Jacques: In 2017, millions of people visited Genius for the knowledge and meaning behind their favorite songs--
and here are the top 10 most viewed lyrics of the year. First up at number 10 is Kendrick Lamar’s “ELEMENT.”
At number 9, we jump across the pond for the meme that took the internet by storm.
What began as a one-off BBC 1XTRA freestyle by comedian Michael Dapaah as his character Big Shaq,
became a single, a video and even a beef with Shaquille O'Neal.
And despite all this success, Big Shaq maintains that he is anything but hot.
Big Shaq: What kind of question is that man's not dumb man's not hot man on get cold?
Put me next to the Sun. I won't be hot
I'll still have my jacket on.
[Jacques] For number eight we stay in the U.K.
"Shape Of You" is one of the biggest singles of Ed Sheeran's career. The cut spent 12 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100,
and 33 weeks in the top 10, a new record.
The dancehall vibe fits considering Ed initially wrote it for a Caribbean queen.
Ed Sheeran:We were writing this song and I was like this would really work for Rihanna.
and then I started singing lyrics like ‘putting Van the Man on the jukebox’
and I was like, 'Well, she’s not really going to sing that, is she?'
Jacques: We head to Atlanta for spots 7 through 4.
“Bad and Boujee” was the group’s first Hot 100 no. 1 song and the opening lines reference a couple things the trio likes to rap about -
- jewelry and cars. As a group, they’ve said “drop-top” over 50 times. Here are a few examples.
We stay with Migos for number six.
Sitting at number five is the chorus for Childish Gambino’s “Redbone.”
Gambino’s single about infidelity is the highest charting song of his career. The cut draws its inspiration from the 1970s.
Ludwig Göransson: There was a time before we started on the album where I started listening, Donald sent me a bunch of funkadelics albums.
I was kinda raised off of jazz and blues.
I didn’t really experience that 70s psychedelic music so it's all very organic
Jacques: At number 4 is the chorus from fellow ATLien Future’s biggest single.
2017 was a great year for Future.
In March, he became the first artist in Billboard’s history to have back to back number one album releases.
Number 3 brings us back to Compton.
Some saw Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” as a shot at the rappers firing at him. But Lamar said it was meant to be introspective saying quote.
"That's why I did a song like that where I just don't give a fuck or I'm telling the listener
You can't fuck with me.
But ultimately I'm looking in the mirror."
We head to Puerto Rico for number 2, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” featuring Justin Bieber.
The Justin Bieber-assisted remix spent 16 weeks at number one,
Tying it with Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” for the record of longest running single atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Fonsi broke down his opening bars in May.
Luis Fonsi: “You’re the magnet and I’m the metal”
...it’s just kinda like it’s happening we can’t control it, we’re coming together
and nothing can stop us.
Jacques: And finally, the number one most viewed lyric of the year belongs to Philadelphia’s Lil Uzi Vert and his song, “XO TOUR Llif3.”
Lil Uzi Vert’s 2017 was unlike many - his project ‘Luv Is Rage 2’ debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200
and Soundcloud named it Album of the Year.
He also picked up a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
“XO TOUR Llif3” is about Vert’s turbulent relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Byrd.
The chorus confused many but the song’s producer, TM88 explained its meaning.
TM88: Everybody else say it make em feel like they friends are dead but I know the concept.
Then it was like, 'Nah bro I think he talking about dead presidents, know what I’m saying?'
Jacques: I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News, bringing you the meaning and the knowledge behind the music. Peace!