Turn da Lights Off

"Turn da Lights Off"
Single by Tweet featuring Missy Elliott
from the album It's Me Again
Released October 5, 2004
(see release history)
Format Radio airplay, CD single, digital download, 12" vinyl
Recorded 2004
The Hit Factory, Audiovision
(Miami, Florida)
Genre R&B, hip hop
Length 4:55 (album version)
Label Atlantic/Goldmind
Writer(s) M. Elliott, K. Holland, Eddie DeLange, E. Newman, H. Spencer, M. Gaye
Producer(s) Kwamé, Missy Elliott
Tweet singles chronology
"Smoking Cigarettes"
(2002)		 "Turn da Lights Off"
(2004)		 "When I Need a Man"
(2005)
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Car Wash"
(2004)		 "Turn da Lights Off"
(2004)		 "1, 2 Step"
(2004)

"Turn da Lights Off" is a song performed by American R&B singer Tweet. The song features guest vocals by frequent collaborator Missy Elliott alongside production from Elliott and Kwamé. It was released as the lead single from Tweet's second album, It's Me Again (2005). The song contains R&B samples and excerpts of Nat King Cole's "Lost April" and Marvin Gaye's "If This World Were Mine".[1]

Background

Proposals for the It's Me Again lead single dates back to early 2004, where MTV reported that the Missy Elliott–produced "Shook Up," featuring former 106 & Park co-host Free, was in consideration for a lead single choice. However, complications from the merging between Elektra Records and Atlantic prevented the song's release, resulting in the song's cancellation and a pushback date for Tweet's It's Me Again album.[2] In October 5, 2004, "Turn da Lights Off" was released and began to appear on numerous mixtapes to help spread the word of the song's release.[3] A promotional remix featuring 50 Cent and an alternate line by Missy Elliott was also released to mixtapes in order to generate further buzz for the single.[4][5]

Critical reception

The song met generally mixed to favorable reviews. Shaheem Reid of MTV's Mixtape Monday complimented the track for its guest production by hip-hop legend Kwamé. Reid also praised Missy Elliott for her vocals and opening line: "taking it back like polka-dots," for its reminiscent-throwback feel of "a fly era."[3]

By contrast, Andy Kellman of AllMusic criticized Elliott's vocals, stating that her "berserk squawks vandalize[d]" Tweet's "return single." On a lighter note, Kellman did favor Elliott's production for the single, in which he felt it was reminiscent of her other produced–single, "So Gone" by Monica. Kellman had also listed "Turn da Lights Off" as a "Song Pick," where it was cited as the "most representative" of the It's Me Again album.[6]

Music video

The video, alongside a "Makes a Video" special, premiered on MTV2 in January 11, 2005.[7]

The video begins with Missy Elliott portraying a DJ while scratching on a vinyl record and performing her adlibs. The video then cuts to Tweet posing for camera shots in construction for her It's Me Again album booklet. Throughout the video, Tweet is either seen getting a makeover or posing for other various camera shots. Missy is then shown again, where she begins to perform her rap while sitting on a couch behind Tweet's photo-shoot or reprising her role as the DJ. The video then cuts back to Tweet posing for more camera shots while lip-syncing to the song.

Track listings and formats

US 12" vinyl[8]
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Radio Edit) — 4:15
  2. "Turn da Lights Off" (Instrumental) — 5:13
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (Album Version) — 4:55
  4. "Turn da Lights Off" (Acapella) — 4:42
European 12" vinyl[9]
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Album Version) (featuring Missy Elliott) — 4:55
  2. "Turn da Lights Off" (Remix) — 3:27
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (Instrumental) — 5:13
  4. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) — 5:51
European CD/Maxi-Single[10]
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Radio Edit) — 4:14
  2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) — 5:51
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (Remix) — 3:27
European CD single[11]
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Radio Edit) — 3:39
  2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) — 5:51

Charts

Release history

Date Format Label
October 5, 2004[16] 12" vinyl Atlantic/Goldmind
November 9, 2004[17] Digital download Atlantic/WEA International
March 7, 2005[18][19] CD single Elektra
Digital download Atlantic
July 12, 2005[11] Import single WEA International

References

  1. ↑ "Tweet Featuring Missy Elliott - Turn Da Lights Off (Vinyl)". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  2. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon (February 13, 2004). "Tweet Gets Happy With Missy's Help, Duets With Daughter On It's Me Again". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Reid, Shaheem (October 10, 2004). "Mixtape Monday: Mos Def Hasn't Lost The MC Itch; Chamillionaire Inks Major Deal". Mixtape Monday. MTV.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  4. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (February 20, 2005). "Mixtape Monday > Kanye's Boy Rhymefest Plays 50 And Nelly; Common Back With 'Be'". Mixtape Monday. MTV.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (March 1, 2005). "All Eyes On 50 Cent: The Sequel > Page 5: About Vivica Fox...". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "It's Me Again - Tweet > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Tweet Makes A Video". rnbdirt.com. January 8, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2005.
  8. ↑ "Tweet Feat. Missy Elliott - Turn Da Lights Off (Vinyl)". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Tweet Feat. Missy Elliott - Turn Da Lights Off (Vinyl)". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Tweet Feat. Missy Elliott - Turn Da Lights Off (CD)". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Turn da Lights Off > Tweet". Amazon. Amazon.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Tweet > Chart history". Billboard. Billboard.biz. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  13. ↑ "It's Me Again - Tweet > Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  14. ↑ "TWEET > Artist > Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Billboard: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay." Billboard. April 2, 2005: 18. Print.
  16. ↑ "Turn da Lights Off [Single] - Tweet > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Turn da Lights Off - Single (feat. Missy Elliott) by Tweet featuring Missy Elliott". iTunes. Apple.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Turn Da Lights Off (2 Tracks) - Tweet > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Turn Da Lights Off [Digital 1 Track Remix] - Tweet > Overview". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 4/12/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.