Scream (Timbaland song)

"Scream"
Single by Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger
from the album Shock Value
Released December 11, 2007
(see release history)
Format
Recorded 2006
Miami, Florida
(Hit Factory Criteria)
Genre R&B, hip hop
Length 5:41 (Album Version)
3:44 (Radio Edit)
3:51 (Video Edit)
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Timbaland singles chronology
"Apologize"
(2007)
"Scream"
(2007)
"Chop Me Up"
(2008)
Keri Hilson chronology
"The Way I Are"
(2007)
"Scream"
(2007)
"Hero"
(2008)
Nicole Scherzinger chronology
"Baby Love"
(2007)
"Scream"
(2007)
"Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)"
(2009)
Music video
"Scream" on YouTube

"Scream" is a song performed by American producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland, released as the fifth and final single from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals from American singer and songwriter Keri Hilson and the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls Nicole Scherzinger. Mosley and Hilson co-wrote the song with American producer Danja, who co-produced the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to mainstream radios in the United States on December 11, 2007.

"Scream" received generally positive reviews from music critics, with a majority of them praising Hilson's vocal performance, while Timbaland's vocals were deemed creepy by one reviewer. The song charted moderately, possibly due in part to the continuing success of Timbaland's previous single "Apologize". It peaked within the top ten in countries like New Zealand and Sweden and in the top fifteen tier in countries like Australia and Ireland. Despite being released first in the United States, the song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, being his only single in the United States from Shock Value not to do so. The accompanying music video portrays Timbaland being caressed by two other women while Hilson and Scherzinger are in separate scenes performing sexually seductive movements in isolated areas.

Background

"Scream" was written and composed by Timbaland (as Tim Mosley), Danja (as Nate Hills) and Keri Hilson.[1] Mosley and Hills produced the track and provided instrumentation for it with both playing the keyboard and bass while Timbaland plays on the drums.[1] Danja is credited on the song for playing the guitars with musicians Kevin Rudolf and Dan Warner.[1] The song was recorded and programmed by sound engineers Demacio "Demo" Castellon and Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami while the two mixed the track at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles.[1] Castellon and Araica were assisted by James Barton in mixing the track while editing for the song was conducted by Ron Taylor using Pro Tools technology.[1] The gospel-tinged song has been described as "funky and seductive" in sound with a sexy groove.[2][3][4] Sean Fennessey of Vibe Magazine describes "Scream" as an "alluring", "repetitious" song "with a whirring sexuality."[5] "Scream" is the final single released from Shock Value (2007). Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to mainstream radios on December 11, 2007 in the United States.[6] "Scream" was later released around the world between February and March of the following year in digital, extended play and CD single formats.[7][8][9][10]

Critical reception

"Scream"
A 32-second sample of the chorus of "Scream".

Problems playing this file? See media help.

Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club described the song, along with "Bombay" and "Fantasy", as an attempt to maintain modern appeal, writing that they "capture hip-hop icons desperately trying to pin down the quicksilver sound of today before it becomes yesterday's style."[11] Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times was dismissive of Timbaland's vocals through the album, writing that "he's ... creepy coming on to Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger."[12] Daniel Incognito of Sputnikmusic praised Keri Hilson's vocals on "Scream" and "Miscommunication", writing that "she displays an intoxicating mix of talented R&B vocals with intelligence, personality and poise."[13] Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews described Hilson and Scherzinger's performances as the "dirtiest and most erotic ... of all time".[3] Norman Mayers of Prefix Magazine labeled "Scream" and "Miscommunication", which also features Hilson, as "winners", while commenting that Hilson naturally fits in with Timbaland's songs.[4]

Ivan Rott of About.com, however, expressed his discontent, implying that the song itself would compel one to scream.[14] Andrea Park of The Online Gargoyle shared the same thoughts in her review of the album, stating that "The flat quality of this album was most apparent in the five songs with accompanying female vocalists."[15] Houston Chronicle writer Zharmer Hardimon finds that Keri Hilson's vocals bests those of Nicole Scherzinger while David Hyland of WESH Orlando feels she overdoes the singing, writing that she's "operating under the mistaken impression that her weak voice is some powerful instrument that is bursting forth."[16][17] A writer for Toronto Star praised "Scream" and "The Way I Are" as some of the album's most interesting tracks.[2]

Chart performance

"Scream" was a moderate hit in many international territories. In Canada, the song first entered the Canadian Hot 100 on the issue dated January 12, 2008 at number ninety-two, during the week that Timbaland's "Apologize" held the top position.[18] It steadily ascended the chart until the issue dated February 16, 2008, when it peaked at number forty-one.[19] "Scream" fared better in Australia, where it peaked on the Australian Singles Chart at number twenty on the week of March 9, 2008 and was present on the chart for a total of fourteen weeks.[20] On the issue dated January 28, 2008, the song debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number thirty-two.[21] It quickly ascended into the top twenty and, by the sixth week, had peaked at number nine.[21] In Ireland, "Scream" debuted on the chart at number fifteen on the issue dated February 7, 2008.[22] The song ascended in the top twenty and on the week ending March 13, 2008, it reached its peak at number ten, rising from number nineteen the week before.[23] In Sweden, the song debuted at number thirty-one on the week ending January 10, 2008.[24] The following week, it moved up twenty places to number eleven and by the fourth week, the song had moved up into the top ten, peaking at number eight.[24] It amassed a total of fifteen weeks on the chart, spending its last week at number sixty.[24]

Music video

The music video for the song premiered on Yahoo! Music on January 15, 2008 and was directed by Justin Francis.[25] The video begins with Timbaland singing while being massaged and seduced by two women. It then shows cuts of Timbaland, Scherzinger and Hilson singing with and without Balaclavas under a car park. At the conclusion of the second chorus, Scherzinger is shown singing in an elevator while performing in front of a 1965 Buick Riviera and a Ford Mustang with and without a balaclava. The next scene displays Timbaland and his two friends planning a robbery with intercuts of Scherzinger, Hilson and Timbaland singing in front of a car. The video concludes with Timbaland and his two friends walking into the targeted house.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Shock Value, Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records.[1]

Recording and mixing
Personnel

Track listing

Digital download[7]
  1. "Scream" (Radio Edit)
CD Single[8][9]
  1. "Scream" (Radio Edit) - 3:44
  2. "Scream" (Instrumental) - 5:42

iTunes EP[10]
  1. "Scream" (Radio Edit) - 3:44
  2. "Scream" (Acapella) - 5:33
  3. "Scream" (Instrumental) - 5:36

Charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[26] 20
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[27] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[28] 15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[29] 35
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[30] 41
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[31] 32
Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 30
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[33] 18
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[34] 5
Germany (Media Control Charts)[35] 9
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[36] 33
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[37] 21
Ireland (IRMA)[38] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39] 16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 9
Norway (VG-lista)[41] 17
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[42] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[43] 8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[44] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2008) Rank
German Singles Chart[45] 75

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States December 11, 2007 Mainstream radio[6] Mosley Music Group, Blackground Records, Interscope Records
Australia February 15, 2008 Digital download[7] Blackground Records, Interscope Records
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
Hungary
Ireland
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden
Australia February 23, 2008 Single download[8]
Belgium
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Australia March 7, 2008 Extended play[10]
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
German
Hungary
Ireland
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden
Czech Republic Single download[9]
Denmark
Finland
German
Hungary
Ireland
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Sweden

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Shock Value (inlay cover). Fergie. Mosley Music Group, Blackground Records, Interscope Records. 2007.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "TIMBALAND". Toronto Star. Toronto Star. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Juon, Steve "Flash". "Timbaland :: Timbaland Presents Shock Value :: Blackground Records/Interscope". RapReviews. RapReviews. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Mayers, Norman. "Album Review: Timbaland - Shock Value". Prefix Magazine. Prefix. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  5. "Music - Revolutions: Timbaland - Timbaland Presents Shock Value". Vibe 15 (5): 98. May 2007. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Airplay Archive". FMQB. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Sources for Scream (feat. Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger) Single release worldwide:
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Sources for Scream (feat. Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger) single released worldwide on February 23, 2008:
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Sources for Scream (feat. Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger) single released worldwide on March 7, 2008:
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Sources for Scream (feat. Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger) EP release worldwide:
  11. Rabin, Nathan. "Timbaland: Shock Value| Music | Music Review | The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. Onion Inc. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  12. Powers, Ann. "More like a startle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  13. Incognito, Daniel. "Timbaland - Shock Value (staff review)". Sputnikmusic. Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  14. Rott, Ivan. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value Review". About.com. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  15. Park, Andrea. "CD review: Timbaland, "Shock Value"". The Online Gargoyle. University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  16. Hardimon, Zharmer. "You're a great producer, but please stop rapping". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  17. Hyland, David. "Timbaland's 'Shock Value' Has Shockingly Limited Value". WESH Orlando. Orlando Hearst Television Inc. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  18. "Canadian Hot 100 - January 12, 2008". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  19. "Canadian Hot 100 - February 16, 2008". aCharts. acharts.us. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  20. "australian-charts.com - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger - Scream". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  21. 21.0 21.1 "charts.org.nz - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger - Scream". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  22. "TOP 50 SINGLES, WEEK ENDING 07 February 2008". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  23. "TOP 50 SINGLES, WEEK ENDING 13 March 2008". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 "swedencharts.com - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger - Scream". swedencharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  25. "Premieres on Yahoo! Music". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on January 10, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  26. "Australian-charts.com – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  27. "Austriancharts.at – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  28. "Ultratop.be – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  29. "Ultratop.be – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  30. "Timbaland Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Timbaland.
  31. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200820 into search.
  32. "Danishcharts.com – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream". Tracklisten.
  33. "Timbaland Album & Song Chart History" European Hot 100 for Timbaland.
  34. "Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger: Scream" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  35. "Chartverfulgong > Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger > Scream – musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  36. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  37. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  38. "Chart Track: Week 11, 2008". Irish Singles Chart.
  39. "Dutchcharts.nl – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  40. "Charts.org.nz – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream". Top 40 Singles.
  41. "Norwegiancharts.com – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream". VG-lista.
  42. "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200818 into search.
  43. "Swedishcharts.com – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & Nicole Scherzinger – Scream". Singles Top 60.
  44. "Archive Chart: 2008-03-22" UK Singles Chart.
  45. "Jahrescharts 2008". MTV Germany. Viacom International Inc. December 17, 2008. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2013.

External links