Ching-A-Ling

Album: Step Up 2 the Streets (2008)
Charted: 60
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written and produced by The Arkitects. Shawn Campbell and Marshall Leathers formed The Arkitects in 2001 but they had to wait seven years before they achieved their first Hot 100 single. Campbell described how Missy Elliott came to record this track: "We had done the New York circuit for a year and were slowly placing tracks on albums, but the single eluded us. Our manager suggested that we go out to LA to sell tracks as well and to introduce our selves to the music scene out there as well. We decided to go during the BET awards and that is when it happened. We just didn't know it. So our last meeting of the day was at Atlantic Records. We went in to see an A&R who's name I won't give. He had a rep as an a--hole, but we had never met him before. Half way through the meeting we were ready to leave. He was playing on the computer, picking up the phone, ordering food all while we were playing him our beats!!! I leaned over and whispered to my manager, 'Lets get out of here, this dude is playing us man.' Our manager recommended that we stay. We weren't used to that type of reception. People usually found a track that they liked, but this guy didn't even seem to blink. So we play all of our tracks and leave. I was frustrated and annoyed. We got on the plane feeling as if we had wasted our time. I remember telling Marshall that at least we had got to see L.A. so it wasn't a waste right?

    So almost a year passes and we almost completely forget about the LA trip. About 3 months ago, my manager calls me and says, 'that A&R we met at Atlantic is on the phone and says that he needs your lawyer's name to get you your contracts. Missy wants your track for a single!' We were stunned. We didn't even know which track it was so much time had passed. I guess he WAS listening! So we do the contracts but keep hearing that the song is no longer the single, then it was, then it wasn't. We decided not to think about it because it would drive us crazy. Then 2 days before it hit the internet, we heard that it was official. The first time I heard it on the radio, I pulled over and tried to keep a straight face. I didn't want to cry. It was a feeling that as wordy as I am, I will never be able to describe!"
  • Leathers hails from Portsmouth, Virginia, the same city where Elliott was born.
  • The video, the first ever 3D music promo in history, was directed by Elliott's long-time video collaborator Dave Meyers and featured the Japanese dance group U-Min. Meyers co-directed the promo for Elliott's "Lose Control," which won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.