Never Say Never (Justin Bieber song)

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"Never Say Never"
Single by Justin Bieber featuring Jaden Smith
from the album Never Say Never: The Remixes and The Karate Kid
ReleasedJune 8, 2010 (2010-06-08)
Recorded2010
Genre
Length3:47
RBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Messengers
Justin Bieber singles chronology
"Somebody to Love"
(2010) 		"Never Say Never"
(2010) 		"U Smile"
(2010)
Alternative cover
Promotional single cover art
Music video
"Never Say Never" ft. Jaden Smith on
YouTube

"Never Say Never" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. The song is used as the theme song for the 2010 film The Karate Kid, and features a rap verse from its star, Jaden Smith. Originally a risque demo with sexual lyrics performed by Travis Garland, it was written and produced by The Messengers, and Omarr Rambert. However, Bieber was tapped to record the song for the film. He re-wrote the song with the original artists along with Smith and his vocal producer Kuk Harrell, to feature inspirational lyrics to foil the film's theme.

The song was released for digital download in the United States on June 8, 2010. [1] The song was later included as an acoustic track on the remix album My Worlds Acoustic (2010) and both the acoustic and single versions were on the compilation album My Worlds: The Collection (2010). To promote Bieber's 3D concert film of the same name, the song was released as the lead and only single from Bieber's second remix album, Never Say Never: The Remixes.[2][3]

"Never Say Never" peaked within the top twenty in Canada, Norway, and New Zealand, while reaching the top forty in Australia, as well as charting in other international markets. After it was re-released as the lead single and the only single from – The Remixes, promoting his film, the single peaked at number eight on the

Today and on his My World Tour. Smith joined Bieber during the tour's stop at Madison Square Garden to perform the song for scenes in Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
.

Background

A demo of the song, "Sexy Together" was originally recorded by

Nasri, Omarr Rambert, and his vocal producer Kuk Harrell, while Smith added lines.[4] Carina Adly MacKenzie of Zap2it preferred Bieber and Smith's version, commenting, "No wonder Bieb skipped this version -- it's a total snoozer. You'd think that a song about dying would be more interesting than a song about little kids doing karate... but no."[4] Bieber hinted at the collaboration by posting a promo photo of himself and Smith on his Twitter, and also posting that a video of his would premiere before "Somebody to Love," the second single from his studio album debut, My World 2.0.[5] The song was confirmed when the track listing for the soundtrack was revealed.[5] It was released on iTunes in the United States on June 8, 2010.[6]

Composition

"Never Say Never"
A sample of "Never Say Never" containing inspirational lyrics, such as the line "just no turning back, when your heart's under attack."
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Never Say Never" is a teen pop track which includes

inspirational lyrics, such as Bieber singing about a life filled with adversity, through lines like, "I never thought that I could walk through fire / I never thought that I could take the burn/ never had the strength to take it higher".[10] Idolator thought the song as a tween-friendly version of Eminem's "Lose Yourself."[11] Smith's lines reference his father, and puns in the phrase, "raised by the power of Will".[7] He also makes reference to his lineage by saying "Born from two stars so the moon's where I land.", as he is the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who are both Hollywood stars.[7] Smith also makes references to Luke Skywalker and Kobe Bryant in his lines.[12]

Critical reception

Shima Maya of AOL Radio Blog gave the song a positive review, calling it "a burst of sexual energy", and stating, "Even on a soundtrack featuring the likes of Lady Gaga, John Mayer and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this single...is sure to stand out as the film's flagship anthem."[10] Toor also complimented Bieber's "now-trademark silky-smooth voice."[10] Monica Herrera of Billboard said that Smith's rapping skills could rival those of his former-rapper father.[13] E! Online said "And while some might insist that "Parents Just Don't Understand," we think Big Willy would totally be down with Jaden's rap." Maria-Mercedes Lara of Celebuzz said, "don't make assumptions with the suspiciously nepotistic circumstances surrounding Jaden's appearance on Bieber's song: the kid is actually really good."[14] Lara also commented that Bieber "should be watching his back for Jaden's rising star."[14] Tiger Beat said that they loved the song, and said it had a "great beat."[15]

Chart performance

On the week ending June 17, 2011, the song debuted at number thirty-three on the

Tip charts in both Belgian regions, the song peaked at two and five.[24]

Promotion

The accompanying clip for the single was directed by Honey.

motorcycle jacket and high tops.[27] Studio scenes include Bieber flexing karate moves, he and Smith dancing, jerkin', and eating Twizzlers.[27] The scenes also show the two shadowboxing, as footage from the film shows Smith performing an "array of fight moves."[28] Near the end of the clip features Bieber giving a roundhouse kick.[29]

The music video was posted at 22:11 UTC on May 27, 2010,[30] and released to the public four days later.[31]

The actual 'film' within the music video is directly taken from the footage of

Wall Street Journal Online and E! Online noted the low-production value of the clip.[12][26] Kyle Anderson of MTV News commended Bieber's latest "attention-grabbing video," and jokingly stated, "As a video that features fighting, it's a pretty strong entry, and it joins the list of great fight-centric videos below."[28] An Idolator writer said that they were impressed with Smith's moves, and Bieber's "spinning roundhouse."[11] A writer for Tiger Beat said, "The video is SO cute–we love when Justin and Jaden get silly at the end!"[15]

Bieber performed the song on June 4, 2011, on the

Usher, Miley Cyrus, Ludacris, and Boyz II Men, to film scenes for his upcoming 3D concert film.[34]

To promote his remix album, My Worlds Acoustic as well as draw interest for the upcoming film, Bieber shot a music video for the song.[35] The video premiered during Game 3 of the 2010 World Series. In the video, Bieber stands on a baseball diamond and dons apparel from both teams in the Series, wearing a San Francisco Giants hat and Texas Rangers jacket[35] Scenes in which Bieber sings on the diamond is intercut with players hitting the ball and hanging in the dugout, as well as Bieber playing a guitar.[35] In an interview, Bieber said that the video was inspired by his love for sports.[36]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] 3× Platinum 210,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] Diamond 250,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[50] Platinum 80,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[51] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[52] Gold 7,500*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[53] Platinum 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[55] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Radio and release history

References

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  2. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
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  11. ^ a b "Justin Bieber's Kung Fu Is Strong In "Never Say Never" With Karate Kid Jaden Smith". Idolator. Buzzmedia Publishers. June 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
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  51. ^ "Danish single certifications – Justin Bieber – Never Say Never". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
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  55. ^ "American single certifications – Justin Bieber – Never Say Never". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
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External links

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