Oh (Ciara song)

"Oh"
Song

"Oh" is a song recorded by American recording artist, Ciara. Written by herself, Christopher Bridges, Andre Harris, and Vidal Davis, the song was produced by the latter two, who perform under name, Dre & Vidal, and features Ludacris. It was released worldwide in March 2005 as the third single from her debut album, Goodies. The downtempo Crunk&B song features hip-hop elements and a heavy baseline, and can be seen as an anthem to her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia. Ciara sings about the the many things the city has to offer, while Ludaris raps the third verse.

The song was well receives by music critics, who praised the songs beat, specifically noting its radio-friendliness. It won numerous awards at ASCAP award shows, and also won the award for "Choice Teen-makeout song at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards and "Coolest Collabo" at the 2006 Vibe Awards. The song was listed at number one-hundred twenty-seven on Pitchfork Media's top five hundred songs of the 2000s. It along with the 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 ten hit. It also reached the top ten in many international markets 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. 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".

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".

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." Musicomh.com opined that "Oh" is "far and away the album's best track" and the "ultimate cruising tune". Virgin Media wrote that it was "the album's standout track".

"Oh" received many positive reviews, however, The Situation published a negative review, describing the song as "not as strong, as Luda’s raspy vocals overpower Ciara’s sweet tone." It also went on to say that "the song is pure crunk and heavy underlying beats with harmonic undertones to back it all up".

"Oh" won "Best Collaboration" at the 2005 Vibe Awards and "Best Performed Songs in the ASCAP Repertory for the 2005 Survey Year" award, including the Goodies singles "1, 2 Step" and the title track.

Release history

Country	Release date
United States	March 2, 2005 (2005-03-02)
United Kingdom	August 2005 (2005-08)

Chart performance

"Oh" was solicited to radio formats in March 2005. The song debuted at number seventy-five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 the week of March 25, 2005 and became Ciara's third top five single. LIke its predecessor "1, 2 Step", the song peaked at number two but for one week only. It also peaked at two on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number one on the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot 100 Airplay. It remained on the Hot 100 for twenty three weeks. "Oh" reach 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. "Oh" was commissioned dance remixes. The song appeared on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart, peaking at twenty. The "DJ Volume South Beach" remix appears on the bonus CD of Goodies: The Videos & More.

Also, "Oh" was a hit outside the U.S. The song debuted and peaked at number four in the UK and five for two weeks in New Zealand. It reached number seven in Australia, Germany, and Ireland. It was a top twenty hit in Finland and Switzerland.

"Oh." was listed #21 on the Top Hot 100 Hits of 2005.

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.

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.

"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

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Oh".

• 12" Promotional vinyl

(Released 2005)

SIDE A

1. "Oh" (main)
2. "Oh" (acappella)

SIDE B

1. "Oh" (main)
2. "Oh" (instrumental)

• Australian EP

(Released 2005)

1. "Oh" (album version)
2. "Oh" (Kardinal Beats remix)
3. "Oh" (Bimbo Jones remix)
4. "Oh" (DJ Volume "South Beach" remix)
5. "1,2 Step" (Phattbelly Club remix)

• Import CD

(Released August 1, 2005)

1. "Oh" (album version)
2. "Oh" (Kardinal Beats radio edit)

• Itunes UK digital download #1

(Released 2005)

1. "Oh" (featuring Ludacris)
2. "Oh" (French remix) [Feat. M. Pokora]
3. "Oh" (Kardinal Beats remix)

• Itunes UK digital download #2

(Released 2005)

1. "Oh" (album version)
2. "Oh" (Kardinal Beats remix)
3. "Oh" (Bimbo Jones remix)
4. "Oh" (Bimbo Jones dub)
5. "Oh" (DJ Volume "South Beach" remix)

• Itunes digital download #3

(Released 2005)

1. "Oh" (album version)
2. "Oh" (Kardinal Beats remix)

• U.S. Promotional CD

(Released 2005)

1. "Oh" (main)
2. "Oh" (instrumental)

Personnel

• Vocals by: Ciara and Ludacris
• Produced by: Dre & Vidal
• Recorded by: Vincent Dilorenzo at Studio 609 recordings, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ralph Cacciuri and Sam Thomas at Doppler Studios, Atlanta, Georgia and Kori Anders at Patchwerk Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
• Mixed by: Vincent Dilorenzo, Andre Harris and Vidal Davis at Studio 609, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Assisted by: Mike Tsarsati

Charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart	7
Canadian BDS Airplay Chart	49
China Singles Chart	11
Finland Singles Chart	17
French Singles Chart	48
German Singles Chart	7
Irish Singles Chart	7
New Zealand Singles Chart	5
Switzerland Singles Chart	11
UK Singles Chart	4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	2
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	2
U.S. Billboard Pop 100	6

Official versions and remixes

• Bimbo Jones Club Mix
• Bimbo Jones Dub
• Derrick Inglut Club Mix
• DJ David C Radio Edit
• DJ Scene Remix
• DJ Volume "South Beach" Radio Mix
• DJ Volume "South Beach" Club Mix
• Edson Pride Club Mix
• Edson Pride Private Rework Mix
• French Remix featuring Ludacris and M. Pokora
• Kardinal Beats Remix
• Kardinal Beats Radio Edit
• M'Silver Innovating Club Mix
• OranGeFuZzZ Radio Mix