Chasing Time (song)
"Chasing Time" | ||||
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Single by Azealia Banks | ||||
from the album Broke with Expensive Taste | ||||
Released | September 22, 2014 | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:30 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Pop Wansel | |||
Azealia Banks singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Chasing Time" on YouTube |
"Chasing Time" is a song recorded by American rapper Azealia Banks for her debut studio album, Broke with Expensive Taste (2014). It was released as the third single from the album on September 22, 2014. Production of the song was handled by Andrew "Pop" Wansel, while it was written by Banks, Ronnie Colson, Warren "Oak" Felder, Jonathan Harris, Steve Mostyn, Kelly Sheehan and Pop Wansel. Lyrically, the track discusses Banks recovering from a breakup.
"Chasing Time" received acclaim from music critics, with Mike Wass of
Background
In 2011, it was reported that Banks was working on her debut studio album with British producer Paul Epworth, despite not having signed to a record label at the time.[2] In January 2012, Banks signed a record deal with Interscope and Polydor Records to work on new music, and a month later, she announced the title of the album as Broke with Expensive Taste.[3] Approximately a year later, she submitted the complete version of Broke with Expensive Taste to her labels. Banks initially thought it would receive favorable reception from the labels, but the representatives informed Banks that she had not recorded a "hit" single for the album. Ultimately, Banks ended the record deal with Interscope/Polydor in July 2014. She later approached Jeff Kwatinetz and signed a contract with his company, Prospect Park.[4] Banks eventually released the album on November 7, 2014.[5]
Throughout December 2014, Banks released a series of videos in which she broke down tracks from Broke with Expensive Taste and revealed how each song came to be, dubbed the '16 Days of Azealia'.[6] During the breakdown video for "Chasing Time", Banks revealed that the song was conceived after the aforementioned occasion of her handing a completed version of the album in to her labels. In response to their request that Banks created something more current, she produced "Chasing Time".[7] This was further confirmed in an interview with Pitchfork Media's Jeremy Gordon, in which Banks said "it got to a point where they were like, 'Azealia, we get it, you’re cool, but we've spent $2 million on this record, can you just give us one [hit]?' So then I did 'Chasing Time', and I was just like, 'You know, this isn't gonna work out.'"[8]
Composition
"Chasing Time" is a song that runs for a duration of three minutes and thirty seconds. Jon Dolan from
Banks describes the track as genre-specific, citing pop-crossover and UK garage. On the song's lyrical content, she explained, "It's about the journey, the breakup is a part of it, but it's really about the journey". She went on to describe how the song fits into a larger puzzle of the album in which the album's opening track, "Idle Deliah", is the metaphorical morning, and later tracks on the album, including "Chasing Time" are representative of later in the evening.[7]
Critical reception
"Chasing Time" received generally positive reviews from critics. Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan gave the song three-and-a-half stars, commenting that Banks was "delivering a splashy anthem of resilience and determination in the face of romantic collapse".
Commercial performance
"Chasing Time" first appeared on charts on December 27, 2014, debuting on the US
Promotion
Music video
A music video for "Chasing Time" premiered on MTV on November 13, 2014.[18] The video was produced by Nina Dluhy-Miller and directed by Marc Klasfeld.[19] John Walker from MTV likened the video past sci-fi themed videos, "the black and white visuals are as sleek and futuristic as some of the sci-fi music video greats" going on to compare the video to visuals for songs such as "No Scrubs" by TLC and "Scream" by Michael and Janet Jackson.[18] Both Tom Breihan for Stereogum and Melissa Locker for Time commented on the obscenity of the video, both claiming that the video was only just safe for work.[20][14] Melissa Locker from Time also called the video a "beautifully minimalist[ic] clip", going on to comment on Banks' likeness to Lil' Kim in one scene of the clip.[14] Elias Leight from Billboard also compared Banks to past music stars, seeing three distinct similarities. He writes, "her ensembles call to mind three '90s acts: Missy Elliott (when Banks and her dancers wear trash-bag couture), Lil' Kim (in her famous nipple-pasty look at the 1999 VMAs) and TLC (in their 'No Scrubs'-era revealing space suits)".[12]
Remix contest
In November 2014, shortly after the release of Broke with Expensive Taste, Banks announced that a contest would take place around "Chasing Time". The contest, for which Banks partnered with
Live performances
On April 10, 2015, Banks performed "Chasing Time" during her set at the
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Chasing Time" (explicit) | 3:30 |
2. | "Chasing Time" (clean) | 3:30 |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Broke with Expensive Taste liner notes.[27]
- Locations
- Recorded at Mason Sound and Glenwood Place studios (North Hollywood, California)
- Mixed at The Fortress of Amplitude studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Personnel
- Vocals – Azealia Banks
- Songwriting – Azealia Banks, Ronnie Colson, Warren "Oak" Felder, Jonathan Harris, Steve Mostyn, Kelly Sheehan, Andrew "Pop" Wansel
- Production – Pop Wansel
- Mixing – Rob Kinelski
- Mixing assistant – David Baker
Charts
Chart (2014–15) | Peak position |
---|---|
Japan ( Japan Hot 100)[17]
|
27 |
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[16] | 12 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | September 22, 2014 | Digital download | Azealia Banks Records | [28] |
References
- ^ Idolator. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (December 19, 2011). "New music: Azealia Banks – Liquorice". The Guardian. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- Complex. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ Guiducci, Mark (November 19, 2014). "An Interview with Azealia Banks". Vogue. Archived from the original on December 14, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Broke with Expensive Taste – Album by Azealia Banks". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved March 10, 2015.
- ^ Banks, Azealia (December 11, 2014). "Azealia Banks on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ a b Banks, Azealia (December 12, 2014). "BWET Track by Track: 'Chasing Time' (with additional commentary)". YouTube. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c Dolan, Jon (October 7, 2014). "Azealia Banks 'Chasing Time Song Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (November 13, 2014). "Azealia Banks Trips Out in Surreal 'Chasing Time' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ Stutz, Colin (September 22, 2014). "Hear Azealia Banks' Catchy, Crisp New Single 'Chasing Time'". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Leight, Elias (November 13, 2014). "Watch Azealia Banks Embody the '90s & the Future in 'Chasing Time' Video". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ^ a b c Locker, Melissa (November 13, 2014). "Azealia Banks Releases a Barely SFW Video for 'Chasing Time'". Time. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Finney, Tim. "The 100 Best Tracks of 2014". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "Azealia Banks Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "Azealia Banks Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b Walker, John (November 13, 2014). "Premiere: Watch Azealia Banks' New 'Chasing Time' Video". MTV. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Diver, Mike (November 14, 2014). "Azealia Banks – Chasing Time". Clash. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (November 13, 2014). "Azealia Banks – "Chasing Time" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ Rettig, James (November 18, 2014). "Azealia Banks Announces $10,000 Remix Contest". Stereogum. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Berman, Eliza (November 18, 2014). "Azealia Banks Invites Fans to Remix Her Single "Chasing Time"". TIME. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Goddard, Kevin (January 13, 2015). "Azealia Banks Announces "Chasing Time" Remix Contest (Update: Winners Revealed)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Azealia Banks Makes Triumphant Return to Coachella". Rap-Up. April 10, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ Ongley, Hannah (September 16, 2014). "Listen: Azealia Banks Premieres New Singles 'Chasing Time' and 'Wallace' Live". Styleite. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "Chasing Time (2014) – Azealia Banks". 7digital (US). September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ Broke with Expensive Taste (Liner notes). Azealia Banks. United States: Prospect Park. 2014.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Release date references:
- Canada:"Chasing Time (2014) – Azealia Banks". 7digital (CA). September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- United Kingdom:"Chasing Time (2014) – Azealia Banks". 7digital (UK). September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- United States:"Chasing Time (2014) – Azealia Banks". 7digital (US). September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
External links
- Official music video on YouTube