"Lift Off"
Single by Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Beyoncé
from the album Watch the Throne
ReleasedAugust 23, 2011 (2011-08-23)
Genre
Length4:26
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Jay-Z singles chronology
"Otis"
(2011)		 "Lift Off"
(2011)		 "Niggas in Paris"
(2011)
Kanye West singles chronology
"Otis"
(2011)		 "Lift Off"
(2011)		 "Amen"
(2011)
Beyoncé singles chronology
"Best Thing I Never Had"
(2011)		 "Lift Off"
(2011)		 "Party"
(2011)

"Lift Off" is a song by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring the former's wife and American singer Beyoncé. It 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 for Jay-Z's and West's collaboration album, Watch the Throne (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 and it was sent to urban contemporary radio on August 23, 2011.

Musically, "Lift Off" is a pop song which uses baroque strings. It contains a chorus sung by Beyoncé, while other verses are sung by West and Jay-Z in a rap style. Instrumentally, the song is completed with synthesizers, martial drums and horns. "Lift Off" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics who generally highlighted the song and praised its hook as well as Beyoncé's vocals, though some criticized the vocals by West and Jay-Z. The song peaked at number one on the South Korea Gaon International Chart and number twenty one on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. "Lift Off" was performed live by Jay-Z and Kanye West during their tour in promotion of Watch the Throne titled Watch the Throne Tour (2011–12). The song's instrumental was used as the outro at the end of Jay-Z and Beyoncé's On the Run Tour (2014) and Beyoncé performed her part of the song during her Renaissance World Tour (2023).

Background and composition

Bruno Mars (pictured), who co-wrote "Lift Off", was rumored to be featured on the track.

"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]

Credits and personnel

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States August 23, 2011 Urban contemporary radio [19]

References

  1. 1 2 Watch the Throne (PDF digital booklet). Jay-Z and Kanye West. Universal Music Group. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 Adams, Cameron (August 11, 2011). "Album review: Watch the Throne by Jay-Z & Kanye West". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. News Corporation. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  3. ↑ Corner, Lewis (May 3, 2011). "Beyoncé, Bruno Mars record collaboration". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Archived from the original on August 26, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  4. ↑ Corner, Lewis (July 4, 2011). "Jay-Z, Kanye West unveil 'Watch The Throne' album artwork". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. ↑ Corner, Lewis (July 13, 2011). "Jay-Z, Kanye West reveal 'Watch The Throne' deluxe tracklisting". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  6. ↑ Gracely, Joe (August 8, 2011). "'Watch the Throne,' Jay-Z, Kanye West collaboration, released one year after album announcement". Daily News. Daily News, L.P. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  7. ↑ Barshad, Amos (February 2, 2011). "Kanye West and Jay-Z Threw a Party at the Planetarium Last Night". Vulture.com. New York. Archived from the original on July 29, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Anderson, Kyle (August 9, 2011). "Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'Watch the Throne': Read the EW review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  9. ↑ Jones, Steve (August 8, 2011). "Listen Up: Jay-Z and Kanye West raise the bar with 'Throne'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  10. ↑ Suddath, Claire (August 9, 2011). "Watch the Throne Review: A Gold-Plated Luxury Vehicle, with a Message". Time. Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  11. ↑ "New Music: Jay-Z x Kanye West f/ Beyoncé – 'Lift Off'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. August 8, 2011. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  12. ↑ Moore, Marcus J. (August 9, 2011). "Review of Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne". BBC Music. BBC. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  13. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (August 9, 2011). "Two Titans Share the Seat of Power". The New York Times. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 Weiss, Jeff (August 11, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne': Track-by-Track". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  15. ↑ Price, Simon (August 14, 2011). "Album: Jay-Z & Kanye West, Watch the Throne (Mercury)". The Independent. London: Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Jay-Z and Kanye Sample the Apollo 11 Launch". August 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  17. ↑ "The NASA Sample on the New Kanye/Jay Z Album? It's from Apollo 11". The Atlantic. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Matos, Michaelangelo (August 2, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West: Watch the Throne – track-by-track review". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  19. 1 2 "Urban/UAC Future Releases R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  20. ↑ Markman, Rob (August 9, 2011). "Jay-Z, Kanye West's Throne Defies Radio Rules". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Welcome to 'Watch the Throne' day". CNN. August 8, 2011. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  22. ↑ Meadows-Ingram, Benjamin (July 8, 2011). "'Watch The Throne': Inside Jay-Z's Private Listening Session". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  23. ↑ Blanco, Alvin (July 8, 2011). "Jay-Z Shares Sneak Peek Of Watch The Throne". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  24. ↑ Cole, Matthew (August 11, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West: Watch the Throne". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  25. ↑ Harvilla, Rob (August 10, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West, 'Watch the Throne' (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Roc Nation)". Spin. Spin Media. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  26. ↑ Copsey, Robert (August 8, 2011). "Kanye West & Jay-Z: 'Watch The Throne' – Album review". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  27. ↑ Aizlewood, John (August 12, 2011). "CDs of the week: Jay-Z and Kanye West and Nero". Evening Standard. Daily Mail and General Trust. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  28. ↑ Perpetua, Matthew (August 9, 2011). "Kanye West and Jay-Z's 'Watch the Throne': A Track-by-Track Breakdown". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
  29. ↑ Amidon, David (August 12, 2011). "Jay-Z & Kanye West: Watch the Throne". PopMatters. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  30. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (August 28, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West To Perform at VMAs: Report". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  31. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (August 8, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye West's 'Watch the Throne': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  32. ↑ Hutchins, Andy (August 9, 2011). "Ten Trends That Watch The Throne Could Kickstart". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  33. ↑ Grischow, Chad (August 9, 2011). "Kanye West & Jay-Z: Watch The Throne Review". IGN. News Corporation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  34. ↑ Guerra, Joey (July 12, 2013). "10 first-rate Beyoncé songs you won't hear Mrs. Carter play". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  35. ↑ Kellman, Andy (August 18, 2011). "Watch the Throne – Review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  36. ↑ Rodriguez, Jayson (August 12, 2011). "The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West), Watch the Throne". XXL. Harris Publications. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  37. ↑ Kot, Greg (August 8, 2011). "Watch the Throne review; Jay-Z and Kanye West album reviewed". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  38. ↑ Reid, Tyrone S. (August 11, 2011). "Music Review: Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch The Throne". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  39. ↑ Young, Alex (May 19, 2012). "Video: Jay-Z and Kanye West kick off UK tour". Consequence of Sound. Complex Media Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  40. ↑ "'Watch The Throne' Concert Review From Atlanta". AllHipHop. AHH Holdings LLC. October 30, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  41. ↑ Peisner, David (October 31, 2011). "Crown Royal: Kanye West and Jay-Z Launch Throne Tour in Atlanta". Spin. Spin Media LLC. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  42. ↑ Wener, Ben (December 12, 2011). "Live review: Jay-Z & Kanye West slay at Staples". The Orange County Register. Freedom Communications. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  43. ↑ Young, Alex (June 26, 2014). "Jay Z and Beyoncé kick off On the Run Tour with massive 42-song setlist". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  44. ↑ Zidel, Alex (March 11, 2019). "Kanye West Performs "Jesus Walks" & "Lift Off" For "Sunday Service"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  45. ↑ "What's on Beyoncé's Renaissance tour set list?". May 11, 2023.
  46. 1 2 "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 15th August 2011". ARIA Charts. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  47. 1 2 "Lift Off – Kanye West and Jay-Z feat Beyoncé – South Korea". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original (Requires registration) on May 30, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
  48. 1 2 "Annual South Korea International Chart". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  49. 1 2 "Archive Chart". UK Singles Chart. Official Charts Company. August 20, 2011. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  50. 1 2 "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles – Issue Date: August 27, 2011" (requires registration). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  51. ↑ Alexander, X (July 29, 2012). "J. Cole Samples The Throne & Beyonce On New Track "The Cure"". Idolator. Buzz Media. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  52. ↑ "Archive Chart". UK R&B Chart. Official Charts Company. August 20, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  53. ↑ "Rap Digital Songs – Issue Date: August 27, 2011" (requires registration). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media Media. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  54. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs – Issue Date: August 27, 2011" (requires registration). Billboard. Prometheus Global Media Media. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
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