# Silly Ho

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1998 promotional single by TLC

"Silly Ho" Promotional single by TLC from the album FanMail A-side "No Scrubs" Released December 29, 1998 (1998-12-29) Recorded 1998 Genre Electro hip hop R&B-techno Length 4:15 Label LaFace Songwriter Dallas Austin Producer Cyptron

"**Silly Ho**" is a song recorded by American [girl group](/source/Girl_group) [TLC](/source/TLC_(group)) for their third [studio album](/source/Studio_album) *[FanMail](/source/FanMail)* (1999). The song was written and produced by TLC's long-time collaborator [Dallas Austin](/source/Dallas_Austin) under his [artificial intelligence](/source/Artificial_intelligence) [alter ego](/source/Alter_ego) pseudonym named Cyptron. Instead of [Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes](/source/Lisa_Lopes)'s vocals being on the song due to a busy schedule, Vic-E, the then temporary voice-based fourth member for the group's *FanMail* era, makes an appearance on the rap verse and provides ad-libs.

The song was sent to radio stations as a promotional single prior to the release of *FanMail* and reached number 21 on the *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs](/source/Hot_R%26B%2FHip-Hop_Songs) chart. The song also peaked at number 59 on the [Hot 100](/source/Hot_100). "Silly Ho" received mixed reviews from music critics, who complimented the track itself while criticizing its misleading [feminist](/source/Feminism) lyrics. It also featured on several compilation albums.

## Composition

"Silly Ho" is a [R&B](/source/Contemporary_R%26B)-[techno](/source/Techno)[1] song that built on a foundation of "annoying sonic" burrs and "cutesy chop-suey" [synths](/source/Synths).[2][3] The song along with "[I'm Good At Being Bad](/source/I'm_Good_At_Being_Bad)" were said to crank up the "raunch level" for the girls.[4] Two authors Kerry Mallan and Sharyn Pearce analyzed its content in their book *Youth Cultures: Texts, Images, and Identities*:

"[The song] describes the narrator as a woman who has never relied on her partner to buy her what she wants. Indeed the narrator describes how she bought her own rings, so overturning the conventional associations of rings with romance. Such a position of autonomy is compared with the sexual obligation incurred by the "silly ho" who will do whatever is required by her man."[5]

With the lyrics: ”I ain’t never been no silly bitch/Waiting to get rich/From a nigga [bank account](/source/Bank_account),” which David Browne from *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* points out they were talking about taking control of their own [finances](/source/Finances).[3] However, *[Complex](/source/Complex_(magazine))*'s Julianne Escobedo Shepherd said the track's message was one of total independence, "and not playing one's self out to sit at the feet of a dude."[2] *[Jet](/source/Jet_(magazine))* agreed, the publication noticed the song's similar message to "[No Scrubs](/source/No_Scrubs)", but more about "a kind of female who can't get her life together."[6] Vic-E then raps "You know you can't get with this.../ Stuck on silly shit/ Boy you know you need to quit" before declaring "[she's] *out*" on the [bridge](/source/Bridge_(song)) of the song.[2][7]

## Critical reception

The song was mostly compared to [Aaliyah](/source/Aaliyah)'s track "[Are You That Somebody?](/source/Are_You_That_Somebody%3F)".

David Browne from *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* said the song could be a [jingle](/source/Jingle) for "a hip-hop [investment firm](/source/Investment_company)."[3] [Kelefa Sanneh](/source/Kelefa_Sanneh) described it as, "a startling single, which I loved: a violent buzzing sound interrupted every few lines, as if the producer, Dallas Austin, were playing a prank".[8]

In a retrospective review by *[Complex](/source/Complex_Networks)*'s Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, she said Austin was doing his best [Timbaland](/source/Timbaland) imitation of [Aaliyah](/source/Aaliyah)'s "[Are You That Somebody?](/source/Are_You_That_Somebody%3F)" on the track.[2] *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*'s [Chuck Taylor](/source/Chuck_Taylor_(writer_and_editor)) also compared the two songs, questioning whether the song is a throwaway track to stir interest before knowing if they have made any true progress.[9][10] Ann Powers from *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*, however, criticized Austin's attempt at [girl power](/source/Girl_power) on the song as "misguided."[11]

Positively, [Robert Christgau](/source/Robert_Christgau) and *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*'s Nathan Rabin both chose the song as one of *Fanmail*'s best tracks.[12] Similarly, Jonathan Bernstein from *[Spin](/source/Spin_(magazine))* predicted the track to be a "future hit".[13]

## Release and commercial performance

The song was the first song and [promotional single](/source/Promotional_single) released off their album as a teaser for *FanMail*.[14][15] Both the song and "No Scrubs" have gotten "tremendous" [airplay](/source/Airplay).[6]

American musician [Girl Talk](/source/Girl_Talk_(musician)) took samples of the song for his [mash-up](/source/Mashup_(music)) track "All Eyes on Me" on the album *[Unstoppable](/source/Unstoppable_(Girl_Talk_album))* (2004). In 2016, Canadian producer Jåmvvis covers the song with a new jazz-influenced, sax-heavy, bass driven redition.

## Live performances

On June 22, 2013, TLC includes the track on their hits medley while performing at the [2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan](/source/2013_MTV_Video_Music_Awards_Japan), receiving the Legend Award.[16]

Silly Ho/Hat 2 Da Back/Kick Yo Game (Super Bowl Blitz '14)

## Formats and track listings

Promotional US CD[17] "Silly Ho" (Clean Version) – 4:15 "Silly Ho" (Instrumental) – 4:15 "Silly Ho" (Callout Research Hook) – 0:10 Promotional US 12" vinyl[18] "Silly Ho" (Clean Version) – 4:16 "Silly Ho" (Album Version) – 4:16 "Silly Ho" (Instrumental) – 4:16 "Silly Ho" (A cappella) – 4:16

## Charts

Chart (1999) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] 32 US Billboard Hot 100[20] 59 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 21 US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[22] 5

### Year-end charts

Chart (1999) Position US Rhythmic (Billboard)[23] 31

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Freydkin_1-0)** Freydkin, Donna (February 25, 1999). ["TLC's glam goddesses resurface with *Fan Mail*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071116171322/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9902/25/tlc/index.html?related). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. Archived from [the original](http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9902/25/tlc/index.html?related) on November 16, 2007. Retrieved November 28, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Shepherd_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Shepherd_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Shepherd_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Shepherd_2-3) Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (February 23, 2014). ["*FanMail* Turns 15: Looking Back At TLC's Most Prescient Album"](http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/tlc-fanmail-15-year-anniversary). *Complex*. [Complex Media Inc.](/source/Verizon_Hearst_Media_Partners) Retrieved November 27, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Browne_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Browne_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Browne_3-2) Browne, David (March 5, 1999). ["TLC - *Fanmail* review"](http://www.ew.com/article/1999/03/05/fan-mail). *Entertainment Weekly*. [Time Inc.](/source/Time_Inc.) Retrieved November 27, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DeCurtis_4-0)** DeCurtis, Anthony (May 1999). ["There The Hard Way"](https://books.google.com/books?id=tygEAAAAMBAJ&q=Silly%20Ho%20tlc&pg=PA84) (Google Books). *Vibe*. **7** (4). [SpinMedia](/source/SpinMedia): 84. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1070-4701](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1070-4701). Retrieved November 28, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MallanPearce_5-0)** [*Youth Cultures: Texts, Images, and Identities*](https://books.google.com/books?id=S-sw3qbIoFwC&q=silly%20ho%20tlc&pg=PA41) (Google Books). [Greenwood Publishing Group](/source/Greenwood_Publishing_Group). March 30, 2003. p. 41. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [027597409X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/027597409X). Retrieved December 1, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Jet_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Jet_6-1) ["TLC: Sexy trio back on top after bankruptcy"](https://books.google.com/books?id=ITsDAAAAMBAJ&q=Silly%20Ho&pg=PA62) (Google Books). *Jet*. **95** (19). [Johnson Publishing Company](/source/Johnson_Publishing_Company): 62. April 12, 2016. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0021-5996](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0021-5996). Retrieved November 30, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Zoladz_7-0)** Zoladz, Lindsay (May 4, 2012). ["Refresh: The Lonely Futurism of TLC's FanMail"](http://pitchfork.com/features/article/8827-tlc/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. [Condé Nast](/source/Cond%C3%A9_Nast). Retrieved November 28, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Sanneh, Kelefa](/source/Kelefa_Sanneh) (2021). *[Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres](/source/Major_Labels)*. Canongate. p. 143. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781838855932](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781838855932).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Billboard"](https://books.google.com/books?id=TQ0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Are+You+That+Somebody%3F+SILLY+HO+TLC+BILLBOARD&pg=PA19). 1999-01-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Billboard"](https://books.google.com/books?id=8g0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Silly+Ho+TLC+music+video&pg=PA25). 1999-03-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Powers_11-0)** Powers, Ann (March 18, 1999). ["TLC – *Fanmail* review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080709024301/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tlc/albums/album/249574/review/5946705/fanmail). *Rolling Stone*. [Wenner Media LLC](/source/Wenner_Media_LLC). Archived from [the original](https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tlc/albums/album/249574/review/5946705/fanmail) on July 9, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Christgau_12-0)** Christgau, Robert. ["TLC"](http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1592). Robert Christgau. Retrieved November 30, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bernstein_13-0)** Bernstein, Jonathan (March 1999). ["Three the hard *way*"](https://books.google.com/books?id=3R7GZ8ghL8wC&q=Silly%20Ho%20TLC&pg=PA52) (Google Books). *Spin*. **15** (3). SpinMedia: 52. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0886-3032](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0886-3032). Retrieved December 1, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hay_14-0)** Hay, Carla (February 5, 2000). ["Backstreets, Cher, TLC among those up for Record of the Year"](https://books.google.com/books?id=1A0EAAAAMBAJ&q=Silly%20Ho%20TLC&pg=PA20) (Google Books). *Billboard*. Vol. 112, no. 6. [Prometheus Global Media](/source/Prometheus_Global_Media). p. 20. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0006-2510](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0006-2510). Retrieved December 1, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Billboard"](https://books.google.com/books?id=AQ4EAAAAMBAJ&q=Silly+Ho&pg=PA79). 1999-02-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Lansky_16-0)** Lansky, Sam (June 25, 2013). ["TLC Perform Hits Medley & Accept Legend Award At MTV International VMAs: Watch"](http://www.idolator.com/7466399/tlc-mtv-international-vmas-legend-award). *[Idolator](/source/Idolator_(website))*. Hive Media. Retrieved December 4, 2016.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-USCD_17-0)** ["TLC — Silly Ho (Promotional US CD)"](https://www.discogs.com/TLC-Silly-Ho/release/3333501). *[Discogs](/source/Discogs)*. Retrieved November 28, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-US12_18-0)** ["TLC — Silly Ho (Promotional US 12" vinyl)"](https://www.discogs.com/TLC-Silly-Ho/release/328206). *Discogs*. Retrieved November 28, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["RPM 100 Hit Tracks – March 1, 1999"](http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume%2068-No.%2019-March%201,%201999.pdf) (PDF). *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. Vol. 68, no. 19. March 1, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hot100Chart_20-0)** "[TLC Chart History (Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/TLC/chart-history/HSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2013-01-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-R&BChart_21-0)** "[TLC Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/TLC/chart-history/BSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2013-01-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardrhythmic_TLC_22-0)** "[TLC Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/TLC/chart-history/TFC)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1999"](https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/1999/BBAM-1999-12-24.pdf) (PDF). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_Magazine)*. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53. Retrieved March 28, 2020.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

v t e TLC Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas Crystal Jones Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes Studio albums Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip CrazySexyCool FanMail 3D TLC Compilations Now & Forever: The Hits The Very Best of TLC: Crazy Sexy Hits 20 TLC 20: 20th Anniversary Hits Video releases CrazyVideoCool Singles "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" "Baby-Baby-Baby" "What About Your Friends" "Hat 2 da Back" "Creep" "Red Light Special" "Waterfalls" "Diggin' on You" "No Scrubs" "Unpretty" "Dear Lie" "Girl Talk" "Hands Up" "Damaged" "Come Get Some" "I Bet" "Haters" "Way Back" As featured artist "Crooked Smile" "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" "Let's Just Do It" "Voice of Love" "What's Going On (Dupri's R&B Mix)" "What It Ain't (Ghetto Enuff)" Other songs "Get It Up" "Kick Your Game" "I'm Good at Being Bad" "Silly Ho" Concert tours FanMail Tour The Main Event 2016–17 Tour I Love the 90s: The Party Continues Tour Celebration of CrazySexyCool Television R U the Girl CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story The Last Days of Left Eye Totally T-Boz What Chilli Wants Related articles Discography Awards and nominations "No Pigeons" Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Silly Ho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Ho) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silly_Ho?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.