If I Ruled the World (Big Time Rush song)

"If I Ruled the World"
Promotional single by Big Time Rush featuring Iyaz
from the album Elevate
ReleasedJuly 23, 2011 (2011-07-23)
RecordedMarch 2011
Length3:00
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Kiriakou
Music video
"If I Ruled the World" on YouTube

"If I Ruled the World" is a song by American pop group, Big Time Rush, featuring British Virgin Islands singer Iyaz. It was released on July 22, 2011, as the first promotional single from their second studio album, Elevate.

Background and release

"If I Ruled the World" premiered via MTV on July 21, 2011, before it was released for digital download on July 22.[1] The group performed the song live for the first time on July 22, at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, California.[2] The song was added on the setlist for their headling tour Big Time Rush in Concert, in the summer of 2011.[3] They also performed it on their Better with U Tour in February and March 2012.[4]

Composition

"If I Ruled the World" was written by Emanuel Kiriakou, Evan Bogart and Lindy Robbins, while production was handled by Kiriakou.[5] Originally titled, "Rule the World",[6] the song was recorded in March 2011 and is about "self-acceptance and living life big."[7][8]

Critical reception

Jenna Hally Rubenstein of MTV described the song as an "impossibly catchy, perfectly pop" track. She stated, "Led by a guitar-driven track, Big Time Rush's vocals are perfectly in check."[1] This Must Be Pop Awards predicted the song as "a future hit."[9]

Chart performance

"If I Ruled the World" peaked at number six on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and stayed four weeks on the chart.[10] The song also topped the US Kid Digital Songs chart and remained 29 weeks on the chart.[11] On the Billboard Kid Digital Songs 2011 year-end chart, the song was ranked at number eight.[12] The song has sold over a million digital downloads as of December 2011.[13]

Music video

Two music videos were released for "If I Ruled the World". The first one premiered on July 23, 2011, and was featured on their Nickelodeon TV series on the episode, "Big Time Single" and showcases the group in a recording studio performing the track. Soon after, the band is seen traveling across the globe, to Hawaii, Buckingham Palace, the Taj Mahal, Russia and China. At the end of the video, all the people Big Time Rush met along the way come together for a huge dance party on the beach.[14]

The second music video was released on August 5, 2011, featuring the band traveling to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, performing on stage for their fans.[15]

Personnel

Credits for "If I Ruled the World" adapted from album's liner notes.[5]

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "If I Ruled the World"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 22, 2011 Digital download
[18]

References

  1. ^ a b Jenna Hally Rubenstein (July 21, 2011). "New Song: Big Time Rush Featuring Iyaz, 'If I Ruled The World'". MTV. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Martha Ramirez (July 23, 2011). "Huge squeals over Big Time Rush in Costa Mesa". The Orange County Register. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Mark Wedel (September 8, 2011). "Boy band Big Time Rush enjoying the ride: Quartet from popular Nickelodean show discusses their 'dream come true'". MLive. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Joey Guerra (March 5, 2012). "Big Time Rush show leaves little to like". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Big Time Rush (2011). Elevate (Standard edition liner notes). Columbia Records.
  6. ^ @HiHatOfficial (April 13, 2011). "This new single from @bigtimerush "Rule The World" is really hot!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ @TheCarlosPena (March 20, 2011). "In the studio with @emanuelkiriakou recording some new songs for this summer!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Jessica Dawson. "Elevate by Big Time Rush - Music Reviews". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  9. ^ "This Must Be Pop brings you Future Pop! (Issue #05) « This Must Be Pop". Thismustbepop.com. 2011-11-07. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Big Time Rush Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Big Time Rush Chart History (Kid Digital Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 18, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Kid Digital Song Sales - Year-End 2011". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Tamar Anitai (December 12, 2011). "Vote For Your Favorite Breakthrough Band Of 2011!". MTV. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  14. ^ Jenna Hally Rubenstein (July 25, 2011). "New Video: Big Time Rush, 'If I Ruled The World'". MTV. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  15. ^ Tanner Stransky (August 5, 2011). "Big Time Rush to release 'If I Ruled the World' music video today -- Exclusive Sneak Peek Video". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 17, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "Big Time Rush Chart History (Heatseeker Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Big Time Rush Chart History (Pop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "If I Ruled the World - Single by Big Time Rush". Amazon. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2024.