For Whom the Bell Tolls (J. Cole song)

For Whom the Bell Tolls is a song by American rapper J.Cole from his album 4 Your Eyez Only (2018). It was written by Cole; while its production was done by Elijah Scarlett and cole (co-producer). It contains an interpolation from "DIVINE", written by Aknostra and Tiad Hilm, as performed by Tiad Hilm.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Song by J. Cole
from the album 4 Your Eyez Only
ReleasedDecember 9, 2016
Recorded2016
GenreHip hop
Length2:08
Label
Songwriter(s)Jermaine Cole
Producer(s)
  • Elijah Scarlett
  • J. Cole

The song was recorded at the Sheltuh in North Carolina and Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Commercially, the song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 In the United States, it has topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, and reached the top 30 in 20 in other countries.

Background

The title of the song references 1940's novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway,[1] the novel tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American engaged in guerrilla warfare during the Spanish Civil War. He is assigned to blow up a bridge during an attack, the novel centers on the idea of death and suicide.[2] "For Whom the Bell Tolls" also features background vocals from Kay Foxx.[3]

Commercial performance

Upon its first week of release, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[4] and at number 13 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[5] Outside the United States, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" reached the top 30 in Canada, the top 20 in the United Kingdom.[6][7]

Charts
Chart (2016) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 30
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 82
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 23
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] 13

Personnel
  • J.Cole – lead vocals, additional production
  • Elijah Scarlett – Production
  • Juro “Mez” Davis – Recording Engineer
  • Kay Foxx – Background Vocals
  • Gosha Usov – Assistant Engineers
  • Beatriz Artola – Assistant Engineers
  • CharGaux – String Arrangement
  • Nico Segal – Horn Arrangement
  • Anthony Ware – Additional Horns
  • Theo Croker – Additional Horns
  • Nate Fox – Additional Musical Arrangement
  • Peter Cottontale – Additional Musical Arrangement

References
  1. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/j-cole/for-whom-the-bell-tolls
  2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolls-novel-by-Hemingway
  3. https://genius.com/J-cole-for-whom-the-bell-tolls-lyrics
  4. https://www.billboard.com/charts/the-billboard-hot-100/2016-12-31
  5. https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2016-12-31
  6. https://www.billboard.com/music/j-cole/chart-history/OCC
  7. https://www.billboard.com/music/j-cole/chart-history/CNS
  8. "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  9. "J Cole: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  10. "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  11. "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
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