"Let's Get It Started" is a song by American group the Black Eyed Peas. It is a clean version of the original "Let's Get Retarded" from their third studio album, Elephunk (2003). and the clean version was released as the fourth and final single from Elephunk on June 1, 2004, by A&M Records and Interscope Records; it also appears on a reissue of the album.

"Let's Get It Started" peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top ten in Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France and New Zealand. Critically acclaimed, it won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards (2005), and was also nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap Song. The song's accompanying music video features the group energetically performing in a nighttime Los Angeles setting.

"Let's Get It Started" was remixed for the Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album The E.N.D. (2009) as "Let's Get Re-Started"; it is included on its deluxe edition bonus disc. It was also featured on their remix album The E.N.D. Summer 2010 Canadian Invasion Tour: Remix Collection (2010). In early 2022,<!-- Probably between February 20 and February 24 based on social media posts, but proper sourcing might not be available for this specific claim --> "Let's Get Retarded" was replaced with "Let's Get It Started" on the track listing of Elephunk on all digital and streaming platforms; however, it is still available with the purchase of the full Let's Get It Started – EP release in the iTunes Store.

Background

The song grew out of a track from Busta Rhymes' old group Leaders of the New School. The track was from the album T.I.M.E.. The Arc of the United States successfully lobbied The Black Eyed Peas’ recording company to change the original title of the song from "Let's Get Retarded" to "Let's Get It Started."

Music video

The music video for "Let's Get It Started" takes place in a nighttime setting on a Los Angeles street. It features the Black Eyed Peas, particularly will.i.am, performing energetic dances while singing the song, while varying objects in the background (including a grand piano) smash against the ground in real time, slow and fast motion, and in reverse. The choruses feature the band on stage singing to a large crowd.

Track listings

  • Canadian and European CD single, Australian CD 1

:UK 12-inch single

  1. "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37
  2. "The Way U Make Me Feel" – 4:19
  3. "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38
  • UK CD single
  1. "Let's Get It Started" – 3:37
  2. "Let's Get Retarded" – 3:38
  3. "Bridging the Gaps" – 4:56
  4. "Let's Get It Started" (video)
  • German mini-CD single
  1. "Let's Get It Started"
  2. "The Way U Make Me Feel"
  • Australian CD2 and digital EP
  1. "Let's Get It Started"
  2. "The Way U Make Me Feel"
  3. "Bridging the Gaps"
  4. "Let's Get Retarded"

Personnel

The Black Eyed Peas

  • will.i.am – vocals, production, engineering
  • apl.de.ap – vocals
  • Taboo – vocals
  • Fergie – vocals

Additional musicians

  • George Pajon – guitar
  • Mike Fratantuno – bass
  • Terence Yoshiaki – drums
  • Dante Santiago – backing vocals
  • Noelle Scaggs – backing vocals (single version)
  • Keith Harris – additional drums (single version)
  • Tim "Izo" Orindgreff – saxophone, flute (single version)
  • Printz Board – trumpet (single version)

Production personnel

  • Ron Fair – executive production
  • Dylan Dresdow – additional vocal engineering
  • Tony Maserati – mixing
  • Brian Gardner – mastering
  • Lee Groves – programming (single version)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (single version)
  • Robert Haggett – assistant mixing (single version)
  • David Treahearn – assistant mixing (single version)

Charts

Weekly charts

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+

!scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

! scope="row"| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)

| 2

|-

!scope="row"| Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)

| 1

|-

! scope="row"| Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)

| 1

|-

! scope="row"| Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)

| 14

|-

|-

! scope="row"| Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)

| 6

|-

|-

! scope="row"| Eurochart Hot 100 (Billboard)

| 14

|-

|-

|-

! scope="row"| Greece (IFPI)

| 38

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

! scope="row"| Romania (Romanian Top 100)

| 20

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2020)

!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position

|-

|}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2024)

!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position

|-

! scope="row"| Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)

| 40

|}

Monthly charts

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+

!scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

|-

! scope="row"| Russia Airplay (TopHit)

| 72

|-

|}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2024)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

|-

! scope="row"| Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)

| 51

|}

Year-end charts

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+

!scope="col"|Chart (2004)

!scope="col"|Position

|-

!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)

|44

|-

!scope="row"|Australian Urban (ARIA)

|19

|-

!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)

|98

|-

!scope="row"|Brazil (Crowley)

|72

|-

!scope="row"|France (SNEP)

|63

|-

!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)

|35

|-

!scope="row"|Russia Airplay (TopHit)

|159

|-

!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)

|52

|-

!scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC)

|127

|-

!scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100

|88

|-

!scope="row"|US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)

|32

|-

!scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)

|23

|}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2005)

!scope="col"|Position

|-

!scope="row"|US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)

|79

|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!scope="col"|Chart (2024)

!scope="col"|Position

|-

!scope="row"|Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)

|113

|}

Certifications

Release history

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+

! scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format(s)

! scope="col"| Label(s)

! scope="col"|

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States

| June 1, 2004

| Digital download

| rowspan="2"|

|

|-

! scope="row"| Australia

| June 21, 2004

| CD

| Universal Music

|

|-

! scope="row"| United States

| June 22, 2004

| Digital download

|

|

|-

|-

! scope="row"| Australia

| rowspan="2"| June 28, 2004

| Maxi CD

| Universal Music

|

|-

! scope="row"| United Kingdom

|

| Polydor

|

|-

! scope="row"| Germany

| July 12, 2004

| Maxi CD

| Universal Music

|

|}

References