Jackie Chan

The song "Jackie Chan" revolves around themes of youthful independence, materialism, and casual relationships in a modern party culture. The central narrative focuses on a young woman who initially rejects the idea of a serious relationship ('She say she's too young, don't want no man'). She prefers the freedom of spending time with her friends. However, her stance changes when the male protagonists, Preme and Post Malone, flaunt their wealth and extravagant lifestyle. The line 'I just ordered sushi from Japan' is a hyperbolic boast meant to impress her, suggesting that his financial status can offer her a level of excitement and luxury that she finds appealing. The title itself is a metaphor; 'wanna kick it, Jackie Chan' compares her newfound interest in hanging out to the energetic, dynamic action of the martial arts star, playfully suggesting she's ready for some action or fun. It’s a song about the transactional nature of some modern interactions, where grand gestures and a lavish lifestyle are used to attract a partner who is otherwise uninterested in commitment.

The narrative unfolds around a young woman who asserts her independence, claiming she is too young for a committed relationship and has no desire for a serious partner. Her plan is to simply call her friends and have a good time. The storyteller, portrayed by Post Malone and Preme, tries to capture her attention and impress her. He does this by boasting about his lavish lifestyle, exemplified by the line about ordering sushi directly from Japan, a grand gesture meant to showcase his wealth and ability to provide. This act of extravagance seemingly works, as the woman, initially resistant, now wants to 'kick it' with him, a slang term for hanging out and having fun. The phrase 'kick it, Jackie Chan' is a playful, metaphorical comparison of her energetic, perhaps defensive, and free-spirited nature to the famous martial artist's dynamic movements.

Throughout the song, this central theme is reinforced. The rappers describe a life of luxury and spontaneity, mentioning driving a drop-top car on South Beach and comparing the woman's appeal to that of Kelly Rowland. There's an acknowledgment that his background might make people think he's 'crazy,' a perception he partially confirms by admitting he's 'crazy' about her. The lyrics delve into the hedonistic atmosphere of parties and clubbing. The woman isn't looking for a husband; she just wants to enjoy the night, live in the moment, and indulge in the party scene. The recurring lines, 'She say she's too young, don't want no man / So she gon' call her friends, now that's a plan,' act as the song's central hook, constantly reminding the listener of her initial stance. However, the repeated follow-up, 'Now your bitch wanna kick it, Jackie Chan,' highlights the shift in her attitude after being impressed by the protagonist's displays of wealth and charm. The song captures a fleeting, fun-filled interaction driven by attraction and the allure of a high-flying, carefree lifestyle, where long-term commitment is off the table, and the focus is entirely on the thrill of the present moment.

"Jackie Chan" has an interesting origin, beginning as a different track before becoming the dance hit. The song was originally a hip-hop track by Canadian rapper Preme featuring Post Malone on his debut album, Light of Day, released on May 4, 2018. Dutch DJ Tiësto and Canadian DJ Dzeko heard this version and saw its potential for a crossover club anthem. According to Tiësto and Dzeko, the collaboration came together spontaneously. They were already friends with Post Malone, and after meeting Preme in Las Vegas, he showed them the vocals he and Post had been working on. They decided to rework the track, adding a new beat, a distinctive guitar riff, and a more upbeat, 'summery' vibe to create a dance-ready version. This new version, credited to Tiësto and Dzeko featuring Preme and Post Malone, was released as a single on May 18, 2018. The producers involved in this version were Tiësto, Dzeko, Preme, Wallis Lane, and Luis Raposo Torres. The song was later included on Tiësto's sixth studio album, The London Sessions (2020).

The lyrical structure of "Jackie Chan" relies on a simple, effective rhyme scheme, primarily using couplets (AABB) in its catchy chorus: 'man' rhymes with 'plan', and 'Japan' rhymes with 'Chan'. This straightforward structure makes the hook easy to remember and sing along to. The verses, delivered by Preme and Post Malone, employ a more varied but still accessible rap flow with a mix of perfect and near rhymes. The song's rhythm is built on a foundation of a 128 BPM (beats per minute) tempo, which is standard for house and dance-pop music, creating an energetic and danceable feel. The track is set in the key of D♯ Minor. The interplay between the rhythmic, melodic rapping of the verses and the steady, driving four-on-the-floor beat of the chorus is key to its crossover appeal, bridging the gap between hip-hop cadence and electronic dance energy.

"Jackie Chan" successfully merges hip-hop and electronic dance music, a popular crossover trend. The song's structure begins with a simple electric guitar intro before introducing Post Malone's vocals. This builds into a full dance beat with a four-on-the-floor rhythm typical of house music, combined with hip-hop verses from Preme. Tiësto and Dzeko infused the original hip-hop track with a 'summery energy' by adding strumming guitars and house vibes, transforming its mood. The vocal delivery from both Preme and Post Malone is melodic and heavily features autotune, a common characteristic in modern hip-hop and pop, which at times makes their voices sound similar. The production is polished and designed for mass appeal, creating what Billboard described as a 'summer-ready anthem' and a 'delightful slice of pop crossover'. The use of a catchy, repetitive chorus hook makes the song memorable and suited for radio play and clubs.

"Jackie Chan" achieved significant commercial success and became a major summer anthem following its release in 2018. The song performed well on international charts, peaking within the top ten in numerous countries including the UK, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. In the United States, it reached number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit number one on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart. Its success highlighted the continuing trend of collaboration between electronic music producers and hip-hop artists. The official music video, which features animated, Minecraft-style versions of the artists, garnered significant attention and millions of views. Directed by Jay Martin, the video's playful, video-game aesthetic contributed to the song's fun-loving image. The track received multiple Platinum and Gold certifications worldwide, solidifying its status as a global commercial hit.

The most prominent metaphor in the song is the reference to Jackie Chan. It's not about the actor himself, but rather uses his name as a verb phrase, 'to kick it, Jackie Chan.' This symbolizes a dynamic, energetic, and action-filled way of having fun and hanging out. It playfully equates the woman's sudden interest and desire to party with the high-kicking, fast-paced action associated with Chan's films. The line 'I just ordered sushi from Japan' is a form of hyperbole, a symbolic gesture of extreme wealth and the ability to fulfill any desire, no matter how extravagant. It represents the power of materialism to change someone's mind and attract them. The setting described, with 'drop top' cars on 'Collins South Beach,' symbolizes a carefree, luxurious, and hedonistic lifestyle that serves as the backdrop for the song's narrative of casual attraction.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's main hook: 'She say she's too young, don't want no man / So she gon' call her friends, now that's a plan / I just ordered sushi from Japan / Now your bitch wanna kick it, Jackie Chan.' This entire chorus is repeated multiple times, solidifying the song's central narrative and making it incredibly catchy. The repetition emphasizes the contrast between the woman's initial rejection of a relationship and her subsequent interest spurred by the protagonist's lavish gesture. The line 'Now your bitch wanna kick it, Jackie Chan' serves as the ultimate payoff and punchline of the chorus, recurring to signify the successful persuasion. Another recurring lyrical motif is the theme of living a fast, hedonistic lifestyle, with lines like 'bouncing like a yo-yo, Livin' life on fast-forward,' which reinforces the song's party atmosphere.