{{Short description|2009 song performed by The Mae Shi}} {{featured article}} {{Infobox song | name = R U Professional | cover = | alt = | type = | artist = The Mae Shi | album = | EP = | written = | published = YouTube, MediaFire | released = {{Start date|2009|02|03}} | format = | recorded = {{Start date|2009|02|02}}, Los Angeles | studio = | venue = | genre = Electropop | length = {{Duration|m=2|s=53}} | label = | writer = The Mae Shi | composer = | lyricist = | producer = The Mae Shi | prev_title = | prev_year = | title = | next_title = | next_year = }} "'''R U Professional'''" is a 2009 satirical song by the American indie rock band The Mae Shi, inspired by a July 2008 outburst by actor Christian Bale on the set of ''Terminator Salvation''. Bale was filming with actress Bryce Dallas Howard when he berated director of photography, Shane Hurlbut, for walking into his line of sight. An audio recording of the incident appeared on website TMZ on February 2, 2009. The Mae Shi composed and recorded the song later in the same day, and released it the next day. The group stated that the piece was created to honor Bale. The song parodies Bale by sampling his voice from the 2008 diatribe. The chorus incorporates Bale's use of the word ''professional'' from his flare-up. The lyrics reference several films the actor starred in, including ''Newsies'', ''Swing Kids'', ''American Psycho'', and ''The Dark Knight''.

The song was made available on YouTube and via download on MediaFire the next day. "R U Professional" received a generally positive reception, and was praised as an effective parody of Bale's on-set disturbance. MTV compared its style to new wave groups like Devo. The ''Los Angeles Times'' described it as a lively pop music tribute to the actor. ''USA Today'' categorized the song as fun dance music and called it creatively motivated. ''The Toronto Sun'' wrote positively of its creative lyrics and use of audio from the Bale oration. ''El País'' classed the piece as an electropop song that contributed to the viral spread of the Bale rant online. ''Dose'' placed the song within the genre of an electro jam session. Publications including ''The A.V. Club'' and Pitchfork Media were impressed with the group's ability to compose and release the song twenty-four hours after the audio of the incident appeared online. The ''Irish Independent'' wrote that they thought the group may have used a melody they already had and adapted it for the song to release it so quickly.

==Background== [[File:Christian Bale - 002.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Christian Bale in July 2008|alt=Profile shot of a man looking down and to his right. He has a goatee and stubble, and is wearing a black dress shirt with collar and a black blazer.]]

In July 2008, actor Christian Bale was immersed in shooting a scene for the film ''Terminator Salvation'' in New Mexico.<ref name="bryant">{{cite news | last =Bryant |first=Adam | title =Christian Bale's Verbal Attack Draws Today's Attention | work =TV Guide | date =February 3, 2009|access-date=September 30, 2015|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/christian-bale-today-1002384/|archive-date=September 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930162848/http://www.tvguide.com/news/christian-bale-today-1002384/}}</ref><ref name="afp" /> While performing with actress Bryce Dallas Howard, Bale shouted at the film's director of photography, Shane Hurlbut, for walking into his line of sight.<ref name="bryant"/><ref name="foxnews">{{cite news | title =Christian Bale's F-Word-Laced Verbal Tirade Caught on Tape | work =Fox News | date =February 3, 2009 | url =https://www.foxnews.com/story/christian-bales-f-word-laced-verbal-tirade-caught-on-tape | access-date = February 4, 2009| url-status =live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514041332/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/02/03/christian-bale-f-word-laced-verbal-tirade-caught-on-tape|archive-date=May 14, 2013}}</ref> Hurlbut responded calmly, apologized to Bale, and continued shooting for seven hours after the incident.<ref name="foxnews" /><ref name="msnbc" /><ref name="bostonherald">{{cite news | last =Inside Track | title =Outburst reveals Christian Bale's 'Dark' side | work =Boston Herald | date =February 4, 2009 }}</ref>

An audio recording of the incident appeared on the website TMZ on February 2, 2009.<ref name="bryant" /><ref name="afp">{{cite news | title =Holy expletive! Bale caught in on-set meltdown | work =Agence France-Presse | date =February 3, 2009 | url =https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jaJT1WIl1cyzmCr1nW2LZxdGRZGw | access-date =February 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224154712/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jaJT1WIl1cyzmCr1nW2LZxdGRZGw|archive-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref> During the four-minute audio recording, Bale can be heard shouting and swearing at Hurlbut and threatening to quit the film if Hurlbut did it again and was not fired.<ref name="afp" /><ref name="foxnews" /> Prior to releasing the audio on the internet, TMZ had reported on the incident on their website in July 2008.<ref name="sweeney">{{cite news|last=Sweeney |first=Fionnuala |title=Bale's on set rant goes viral: TMZ's Mike Walters explains how they got the tape of Christian Bale's outburst on the set of 'Terminator Salvation.' |agency=CNN |date=February 5, 2009 |url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2009/02/04/intv.walters.tmz.on.bale.cnn?iref=videosearch |access-date=February 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019151428/http://www.cnn.com/video/ |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> TMZ reported that film executives for ''Terminator Salvation'' had sent a copy of the audio recording to the film's insurance company in case Bale quit the film.<ref name="foxnews" /><ref name="msnbc">{{cite news | last =Access Hollywood | author-link =Access Hollywood | title =Christian Bale's profane tirade caught on tape: Actor berates director of photography who walked on set during filming | agency=Today.com |date =February 3, 2009 | url =http://today.Today.com.msn.com/id/28984085/ | access-date =February 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220123037/http://www.today.com/id/28984085/|archive-date=December 20, 2013 }}</ref>

In a statement to Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM on February 6, 2009, Bale said he had behaved inappropriately, and that he and Hurlbut had talked after the incident and fully resolved the issue. Bale acknowledged that the two worked together for several hours after the incident, and for a month afterwards as well. He noted that he had viewed a draft version of the film and praised the cinematography work done by Hurlbut.<ref name="bbcnews20090206">{{cite news | title =Actor Bale speaks out over rant: Film star Christian Bale has called a US radio station to apologise for a tirade which was leaked onto the internet, calling it 'inexcusable' | work =BBC News | date =February 6, 2009 | url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7875756.stm | access-date = February 6, 2009| url-status =live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217172357/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7875756.stm|archive-date=February 17, 2009}}</ref>

==Inspiration and composition== {{multiple image | footer = The Mae Shi performing at Summer Sundae in Leicester, England (August 2008) | width = 250

| image1 = TheMaeShiSSW2008.jpg | alt1 = The Mae Shi band members performing on stage

| image2 = TheMaeShiSSW2008 2.jpg | alt2 = The Mae Shi band members performing on stage }} The Mae Shi explained the group's inspiration to write the song in a statement.<ref name="jasongregory" /><ref name="kirby" /> The group felt Bale's outburst was irrational and was motivated to write a piece about it.<ref name="jasongregory" /><ref name="kirby" /> The Mae Shi emphasized in their statement that this was not a traditional song associated with their group's normal work, but rather a homage to Bale.<ref name="jasongregory">{{cite news | last =Gregory | first = Jason | title =Christian Bale Terminator Rant Turned Into A Tribute Song By The Mae Shi... | work =Gigwise | date =February 4, 2009 | url =http://www.gigwise.com/news/49156/Christian-Bale-Terminator-Rant-Turned-Into-A-Tribute-Song | access-date = February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207050951/http://gigwise.com/news/49156/Christian-Bale-Terminator-Rant-Turned-Into-A-Tribute-Song|archive-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref><ref name="kirby">{{cite news | last =Kirby | first =Terry | title =Bale's furious rant becomes instant electro-dance hit | work =Evening Standard | agency=Associated Newspapers Limited | date =February 4, 2009 | url =http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23634363-details/Bale%27s+furious+rant+becomes+instant+electro-dance+hit/article.do | access-date = February 7, 2009|archive-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019194428/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/bales-furious-rant-becomes-instant-electrodance-hit-6880073.html}}</ref>

The Mae Shi drummer Brad Breeck commented in an interview that the band decided to make a song about the incident late in the evening of February 2, 2009.<ref name="lore" /> Breeck noted that they listened to the audio of the Bale diatribe and put together their tribute piece within a span of two hours before putting it online.<ref name="lore" /> Jacob Cooper, another drummer in the band, commented to ''The Arizona Daily Star'' that he was surprised how popular their piece became when they had devoted relatively little time to composing and recording it.<ref name="kevinwsmith" />

The lyrics of the song include references to films Bale appeared in including ''Newsies'',<ref name="matheson" /> ''Swing Kids'',<ref name="collins" /> ''American Psycho'',<ref name="reynolds" /> and ''The Dark Knight''.<ref name="unabronca" /> The song begins with the phrase, "He is the Dark Knight, he is professional."<ref name="unabronca">{{cite news| last = OTR/PRESS News Agency| title = Una bronca de Christian Bale aprovechada como letra para una canción | work = ABC newspaper | date =May 2, 2009 | url = http://www.abc.es/20090205/gente-celebrities/bronca-christian-bale-aprovechada-200902050852.html | access-date = June 6, 2010 |language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208112606/http://abc.es/20090205/gente-celebrities/bronca-christian-bale-aprovechada-200902050852.html|archive-date=February 8, 2009}}</ref> The piece incorporates audio clips from the incident through the use of sampling.<ref name="collins" /><ref name="upi">{{cite news | title =Bale tirade becomes YouTube sensation | work =United Press International | date =February 3, 2009 | url =http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/02/03/Bale_tirade_becomes_YouTube_sensation/UPI-90221233694011/ | access-date =February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206125237/http://upi.com/Entertainment_News/2009/02/03/Bale_tirade_becomes_YouTube_sensation/UPI-90221233694011|archive-date=February 6, 2009}}</ref> The chorus of the song references Bale's use of the word ''professional'' in his altercation: "Oh, whoo wow / He is professional / But I think he's lost control".<ref name="kirby" /><ref name="kaufman" /> Lyrics include: "Swing Kid with a violent streak",<ref name="collins" /> "Step back, stay out of his light / Better not try to put up a fight / Newsies will get you tonight / 'Cause they're professional!",<ref name="matheson">{{cite news | last =Matheson | first =Whitney | title =Hot trend o' the week: Christian Bale remixes | work =Pop Candy; USA Today | date =February 3, 2009 | url =http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2009/02/hot-trend-o-the.html?csp=34 | access-date = February 7, 2009|archive-date=February 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221134522/http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2009/02/hot-trend-o-the.html?csp=34}}</ref> and "Don't look too deep in his eyes/he can't hide what's inside of his mind/and it might get a little bit ugly/and you might meet an American Psycho".<ref name="reynolds">{{cite news | last =Reynolds | first =Simon | title =Bale tantrum becomes web phenomenon | work=Digital Spy | date =February 4, 2009 | url =http://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a145639/bale-tantrum-becomes-web-phenomenon.html | access-date = February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809080303/http://www.digitalspy.com/celebrity/news/a145639/bale-tantrum-becomes-web-phenomenon.html|archive-date=August 9, 2011}}</ref>

==Release and reception== [[File:The Mae Shi at Detour.jpg|thumb|left|The Mae Shi performing at LA Weekly Detour Music Festival in Los Angeles (October 2008)|alt=The Mae Shi band members performing on stage]] "R U Professional" was made available on YouTube and MediaFire on February 3, 2009.<ref>{{cite news | last =Sciretta | first =Peter | title =LOL: The Christian Bale Fun Continues | work =/film | date =February 3, 2009 | url =http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/02/03/lol-the-christian-bale-fun-continues/ | access-date =February 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112161724/http://www.slashfilm.com/lol-the-christian-bale-fun-continues|archive-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref> The video description on YouTube by the group stated, "Song By The Mae Shi celebrating the life and work of Xtian Bale. Bale's performance as John Connor in the upcoming Terminator 4 'Redemption' Film will no doubt be one of the greatest of all time. He will win every Oscar for his performance, even the special effects and animation ones."<ref>{{cite news | title = Christian Bale Remixed | work = Pedestrian TV | date = February 3, 2009| url =http://www.pedestrian.tv/pop-culture/news/christian-bale-remixed-/2006.htm | access-date =June 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006150435/http://www.pedestrian.tv/pop-culture/news/christian-bale-remixed-/2006.htm|archive-date=October 6, 2011}}</ref> ''The Independent'' reported that the band would appear at a music festival, "The Fans Strike Back", and requested they perform "R U Professional".<ref>{{cite news| last = Harley | first =Kevin | title = Ten best gigs | work = The Independent | page = 5; Section: The Information | date = May 2, 2009 |location=London}}</ref>

Several media outlets attempted to place the work within a particular genre. MTV compared the song's style to the group Devo and new wave music.<ref name="kaufman">{{cite news | last =Kaufman | first =Gil | title =You Can Now Dance To The Sound Of Christian Bale's Fury | agency =MTV | date =February 3, 2009 | url =http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/02/03/you-can-now-dance-to-the-sound-of-christian-bales-fury/ | access-date =February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218223943/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/02/03/you-can-now-dance-to-the-sound-of-christian-bales-fury|archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> ''El País'' described the piece as an electropop song that contributed to the viral spread of the Christian Bale rant after its release on the Internet.<ref>{{cite news| title =El hombre o la máquina | work = El País | date =June 5, 2009 | url = http://www.elpais.com/articulo/portada/hombre/maquina/elppgl/20090605elptenpor_2/Tes| access-date =June 6, 2010 |language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014001521/http://elpais.com/diario/2009/06/05/tentaciones/1244226173_850215.html|archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref> ''Dose'' described it as an electro jam session which made adept use of sampling from the audio of Bale's rhetoric.<ref name="collins">{{cite news | last =Collins | first =Leah | title =The Best Thing I Ever Heard...This Week | work =Dose | agency=Canwest Interactive | date =February 6, 2009 | url =http://www.dose.ca/music/story.html?id=f627a31c-8075-4b4b-8a60-1fd6c26a403d | access-date =February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221214337/http://www.dose.ca/music/story.html?id=f627a31c-8075-4b4b-8a60-1fd6c26a403d|archive-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' called the piece a lively pop music tribute to the actor.<ref>{{cite news | last =Boucher | first =Geoff | title =Christian Bale, Robert Downey Jr., Kristen Bell and Skeletor, all in Everyday Hero headlines | work =Hero Complex; Los Angeles Times | date =February 4, 2009 | url =http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/02/robert-downey-j.html | access-date = February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506150628/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/uncategorized/robert-downey-j/|archive-date=May 6, 2014}}</ref> ''USA Today'' called the song fun dance music and creatively motivated.<ref name="matheson" /> ''The Toronto Sun'' praised its original lyrics and use of audio from the incident, and described the piece as a fusion of electro-pop styles and a good song for dancing.<ref>{{cite news| last = Sterdan | first = Darryl | title = Down Stream; 3 Picks. 3 Clicks. 3 Cool Online Tracks | work =The Toronto Sun | page = E16 | date =February 15, 2009 }}</ref> ''New Musical Express'' recommended the piece, and described it as electro-rock which astutely sampled Bale throughout the song.<ref>{{cite news | title =Christian Bale tirade&nbsp;– The Mae Shi record tribute song | work =New Musical Express | date = February 4, 2009 }}</ref> The ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'' described the piece as a form of new wave music which used the most spasmodic segments of the incident, and commented that the end product was comedic.<ref name="mattfernandes">{{cite news | last =Fernandes | first =Matt | title =The Mae Shi, playing Gargoyle Sat., remix Christian Bale rant | work =St. Louis Post-Dispatch | date =February 20, 2009 }}</ref> ''The Arizona Daily Star'' described the piece as a pop music dance song.<ref name="kevinwsmith">{{cite news|first=Kevin W.|last=Smith|title=Mae Shi turns Bale's tirade into dance song|date=March 12, 2009|work=The Arizona Daily Star|via=NewsBank|page=5}}</ref>

Multiple sources remarked upon the speed with which The Mae Shi were able to put the song together and release it. ''The A.V. Club'' highlighted the song among Internet memes inspired by the Bale melee, and wrote that though the piece was put together quickly it was quite entertaining and inventive.<ref>{{cite news | last =Koski | first =Genevieve | title ="Fucking Distracting!!": Your meme of the week | work =The A.V. Club | date =February 6, 2009 | url =https://www.avclub.com/fucking-distracting-your-meme-of-the-week-1798215693 | access-date = February 6, 2009| url-status =live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304052927/http://www.avclub.com/article/fucking-distracting-your-meme-of-the-week-23550|archive-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref> The ''Irish Independent'' was surprised at the speed multiple different satirical adaptations of the Bale commotion audio including "R U Professional" were put together.<ref name="marsden" /> The newspaper questioned whether the song was composed in one day, and speculated that the melody might have been written by the group previously and modified to use with audio from the Bale incident.<ref name="marsden">{{cite news | last = Marsden | first =Rhodri | title =Christian Bale: All the rage on the web&nbsp;– The first clip appeared within minutes&nbsp;– and a week on, Christian Bale's fury is inspiring Oscar-worthy satire. Rhodri Marsden follows the links | work =Irish Independent | date =February 9, 2009 | url =http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/christian-bale-all-the-rage-on-the-web-26512530.html|access-date=October 19, 2014}}</ref> ''Pitchfork Media'' was impressed that "R U Professional" was made in twenty-four hours.<ref name="richardson">{{cite news | last =Richardson | first =Mark | title =New Music: The Mae Shi ft. Christian Bale: "R U Professional" Stream | work =Pitchfork Media | date =February 3, 2009 | url =http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/148888-new-music-the-mae-shi-ft-christian-bale-r-u-professional-stream | access-date=February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090206080756/http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/download/148888-new-music-the-mae-shi-ft-christian-bale-r-u-professional-stream|archive-date=February 6, 2009}}</ref>

Various websites commented that the song was a unique way to pay tribute to Christian Bale and his body of work. ''Boing Boing'' called the song an amusing homage to Bale.<ref>{{cite news| last = Bledsoe | first = Derek | title =BB Video: The Mae Shi are "Professionals" | work = Boing Boing | date =March 17, 2009 | url =http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/17/bb-video-the-mae-shi.html | access-date =June 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322151310/http://www.boingboing.net/2009/03/17/bb-video-the-mae-shi.html|archive-date=March 22, 2009}}</ref> ''C7nema'' commented that the song was hilarious and dedicated to Bale's odd behavior.<ref>{{cite news | title = Salvar o futuro: a saga 'Terminator'&nbsp;– Parte IV | work = C7nema | language = pt | date =June 3, 2009 | url = http://www.c7nema.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1093&Itemid=33&limitstart=3| access-date =June 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622231830/http://www.c7nema.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1093&Itemid=33&limitstart=3|archive-date=June 22, 2009}}</ref> ''The Celebrity Cafe'' wrote that the piece was better than "Bale Out" by RevoLucian which also dealt with the incident.<ref>{{cite news | last =Hunt | first =Kristin | title =A Funny Thing Happened . . . | work =The Celebrity Cafe | date =February 11, 2009 | url =http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/24602.html | access-date = February 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221014055/http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/24602.html|archive-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> ''Chicagoist'' wrote that the song by The Mae Shi was their favorite of the Christian Bale remixes.<ref>{{cite news | title =Download: Batman Flips The F*#K Out | work =Chicagoist | date =February 4, 2009 | url =http://chicagoist.com/2009/02/04/download_batman_flips_the_fk_out.php | access-date = February 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210183809/http://chicagoist.com/2009/02/04/download_batman_flips_the_fk_out.php|archive-date=February 10, 2009}}</ref> ''Chico News & Review'' called the piece a caring accolade to Bale's on-set tirade.<ref name="lore">{{cite news | last =Lore | first =Mark | title =Agit-pop: The road-worn Mae Shi take on Batman and Miley Cyrus | work =Chico News & Review | date =March 26, 2009 | url =http://www.newsreview.com/chico/content?oid=932633 | access-date = March 28, 2009|archive-date=October 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019200423/http://www.newsreview.com/chico/agit-pop/content?oid=932633}}</ref>

==See also==

*List of Internet phenomena * "Ocean's Three and a Half", an episode of ''Family Guy'' which also dealt with the story

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|The Mae Shi}} *{{YouTube|7oFjz6JfACk|"R U Professional"}} account of The Mae Shi *{{cite web|url=https://themaeshi.blogspot.com/2009/02/mae-shi-ft-christian-bale-r-u.html |title=The Mae Shi {{bracket|ft. Christian Bale}}: 'R U Professional'&nbsp;– Song By The Mae Shi celebrating the life and work of Xtian Bale |work=The Mae Shi&nbsp;– We Do This All the Time |access-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830224321/http://themaeshi.blogspot.com/2009/02/mae-shi-ft-christian-bale-r-u.html |archive-date=August 30, 2011 |url-status=live |publisher=Blogger |date=February 3, 2009 }}

{{The Mae Shi}}

{{Portal bar|Arts|Comedy|Internet|Media|Music|United States}}

Category:2009 songs Category:American pop songs Category:Cultural depictions of actors Category:Electropop songs Category:Internet memes introduced in 2009 Category:Musical parodies Category:2000s viral videos Category:2009 YouTube videos Category:American satirical songs