Let's Get It Started

This article is about The Black Eyed Peas song. For the MC Hammer album and song, see Let's Get It Started (album).

"Let's Get It Started" is a song by American group The Black Eyed Peas. It is a clean version of "Let's Get Retarded" from their third studio album, Elephunk (2003).^[3][4] The album version was originally only reworked for its use in promotion for the 2004 NBA playoffs on ABC in April 2004,^[5] and the clean version was released as the fourth and final single from Elephunk on June 1, 2004, by A&M Records and Interscope Records, also appearing on a reissue of the album.^[6]

"Let's Get It Started"
Single by The Black Eyed Peas
from the album Elephunk
B-side	"The Way U Make Me Feel" "Let's Get Retarded" "Bridging the Gaps"
Released	June 1, 2004 (2004-06-01)
Recorded	January 29 – September 17, 2002[1]
Studio	The Stewchia (Los Angeles)[1]
Genre	Rap rock[2]
Length	3:37
Label	A&M Interscope will.i.am
Songwriter(s)	William Adams Allan Pineda Jaime Gomez Terence Yoshiaki Michael Fratantuno George Pajon, Jr.
Producer(s)	will.i.am
The Black Eyed Peas singles chronology
"Hey Mama" (2004) "Let's Get It Started" (2004) "Don't Phunk with My Heart" (2005)
Music video
"Let's Get It Started" on YouTube

"Let's Get It Started" peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top ten in Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France and New Zealand. Critically acclaimed, it won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards (2005), and was also nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap Song. The song's accompanying music video features the group energetically performing in a nighttime Los Angeles setting.

"Let's Get It Started" was remixed for The Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album The E.N.D. (2009) as "Let's Get Re-Started", being included on its deluxe edition bonus disc. It was also featured on their remix album The E.N.D. Summer 2010 Canadian Invasion Tour: Remix Collection (2010). In early 2022, "Let's Get Retarded" was replaced with "Let's Get It Started" on the track listing of Elephunk on all digital and streaming platforms,^[7][8] however, it is still available with the purchase of the full Let's Get It Started – EP release in the iTunes Store.^[9]

Music video

The music video takes place in a nighttime setting on a Los Angeles street. It features the Black Eyed Peas, particularly will.i.am, performing energetic dances while singing the song, while varying objects in the background (including a grand piano) smash against the ground in real time, slow and fast motion, and in reverse. The choruses feature the band on stage singing to a large crowd.

Track listings

Canadian and European CD single, Australian CD 1[10][11][12] UK 12-inch single[13] "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37 "The Way U Make Me Feel" – 4:19 "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38 UK CD single[14] "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37 "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38 "Bridging the Gaps" – 4:56 "Let's Get It Started" (video)

German mini-CD single[15] "Let's Get It Started" "The Way U Make Me Feel" Australian CD2 and digital EP[9][16] "Let's Get It Started" "The Way U Make Me Feel" "Bridging the Gaps" "Let's Get Retarded"

Personnel

The Black Eyed Peas will.i.am – vocals, production, engineering apl.de.ap – vocals Taboo – vocals Fergie – vocals

Additional musicians George Pajon – guitar Mike Fratantuno – bass Terence Yoshiaki – drums Dante Santiago – backing vocals Noelle Scaggs – backing vocals (single version) Keith Harris – additional drums (single version) Tim "Izo" Orindgreff – saxophone, flute (single version) Printz Board – trumpet (single version)

Production personnel Ron Fair – executive production Dylan Dresdow – additional vocal engineering Tony Maserati – mixing Brian Gardner – mastering Lee Groves – programming (single version) Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (single version) Robert Haggett – assistant mixing (single version) David Treahearn – assistant mixing (single version)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2004) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[17] 2 Australian Urban (ARIA)[18] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[19] 18 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[21] 24 Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[22] 2 Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)[23] 1 Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)[24] 14 CIS (TopHit)[25] 83 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[26] 6 Denmark (Tracklisten)[27] 17 European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[28] 14 France (SNEP)[29] 7 Germany (Official German Charts)[30] 18 Greece (IFPI)[31] 38 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[32] 37 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[33] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[34] 11 Italy (FIMI)[35] 12 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 11 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 15 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[38] 6 Romania (Romanian Top 100)[39] 20 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[40] 52 Scotland (OCC)[41] 11 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 13 UK Singles (OCC)[43] 11 US Billboard Hot 100[44] 21 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[45] 29 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[46] 13 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[47] 4 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[48] 36 Chart (2020) Peak position Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[49] 70 2024 Weekly chart performance for "Let's Get It Started" Chart (2024) Peak position Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[50] 40

Monthly charts 2004 Monthly chart performance for "Let's Get It Started" Chart (2004) Peak position Russia Airplay (TopHit)[51] 72 2024 Monthly chart performance for "Let's Get It Started" Chart (2024) Peak position Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[52] 51 Year-end charts Chart (2004) Position Australia (ARIA)[53] 44 Australian Urban (ARIA)[54] 19 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[55] 98 Brazil (Crowley)[56] 72 France (SNEP)[57] 63 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[58] 35 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[59] 159 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] 52 UK Singles (OCC)[61] 127 US Billboard Hot 100[62] 88 US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[63] 32 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[64] 23 Chart (2005) Position US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[65] 79

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[66]	Platinum	70,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[67]	Gold	30,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[68]	Gold	150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[69]	Gold	7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[70]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[71]	3× Platinum	3,000,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Let's Get It Started"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	June 1, 2004	Digital download	A&M Interscope	[71]
	June 14, 2004	Contemporary hit radio		[72]
Australia	June 21, 2004	CD	Universal Music	[73]
United States	June 22, 2004	Digital download (EP)	A&M Interscope	[74]
Australia	June 28, 2004	Maxi CD	Universal Music	[75]
United Kingdom		12-inch vinyl maxi CD	Polydor	[76]
Germany	July 12, 2004	Maxi CD	Universal Music	[30]
France	August 24, 2004	CD maxi CD	Polydor	[77][78]

References

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