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Take Back the Night (song)

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"Take Back the Night"
Song

"Take Back the Night" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his fourth studio album, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013). It was written and produced by Timberlake, Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, with additional writing from James Fauntleroy. The song was released on July 12, 2013, by RCA Records, as the lead single from The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2. "Take Back the Night" is a disco and R&B song that lyrically addresses a potential love interest.

The song received mixed reviews from music critics, who complimented its Michael Jackson influence and disco groove, but others called it a weak and not propulsive track. Commercially, the song was very moderate, only reaching the top-forty in most countries, becoming one of his most unsuccessful solo singles. The song gathered controversies with the Take Back the Night Foundation, an anti-rape organization, who expressed concerns about the similarities between the song's title and the organization's name.

Release

While releasing and promoting The 20/20 Experience, Timberlake revealed that he only released half of the album and that the second half of The 20/20 Experience was going to be released later in 2013. However, it was revealed the same day that the second part would be released in November.[1] On July 10, 2013, Timberlake posted a 45-second video on his official YouTube channel. In the video, Timberlake is seen hopping out of a convertible holding several white signs in his right hand. The signs list the various release dates of Timberlake's 2013 releases – "Suit & Tie January 14th", "Mirrors February 11th" and "The 20/20 Experience March 19th".[2]

The next card reads "Take Back the Night", while the final card displays a blurred-out sign that was presumed to be its release date. Timberlake then walks into a club and a 10-second snippet of the song is played. The video closes with a message that reads: "The 20/20 Experience Continues..." Jason Lipshutz of Billboard was confused by the announcement, stating that if "Take Back the Night" is a new single, "it will blow by 'Tunnel Vision' which was bestowed with a controversial music video last week but has not yet been promoted to radio as the third official single from The 20/20 Experience."[2] Two days later, on July 12, the full audio for "Take Back the Night" was posted to Timberlake's YouTube channel at noon Eastern time. The song was offered as a free download with a pre-order of the The 20/20 Experience: 2 of 2 on the iTunes Store on the same date.[3]

Controversy

Shortly after the song was released, the Take Back the Night Foundation, an anti-rape organization, expressed concerns about the similarities between the song's title and the organization's name. Executive director of the foundation Katherine Koestner was critical of the lyrics, telling Radar Online that "The lyrics are definitely very sexual and not at all clearly anti-sexual violence. 'Use me,' for example, is not a great phrase for anyone affiliated with the organization."[4] Take Back the Night sent Timberlake's lawyers a letter detailing their concerns.[5] Shortly after that the singer apologized saying that he was unaware of the organization and has come forward to support them, "I wanted to take this opportunity to let all know that neither my song nor its lyrics have any association with the organization. As I’ve learned more about the Take Back the Night Foundation, I’m moved by its efforts to stop violence against women, create safe communities and encourage respectful relationships for women—Something we all should rally around."[6] The anti-rape organization, for their part, has decided not to pursue any suit against the singer, with Koestner saying, "At this point, we’re going to bow down gracefully, and accept that fighting this in court probably isn't the best use of anyone's time."[7]

Music and lyrics

"Take Back the Night"
A 30-second sample of "Take Back the Night".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Take Back the Night" is a disco and R&B song, with a length of five minutes and fifty-five seconds.[8] It carries a "sleek, rhythmic pop production",[2] with instrumentation consisting of stirring strings, percolating percussion horn stabs, thumping bass and waka-waka guitars.[3][8][9] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard wrote that the song "nods to Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson",[3] while MTV News' James Montgomery declared "Take Back the Night" a "sumptuous slice" of "Off the Wall-indebted disco" that seems "custom-made for roller rinks everywhere (or at least the five that are still open for business in 2013)".[9] The song contains a "dizzyingly light hook".[3] Similarly, a reviewer of Spin wrote that the song has a distinct Jackson vibe, "throwing back to soul's post-disco evolution, infusing dance floor rhythms with impeccable class."[10] According to Lipshutz the song is also a "souped-up version" of "Let the Groove Get In".[3]

According to Lipshutz, "Take Back the Night" contains "little lyrical purpose aside from provoking its listener to move".[3] Timberlake sings of trying to woo a would-be lover: "Girl, this was your city/You did it all and more/Broke every law except for one, babe: attraction". During the chorus, "he gets a little more direct", begging the object of his affection to join him on the dance floor: "Your love's a weapon/Give your body some direction/that's my aim/And we can take back the night".[9] During its outro, it contains staccato-ed guitars and blasts of horns, each of which is announced by Timberlake.[9]

Critical reception

"Take Back the Night" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. A reviewer of Fact wrote, "Horn-addled and packed with the kind of effortless swagger the singer exudes so well, 'Take Back the Night' will no doubt field comparisons to prime-era Michael Jackson, and that’s no bad thing at all."[11] The comparison was echoed by Spin,[12] New York Post[13] and Showbiz 411,[14] all of whom reacted favourably to the song. Writing for Vulture, Amanda Dobbins praised the "poorly named, pretty fun single" for being "a solid one, with a heavy disco vibe and the all-important handclaps" but also frowned upon its length.[15] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song 3 stars out of 5 in a review that observed: "While the final result won't have us running off to dust down the disco ball and whip out the flared trousers, its subtle funk is enough to keep our attention firmly focussed on what's to come."[16]

Melinda Newman of HitFix wrote that the song is more accessible and "poppier" than the experimental material on The 20/20 Experience, "but still feels like a cousin to some of the material on that album, in part because of the beats and producer Timbaland’s delightful reliance of staccato horns punctuating certain verses."[17] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times gave the song a mixed review, describing it as a "weak outtake from The 20/20 Experience; it's plush but not luxurious, funky but not propulsive".[18] Taylor Balkom in his The Daily Reveille review graded the song a C+, writing "the song is only okay ... it isn't anything we haven't heard before."[19] Slant Magazine's Eric Henderson was also rather critical of the song, perceiving it to be an "(intentional?) cognitive dissonance centering a blockbuster club ode to hedonism around a phrase everyone knows means "do not rape.""[20]

Commercial performance

"Take Back the Night" didn't manage to reach success across the world, only reaching top-forty positions in most countries. In the United States, "Take Back the Night" debuted at number 47,[21] before climbing eight spots to number 39.[22] Eventually, the song reached a peak of number 29,[23] becoming Timberlake's lowest charting-single in the United States. The song was a little better on the Pop Songs chart, debuting at number 20, becoming the greatest gainer of the week,[24] and on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it reached the top-ten, becoming his sixth top-ten on the R&B charts.[25] In the United Kingdom, the song also failed to reach the top-twenty, peaking at number 22, remaining one of his lowest charting solo singles, only losing to "Tunnel Vision".[26]

Elsewhere, the song performed very poorly. In Ireland, the song missed the top-forty, only reaching number 49,[27] while in Germany, the song only peaked at number 52.[28] In France, the song was his only single to miss the top-forty, only peaking at number 85.[29] In Switzerland, "Take Back the Night" became Timberlake's lowest charting solo single, only reaching number 48 - his lowest was 2003's "I'm Lovin' It", with a peak of number 47.[30] In Serbia, on Serbian airplay charts, the song peaked at number 20 in its second week on the chart.[31]

Live performances

Timberlake performed the song live for the first time at the Wireless Festival on July 12, 2013.[32] On August 25, 2013, Timberlake also performed the song at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards as part of a medley. The song is featured on Timberlake's 2013/14 The 20/20 Experience World Tour.

Music video

The music video for "Take Back the Night" was shot on July 18, 2013 in New York City. In the video, Timberlake walks the streets of Chinatown and performs in a black-and-white outfit on the sidewalk. In another scene, he is seen riding in a "classic car" during the night.[33] The "Take Back the Night" video was directed by Jeff Nicholas, Jonathan Craven and Darren Craig. According to a press release, the video "harkens back to the days when nightlife ruled the city and beckons everyone within earshot that the night holds endless possibilities." Beginning on July 30 at 7am, fans can visit a custom website for a "virtual journey throughout New York City", which will offer fun facts about the music video. Twitter hashtags will be incorporated to enhance the experience.[22]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Take Back the Night" CD single.[34]

Locations
  • Vocals recorded and mixed at Jungle City Studios in New York City, New York
Personnel
  • Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley – producer, songwriter
  • Justin Timberlake – Mixer, producer, songwriter, vocal producer, vocal arranger
  • Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon – keyboards, producer, songwriter
  • James Fauntleroy – songwriter
  • Chris Godbey – engineer, mixer
  • Jimmy Douglass – mixer
  • Alejandro Baima – assistant engineer
  • Elliot Ives – guitar
  • Benjamin Wright & The Benjamin Wright Orchestra – horns
  • Terry Santiel – percussion
  • Dave Kutch – mastering engineer

Charts

Weekly

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[35] 57
Australia Urban (ARIA)[36] 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[37] 26
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[37] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[38] 45
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] 23
Denmark (Tracklisten)[40] 37
France (SNEP)[29] 85
Invalid chart entered Germany2 52
Ireland (IRMA)[27] 49
Italy (FIMI)[41] 47
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[42] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 38
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[44] 97
Scotland (OCC)[45] 31
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] 48
UK Singles (OCC)[46] 22
US Billboard Hot 100[47] 29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[48] 8
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[49] 21
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[50] 14
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[51] 10

Year-end

Chart (2013) Position
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[52] 33
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[53] 100
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[54] 171
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[55] 44

Release history

Template:Wikipedia books

Country Date Format Label
France[56] July 12, 2013 Digital download Sony
Germany[57]
Ireland[58]
Italy[59]
Netherlands[60]
New Zealand[61]
United Kingdom[62] RCA
United States[63]
United States[64] July 16, 2013 Contemporary hit radio
Italy[65] July 26, 2013 Sony
United States[66] August 6, 2013 Hot AC radio RCA
United States[67] August 19, 2013 Urban radio
Germany[68] August 30, 2013 CD single Sony

References

  1. ^ "Justin Timberlake Confirms Second '20/20 Experience' Album Coming". Hollywood Reporter. March 18, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (July 10, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Teases 'Take Back the Night' Song in New Video: Watch". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Lipshutz, Jason (July 12, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Releases 'Take Back the Night' Single: Listen". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  4. ^ Kitchener, Shaun (July 14, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Facing Legal Threat From Anti-Rape Group Over New Single?". Entertainmentwise. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Maresca, Rachel (July 16, 2013). "Justin Timberlake will not be sued by Take Back the Night foundation over latest single". New York Daily News.
  6. ^ Nostro, Lauren (July 16, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Addresses Controversy Surrounding "Take Back the Night" Single". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  7. ^ http://www.jdjournal.com/2013/07/18/justin-timberlake-not-sued-despite-stealing-anti-rape-organizations-name-take-back-the-night
  8. ^ a b Kyle Anderson (July 12, 2013). "Justin Timberlake's new single 'Take Back the Night': Hear it here". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d James Montgomery (July 12, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Premieres New Single, 'Take Back the Night'". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  10. ^ "Justin Timberlake Channels Michael Jackson Well on 'Take Back the Night' Single". Spin. Buzz Media. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Justin Timberlake shares brand new single 'Take Back the Night'". Fact. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Justin Timberlake Channels Michael Jackson Well on 'Take Back the Night' Single". Spin). Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  13. ^ Phull, Hardeep. "Justin Timberlake Owns The 'Night'". New York Post. Retrieved 25 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Friedman, Roger. "Justin Timberlake Clever Michael Jackson Tribute in New Song "Take Back the Night" (listen)". Showbiz 411. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  15. ^ Dobbins, Amanda. "Justin Timberlake's Poorly Named, Pretty Fun Single Is Here". Vulture. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  16. ^ Corner, Lewis. "Justin Timberlake: 'Take Back the Night' - Single review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  17. ^ Newman, Melinda (July 12, 2013). "Justin Timberlake's new song, 'Take Back the Night' in full: Listen". HitFix. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  18. ^ Wood, Mikael (July 13, 2013). "Listen to Justin Timberlake's new single 'Take Back the Night'". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  19. ^ Balkom, Taylor. "Review: Justin Timberlake, "Take Back the Night"". The Daily Reveille. Retrieved 25 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Henderson, Eric. "Single Review: Take Back the Night". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
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  23. ^ "US Singles Top 100 - Compiled By: Billboard Hot 100Issue Date: Saturday September 14, 2013". Music Charts. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  24. ^ Trust, Gary (July 22, 2013). "Chart Highlights: Jonas Brothers, One Direction Debut On Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  25. ^ Ramirez, Rauly (August 12, 2013). "Justin Timberlake's 'Take Back the Night' Hits Top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
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  27. ^ a b "Chart Track: Week 29, 2013". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  28. ^ Cite error: The named reference german was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  31. ^ http://www.poptoplista.com/arhiva.php?cat=203
  32. ^ Lewis Corner (July 12, 2013). "Justin Timberlake performs new single during Wireless headline set". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  33. ^ RTT Staff Writer (July 22, 2013). "Justin Timberlake Shoots 'Take Back the Night' Video". RTTNews. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  34. ^ a b "Take Back the Night" (CD single liner notes). Justin Timberlake. New York City: RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. 2013. 88883762432.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. ^ "Chartifacts". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
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  37. ^ a b "Justin Timberlake – Take Back the Night" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 22, 2013. Cite error: The named reference "Flanders" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  38. ^ "Justin Timberlake – Take Back the Night" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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  40. ^ "Justin Timberlake – Take Back the Night". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  41. ^ "Tutti i successi del 2013" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  42. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  43. ^ "Justin Timberlake – Take Back the Night" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  44. ^ "Airplay 100" (in Romanian). Kiss FM (Romania).
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  46. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  47. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  48. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  49. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  50. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  51. ^ "Justin Timberlake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  52. ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN 2013: Urban" (in Dutch). ultratop.be/nl. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  53. ^ "Japan Hot 100: 2013 Year-end". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  54. ^ "End of Year 2013" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  55. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2013 Year-end". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  56. ^ "Take Back the Night" (in French). Amazon.com (FR). Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  57. ^ "Take Back the Night" (in German). Amazon.com (GER). Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  58. ^ "Take Back The Night by Justin Timberlake". 7digital (IE). Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  59. ^ "Take Back the Night" (in Italian). Amazon.com (IT). Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  60. ^ "Take Back The Night van Justin Timberlake" (in Dutch). 7digital (NL). Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  61. ^ "Take Back The Night by Justin Timberlake". 7digital (NZ). Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  62. ^ "Take Back the Night". Amazon.com (UK). Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  63. ^ "Take Back the Night". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  64. ^ "CHR". FMQB. Mediaspan. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  65. ^ "Justin Timberlake – Take Back the Night (Sony)" (in Italian). Radio Airplay SRL. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  66. ^ "Hot AC". Radio & Records. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  67. ^ "Urban Adult Contemporary". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  68. ^ "Take Back the Night (Single)" (in German). Amazon.com (GER). Retrieved July 23, 2013.
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