Marvins Room
| "Marvins Room" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Single by Drake | |
| from the album Take Care | |
| Released | June 9, 2011 (October's Very Own blog)[1] July 22, 2011 (iTunes) June 28, 2011 (radio) |
| Format | Digital download |
| Recorded | April 2011 |
| Genre | PBR&B, synthpop |
| Length | 8:15 (Physical album version with "Buried Alive Interlude") 5:48 (Single and digital album version) 3:17 (Video version) |
| Label | Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic |
| Writer(s) | N. Shebib, A. Graham, A. Eccleston |
| Producer | Noah "40" Shebib |
"Marvins Room" is a song by the Canadian rapper Drake . After the song debuted on his official blog October's Very Own on June 9, 2011. it was met with popularity, resulting in it being released as a single via radio airplay and digital download on June 28, 2011. It was later included on Drake's second studio album Take Care, from which it serves as a prequel single, with it being followed by lead single, "Headlines". It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of at least 500,000 copies in the US.[2]
The song was allegedly recorded inside the studio of the same name once owned by singer Marvin Gaye.[3]
Contents |
Composition[edit]
The song is anchored by Noah "40" Shebib's trademark muted bass, a trend that manifests, in the words of Jayson Greene of Pitchfork Media, "like the fumes from music that's already evaporated-- a wisp of keyboard, a single watery thud of bass drum.[4]"
The lyrics comprise Drake's late-night drunken rant to a former girlfriend over the phone while in a nightclub (a phenomenon referred to by critics as "drunk dialing"). Despite his frustrations over their breakup and his obvious loneliness, Drake reiterates to her his superiority over his replacement and repeatedly cajoles her to return to him. He also mentions that the women with whom he has had intercourse and to whom he has provided financial support do not satisfy him. Ultimately, his plaintive requests go unrequited.
The piano outro is played by Canadian musician Chilly Gonzales.
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
"Marvins Room" was well received by PopCrush, which gave the song 4.5 out of 5 stars and commented that "Not many rappers are capable of writing something with such an emotional impact."[5] Jayson Greene of Pitchfork Media also gave plaudits to the single, saying that it is "a shrewd reminder of what sets Aubrey Drake Graham apart. Drake is a master insinuator, and these two songs carry a muted, creeping unease no one else in hip-hop is currently quite equipped to provide.[4]"
Ann Powers of NPR Music's The Record drew comparisons between the song and the life and career of Marvin Gaye, stating that the song "taps into the magnetic but dangerous spirit of GAYE: not only his seduction skills, but his self-doubt, the vulnerability that made his music so profound and which eventually derailed him.[3]"
Commercial reception[edit]
Following its release on Drake's official blog, it gained considerable popularity on various radio formats.[1]
Remixes[edit]
The song has spawned a number of remixes from various artists. Responding to the number of "Marvin's Room" remixes, Drake said:
The writing is doing something to people for them to want to take it and remix it. It’s very flattering, you know. Thank you to anybody that did a remix,” Drake explained. “I hope other songs on the album get reactions like that too. I really, really worked very hard on the writing for this album so I hope it gets a great reaction. I’m excited. It comes out on my birthday so it’d be a nice birthday gift if you go buy it for the boy.”[6] Drake was particularly interested in JoJo's remix and commented on it by saying "In JoJo's case, she actually took the time to write really potent new lyrics," he says. "It was really shocking, I think, for her audience since throughout her career she's been kind of stereotyped as this teen pop star and then she comes out with this different kind of substance. It's very rare that people take your song and do it over like that."[7]
- JoJo ("Can't Do Better")[8]
- Rapper CL mashed-up "Can't Do Better" with Nicki Minaj's "Did It On'em" and G-Dragon's "The Leaders" as a part of her group 2NE1's NOLZA tour.
- JoJo "Can't Do Better" was again remixed by Timeflies and is titled "Adderall and Redbull"
- Teyana Taylor ("Her Room")[9]
- Jodie Aysha ("Your Room")[10]
- Lil Wayne ("Marvins Room"; included on his mixtape, Sorry 4 the Wait)[11]
- Sammie ("Marvins Room (Remix)")[12]
- Chris Brown ("Marvins Room")
- Paula DeAnda ("I Can Do Better")[13]
- Cody Simpson - Evenings in London (Marvins Room reigimained )
- Jaden Smith - Starry Room
Music video[edit]
The music video for the song was released on Drake's OVO blog on June 28, 2011. The song in the video is shorter, and to the near end is a small sample of the chopped and screwed version of the song.
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[14] | 37 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 21 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] | 7 |
Release history[edit]
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States[17] | June 28, 2011 | Urban radio |
References[edit]
- ^ a b "October's Very Own: Marvin's Room Now Available on iTunes". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ "RIAA – Searchable Database: Marvins Room". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
- ^ a b Ann Powers (01:30 pm, June 17, 2011). "In Modern Rap, Echoes Of Marvin Gaye's Deep, Damaged Soul". NPR.
- ^ a b Jayson Greene (2011-06-13). "Drake - "Marvin's Room"". Pitchfork Media.
- ^ Shetler, Scott (June 9, 2011). "Drake, 'Marvins Room' – Song Review". PopCrush.
- ^ Drake Flattered by "Marvins Room" Remixes
- ^ http://www.papermag.com/2011/09/drake_at_versace_for_fno.php
- ^ Pop Corner
- ^ Teyana Taylor Cozies Up to Omarion in 'Her Room' - Video
- ^ Your Room (Drake - Marvins Room U.K Refix)
- ^ Lil Wayne Covers Drake's 'Marvins Room'
- ^ New Music: Sammie – 'Marvins Room (Remix)'
- ^ Paula DeAnda - Marvins Room (I Can Do Better)
- ^ "Archive Chart" UK R&B Chart. Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Drake Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Drake. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-11-27.
- ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of October 22, 2011 (1-10)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-10-20.
- ^ "Urban Radio Adds (June 28, 2011)". allaccess.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
[["The Singles Bar: Drake, âMarvinâs Roomâ." Popdust. Emily Exton, n.d. Web. 09 July 2012. <http://popdust.com/2011/06/09/drake-marvins-room-review/>.]]
