Oh Sheit It's X
{{Short description|2013 single by American musician Thundercat}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{use American English|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Oh Sheit It's X
| type = single
| artist = Thundercat
| album = Apocalypse
| released = {{Start date|2013|05|07}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Funk|disco}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=47}}
| label = Brainfeeder
| writer = {{hlist|Stephen Lee Bruner|Steven Ellison|Charles Dickerson|Durand Furbee}}
| producer = {{hlist|Mono/Poly|Flying Lotus}}
| chronology = Thundercat
| prev_title = Heartbreaks + Setbacks
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = Them Changes
| next_year = 2015
}}
"Oh Sheit It's X" is a song by American singer-songwriter Thundercat. He {{nowrap|co-wrote}} it with record producers Flying Lotus, Mono/Poly, and Durand Furbee for his second studio album Apocalypse. Brainfeeder released it as a single on May 7, 2013. Musically, "Oh Sheit It's X" is a funk and disco song, whose lyrics describe the protagonist in an altered state of consciousness after consuming MDMA—otherwise known as "ecstasy" or "X"—at a party.
"Oh Sheit It's X" was {{nowrap|co-produced}} by Mono/Poly and Lotus, and upon its release, it received critical acclaim by music critics, who selected it as a highlight from Apocalypse and praised its lyrics, bassline, and production. The song was included in the video game Grand Theft Auto V and Thundercat performed it live at the Black Cab Sessions.
Background and composition
{{Listen|filename=Oh Sheit It's X.ogg|title="Oh Sheit It's X"|format=ogg|description=A {{nowrap|25-second}} sample of "Oh Sheit It's X". Multiple critics commented on its composition, lyrics and production.|pos=right}}
"Oh Sheit It's X" was written by Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, Steven "Flying Lotus" Ellison, Charles "Mono/Poly" Dickerson, and Durand Furbee. Mono/Poly and Lotus {{nowrap|co-produced}} it and it runs at a tempo of 123 beats per minute. It is based on "the true story of an {{nowrap|MDMA-fueled}} New Year's party". Thundercat said it "was one of the most epic things that has ever happened ... Two and a half days of {{nowrap|full-on}} shenanigans, man". In the song, Thundercat sings about feeling ecstatic while being in an altered state of consciousness caused by the drug of the same name. Scott Heins called it "a {{nowrap|hard-stepping}} party song" whose composition was based on "hard drums and {{nowrap|double-layered}} bass parts".
Music critics described it as a funk, disco, {{nowrap|disco-funk}}, {{nowrap|electro-funk}} and boogie funk act. Gabriel Szatan wrote for Beats Per Minute that as soon as the song starts with "a frazzled synth lead and sloppy kickdrums", Thundercat plays the bass guitar releasing his inner Jaco Pastorius. Other critics described its production as having a Bootsy-like "warbly funk" "virtuoso slap" bass; spatial and "{{nowrap|disco-inspired}} synth stabs"; "weird disco strings", and a "four-on-the-floor beat". The bass chords flow through like a "bright bouncing ball" that "fizzle and pop [rapidly]". Vocally, Thundercat sings in falsetto and sounds "suave", "soulful", "velvety and {{nowrap|dance-drunk}}", and {{nowrap|"[innocent]}} in indulgence".
Release and promotion
"Oh Sheit It's X" was released as single on May 7, 2013. It was one of the 214 songs originally featured in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V, and was included on the FlyLo FM radio station, hosted by Lotus. Thundercat sang "Oh Sheit It's X" live at the Black Cab Sessions in 2015. Scott Heins said it sounded like a "tender [but goofy] ballad". In 2018, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers covered the song.
Critical reception
File:Thundercat (43228969271).jpg
For Stereogum, Miles Bowe contrasted the energy present in "Oh Sheit It's X" with the previous single "Heartbreaks + Setbacks", adding that the former was created "for the hips" while the second for the head. While Jeremy D. Larson, from Consequence of Sound, compared the song with the works by Parliament-Funkadelic, an editor from Fact Magazine did it with the Shamen's "Ebeneezer Goode" and mentioned that {{nowrap|disco-funk}} songs like "Oh Sheit It's X" are infrequently composed. Jonah Bromwich commented that no other musician has ever "sound[ed] so nonchalant about rolling".
The track was highlighted by various critics when they reviewed Apocalypse, Mike Diver considered "Oh Sheit It's X" to be similar to a collaboration between Justin Timberlake and Daft Punk, while other critics compared Thundercat's singing with that of Marvin Gaye and Frank Ocean. Additional commentary included being described as "fantastic", "danceable", "romping [and] stomping", "a party grenade of wobbling funk", a "funk[y] and bracing" tune, and "the feel-good song of the year". The bassline was called "unreal" and "euphoric". Miles Bowe said the first thing one might say when listening to it is something like "Oh shit! That bass!"
The song was ranked at number 29 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s 100 Best Songs of 2013, with a commentary saying it was {{nowrap|"[t]he}} most concentrated dose of disco joy [... and Thundercat] goes all the way pop with an irresistibly melodic groove". Chris Bodenner from The Atlantic named it the "Track of the Day" on December 19, 2015.
Track listing
Credits
- Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner – songwriter, bass.
- Steven "Flying Lotus" Ellison – songwriter, producer.
- Charles "Mono/Poly" Dickerson – songwriter, producer.
- Durand Furbee – songwriter.
References
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/apocalypse-mw0002541893|title=Thundercat – Apocalypse|first=Andy|last=Kellman|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110085100/https://www.allmusic.com/album/apocalypse-mw0002541893|archive-date=November 10, 2020|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/oh-sheit-its-x-single/645984593?l=en|title=Oh Sheit It's X – Single|publisher=iTunes Store (Japan)|access-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413011735/https://music.apple.com/jp/album/oh-sheit-its-x-single/645984593?l=en|archive-date=April 13, 2021|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/title/Oh%20Sheit%20It's%20X?at=false&searchFilter=SVW&page=1|title=Repertory|others=Type "Oh Sheit It's X" in the "Title" search bar|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|access-date=February 26, 2021}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/thundercat-apocalypse-128682|title=Thundercat – Apocalypse|first=El|last=Hunt|work=The Line of Best Fit|date=July 5, 2013|access-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627230255/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/thundercat-apocalypse|archive-date=June 27, 2020|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://beatsperminute.com/thundercat-apocalypse/|title=Thundercat – Apocalypse|first=Gabriel|last=Szatan|date=July 8, 2013|work=Beats Per Minute|access-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231082432/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/thundercat-apocalypse-128682|archive-date=December 31, 2019|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/thundercat-apocalypse|title=Thundercat – Apocalypse|first=Mike|last=Driver|work=Clash|date=June 14, 2013|access-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627230255/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/thundercat-apocalypse|archive-date=June 27, 2020|url-status=live}}
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{{cite web|url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/17705/reviews/4146543|title=Thundercat – Apocalypse|first=Philip|last=Bloomfield|work=Drowned in Sound|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025140156/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/17705/reviews/4146543|archive-date=October 25, 2020|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/thundercat-oh_sheit_its_x_co-produced_by_flying_lotus|title=Thundercat 'Oh Sheit It's X' (co-produced by Flying Lotus)|date=May 7, 2013|work=Exclaim!|first=Josiah|last=Hughes|access-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413230109/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/thundercat-oh_sheit_its_x_co-produced_by_flying_lotus|archive-date=April 13, 2021|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2013/05/07/hear-thundercats-flying-lotus-assisted-oh-sheit-its-x/|title=Hear Thundercat's Flying Lotus-assisted 'Oh Sheit It's X'|work=Fact Magazine|date=May 7, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131093411/https://www.factmag.com/2013/05/07/hear-thundercats-flying-lotus-assisted-oh-sheit-its-x/|archive-date=January 31, 2021|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/news/84727/full-tracklist-of-songs-on-grand-theft-auto-v-soundtrack-revealed|title=Full Tracklist Of Songs On Grand Theft Auto V Soundtrack Revealed|first=Andrew|last=Trendell|date=October 3, 2013|work=Gigwise|access-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219210005/http://www.gigwise.com/news/84727/full-tracklist-of-songs-on-grand-theft-auto-v-soundtrack-revealed|archive-date=February 19, 2017|url-status=live}}
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{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-thundercat-apocalypse-brainfeeder-8640716.html|title=Album: Thundercat, Apocalypse (Brainfeeder)|first=Phil|last=Johnson|work=The Independent|date=June 1, 2013|access-date=April 1, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110220712/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-thundercat-apocalypse-brainfeeder-8640716.html|url-access=subscription}}
{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-thundercat-apocalypse-brainfeeder-8640716.html|title=Thundercat|first=Jim|last=Carroll|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=April 15, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=December 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231082431/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/thundercat-1.1434863}}
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{{cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/thundercat-oh-sheit-its-x-black-cab-sessions.html|title=Thundercat Delivers A Sparse Take On 'Oh Sheit, It's X!' For Black Cab Sessions|work=Okayplayer|first=Scott|last=Heins|year=2015|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910153207/https://www.okayplayer.com/news/thundercat-oh-sheit-its-x-black-cab-sessions.html|archive-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=live}}
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{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-new-troublemakers-10873/deap-vally-2-73749/|title=The New Troublemakers|date=June 3, 2013|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820094118/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-new-troublemakers-10873/deap-vally-2-73749/|archive-date=August 20, 2020|url-status=live}}
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{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1343071/thundercat-oh-sheit-its-x/news/|title=Thundercat – 'Oh Sheit It's X'|date=May 7, 2013|work=Evening Standard|first=David|last=Smyth|access-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415043328/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/album-reviews-june-2013-8639703.html|archive-date=April 15, 2021|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2078531/thundercat-it-is-what-it-is-kendrick-lamar-flying-lotus-mac-miller/interviews/weve-got-a-file-on-you/|title=We've Got A File On You: Thundercat|date=April 1, 2020|work=Stereogum|first=Ryan|last=Leas|access-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124043314/https://www.stereogum.com/2078531/thundercat-it-is-what-it-is-kendrick-lamar-flying-lotus-mac-miller/interviews/weve-got-a-file-on-you/|archive-date=November 24, 2020|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2015/12/track-of-the-day-oh-sheit-its-x/421134/|title=Track of the Day: 'Oh Sheit It's X'|work=The Atlantic|first=Chris|last=Bodenner|date=December 19, 2015|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125062849/https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2015/12/track-of-the-day-oh-sheit-its-x/421134/|archive-date=November 25, 2020|url-status=live}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/music/thundercat-apocalypse-album-review|title=Thundercat – 'Apocalypse' album review|work=Time Out|first=Jonny|last=Ensall|date=July 3, 2013|access-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924000923/https://www.timeout.com/london/music/thundercat-apocalypse-album-review|archive-date=September 24, 2020|url-status=live}}
}}
External links
- {{YouTube|AsJfFL9OuA0|"Oh Sheit It's X"}} at Brainfeeder's Official Channel.
{{Thundercat (musician)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Flying Lotus