Caramel (City High song) explained

Caramel
Cover:	Caramel_City_High.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	City High featuring Eve
Album:	City High
Studio:	Trackhouse, Booga Basement (New Jersey, US) The Hit Factory (New York City)
Length:	3:32
Label:	Interscope Booga Basement
Producer:	Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis Ryan Toby Jee Eye Zee
Chronology:	City High
Prev Title:	What Would You Do?
Prev Year:	2001
Next Title:	City High Anthem
Next Year:	2002

"Caramel" is a song American hip hop trio City High, released as the second single from their self-titled debut album (2001). The single, released on September 11, 2001, features American rapper Eve. "Caramel" is the group's second-most-successful single, peaking at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart in January 2002. The track interpolates the song "Silent Treatment" by the Roots.

Music video

A music video was produced for the song that begins with the original version and transitions into the Trackmasters remix version. It begins with a shot of Ryan Toby and Robbie Pardlo on a computer that shows the words "Dream Girl 2001". It then cuts to a shot of Ortiz singing the first verse, and then the trio is dancing at a party as Ortiz sings. The video continues switching from Ortiz singing on a couch, the trio at the party, and Ortiz boxing Zab Judah. As the third verse, the first not sung by Ortiz, begins, it features the guys in a car. The video switches to Eve on a motorcycle and starting her rap. The video ends with Toby and Pardlo still in front of the computer, watching the video.

Track listings

US 12-inch single^[1]

A1. "Caramel" (LP version featuring Eve) – 3:47

A2. "Caramel" (LP version featuring Eve acappella) – 3:22

A3. "Caramel" (LP version instrumental) – 3:55

B1. "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) – 3:46

B2. "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint instrumental) – 3:46

B3. "Caramel" (LP version) – 3:55

UK CD single^[2]

"Caramel" (video version)
"Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint)
"Caramel" (LP version)
"Caramel" (Saqib remix)
"Caramel" (CD-ROM video featuring Eve)

UK 12-inch single^[3]

A1. "Caramel" (video version) – 3:33

A2. "Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) – 3:40

B1. "Caramel" (LP version) – 3:30

B2. "Caramel" (Saqib remix) – 4:31

European CD single^[4]

"Caramel" (LP version) – 3:34
Excerpts from City High – 8:49

Australian CD single^[5]

"Caramel" (LP version featuring Eve) – 3:34
"Caramel" (Trackmasters Joint) – 3:41
"Caramel" (Saqib remix) – 4:32
Excerpts from City High – 8:49
"Caramel" (video)

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the City High liner notes and the UK CD single.^[6] ^[2]

Studios

Recorded at Trackhouse Recording Studios and Booga Basement Studio (New Jersey, US)
Single version recorded at The Hit Factory (New York City)
Mixed and mastered at The Hit Factory (New York City)

Personnel

Ryan Toby – writing, production, vocal arrangement and production
Giscard Xavier – writing
Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis – writing (as Jerry Duplessis), production
Robby Pardlo – writing, production (single version)
Tarik Collins – writing (single version)
Leonard Hubbard – writing (single version)
Scott Storch – writing (single version)
Ahmir Thompson – writing (single version)
Eve – featured vocals
Jee Eye Zee – production
Andy Grassi – mixing, engineering
Joe Yannece – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001–2002)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[7]	50
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[8]	5
US Billboard Hot 100^[9]	18
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)^[10]	9
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[11]	12
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[12]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	134
UK Urban (Music Week)^[15]	30
US Billboard Hot 100^[16]	72
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)^[17]	88
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[18]	49
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[19]	34

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)
United States	September 11, 2001		^[20]
United States	November 13, 2001	Contemporary hit radio	^[21]
Australia	February 11, 2002	CD	^[22]
United Kingdom	March 4, 2002		^[23]

Notes and References

Caramel. City High. 2001. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 069497608-1.
Caramel. City High. 2002. UK CD single liner notes. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 497 674-2.
Caramel. City High. 2002. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 497 674-1.
Caramel. City High. 2002. European CD single liner notes. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 497 670-2.
Caramel. City High. 2002. Australian CD single liner notes. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 497 669-2.
City High. City High (album). City High. 2001. US CD liner notes. Interscope Records, Booga Basement. 0694908902.
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 20. 13. 18. March 23, 2002. November 6, 2020.
Web site: Tipparade-lijst van week 14, 2002. Dutch Top 40. February 3, 2023.
City High Chart History (Hot 100). Billboard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708235632/http://billboard.com/music/city-high/. July 8, 2018. June 27, 2023.
City High Chart History (Hot R&B Hip-Hop Songs). Billboard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415141322/https://www.billboard.com/music/City-High/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs. April 15, 2019. June 27, 2023.
City High Chart History (Mainstream Top 40). Billboard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415141332/https://www.billboard.com/music/City-High/chart-history/pop-songs. April 15, 2019. June 27, 2023.
City High Chart History (Rhythmic Songs). Billboard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20190423232512/https://www.billboard.com/music/City-High/chart-history/rhythmic-40. April 23, 2019. June 27, 2023.
Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2001. Airplay Monitor. 9. 51. 48. December 21, 2001.
Web site: UK Year-End Charts 2002. UKChartsPlus. March 3, 2021.
Top 40 Urban Tracks of 2002. Music Week. 32. January 18, 2003. August 4, 2023.
Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2002. Billboardtop100of.com. March 3, 2021.
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002. Billboard. subscription. March 3, 2021.
Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 12. December 20, 2002.
Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 22. December 20, 2002.
Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1418. 68, 77. September 7, 2001. April 26, 2021.
CHR/Pop: Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1427. 40. November 9, 2001. April 26, 2021.
Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th February 2002. ARIA. 25. February 11, 2002. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/Issue624.pdf. February 20, 2002. April 26, 2021.
New Releases – For Week Starting 4 March 2002: Singles. Music Week. 29. March 2, 2002. August 23, 2021.