We Be Burnin'

"We Be Burnin'" is the first single from Jamaican musician Sean Paul's third studio album, The Trinity (2005). It achieved success worldwide, becoming a top-10 hit on at least 10 national music charts, including those of Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

"We Be Burnin'"
Single by Sean Paul
from the album The Trinity
B-side	"Bounce It Right There"
Released	22 August 2005 (2005-08-22)
Genre	Dancehall[1]
Length	3:35
Label	Atlantic, VP
Songwriter(s)	Cezar Cunningham, Sean Paul Henriques, Steven Marsden, Delano Thomas, Michael "Factor" Jarrett, Craig Serani Marsh
Producer(s)	Renaissance Crew Productions
Sean Paul singles chronology
"I'm Still in Love with You" (2004) "We Be Burnin'" (2005) "Ever Blazin'" (2005)

Background and release

"We Be Burnin'" was released as the first single from The Trinity on 22 August 2005 in the US and on 12 September 2005 in the UK. In the US, the single peaked inside the Billboard Hot 100 at number six, and in the UK, the single peaked at number two. The single became his biggest solo hit in the UK, beating the number-three peak of "Like Glue" in 2003 and spending just under five months inside the UK top 75. It was the biggest hit from the album in the UK; however, it was "Temperature" that was the biggest hit from the album in the US.^{[citation needed]}

The original version, sometimes denoted by the title being followed by "Legalize It", features prominent themes of marijuana use, referencing "trees", "weed" and "herb" several times and smoking it for "meditation". Another radio-friendly version was released with the title being followed by "Recognize It", which changed all drug-related lyrics to ones concerning women.^{[citation needed]}

Although the lyrics are different, Tami Chynn's single "Hyperventilating" as well as Capleton's "Or Wah" from the album Reign of Fire utilize the same riddim as Sean Paul's "We Be Burnin'", since both use the riddim "Stepz".^{[citation needed]}

Music video

The video was shot in Southern California deserts by Jessy Terrero, With the support of the creative direction of AVA (Alien Visions, Anamorphic) A Quintanilla, Director showing dancers accompanying Paul, and two girls in an overheated Hummer H2. Sean Paul is seen dancing with three other girls in front of highly modified trucks.

Track listings

US 12-inch single[2] A1. "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It club version) – 3:28 A2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) – 3:52 B1. "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It radio version) – 3:36 B2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) – 3:53 UK CD1 and European CD single[3][4] "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It) UK CD2[5] "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) "Bounce It Right There" "We Be Burnin" (video) Ringtone

UK 12-inch single[6] A1. "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) A2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) B1. "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It) B2. "Bounce It Right There" Australian CD single[7] "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) "Bounce It Right There" "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2005–2006) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 34 Australian Urban (ARIA)[9] 12 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 10 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 9 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[12] 7 Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)[13] 11 Czech Republic (IFPI)[14] 18 Denmark (Tracklisten)[15] 16 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[16] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[17] 8 France (SNEP)[18] 78 Germany (GfK)[19] 5 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[20] 26 Hungary (Single Top 40)[21] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[22] 11 Italy (FIMI)[23] 6 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[24] 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[25] 6 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[26] 24 Scotland (OCC)[27] 4 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 14 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 6 UK Singles (OCC)[30] 2 US Billboard Hot 100[31] 6 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] 17 US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[33] 6 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[34] 9 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[35] 8

Year-end charts Chart (2005) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[36] 67 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[37] 55 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[38] 29 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[39] 19 Germany (Media Control GfK)[40] 50 Italy (FIMI)[41] 37 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[42] 56 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 26 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[44] 116 Sweden (Hitlistan)[45] 90 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] 47 UK Singles (OCC)[47] 27 UK Urban (Music Week)[48] 30 US Billboard Hot 100[49] 88 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[50] 99 US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[51] 66 Chart (2006) Position US Billboard Hot 100[52] 81

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[53]	Gold	10,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[54]	Gold	4,000^
Germany (BVMI)[55]	Gold	150,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[56]	Gold	100,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[57]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[58]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
Ringtone
United States (RIAA)[59]	Gold	500,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).
United States	22 August 2005	Rhythmic contemporary radio	Atlantic VP	[60]
United Kingdom	12 September 2005	12-inch vinyl CD digital download		[61][62]
United States	19 September 2005	Contemporary hit radio		[63]
Australia	3 October 2005	CD		[64]