"We Be Burnin'" is the first single from Jamaican musician Sean Paul's third studio album, '' The Trinity'' (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 '' The Trinity'' 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" 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 measurement, measured with a thermometer. Thermometers are calibrated in various Conversion of units of temperature, temp ...

" 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 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 Dominican film and music video director. Career Terrero appeared as an extra on the 1992 film ''Juice'' starring Tupac Shakur. According to Terrero, it was his experience on the set of the movie that in ...

, 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 1 ...

. 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