Revolution (Arrested Development song)

"Revolution"
Single by Arrested Development
from the album Malcolm X
Released1992
GenreHip hop
Length4:48
Songwriter(s)Speech, Aerle Taree
Producer(s)Speech
Arrested Development singles chronology
"Mr. Wendal"
(1992)
"Revolution"
(1992)
"Natural"
(1993)
Music video
"Revolution" on YouTube

"Revolution" is a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, from the soundtrack to the 1992 film Malcolm X.

Background

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Speech has expressed gratitude for the film's depiction of a "side" of Malcolm X which shares the perspective of Arrested Development. Spike Lee, the director of the film, had asked Speech to write a song for it. Speech considered it a personal responsibility to "acknowledge that there is a need for struggle, because of all the bad things going on in the nation", which is reflected in the line "Am I doing as much as I can for the struggle?"[1] He composed the song with a purpose to urge people into action in bringing about change.[2]

Music video

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The music video was directed by Spike Lee.[1] It was shot in a high school, a city block, and a street in Brooklyn with "about 500 extras". Each location had at least 100 people in the filming. According to Speech, the video was shot in seven hours.[2]

Charts

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Chart (1992–1993) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[3] 7
France (SNEP)[4] 30
Germany (GfK)[5] 31
Ireland (IRMA)[6] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 42
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 90
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 49

References

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  1. ^ a b White, Timothy (October 22, 1992). "Inspired by Malcolm X". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Williams, Stereo. "Arrested Development on "Revolution" at 30". Rock the Bells. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  4. ^ "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in French). Les classement single.
  5. ^ "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  6. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mr Wendal / Revolution". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  8. ^ "Arrested Development – Mr. Wendal / Revolution". Top 40 Singles.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Arrested Development Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2023.