Big Fat Bass
Encyclopedia
"Big Fat Bass" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears
. The song was written and produced by will.i.am
for Spears' seventh studio album, Femme Fatale
(2011). The electropop song speaks about the bass clef and contains a double entendre
gender metaphor. "Big Fat Bass" received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. While being considered as the most old-school work on Femme Fatale, the song was considered to be an unfortunate collaboration with will.i.am. Spears' vocals were deemed as heavily processed and similar to the ones of Fergie and Rihanna
.
Despite not being released as a single, "Big Fat Bass" managed to peak at number thirty-one on South Korea's International Download Gaon Chart
, due to strong digital downloads following the album's release, and also appeared on Billboard
Dance/Electronic Songs component chart. It has been performed on live television three times, including at a special show at Rain Nightclub
in Las Vegas, Nevada
, on a Good Morning America
special concert, and on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, while it was also performed on 2011's Femme Fatale Tour
.
about the sessions for Femme Fatale, commenting that she had been recording the album for two years. On February 8, 2011, Spears tweeted she was in the studio with will.i.am
, recording a song for the album. Later, the producer described the collaboration as "a monster. It's mean, pretty, edgy, next level. [...] She's singing fresh over it. It's something that today needs," and unveilead a teaser of the song through a blog message on February 28, 2011. In an interview with Rolling Stone
, Spears commented that she is a fan of The Black Eyed Peas
, due the fact that the band "make[s] incredibly catchy, fun pop/dance records and I LOVE will.i.am's style. I have always wanted to do a song with him and would love to work with him more in the future. He is so interesting." will.i.am also praised Spears for the song, saying, "Thank you Britney for collaborating it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for trusting my instincts. You're a doll." "Big Fat Bass" was written and produced by will.i.am, and Spears recorded her vocals for the song at Ethernet Studios in Los Angeles, California
and at The Record Plant in Hollywood, California. When asked about the singer's work ethic, the producer revealed:
and electropop song that lasts for four minutes and forty-five seconds, and is the longest track of Femme Fatale. The song begins with an electronically altered voice of will.i.am singing, "Big fat bass/the big fat bass," while a piano
is being played underneath. As the beat begins, Spears start to sing "I can be the treble, baby/You can be the bass/You can be the bass." Nicole James of MTV
considered the "dramatic piano/house music intro" of "Big Fat Bass" reminiscent to "Another Night
" (1993) by Real McCoy
. The song's lyrics also intercalates with a double entendre gender metaphor
, where Spears sings "The bass is getting bigger". Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine
considered "Big Fat Bass" a twenty-first century version of "When I Hear Music" (1984) by Debbie Deb
. Spears' vocals were also deemed as heavily processed, yet similar to the ones of Fergie and Rihanna
.
considered it "the most old-school work" on Femme Fatale, while Keith Caulfield of Billboard
said he could "completely hear this track blasting in a club, with Spears cooing "I can be your treble" while the crowd screams back "you can be my bass!" Thomas Conner of Chicago Sun-Times
gave "Big Fat Bass" a negative review, and considered it "one unfortunate collaboration," while saying Spears "herself could beat [will.i.am] in a rap battle." Robert Everett-Green of The Globe and Mail
considered the song a "verseless tune", and commented that "[will.i.am] thought it would be fun to make [Spears] sound like Rihanna
" on the track. Braulio Lorentz of Billboard Brasil
considered Femme Fatale "too much", while commenting that "even will.i.am can't save [the album]" with "Big Fat Bass".
A Staff Reporter of Samesame.com.au
said that, at first, "I was ready to declare ‘Big Fat Bass’ the worst track of the album." However, after its release, "I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the track is actually pretty awesome." Hannah Rishel of The Daily Collegian considered the song "catchy, but different enough so it sticks out against “Till the World Ends
” and “Hold It Against Me
.” The combined star power of Spears and Will.i.am would have surely made it a radio hit." Andy Gill of The Independent
said that the album sounds more programmed than natural, but said that "Big Fat Bass" "sticks to dancefloor essentials". Despite not receiving a single release, "Big Fat Bass" managed to peak at number thirty-one in in South Korea's Gaon
International Download component chart, while appearing on Billboard
Dance/Electronic Songs component chart on the week of April 16, 2011.
in Las Vegas, Nevada
. The setlist of the show consisted of three songs from her seventh studio album
, Femme Fatale
, including "Hold It Against Me
", "Big Fat Bass" and "Till the World Ends
". The performance of "Big Fat Bass" consisted on Spears emerging from a speaker box and dancing to a remix version of the song, which included the chorus of "3
" as a medley, and a few elements of "Gimme More
" and "I'm a Slave 4 U
". The singer was wearing a latex bodysuit
during the performance. The same remix was later performed on March 27, 2011, on a pre-taped Good Morning America
special concert that aired on March 29, 2011. The same day, Spears performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! "Big Fat Bass" was also performed on 2011's Femme Fatale Tour
. Spears was wearing a pink latex and lace jacket and emerged from inside a bass to perform the song, while will.i.am
appeared in the backdrops.
Personnel
Source:
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
. The song was written and produced by will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
for Spears' seventh studio album, Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale (Britney Spears album)
Femme Fatale is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears. The album was released on March 25, 2011 by Jive Records . Recorded between 2009 and 2011, the album featured Spears working mainly alongside longtime collaborators Max Martin and Dr. Luke, who served as the...
(2011). The electropop song speaks about the bass clef and contains a double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
gender metaphor. "Big Fat Bass" received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics. While being considered as the most old-school work on Femme Fatale, the song was considered to be an unfortunate collaboration with will.i.am. Spears' vocals were deemed as heavily processed and similar to the ones of Fergie and Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
.
Despite not being released as a single, "Big Fat Bass" managed to peak at number thirty-one on South Korea's International Download Gaon Chart
Gaon Chart
The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts...
, due to strong digital downloads following the album's release, and also appeared on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Dance/Electronic Songs component chart. It has been performed on live television three times, including at a special show at Rain Nightclub
Rain Nightclub
Rain Nightclub, at the Palms Casino Resort, opened in the 2001 by the N9NE Group. The club is or has been known as Rain Las Vegas and Rain in the Desert. A variety of celebrities have been spotted at Rain, including Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicky Hilton and David Katzenberg. Rain was the first mega club...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, on a Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
special concert, and on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, while it was also performed on 2011's Femme Fatale Tour
Femme Fatale Tour
The Femme Fatale Tour is the seventh concert tour by American singer Britney Spears, in support of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was officially announced in March 2011, with dates for North American venues revealed. The tour was initially planned as a co-headlining tour with Enrique...
.
Background
Spears spoke to VV (American magazine)
V magazine is an American fashion magazine published since 1999. The magazine is printed seasonally and highlights trends in fashion, film music and art. A men's fashion quarterly entitled VMAN started as an offshoot in 2003.-History:...
about the sessions for Femme Fatale, commenting that she had been recording the album for two years. On February 8, 2011, Spears tweeted she was in the studio with will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, recording a song for the album. Later, the producer described the collaboration as "a monster. It's mean, pretty, edgy, next level. [...] She's singing fresh over it. It's something that today needs," and unveilead a teaser of the song through a blog message on February 28, 2011. In an interview with Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, Spears commented that she is a fan of The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
, due the fact that the band "make[s] incredibly catchy, fun pop/dance records and I LOVE will.i.am's style. I have always wanted to do a song with him and would love to work with him more in the future. He is so interesting." will.i.am also praised Spears for the song, saying, "Thank you Britney for collaborating it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for trusting my instincts. You're a doll." "Big Fat Bass" was written and produced by will.i.am, and Spears recorded her vocals for the song at Ethernet Studios in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and at The Record Plant in Hollywood, California. When asked about the singer's work ethic, the producer revealed:
"[I discovered] her love for music. I never seen anyone, like, come alive, full of excitement and giggling and laughing behind the mic. She was like a little kid when she was recording the song and it just brought the whole atmosphere, it changed the whole atmosphere when someone really loves music. So it was great working with her."
Composition
"Big Fat Bass" is a dance-popDance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
and electropop song that lasts for four minutes and forty-five seconds, and is the longest track of Femme Fatale. The song begins with an electronically altered voice of will.i.am singing, "Big fat bass/the big fat bass," while a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
is being played underneath. As the beat begins, Spears start to sing "I can be the treble, baby/You can be the bass/You can be the bass." Nicole James of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
considered the "dramatic piano/house music intro" of "Big Fat Bass" reminiscent to "Another Night
Another Night (song)
"Another Night" is a dance song by Real McCoy from their album Another Night. It was one of their biggest hits, reaching number 18 in Germany, number three on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the U.S. during the holiday season of 1994-1995, number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one on...
" (1993) by Real McCoy
Real McCoy (band)
Real McCoy, originally known as M.C. Sar & The Real McCoy, is a German band, best known for their 1993/1994 singles "Another Night" and "Run Away", which were both Top 10 hits in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.-Formation:...
. The song's lyrics also intercalates with a double entendre gender metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
, where Spears sings "The bass is getting bigger". Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
considered "Big Fat Bass" a twenty-first century version of "When I Hear Music" (1984) by Debbie Deb
Debbie Deb
Deborah Claire Wesoff - Kowalski, better known as Debbie Deb, is an American dance-pop singer, best known for 1980s freestyle dance songs such as "Lookout Weekend" and "When I Hear Music".-Biography:...
. Spears' vocals were also deemed as heavily processed, yet similar to the ones of Fergie and Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
.
Reception
"Big Fat Bass" received mixed reviews from music critics. Alexis Petridis of The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
considered it "the most old-school work" on Femme Fatale, while Keith Caulfield of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
said he could "completely hear this track blasting in a club, with Spears cooing "I can be your treble" while the crowd screams back "you can be my bass!" Thomas Conner of Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
gave "Big Fat Bass" a negative review, and considered it "one unfortunate collaboration," while saying Spears "herself could beat [will.i.am] in a rap battle." Robert Everett-Green of The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail is a nationally distributed Canadian newspaper, based in Toronto and printed in six cities across the country. With a weekly readership of approximately 1 million, it is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper and second-largest daily newspaper after the Toronto Star...
considered the song a "verseless tune", and commented that "[will.i.am] thought it would be fun to make [Spears] sound like Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
" on the track. Braulio Lorentz of Billboard Brasil
Billboard Brasil
Billboard Brasil is a monthly Brazilian magazine launched on October 10, 2009, with a print-run of over 40,000 copies. It is distributed nationwide by Brazil's biggest distributor Dinap...
considered Femme Fatale "too much", while commenting that "even will.i.am can't save [the album]" with "Big Fat Bass".
A Staff Reporter of Samesame.com.au
Samesame.com.au
Samesame.com.au is an Australian LGBT website created by Tim Duggan and a partner. The website is run by Sound Alliance in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills...
said that, at first, "I was ready to declare ‘Big Fat Bass’ the worst track of the album." However, after its release, "I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the track is actually pretty awesome." Hannah Rishel of The Daily Collegian considered the song "catchy, but different enough so it sticks out against “Till the World Ends
Till the World Ends
"Till the World Ends" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, released as the second single from her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was written and produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin, with additional writing by Kesha and Alexander Kronlund, and additional production by...
” and “Hold It Against Me
Hold It Against Me
"Hold It Against Me" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, released as the first single from her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was written and produced by Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Billboard, with additional writing by Bonnie McKee. Luke explained that he wanted "Hold It...
.” The combined star power of Spears and Will.i.am would have surely made it a radio hit." Andy Gill of The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
said that the album sounds more programmed than natural, but said that "Big Fat Bass" "sticks to dancefloor essentials". Despite not receiving a single release, "Big Fat Bass" managed to peak at number thirty-one in in South Korea's Gaon
Gaon Chart
The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts...
International Download component chart, while appearing on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Dance/Electronic Songs component chart on the week of April 16, 2011.
Live performances
On March 25, 2011, Spears made a special show at Rain NightclubRain Nightclub
Rain Nightclub, at the Palms Casino Resort, opened in the 2001 by the N9NE Group. The club is or has been known as Rain Las Vegas and Rain in the Desert. A variety of celebrities have been spotted at Rain, including Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicky Hilton and David Katzenberg. Rain was the first mega club...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. The setlist of the show consisted of three songs from her seventh studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale (Britney Spears album)
Femme Fatale is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears. The album was released on March 25, 2011 by Jive Records . Recorded between 2009 and 2011, the album featured Spears working mainly alongside longtime collaborators Max Martin and Dr. Luke, who served as the...
, including "Hold It Against Me
Hold It Against Me
"Hold It Against Me" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, released as the first single from her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was written and produced by Max Martin, Dr. Luke and Billboard, with additional writing by Bonnie McKee. Luke explained that he wanted "Hold It...
", "Big Fat Bass" and "Till the World Ends
Till the World Ends
"Till the World Ends" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, released as the second single from her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was written and produced by Dr. Luke and Max Martin, with additional writing by Kesha and Alexander Kronlund, and additional production by...
". The performance of "Big Fat Bass" consisted on Spears emerging from a speaker box and dancing to a remix version of the song, which included the chorus of "3
3 (song)
"3" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears, from her second greatest hits compilation The Singles Collection. It was released on September 29, 2009, as the only single of the album by Jive Records. The song was produced by long-time collaborator Max Martin and Shellback, and recorded...
" as a medley, and a few elements of "Gimme More
Gimme More
"Gimme More" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears from her fifth studio album, Blackout. It was released on September 27, 2007 by Jive Records as the lead single of the album. The song was written by Jim Beanz, Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica, Nate "Danja" Hills and Keri Hilson...
" and "I'm a Slave 4 U
I'm a Slave 4 U
"I'm a Slave 4 U" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears. The song was written and produced by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, for Spears' third studio album, Britney . It was released on September 24, 2001 by Jive Records, as the first single from the album...
". The singer was wearing a latex bodysuit
Bodysuit
In clothing, a bodysuit, body-liner, or body is a unisex form-fitting garment that covers the torso. The bodysuit often has sleeves and varying collars. A bodysuit is distinguished from the similar leotard by the use of snaps or hooks at the crotch. A bodysuit may be worn as a top for the smooth...
during the performance. The same remix was later performed on March 27, 2011, on a pre-taped Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
special concert that aired on March 29, 2011. The same day, Spears performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! "Big Fat Bass" was also performed on 2011's Femme Fatale Tour
Femme Fatale Tour
The Femme Fatale Tour is the seventh concert tour by American singer Britney Spears, in support of her seventh studio album, Femme Fatale. It was officially announced in March 2011, with dates for North American venues revealed. The tour was initially planned as a co-headlining tour with Enrique...
. Spears was wearing a pink latex and lace jacket and emerged from inside a bass to perform the song, while will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
appeared in the backdrops.
Credits and personnel
Technical- Recorded and Engineered at Ethernet Studios in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and The Record Plant in Hollywood, California. - Mixed at The Record Plant in Hollywood, California.
- will.i.am appears courtesy of will.i.am music, llc / Interscope RecordsInterscope RecordsInterscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
.
Personnel
- Britney Spears — vocals
- will.i.amWill.i.amWilliam James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
— vocals, songwriting, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, synths, programmingAudio programming languageAn audio programming language is a programming language specifically optimized for sound and music production or sound synthesis. Some of the languages below are optimized more for music composition, and some are optimized more for synthesis...
, vocal recording - DJ AmmoDJ AmmoDJ Ammo is an American disc jockey and music producer from Los Angeles, California. He has co-produced "The Time " along with three other songs from The Black Eyed Peas' sixth studio album, The Beginning, and "4th of July " by Kelis.-External links:** at Discogs...
— additional programming, synths - Dylan "3D" Dresdow — mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Padraic "padlock" Kerin — vocal recording
Source: