Chow Down

"Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" is a song by American singer and drag queen Willam Belli, featuring Detox and Vicky Vox—known collectively as DWV (Detox-Willam-Vicky), a take on the American R&B trio SWV (Sisters with Voices). The song was released on March 18, 2012, following Willam's sudden elimination midway through the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. Upon its release, the song's music video went viral online.[1][2]

"Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)"
Single by Willam Belli featuring Detox and Vicky Vox
from the album The Wreckoning
ReleasedMarch 18, 2012
Songwriter(s)Willam Belli, Detox, Vicky Vox
Producer(s)Markaholic
Willam Belli singles chronology
"Trouble"
(2012)		 "Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)"
(2012)		 "The Vagina Song"
(2012)
Detox singles chronology
"Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)"
(2012)		 "Boy Is a Bottom"
(2013)
Music video
"Chow Down" on YouTube

Background and composition

"The message is this: If Jeffrey Dahmer wanted to endorse a slap-chop, it would be bad. No one would want his endorsement. Drag queens are not the target endorsement market for a chicken eatery."[1]

—Willam Belli talking about "Chow Down" to The Advocate

"Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" was written by Willam Belli, Detox, and Vicky Vox as a parody and social-commentary version of "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips.[1][3] The song was produced by Markaholic.[4] The bridge section features rapping by Detox, inspired by—and in tribute to—Lisa Left-Eye Lopes of TLC and her verses in their 1995 hit "Waterfalls".[5][6] The song was released as the second single from Willam's first studio album The Wreckoning. "Chow Down" addresses the 2012 Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy and the opening of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hollywood.[2][3]

Reception

Within three days of its release, the YouTube page for the music video had been viewed over 400,000 times.[7] The music video would eventually gain over 9 million views on Willam’s YouTube channel.

Hugh Merwin, writing for New York's Grub Street commented, "It's amazing how oddly and efficiently the drag queen trio in this video approach the notoriously anti-gay, foundational agenda of the Georgia-based fried chicken franchise Chick-fil-A in this video."[6]

Music video

The music video for "Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)" was directed by Michael Serrato.[3] Serrato is a writer for the Neil's Puppet Dreams, in which Willam has appeared.[8] RuPaul's Drag Race pit crew member Jason Carter appears in the music video.[9] In the music video, Willam dresses as Wilson Phillips member Chynna Phillips, Detox dresses as Wendy Wilson, while Vicky Vox appears as Carnie Wilson.[9] The music video's rap scene was filmed at the Electric Fountain in Beverly Hills.[5]

Upon release, the music video went viral online.[1][2]

Charts
Chart (2012) Peak
position
US Comedy Digital Songs (Billboard)[10] 12

References
  1. Kinser, Jeremy (20 March 2012). "EXCLUSIVE: Willam Belli on Drag Queens Eating at Chick-Fil-A". The Advocate. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  2. Soloman, Brian (20 March 2012). "Chick-fil-A Even If You're Gay? Three Drag Queens Lampoon Company In Music Video". Forbes. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  3. Lady Bunny (24 July 2012). "Willam Belli, RuPaul's Drag Race Star, Chats About Chick-fil-A and More". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  4. "markaholic music". Markaholic. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  5. "'Chow Down (At Chick-Fil-A),' Wilson Phillips Drag Spoof, Parodies Fast Food Chain's 'Anti-Gay' Controversy (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  6. Merwin, Hugh (20 March 2012). "New Video Declares 'Chow Down at Chick-fil-A, Even If You're Gay'". New York. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  7. Goyette, Braden (21 March 2012). "Drag queens protest Chick-fil-A with Wilson Phillips spoof". Daily News. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  8. "Joe Manganiello, Willam, Detox & David Burtka Appear In The Latest Webisode Of Neil's Puppet Dreams". Instinct. 8 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  9. Lynn, Logan (21 March 2012). "Willam Belli, RuPaul's Drag Race Rule Breaker: The Day After". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  10. Caulfield, Keith (6 March 2014). "RuPaul Nets Highest Charting Album Ever, Plus A 'Drag Race' Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
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