This Is How We Do It
{{Short description|1995 single by Montell Jordan}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = This Is How We Do It
| cover = ThisIsHowWeDoIt.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Montell Jordan
| album = This Is How We Do It
| released = February 6, 1995
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
- New jack swing{{cite magazine|title=Vibe|magazine=Vibe Vixen|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_xiUEAAAAMBAJ|date=January 2002 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_xiUEAAAAMBAJ/page/n125 124]|issn=1070-4701}}
- hip hop soul
- R&B
| length =
- 4:37 (album version)
- 3:59 (radio edit)
- 3:39 (without rap)
| label =
| writer =
- Montell Jordan
- Oji Pierce
- Ricky Walters
| producer =
- Montell Jordan
- Oji Pierce
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Somethin' 4 da Honeyz
| next_year = 1995
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|0hiUuL5uTKc|"This Is How We Do It"}}}}
}}
"This Is How We Do It" is the debut single of American singer-songwriter Montell Jordan. It was released by Def Jam Recordings on February 6, 1995, as the lead single from his debut studio album of the same name (1995). The single was Def Jam's first R&B release, and is Jordan's signature song.{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-best-rnb-songs-of-the-90s/ | title=The 53 Best R&B Songs of the '90s | website=Pitchfork | date=November 3, 2022 }}
The song is a tribute to South Central Los Angeles party culture in the hip hop soul style popular at the time.{{cite encyclopedia | title=Hip-Hop Soul | encyclopedia=The Vibe History of Hip-Hop | publisher=Three Rivers Press | author=Gardner, Elysa | editor=Light, Alan | year=1999 | edition=1st | pages=307–317}}{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1gsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23 | title=Is Hip-Hop's Growing Dominance of R&B an Evolutionary Step, Or Is It Displacing Traditional Soul Music Altogether? | author=Reynolds, J.R. | magazine=Billboard |date=June 3, 1995 | volume=107 | issue=22 | pages=2}} It features Jordan singing over an enhanced Teddy Riley drumbeat sample of Slick Rick's "Children's Story" which in turn has an added interpolation of the bass of Bob James' "Nautilus".{{cite web | url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-50-best-rb-songs-that-flipped-rap-beats/tamia-so-into-you | title=The 50 Best R&B Songs That Flipped Rap Beats | work=Complex | date=March 19, 2013 | access-date=July 23, 2014 | author1=Ernest Baker | author2=Alysa Lechner | author3=David Drake | author4=Insanul Ahmed | author5=Tannis Spencer | archive-date=July 29, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729022704/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/the-50-best-rb-songs-that-flipped-rap-beats/tamia-so-into-you | url-status=live }} "This Is How We Do It" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on April 15, 1995, rising from number six the previous week and displacing Madonna's "Take a Bow" from the top spot. It remained at number one for seven consecutive weeks. It was also number one for seven weeks on the R&B singles chart.{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=310}} The single sold one million copies domestically and received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1995 |magazine=Billboard Communications |date=January 20, 1996 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |page=56 |issn=0006-2510 |volume=108 |number=3 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905223300/https://books.google.com/books?id=3g4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |url-status=live }}{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Jordan, Montell|title=This Is How We Do It}} The accompanying music video for "This Is How We Do It" was directed by Hype Williams.{{cite web|url=https://imvdb.com/video/montell-jordan/this-is-how-we-do-it|title=This Is How We Do It (1995) by Montell Jordan|publisher=IMVDb|date=|access-date=January 13, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7132844/|title=Montell Jordan: This Is How We Do It|publisher=IMDb|date=|access-date=January 13, 2024}}
The song earned Jordan a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards. The same year, the song was named Best R&B 12-inch at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami.{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-30.pdf|title=Euro-focused Miami Gets Thumbs Up|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=March 30, 1996|page=1|access-date=August 17, 2021|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828114311/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-30.pdf|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel found that the track "combines enough elements to make for an unavoidable crossover hit, as Jordan's lilting voice meshes with "phat" beats, an incessant title refrain and a sample of rapper Slick Rick's 'Children's Story'."Campbell, Chuck (April 14, 1995). "Collective Soul Priming To Be More Than Opener". Knoxville News Sentinel. Connie Johnson from Los Angeles Times felt the American R&B crooner and songwriter "has a youthful bravado", describing the song as "hard-slammin'".{{cite news|first=Connie|last=Johnson|title=In Brief|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 16, 1995|page=|access-date=January 22, 2023|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-04-16-ca-55147-story.html}} Simon Price from Melody Maker viewed it as "Bobby Brown grooves with Snoop Dogg rhymes".{{cite magazine|first=Simon|last=Price|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53459679266/|title=Albums|magazine=Melody Maker|date=May 13, 1995|page=38|access-date=January 13, 2024|author-link=Simon Price}} Another Melody Maker editor, David Stubbs, noted its "auto-pilot, fast-buck, anthemic swingbeat with the usual ring-a-ring-a-roses singalong chant and laboured partytime chorus."{{cite magazine|first=David|last=Stubbs|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53459678856/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=May 13, 1995|page=34|access-date=January 13, 2024|author-link=David Stubbs}} Dele Fadele from NME praised it as "anthemic, defiant, and catchy".{{cite magazine|first=Dele|last=Fadele|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53449440648/|title=Long Play|magazine=NME|date=April 29, 1995|page=40|access-date=January 12, 2024|author-link=Dele Fadele}}
Ralph Tee from Music Week's RM Dance Update wrote, "This record is typical of everything that urban contemporary soul is about with its chugging swing/funk rhythms and intense Aaron Hall-style vocal and it's been flying out on import lately. Its main appeal is the infectious multi-vocal chorus, blasting out the song's title to ram home its anthemic qualities." He remarked that "there's masses of dancefloor appeal".{{cite magazine |first= Ralph |last= Tee |title= Hot Vinyl |magazine= Music Week |date= February 18, 1995 |page= 10 |access-date= May 5, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-02-18.pdf |archive-date= May 5, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210505164835/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-02-18.pdf |url-status= live }} Another RM editor, James Hamilton, described it as a "soulfully whined, chanted and rapped rolling jackswing joller" in his weekly Dance column.{{cite magazine |first= James |last= Hamilton |title= Dj directory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= May 13, 1995 |page= 11 |access-date= May 9, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-05-13.pdf |archive-date= September 30, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210930133634/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-05-13.pdf |url-status= live |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Mark Frith from Smash Hits gave 'This Is How We Do It' four out of five, adding, "He is Montell Jordan, and he's a very clever bloke, who's made a record that combines the best of gangsta rap with a fantastic classic soul voice." He concluded that "this is a very likely cross-over hit here [in the UK] too."{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Frith|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/54314369020/in/album-72177720323679935/|title=Singles|work=Smash Hits|date=May 10, 1995|page=61|access-date=February 10, 2025|author-link=Mark Frith}}
Music video
The music video for the song was directed by American music video and film director Hype Williams. The video opens at a house party with people mingling. Jordan sings and dances at the party, with back dancers on a sound stage, and later sitting in a booth with a woman. It was nominated for two awards at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, in the categories for Best Dance Video and Best R&B Video. Remastered in HD, the video has generated more than 194 million views on YouTube as of February 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiUuL5uTKc|title=Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It|publisher=YouTube|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=February 10, 2025}}
Impact and legacy
British music newspaper NME ranked "This Is How We Do It" number 12 in their list of the Top 20 of 1995 in December 1995.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53619756100/|title='Tonic Boom! The On Top 20|magazine=NME|date=December 23, 1995|page=35|access-date=May 9, 2024}} In 1996, the song earned Jordan a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards. The same year, the song was named Best R&B 12-inch at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami. German magazine Spex included "This Is How We Do It" in their "The Best Singles of the Century" list in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://home.rhein-zeitung.de/~tommi.s/spex20jh.htm#singles|title=Die besten Singles aller Zeiten at home.rhein-zeitung.de|access-date=June 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706022353/http://home.rhein-zeitung.de/~tommi.s/spex20jh.htm#singles|archive-date=July 6, 2012|url-status=dead}}
Track listing
- CD single, Europe (1995)
- "This Is How We Do It" (LP Version) — 3:59
- "This Is How We Do It" (LP Instrumental) — 3:44
- "I Wanna" (LP Version) — 5:25
- "This Is How We Do It" (Acappella) — 3:47
- CD single, UK (1995)
- "This Is How We Do It" (Radio Mix) — 3:43
- "This Is How We Do It" (Tee's Radio Mix) — 3:46
- "This Is How We Do It" (Tee's Club Mix) — 5:19
- "This Is How We Do It" (Barr 9 Mix) — 4:05
- "This Is How We Do It" (Tee's Dub Mix) — 4:51
- "This Is How We Do It" (Wino Mix) — 3:58
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
= Decade-end charts =
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Montell Jordan|title=This Is How We Do It|relyear=2008|certyear=2023|type=single|award=Platinum|id=13423-4081-1|access-date=July 14, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Montell Jordan|title=This Is How We Do It|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1995|certyear=2024|access-date=August 14, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"|United States
|February 6, 1995 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |{{hlist|Rush Associated Labels|PMP}} |{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} |
|---|
| scope="row"|Japan
|April 26, 1995 |CD |Rush Associated Labels |{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/171018/products/186945/1/|title=ジス・イズ・ハウ・ウイ・ドゥ・イット {{!}} モンテル・ジョーダン|trans-title=This Is How We Do It {{!}} Montell Jordan|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=September 13, 2023}} |
| scope="row"|United Kingdom
|May 1, 1995 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=39|date=April 29, 1995}} |
Mis-Teeq version
{{Infobox song
| name = This Is How We Do It
| cover =
| type = single
| artist = Mis-Teeq
| album = Lickin' on Both Sides
| A-side = Roll On
| released = {{start date|2002|6|17}}{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2002/Music-Week-2002-06-15.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 17 June 2002: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=June 15, 2002|access-date=August 26, 2021}}
| genre = * R&B
- pop{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2002/Music-Week-2002-06-08.pdf|title=Reviews: Single Reviews|magazine=Music Week|page=11|date=June 8, 2002|access-date=June 25, 2022|quote=The latest cut sees the Mis-Teeq girls moving away from garage to serve up a perfect slice of summery R&B pop.}}
| length = 3:47
| label = * Telstar
- Inferno
| writer = * Montell Jordan
- Oji Pierce
| producer = * Rishi Rich
| prev_title = B with Me
| prev_year = 2002
| title = Roll On
| title2 = This Is How We Do It
| next_title = Scandalous
| next_year = 2003
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|WCD_c6S2NNA|"Roll On / This Is How We Do It"}}|header=Music video}}
}}
In 2002, British girl group Mis-Teeq released their version as a double A-side with "Roll On". It peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, faring four places higher than the original there. The recording by Jordan was featured in the 2002 film Ali G Indahouse alongside the Rishi Rich mix of Mis-Teeq's version. The Rishi Rich remix of "This Is How We Do It" is included on the film's soundtrack. "This Is How We Do It" is included on the special edition of the album Lickin' on Both Sides.
= Charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2002){{Efn|"This Is How We Do It" charted as a double A-side single with "Roll On"}} !Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|42|artist=Mis-Teeq|song=Roll On / This Is How We Do It|rowheader=true|access-date=December 3, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Australiaurban|13|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222423/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20021107-0000/Issue659.pdf|urltitle=Issue 659|rowheader=true|access-date=February 27, 2022}} |
| scope="row" |Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2002/MM-2002-07-06.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=20|issue=28|date=July 6, 2002|page=15|access-date=September 14, 2020}}
|34 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Germany|100|artist=Mis-Teeq|song=Roll On / This Is How We Do It|songid=100663|rowheader=true|access-date=December 3, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|41|artist=Mis-Teeq|rowheader=true|access-date=January 15, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|25|artist=Mis-Teeq|song=Roll On / This Is How We Do It|rowheader=true|access-date=December 3, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|19|date=20020629|rowheader=true|access-date=December 3, 2018|refname=scotland19}} |
| {{single chart|UK|7|date=20020629|rowheader=true|access-date=December 3, 2018|refname="ukmis"}} |
"The Party (This Is How We Do It)"
{{Infobox song
| name = The Party (This Is How We Do It)
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Joe Stone featuring Montell Jordan
| album =
| recorded = 2015
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = House
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=04}}
| label = Spinnin'
| writer = Montell Jordan
| producer =
| chronology = Joe Stone
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Joe Stone
| type = singles
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = The Party (This Is How We Do It)
| year = 2015
| next_title = Until the Morning (Joe Stone Remix)
| next_year = 2015
}}
}}
Dutch DJ Joe Stone released a remixed version of the song in 2015 with Jordan credited as the featured artist.
= Formats and track listings =
{{track listing
| total_length =
| title1 = The Party (This Is How We Do It) (Original Mix)
| note1 = featuring Montell Jordan
| length1 = 4:44
| title2 = The Party (This Is How We Do It) (Radio Edit)
| note2 = featuring Montell Jordan
| length2 = 3:04
}}
= Charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Chart (2015)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Ireland3|65|artist=Joe Stone|rowheader=true|access-date=January 28, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|9|date=20150807|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UKdance|9|date=August 13, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UK|17|date=August 13, 2015|refname=uk2|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|14|artist=Joe Stone|rowheader=true}} |
= Release history =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Country
! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label |
|---|
| Ireland
| rowspan="2"|July 31, 2015 | rowspan="2"|Digital download | rowspan="2"|Spinnin' |
| United Kingdom{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-party-this-is-how-we-do-it-feat-montell-jordan-single/992425256|title=The Party (This Is How We Do It) [feat. Montell Jordan] - Single by Joe Stone|via=itunes.apple.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=September 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925120628/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-party-this-is-how-we-do-it-feat-montell-jordan-single/1444866313|url-status=live}} |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Montell Jordan}}
{{Mis-Teeq}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Def Jam Recordings singles
Category:Island Records singles
Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams
Category:Number-one singles in Zimbabwe
Category:Songs written by Montell Jordan