Back Then

For the German film, see Back Then (film).

"Back Then" is a song released from Houston-based rapper, Mike Jones. The track is the second single from his debut album Who Is Mike Jones?. The single was released in February 2005 and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving him his first and only top 40 hit on that chart as a solo artist. It also gave him success on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts at number 6 and 15 respectively. A music video by Dr. Teeth was made for the single that featured Jones' life before fame, getting dissed by every women he met to get attention from and giving them the same treatment now that he's a successful rapper.

Song information

The song deals with the popularity and sexual attention rappers receive because of their money, contrasts, and the way Jones was treated before achieving success. The song is sometimes seen as a critique of effects of fame; conversely, it is often considered to present a misogynistic or chauvinistic attitude toward women. The following line, which is repeated many times during the song, sums up the general attitude of the lyrics: "Back then hoes didn't want me / Now I'm hot hoes all on me." Written by Daunte Moore, who died before the song was released.

Commercial performance

The single became Jones' most successful single to date, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, performing better than his last single "Still Tippin'" which only peaked at number 60. The single became a success on both the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts where it peaked at numbers 6 and 15 respectively, while becoming a moderate hit on the Pop 100 chart where it peaked at number 45. The song was also a moderate success on the Hot Digital Songs chart, where it peaked at number 26 and eventually went Platinum, becoming Jones' second platinum single.

Music video

Directed by Dr. Teeth (who directed most of Mike Jones' videos), the video looks at Mike Jones's life before he was famous, getting shut down by every woman he met and tried to get attention from, and how he reacts to those same women who passed him up only for them to be given the same treatment they gave to him. The video is bookended with a club concert that has fans saying his catchphrase, "Who? Mike Jones!"

Track listing

UK 12"

1. "Back Then" (Radio Version) – 4:05
2. "Back Then" (Instrumental) – 4:05
3. "Back Then" (Album Version) – 4:04

US 12"

1. "Back Then" (Radio Version) – 4:05
2. "Back Then" (Instrumental) – 4:05
3. "Back Then" (Album Version) – 4:04

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2005)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100	22
US Digital Songs (Billboard)	26
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	15
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)	6
US Pop 100 (Billboard)	45
US Rhythmic (Billboard)	11

Year-end charts

Chart (2005)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100	92
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)	75

Certifications

Region	Certification	Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	1,000,000
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone