"Let It Rock" is the debut single by American singer Kevin Rudolf featuring hip-hop rapper Lil Wayne. It was produced by Rudolf for his debut album, In the City.
In the U.S. and Canada, the song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, number #6 on the Pop 100 and #2 on the Canadian Hot 100. The first week, the song debuted at #45 on the Australian Singles Chart and eventually reached #3. In the United Kingdom, the song climbed to #40 on physical release but due to an increase in airplay, due to BBC Radio 1 adding it to their A-list, the song climbed 30 places to #10 in the song's second week on the chart; then it also reached to #5 the following week. "Let It Rock" received positive reviews from music critics, and was placed at #28 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.
The song serves as the official theme music for WWE's 2009 Royal Rumble event. "Let It Rock" was featured in tourism ads for Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2013. It is also featured on the soundtrack for the 2010 EA Sports football video game Madden NFL 11.
"Let It Rock" was certified triple platinum by the RIAA on May 4, 2009.RIAA Searchable Database, search for Kevin Rudolf. Retrieved 20 January 2009. As of July 2011, the song has sold 4,000,000 digital downloads, making it Lil Wayne's third 4-million-seller.
Meaning
Rudolf explained what "Let It Rock" is about, saying: "'Let It Rock' was written from a place of anger and dissatisfaction with the world. It's a song about hypocrisy. It contains biblical references - and yet people still think it's a party song. Whatever works." Rudolf said about "Let It Rock": "It's a song about the hypocrisy in the world, and I'm saying that when I come through, I'm bringing the truth," Rudolf stated. Rudolf then said: "I use the Parable of the Prodigal Son, because I want to expose all the fakes out there — in the music industry, in the world, anywhere. A lot of people think it's a party record, but it's not."
Track listing Digital download "Let It Rock" (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:56
U.S. digital CD single "Let It Rock" (clean) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:56 "Let It Rock" (explicit) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:56 "Let It Rock" (instrumental) - 3:50 "Let It Rock" (explicit a cappella) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:50
UK digital CD single "Let It Rock" (album version) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:56 "Let It Rock" (Filthy Dukes remix) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 6:35 "Let It Rock" (Cahill remix) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 6:11 "Let It Rock" (radio edit) (featuring Lil Wayne) - 3:54 "Let It Rock" (solo version) - 2:48
Music video The music video for "Let It Rock" features Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne performing in front of both a crowd and a dark-hued background, sometimes lit with various effects such as strobe and laserlights. The video premiered in October 1, 2008 on Nickelodeon's 24-hour, teen-aimed, spin-off channel The N (currently TeenNick).
Samples The song's chorus is also featured in the Iyaz song "Damn They Hot", which features Rudolf himself. The song is also sampled and incorporated into Natasha Bedingfield's song "All I Need" from the 2010 studio album Strip Me, which also features Rudolf.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2008–2009)PeakpositionTurkey Top 20 Chart"Billboard Türkiye Top 20" . Billboard Türkiye. Retrieved on February 9, 2009.11
Year-end charts Chart (2008)PositionAustralia (ARIA)90Canada (Canadian Hot 100)57US Billboard Hot 10065 Chart (2009)PositionAustralia (ARIA)44Canada (Canadian Hot 100)26Germany (Official German Charts)67Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)51UK Singles (Official Charts Company)75US Billboard Hot 10032US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)45US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)30
Certifications
Release history +Release dates and formats for "Let It Rock" Region Date Format Label(s) United States August 11, 2008 Mainstream airplay Universal Republic
References