Livin' It Up (Ciara song)
"Livin' It Up" | |
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Song by Ciara featuring Nicki Minaj | |
from the album Ciara | |
Recorded |
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Genre | |
Length | 3:45 |
Label | Epic |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
"Livin' It Up" is a song recorded by
The song leaked in 2012, without Minaj's verses, on a playlist for the
"Livin' It Up" received positive reviews from music critics who praised the "feel-good" track for energetic, memorable, affirming that it could be a hit, when released. The song was also a huge success in
Background and release
"It was actually something I've been wanting to do for a while, and [she] reached out to me to do something and then it just worked out," she said of their collaboration. "Now we're gonna be doing two songs so it's gonna be fun." | ||
—Ciara talking about working with Nicki Minaj.[4]
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While Ciara was releasing what was then to be lead-single of her then-titled One Woman Army album, titled "
However, in 2013, a new version of the song was made, including guest vocals from American female rapper Nicki Minaj, who had already worked with Ciara on another track from Ciara's eponymously titled album, "I'm Out". Ciara previously recorded the track "I'm Legit", for Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up (2012). In an interview for Paper, Ciara talked about the collaboration, saying, "She invited me to be on her album, and I invited her to be on mine. I didn’t feel like there was any other person I wanted for that song. She came in and murdered the verse!".[10]
Composition and lyrics
"Livin' It Up" was written by
"I have my doubts in love, but I know it’s true/ I don’t have many friends, but I’ve got you," sings Ciara, chanting "Ola ola ey!" on the catchy chorus.[15] "Cause a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do/ Making up her own rules" Ciara sings.[7] Musically, "Livin' It Up" is a mid-tempo,[16] "Island-flavored", Euro[3] and electropop[2] "feel-good" track,[17] with Pip Elwood pointing out that, "it has an 80s vibe that is ridiculously infectious."[18] In this song Ciara displays a vocal range spanning from the harmonized low note of C#3 to the high belt of Eb5.
Critical reception
"Livin' It Up" received generally favorable reviews from most
Lauren Martin of
On November 21, 2017, Billboard magazine ranked "Livin' it Up" at #57 on its list of 100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars, writing "With feel-good lyrics like "Ima live life to the fullest/ I'll be speeding like a bullet/ I'll be rolling like a train / I'll be dancing in the rain," the only conclusion as to why it wasn't pulled as a single was that Minaj was already featured on the album's second hit, "I'm Out"—arguably the weaker of the two tracks."[22]
Music video
In order to further promote her "self-titled album", Ciara shot a number of "video shorts" to bring songs from the album to life.[23] According to herself, "I did video snippets of many of the songs on the album for my fans so they can have the best experience of my music possible. I wanted my fans to see the music for the first time while they are also hearing it."[24] "Livin' It Up" was one of the songs to have a "video short", which lasts for 1 minute and 48 seconds, premiering on July 9, 2013, alongside "Read My Lips video. The video short for "Read My Lips" was directed by Hannah Lux Davis.[24] The "short video" sees the singer performing the track in a corridor lit up in blue and pink, while she also mimes Nicki Minaj's guest verse.[25]
Sam Lanksy of
Charts
"Livin' It Up" was a huge success on
Aside of the "International Digital Chart", "Livin' It Up" also debuted on the main
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
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South Korea ( Gaon Digital Chart)[31]
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129 |
South Korea ( Gaon International Digital Chart)[27]
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2 |
References
- ^ a b Martin, Lauren (July 15, 2013). "Ciara". Fact. London. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c Caramanica, Jon (July 11, 2013). "Not Quite at the Center of Her Newest Album". The New York Times. p. C2. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
- ^ Idolator(Buzzmedia). Retrieved 2013-04-27.
- ^ Alexis, Nadeska (November 7, 2012). "Ciara Looks To 'Friend' Missy Elliott For Album Advice". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ a b "New Music: Ciara - Livin' It Up + Video Shoot Pics". This Is R&B. August 20, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- Cosmopolitan.com. 8 August 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Billboard Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (August 21, 2012). "Ciara debuts new song 'Livin' It Up' - listen". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ "Exclusive: Ciara Talks 'One Woman Army', Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot, & Touring". Rap-Up. October 26, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Musto, Michael (August 26, 2013). "PAPERMAG: The Hip-Hop Star Gets Down and Girly". Paper. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Ciara – Ciara : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-07-07.
- ^ "Ciara (2) – Ciara (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (July 18, 2013). "Review: Ciara still searching for Ciara on 'Ciara'". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Macpherson, Alex (July 5, 2013). "Ciara: Ciara – review". The Guardian. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ "RapUp.com | | New Music: Ciara - Livin' It Up". Rap-Up. August 20, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ a b Henderson, Nick. "Ciara - Ciara | Music Review | Tiny Mix Tapes". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Billboard Magazine. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Elwood, Pip (July 9, 2013). "Ciara – Ciara album review". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (July 5, 2013). "Ciara: 'Ciara' - Album review". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Harvilla, Rob (10 July 2013). "Ciara, 'Ciara' (Epic) | SPIN | Albums | Critical Mass". SPIN. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
- ^ "The 100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars: Critics' Picks". Billboard. 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Watch: Ciara Premieres 'Read My Lips' Music Video Short". That Grape Juice. July 9, 2013.
- ^ a b "VIDEO: CIARA – 'LIVIN' IT UP' + 'READ MY LIPS' [SNIPPETS]". Rap-Up. July 9, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (July 10, 2013). "Ciara unveils new song 'Livin' It Up' video clip - watch". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- Idolator. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
- ^ Gaon, Korea Music Content Industry Association. July 7–13, 2013. Archived from the originalon November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- Gaon, Korea Music Content Industry Association. July 14–20, 2013. Archived from the originalon November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- Gaon, Korea Music Content Industry Association. July 21–27, 2013. Archived from the originalon December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- Gaon, Korea Music Content Industry Association. August 18–24, 2013. Archived from the originalon February 22, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
- ^ Gaon, Korea Music Content Industry Association. July 7–13, 2013. Archived from the originalon February 22, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2013.