B-side "Anything Can Happen" Format CD single, 12" single Genre Rap | Released May 27, 1997 Recorded 1996 Length 3:11 | |
"We Trying to Stay Alive" is the first single released from Wyclef Jean's debut solo album, The Carnival. The song features raps by John Forté and Pras (of The Fugees) and samples the 1977 Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive" and Audio Two's "Top Billin'" (1987). It entered the UK Singles Chart at #13, its highest chart position, and went on to spend five weeks on the chart. The song was also moderately successful in the USA, where it reached #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Additionally, it reached #3 in the Hot Rap Singles chart and #14 in the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. The track reached #87 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of all time.
Contents
Reception
While the sampling of the Bee Gees hit "Stayin' Alive" was green lighted by the Bee Gee's management, the final song was not warmly received by the Bee Gees themselves. "I have to say I do not like anyone sampling our voices." Barry Gibb told MTV News in regards to the song. "Don't like it. Don't approve of it. Don't like it."
Music video
The official music video for the song was directed by Roman Coppola.
Track listing
- "We Trying To Stay Alive" (LP Version)
- "We Trying To Stay Alive" (Instrumental)
- "Anything Can Happen" (LP Version)
- "Anything Can Happen" (Instrumental)
- "We Trying To Stay Alive" (LP Version)
- "We Trying To Stay Alive" (Salaam Remi Remix)
- "Imagino" (Creole Version)
- "Flavor From The Carnival" (LP Snippets)