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We Trying to Stay Alive
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Wikipedia article
"'We Trying to Stay Alive'" is the first single released from Wyclef Jean's debut solo album, 'The Carnival'. The song features raps by John Fort and Pras (of the Fugees) and samples the 1977 Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive" and Audio Two's "Top Billin'" (1987). The video version also contains an interpolation of the main melody of "Trans-Europe Express" by "Kraftwerk".Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211206/KPV1InMNUf4 Ghostarchive] and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100331083333/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPV1InMNUf4 Wayback Machine]: In the US, it reached number 45 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart. Additionally, it reached number three on the Hot Rap Songs chart and number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The track reached number 87 on VH1's "100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time".
Reception
While the sampling of the Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive" was green lighted by the Bee Gee's management, the final song was not warmly received by the Bee Gees themselves. "I have to say I do not like anyone sampling our voices." Barry Gibb told MTV News in regards to the song. "Don't like it. Don't approve of it. Don't like it."
Music video
The official music video for the song was directed by Roman Coppola.
Track listing
; UK CD1 (664681 2)
# "We Trying to Stay Alive" (LP Version)
# "We Trying to Stay Alive" (Instrumental)
# "Anything Can Happen" (LP Version)
# "Anything Can Happen" (Instrumental)
; UK CD2 (664681 5)
# "We Trying to Stay Alive" (LP Version)
# "We Trying to Stay Alive" (Salaam Remi Remix)
# "Imagino" (Creole Version)
# "Flavor from the Carnival" (LP Snippets)
Chart performance
'We Trying to Stay Alive' peaked at number 45 on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart and spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart. It also peaked at number 14 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number three on the Hot Rap Songs chart. In the UK, the song peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and spent a total of 5 weeks on the chart.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
Category:1997 debut singles
Category:Wyclef Jean songs
Category:Music videos directed by Roman Coppola
Category:Songs written by Wyclef Jean
Category:Songs written by Barry Gibb
Category:Songs written by Maurice Gibb
Category:Songs written by Robin Gibb
Category:Song recordings produced by Jerry Duplessis
Category:Song recordings produced by Wyclef Jean
Category:1997 songs
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Sampling controversies
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