"We Be Burnin'" is the first single from Jamaican musician

Sean Paul Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques OD (born 9 January 1973) is a Jamaican rapper and singer who is regarded as one of dancehall's most prolific artists. Paul's singles "Get Busy" and "Temperature" topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in the ...

's third studio album, ''

The Trinity The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Fa ...

'' (2005). It achieved success worldwide, becoming a top-10 hit on at least 10 national music charts, including those of Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Background and release

"We Be Burnin'" was released as the first single from ''

'' on 22 August 2005 in the US and on 12 September 2005 in the UK. In the US, the single peaked inside the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at number six, and in the UK, the single peaking at number two. The single became his biggest solo hit in the UK, beating the number-three peak of "

Like Glue "Like Glue" is a song by Jamaican dancehall artist Sean Paul, from his second album '' Dutty Rock'' (2002). The song was produced by Tony "CD" Kelly, and written by Kelly and Sean Paul. Lyrics from "Like Glue" were originally the intro to "Gimme ...

" in 2003 and spending just under five months inside the UK top 75. It was the biggest hit from the album in the UK; however, it was "

Temperature Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer. Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied o ...

" that was the biggest hit from the album in the US. The original version, sometimes denoted by the title being followed by "Legalize It", features prominent themes of

marijuana Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various tra ...

use, referencing "trees", "weed" and "herb" several times and smoking it for "meditation". Another radio-friendly version was released with the title being followed by "Recognize It", which changed all drug-related lyrics to ones concerning women. Although the lyrics are different,

Tami Chynn Tammar Annika Chin (born 14 June 1983), known by her stage name Tami Chynn, is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and dancer. Early life Chynn was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Her father, Richard Chin, is of Jamaican and Chinese descent and her mother ...

's single " Hyperventilating" as well as

Capleton Clifton George Bailey III (born 13 April 1967),Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , pp. 67–69 better known by his stage name Capleton, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician. He is also referred to as Kin ...

's "Or Wah" from the album '' Reign of Fire'' utilize the same

riddim Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm". In the context of reggae and dancehall, it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song and is synonymous with the rhythm section. Jamaican music genres that use the ...

as Sean Paul's "We Be Burnin'", since both use the riddim "Stepz".

Music video

The video was shot in Southern California deserts by

Jessy Terrero Jessy Terrero (born October 7, 1972) is a List of people from the Dominican Republic, Dominican Film director, film and music video director. Career Terrero appeared as an extra on the 1992 film ''Juice (1992 film), Juice'' starring Tupac Shakur ...

, showing dancers accompanying Paul, and two girls in an overheated

Hummer H2 The Hummer H2 is a large SUV that was marketed by Hummer and built in the AM General facility under contract from General Motors from 2002 to 2009. It is based on a modified GMT820 GM three-quarter-ton pickup truck in the front and a half-ton 15 ...

. Sean Paul is seen dancing with three other girls in front of highly modified trucks.

Track listings

US 12-inch single :A1. "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It club version) – 3:28 :A2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) – 3:52 :B1. "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It radio version) – 3:36 :B2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) – 3:53 UK CD1 and European CD single # "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) # "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It) UK CD2 # "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) # "Bounce It Right There" # "We Be Burnin" (video) # Ringtone UK 12-inch single :A1. "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) :A2. "We Be Burnin'" (instrumental) :B1. "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It) :B2. "Bounce It Right There" Australian CD single # "We Be Burnin'" (Recognize It) # "Bounce It Right There" # "We Be Burnin'" (Legalize It)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

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Release history

References

{{Authority control Sean Paul songs 2005 singles 2005 songs Atlantic Records singles Music videos directed by Jessy Terrero Songs about cannabis Songs written by Sean Paul Songs written by Steven "Lenky" Marsden VP Records singles