Up Down (Do This All Day) (feat. B.o.B)

T-Pain , B.o.B

An electrifying, synth-driven club banger pulsing with hedonistic energy, painting a vivid picture of a wild, celebratory night out.

Song Information

Release Date January 1, 2014
Duration 03:51
Album Happy Hour: The Greatest Hits
Language EN
Popularity 80/100

Song Meaning

"Up Down (Do This All Day)" is an unapologetic strip club anthem that celebrates hedonism, extravagance, and the captivating power of female dancers. The song's meaning is centered on the experience of being in a club, mesmerized by a stripper's performance, and being more than willing to spend significant amounts of money for the entertainment. T-Pain, calling himself the 'strip club king,' sees this as a return to a familiar theme for him, a world where money, alcohol, and dancing converge into a high-energy celebration. The lyrics explicitly detail throwing money ('seen a nigga throw it'), admiring the dancer's body ('Booty goin' up, down'), and the carefree attitude towards spending ('I ain't got no problem spendin' all of my money'). The song portrays an environment where inhibitions are lowered, and the primary goal is to indulge in the moment. The repetitive, hypnotic chorus reinforces this singular focus on the dancer's movements and the narrator's sustained enjoyment. B.o.B.'s verse adds a layer of triumphant swagger, framing the lavish lifestyle as a victory over past doubters, where he can now 'laugh at the irony of it all.' Ultimately, the song is a direct and unfiltered ode to the strip club experience, glorifying the dancers' skills and the patron's role in fueling the party atmosphere.

Lyrics Analysis

The song chronicles a hedonistic and vibrant night at a strip club, narrated from the perspective of an enthusiastic patron, T-Pain, who is captivated by a dancer's performance. The narrative begins as the dancer is called to the stage, an event that immediately grabs the narrator's attention. He describes being mesmerized by her dancing, specifically the 'booty goin' up, down,' and expresses a complete willingness to spend all his money to witness this spectacle. The repeated phrase, 'I can do this all day like it ain't nuttin',' underscores his immense enjoyment and the seemingly endless energy of the party atmosphere.

The first verse paints a picture of a lavish and uninhibited party scene, with references to a 'black card' and a 'party in the back yard.' The focus remains on the dancer, described as 'tatted up, ass fat enough,' and as a 'bad bitch' who is fully aware of her allure and power. This confidence is a key element, as the narrator acknowledges her self-awareness repeatedly. The pre-chorus builds on this theme of extravagant spending, with the narrator claiming he'd blow his 'whole bank account' on her. He depicts a cycle of earning and spending, doing a show to 'bring some mo' in,' highlighting a lifestyle of high-energy work and even higher-energy play. His pockets are 'bigger than a Samoan,' a hyperbolic boast of his wealth. He is so engrossed in her performance, watching her 'booty hit the floor in slow motion,' and so intoxicated on Patrón, that he loses track of how he will get home.

The second verse continues to admire the dancer's physique, comparing her to a 'Snicker,' and notes that her performance is for him and his friends. It introduces a playful, provocative scenario where her friend, who doesn't even like girls, is persuaded by a 'stack' (a thousand dollars) to kiss her. This detail amplifies the theme of money's power to erase inhibitions within the club's transactional environment. The line 'She keep fucking around, I'll launch this missile' is a braggadocious metaphor for his sexual excitement and readiness to engage further.

B.o.B's verse adds another layer to the narrative, shifting the perspective slightly while maintaining the song's core themes. He echoes the admiration for the dancer and adds his own boasts about wealth and status. He presents a scene from a 'panoramic view from the 99th floor,' symbolizing his elevated success. He humorously refutes the idea that he paid for the dancer's assets, suggesting her appeal is natural, though he's clearly enjoying the fruits of his labor. His line, 'They was writing me off, now I arrive like a star / I just sit back and laugh at the irony of it all,' injects a note of triumph, celebrating his success in the face of past doubts. The song concludes by returning to the infectious chorus, cementing the central image of the dancer and the narrator's uninhibited joy and willingness to spend, creating a continuous loop of partying and pleasure.

History of Creation

"Up Down (Do This All Day)" was released on August 13, 2013, as the lead single from T-Pain's greatest hits compilation album, T-Pain Presents Happy Hour: The Greatest Hits (2014). Initially, the track was intended to be the first single from his unreleased fifth studio album, Stoicville: The Phoenix. The song was produced by the acclaimed West Coast producer DJ Mustard (Dijon McFarlane), with co-production by Mike Free. The production is characteristic of DJ Mustard's influential 'ratchet music' sound of the early 2010s, featuring a bouncy, synth-heavy beat, a heavy Roland 808 drum machine, and his signature producer tag, "Mustard on the beat, ho!". T-Pain mentioned that he listened to the beat for about three days before he 'forced' himself to write the lyrics, after which the song came together easily. The collaboration with B.o.B was a natural fit, as T-Pain had known him since before he became famous and felt he was the right person for the track, given their shared appreciation for strip clubs. The songwriters credited are T-Pain (Faheem Najm), B.o.B (Bobby Simmons), DJ Mustard (Dijon McFarlane), Mikely Adam, and James Michael Cohen. The official music video, directed by G Visuals, was released on November 19, 2013. It pays homage to early 1990s hip-hop videos and features cameos from artists like Tyrese.

Symbolism and Metaphors

While the song is largely direct, it uses some metaphors and symbolism to enhance its themes of wealth, power, and sexual energy.

  • 'Pockets bigger than a Samoan': This is a hyperbolic metaphor used by T-Pain to emphasize the vast amount of money he has, comparing the size of his pockets (and thus his wealth) to the large physical stature often associated with Samoan people.
  • 'I'll launch this missile': T-Pain uses this metaphor to describe his peak state of sexual arousal and readiness, equating his erection to a powerful, ready-to-launch weapon.
  • 'Black card': The mention of a black card is a direct symbol of extreme wealth and status. It's not just a credit card but an indicator of elite financial standing, reinforcing the narrator's ability to spend without limits.
  • B.o.B's '99th floor': The 'panoramic view from the 99th floor' symbolizes B.o.B's ascent to the pinnacle of success and fame. It represents a high-status perspective, looking down on the world, a clear metaphor for his career achievements. His line about laughing at the 'irony' of his success serves as a meta-commentary on his journey.

Emotional Background

The emotional atmosphere of "Up Down (Do This All Day)" is overwhelmingly positive, energetic, and celebratory. It exudes a sense of unrestrained joy and hedonistic pleasure. The bouncy, synth-driven beat from DJ Mustard immediately establishes an upbeat and danceable mood. T-Pain's Auto-Tuned vocals, delivered with charismatic enthusiasm, contribute to a fun, party-centric vibe. The lyrics, with their focus on admiration for the dancer, extravagant spending, and the thrill of the nightlife, create a landscape of pure indulgence and excitement. There are no moments of introspection or sadness; the emotional tone is consistently high-energy and carefree. B.o.B's verse adds a layer of swagger and triumph, but it remains within the celebratory context, expressing the joy of success rather than the struggle. The song is designed to be a feel-good anthem, capturing the electrifying feeling of being lost in the moment at a wild party.

Cultural Influence

"Up Down (Do This All Day)" was a significant commercial success and a quintessential club banger of its time. The song peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it reached number 43 on the main singles chart and was a notable hit on the UK's Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 7. The song solidified DJ Mustard's status as a go-to producer for hit records in the early 2010s and is often cited as a prime example of his influential 'ratchet music' sound that dominated hip-hop and R&B during that period. For T-Pain, the song marked a successful comeback, reaffirming his status as the 'strip club king' and his ability to create infectious, chart-relevant hits. The track has had enduring popularity, remaining a staple in clubs and on party playlists for years after its release. An official remix featuring Lil Boosie and Kid Ink was released in 2014, further extending its reach. The song's memorable hook and danceable beat have made it a popular sound on social media platforms like TikTok decades later.

Rhyme and Rhythm

The song's structure is built around a driving, up-tempo rhythm, with a BPM of around 97, perfect for its club-oriented purpose. The production by DJ Mustard provides a minimalist yet infectious beat that encourages dancing. The lyrical rhythm often follows a simple, conversational flow that rides on top of the beat. The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, employing many couplets and simple end rhymes to maintain a catchy and easy-to-follow structure. For example, in the first verse, 'yard' rhymes with 'card' and 'showin'' is paired with 'know it'. The pre-chorus uses a consistent AAAA rhyme scheme ('blow it', 'show then', 'mo' in', 'Samoan', 'go in'). This simplicity makes the lyrics highly memorable. The chorus's power lies less in its rhyme and more in its rhythmic repetition of the phrase 'up, down,' which mirrors the physical movement being described, creating a strong connection between the sound and the song's subject matter. This rhythmic emphasis makes the hook the central, most impactful element of the song.

Stylistic Techniques

"Up Down" is a showcase of T-Pain's and DJ Mustard's signature styles. Musically, the song is built on a quintessential DJ Mustard 'ratchet' beat, which is characterized by its up-tempo, club-oriented feel, minimalist synth melodies, prominent 808 bass, and syncopated hand claps. The producer's iconic tag, 'Mustard on the beat, ho!', voiced by YG, serves as an immediate sonic signature. Vocally, T-Pain employs his famous use of Auto-Tune, not as a subtle pitch correction tool, but as a distinct, synthesized vocal effect that had become his trademark, blending singing and rapping seamlessly. B.o.B provides a contrasting, more traditional rap flow, adding swagger and narrative depth with his verse. Lyrically, the song uses repetition and a simple, highly effective hook ('Booty goin' up, down') to create a memorable and infectious chorus, a common technique in club anthems designed for memorability and audience participation. The use of ad-libs and echoed phrases throughout the verses and chorus adds to the song's energetic and party-like atmosphere.

Emotions

excitement joy sensual triumph

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the song 'Up Down (Do This All Day)' by T-Pain about?

The song is an upbeat, celebratory anthem about the strip club experience. The lyrics describe the narrator's admiration for a dancer and his enthusiastic willingness to spend a lot of money watching her perform, embodying a hedonistic and carefree party atmosphere.

Who produced T-Pain's song 'Up Down'?

The track was produced by DJ Mustard, with co-production by Mike Free. The song is a classic example of DJ Mustard's signature 'ratchet' production style, which was highly influential in the early 2010s.

When was 'Up Down (Do This All Day)' released?

The song was officially released on August 13, 2013. It was the lead single from T-Pain's 2014 compilation album, 'T-Pain Presents Happy Hour: The Greatest Hits'.

What does the line 'Pockets bigger than a Samoan' mean?

This is a hyperbolic metaphor T-Pain uses to boast about his wealth. He is comparing the size of his pockets, filled with cash, to the typically large physical stature of Samoan people, creating a vivid image of being extremely rich.

Who is featured on T-Pain's 'Up Down (Do This All Day)'?

The song features a guest verse from fellow American rapper B.o.B. T-Pain noted that he and B.o.B have known each other for a long time and their shared enjoyment of strip clubs made him a perfect fit for the track.

What was the chart performance of 'Up Down (Do This All Day)'?

The song peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 43 on the UK Singles Chart. It was particularly successful on the UK's Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, where it reached a peak position of number 7.

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