You Dropped a Bomb on Me

"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" is a funk song performed by American R&B and funk band The Gap Band, released in August 1982 on producer Lonnie Simmons's label, Total Experience Records. In addition to the single release, it was featured on the band's sixth album, Gap Band IV (1982). 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. It reached No. 2 on the US Billboard R&B charts, No. 39 on the dance charts, and No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[3] 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.^[4] A long-standing rumor claimed that it 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.^[5] In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" No. 96 in their list of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".^[6]

"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)

Charts

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

In popular culture

• The song is featured in a Walmart Christmas holiday television commercial that started airing in October 2017.^[7]
• The song appeared in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, where it can be heard on fictional radio station Bounce FM.^[8]