Get Right
"Get Right" is a song by American singer Jennifer Lopez, released on January 3, 2005, as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Rebirth, through Epic Records.[1] The track was primarily written and produced by Rich Harrison, with co-writing credits to Usher Raymond and James Brown, and features background vocals by Y'Anna Crawley.[2] Blending contemporary R&B and dance-pop elements, it samples horn riffs reminiscent of funk influences, contributing to its energetic club-ready sound.[3] The song marked Lopez's return to music following a brief hiatus, showcasing a refreshed artistic direction after personal and professional challenges.[4] Commercially, "Get Right" achieved significant success, peaking at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it spent 17 weeks.[5] In the United Kingdom, it entered the Official Singles Chart at number 1, selling 52,000 copies in its first week and becoming one of Lopez's biggest hits there.[6] Internationally, it topped charts in Italy and reached the top 10 in several countries, including Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands.[7] Critics praised its infectious rhythm and Lopez's confident delivery, though some noted it as a solid but not groundbreaking follow-up to her earlier hits.[4] In June 2025, British DJ and producer Joel Corry released a reimagined version of "Get Right" featuring Lopez, updating the original with modern house production for contemporary dance floors.[8] This collaboration, issued via Epic Records, revitalized the track amid Lopez's ongoing career resurgence.[9]Background and development
Personal and career context
Following the release of her third studio album, This Is Me... Then, in November 2002, Jennifer Lopez took a two-year hiatus from music amid significant personal turmoil. This period was marked by her divorce from choreographer Cris Judd, filed in July 2002 after less than a year of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences, and the intense media scrutiny surrounding her high-profile relationship with actor Ben Affleck.[10] The relentless tabloid coverage of the so-called "Bennifer" romance, which began shortly after her separation from Judd, contributed to overwhelming pressure on her private life, ultimately leading to their breakup in January 2004. Lopez later reflected that the constant public examination exacerbated emotional strain, prompting a need for personal recovery that shifted her focus away from new music projects during this time.[11] In June 2004, Lopez married singer Marc Anthony in a private ceremony, an event that profoundly influenced her artistic direction and marked a turning point toward renewal. She described entering "phase two" of her life, feeling happier and more at peace, with the marriage serving as a catalyst for creative reinvigoration after years of relational instability. This personal stability allowed her to step back from select acting commitments, including rumors of potentially prioritizing music over film roles amid her evolving priorities.[12][13] By late 2004, Lopez announced her fourth studio album, Rebirth, as a deliberate fresh start, signaling her return to music with a renewed sense of self. Positioned as a comeback following the hiatus, the project emphasized empowerment and growth, with lead single "Get Right" released in January 2005 to encapsulate this theme of resurgence and artistic revival.[14]Writing and recording
The song "Get Right" began as an initial demo titled "Ride," created by producer Rich Harrison for Usher's 2004 album Confessions, though it was ultimately excluded from the final tracklist. The song was written by Rich Harrison, Usher Raymond, and James Brown. Harrison repurposed the unused track for Jennifer Lopez, adapting it into the version that appeared on her 2005 album Rebirth.[15][16] Harrison handled primary production duties, building the track around a prominent sample from "Soul Power 74" by Maceo & The Macks, which provided the signature horn-driven funk elements. The production emphasized layered brass instrumentation to evoke a club-ready energy, drawing from Harrison's signature go-go and R&B influences.[6] Cory Rooney served as co-producer alongside Harrison, contributing to the overall arrangement and vocal integration. Recording took place in 2004 at Night Flight Studios in Fort Washington, Maryland; The Poolhouse West in Encino, California; and The Poolhouse in Long Island, New York, among other studios used for the Rebirth sessions. Lopez laid down her lead vocals and ad-libs during these sessions, helping shape the track's empowering tone amid her return from a brief career hiatus.[17][18]Composition and lyrics
Musical structure
"Get Right" is classified as a dance-pop and contemporary R&B track incorporating jazz-funk influences through its prominent horn elements.[19][6] The song has a duration of 3:46 and is set in the key of C minor with a moderate tempo of 97 beats per minute.[20] It employs a conventional verse-chorus form, beginning with an intro, followed by two verses, a repeating chorus with post-chorus hooks, a bridge, a brief break, and an outro; the bridge highlights sharp horn stabs that punctuate the rhythm.[21] The composition centers on a direct sample from "Soul Power '74" by Maceo and the Macks, which delivers the core funky groove via its sax and horn riffs, enhanced by layered bass lines and percussion to drive the danceable pulse.[22][23] Jennifer Lopez's vocals feature layered harmonies and a rhythmic phrasing that aligns closely with the underlying beat, conveyed in a breathless yet confident style.[24][25]Themes and influences
"Get Right" centers on themes of female empowerment and self-assurance, with Lopez taking charge in a nightclub scenario to invite a hesitant admirer to embrace the moment and dance. The lyrics depict a journey from observation and mild frustration—"You lookin' just a little too hard at me / Standin' just a little too close to me / You sayin' 'Not quite in love' to me"—to bold invitation, culminating in the chorus's call to "get right" as a metaphor for alignment and release. This narrative arc symbolizes personal rebirth, aligning with the album Rebirth's overarching motif of renewal after Lopez's recent divorce and career setbacks, where she described undergoing "tons of rebirths."[21][26] Musically, the track draws from 1970s funk via its prominent sample of the horn riff from Maceo & The Macks' "Soul Power '74," fused with contemporary R&B grooves produced by Rich Harrison, evoking a confident, mature evolution in Lopez's sound. This stylistic choice underscores her intent to cultivate a more empowered image post-personal challenges, departing from earlier pop-oriented work toward a funk-infused sensuality that prioritizes liberation on the dance floor.[26][27]Release and promotion
Commercial release
"Get Right" was released on January 3, 2005, as the lead single from Jennifer Lopez's fourth studio album, Rebirth, through Epic Records.[28] The track marked Lopez's return to music following a three-year hiatus, positioning it as a cornerstone of her musical comeback.[12] Promotion for the single included television appearances to build anticipation, such as a joint interview on The View with co-star Jane Fonda, linking the release to Lopez's acting return in the film Monster-in-Law.[29] Lopez also performed the song on programs like MTV's Total Request Live and Germany's Wetten, dass..?, emphasizing its dance-oriented appeal.[30][31] Additionally, a sneak peek of the music video aired on MTV during New Year's Eve 2004, generating early buzz ahead of the full premiere.[28] To broaden its reach, remix versions were issued, including the hip-hop remix featuring Fabolous for urban audiences and club mixes by Louie Vega to encourage play in dance settings.[32] These efforts underscored Epic Records' strategy to reestablish Lopez across pop and R&B formats.[33]Formats and track listings
"Get Right" was released in multiple physical and digital formats, primarily as a CD single and 12-inch vinyl, with variations across regions including the UK, US, and Europe. The standard CD single featured the album version alongside a hip-hop remix with Fabolous, while enhanced editions included additional remixes and video content. International releases often incorporated B-sides from Lopez's earlier catalog or exclusive mixes to appeal to local markets.CD Singles
The UK CD1 edition, released by Epic Records, contained two tracks focusing on the core single versions.[34]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Get Right" (Album Version) | 3:47 |
| 2 | "Get Right" (Album Version featuring Fabolous) | 3:47 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Get Right" (Album Version) | 3:47 |
| 2 | "Love Don't Cost a Thing" (RJ Schoolyard Mix featuring Fat Joe) | 4:19 |
| 3 | "If You Had My Love" (Dark Child Remix Radio Edit) | 4:00 |
| 4 | "Get Right" (Instrumental) | 3:47 |
| 5 | "Get Right" (Video) | 4:00 |
12-Inch Vinyl
The US promotional 12-inch vinyl (Epic 49 71896) highlighted extended club mixes, including a hip-hop version featuring Fabolous and productions by Louie Vega, catering to DJs and dance markets.[33]| Side | No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | "Get Right" (Album Version featuring Fabolous) | 3:47 |
| A | 2 | "Get Right" (Pop Mix featuring Fabolous) (Remix – Cory Rooney) | 3:47 |
| A | 3 | "Get Right" (Louie Vega Radio Edit) (Remix – Louie Vega) | 3:28 |
| B | 1 | "Get Right" (Louie Vega Club Mix) (Remix – Louie Vega) | 5:55 |
| B | 2 | "Get Right" (Louie Vega Roots Dub) (Remix – Louie Vega) | 6:05 |
| B | 3 | "Get Right" (Louie Vega Instrumental Mix) (Remix – Louie Vega) | 4:00 |
| Side | No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | "Get Right" (Album Version featuring Fabolous) | 3:47 |
| A | 2 | "Get Right" (Instrumental) | 3:47 |
| B | 1 | "Get Right" (Album Version) | 3:47 |
| B | 2 | "Feelin' So Good" (Album Version) | 5:30 |
Digital Download
The initial digital release in 2005 consisted of the original album version as a standalone download via platforms like iTunes. Subsequent reissues and remix EPs added instrumental and a cappella versions, though official a cappella tracks were limited to promotional or isolated vocal stems in select bundles. European digital maxi-singles incorporated additional content, such as the Dark Child remix.[1]Release dates
"Get Right" was first released in the United States on January 3, 2005, as a digital download and to radio stations. The single's physical release in the United Kingdom followed on February 28, 2005, marking its entry into the European market. In continental Europe, the CD single became available on March 7, 2005.[36] Australia saw the single's release on February 11, 2005, expanding its reach in the Asia-Pacific region.[37] Digital availability in Japan arrived in April 2005. Later, in 2006, the single saw further digital expansions worldwide on iTunes, including bonus remixes to capitalize on ongoing promotional efforts.Critical response
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in early 2005 as the lead single from Jennifer Lopez's album Rebirth, "Get Right" received mixed critical reception, with praise for its production but criticism of Lopez's vocal performance. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine described the track as sample-heavy with an "obnoxious Maceo Parker horn loop," arguing that Lopez's "nasally delivery" underscored her unsuitability for R&B and hip-hop.[38] Entertainment Weekly gave the album a C+ grade, noting that "Get Right" had "the makings of a good track" due to its squawking saxophone riff but faulted Lopez's over-processed singing, which made it sound as if she was using a vocoder.[39] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone rated the album 2 out of 5 stars, labeling it "formulaic" and dismissing Lopez as a "rinky-dink pop singer" in a broader critique of its lack of innovation.[40] Some outlets highlighted positives in the production; E! Online called "Get Right" the album's best song despite it being a leftover from Usher's Confessions sessions.[41] The album Rebirth, anchored by "Get Right," aggregated a Metacritic score of 52 out of 100 based on 9 reviews, reflecting generally mixed contemporary assessments.[41]Retrospective assessments
In the years following its release, "Get Right" has been reevaluated by critics as a pivotal track in Jennifer Lopez's discography, often cited for signaling a mature evolution in her sound and marking a successful career resurgence after a two-year hiatus. A 2020 retrospective from the Official Charts Company described the song as an "overlooked jewel" in her catalog, emphasizing its funky production—driven by irresistible jazz horns sampled from Maceo and the Macks' "Soul Power 74"—and its role in revitalizing Lopez's momentum post-This Is Me... Then.[6] The track's blend of R&B and funk elements has positioned it within discussions of early-2000s genre revivals, with later analyses noting how producer Rich Harrison's style influenced subsequent dance-oriented hits. Fan communities have sustained its popularity through online discourse. A June 2025 remix by British DJ Joel Corry featuring Lopez updated the track with modern house production, receiving initial media attention as a revitalization for dance floors, though formal critical reviews remain limited as of November 2025.[8]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Get Right" debuted at number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on January 22, 2005, marking Lopez's highest debut on the chart at that time.[42] The song climbed to its peak of number 12 on February 26, 2005, where it held for one week, before descending and spending a total of 17 weeks on the chart.[4] On the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, "Get Right" reached number 1 in April 2005, becoming Lopez's sixth leader on that tally.[43] In the United Kingdom, "Get Right" entered the Official Singles Chart at number 1 on February 26, 2005, displacing Nelly and Tim McGraw's "Over and Over" after its two-week reign.[6] It maintained the top position for one week and charted for a total of 17 weeks, marking Lopez's second number-one single in the territory following "Love Don't Cost a Thing" in 2001.[44] The single performed strongly across Europe and beyond, topping the charts in Italy and Ireland while entering the top ten in more than 30 countries worldwide.[45] Its international trajectory reflected the album Rebirth's lead single status, released amid Lopez's career resurgence in early 2005. Key weekly peaks included strong showings in major markets, as detailed below:| Country | Chart | Peak Position | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA Singles Chart | 3 | https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jennifer+Lopez&titel=Get+Right&cat=s |
| Germany | GfK Entertainment Singles Chart | 7 | https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche?song-titel-get+right&song-interpret-jennifer+lopez |
| France | SNEP Singles Chart | 2 | https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jennifer+Lopez&titel=Get+Right&cat=s |
| Italy | FIMI Singles Chart | 1 | https://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jennifer+Lopez&titel=Get+Right&cat=s |
| Ireland | IRMA Singles Chart | 1 | https://irish-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jennifer+Lopez&titel=Get+Right&cat=s |
Sales and certifications
"Get Right" achieved notable commercial success, earning certifications in several markets reflecting its strong physical and digital sales during the mid-2000s. In the United States, the single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2005 for sales of 500,000 units. In the United Kingdom, it received a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2024, denoting 600,000 units sold. The song also performed well in other regions, with Australia awarding it 2× Platinum status by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) as of 2023 for 140,000 units shipped. In France, it was certified Gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for 150,000 units. Globally, "Get Right" amassed over 2 million digital sales by 2010, including downloads and ringtones.[48] By November 2025, streaming equivalents had added over 500 million plays across platforms, further boosting its consumption metrics, with total equivalent units surpassing 2.5 million.[49] Updated certifications continued to recognize its enduring popularity, particularly through streaming. In Italy, the Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) awarded it Platinum status in 2020, accounting for both historical sales and modern streams equivalent to 50,000 units.| Country | Certification | Units Sold/Shipped | Certifying Body | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Gold | 500,000 | RIAA | 2005 |
| United Kingdom | Platinum | 600,000 | BPI | 2024 |
| Australia | 2× Platinum | 140,000 | ARIA | 2023 |
| France | Gold | 150,000 | SNEP | 2005 |
| Italy | Platinum | 50,000 (incl. streams) | FIMI | 2020 |