I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)
by Jamie xx (featuring Young Thug & Popcaan)

Album: In Colour (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song features vocals from Atlanta rapper Young Thug and reggae artist Popcaan. Jamie Smith contacted both online.
  • The track incorporates a sample from New York a cappella soul group The Persuasions' 1971 track "Good Times," which Jamie xx found during a crate-digging mission in Detroit. Persuasions founder member Jimmy Hayes admitted to Billboard magazine he was surprised by the explicit lyrical content on Jamie xx's version. He recalled: "I had some people here, at my house. When I played it, they were listening to it, like 'Wow, that's cool - I like it!' And then one brother said 'Whoa!' I said, 'What did he just say then?' He said, 'He said what you thought he said.' I said, 'Wow... times have changed, man!'"
  • Jamie xx told Mojo the story of the song: "That came about when I was staying in Brooklyn for a couple of months while we were performing a residency at the Park Avenue Armoury. I remember I would be driving over the bridge listening to HOT 97 and Young Thug would be on the radio every five minutes and there wasn't a more perfect setting for it."
  • Directed by Rollo Jackson (Wilkinson's "Dirty Love," Chase & Status' "Blk & Blu"), the video was shot in Jamaica and New York. All three artists appear in the clip, with Jamie xx spinning discs for adoring audiences, while both Popcaan and Young Thug hang out on urban balconies.
  • Apple used the song in a TV ad for their iPhone 6.
  • The song plays in the premiere of the American teen series Euphoria during a scene when Zendaya's character, Rue, gets high at a house party.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."