Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)

Background and release

According to Jackson, she phoned American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, asking for permission to use samples of her song "You're So Vain", but Simon wanted to re-record her vocals. She agreed, with Simon wanting to write new lines. Jackson's producer Jimmy Jam sent her the tracks they were already working on, and she went into a studio on Martha's Vineyard to record some material. She rapped, initially thinking that Jackson and the producers would not use it, but they decided to marry both tracks, as the singers thought it "worked perfectly", and it became a duet. Simon expressed that Jackson "could not have been sweeter or more appreciative".

"Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" generated media speculation of who exactly the man described in the song was. Many journalists believed the song was about Jackson's ex-husband René Elizondo, Jr. Jackson responded: "Everybody says that. Actually, that song's about a few people, not one person in particular. Everyone likes to [say], 'Ah, I know that's about Rene.' It's about a few people that have entered and exited my life." Simon created a similar controversy when she released "You're So Vain". It was speculated to be about Warren Beatty or Mick Jagger, both of which she denied.

In 2000, Jackson called American rapper Missy Elliott to reveal that she loved her work. She asked the rapper to work with her on a remix of the song "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)". Elliott then wrote and rapped for the remix, and became the third single from All for You on December 11, 2001.

Composition

"Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" is an R&B and hip hop song which features a "rap poem" from Simon and samples her song "You're So Vain". Its composition excoriates an unfaithful lover for attempting to extort money, described as a "mean-spirited duet that rails against enemies." Jackson unveils anger and deceit, saying "Thought you'd get the money too / Greedy motherfuckers try to have their cake and eat it too". She also offers a comeuppance to a "baby gigolo" who hollers at "everything that walks / No substance, just small talk." Simon also cited the claims of sampled song "You're So Vain" to be written about Mick Jagger, singing "The apricot scarf was worn by Nick / Nothing in the words refer to Mick". In response to critics regarding it about her divorce, Jackson explained it was directed towards several people, while Jimmy Jam revealed it to be written in regards to music executives and lawyers.

Critical reception

Both the album and remix versions of "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" received mixed reviews from music critics. While reviewing All for You, Dan Aquilante from New York Post commented that the track would be remembered as one of the highlights from the album. Michael Paoletta from Billboard magazine called the song a "clever sister-to-sister" song. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide called the duet between Jackson and Simon "harsh", and found Simon's rap "silly". John Mulvey of Yahoo! Music referred to it as "bizarre", and criticized Simon's rap, classifying it as "incompetent". AllMusic's contributor Stephen Thomas Erlewine also was one of the reviewers who were unsatisfied with rapping by Simon. Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine considered the song the album's biggest misstep. He likened it to a car wreck: "impossible not to be horrified yet strangely intrigued", and called Simon's spoken-word verses "embarrassing".

Chuck Taylor from Billboard reviewed the remix version of "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" and considered it "more of a breakdown than anything we might regard as a standard composition, but the ingredients somehow make musical gumbo". Contactmusic.com criticized the number of guests on the single version, but said it created a "soulful and very catchy version", and noted that its "Grover Washington style sax break and the kind of infectious percussion vibe that Masters at Work are so adept at making".

Chart performance

"Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" debuted at number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100, before reaching a peak of number 28. This peak became her lowest since 1983, when "Come Give Your Love to Me" reached number 58. Since the release of Control in 1986, every single released by the singer had peaked within the top 10, with the exception of "The Pleasure Principle". The song additionally reached numbers 7, 20 and 26 on the Hot Dance Club Play, Mainstream Top 40 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs component charts, respectively. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 13, remaining for 10 weeks inside the chart. The song debuted at its peak of number 20 in Australia, and reached number 49 in New Zealand. In Europe, "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" failed to gain success. It peaked at number 69 in Germany, 54 in Romania, and 56 in Switzerland, although it achieved moderate success in Denmark, reaching the top 20.

Music video

The music video for "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" was directed by Francis Lawrence, with The Original Flyte Tyme Remix of the song being used. It was filmed at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. In the video, Jackson is stalking a man (played by Jerell Scott) in an abandoned hotel. She summons Elliott and a legion of zombies, including one that was created from a toilet. Jackson is also seen eating a spider, smashing jugs of water with a baseball bat, and taunting the man using telekinetic powers. Simon does not appear in the music video. A video for the P. Diddy Remix also was released, and uses the same footage of The Original Flyte Tyme Remix, with P. Diddy appearing in some parts.

The video was nominated for "Best Cinematography" at the MVPA Awards in 2002. It was also placed as the seventh best music video of 2001 by Slant Magazine, who said "it's been a while since we've seen the reigning Jackson crank up a little attitude. It's her own mini-'Thriller', if you will". The video was included on the 2004 video compilation From Janet to Damita Jo: The Videos. In 2002, American singer Britney Spears referenced and was inspired by "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" music video in her "Overprotected (Darkchild Remix)" video. It is seen in scenes of Spears walking down the hotel lobby and while in the elevator. Both videos also use the same hotel setting.

Live performance

"Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" was performed by Jackson during the All for You Tour in 2001 and 2002. Gina Vivinetto from St. Petersburg Times, while reviewing the concert, noted that fans cheered with the performance. The February 16, 2002 final date of the tour at the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, was broadcast by HBO, and had an appearance by Elliott on the performance of the song. This rendition was also added to the setlist at its DVD release, Janet: Live in Hawaii, in 2002.

Personnel