We Ride (I See the Future)
"We Ride (I See the Future)" | ||||
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Single by Mary J. Blige | ||||
from the album Reflections (A Retrospective) | ||||
Released | November 5, 2006 | |||
Length | 4:04 | |||
Label | Geffen | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Cox | |||
Mary J. Blige singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"We Ride (I See the Future)" on YouTube |
"We Ride (I See the Future)" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Johntá Austin,
Selected as the album's lead single, "We Ride (I See the Future)" was released by Geffen Records to US radio in the first week of November 2006. Upon its release, it became a top ten hit in Italy and reached the top 20 in the Netherlands. In the United States, it peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A music video for the song, directed by Erik White, was filmed in New York City in early November 2006 and features Blige's then-huband, Kendu Isaacs.
Background
"We Ride (I See the Future)" was written by Blige,
The premise of the song is a celebration of her newfound happiness with then-husband and manager, Kendu Isaacs. The song contains the lyrics "from the day to the night we ride, I see the future, baby, you and I, better with time."[1] Cox stated "Mary's married, she's happy, in the best shape of her life, her voice is in the best shape of her life [...] people thought she was over, done, then she came through with The Breakthrough – "We Ride" celebrates all of that."[2]
Critical reception
Singersroom called "We Ride (I See the Future)" a "classic Mary J. Blige song that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits and get you moving. Whether you’re having a bad day or just need a little bit of inspiration, this song will remind you that you can ride through the storm and come out on the other side stronger than ever."[3] Less impressed, Neil Jones from musicOMH found that "We Ride (I See the Future)" suggests "that the Blige of today is rather sadly favouring the self-obsessed, complacent ballad over the sensual, quintessential soul/hip hop fusion that so defined her pioneering years. We can only hope that this is another passing phase in a career of devilish matriculations."[4] Similarly, Idolator follows the piano-driven template that made "No More Drama" so gripping. But she’s on the defensive right away, explaining why she’s decided to shed her anger – because she’s found a man, and he’s so great, that she sings about his putting a song in her heart. We hope, for her sake, that it’s a little bit less by-the-numbers than this one."[5]
Music video
An accompanying music video for "We Ride (I See the Future)" was shot in various locations throughout
Track listings
4:04 | ||||
2. | "Be Without You" (Moto Blanco Vocal Remix) |
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| 8:40 |
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3. | "We Ride (I See the Future)" (Instrumental) |
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| 4:03 |
Notes
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the Reflections (A Retrospective) liner notes.[1]
- Johnta Austin– writer
- Mary J. Blige – vocal arranger, writer
- Bryan-Michael Cox – producer, writer
- Kendrick "WyldCard" Dean– co-producer, writer
- Ron Fair – vocal arranger
- Tal Herzog – additional Pro Tools
- Kandu Isaacs – vocal recording
- Dave Pensado – mixing
- Sam Thomas – vocal tracking
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref |
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Various | November 5, 2006 | Geffen | [13] |
References
- ^ a b c d Blige, Mary J. (2006). Reflections (A Retrospective) (Compact Disc). Mary J. Blige. Geffen Records.
- ^ a b c d e f Reid, Shaheem (November 2, 2006). "Mary J.'s Greatest-Hits LP Brings Three New Songs, Brushes Off Rumors". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 13, 2023). "Mary J. Blige – We Ride". Singersroom.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Neil (December 4, 2006). "Mary J Blige – Reflections: A Retrospective". musicOMH. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Yet Another Leak Of The Day: Mary J. Blige Is Happy To Tell You She's Happy". Idolator. November 7, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "We Ride (I See The Future)". Discogs. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ "Mary J Blige – We Ride (I See the Future)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ "Mary J Blige – We Ride (I See the Future)". Top Digital Download. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "week 7 week 7 (17 februari 2007)" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan. Billboard Bits: Mary J. Blige, Saliva, iTunes Latino. Billboard. Published November 1, 2006.