Climax (song)

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the song by Usher. For the song by Slum Village, see Fantastic, Vol. 2.

"Climax"
NYC
  • Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA
  • Silent Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA
    • Genre
    Length3:53
    LabelRCA
    Songwriter(s)
    Producer(s)
    • Diplo
    • Ariel Rechtshaid
    • Johnny "Natural" Najera
    Usher singles chronology
    "Without You"
    (2011)     		"Climax"
    (2012)     		"Scream"
    (2012)
    Music video
    "Climax" on
    YouTube

    "Climax" is a song by American singer-songwriter

    Diplo, who also produced the song. Usher and Diplo worked on the song for two months as part of their collaboration for the former's album. The song is a quiet storm slow jam with electronic
    influences, and lyrics about the turning point of a relationship. According to Usher, the song is primarily about the complications of a relationship, despite the lyrics' sexual overtones.

    As a single, "Climax" debuted at number 81 on the

    Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
    .

    Writing and recording

    Usher in 2010

    "Climax" was written by Usher,

    Diplo, who also produced the song.[1] Diplo introduced the song's concept to Usher, who was working with him on a new album.[2] Usher wanted to expand his music's style and depth by working with Diplo.[2] Diplo recounted the experience in an interview for The Guardian, saying that "I had explained to him about a moment I had with a girl where I felt like I could die with her and be content, but I didn't and life moved on, and that point in my life was over. It was a sad feeling but it was beautiful. He was relating with me about the idea and how many times you think things are perfect and feel that way but they can pass."[2] They discussed the concept throughout the song's development and how it relates to Usher's life, as Diplo "tried to help realise these lyrics and feelings."[2] After conceiving some melody lines, they wrote the song in about an hour.[2]

    Usher and Diplo worked on the song's production for two months, recording in studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta.

    progressive house music but pulling back. I was making something like a minimal techno record with Atlanta strip clubs in mind."[2] According to Diplo, Usher proposed the idea of "tak[ing] the strip club to the stadium" with the song's production.[2] Classical music composer Nico Muhly contributed with the song's string arrangement.[3]

    Diplo (2009), the song's producer and co-writer

    In April 2020, Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd said in a cover story with Vanity Fair that "Climax" (and pop as a genre) was influenced by his debut mixtape, House of Balloons (2011). He stated, "I heard 'Climax' that [2012] Usher song, and was like, 'Holy [expletive], that's a Weeknd song'. It was very flattering, and I knew I was doing something right, but I also got angry. But the older I got, I realized it's a good thing". His comments sparked widespread debate online.[4] Diplo posted a series of tweets soon after, praising House of Balloons and acknowledging its influence on his production for "Climax": "When I heard those early records [by The Weeknd] they blew my mind – soulful in their silences, and a spacey iconic voice that felt uniquely internet. the idea of R&B having dark edges was what I wanted to bring to @usher".[5] He further reiterated it was a collaborative effort between himself, Usher, and the song's other producers.[6] Usher responded indirectly via Twitter, writing: "Have you ever seen the moon bark back at the dog?".[7] The Weeknd responded a shortly after on Twitter, saying he didn't mean any offense and was always inspired by Usher.[4] He later told Esquire, "It wasn’t a feud. I hit him up to apologize and tell him that it was misconstrued. He’s one of the reasons why I make music. Definitely. No, no, I have nothing bad to say about Usher. The sweetest, most down-to-earth guy ever."[8]

    Music and lyrics

    "Climax"
    A 23-second sample of "Climax", consisting of various electronic effects and other musical accompaniment.
    Problems playing this file? See media help.

    "Climax" is set in

    riff, complemented by sparse drum machine and some musical accompaniment.[13] Its varying soundscape incorporates electronic effects such as clicks, hisses, whooshes, and low-frequency synths,[10][14] as well as subtle strings and scattered piano notes.[11] Music writers have noted Diplo's production as uncharacteristically reserved and understated.[13][14][15][16]

    The song's musical structure is characterized by intervals in which the music builds to a potential

    Pitchfork Media's Carrie Battan calls the song "an exercise in the power of restraint", commenting that "Diplo shows uncharacteristic subtlety behind Usher's sentiment, with a beat that seems to hang suspended in midair."[15]

    The song is a breakup lament dealing with the theme of commitment.[10][11] Its title refers to the turning point of a relationship.[10] The lyrics address a relationship in a state of tension and uncertainty: "We've reached the climax / We're together / Now we're undone / Won't commit so we choose to run away / Do we separate?"[15] Usher sings in a pleading falsetto and a plaintive tone on the song,[10][11] alternating restrained vocals and anguished howls.[15][16] In an interview for V-103, Usher stressed that "Climax" focuses more on the complication of relationships rather than sex, saying that "it's really about the ultimate experience or lack thereof. Or the finale of an experience of love and life. When you're in a relationship and it has kinda reached the climax of where it can go, you gotta let it go if you are not going to commit."[17] He viewed that his falsetto vocals and the song's tone give the song a sexual feel with music that works as a "double entendre".[17]

    Release

    The song was first released onto the internet on

    Looking for Myself.[18]

    "Climax" debuted on the

    UK Singles Chart, selling 41,617 units.[21][22] It charted for seven weeks and peaked at number 29 in Australia.[23]

    Critical reception

    Professional ratings
    Review scores
    SourceRating
    Billboard[24]
    NME[25]

    "Climax" has received widespread acclaim from

    sci-fi makeover",[10] while Will Hermes hailed it as "spring's best quiet-storm jam".[26] FWRD writer Aiden Harmitt-Williams regarded its mix of quiet storm with EDM as "a genius move".[27] Pitchfork journalist Carrie Battan deemed it "a doubly satisfying departure from [Usher and Diplo's] respective strains of club-ready fare."[15] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard called the song "an ode to the bewildering thoughts and feelings of relationship purgatory" and wrote that it is "a sound that Usher should explore more often."[1] Marc Hogan of Spin felt that the song is "as vividly communicative as it is decoratively beautiful" and praised its articulation, calling it "a tour de force of pacing and dynamics, giving listeners more and more, but then always easing up just enough to keep us begging for one more verse."[11] Priya Elan of NME cited "Climax" as Usher's "best song in absolutely years" and stated, "Goodbye cringe factor, hello Diplo, subtle electronic nuances and an expectation-defying vocal performance which is more Prince falsetto than depth-free showman. The results are jaw dropping."[28] He also compared it to the work of The Weeknd and commended its "lack of smut" in the lyrics, stating "it's just Usher playing it fast and loose in falsetto. The result is as subtle as it is unbelievable."[13] Eric Arredondo of Beats Per Minute viewed the song as an improvement over Usher's 2010 album Raymond v. Raymond and addressed the comparisons to The Weeknd, writing that, "though it still doesn't hold much of the innovations and risks of something like The Weeknd's House of Balloons, 'Climax' can do something that most songs on that album can't do without losing most of their fun: be played on the radio."[16]

    Recently, a new wave of revisionist Love Men—Frank Ocean, The Weeknd—have given R&B a bleak, angsty overhaul. But Usher got there first, with less self-importance, and far punchier hooks. On "Climax" he throws down the gauntlet—firing his hair-raising falsetto at Ocean, The Weeknd, and other critics’ darlings.

    — Jody Rosen on "Climax" for Slate magazine [29]

    Accolades

    Rolling Stone ranked "Climax" number 15 on their year-end best songs list for 2012.

    Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.[34]

    Year-end lists

    Publication Accolade Rank
    Billboard 20 Best Songs of 2012[35] 1
    Time Top 10 Songs of 2012[33] 1
    Beats Per Minute
         		The Top Tracks of 2012[36] 2
    The Guardian Best Tracks of 2012[37] 2
    Pazz & Jop Single of the Year 2012[38] 3
    Pitchfork
         		The Top 100 Tracks of 2012[39] 3
    Said the Gramophone Best Songs of 2012[40] 4
    Consequence of Sound
         		Top 50 Songs of 2012[41] 5
    Spin 40 Best Songs of 2012[42] 11
    Rolling Stone 50 Best Songs of 2012[43] 15
    Complex
         		The 50 Best Songs of 2012[44] 16
    Slant Magazine The 25 Best Singles of 2012[45] 20
    Fact The 100 Best Tracks of 2012[46] 21
    NPR NPR Music's 100 Favorite Songs Of 2012 [47]

    Music video

    The music video for "Climax" was directed by Sam Pilling, filmed in Atlanta, and released on March 9, 2012. Director of photography was Adam Frisch. After filming, the video was given to the studio Surround for post-production, including editing its structure, title animation, and effects. The video shows Usher sitting in a car contemplating on whether to go inside his ex-girlfriend's home and rekindle their once-passionate love affair or leave and never return again. It shows different scenarios played out in Usher's mind, including him confronting his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend with a gun.[48]

    In the video, Usher sits in a car outside a house where his ex-girlfriend is being intimate with another man. He pulls a gun out of his glove compartment and agonizes over whether or not to enter the house. After ruminating over the different scenarios, Usher drives off at the end of the video.[49] Jason Lipshut of Billboard found the "narrative arc" for the video to be "a bit perplexing".[50] Jeff Lapointe of MTV News viewed that it "depicts the darker side of human nature as Usher drives up to his girlfriend/ex-girlfriends house to discover another vehicle, another man, another side of his love. In the realization of fury and anger, images distort Usher's reality with thoughts of taking his gun and shooting the intruder. Thoughts of running away with the girl. Thoughts of driving off to never be seen."[51]

    Live performances

    Usher first performed the song on the show "Off-Broadway's 'Fuerza Bruta'". In the show, he entered from the dark in a white suit and black tie, and walked across a conveyor belt in beat to "Climax". As the song's tempo increased, he clutched his stomach as a gunshot fired and blood spread across his torso.[52] Usher appeared on Saturday Night Live on May 12, 2012, to perform "Scream" and "Climax".[53]

    Personnel

    Credits are adapted from Tidal.[54]

    • Usher – vocals, lyricist
    • Diplo – production
    • Natural – vocal production, arrangement
    • Ariel Rechtshaid – production, synthesizers, keyboards, lyricist
    • Sean "Redd Stylez" Fenton lyricist
    • Nico Muhly – piano, strings, string arrangement
    • Mark "Exit" Goodchild – recording
    • Ramon Rivas – recording assistance
    • Kory Aaron – recording assistance
    • Jorge Velasco – recording assistance
    • Jacob Dennis – recording assistance
    • Manny Marroquin – mixing
    • Chris Galland – mixing assistance
    • Delbert Bowers – mixing assistance

    Charts

    Certifications

    Region Certification Certified units/sales
    Australia (ARIA)[75] Platinum 70,000‡
    Canada (Music Canada)[76] Gold 40,000‡
    United Kingdom (BPI)[77] Silver 200,000‡
    United States (RIAA)[78] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

    ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

    Release history

    Country Date Format (Version) Label
    United States[79] February 21, 2012
    Urban radio
    		 RCA Records
    Worldwide[80] February 22, 2012 Digital download
    United States[81] March 13, 2012 Mainstream radio
    United Kingdom[82] April 8, 2012 Digital download

    See also

    References

    1. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (March 2, 2012). "Track Review: Usher, 'Climax'". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Robinson, Peter (April 20, 2012). "Diplo: the man who brought Usher to Climax". The Guardian. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    3. ^
      Pitchfork Media
      . Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    4. ^
      Genius
      . Retrieved April 10, 2020.
    5. ^ Thomas Wesley (verified account) [@Diplo] (April 9, 2020). "Diplo Thread 1/3" (Tweet). Retrieved April 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
    6. ^ Thomas Wesley (verified account) [@Diplo] (April 9, 2020). "Diplo Thread 2/3" (Tweet). Retrieved April 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
    7. ^ Usher Raymond IV (verified account) [@Usher] (April 9, 2020). "Have you ever seen the moon bark back at the dog?" (Tweet). Retrieved April 10, 2020 – via Twitter.
    8. ^ "The Weeknd Says There's 'No Feud' With Usher, Cites Him as 'Why I Make Music'". Billboard. August 25, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
    9. ^ a b "Usher – Climax". EMI Music Publishing. Musicnotes.com. 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
    10. ^ a b c d e f Rosen, Jody (February 23, 2012). "Climax". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    11. ^ a b c d e f g h Hogan, Marc (February 15, 2012). "14 Ways Usher and Diplo's Slow Jam 'Climax' Keeps Peaking". Spin. New York. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
    12. ^ Pitchfork Staff (October 7, 2019). "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 22, 2022. ...the 2012 hit was quickly compared to alt-R&B newcomers like James Blake and the Weeknd.
    13. ^ a b c Elan, Priya (February 15, 2012). "NME Track Reviews – Usher, 'Climax'". NME. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    14. ^ a b Copsey, Robert (March 30, 2012). "Usher: 'Climax' – Single review". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    15. ^
      Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original
      on September 18, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    16. ^ a b c Arredondo, Eric (March 12, 2012). "Track Review: Usher – "Climax" [Prod. Diplo]". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    17. ^ a b "Usher: 'Climax' Is Not About Sex". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. February 29, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
    18. ^ a b Santiago, Karinah (April 22, 2012). "Chart Juice: Usher's 'Climax' Reaches R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Peak". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    19. ^ "Usher's 'Climax' Arrives, Young the Giant's 'Glee' Gain, Maroon 5's 'Hands' Hits 1 Million". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
    20. ^ a b c d e f g "Climax – Usher". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    21. ^ "Usher". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
    22. ^ "Official chart analysis: weekly album sales plummet to record 21st Century low, Adele back at No.1". Music Week. Intent Media. April 16, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
    23. ^ a b "Australian-charts.com – Usher – Climax". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    24. ^ Maerz, Melissa (March 3, 2012). "Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
    25. ^ Ellen, Priya (Feb 15, 2012). "Usher "Climax"". nme.com. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
    26. ^ Hermes, Will (June 18, 2012). "Express Yourself EP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
    27. ^ Harmitt-Williams, Aiden (May 16, 2017). "The Climax of Usher Raymond". FWRD. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
    28. ^ Elan, Priya (February 21, 2012). "NME Track Reviews – Usher feat. Diplo – 'Climax'". NME. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
    29. ^ "Can't Stop Won't Stop". Slate. 16 July 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
    30. ^ "50 Best Songs of 2012: Usher, 'Climax'". Rolling Stone. New York. 5 December 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
    31. ^ Staff (December 21, 2012). "Best and Worst 2012: Carly Rae Jepsen, Taylor Swift, and the other best singles of the year". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
    32. ^ "Singles — All Votes". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
    33. ^ a b Wolk, Douglas (4 December 2012). "1. Usher, "Climax"". Time. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
    34. ^ "Grammys 2013: Complete list of nominees and winners". Los Angeles Times. February 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
    35. ^ "20 Best Songs of 2012: Critics' Picks". Billboard. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    36. Beats Per Minute. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original
      on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    37. ^ "Best Tracks of 2012". The Guardian. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    38. ^ "Single of the Year 2012". Pazz & Jop. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    39. Pitchfork
      . 17 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    40. ^ "Best Songs of 2012". Said the Gramophone. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    41. Consequence of Sound
      . 7 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    42. ^ "40 Best Songs of 2012". Spin. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    43. ^ "50 Best Songs of 2012". Rolling Stone. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    44. Complex
      . 12 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    45. ^ "The 25 Best Singles of 2012". Slant Magazine. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    46. ^ "The 100 Best Tracks of 2012". Fact. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    47. ^ "Favorite Songs of 2012". NPR. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
    48. ^ "Usher Goes Through Relationship Drama in 'Climax' Video". PopCrush. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
    49. Buzz Media
      . Retrieved May 13, 2012.
    50. ^ Lipshut, Jason (March 9, 2012). "Usher Busts Out a Gun in 'Climax' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
    51. MTV Networks
      . Retrieved May 13, 2012.
    52. ^ Horowitz, Steven (April 28, 2012). "Usher Premieres New Album Off-Broadway". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
    53. ^ Sciarretto, Amy (May 12, 2012). "Usher Makes Fans 'Scream' + 'Climax' on 'SNL'". Popcrush. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
    54. ^ "Looking 4 Myself - Credits". Tidal. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
    55. ^ "Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on March 17, 2012.
    56. ^ "Usher – Climax – Austriancharts.at" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    57. Ultratip
      & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    58. ^ "Ultratop.be – Usher – Climax" (in French). Ultratip & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    59. Tracklisten
      . Hung Medien. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    60. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on December 2, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    61. ^ "Usher chart history". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
    62. Mega Single Top 100
      . Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    63. ^ "Media Forest". mediaforest-group.com.
    64. ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    65. Gaon Chart. Archived from the original
      on December 12, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
    66. ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    67. ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
    68. ^ "Usher Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
    69. ^ "GAON DIGITAL CHART : 2012" (in Korean). gaonchart.co.kr. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
    70. ^ "End of Year Charts: 2012" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
    71. ^ "2012 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
    72. ^ a b c "R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – 2012 Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
    73. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
    74. ^ "Decade-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
    75. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
    76. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Usher – Climax". Music Canada.
    77. ^ "British single certifications – Usher – Climax". British Phonographic Industry.
    78. ^ "American single certifications – Usher – Climax". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
    79. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012.
    80. Apple Inc
      . Retrieved February 23, 2012.
    81. ^ "CHR/Top 40 – Week Of: March 13, 2012". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
    82. ^ "Singles Release Diary". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. October 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Climax_(song)&oldid=1219415260"