The Time (Dirty Bit)

Story of Song

This song’s chorus of ‘I’ve had the time of my life’ was originally from the theme to the 1987 film ‘Dirty Dancing.’ The theme song was performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. In an interview with Billboard Magazine, will.i.am said: “If ‘I Gotta Feelin’ was about someone who went out and said ‘I have a feeling tonight’s gonna be a good night,’ what would that person say when they came back from that party? They’re probably going to tell you, ‘Wow, I had the time of my life,’ and that’s what ‘The Time’ is. The Beginning’ is about taking ownership of your life and not waiting for someone to give you the answers but to go out and search for those answers yourself. We’re saying, ‘Don’t let the negativity rule you.’ Sometimes going out and celebrating is a departure. It’s a manifestation of your desire to live a happy life. Some people will say, ‘What the fuck am I celebrating? I ain’t got no job. I just got laid off. I got to pay for my mortgage. So what the hell is there to celebrate, Mr. Will.i.am?’ Well, you’re celebrating the fact that you’re alive and that you have a mind and that you know right from wrong. But you have to change your frequency. You have to change your outlook. You’re never going to achieve anything positive if you’re trapped in the negative. So what you’re going out and celebrating is that one day that will change, and that’s the beginning.”

Singer Fergie explained the song further: “The song is a celebration of this amazing time in our lives. We’ve been on tour all over the world, and looking out at stadiums full of people who came out to see us, that’s as big as it gets. After the shows, we go out to the clubs and meet the fans; those are moments that we have to remember. You never know what’s going to happen, so you want to make the best of every day.”

Release date

Released November 5, 2010

Songwriter/s

Crystal Johnson – Mikkel S. Eriksen – Tor Erik Hermansen – Sandy Wilhelm

Label

Interscope

Chart Rankings

In the UK, the song topped the Official Charts Company and the UK Dance charts. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified it Platinum for sales over 600.000 copies. In the US, it peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached number 5 on the US Dance Club Songs. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it Triple Platinum for sales over 3.37 million copies. ‘The Time’ was a hit around the world, topping the charts in over 17 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, and Switzerland. The single was certified Triple Platinum in Australia and Sweden; in Germany and Switzerland, it was certified Double Platinum. In Belgium, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain, it was certified Platinum.

Artist’s age on release date

The Black Eyed Peas had been active for 18 years when they released this song.

Cover Versions

Various amateur artists have covered this song on Youtube.