I'm Ready (AJR song)
AJR song sampling SpongeBob's catchphrase, charted in Australia and US.
"I'm Ready" is a track by the American indie pop group AJR. First issued as a standalone single on November 13, 2012, it was later re-released on August 22, 2013, under AJR Productions and Warner Bros. Records. The song incorporates a sample of SpongeBob SquarePants yelling his signature line, "I'm ready!" It appears on both the band's debut EP, *6foot1*, and their first album, *Living Room*.
The track achieved its strongest international success in Australia, where it climbed to number five and earned a multi-platinum certification. In the United States, it reached number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014 and was certified platinum the following year.
The sample comes from the premiere episode of *SpongeBob SquarePants*, "Help Wanted." AJR has said the idea came when they joked that producers like David Guetta or Skrillex might ironically sample the character; band member Ryan then suggested they do it themselves instead.
In media, the song was featured in the trailer and a TV spot for the 2015 film *Trainwreck*, as well as in the trailer for the 2021 *Rugrats* reboot. It also became closely tied to YouTuber and Sidemen member Tobi Brown (known online as TBJZL or Tobjizzle), who used its chorus in his video intros from 2013 to 2019. On October 14, 2019, Brown announced he could no longer use the song after Warner Music Group began issuing copyright claims on his videos, despite having the band’s permission and a prior whitelist.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- AJR
- Ep
- 6foot1 and the album Living Room
- Released
- 2012-11-13 (original) / 2013-08-22 (reissue)
- Recorded
- 2012
- Studio
- Harmony Hall, Columbia University
- Genre
- Electropop / teen pop
- Label
- AJR / Warner Bros.
- Writer
- Ryan Met / Jack Met / Adam Met
- Prev Title
- More Than Friends
- Next Title
- Woody Allen
- Next Year
- 2014
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The song employs a notable sample of SpongeBob SquarePants saying "I'm ready!" from the eponymous animated television series' premiere episode "Help Wanted". AJR explained that the inspiration for the song came when the band members were "talking one day and joked that David Guetta or Skrillex would sample SpongeBob kinda in like, an ironic way. Then Ryan said 'let's not give it away to them, why don't we do it!'"
The song charted best internationally in Australia, where it peaked at number five and was certified multi-platinum. It reached number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014, and was certified platinum in 2015.
The song played in the trailer and TV spot for the 2015 film Trainwreck, and in the trailer for the 2021 reboot of Rugrats. It is also often associated with YouTuber and Sidemen member Tobit "Tobi" Brown (known online as TBJZL or Tobjizzle) who used the chorus of the song in his introduction to his YouTube videos from 2013 to 2019. On October 14, 2019, Brown announced that he could no longer use the song in his intro after Warner Music Group (AJR's record label) started copyright claiming his YouTube videos, despite being whitelisted by the band and having their permission to use the song.
Reader's Guide
"I'm Ready" represents a notable intersection of internet culture and pop music, leveraging a sample from the widely recognized animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. Its commercial success, particularly in Australia where it reached number five and achieved multi-platinum certification, demonstrates the global reach of a novelty-inspired track. The song's use in trailers for major films and a television reboot, as well as its long association with YouTuber Tobi Brown, illustrates its crossover appeal beyond traditional radio. The copyright dispute that ended Brown's use of the song highlights the complexities of music licensing in the digital age, even when artists grant permission. The track remains a key early work for AJR, appearing on their debut EP and debut album, and its platinum certification in the United States underscores its enduring popularity.
Did You Know?
- The song samples SpongeBob SquarePants shouting his catchphrase "I'm ready!" from the episode "Help Wanted".
- It peaked at number five in Australia and was certified multi-platinum there.
- The song was used in the trailer for the 2015 film Trainwreck and the 2021 Rugrats reboot trailer.
- YouTuber Tobi Brown used the chorus in his video intros from 2013 to 2019 until Warner Music Group copyright claimed his videos.
More in Characters & Voices
Elsewhere in SpongeBob SquarePants
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced