First Class (song) explained

First Class
Type:single
Artist:Jack Harlow
Album:Come Home the Kids Miss You
Genre:Hip hop[1]
Length:2:53
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Nail Tech
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:Backstage Passes
Next Year:2022

"First Class" is a song by American rapper Jack Harlow, released through Atlantic Records and Generation Now as the second single from Harlow's second album Come Home the Kids Miss You on April 8, 2022.[2] The song was produced by Rogét Chahayed, BabeTruth, Charlie Handsome, Jasper Harris and Nickie Jon Pabón, and heavily samples the 2006 Fergie song "Glamorous", which features Ludacris and was produced by Polow da Don. The song went viral on TikTok before its release.[3]

"First Class" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Harlow's second song (and first solo song) to top the chart, after his collaboration with Lil Nas X on "Industry Baby" in 2021. It was also his first to debut atop the chart. The song also entered atop the charts in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, peaked at number two in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, South Africa, Switzerland and the UK, and within the top ten in Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Background

Harlow posted a snippet of the track on his social media accounts on April 1, 2022, captioning it in part "How 'bout this one next?"[4] The snippet went viral on TikTok, with users responding to the song's "summery vibes",[5] with the clips featuring the song gaining a total of 28.8 million views before its official release.[6]

Composition

The song sees Harlow rapping about his "journey to success" and also "spelling out what's in store for his traveling companion" over a soft piano melody, which leads into Harlow sampling the chorus of Fergie's 2006 song "Glamorous".[7] [5] The track also contains a reference to Euphoria actor Angus Cloud.[8]

Music video

The video clip was not made available along with the release of Come Home the Kids Miss You, at midnight on May 6, 2022. Parts of the video are in black and white and it features a cameo appearance from Brazilian singer Anitta.[9]

Live performances

On May 15, Harlow performed "First Class" at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. On June 26, Harlow performed "First Class" at the 2022 BET Awards alongside Brandy, who released a freestyle to the song's instrumental a month earlier.[10] On August 28, Harlow performed "First Class" at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, with Fergie joining him to perform "Glamorous", which Harlow sampled for "First Class".[11]

Commercial performance

"First Class" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the year's first hip hop song to reach the top. It earned the biggest streaming week of 2022 at the time, and the biggest opening week since Drake's "Way 2 Sexy" featuring Future and Young Thug in September 2021.[12] The song spent three non-consecutive weeks at number one and also reached number one on the Radio Songs chart where it led for 4 consecutive weeks, becoming his first leader there.[13] With three weeks atop the Hot 100, it is the longest running number one rap song in 2022.[14] The song also peaked at number one on the Hot Rap Songs chart, as his second leader.[15] The song ultimately peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, making it the highest charting rap song of 2022[16] and at number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs year-end chart.[17]

"First Class" debuted atop the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, becoming Harlow's first number one in the country.[18] It also debuted at number one in New Zealand, making it Harlow's first solo number one and second overall chart-topping song after the Lil Nas X collaboration "Industry Baby".[19] "First Class" also debuted at number one on the Canadian Hot 100, making it Harlow's first number-one song on the chart. The song debuted and peaked at number two in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, South Africa,[20] and also debuted within the top ten in Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. "First Class" debuted at number two on the UK Singles chart and spent 5 consecutive weeks there, blocked from the top by Harry Styles "As It Was". It spent 9 weeks in the top ten.[21]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Brazil (Pop Internacional)[22] 4
Bulgaria International (PROPHON)[23] 6
Croatia (Billboard)[24] 14
Denmark (Tracklisten)[25] 6
France (SNEP)[26] 47
Greece International (IFPI)[27] 2
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[28] 7
India International Singles (IMI)[29] 15
Italy (FIMI)[30] 48
Lebanon (OLT20)[31] 8
Lithuania (AGATA)[32] 2
Luxembourg (Billboard)[33] 2
Malaysia International (RIM)[34] 12
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[35] 18
Norway (VG-lista)[36] 7
Philippines (Billboard)[37] 24
Romania (Billboard)[38] 18
Singapore (RIAS)[39] 7
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[40] 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 8
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[42] 61

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)

! scope="col"

Position
Australia (ARIA)[43] 8
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[44] 50
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[45] 132
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[46] 159
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[47] 13
Denmark (Tracklisten)[48] 39
Germany (Official German Charts)[49] 49
Global 200 (Billboard)[50] 20
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[51] 98
Lithuania (AGATA)[52] 32
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[53] 8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 97
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 50
UK Singles (OCC)[56] 28
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 6
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[58] 1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 10
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[60] 2

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousApril 8, 2022
ItalyApril 11, 2022Contemporary hit radioWarner[61]
VariousApril 29, 2022CD singleAtlantic[62]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.npr.org/2022/05/20/1100109669/jack-harlow-wants-to-be-legendary-his-new-album-proves-hes-still-finding-his-voi
  2. Jack Harlow Lives in the Lap of Luxury in New Single, 'First Class': Listen. Billboard. Bowenbank. Starr. April 8, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  3. Web site: Jack Harlow's new single 'First Class' goes viral on TikTok ahead of release. NME. Richards. Will. April 6, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  4. Web site: Jack Harlow announces new single 'First Class' is coming this week. NME. Lavin. Will. April 4, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  5. Jack Harlow Makes Everything 'First Class' in New Song. Rolling Stone. Legaspi. Althea. April 8, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  6. Web site: Long before TikTok, Jack Harlow's Glamorous was a GTA classic. HITC. Leung. Yasmine. April 8, 2022. April 10, 2022. April 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220417074212/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/04/08/jack-harlow-glamorous/. dead.
  7. Web site: Listen to Jack Harlow's Fergie-sampling new single 'First Class'. NME. Qureshi. Arusa. April 8, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  8. Web site: Jack Harlow's Fergie-sampling "First Class" is here. The Fader. Renshaw. David. April 8, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  9. Web site: First Class: Anitta aparece no novo clipe de Jack Harlow. POPline. Nunes. Caian. pt. May 6, 2022. May 6, 2022.
  10. Brandy Takes Jack Harlow's 'First Class' to New Heights With Surprise BET Awards Performance. Rolling Stone. June 27, 2022.
  11. Fergie Makes 'Glamorous' Surprise Appearance At VMAs Joining Jack Harlow's 'First Class' Performance. Deadline Hollywood. September 1, 2022.
  12. Jack Harlow Flies 'First Class' to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. Trust. Gary. April 18, 2022. April 18, 2022.
  13. Trust . Gary . 2022-05-23 . Jack Harlow's 'First Class' Holds at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen Debut in Top 10 . 2022-05-25 . Billboard . en-US.
  14. Trust . Gary . 2022-05-23 . Jack Harlow's 'First Class' Holds at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen Debut in Top 10 . 2022-11-16 . Billboard . en-US.
  15. Trust . Gary . 2022-04-18 . Jack Harlow Flies 'First Class' to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 . 2022-11-16 . Billboard . en-US.
  16. tolsen . 2013-01-02 . Hot 100 Songs . 2022-12-04 . Billboard . en-US.
  17. 2013-01-02 . Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . 2022-12-04 . Billboard . en-US.
  18. Web site: Jack Harlow 'First Class' debuts at #1 on the ARIA Singles Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 April 2022. 15 April 2022.
  19. Web site: Discography Jack Harlow. charts.nz. April 16, 2022.
  20. Web site: Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 15-2022. The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. April 21, 2022.
  21. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company . 2022-05-23 . www.officialcharts.com . en.
  22. Web site: Top 10 Pop Internacional: 27/06/2022 - 01/07/2022. 27 June 2022. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. pt-BR. https://web.archive.org/web/20220502031217/https://charts.crowley.com.br/tpopinternacional.html. 2 May 2022.
  23. News: PROPHON – Charts. PROPHON. September 10, 2022. August 5, 2022. bg.
  24. Jack Harlow Chart History (Croatia Songs). February 12, 2024. Billboard.
  25. Web site: Track Top-40 Uge 15, 2022. Hitlisten. April 20, 2022.
  26. Web site: Top Singles (Week 18, 2022). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. French. May 10, 2022.
  27. Web site: Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 15/2022. IFPI Greece. April 25, 2022. https://archive.today/20220425121536/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. April 25, 2022. dead.
  28. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. May 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418130647/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. April 18, 2022. dead.
  29. Web site: IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 11th April 2022 Week 17 of 52. IFPI. May 7, 2022. https://archive.today/20220502141615/https://imicharts.com/. May 2, 2022. dead.
  30. Web site: Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 19. Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. May 14, 2022.
  31. Web site: The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Jack Harlow Chart History . . June 15, 2022.
  32. Web site: 2022 15-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. April 15, 2022. April 15, 2022.
  33. Jack Harlow Chart History (Luxembourg Songs). February 12, 2024. Billboard.
  34. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 18 (29/04/2022-05/05/2022). RIM. May 14, 2022. May 14, 2022. Facebook.
  35. Jack Harlow Chart History (Mexico Airplay). Billboard. February 12, 2024.
  36. Web site: VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2022-16. VG-lista. April 22, 2022.
  37. Jack Harlow Chart History (Philippines Songs). Billboard. February 12, 2024.
  38. Jack Harlow Chart History (Romania Songs). February 12, 2024. Billboard.
  39. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 15. Recording Industry Association Singapore. https://web.archive.org/web/20220419105447/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. April 19, 2022.
  40. Web site: ČNS IFPI. IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202217 into search.. May 2, 2022.
  41. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 15. Sverigetopplistan. April 15, 2022.
  42. Jack Harlow Chart History (Vietnam Hot 100). February 12, 2024. Billboard.
  43. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles Chart for 2022. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 4, 2023.
  44. Web site: Ö3-Austria Top40 Single-Jahrescharts 2022. Ö3 Austria Top 40. 2 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230102170841/https://oe3.orf.at/charts/stories/3010525/. 2 January 2023.
  45. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. January 13, 2023.
  46. Web site: Rapports annuels 2022. Ultratop. fr. January 13, 2023.
  47. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  48. Web site: Track Top-100 2022. Hitlisten. February 1, 2023.
  49. Web site: Jahrescharts 2022. GfK Entertainment charts. de. December 16, 2022.
  50. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  51. Web site: Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2022. Mahasz. hu. February 4, 2023. February 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203171706/https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/stream_db/2022. live.
  52. Web site: 2022 metų klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. February 27, 2023.
  53. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2022. Recorded Music NZ. December 24, 2022. December 22, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221222222353/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5467. live.
  54. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2022. Sverigetopplistan. sv. January 15, 2023.
  55. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2022. hitparade.ch. December 27, 2022.
  56. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2022. officialcharts.com. January 3, 2023.
  57. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  58. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  59. Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  60. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  61. Web site: Jack Harlow 'First Class'. radiodate.it. Mompellio. Gabriel. April 11, 2022. April 18, 2022.
  62. Web site: Harlow . Jack . First Class . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425000926/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y28G8D1 . April 25, 2022 . April 25, 2022 . Amazon.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "First Class (song)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.