"Wild Wild West" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith from the 1999 steampunk Western comedy film Wild Wild West, in which he also starred. The song plays during the film's closing credits. The single includes parts of the chorus from Kool Moe Dee's song of the same name, and samples Stevie Wonder's 1976 hit song "I Wish". Kool Moe Dee re-performed the chorus for the song, and additional guest vocals are provided by Dru Hill. The album version of the song is introduced by a brief spoken-word interlude where Smith asks his infant son Jaden what song he should play next, interpreting Jaden's repeated non-verbal response as "Wild Wild West".
"Wild Wild West" was released on May 11, 1999, as a single from the film's soundtrack and as the lead single from Smith's second studio album, Willennium (1999). The song became a number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, and its extended music video, directed by Paul Hunter, features Wonder and several other celebrities as guest stars. The song was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000.
Music video Directed by Paul Hunter, the music video includes several dialog sequences featuring Smith, Kool Moe Dee, Dru Hill, and a guest appearance by Stevie Wonder, intercut with clips from the film, featuring the film's characters. Salma Hayek also appears as her character Rita Escobar in the video's dialog sequences, as does an actor resembling Kenneth Branagh and his character of Dr. Loveless. Latin pop star Enrique Iglesias also appeared in the video playing a prince. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star and tap dancer Alfonso Ribeiro appeared in the music video as one of the dancers. Other cameos include actor Larenz Tate, Shari Headley, singer/writer/producer Babyface, Sisqó, and rapper MC Lyte.
Track listings US CD and cassette single "Wild Wild West" – 4:05 "Y'all Know" – 3:57
Australian and Japanese CD single "Wild Wild West" – 4:05 "Wild Wild West" (radio version) – 3:29 "Wild Wild West" (a cappella) – 4:05 "Miami" (Miami mix) – 4:40 "Just the Two of Us" (Rodney Jerkins remix featuring Brian McKnight) – 4:14
European CD single "Wild Wild West" – 4:08 "Wild Wild West" (instrumental) – 4:08
UK CD1 "Wild Wild West" – 4:05 "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" – 3:48 "Big Willie Style" (featuring Left Eye) – 3:35
UK CD2 "Wild Wild West" – 4:05 "Miami" (Jason Nevins' Live on South Beach dub) – 5:10 "Chasing Forever" – 4:16
UK cassette single "Wild Wild West" – 4:05 "Big Willie Style" (featuring Left Eye) – 3:35
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1999)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan) 2Czech Republic (IFPI)28Denmark (IFPI)3Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)1Greece (IFPI) See LW column.5Honduras (Notimex)3Hungary (Mahasz)3Italy (Musica e dischi)5Italy Airplay (Music & Media)1Nicaragua (Notimex)4
Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionAustralia (ARIA)49Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)38Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)13Canada Top Singles (RPM)20Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)45Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)17France (SNEP)20Germany (Media Control)25Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)43Netherlands (Single Top 100)29New Zealand (RIANZ)42Romania (Romanian Top 100)7Spain (AFYVE) Click on Música grabada.14Sweden (Hitlistan)34Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)9UK Singles (OCC)32UK Airplay (Music Week)40US Billboard Hot 10033US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)61US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)14US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)38US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)27
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesMay 11, 1999May 24, 1999Urban radioUnited KingdomJune 28, 1999ColumbiaCanadaJuly 6, 1999CDUnited StatesCommercialJapanJuly 7, 1999CDSME
In popular culture The song is featured as a playable song in the music rhythm game Just Dance 4. If the song is completed on the Extreme Version with 5 stars, players receive the "New Sheriff in Town" achievement. OutsideXbox's Andy Farrant is known for having memorized the song and rapping portions of it during the Oxventure Dungeons & Dragons campaign quest Wild Wild Woods. The song has been featured as the intro to Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast since 2016. Wild Wild West is sampled in Neil Cicierega's mashup album Mouth Moods, specifically the song "Wow Wow". In the Abbott Elementary season 4 episode "Ringworm," the characters end a PTA meeting by line-dancing to "Wild Wild West."
References