Replay (Iyaz song)

Background and composition

Beluga Heights labelmates Sean Kingston, Jason Derulo, co-wrote the song along with Iyaz, along with label owner J. R. Rotem and songwriting duo Planet VI (known as Rock City at the time). This was the second song that Derulo, Kingston and Rotem wrote together, the first being Derulo's own debut single, "Whatcha Say". Rotem also produced the track and credits himself at the beginning of the song via his signature "J-J-J-J-J.R." sample. The song was originally intended for Sean Kingston's album Tomorrow, but Kingston and his team rejected it.

Eleven years later, the song went viral online again in June 2020, sparking numerous memes. It is set in the key of F♯ minor, and has a tempo of 91.

Chart performance

The song debuted in the UK at number one on 10 January 2010, selling over 106,000 copies in its first week, the highest sale for any new year release since Michelle McManus sold 118,000 copies of "All This Time" in the equivalent week in January 2004. After two weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart and six weeks at the top of the UK R&B Chart, "Replay" was succeeded by Owl City's "Fireflies" and Rihanna's "Rude Boy", respectively. It was the first song released in 2010 in the UK to be certified Gold with sales in excess of 400,000. In June 2010, it was announced that "Replay" was the third highest selling single of the year in the UK at that point. It was also the first song to reach number one in the 2010s (not counting Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" which also reached number one in 2009).

In the US, "Replay" managed to reach the number-two spot on the Hot 100 for one week, behind only Kesha's "Tik Tok". As of December 2012, Replay has sold over four million digital copies.

Music video

The official music video features Iyaz wearing headphones and listening to music on a beach. Other various scenes feature Iyaz singing with a background of the British Virgin Islands' flag, and partying on the beach during the night. The video was directed by Rock Jacobs. A prequel video was also filmed, featuring the full-length beach scenes with Iyaz and his love interest, played by Panamanian model Estelita Quintero.

Remixes

• "Replay" (official remix) (featuring Flo Rida)
• "Replay" (official remix #2) (featuring Sean Kingston, Nipsey Hussle, Bizzy Bone, and Rock City)
• "Replay" (DJ Suketu's Call to Dhol mix) (remixed by DJ Suketu featuring Sagar Dhote)

Cultural impact

In 2017, Norwegian producer duo Davai released an EDM-inspired cover version, with new vocals by Cire. The song reached number 16 on the Norwegian Singles Chart. In 2022, the Italian rapper Shiva released the single "Pensando a lei", which contains a sample of Replay. In 2019–20, the song had gained traction as a meme as another form of rickrolling others in social settings and on the app TikTok.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

References

1. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/daniel-wall4/episodes/How-JR-Rotem-Made-the-Biggest-Hits-of-the-2000s-Ep--25-e36cg9t
2. "Gen Z has created its own version of Rick Rolling on TikTok with this classic 2000s banger".
3. (2009-12-11). "Replay".
4. Wightman, Catriona. (2010-01-10). "Iyaz beats Sidney Samson to UK top spot".
5. "Music Week".
6. Paul Grein. (28 December 2012). "Week Ending Dec. 23, 2012. Songs: Phillips Makes Idol History". [[Yahoo Music]].
7. (14 December 2009). "Replay [Official Music Video] - Iyaz".
8. (18 October 2009). "Replay (Prequel) [Music Video] - Iyaz".
9. (25 August 2017). "YOUR EDM PREMIERE: DAVAÏ – REPLAY (FEAT. CIRE) [EPIC OSLO]". Your EDM.
10. "VG-lista Week 38 2017". VG-lista.
11. "Shiva – Pensando a lei".
12. Haasch, Palmer. "Gen Z has created its own version of Rick Rolling on TikTok with this classic 2000s banger".
13. "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Apr 15, 2010". [[TopHit]].
14. "Year End Charts - Year-end songs - The Billboard Hot 100".
15. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2010". [[Australian Recording Industry Association]].
16. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2010".
17. "Jaaroverzichten 2010". Ultratop.
18. "Rapports Annuels 2010". Ultratop.
19. "The Most Played Songs on Brazilian Radio Stations in 2010". [[Crowley Broadcast Analysis]].
20. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2010".
21. "European Hot 100 Singles: 2010 Year-End Charts - Billboard".
22. "Top de l'année Top Singles 2010". SNEP.
23. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". offiziellecharts.de.
24. (17 January 2011). "FIMI - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana - Ricerche e dati di mercato". Fimi.it.
25. "Earone Top 100 of the year 2010". Earone.
26. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2010". Dutch Top 40.
27. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2010". MegaCharts.
28. "Topul celor mai difuzate piese în România în 2010". [[România Liberă]].
29. "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2010". [[TopHit]].
30. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2010 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien.
31. (26 December 2010). "2010 Year-end UK Singles". BBC (BBC Online).
32. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2010".
33. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2010".
34. "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2010".