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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox single| <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
{{Infobox song
| Name = Tightrope
| Cover =
| name = Tightrope
| Artist = [[Janelle Monáe]] featuring [[Big Boi]]
| cover = Janelle Monae - Tightrope.PNG
| alt =
| from Album = [[The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)]]
| Released = February 11, 2010
| type = single
| Format =
| artist = [[Janelle Monáe]] featuring [[Big Boi]]
| Recorded =
| album = [[The ArchAndroid]]
| released = February 11, 2010
| Genre = [[Funk]], [[dance-punk]], [[soul music|soul]]
| Length = 4:53
| recorded =
| studio =
| Label = [[Wondaland]]/[[Bad Boy Records]]
| venue =
| Writer = Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Antwan Patton, Janelle Monáe Robinson
| genre = {{flatlist|
| Producer = Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Janelle Monáe
* [[Funk]]
| Chart position =
* [[neo soul]]
| Last single = "[[Come Alive (War of the Roses)]]" <br />2009
* [[art pop]]<ref>url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-songs-of-2010-148374/janelle-monae-feat-big-boi-tightrope-176665/</ref>
| This single = "Tightrope" <br />2010
}}
| Next single = "[[Cold War (Janelle Monáe song)|Cold War]]" <br />2010
| length = 4:23
| label = {{flatlist|
* Wondaland Arts Society
* [[Bad Boy Records]]
}}
| writer = {{flatlist|
* Nathaniel Irvin III
* Charles Joseph II
* Antwan Patton
* Janelle Monáe Robinson
}}
| producer = {{flatlist|
* Nate Wonder
* Chuck Lightning
* Janelle Monáe
}}
| chronology = [[Janelle Monáe]]
| prev_title = [[Many Moons (song)|Many Moons]]
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = [[Cold War (song)|Cold War]]
| next_year = 2010
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Remix cover
| type = single
| cover = Janelle Monáe - Tightrope Remix.png
| border =
| alt =
| caption = Cover for "Tightrope (Wondamix)" featuring [[B.o.B]] and [[Lupe Fiasco]]
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|pwnefUaKCbc|"Tightrope"}}}}
}}
}}


"'''Tightrope'''" is a 2010 song by American singer [[Janelle Monáe]], the first official single from ''[[The ArchAndroid]]''.
"'''Tightrope'''" is a 2010 song by [[United States|American]] singer [[Janelle Monáe]]. It is the first official single from ''[[The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)]]''. The single premiered on February 11 on [[Pitchfork Media]] website, with a companion song entitled "Cold War" debuting the following day via Monáe's official website.<ref name="single">[http://www.hiphoppress.com/2010/02/janelle-monaes-debut-album-the-archandroid-due-in-may-first-single-tightrope-feat-big-boi-to-arrive-.html Janelle Monae's Debut Album, "The ArchAndroid", Due in May; First Single, "Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi)", to Arrive via JanelleMonae.com]. Hip Hop Press. Retrieved on 2010-05-30.</ref>


The single premiered on February 11 on ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'', earning an immediate 9/10 rating and its coveted "Best New Music" tag. The companion song, "[[Cold War (song)|Cold War]]," debuted on February 12 via Monáe's official website.<ref name="single">{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphoppress.com/2010/02/janelle-monaes-debut-album-the-archandroid-due-in-may-first-single-tightrope-feat-big-boi-to-arrive-.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215092938/http://www.hiphoppress.com/2010/02/janelle-monaes-debut-album-the-archandroid-due-in-may-first-single-tightrope-feat-big-boi-to-arrive-.html |archivedate=February 15, 2010 |title=Janelle Monae's Debut Album, 'The ArchAndroid', Due in May; First Single, 'Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi)', to Arrive via JanelleMonae.com |first=Clyde |last=Smith |date=11 February 2011 |publisher=Hip Hop Press |accessdate=22 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
==Background==

Speaking in May 2010 to noted UK urban writer Pete Lewis - Deputy Editor of [[Blues & Soul]] - Monae discussed the background to the song: "'Tightrope' is basically dealing with how in life it's important to keep your balance and not get too high or low about things during the time when you're either being praised or being criticised. Which is something that, as artists, Big Boi and I could both relate to, because there are so many peaks and dips along the journey of just being an artist on the road to success. So we both felt it was important to kinda help those everyday working people who are constantly dealing with life's obstacles, by giving them like a tutorial on how to deal with issues face-on."<ref>[http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/554/janelle_monae_funky_sensation/ Janelle Monae interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 2010]</ref>
The official remix, titled "Tightrope (Wondamix)", features rappers [[B.o.B]] and [[Lupe Fiasco]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/janelle-monae-tightrope-wondamix/ |title=Janelle Monáe ft. B.o.B. and Lupe Fiasco - Tightrope (Wondamix) |first=Matty |last=K |publisher=The DJ Booth |accessdate=22 December 2013}}</ref> The solo version of the song without Big Boi is also featured in the video game ''[[Just Dance 3]]''. It was featured during the end credits for ''[[Happy Feet Two]]'', in a version that interpolates some singing from one of the characters and also features a new verse from American child actor and rapper [[Benjamin Flores Jr.|Lil' P-Nut]] which replace Big Boi's verse. The song also featured on the third-season finale of teen drama ''[[90210 (TV series)|90210]]''.

==Concept==
Speaking in May 2010 to UK urban writer Pete Lewis, deputy editor of ''[[Blues & Soul]]'', Monáe discussed the background to the song: "'Tightrope' is basically dealing with how in life it's important to keep your balance and not get too high or low about things during the time when you're either being praised or being criticised. Which is something that, as artists, Big Boi and I could both relate to, because there are so many peaks and dips along the journey of just being an artist on the road to success. So we both felt it was important to kinda help those everyday working people who are constantly dealing with life's obstacles, by giving them like a tutorial on how to deal with issues face-on."<ref>{{cite interview|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/554/janelle_monae_funky_sensation/ |first=Janelle |last=Monáe |interviewer=Pete Lewis |title=Janelle Monae: Funky Sensation |publisher=Blues & Soul |date=June 2010 |accessdate=22 December 2013}}</ref>

==Composition==
"Tightrope" features futuristic, space themes; however, it has also been described to feature "serious old-school entertainer bona fides". ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' note that the tracks sped up alien backing vocals are the only thing that keep the theme of sci-fi and of the future. The song has also been compared to singer [[Amerie]]'s track "[[1 Thing]]", and Monáe was likened to [[Katharine Hepburn]] for her vocals on the track. ''Pitchfork'' went on to explain "But when the chorus hits, she switches up into a classic soul-singer wail, the type of immediate retro yowl that keeps [[Sharon Jones (singer)|Sharon Jones]] in fancy shoes. And after Big Boi struts on in and rhymes 'NASDAQ' with 'ass crack', she ups the ante, rhyming 'alligators' with 'rattlesnakers,' 'another flavor,' and 'Terminator.' It's just a star performance all around, and God knows we need those lately."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11790-tightrope-ft-big-boi/ |title=The Playlist: Janelle Monáe - "Tightrope" [ft. Big Boi] |first=Tom |last=Breihan |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=5 April 2011}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
Monáe released the video on March 31, 2010. The music video was directed by director Wendy Morgan. In the music video she portrays an inpatient that possesses the power to walk through walls and later she catches the "crazy/dancing feet" with her friends. Monáe talked about the video, saying, "'Tightrope' takes place at the Palace of the Dogs. A lot of the greats were admitted into this place, like Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix. We wanted to keep it raw and funky—just having it in an insane asylum made it that much cooler to me."<ref>{{cite web |first=Melinda |last=Tommy |url=http://www.rnbmusicblog.com/janelle-monae-tightrope-official-music-video-premiere/11752/ |title=Janelle Monae Tightrope Official Music Video Premiere |publisher=Rnbmusicblog.com |date=1 April 2010 |accessdate=5 April 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201082752/http://www.rnbmusicblog.com/janelle-monae-tightrope-official-music-video-premiere/11752/ |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The video references experimental filmmaker [[Maya Deren]]'s iconic 1943 film, ''[[Meshes of the Afternoon]]''.
{{Expand section|date=May 2010}}

The video was released on March 31, 2010.<ref>Dombal, Ryan. [http://pitchfork.com/news/38348-video-janelle-monae-tightrope/ Video: Janelle Monae: "Tightrope"]. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2010-05-30.</ref> It features Monae and dancer friends, dressed in tuxedos, doing the "tightrope" dance.
==Live performances==
Monáe performed the song on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on May 18, 2010,<ref>Dombal, Ryan (19 May 2010). [https://pitchfork.com/news/38858-janelle-monae-blows-out-letterman/ Janelle Monae Blows Out "Letterman"]. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 25, 2010</ref> ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' on May 26, ''[[Lopez Tonight]]'' on May 27, ''[[Last Call with Carson Daly]]'' on May 28,<ref>[http://www.jmonae.com/blog/upcoming-janelle-tv-appearances/ Upcoming Janelle TV appearances] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528034640/http://www.jmonae.com/blog/upcoming-janelle-tv-appearances/ |date=May 28, 2010 }}</ref> and on ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' on September 28.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wete |first=Brad |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/09/29/janelle-monae-dancing-with-the-stars/ |title=Janelle Monae walks the 'Tightrope' on Dancing with the Stars |work=The Music Mix |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |date=29 September 2010 |accessdate=5 April 2011}}</ref> In the UK, the song was the "Single of the Week" on [[iTunes]] (i.e. released as a free download) for 7 days (beginning July 13, 2010) to promote the release of her album, ''[[The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III)]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/tightrope-feat-big-boi-single/id381617630 |title=Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) (single)|publisher=iTunes |date= |accessdate=5 April 2011}}</ref> On June 25, 2011, she performed "Tightrope" along with other songs at [[Glastonbury Festival]].

==Accolades==
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named "Tightrope" the eighth best single of 2010 in its year-end list.<ref name="RSsingles">Staff (December 7, 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20101210112628/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/68404/239428?RS_show_page=4 Rolling Stone's Best Singles of 2010]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved 7 December 2010.</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'' ranked the song at #9 on its The 20 Best Songs of 2010,<ref>{{cite web|title=The 20 Best Songs of 2010|url=http://www.spin.com/articles/20-best-songs-2010?page=0%2C2|publisher=Spin|date=8 December 2010|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref> and ''[[PopMatters]]'' placed it at #2 on its The 60 Best Songs of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 60 Best Songs of 2010|url=https://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/134407-the-60-best-singles-of-2010/P5|publisher=Pop Matters|date=24 December 2010|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref> ''Pitchfork'' ranked it number 10 on its year-end list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7895-the-top-100-tracks-of-2010/10/ |title=The Top 100 Tracks of 2010 |last=Granzin |first=Amy |date=December 13, 2010 |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] |accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref> ''[[Spinner (website)|Spinner]]'' named it #38 on its best songs of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Songs of 2010: 50 Tracks That Blew Our Hair Back This Year|url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/12/13/best-songs-of-2010/|publisher=Spinner|date=13 December 2010|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref> ''[[NME]]'' named the music video for "Tightrope" #1 on its 50 Best Music Video of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=50 Best Music Video of 2010|url=https://www.nme.com/list/50-best-music-videos-of-2010/200787/page/5|publisher=NME|date=2010|accessdate=26 January 2011}}</ref> In January 2011, ''[[The Village Voice]]''{{'}}s [[Pazz & Jop]] annual critics' poll ranked "Tightrope" at number 2 to find the best music of 2010, behind [[CeeLo Green]]'s "[[Fuck You (CeeLo Green song)|Forget You]]".

The song was also featured in the [[Chevrolet Cruze]] Canadian commercial to promote the new vehicle and in the American retail chain [[Kmart (United States)|Kmart]] ”Back to School commercial in 2011. It was featured on the unranked list of ''TIME'''S ALL-TIME 100 Songs.<ref>[https://entertainment.time.com/2011/10/24/the-all-time-100-songs/slide/all/ Time (magazine)]|</ref>

==Track listings==

'''Solo version single'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Tightrope-Janelle-Mon%C3%A1e/dp/B0040I73US/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1544235865&sr=1-1-mp3-albums-bar-strip-0&keywords=janelle+monae+tightrope|title=Tightrope|website=Amazon}}</ref>
*Tightrope (The Solo Version)

'''Wondamix Single'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Tightrope-Wondamix-Feat-Lupe-Fiasco/dp/B003R4JWLY/ref=sr_1_2?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1544235865&sr=1-2-mp3-albums-bar-strip-0&keywords=janelle+monae+tightrope|title = Tightrope|website = Amazon}}</ref>
*Tightrope (Wondamix) (feat. [[B.o.B]] and [[Lupe Fiasco]])

'''Digital Remix EP'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Tightrope-Remixes-Janelle-Mon%C3%A1e/dp/B003X2D6X0|title = Tightrope|website = Amazon}}</ref>
*Tightrope (Robbie Rivera's Juicy Mix)
*Tightrope (Robbie Rivera's Juicy Big Room Dub)
*Tightrope (Robbie Rivera's Radio Mix)
*Tightrope (Goodwill & Hook 'N' Sling Remix)
*Tightrope (Paul Harris Vocal Remix)
*Tightrope (Paul Harris Dub)
*Tightrope (10 Rapid Instrumental)
*Tightrope (Wondamix) (feat. [[B.o.B]] and [[Lupe Fiasco]])
*Tightrope (Acapella) (feat. Big Boi)


==Promotion==
==Cover versions==
*[[Marcus Miller]] and [[Dr. John]] recorded the song for Miller's 2012 album ''[[Renaissance (Marcus Miller album)|Renaissance]]''
Monáe performed the song on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on May 18, 2010<ref>Dombal, Ryan. [http://pitchfork.com/news/38858-janelle-monae-blows-out-letterman/ Janelle Monae Blows Out "Letterman"]. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2010-05-25</ref>, ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' on May 26, ''[[Lopez Tonight]]'' on May 27 and ''[[Last Call with Carson Daly]]'' on May 28.<ref>[http://www.jmonae.com/blog/upcoming-janelle-tv-appearances/ Upcoming Janelle TV appearances]</ref>
*A cover version of the song was included on British singer [[Marcus Collins (singer)|Marcus Collins]]' 2012 [[Marcus Collins (album)|self-titled debut album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/marcus-collins/id502979016|title=Marcus Collins|date=9 March 2012|accessdate=22 December 2013|publisher=iTunes}}</ref>
*At a 2014 event by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', Scottish synthpop band [[Chvrches]] performed a cover of the song.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/01/watch-chvrches-cover-janelle-monae-tightrope.html |title=Watch CHVRCHES Cover Janelle Monae's 'Tightrope' |last=Weber |first=Lindsey |date=January 10, 2014 |website=[[Vulture (blog)|Vulture]] |accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref>
*[[Majesty Rose]] performed this song during the top 13 week on season 13 of ''[[American Idol]]''.
*This song was also covered in the ''[[Glee (TV Series)|Glee]]'' [[Glee season 6|final season]] second episode "[[Homecoming (Glee)|Homecoming]]" by The Warblers and new character Jane Hayward, played by [[Samantha Marie Ware]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mjsbigblog.com/glee-season-6-song-spoilers-homecoming-602-episode-2.htm |title=Glee season 6 song spoilers |date=September 14, 2014 |website=MJsBigBlog.com}}</ref>
*Tyanna Jones covered the song on ''[[American Idol season 14|American Idol]]''.
*Nadjah Nicole sang in the Blind Auditions from ''[[The Voice (U.S. season 9)|The Voice]]'', turning three chairs and ultimately opting to join Team [[Blake Shelton|Blake (Shelton)]].
*On the March 20, 2017, episode of ''[[The Voice (U.S. season 12)|The Voice]]'', Team [[Alicia Keys|Alicia (Keys)]] members Anatalia Villaranda of [[Temecula, California]], and Melissa "Missy" Robertson of [[Sacramento, California]], performed an arrangement of the song in a Battle round. Although coach [[Blake Shelton]] preferred Robertson's performance, Keys ultimately agreed with the preference of coaches [[Adam Levine]] and [[Gwen Stefani]] and named Villaranda the winner of the Battle, advancing her to the Knockout round. Soon after, Robertson was eliminated when Levine, Stefani, and Shelton all opted not to steal her onto any of their teams.


==Charts==
The official remix features rappers [[B.o.B]] and [[Lupe Fiasco]].<ref>[http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/janelle-monae-tightrope-wondamix/ Janelle Monáe - TIghtrope (Wondamix)]</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2010)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|20|artist=Janelle Monáe|song=Tightrope|rowheader=true|access-date=February 14, 2023}}
|-
! scope="row" |South Korea ([[Gaon Singles Chart|Gaon]] International)<ref>{{cite web | title=2010년 26주차 Digital Chart 국외 | url=http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/chart/digital.php?f_type=week&f_year=2010&f_month=&f_week=26&f_chart_kind_cd=E |language=Korean | work=[[Gaon Music Chart]] | publisher=Korea Music Content Industry Association | accessdate=October 9, 2014}}</ref>
| 61
|}


== References ==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Tightrope"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Janelle Monáe|title=Tightrope|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=June 13, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}


==References==
<references/>
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
*[http://www.jmonae.com/ Janelle Monáe's Official Website]
*[http://www.jmonae.com/ Janelle Monáe's official website]
*{{MySpace|janellemonae|Janelle Monáe}}


{{Janelle Monáe}}
{{Janelle Monáe}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Tightrope (Janelle Monae Song)}}
[[Category:2010 songs]]
[[Category:2010 singles]]
[[Category:2010 singles]]
[[Category:Bad Boy Records singles]]
[[Category:Big Boi songs]]
[[Category:Janelle Monáe songs]]
[[Category:Janelle Monáe songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Janelle Monáe]]
[[Category:Songs written by Big Boi]]

Latest revision as of 11:33, 17 November 2024

"Tightrope"
Single by Janelle Monáe featuring Big Boi
from the album The ArchAndroid
ReleasedFebruary 11, 2010
Genre
Length4:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Nathaniel Irvin III
  • Charles Joseph II
  • Antwan Patton
  • Janelle Monáe Robinson
Producer(s)
  • Nate Wonder
  • Chuck Lightning
  • Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe singles chronology
"Many Moons"
(2008) 		"Tightrope"
(2010) 		"Cold War"
(2010)
Remix cover
Cover for "Tightrope (Wondamix)" featuring B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco
Music video
"Tightrope" on YouTube

"Tightrope" is a 2010 song by American singer Janelle Monáe, the first official single from The ArchAndroid.

The single premiered on February 11 on Pitchfork, earning an immediate 9/10 rating and its coveted "Best New Music" tag. The companion song, "Cold War," debuted on February 12 via Monáe's official website.[2]

The official remix, titled "Tightrope (Wondamix)", features rappers B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco.[3] The solo version of the song without Big Boi is also featured in the video game Just Dance 3. It was featured during the end credits for Happy Feet Two, in a version that interpolates some singing from one of the characters and also features a new verse from American child actor and rapper Lil' P-Nut which replace Big Boi's verse. The song also featured on the third-season finale of teen drama 90210.

Concept

[edit]

Speaking in May 2010 to UK urban writer Pete Lewis, deputy editor of Blues & Soul, Monáe discussed the background to the song: "'Tightrope' is basically dealing with how in life it's important to keep your balance and not get too high or low about things during the time when you're either being praised or being criticised. Which is something that, as artists, Big Boi and I could both relate to, because there are so many peaks and dips along the journey of just being an artist on the road to success. So we both felt it was important to kinda help those everyday working people who are constantly dealing with life's obstacles, by giving them like a tutorial on how to deal with issues face-on."[4]

Composition

[edit]

"Tightrope" features futuristic, space themes; however, it has also been described to feature "serious old-school entertainer bona fides". Pitchfork note that the tracks sped up alien backing vocals are the only thing that keep the theme of sci-fi and of the future. The song has also been compared to singer Amerie's track "1 Thing", and Monáe was likened to Katharine Hepburn for her vocals on the track. Pitchfork went on to explain "But when the chorus hits, she switches up into a classic soul-singer wail, the type of immediate retro yowl that keeps Sharon Jones in fancy shoes. And after Big Boi struts on in and rhymes 'NASDAQ' with 'ass crack', she ups the ante, rhyming 'alligators' with 'rattlesnakers,' 'another flavor,' and 'Terminator.' It's just a star performance all around, and God knows we need those lately."[5]

Music video

[edit]

Monáe released the video on March 31, 2010. The music video was directed by director Wendy Morgan. In the music video she portrays an inpatient that possesses the power to walk through walls and later she catches the "crazy/dancing feet" with her friends. Monáe talked about the video, saying, "'Tightrope' takes place at the Palace of the Dogs. A lot of the greats were admitted into this place, like Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix. We wanted to keep it raw and funky—just having it in an insane asylum made it that much cooler to me."[6] The video references experimental filmmaker Maya Deren's iconic 1943 film, Meshes of the Afternoon.

Live performances

[edit]

Monáe performed the song on the Late Show with David Letterman on May 18, 2010,[7] The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 26, Lopez Tonight on May 27, Last Call with Carson Daly on May 28,[8] and on Dancing with the Stars on September 28.[9] In the UK, the song was the "Single of the Week" on iTunes (i.e. released as a free download) for 7 days (beginning July 13, 2010) to promote the release of her album, The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III).[10] On June 25, 2011, she performed "Tightrope" along with other songs at Glastonbury Festival.

Accolades

[edit]

Rolling Stone named "Tightrope" the eighth best single of 2010 in its year-end list.[11] SPIN ranked the song at #9 on its The 20 Best Songs of 2010,[12] and PopMatters placed it at #2 on its The 60 Best Songs of 2010.[13] Pitchfork ranked it number 10 on its year-end list.[14] Spinner named it #38 on its best songs of 2010.[15] NME named the music video for "Tightrope" #1 on its 50 Best Music Video of 2010.[16] In January 2011, The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll ranked "Tightrope" at number 2 to find the best music of 2010, behind CeeLo Green's "Forget You".

The song was also featured in the Chevrolet Cruze Canadian commercial to promote the new vehicle and in the American retail chain Kmart ”Back to School commercial in 2011. It was featured on the unranked list of TIME'S ALL-TIME 100 Songs.[17]

Track listings

[edit]

Solo version single[18]

  • Tightrope (The Solo Version)

Wondamix Single[19]

Digital Remix EP[20]

  • Tightrope (Robbie Rivera's Juicy Mix)
  • Tightrope (Robbie Rivera's Juicy Big Room Dub)
  • Tightrope (Robbie Rivera's Radio Mix)
  • Tightrope (Goodwill & Hook 'N' Sling Remix)
  • Tightrope (Paul Harris Vocal Remix)
  • Tightrope (Paul Harris Dub)
  • Tightrope (10 Rapid Instrumental)
  • Tightrope (Wondamix) (feat. B.o.B and Lupe Fiasco)
  • Tightrope (Acapella) (feat. Big Boi)

Cover versions

[edit]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2010) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[24] 20
South Korea (Gaon International)[25] 61

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Tightrope"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[26] Gold 40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-songs-of-2010-148374/janelle-monae-feat-big-boi-tightrope-176665/
  2. ^ Smith, Clyde (February 11, 2011). "Janelle Monae's Debut Album, 'The ArchAndroid', Due in May; First Single, 'Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi)', to Arrive via JanelleMonae.com". Hip Hop Press. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  3. ^ K, Matty. "Janelle Monáe ft. B.o.B. and Lupe Fiasco - Tightrope (Wondamix)". The DJ Booth. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
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  6. ^ Tommy, Melinda (April 1, 2010). "Janelle Monae Tightrope Official Music Video Premiere". Rnbmusicblog.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  7. ^ Dombal, Ryan (19 May 2010). Janelle Monae Blows Out "Letterman". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 25, 2010
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  22. ^ Weber, Lindsey (January 10, 2014). "Watch CHVRCHES Cover Janelle Monae's 'Tightrope'". Vulture. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
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