Back to Sleep (song)

"Back to Sleep", also known by the censored version title "Sex You Back to Sleep",[1] is a song by American recording artist Chris Brown from his seventh studio album Royalty. The song was released as the album's third single and its first urban single on November 5, 2015. Three official remixes of the song were released during the first months of 2016, one featuring Usher and ZAYN, another one featuring Miguel, August Alsina, and Trey Songz, and the last one featuring Tank, R. Kelly and Anthony Hamilton.

"Back to Sleep"
Single by Chris Brown
from the album Royalty
ReleasedNovember 5, 2015
Recorded2015
StudioThe Record Plant
(Los Angeles, California)
GenreR&B
Length3:21
LabelRCA Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Chris Brown singles chronology
"Gold Slugs"
(2015)		 "Back to Sleep"
(2015)		 "Fine by Me"
(2015)
Music video
"Back to Sleep" on YouTube

The song received universal acclaim from contemporary music critics, noting it as one of the album's highlights, celebrating its production and Brown's vocal performance. Some critics defined it as the best R&B song of its decade. The song received comparisons to Brown's previous singles "Take You Down" (2008) and "No Bullshit" (2011), and also to Marvin Gaye's 1982 song "Sexual Healing", for its similar musical direction. The song became the most successful one from the Royalty album, peaking at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 5 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Its music video was released on December 14, 2015, and is part of Royalty music videos storyline, following the conclusion of Brown's "Fine by Me" music video. The videoclip displays an intimate sexual situation between Brown and his loved one.

Background

The song was written by Chris Brown and August Rigo, and was produced by Vinylz and Boi-1da. The song was recorded during 2015 at Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. "Back to Sleep" was premiered via SoundCloud on November 5, 2015, and was sent to radio four days later as the album's third single, also receiving its commercial release for digital download on November 9, 2015.[2][3][4]

Composition
Brown for the song was inspired by Marvin Gaye's 1982 song "Sexual Healing"

"Back to Sleep" is an R&B, mid-tempo slow jam about late night sex, that features beats and minor influences of funk, reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's 1982 song "Sexual Healing".[5][6][7][8] The production of the song infuses elements of new school R&B with elements of '80s pop, and is based on roland TR-808 beats.[9][10]

Brad Wete of Billboard analyzed its lyrical content by saying that "Brown stars, most likely, as himself -- fresh off a late night flight into town where, hopefully (but honestly, certainly) a beauty he’s yearning for will stay awake long enough for him to arrive at 3:30 a.m. so he too can be healed (“f--k”), then tuck her in for actual sleep. Chris wonders if she’ll leave him a spare key, but then cautions, “But if you keep the door unlocked, be ready”".[7]

Music video

On December 14, 2015, Brown uploaded the music video for "Back to Sleep" on his YouTube and Vevo account.[11] The video begins after the conclusion of Brown's "Fine By Me" music video.

Synopsis

The music video for "Back to Sleep" was directed by Brown.[12] The video begins, after the conclusion of Brown's "Fine by Me" music video, and starts with Brown making a call to his girlfriend, insisting that he come over even though it's late at night. After Brown and his girlfriend get intimate, showing them kissing and touching on display in the shower and bedroom. Intercut with performance clips where Brown sings the song in a club.[13][14]

Live performances

Brown promoted the song with live performances on televised shows and festivals, including Jimmy Kimmel Live!,[15] Taraji & Terrence's White Hot Holidays,[16] the "Lil' Weezyana Fest 2016", and the 3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards.[17] The song was included on all the setlists of Brown's tours after its dropping.

Remixes
R. Kelly, (left) and Usher (right) are two of the many artists that appeared on remixes of the track.

Chris Brown has released three remixes to the song. Part 1 features Usher and ZAYN,[18] and was released as "Back to Sleep (Remix)" on February 26, 2016;[19] in addition to verses from Usher and ZAYN, the remix also features a new verse from Brown where he mentions his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran and cancels out the rest of the song except the chorus and bridge.[20] Part 2 features Miguel, August Alsina, and Trey Songz, and was released as "Back to Sleep (Remix)" on April 8,[21][22] while Part 3 was released on April 10 as "Back To Sleep (Legends Remix)", and features Tank, R. Kelly and Anthony Hamilton.[23] On August 29, 2016, R&B singer Brandy shared a version of the song with Brown.[24][25] On July 15, 2016, another remix version was released, dubbed as the "Secret Garden Remix". The song featured previously released verses from R. Kelly, Usher, Tank, and an additional verse from fellow R&B singer and actor Tyrese Gibson.[26]

Critical reception

"Back to Sleep" received widespread acclaim from music critics. The co-host of The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne tha God, defined the song as "the best R&B record in the past 15 years" along with "Adorn" by Miguel.[27] AllMusic editor Andy Kellman said that the song is the best one out of Royalty.[28] Brad Wete of Billboard said that the song "excels as a quality addition to his catalog’s stellar collection of panty-dropping and baby-making songs", comparing the song to Brown's previous singles "Take You Down" (2008) and "No Bullshit" (2011), and also to Marvin Gaye's 1982 song "Sexual Healing".[7] Mikael Wood of The Courier-Journal praised the "great vocal performance" of Brown, and called "Back to Sleep" "a smooth depiction of genuine sexuality".[29][30]

Chart performance

On the Billboard Hot 100, the song debuted at number 64 on the week ending January 2, 2016,[31] and reached number 48 on the week ending February 13, 2016.[32] On the week ending March 12, 2016, it reached number 36 on the Hot 100,[33] and number 2 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart.[34] On the week ending March 19, 2016, it reached number 20 on the Hot 100 and became the top Digital Gainer of the week,[35] debuting at number 13 on the Digital Songs chart,[36] having sold 42,000 downloads that week, 32% of which stemmed from the Part 1 remix.[37] The same week, it reached number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[37] number 2 on the R&B Digital Songs chart,[38] and number 3 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.[39] By April 2, 2016, the single had sold 300,620 copies in the US.[40]

Track listing
  • Digital download[4]
  1. "Back to Sleep" (Explicit) – 3:21
  • Digital download (Remix)[41]
  1. "Back to Sleep" (Remix) (featuring Usher and Zayn) – 4:27
  • Digital download (Legends Remix)[42]
  1. "Back to Sleep" (Legends Remix) (featuring Tank, R. Kelly and Anthony Hamilton) – 3:43

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] Platinum 70,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[60] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[61] Gold 7,500*
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[63] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
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  2. "Urban single coming today! "FUCK YOU BACK TO 2 SLEEP"". Twitter. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  3. "Listen to @Power1051 NY right now for my new urban single #SexYouBackToSleep!". Twitter. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  4. "Back To Sleep - Single by Chris Brown". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  5. "Back to Sleep by Chris Brown - RYM/Sonemic".
  6. "Chris Brown - Sex You Back to Sleep". HNHH. November 5, 2015.
  7. "Chris Brown Falls Short of King on 'Royalty': Album Review". Billboard.com. December 18, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  8. "Chris Brown & Rick Ross Perform "Sorry" & "Back To Sleep" On Kimmel". Hotnewhiphop.com. December 8, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  9. "Chris Brown Doesn't Leave Anything To The Imagination On "Sex You Back To Sleep"". Vibe.com. November 6, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
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  12. "Chris Brown Premieres Racy Music Video For "Back To Sleep": Watching". Directlyrics. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  13. "Video: Chris Brown – 'Back to Sleep'". Rap-up.com. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  14. "Watch Chris Brown Get Frisky in 'Back To Sleep' Video". Billboard.com. December 14, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
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