
Mike Jones singles chronology
"Still Tippin'"
(2004)		 "Back Then"
(2005)		 "Flossin'"
(2005)
Music video
"Back Then" on YouTube

"Back Then" is a song released from Houston-based rapper, Mike Jones. The track is the second single from his debut album Who Is Mike Jones?. The single was released in February 2005 and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his first and only top 40 hit on that chart as a solo artist. It also gave him success on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts at number 6 and 15 respectively.

Song information

The song deals with the popularity and sexual attention rappers receive because of their money, contrasts, and the way Jones was treated before achieving success. The song is sometimes seen as a critique of effects of fame; conversely, it is often considered to present a misogynistic or chauvinistic attitude toward women. The following line, which is repeated many times during the song, sums up the general attitude of the lyrics: "Back then hoes didn't want me / Now I'm hot hoes all on me." Written by Daunte Moore, who died before the song was released.

Commercial performance

The single became Mike Jones' most successful single to date, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, performing better than his last single "Still Tippin'" which only peaked at number 60. The single became a success on both the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts where it peaked at numbers 6 and 15 respectively, while becoming a moderate hit on the Pop 100 chart where it peaked at number 45. The song was also a moderate success on the Hot Digital Songs chart, where it peaked at number 26 and eventually went Platinum, becoming Jones' second platinum single.

Music video

Directed by Dr. Teeth (who directed most of Mike Jones' videos),[1] the video looks at Mike Jones's life before he was famous, getting shut down by every woman he met and tried to get attention from, and how he reacts to those same women who passed him up only for them to be given the same treatment they gave to him. The video is bookended with a club concert that has fans saying his catchphrase, "Who? Mike Jones!"

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 22
US Digital Songs (Billboard)[5] 26
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] 15
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[7] 6
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[8] 45
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[9] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (2005) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 92
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 75

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[12] Platinum 1,000,000^

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

References

  1. ↑ "Dr. Teeth". mvdbase.com. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Mike Jones - Back Then (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Mike Jones - Back Then (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Mike Jones Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Mike Jones. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Mike Jones Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Digital Songs for Mike Jones. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Mike Jones Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Mike Jones. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Mike Jones Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Rap Songs for Mike Jones. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Who Is Mike Jones? - Mike Jones - Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Mike Jones Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Mike Jones. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Year-End Charts: The Hot 100." Billboard 2005 Year In Music. Billboard. 2005.
  11. ↑ "Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - 2005". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ "American single certifications – Mike Jones – Back Then". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 22, 2014. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH