"Oh"
Single by Ciara featuring Ludacris
from the album Goodies
ReleasedMarch 1, 2005 (2005-03-01)
Recorded2004
Studio
GenreR&B[1]
Length4:16
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dre & Vidal
Ciara singles chronology
"1, 2 Step"
(2004) 		"Oh"
(2005) 		"Lose Control"
(2005)
Ludacris singles chronology
"Number One Spot"
(2005) 		"Oh"
(2005) 		"The Potion"
(2005)
Music video
"Oh" on YouTube

"Oh" is a song by American singer, Ciara who wrote the song with Ludacris (who features on the song), Andre Harris, and Vidal Davis. "Oh" was produced by Harris and Davis, who work as Dre & Vidal. The song was released on March 1, 2005, as the third single from her debut album, Goodies. The downtempo R&B song features hip-hop elements and a heavy bassline, and can be seen as an anthem to her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia. Ciara sings about the many things the city has to offer, while Ludacris raps the third verse.

The song was well received by music critics, who praised the song's beat, specifically noting its radio-friendliness. It won an award at the 2006 ASCAP award shows for "Most Performed Songs" with the two previous singles from Goodies, "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step". The song also took home the award for "Choice Music Make-Out Song" at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards and for "Coolest Collabo" at the 2006 Vibe Awards. The song was listed at number 127 on Pitchfork Media's top 500 songs of the 2000s. The song was placed at number 72 on Slant's The 100 Best Singles of the Aughts. It, along with other songs on Goodies, helped earn Ciara the nomination for Best New Artist at the 48th Grammy Awards.

The single was a commercial success, peaking at number two in the United States, becoming her third consecutive top three hit. It also peaked within the top ten of charts in many international markets, including Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and was certified platinum in the US and gold in Australia. The song was accompanied by a music video, which showed the singer dancing with friends in the streets of Atlanta, as well as in an arena and a parking garage.

Composition and meaning

In 2004, Ciara was in the recording studio with Dre & Vidal. She decided to take the beat back to Atlanta, Georgia. It took Ciara one week to complete the lyrics for the love song to Atlanta.[2] She quoted, "I didn't waste time and just write to any beat. If I don't like a beat, I won't work with it." Also she recalled, "I wanted to make sure that we were actually talking about Atlanta".[3]

While composing the lyrics, Ciara spoke to her management to get Ludacris on the track and he agreed. She said, "I think Ludacris is perfect".[3]

Critical reception

"Oh" received positive reviews from music critics. Pop Matters described the track as "dark" and "infectious", "whose beat approximates the David Banner-constructed "Rubber Band Man" banger."[4] Musicomh.com opined that "Oh" is "far and away the album's best track" and the "ultimate cruising tune".[5] Virgin Media wrote that it was "the album's standout track".[6] One negative review of the song, published by The Situation, said the song was "not as strong" as other songs on the album, "as Luda's raspy vocals overpower Ciara's sweet tone."[7]

"Oh" went on to win an award at the 2006 ASCAP award shows for "Most Performed Songs" with the two previous singles from Goodies, "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step". The song also took home the award for "Choice Music Make-Out Song" at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards and for "Coolest Collabo" at the 2006 Vibe Awards. The song was listed at number 127 on Pitchfork Media's top 500 songs of the 2000s.

Chart performance

The song debuted at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 the week of March 25, 2005, to become Ciara's third top-five single.[8] "Oh" became Ciara's second song in a row (after "1, 2 Step") to reach a peak of number two on the chart. It also peaked at two on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot 100 Airplay.[9] The song spent a total of 33 weeks on the chart.[10] The song also peaked number six on the Pop 100, Pop 100 Airplay, and Top 40 Mainstream. It was a minor sales hit, peaking at fifteen on the Hot Digital Songs.[9] "Oh" was commissioned dance remixes. The song appeared on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart, peaking at number 20. The "DJ Volume South Beach" remix appears on the bonus CD of Goodies: The Videos & More. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million digital copies in the United States.[11]

"Oh" was a hit outside the US as well. The song debuted and peaked at number four in the United Kingdom and number five for two weeks in New Zealand. The song also peaked at number seven in Australia, Germany, and Ireland. It was also a top-20 hit in Finland and Switzerland.[12]

Music video

The music video for "Oh" was directed by the Fat Cats. It begins with Ciara sitting with "little" Ciara watching a video player. The camera zooms into the video player and reveals an overview of Atlanta and scenes of Ciara and her friends at a block party in an alley. She performs the first verse and first chorus in the middle of the street, while she is surrounded by guests and their cars. There are dance sequences throughout the remainder of the video and a scene with Ciara performing on top of a car as Ludacris raps. Ciara is also "ridin' slow" in a classic model Oldsmobile. There are also cameos by Gucci Mane, Jazzy Pha, and Boyz n da Hood.

Ciara described the choreography as "the real star" and "very intense". Also, Ciara quoted that she and her choreographer tried "to find the best moves that we can". The video was choreographed by Devyne Stephens. It features former dancers of Usher and MC Hammer.[3]

"Oh" was nominated in the "Best R&B Video" category at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to Alicia Keys's "Karma".

Formats and track listings

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[51] Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum 1,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States March 1, 2005 (2005-03-01) Rhythmic contemporary radio
[53]
May 10, 2005 (2005-05-10) Contemporary hit radio [53]
Germany July 4, 2005 CD [54]
Australia July 18, 2005 (2005-07-18) [55]
United Kingdom August 1, 2005 (2005-08-01) [56]

References

  1. ^ "25 R&B songs that will turn a lady into a freak". AMB Mag. February 25, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Ciara Credits 'Oh' Co-Star Luda With Showing Her The Ropes Archived May 14, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ a b c Ciara Pulls Ludacris Into Her 'Oh' Dance Party Retrieved January 15, 2008
  4. ^ Ciara: Goodies – Pop Matters Music Review Retrieved January 15, 2008
  5. ^ Ciara – Goodies: album review Retrieved January 13, 2008
  6. ^ Ciara – Goodies – Album reviews – Reviews – Music – Virgin Media Retrieved January 13, 2008
  7. ^ Ciara – Goodies Archived February 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 13, 2008
  8. ^ "Oh" - The Billboard Hot 100 – 3-25-05
  9. ^ a b Ciara – Charts & Awards – Billboard singles
  10. ^ "Oh" - The Billboard Hot 100 – 8-27-05
  11. ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America.
  12. ^ Ciara and Ludacris – Oh
  13. ^ Ciara (2005). Oh (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records. 82876 68177 1.
  14. ^ Ciara (2005). Oh (UK CD single liner notes). LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records. 82876711372.
  15. ^ Ciara (2005). Oh (UK 12-inch single sleeve). LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records. 82876 71136 1.
  16. ^ Ciara (2005). Oh (European CD single liner notes). LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records. 82876 70263 2.
  17. ^ Ciara (2005). Oh (European CD single liner notes). LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records. 82876802312.
  18. ^ Ciara (2005). Oh (Australian CD single liner notes). LaFace Records, Sho'nuff Records. 82876717012.
  19. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  20. ^ "Issue 814" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  21. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  22. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  23. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  24. ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1612. June 24, 2005. p. 40. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  25. ^ "Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 34. August 20, 2005. p. 71. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  26. ^ "Ciara: Oh" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  27. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  28. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  29. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Oh". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
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  33. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  34. ^ "Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  36. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  37. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  38. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  39. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  40. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  41. ^ "Ciara Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  42. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2005". ARIA. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  43. ^ "Top 100 Singles - Jahrescharts 2005" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
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  49. ^ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 26.
  50. ^ "2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Rhythmic Songs". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 52. December 24, 2005. p. YE-74.
  51. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  52. ^ "American single certifications – Ciara feat. Ludacris – Oh". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  53. ^ a b "Available for Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  54. ^ "Oh". Amazon Germany.
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