You Dropped a Bomb on Me

"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" is a song performed by The Gap Band, released in 1982 on producer Lonnie Simmons' label, Total Experience Records. In addition to the single release, the song was featured on the band's 1982 album Gap Band IV.

"You Dropped a Bomb on Me"
A-side label of U.S. 12-inch vinyl release
Single by The Gap Band
from the album Gap Band IV
B-side
ReleasedAugust 1982
Format7", 12"
Recorded1982
GenreSynth-funk[1]
Length4:05 (Single Version)
5:13 (12" Single Edit)
13:07 (Special Disco Mix)
LabelTotal Experience
Songwriter(s)Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, Charlie Wilson
Producer(s)Lonnie Simmons
The Gap Band singles chronology
"Early in the Morning"
(1982)		 "You Dropped a Bomb on Me"
(1982)		 "Outstanding"
(1983)

Background

A notable feature of the song is its use of a synthesizer to imitate the whistling sound of a bomb being dropped. This is first heard immediately before the first verse, and throughout the song from the fourth chorus onward. The song also features timpani drum rolls.

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the song was one of those named on the 2001 Clear Channel memorandum of "lyrically questionable" songs.[2]

Chart positions and performance

It reached No. 2 on the Billboard R&B charts, No. 39 on the dance charts, and No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3]

Chart (1982) Peak
position
US Billboard Dance Club Songs 39
US Billboard Hot 100 31
US Billboard Hot Black Singles 2
  • The song is featured in a Walmart Christmas holiday television commercial which started airing in October 2017.[4]
  • The song is frequently played at sporting events. For example, it is played at both San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros home games when a player from the home team hits a home run.
  • The song is also played in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, on the in-game radio station, Bounce FM.

References
  1. Terich, Jeff; Blyweiss, Adam (August 27, 2015). "10 Essential Synth-Funk tracks". Treble. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  2. Foege, Alec (14 April 2009). Right of the Dial: The Rise of Clear Channel and the Fall of Commercial Radio. Faber & Faber. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-4299-2367-5.
  3. "The Gap Band > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  4. "Walmart TV Commercial, 'Standing Ovation' Song by The Gap Band". iSpot.tv. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
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