Slow Dance (song)
Encyclopedia
"Slow Dance" is a song by American recording artist Keri Hilson
. Written with American singer Justin Timberlake
, the song was penned while she was a guest on the British leg of Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow
tour. The writing team also included Johnkenum D. Spivery, as well as Timbaland proteges The Royal Court and Jim Beanz, who produced the track. The song serves as the sixth single from her debut studio album, In a Perfect World...
. Giving off a psychedelic vibe and compared to 1980's Prince ballads and Ciara
slow burners, the song received generally positive reviews, complimenting its musical backdrop and vulnerable lyrical appeal.
Hilson originally premiered the song at her producer/mentor Polow da Don
's launch party for his record label, Zone 4
, in Atlanta
in July 2007, and later performed it several times as promoting it as In A Perfect World' s sixth single. The song was not adequately receptive in the United States, reaching forty-nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart. Two music videos for the song were shot, the Chris Robinson
-directed second version being used as the official video. The video features Hilson at getting ready and enjoying herself at a party, featuring appearances by Monica, Chris Brown, former Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton
and Omarion
, among others. She performed the song as a part of a medley at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
.
, as well as Johnkenum D. Spivery and Timbaland proteges The Royal Court and Jim Beanz. According to Hilson, the songs were first in the works with fellow Timbaland collaborator Justin Timberlake
in 2006, during FutureSex/LoveSounds
era, but she commented, "it was still unofficial then. The budgets hadn't been opened up for me at that stage." Hilson premiered the song at her producer and mentor Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones
's launch party his newly-created, Interscope
-distributed record label, Zone 4
, in Atlanta
in July 2007. On choosing singles for In A Perfect World..., in an interview with Digital Spy
, Hilson stated, "[Timbaland] liked it a lot at first and said it should be a single, but just as that was about to happen he called it 'bubble bath music'. But now he loves it again and thinks it should be a single! He'll really change it up on you." The song went for adds on urban
airplay formats on July 21, 2009.
's "Promise
" and 1980's Prince ballad, and described as "sparkly" and "psychedelic." A writer for Spike called the song a "digital lullaby." Calling the lyrical content "the ecstasy of desire with all the warmth of an alien observing life on Planet Earth", Mikael Wood of The Los Angeles Times said the song was impeccably arranged. Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters
stated, that on In A Perfect World..., songs like "Slow Dance", "tend to provide better matches between the vocals and the music, since the backdrop keeps things simple and the lyrics don’t always fall into slang and unintentional irony." Jon Caramanica of The New York Times
called the song "excellent", commenting that the song was the album's high point. Sophie Bruce of BBC Music said the song "is laden with potential in its first Prince-channelling two minutes, but loses its way completely when it breaks down into beatboxing." Calling the album's slow numbers a problem, and the song itself "smooth", Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine
said "Slow Dance" was "nothing more than a copy of Ciara's "Promise."
, known for his work on previous Michael Jackson
and TLC clips. However, for unknown reasons, the video was scrapped, and Hilson re-shot a clip for the video with "Knock You Down
" and "Number One
" director Chris Robinson
. Robinson told Rap-Up
, "Keri Hilson has a great personality and is a real girl. That’s what we want to get across." He also talked about the premise and plot of the video, stating that the video portrays Hilson as a woman who doesn't take herself seriously, commenting,
, Monica, Melody Thornton
, and Polow Da Don
all appear in the video. The video begins with Hilson, dressed lavishly, arriving late to a Jeep full of the previous stated people. The clip flips back to what happened earlier that night, showing Hilson getting ready in a seductive fashion, as she chooses perfume and picks out clothes. Scenes of Hilson performing in front of a leather-like wall are interspersed in between her and her friends riding down a boulevard to the club. Once she arrives to the club, she is attracted to a particular man, and subsequently performs elaborate, sensual choreography with him and other dancers, before slow dancing. VIBE said, "Keri Hilson is fine as wine. You know it. We know it. And she knows it. But for the doubters, she proves it once again with this seductive new video from In A Perfect World." A writer for Rap-Up
said that Hilson, "takes it nice and slow in the video for 'Slow Dance.'" The video ranked at number 80 on BET: Notarized Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
on September 17, 2009, alongside The Roots
. She also performed it as a part of a medley at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
.
Source
Keri Hilson
Keri Lynn Hilson is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, Hilson began her music career as a songwriter, penning tracks for several artists in the mid-2000s as part of the five-person production and songwriting team, The Clutch...
. Written with American singer Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, the song was penned while she was a guest on the British leg of Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow
FutureSex/LoveShow
FutureSex/LoveShow is the third concert tour by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. The tour supported his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds. This became Timberlake's first solo global tour, reaching North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania...
tour. The writing team also included Johnkenum D. Spivery, as well as Timbaland proteges The Royal Court and Jim Beanz, who produced the track. The song serves as the sixth single from her debut studio album, In a Perfect World...
In a Perfect World...
In a Perfect World... is the debut studio album of American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, released March 24, 2009 on Zone 4. Originally planned for a 2007 release, it was pushed back numerous times into 2009, amid her label's budget issues and minor single releases...
. Giving off a psychedelic vibe and compared to 1980's Prince ballads and Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
slow burners, the song received generally positive reviews, complimenting its musical backdrop and vulnerable lyrical appeal.
Hilson originally premiered the song at her producer/mentor Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
's launch party for his record label, Zone 4
Zone 4 (record label)
Zone 4 is an American record label created as a joint venture between producer Polow da Don and Interscope Records.-History:The label was launched in Atlanta, Georgia on July 16, 2007. Polow started out with four acts - Keri, Rich, YV & i-15 and later added a 5th act in 2008 - YouTube/Myspace...
, in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
in July 2007, and later performed it several times as promoting it as In A Perfect World
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. Two music videos for the song were shot, the Chris Robinson
Chris Robinson (director)
Chris Robinson is an American film director working mostly with music videos and commercials. He has directed commercials for brands such as iPod, Coca Cola and Verizon and music videos for songs like "Fallin'" and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, "Roc Boys" by Jay-Z, the grammy nominated...
-directed second version being used as the official video. The video features Hilson at getting ready and enjoying herself at a party, featuring appearances by Monica, Chris Brown, former Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
and Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
, among others. She performed the song as a part of a medley at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
Soul Train Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment...
.
Background
"Slow Dance" was written with Hilson alongside American recording artist Justin TimberlakeJustin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, as well as Johnkenum D. Spivery and Timbaland proteges The Royal Court and Jim Beanz. According to Hilson, the songs were first in the works with fellow Timbaland collaborator Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
in 2006, during FutureSex/LoveSounds
FutureSex/LoveSounds
In 2005, Timberlake felt inspired to record songs again. Motivated by the "sad state" of pop radio, he decided he needed to experiment with music. Reportedly, it was not until Timberlake turned to producer Timbaland "that he figured out the direction he wanted the record to take"...
era, but she commented, "it was still unofficial then. The budgets hadn't been opened up for me at that stage." Hilson premiered the song at her producer and mentor Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
's launch party his newly-created, Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
-distributed record label, Zone 4
Zone 4 (record label)
Zone 4 is an American record label created as a joint venture between producer Polow da Don and Interscope Records.-History:The label was launched in Atlanta, Georgia on July 16, 2007. Polow started out with four acts - Keri, Rich, YV & i-15 and later added a 5th act in 2008 - YouTube/Myspace...
, in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
in July 2007. On choosing singles for In A Perfect World..., in an interview with Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, Hilson stated, "[Timbaland] liked it a lot at first and said it should be a single, but just as that was about to happen he called it 'bubble bath music'. But now he loves it again and thinks it should be a single! He'll really change it up on you." The song went for adds on urban
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
airplay formats on July 21, 2009.
Composition and critical reception
The down-tempo R&B piece features a guitar-laden background with synthesizers, and features lyrics about the physical attraction of a relationship. "Slow Dance" has been said to sound like a CiaraCiara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
's "Promise
Promise (Ciara song)
"Promise" is a R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara. Written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Jamal Jones, and Elvis Williams, it is the official lead single and second release in the North America from Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution...
" and 1980's Prince ballad, and described as "sparkly" and "psychedelic." A writer for Spike called the song a "digital lullaby." Calling the lyrical content "the ecstasy of desire with all the warmth of an alien observing life on Planet Earth", Mikael Wood of The Los Angeles Times said the song was impeccably arranged. Quentin B. Huff of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
stated, that on In A Perfect World..., songs like "Slow Dance", "tend to provide better matches between the vocals and the music, since the backdrop keeps things simple and the lyrics don’t always fall into slang and unintentional irony." Jon Caramanica of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
called the song "excellent", commenting that the song was the album's high point. Sophie Bruce of BBC Music said the song "is laden with potential in its first Prince-channelling two minutes, but loses its way completely when it breaks down into beatboxing." Calling the album's slow numbers a problem, and the song itself "smooth", Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
said "Slow Dance" was "nothing more than a copy of Ciara's "Promise."
Music video
The original music video was directed by Paul HunterPaul Hunter (director)
Paul Hunter is a music video director known for his high-budget, visually distinctive videos for popular music singles. He has directed over 100 music videos, many television advertisements and was nominated for an Emmy for Nike's Freestyle commercial...
, known for his work on previous Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and TLC clips. However, for unknown reasons, the video was scrapped, and Hilson re-shot a clip for the video with "Knock You Down
Knock You Down
"Knock You Down" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, taken from her debut studio album, In a Perfect World... . The song features guest vocals from American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and American rapper Kanye West. The song was written by Hilson, West, and Ne-Yo along with Kevin...
" and "Number One
Number One (R. Kelly song)
"Number One" is the first single featuring Keri Hilson from American R&B singer R. Kelly's 2009 album, Untitled. The song was released digitally on July 28, 2009.-Music video:...
" director Chris Robinson
Chris Robinson (director)
Chris Robinson is an American film director working mostly with music videos and commercials. He has directed commercials for brands such as iPod, Coca Cola and Verizon and music videos for songs like "Fallin'" and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, "Roc Boys" by Jay-Z, the grammy nominated...
. Robinson told Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
, "Keri Hilson has a great personality and is a real girl. That’s what we want to get across." He also talked about the premise and plot of the video, stating that the video portrays Hilson as a woman who doesn't take herself seriously, commenting,
"It’s a really sexy song, but we don’t want to fall into the typical love, love, love R&B vibe with that... it starts where you think, ‘Oh, it’s about her and being sexy.' She’s in her house and by herself, and you kind of think it could be serious, but the song drops out in the middle and her friends catch her being all sexy, basically like, ‘What the f**k are you doing? You are not singing by yourself.’"In an interview with That Grape Juice, when asked about the video and on the sensuality of the live performances compared to video, Hilson responded,
"Yeah. It is a bit of that, but it’s a bit toned down for the video, because you got so much censoring, I can’t do everything I do on stage (laughs). So when people come out they’re probably still gonna be a bit surprised to see it live, after seeing the video. But I’m very pleased with the video. I love the colours and it’s reminiscent of the whole late 70s early 80s era in music."Chris Brown, Omarion
Omarion
Omari Ishmael Grandberry better known as Omarion, is an American R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of the R&B group, B2K. Omarion was spotted at a young age by a manager, Christopher B. Stokes, who took a liking to his vocal abilities...
, Monica, Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
, and Polow Da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
all appear in the video. The video begins with Hilson, dressed lavishly, arriving late to a Jeep full of the previous stated people. The clip flips back to what happened earlier that night, showing Hilson getting ready in a seductive fashion, as she chooses perfume and picks out clothes. Scenes of Hilson performing in front of a leather-like wall are interspersed in between her and her friends riding down a boulevard to the club. Once she arrives to the club, she is attracted to a particular man, and subsequently performs elaborate, sensual choreography with him and other dancers, before slow dancing. VIBE said, "Keri Hilson is fine as wine. You know it. We know it. And she knows it. But for the doubters, she proves it once again with this seductive new video from In A Perfect World." A writer for Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
said that Hilson, "takes it nice and slow in the video for 'Slow Dance.'" The video ranked at number 80 on BET: Notarized Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
Live performances
Aside from performing it at the 2007 Zone 4 launch, Hilson performed the song on Late Night With Jimmy FallonLate Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
on September 17, 2009, alongside The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
. She also performed it as a part of a medley at the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
Soul Train Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment...
.
Personnel
- SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
- Keri Hilson, Justin TimberlakeJustin TimberlakeJustin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, James WashingtonJim BeanzJames David Washington, better known under his stage name Jim Beanz, is an American vocal producer, songwriter, musician, singer and record producer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, now working out of Philadelphia, signed to Timbaland Productions and Sunset Entertainment Group...
Johnkenum D. Spivery, Jerome HarmonThe Royal CourtThe Royal Court is a music production crew created by producer King Logan King arrived on the scene in 2007 with the hit single "Ice Box" by Omarion , co-produced with Timbaland, which generated over 100,000 radio spins and fostered more than 15 remixes.-Omarion - 21:*"Ice Box" *"Beg For It" The...
, Solomon LoganThe Royal CourtThe Royal Court is a music production crew created by producer King Logan King arrived on the scene in 2007 with the hit single "Ice Box" by Omarion , co-produced with Timbaland, which generated over 100,000 radio spins and fostered more than 15 remixes.-Omarion - 21:*"Ice Box" *"Beg For It" The... - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- The Royal CourtThe Royal CourtThe Royal Court is a music production crew created by producer King Logan King arrived on the scene in 2007 with the hit single "Ice Box" by Omarion , co-produced with Timbaland, which generated over 100,000 radio spins and fostered more than 15 remixes.-Omarion - 21:*"Ice Box" *"Beg For It" The... - Recording and mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Marcella Araica - Vocal arrangement and production - Keri Hilson, Jim Beanz
Source
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
49 |