Jump to content

Because I Got High

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the song. For the album of the same name, see Because I Got High (album).

"Because I Got High"
Single by Afroman
from the album Because I Got High and The Good Times
Released2000
Recorded2000
GenreComedy hip hop
Length5:10 (album version)
3:19 (radio version)
LabelT-Bones, Universal, Uptown
Songwriter(s)Afroman
Producer(s)Afroman, Headfridge
Afroman singles chronology
"Because I Got High"
(2000) 		"Crazy Rap"
(2001)
Music video
Afroman – "Because I Got High" on YouTube

"Because I Got High" is a comedy hip hop song by American rapper Afroman from the 2000 album of the same name. The lyrics of the song humorously describe how cannabis use is degrading the narrator's quality of life.[1] The song, which was written in only a few minutes, gained popularity after it was featured on The Howard Stern Show and circulated on the Internet.[2]

Overview

[edit]

The lyrics relate the narrator's experience of planning to do several things, but failing to do so after having smoked marijuana.[3] The song was written in a few minutes, and was reportedly motivated by the singer's realization that "everyone talks about smoking weed, but no one ever really talks about the effects of marijuana".[4][better source needed]

In the August 20, 2001 issue of Time magazine, the song was described as a "tribute to pot". Afroman is quoted as commenting, "You know what, dude? I made this tape for all my homeboys. I didn’t think I’d be talking to Time magazine. I’m a little worried about Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich. I don’t want to get anybody riled up. I just figured, since I’m 'a pothead, why can’t me and the other potheads have a little joke between ourselves."[5] The singer refused to label the song "anti- or pro-pot", saying, "I told the reality of the story. I spoke about my individual experience smoking marijuana, and my summary was, if you don't watch it, it will be too time-consuming."[6] The song was said to have afforded Afroman one-hit wonder status.[7]

The music video was directed by Kevin Smith,[8] who features in the video alongside Jason Mewes as the duo Jay and Silent Bob smoking with Afroman, as well as a cameo by "Beer Man"[citation needed], and a glimpse of the Quick Stop where Clerks was filmed.[citation needed]

Reception

[edit]

Afroman released his album Because I Got High in 2000, distributing it mainly through concerts. The title track was featured on The Howard Stern Show, boosting its popularity, and was also widely shared on the file-sharing service Napster.[2] It was used as the theme song of the film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back[9] and was later featured in the films Disturbia, A Thousand Words, The Perfect Score and the TV show Snowpiercer.

After the success of the song, Afroman was signed to Universal Records.[2]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Joseph Foreman

CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Because I Got High" (Afrolicious Edit)3:18
2."Let's All Get Drunk"5:43
3."Back On The Bus"5:43
4."Because I Got High" (Afropulco Gold & Dirty)3:18

Alternative versions

[edit]

Afroman re-recorded the song in 2014, in the context of heightened debate around the legal status of cannabis in the United States, partnering with cannabis reform nonprofit Norml and Weedmaps, expressing a pro-legalization stance highlighting the purported economic and health potential of the drug.[10][1][11] This version was published ahead of several ballot measures dealing with the legalization of recreational cannabis, use scheduled for 4 November of that year in the American states of Alaska, Oregon, and the District of Columbia.[1]

In 2024, the singer again released an alternate version of the song titled "Hunter got high", commenting on the Hunter Biden laptop controversy and on allegations of drug use.[12]

A song with a similar theme was released by Detroit Junior in 1980, titled "If I Hadn't Been High."[13][better source needed]

Parodies and references

[edit]

Musician Remy created a parody in 2024 about inflation titled Because It Got High.[better source needed]

Bob Rivers included a Christmas-themed version, Be Claus I Got High, on the 2002 album White Trash Christmas, the fifth in Rivers's line of Christmas parody albums.[citation needed]

BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles recorded a parody under the pseudonym "Afro-Blair" featuring Jon Culshaw and another impressionist singing in the guise of the serving Prime Minister Tony Blair, then Leader of the Opposition William Hague and former Prime Ministers John Major and Margaret Thatcher.[14][better source needed]

Parody artist Rucka Rucka Ali made a version of the song called "Because I'm White" about stereotypes of White Americans and white privilege in general.[15][better source needed]

A parody was made about British politician Michael Gove after his scandal involving cocaine use.[16][better source needed]

On the album Mobilize by punk band Anti-Flag, after several minutes of silence on the album's end track, a friend of the band called Spaz can be heard singing parts of the song with Anti-Flag.[citation needed]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[68] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[69] Platinum 40,000*
Belgium (BEA)[70] Platinum 50,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[71] Platinum 60,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] Platinum 8,000^
France (SNEP)[73] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[74] Platinum 500,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[75] Platinum 10,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[76] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[77] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[78]
Mastertone 		Platinum 1,000,000*
United States (RIAA)[78]
Digital 		Platinum 1,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Afroman's Because I Got High gets pro-marijuana remake". The Guardian. October 17, 2014. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018. Afroman's novelty song which once sluggishly lamented the lethargy and uselessness of weed consumption, has been given a rework to promote the legalisation of marijuana.
  2. ^ a b c Nimmervoll, Ed (2008). "Afroman > Biography". allmusic. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  3. ^ Sierra, Sylvia (2021). Millennials talking media: creating intertextual identities in everyday conversation. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780190931117. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Kansan, The University Daily. "Local Events". The University Daily Kansan. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024. In two minutes, eleven seconds, I had written a hit, but before that it had taken me nearly seven months to recognize I had a marijuana problem," says the now-reformed rapper. "It was only then that I realized everyone talks about smoking weed, but no one ever really talks about the effects of marijuana. We know about the effects of drinking beer, we know about the effects of looking at a naked lady, but nobody knew about the effects of smoking weed. Actually, the problem was more that the people who did know weren't songwriters; they were just dudes walking down the beach or whatever. So I decided to write that song.
  5. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (August 20, 2001). "People: Aug. 20, 2001". TIME. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Mumbi Moody, Nekesa , Associated Press music (October 11, 2001). "Afroman doesn't want his pot anthem classified pro or con". New Bedford Standard-Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024. I wouldn't classify it at all -- It's a song, you know what I'm saying? But if you were to classify it, everything is there. I told the reality of the story. I spoke about my individual experience smoking marijuana, and my summary was, if you don't watch it, it will be too time-consuming.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Funny, He Doesn't Look Jamaican". Washington Post. February 19, 2006. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Geurts, Jimmy (January 17, 2018). "Afroman at Old School Bar and Grill". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  9. ^ D'Angelo, Joe (August 27, 2001). "Afroman Living 'High' Life Thanks To Hit Single". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2001. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  10. ^ Grossman, Samantha (October 15, 2014). "Afroman Remade "Because I Got High" to Convey That Weed Won't Actually Make Your Life Fall Apart". TIME. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  11. ^ "Afroman - "Because I Got High" Positive Remix". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  12. ^ Segarra, Edward (April 28, 2024). "Afroman releases 'Because I Got High' remix featuring Hunter Biden parody: 'Hunter got high'". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  13. ^ "Detroit Junior Topic - "If I Hadn't Been High"". YouTube.com. December 10, 2014. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  14. ^ [1] Archived December 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Because I'm White (Afroman Parody) ~ Rucka Rucka Ali". YouTube. November 13, 2013.
  16. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Michael Gove - Because I Got High". YouTube. June 20, 2019.
  17. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  18. ^ "Issue 605" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  19. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  20. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  21. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  22. ^ "Canadian Top 20 in 2001" (PDF). Cross Canada Countdown. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  23. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on November 9, 2001. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  24. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  25. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. December 22, 2001. p. 39. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  26. ^ "Afroman: Because I Got High" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  27. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  28. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Because I Got High". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  30. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". Top Digital Download.
  31. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 41, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  32. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  33. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  34. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". VG-lista. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  35. ^ "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved May 1, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ "Romanian peak". Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. Retrieved May 14, 2005.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  38. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High" Canciones Top 50.
  39. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  40. ^ "Afroman – Because I Got High". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  42. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  43. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  44. ^ "Afroman Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  45. ^ "Afroman Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  46. ^ "Afroman Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  47. ^ "Afroman Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  48. ^ "Afroman > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  49. ^ "Afroman Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  50. ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  51. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Urban Singles 2001". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  52. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  53. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001". Ultratop. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  54. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001 p.14" (PDF). Music and Media. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  55. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  56. ^ "Ireland-Top Singles for 2001". C&R. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  57. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2001". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  58. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2001". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on February 16, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  59. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2001" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  60. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2001". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  61. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  62. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2002". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  63. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2002". Ultratop. Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  64. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002 p.14" (PDF). Music & Media. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  65. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2002" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  66. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  67. ^ Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by Nihal on December 29, 2009
  68. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  69. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Afroman – Because I Got High (Single)" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  70. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2002". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  71. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Afroman – Because I Got High" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  72. ^ "Top 20 Singles Chart". IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  73. ^ "French single certifications – Afroman – Because I Got High" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  74. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Afroman; 'Because I Got High')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  75. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". The Official New Zealand Music Chart. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015. ;Note: You can find the accreditation on chart position 43.
  76. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Because I Got High')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  77. ^ "British single certifications – Afroman – Because I Got High". British Phonographic Industry.
  78. ^ a b "American single certifications – Afroman – Because I Got High". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Because_I_Got_High&oldid=1251541620"