"Lift Off" is a song by American rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z featuring the latter's wife, American singer Beyoncé. It was written by rappers, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, Bruno Mars, and Seal, while production was handled by West, Bhasker, and Mike Dean with Pharrell, Q-Tip, and Don Jazzy receiving co- and additional production credits. It was originally released on August 8, 2011 as a track from Jay-Z's and West's collaborative album Watch the Throne before being sent to urban contemporary radio on August 23, 2011. The song was rumored to be released as the lead single from the album containing additional vocals by Bruno Mars. However, Mars never appeared on the song.
"Lift Off" was written by Kanye West, Jay-Z, Jeff Bhasker, Mike Dean, Bruno Mars and Seal, while production was handled by West, Bhasker, Mike Dean, Pharrell, Q-Tip and Don Jazzy.[1] The song was recorded in Sydney, Australia.[1][2] In early May 2011, it was rumored that Bruno Mars recorded vocals for the song along with Beyoncé and it was reported that the song would be released as the lead single from the album.[3][4] However, Mars never appeared on the song and Beyoncé sang several lines during the chorus instead.[5][6] In February, 2011, Kanye West and Jay-Z held a party at the AMNH's Hayden Planetarium. During the party, "Lift Off" was one of the previewed songs. It was described as a "standout track" on the album by a writer for Vulture.[7]
"Lift Off" is a pop song mainly in 6 8 time, which features baroque strings and a chorus sung by Beyoncé, accompanied with synthesizers.[8][9][10] The song contains horns and martial drums as Beyoncé sings, "We gon' take it to the moon/ Take it to the stars."[11] Throughout the song West's vocals are enhanced by Auto-Tune in some places.[12] Seal provides backing vocals in the song, which according to Jon Caramanica of The New York Times were "impossible-to-notice".[2][13] In the song, Beyoncé sings about having "so many scars" and "taking this whole thing to the stars."[14] Jeff Weiss of The Hollywood Reporter found an "old NASA movie sample and Kanye showing off his tattoos and inflexible singing voice."[14] Simon Price of The Independent found neurofunk influences on "Lift Off".[15] The NASA sample is from the Apollo 11 launch as spoken by Jack King.[16][17] A writer of The Guardian compared the synthesizers in the song with the song "The Final Countdown" (1986) by Swedish rock band Europe.[18]
"Lift Off" was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on August 23, 2011.[19] According to several media, the song was very popular on Twitter and across the Internet, becoming a trending topic.[20][21]Billboard magazine claimed that Jay-Z suggested a music video for it could appear.[22]
Critical reception
Several critics praised Knowles' (left) vocals in the song, while Jay-Z's (center) and Kanye West's (right) were discussed in a less positive light.
"Lift Off" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Before the song was released, MTV News' Alvin Blanco heard a preview of the song and described it as "resounding... sounds like it was tailor-made to be performed in large stadiums."[23] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the song "is rescued by Beyoncé, who whips the chorus with a belt so powerful you'd think it insulted her mother."[8]Slant Magazine's Matthew Cole also praised the song writing, "'Lift Off' is a study in stylized blockbuster excess, with West's best fanfare since Encore eventually being drowned out by a simulated rocket launch that will sound awesome in your car stereo provided it doesn't cause your subwoofers to bust your windows."[24] Rob Harvilla of Spin found a "hook so ridiculous ('We gon take it to the moon / Take it to the stars!') that only Beyoncé could sell it."[25] Michaelangelo Matos of The Guardian praised the song calling it "bombastic".[18]Digital Spy's Robert Copsey put "Lift Off" on his list of "Tracks to download" from the album.[26]Evening Standard's John Aizlewood called the song "rocket-propelled".[27]Rolling Stone's Matthew Perpetua commented: "Beyoncé joins the boys for a synth-heavy banger that takes off like a rocket and eventually arrives at a spacey, blissful resolution. It all but demands a sci-fi music video featuring Beyoncé as a sexy astronaut."[28]
David Amidon of PopMatters praised the hook of the song but said that it contained Jay-Z's "most disturbingly maudlin delivery" since the song "Pray" from American Gangster (2007).[29] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard praised the song, calling it an "uptempo Watch the Throne highlight".[30] Another writer for Billboard, Erika Ramírez, wrote: "Although it feels misplaced in between tracks 1 and 3, the 'stadium status' track is one to look forward to in seeing performed on the WTT tour."[31] Jeff Weiss of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the song isn't "as Glee-ready as 'Empire State of Mind'."[14] Andy Hutchins writing for The Village Voice said that "'Lift Off' isn't a hit" by concluding "Beyonce dominates; Kanye sounds half-invested at best; and Jay's presence is limited to four bars, one a Dale Earnhardt reference."[32]IGN's Chad Grischow wrote "the song is actually the least compelling of the album, sounding far more interesting when the heavy bass thump finally strips away late for a great piano melody and bongo fuelled beat."[33] Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle said that Beyoncé's vocals were "confident" throughout the "grand, athletic and anthemic" song.[34]
The song also received some negative reviews. In his review of Watch the Throne, Andy Kellman of AllMusic wrote, "The lowest point is 'Lift Off', a bombastic mess; West's stillborn, sung vocal clashes against a triumphant hook from Beyoncé, while the behind-the-scenes cast... overcook a regal and rugged, yet ultimately muddled, production".[35] Jayson Rodriguez of XXL said that "'Lift Off' feels too airy on a project this heavy".[36]Chicago Tribune writer Greg Kot described Beyoncé's vocals as "disengaged".[37] Calling the song a "letdown", Tyrone S. Reid of Seattle Post-Intelligencer wrote that "even with Beyoncé supplying the hook, 'Lift Off' is dismal".[38]
Live performances
"Lift Off" was included in the set list of the Watch the Throne Tour (2011–12) by Jay-Z and Kanye West.[39][40] David Peisner of Spin magazine noted that the rappers didn't sing their lines during the performance, but ad-libbed over the backing track.[41]The Orange County Register's Ben Wener noted that the song was "annoyingly abbreviated: [it] barely registered a blip toward the end".[42] "Lift Off" was also part of the set list of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's co-headlining On the Run Tour (2014) where it was played as the tour's outro following the finale.[43] West performed the song for one of his "Sunday Service" concerts on March 10, 2019.[44] Beyoncé included the song as part of her setlist for the Renaissance World Tour in 2023.[45]
Chart performance
Before its release as a single, the song charted at number eighty one on the Australian Singles Chart for the week of August 15, 2011,[46] and peaked at number one on the South Korea Gaon International Chart.[47] "Lift Off" became the forty third best-selling single in South Korea in 2011.[48] On the chart issue dated August 20, 2011 "Lift Off" debuted at number forty eight on the UK Singles Chart.[49] It did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number twenty on the August 27, 2011 issue of the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which acts as a twenty five-song extension to the Hot 100.[50]
Usage in media
In July 2012, American rapper J. Cole sampled "Lift Off" on his song "The Cure".[51]
п о р Гемлін (округ, Південна Дакота) Адміністративний центр: ГейтіМіста (cities) Браянт • Естеллайн • Каслвуд • Лейк-Норден Міста (towns) Гейзел • ГейтіCDP Лейк-Пойнсетт‡ ‡ Населений пункт частково розташований у сусідньому окрузі або округах
French sprinter Dimitri DemonièreInterview Dimitri Demonière - Entraîneur de Jimmy VicautPersonal informationNationality FrenchBorn (1979-03-28) 28 March 1979 (age 44)Fort de France, MartiniqueSportSportRunningEventSprints Medal record Men's athletics Representing France European Junior Championships 1997 Ljubljana 4×100 m relay Representing Martinique CARIFTA Games (Under 20) 1998 Port of Spain 100 m 1997 Bridgetown 100 m 1998 Port of Spain 200 m Dimitri Demonière ...
Cover art for the volume 1 compilation DVD of Planetes released by Bandai Entertainment This is a list of episodes of the Japanese animated TV series Planetes (プラネテス, Puranetesu, Ancient Greek: πλάνητες Wanderers[1]). Overview It began airing its 26-episode run on NHK BS-2 on October 4, 2003, and ended on February 23, 2004. Produced and animated by Sunrise, it was directed by Gorō Taniguchi and scripted by Ichirō Ōkouchi (both of whom would later reunite in 2006 t...
Landkarte der Départements in der heutigen Benelux-Region Das Département des Bouches-de-l'Yssel (deutsch Departement der IJsselmündungen; niederländisch Departement van de Monden van de IJssel) war ein von 1811 bis 1813 zum französischen Staat gehörendes Département. Benannt war es nach dem Mündungsgebiet der IJssel. Nicht zu verwechseln ist dieses Departement mit dem Département de l´Yssel-Supérieur (Departement der Oberijssel). Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Geschichte 2 Gliederung 3...
Sports season2009–10 KHL seasonLeagueKontinental Hockey LeagueSportIce hockeyDuration10 September 2009 – 27 April 2010Number of teams24Regular seasonContinental Cup winner Salavat Yulaev UfaTop scorer Sergei Mozyakin Atlant Moscow OblastPlayoffsWestern champions HC MVD Western runners-up Lokomotiv YaroslavlEastern champions Ak Bars Kazan Eastern runners-up Salavat Yulaev UfaGagarin CupChampions Ak Bars Kazan Runners-up HC MVDFinals MVP Ilya Nikulin KHL sea...
يفتقر محتوى هذه المقالة إلى الاستشهاد بمصادر. فضلاً، ساهم في تطوير هذه المقالة من خلال إضافة مصادر موثوق بها. أي معلومات غير موثقة يمكن التشكيك بها وإزالتها. (مايو 2021)هذه قائمة بنوك لوكسمبورغ.هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إلي...
Відзнака Тернопільської міської ради Країна УкраїнаТип нагородаВручає: Тернопільською міською радоюСтатус вручається Нагородження Засновано: 2004Перше: 2008Нагороджені: Категорія:Нагороджені відзнакою Тернопільської міської ради (41)Черговість Молодша нагорода Поч
الثقافة الأعلام والتراجم الجغرافيا التاريخ الرياضيات العلوم المجتمع التقانات الفلسفة الأديان فهرس البوابات [تعديل] بصريات يصف عِلْم البَصَرياتِ أو علم المَناظِرِ سلوك الطيف المرئي، ...
Indian film festival The logo of Tigerland India Film Festival; all four primary colours in one logo symbolise the need for contribution of everyone for the success of conservation of our natural wealth Tigerland India Film Festival (TIFF) is an environmental and wildlife film festival based in India. Waheeda Rehman at the exhibition of her wildlife photographs organised under TIFF 2015 It is organized by a non-profit organization 'Society for Tigerland Conservation' and the aim of the festiv...
WikipediaScreenshot Official Wikipedia app for iOSDeveloper(s)Wikimedia FoundationRepositoryAndroidiOSWebsitedoc.wikimedia.org A number of organizations within the Wikimedia movement including the Wikimedia Foundation publish official mobile apps for mobile access to Wikipedia. All are available via the appropriate app store (e.g. Google Play, App Store, Microsoft Store, F-Droid). They can also be downloaded independently of any third-party store, from the Wikimedia Foundation's releases webs...
هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (فبراير 2021) الصراع الطرف الأول الطرف الثاني النتيجة سلالة لودهيون(1451–1526) معركة باني بت (1526) لودهيون سلطنة مغول الأفغان الموالون لسلطنة المغول هزيمة انتصار لالأفغان ال...
Scottish National Party politician Colin KeirMember of the Scottish Parliamentfor Edinburgh WesternIn office7 May 2011 – 24 March 2016Preceded byMargaret SmithSucceeded byAlex Cole-Hamilton Personal detailsBornColin George Keir (1959-12-09) 9 December 1959 (age 63)Edinburgh, Scotland, UKPolitical partyScottish National Party Colin George Keir (born 9 December 1959) is a Scottish politician, formerly the Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)...
هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (أبريل 2019) فيليب مارشال معلومات شخصية اسم الولادة (بالألمانية: Philipp Marschall) الميلاد 5 فبراير 1988 (35 سنة) باد زالتسونغن مواطنة ألمانيا الحياة العملية المهنة م...
Collective debates amongst feminists regarding a number of issues The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (December 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Part of a series onFeminism History Feminist history History of feminism Women's history American British Canadian German Waves First Second Third Fourth Timel...
Zainichi Korean karateka (1923–1994) Masutatsu Oyama (Choi Bae-dal)Oyama in 1954BornChoi Yeong-eui(1923-07-27)July 27, 1923Kintei, Zenrahoku-dō, Korea (now Gimje, North Jeolla Province, South Korea)DiedApril 26, 1994(1994-04-26) (aged 71)Tokyo, JapanHeight173 cm (5 ft 8 in)StyleKyokushinTeacher(s)Gigō Funakoshi, Gōgen Yamaguchi, Nei-Chu So [a][1][2][3]Rank 10th Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin KarateSpouseChiyako Oyama (1946–1994)Chi...
Norrland Engineer BattalionNorrlands ingenjörbataljonActive1905–2004Country SwedenAllegianceSwedish Armed ForcesBranchSwedish ArmyTypeEngineerSizeBattalionPart ofVI Army Divisoon (1902–1927)Upper Norrland's Troops (1928–1942)VI Military District (1942–1966)Upper Norrland Military District (1966–1993)Northern Military District (1993–2000)Norrbotten Regiment (2000–2004)Garrison/HQBodenMotto(s)Nos nihil efficere non possumus (Here are no impossibilities)ColorsBlackMarchB...
Lambang Peta Data dasar Bundesland: Nordrhein-Westfalen Regierungsbezirk: Münster Ibu kota: Borken Luas wilayah: 1.418,78 km² Penduduk: 369.112 [1] (31 Desember 2005) Kepadatan penduduk: 260 jiwa /km² Pelat kendaraan bermotor: BOR Pembagian administratif: 17 Gemeinden Alamat kantor kabupaten: Burloer Straße 9346325 Borken Situs web resmi: www.kreis-borken.de Bupati: Gerd Wiesmann (CDU) Peta Borken adalah sebuah distrik (Landkreis) di Nordrhein-Westfalen, Jerman. Referensi ^ h...