Levitating (song)

Canadian actor Mike Myers and his Austin Powers films provided inspiration for "Levitating".

After figuring out the title of her second studio album, Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa began working backwards, figuring out the sound she desired.[2] Shortly after, "Levitating" was written, which is the first track recorded that appears on the album's final track listing.[3] The song was written by Lipa with her longtime collaborators Clarence Coffee Jr. of The Monsters & Strangerz, Sarah Hudson and Stephen Kozmeniuk, the latter of which also handled the production.[4] Before going into the studio, Kozmeniuk spent a few weeks coming up with ideas to play in the studio, eventually thinking it would be cool to create a "slinky disco track." Lipa sent him some notes and stuff that she was inspired by, which became the idea of blending old with new. Kozmeniuk thought the best way to create this idea was to use old instruments, one of which was a Roland VP-330 synthesizer, which he had been looking for, for seven to eight years. After shipping the synthesizer from Tokyo to Toronto, he immediately plugged it in and began playing. The first thing he played, which he described as a "synthetic choir sound", later turned into the synth line from the song. He looped the sound and began building a song around it, including creating an analog string sound, also using the Roland VP-330.[5]

"Levitating" was written and recorded in a one-day studio session at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London between the four writers on 28 August 2018. They started the session by Hudson doing a Tarot card reading in order for the writers to open up about what was happening in their lives. Lipa recalled it "changing the energy in the room." Kozmeniuk then began playing some tracks he had created with Lipa in mind. "Levitating" was one of the first tracks he played, which the collaborators all agreed that it would be the one to write onto. Lipa took out the voice memos app on her phone and began leading the song by singing a melody, making it up on the way with Coffee later elevating it. They had the visuals of being in an Austin Powers movie, with Mike Myers doing a random dance to the song, which helped give them a mood while writing the lyrics.[5][6][7] The session ended up with the collaborators ordering doughnuts and 'levitating' from the sugar rush.[8][9] They immediately began writing after that, with a good feeling going into it. They decided to include the "sugarboo" lyric as an ode to their friendship as it was something they called one another as a joke.[5] Lipa also decided to add a rap in order to get her British side across, because she often gets mistaken from where she is actually from.[10]

Lipa began by recording the lead vocals, and later some backing vocals and vocals with all the collaborators. They would create different personas with different vocals every time they recorded them. Lipa recalled that she and her co-writers were dancing all through making the song, even if they were experiencing writer's block or working on the production. After finishing the song, Lipa enlisted the help of Stuart Price for some additional production. He brought more "bounce" to the song and helped with the bass groove. He also incorporated a high drone synth as a disco trope, and a string part in the pre-chorus. Koz later also enlisted the help of Bosko Electrospit Kante to play a talk box.[5] "Levitating" helped dictate what the rest of Future Nostalgia would sound like and where Lipa thought everything made sense, where she had both the "future" and "nostalgia" elements. She called it the "starting point" of the album.[3][8][9]

"Levitating" is an electro-disco, nu-disco and pop-funk song,[11][12][13] with dance-pop, power pop and space rock elements.[14][15][16] The song incorporates music styles from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s pop and R&B.[17][18][19] Constructed in verse–chorus form, the song runs for 3 minutes and 23 seconds and is composed in ⁴
₄ time and the key of B minor, with a tempo of 103 beats per minute and a chord progression of Bm⁷—F♯m⁷—Em⁷.[10][20][21] It is built around a wonky synth hook, with 1990s choruses and several campy disco tropes.[18][22][23] The rest of the production consists of funky synth disco beats,[24][25] a "squelchy" bass,[18] "rubbery" basslines, syncopated handclaps,[26] nu-disco rhythms,[27] "wonky" and "bizarre" synths,[28][29] an EDM groove,[30] funky guitars, talk box vocals,[31] a "hypnotic" synth line and disco strings.[32] The bass, guitars, and talk box give off a disco-funk feeling. Following the first chorus, the instruments are stripped back.[33] On his remix, DaBaby adds a new pop rap verse and intro, over the original's production,[34][35][36] with him serving as an additional writer on the track.[37]

Lipa's vocals range from F♯₃ to B₄.[21] The middle eight includes a Blondie-influenced rap, where Lipa exerts her British accent, before she performs an a cappella ahead of the final chorus.[10][33] "Levitating" has many outer space references,[19][23][38] using an exaggerated metaphor of love as a spaceship to transmit radiant euphoria and happiness.[33][39][40] Lyrically, the song sees Lipa exposing her feelings for a significant other and singing about moments with them in which she is her best self.[33][41] For NME, Rhian Daly stated she sings about "a love 'written in the stars'", while 411Mania's David Hayter, labelled it an "intergalactic ode to orgasms".[42][26] The song received many comparisons to the works of Chic, Daft Punk,[11] Debbie Harry,[43] the Jackson 5 ("Blame It on the Boogie", 1978),[44] Kylie Minogue, Moloko,[45] Kate Nash,[46] Outkast ("Rosa Parks", 1998),[44] Katy Perry,[47] the Spice Girls,[46] Tinie Tempah ("Pass Out", 2010),[42][48] the Weeknd (Starboy, 2016),[16] and Super Mario 64 (1996) sound effects.[32]

It had to be fun and bubbly but with lyrics that felt really smart. This is about me exploring happy songs and doing something that's not 'dance crying'. It's about having fun and meeting someone and falling in love and thinking, 'You've probably met me at the perfect time, let's just go for it.' It's the feeling when love makes you feel like you're levitating. It's otherworldly. Things get quite Daft Punk-y here, but it's playful.

— Lipa on "Levitating".[10]

"Levitating" was released on 27 March 2020 as the fifth track on Lipa's second studio album, Future Nostalgia.[10] In August 2020, Lipa confirmed that the song would serve as the album's fifth official single.[49] It was promoted to Italian and British contemporary hit radio formats on 13 August and 23 September 2020, as a promotional single.[50] On 25 September 2020, DaBaby confirmed in an interview with Capital FM that he had a collaboration with Lipa coming out soon.[51] Later that day, Lipa announced that a remix of "Levitating" featuring DaBaby would be released a week later.[52] The remix's cover art was shot by Joseph Ford.[53] It premiered on 1 October 2020,[54] being released for digital download and streaming.[55] The remix was later added to the three editions of Future Nostalgia: the bonus edition which was released alongside the song,[56][57] the digital edition released on 29 October 2020,[58] and the 20 November 2020-released French CD edition.[59]

The remix was serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in the United States on 6 October 2020, serving as the album's third single in the country.[60] It was also serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in Italy and the United Kingdom on 2 October and 9 October 2020, respectively.[61][62] The original was serviced to adult contemporary radio formats in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2020.[63] The remix was also scheduled to be serviced to adult contemporary radio formats in the US on 19 October 2020, but was ultimately replaced with the original.[64][65] Due to its music video partnership with TikTok, the app launched a worldwide advertising campaign with promotion on several digital and social media channels, as well as New York City's Times Square and prominent sites in cities across Europe. The app also launched the #Levitating challenge, where Lipa invited fans to use TikTok's slow-motion feature to show off their levitating skills.[66] The song was promoted with an Instagram filter on the app.[67] Lipa and Koz did an interview about the creation of the song on music podcast Song Exploder's 194th episode, released on 7 October 2020.[5] It was also included in Morrisons' 2020 Christmas TV Ad.[68] The song was used during the 46th People's Choice Awards on 15 November 2020.[69] The song was included in a promotional video for the 2020–21 NBA season made by NBA on TNT.[70] Joe Biden and Kamala Harris used it in a playlist supporting their inauguration.[71]

A remix of the track by KUU was released on 20 November 2020.[72] It is a four on the floor-styled song with a simple and hypnotic sound design that makes use of tropical synths, Balearic beats, a rolling bassline, and funky piano chords, all layered with Lipa's vocals.[73][74][75]

A remix of the track by Amaal Mallik featuring guest vocals in Hindi by Prakriti Kakar and Sukriti Kakar was released on 26 March 2021.

Over the 2020–21 Premier League season, a video clip of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola dancing, with part of the track overlaid on it, surfaced on Twitter. The clip was later posted by Manchester City's official Twitter account on 4 February 2021[76] and again on 7 February 2021 following Manchester City's 4–1 victory over Liverpool, which was their first victory at Anfield in 18 years.[77][78][79]

In the middle eight, Lipa performs a rap that was influenced by Blondie (pictured).

"Levitating" was met with unanimous acclaim. In September 2020, Callie Ahlgrim of Business Insider viewed "Levitating" as Future Nostalgia's "most enchanting track" and one of Lipa's "best ever" songs. She went on to praise it for getting better with every listen and her use of pet names, as well as calling the song "sugary," "upbeat," and "unabashed."[80] Bailey Slater of Wonderland called it a "roller disco bop" and thought that it would go viral on TikTok.[81] Gabbie Nirenburg of No Ripcord praised the track's blend of disco and futuristic while also calling the lyrics "clever."[82] In his review for God Is in the TV, Jonathan Wright commended the song for being a "classy piece of brilliantly-timed disco escapism."[18] The Line of Best Fit's Chris Taylor viewed it as "peak disco-revivalism" and thought it was meant for a roller disco.[83]

In The Guardian, Laura Snapes stated that "Levitating" "blooms like a row of tropical flowers."[84] For Crack Magazine, Michael Cragg noted its French bloghouse hallmarks, previously explored on "Don't Start Now".[85] DIY's Elly Watson labelled the song "dancefloor-ready," while Mike Nied of Idolator named it multiple titles, including a "starry-eyed love song," a "straight up sugar rush," an "intergalactic adventure," and "breezy and feel-good."[41][86] For Billboard, Bianca Gracie labelled it a "summery jam" and recommended playing it on a Miami road trip.[29] Nick Smith of musicOMH stated that the song comes off as "a funky caffeine and sugar overdose."[44] In Slant Magazine, Sal Cinquemani labelled it a "feel-good earworm."[87] For Nylon, Shaad D'Souza criticized the song for its lack of longevity.[39]

For Vinyl Chapters, Jamie Parmenter praised Lipa's rap in the middle eight, writing one has the "pleasure of hearing the singer's English accent" and it "shows the confidence she has in her own talent."[88] In The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick also complimented Lipa's accent in that rap, and praised the "transatlantic-friendly" sound of "Levitating".[89] Conrad Duncan of Under the Radar criticised the rap, calling it a "bafflingly unnecessary misfire," while also noting its aim for Kurtis Blow.[90] The Arts Desk's Joe Muggs also criticised the rap, writing it "falls short."[48] Vulture's Craig Jenkins praised Lipa's vocal delivery for merging elements of anxiety and sexual tension, while also naming the lyrics "flurries of pickup lines."[31] For The Young Folks, Ryan Feyre called the song a high point on Future Nostalgia and wrote that it is "filled with raw adrenaline."[91]

Critics also praised DaBaby parts in his respective remix. Heran Mamo of Billboard noted DaBaby asserting attitude and stated he brings the song to "new heights."[35] For Idolator, Mike Wass stated the remix "works well enough" with the original's production, and viewed DaBaby's verse as "surprisingly sweet."[36] Paper's Shaad D'Souza thought that the remix presented DaBaby a chance to "shake up his flow", while also labelling it "inspired."[92] Revolt's Regina Cho also commented on DaBaby's flow, stating it matches the song's "groovy bounce."[93] Of HotNewHipHop, Alexander Cole praised DaBaby for fitting perfectly with the track's "undeniable groove," while also stating he is a "nice addition" to the song.[94] In Consequence of Sound, Ben Kaye challenged that it is not a remix due to its use of the original's production.[95]

Following the release of Future Nostalgia, "Levitating" found success as an album track throughout Europe, debuting at number 97 in Greece,[96] 29 in Hungary,[97] 41 in Lithuania,[98] 83 in Portugal,[99] 62 in Slovakia, and 71 in Spain. In the United Kingdom, the song was the most streamed album track on video services.[100] It debuted at number 51 on the UK Official Audio Streaming Chart dated 3 April 2020.[101] Following the release of the Blessed Madonna's remix, the original version debuted at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart dated 21 August 2020. It lasted five weeks on the chart, before re-entering at number 30 on the chart dated 9 October 2020, following the release of the DaBaby remix. The song peaked at number five on the chart, becoming Lipa's tenth UK Top 10 single.[102] In November 2020, the song reached the summit of the UK Radio Airplay Chart.[103] In January 2021, it was awarded a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for track-equivalent sales of 600,000 units.[104] It has also reached number four and 13 respectively on the Irish Singles Chart and Scottish Singles Chart respectively.[105][106]

"Levitating" reached the summit of the chart in Bulgaria.[107] On Australia's ARIA Singles Chart dated 26 October 2020, the original began being credited as the Blessed Madonna's remix was credited before then,[108] and peaked at number four.[109] In New Zealand, the original version debuted at number six on the NZ Hot Singles Chart dated 6 April 2020,[110] and the 12 October 2020 chart saw DaBaby's remix debuting at number 14.[111] On the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart dated 19 October 2020, the original version debuted at number 36,[112] and the DaBaby Remix was later credited, reaching a peak of number five.[113] The remix was awarded a sextuple platinum certification in the country by Recorded Music NZ for track-equivalent sales of 180,000 units.[114]

DaBaby's remix of "Levitating" debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Global 200 chart dated 17 October 2020,[115] and has peaked at number 2 on the chart.[116] It has reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100, becoming Lipa's first and DaBaby's second number-one single in Canada. It topped the chart for three nonconsecutive weeks.[117][118] "Levitating" became Lipa's biggest US chart hit. It debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 17 October 2020.[119] On the chart dated 9 January 2021, it reached the chart's tenth position, becoming Lipa's third top 10 single following "Don't Start Now" and "New Rules" (2017).[120] It peaked at number 2 on the chart (behind Silk Sonic's "Leave the Door Open"),[121] tying "Don't Start Now" as Lipa's highest-charting US song, and it is Lipa's longest-running top-10 hit. On the issue dated 4 September 2021, in its 34th week in the top 10, "Levitating" surpassed “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B to become the longest-running top 10 single by a female artist.[122][123] It has since become the second song to spend a total of 40 weeks in the top ten, as of the week ending 30 October 2021, after "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd.[124] On the issue dated 19 March 2022, in its 70th week on the chart, "Levitating" surpassed "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes as the longest-charting hit on the Hot 100 by a female artist.[125] The DaBaby remix of "Levitating" topped both the US Mainstream Top 40 chart, which monitors pop radio stations,[126] and the US Adult Top 40, which monitors hot adult contemporary radio formats.[127] It also reached number one on the Radio Songs chart after a 37-week climb, the longest climb to the top spot in the chart's 30-year history, surpassing the 35-week climb set by "I Hope" by Gabby Barrett in October 2020.[128] In December 2021, the solo version of "Levitating" was named the best-performing single of the year on the Hot 100, becoming only the fourth single to achieve this without topping the weekly chart (after "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in 1965, "Breathe" by Faith Hill in 2000, and "Hanging by a Moment" by Lifehouse in 2001) and the first single by a female solo artist to top the year-end chart since 2011.[129][130]

"Levitating" appeared on the 2020 year-end lists by numerous publications, including being placed as the best song of the year by Cosmopolitan and the Herald Sun.[225][226] In Billboard, the song placed on their "30 Best Pop Songs of 2020" list.[227] The Guardian writers Laura Snapes, Lanre Bakare, and Hannah J Davies all included the song among their favourite songs of 2020.[228] Steven Pearl of Rolling Stone ranked the DaBaby remix at number six on his year-end list[229] Atwood Magazine's Anthony Kozlowski ranked the original version as 2020's second best song, while Official Charts Company operations executive Cat Smyth named it her favourite song of 2020.[230][231] Former American president Barack Obama included the DaBaby Remix on his "Favorite Songs of 2020" list.[232] Time Out ranked the solo version of "Levitating" as the thirty-fifth best song of all time.[233]

Lipa performed "Levitating" for the first time on The Graham Norton Show on 20 November 2020.[249] Two days later she performed it at the American Music Awards of 2020.[250] The ceremony took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, however Lipa's performance was filmed at London's Royal Albert Hall in a custom built set.[251][252] At the end of the performance, she levitated towards the sky with the help of wires through a pulley system,[253][254] which gained praise from Olivia Horn of The New York Times and Vulture's Justin Curto, who both viewed the performance as one of the ceremony's best moments. Horn also praised Lipa's dancing abilities.[255][256] For Radio.com, Marty Rosenbaum ranked it as the night's eighth best moment and also praised the levitating bit.[257]

Lipa performed "Levitating" as the second track on the setlist for her Studio 2054 live stream concert on 27 November 2020.[258] She performed it during her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, released 4 December 2020.[259] The following day, Lipa performed it as a medley with her single "Physical" (2020) at both the LOS40 Music Awards 2020 and the 2020 NRJ Music Awards;[260][261] she also performed "Fever" (2020) with Angèle at the latter ceremony.[262] On 10 December 2020, Lipa performed an acoustic set at the 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball which included "Levitating" as well as "Don't Start Now" and a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", the latter of which was a virtual performance with a few of her fans for Capital One's Holiday Jam.[263][264] During her 19 December 2020 Saturday Night Live appearance, she performed "Levitating", "Don't Start Now", and acted in a World War II-themed skit.[265] Lipa performed the song as part of her 22 December 2020 Pandora livestream concert.[266] On New Year's Eve 2020, she performed it during YouTube's Hello 2021 virtual countdown special for the Indian, British and American shows.[267]

On 14 March 2021, Lipa performed the remixed version with DaBaby for the first time at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, alongside a performance of "Don't Start Now".[268]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition.[4]

Recording and management

• Vocals recorded at Sarm Studios (London, United Kingdom)
• Recorded at the Bunker at 13, Sarm Music Village (London, United Kingdom) and Modulator Music (Toronto, Canada)
• Mixed at Henson Studios (Hollywood, California)
• Mastered at Sterling Sound (Edgewater, New Jersey)

Personnel

• Lyric video on YouTube
• Animated music video on YouTube
• DaBaby Levitating remix losing US radio audiences after the rapper's comments on HIV/AIDS at Wikinews