You Dropped a Bomb on Me

"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" is a funk song performed by The Gap Band, released in 1982 on producer Lonnie Simmons's label, Total Experience Records. In addition to the single release, the song was featured on the band's 1982 album Gap Band IV.

"You Dropped a Bomb on Me"
A-side label of U.S. 12-inch vinyl release
Single by the Gap Band
from the album Gap Band IV
B-side	"Lonely Like Me" "Humpin'" (from The Gap Band III) "Early in the Morning" (Germany)
Released	August 1982
Recorded	1982
Genre	Synth-funk[1][2]
Length	4:05 (single version) 5:13 (12" single edit) 13:07 (special disco mix)
Label	Total Experience
Songwriter(s)	Lonnie Simmons, Rudy Taylor, Charlie Wilson
Producer(s)	Lonnie Simmons
The Gap Band singles chronology
"Early in the Morning" (1982) "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" (1982) "Outstanding" (1983)

Song information

The song prominently features a synthesizer that imitates the whistling sound of an aerial bomb being dropped. This is first heard once immediately before the first verse, and repeats throughout the song from the fourth chorus onward. The song also features timpani drum rolls.

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the song was one of those named on the 2001 Clear Channel memorandum of "lyrically questionable" songs.^[3]

A long-standing rumor claimed that the song was inspired by the Tulsa race massacre, during which bombs were dropped on black neighborhoods and businesses. Tulsa is the Gap Band's hometown. In 2021, 100 years after the massacre, Gap Band frontman Charlie Wilson denied any connection, although he did express appreciation that the rumor brought attention to the historical event.^[4]

Charts

It reached No. 2 on the Billboard R&B charts, No. 39 on the dance charts, and No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[5]

Chart (1982-1983)	Peak position
US Billboard Dance Club Songs	39
US Billboard Hot 100	31
US Billboard Hot Black Singles	2

In popular culture

• The song is featured in a Walmart Christmas holiday television commercial that started airing in October 2017.^[6]
• The song appeared in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, where it can be heard on fictional radio station Bounce FM.^[7]