Marvins Room

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Marvin's Room.
"Marvins Room"
Single by Drake
from the album Take Care
ReleasedJune 28, 2011
RecordedApril 2011
StudioMarvin's Room
Genre
Length5:47 (single version and digital album version)
8:15 (physical album version, joined with "Buried Alive Interlude")
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)40
Drake singles chronology
"I'm on One"
(2011) 		"Marvins Room"
(2011) 		"Headlines"
(2011)

"Marvins Room" is a song by Canadian recording artist

urban contemporary radio and as a digital download. "Marvins Room" was later included on Drake's second studio album Take Care
, where it is followed by an interlude entitled "Buried Alive". The song features uncredited vocals from singer Ericka Lee.

Upon release as a single, it peaked at number 21 on the United States

royalties. The suit was resolved with an out-of-court settlement
in 2013.

Composition

Gonzales
performs the song's piano outro.

Allegedly recorded in a

40's trademark muted bass, a trend that manifests, in the words of Jayson Greene of Pitchfork Media, "like the fumes from music that's already evaporated a wisp of keyboard – a single watery thud of bass drum."[3] Adrian Eccleston performs additional guitar work on the song.[4]

The song's lyrics consist of Drake's late-night drunken pleas to a former girlfriend over the phone while in a nightclub, a phenomenon referred to by critics as "

Gonzales.[4]

Music video

The music video for "Marvins Room" was posted to Drake's October's Very Own blog on June 28, 2011.[6] It utilizes a shortened version of the song, which is slowed-down at several points of the video.[7] The video begins with a phone call of a woman talking about her nights partying, subsequently switching to a shot of Drake seated in a bar lounge.[6] Throughout the video, he is seen drinking and unsuccessfully flirting with various women.[6] His inebriated state is visually depicted by out-of-focus and spinning camera shots.[6]

Controversy

In February 2012, singer Ericka Lee sued Drake, alleging that she had performed the feminine vocals on "Marvins Room" and that she was owed songwriting credits and royalties.[8] Claiming to have previously been in a relationship with Drake, Lee stated that she had been promised four to five percent of publishing royalties, along with an extra 50,000 dollars in "hush money."[9] Drake's legal team denied any wrongdoing and countered that Lee had not requested any monetary compensation, but merely a credit in the liner notes of Take Care under the pseudonym "Syren Lyric Muse".[9] They added: "It was only after she retained a lawyer that there was a demand for payment. Drake tried for months to resolve the matter amicably, and he now looks forward to being vindicated in court."[9] The case was resolved in February 2013, with both parties agreeing to an out-of-court settlement.[10]

In 2019, singer and producer Kevin McCall accused Drake and R&B singer Tank on social media of plagiarizing his song with Chris Brown titled "No BS" (2010). McCall stated that Drake used his melody for the song "Marvins Room", and Tank used the same one for his 2016 single "#BDAY" featuring Siya, Sage the Gemini, and Chris Brown.[11]

Other versions

Singers Chris Brown (left) and JoJo (right) have made their own respective remix versions of the song.

Following the release of "Marvins Room", several recording artists released their own

multi-platinum record producer Jonathan Hay and TV personality Solo Lucci from Love & Hip Hop.[20]

Drake reacted positively to the various interpretations of his song, saying: "The writing is doing something to people for them to want to take it and remix it. It's very flattering, you know. Thank you to anybody that did a remix. I hope other songs on the album get reactions like that too."[12] He expressed a special interest in JoJo's remix and commented: "In JoJo's case, she actually took the time to write really potent new lyrics. It was really shocking, I think, for her audience since throughout her career she's been kind of stereotyped as this teen pop star and then she comes out with this different kind of substance. It's very rare that people take your song and do it over like that."[21]

Critical reception

"Marvins Room" received universal acclaim by music critics, both for its lyrical content and production. Scott Shetler of PopCrush gave the song four-and-a-half stars out of five, remarking that "not many rappers are capable of writing something with such an emotional impact."

Pitchfork Media's Jayson Greene also praised "Marvins Room", writing that the song "carr[ies] a muted, creeping unease no one else in hip-hop is currently quite equipped to provide" and describing it as "a shrewd reminder of what sets [Drake] apart."[3] Ann Powers of NPR drew comparisons between the song and the life and career of American musician Marvin Gaye, stating that it "taps into the magnetic but dangerous spirit of Gaye: not only his seduction skills, but his self-doubt, the vulnerability that made his music so profound and which eventually derailed him."[2] Rolling Stone reviewer Jody Rosen awarded the song a 3.5 star rating out of 5, writing that the song is made of "a noirishly spare beat" and described it as "bummer-rap-as-high-comedy".[23] "Marvins Room" has also received a cult following from a number of emo and scene subcultures.[24]

Chart performance

"Marvins Room" was posted by Drake to his October's Very Own blog on June 9, 2011.

triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over three million digital copies in the United States.[31]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Marvins Room"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[39] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[41] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[27] June 28, 2011
Urban contemporary
radio
Universal Republic
Canada[28] July 22, 2011 Digital download Young Money, Cash Money
United States[42]
United Kingdom[43] July 29, 2011

References

  1. Complex
    . Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Powers, Ann (June 17, 2011). "In Modern Rap, Echoes Of Marvin Gaye's Deep, Damaged Soul". NPR. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  3. ^
    Pitchfork Media
    . Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  4. ^
    Take Care (Media notes). Drake. Young Money Entertainment. 2011. 00602527832623.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link
    )
  5. Complex
    . New York. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Markman, Rob (June 28, 2011). "Drake Goes Home Alone In 'Marvins Room' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  7. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (June 28, 2011). "Video: Drake: 'Marvin's Room'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  8. ^ Gardner, Eriq (February 3, 2012). "Drake Sued Over 'Marvin's Room' by Alleged Ex-Girlfriend: Report". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Hogan, Marc (February 3, 2012). "Drake Sued by Purported 'Marvin's Room' Drunk-Dial Girl". Spin. New York. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  10. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (February 11, 2013). "Drake Settles Lawsuit With Woman From 'Marvin's Room'". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on May 27, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  11. ^ "Kevin McCall Claims Drake and Tank Copied Single "No Bullsh*t"". 22 December 2019.
  12. ^ a b Mundhra, Smriti (August 5, 2011). "Drake Flattered by 'Marvin's Room' Remixes". BET. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  13. ^ Peck, Jamie (June 16, 2011). "JoJo Goes To A Dark Place, Drunk Dials On Remix Of Drake's 'Marvin's Room'". MTV. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  14. ^ Ramirez, Erika (June 28, 2011). "Chris Brown Remixes 'Marvins Room,' Drake Drops Official Video: Watch". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  15. ^ "Chris Brown – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
  16. ^ Gibson, Luke (July 15, 2011). "Lil Wayne – Sorry 4 the Wait (Mixtape Review)". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  17. ^ Harling, Danielle (August 4, 2011). "Drake Says He's Flattered By 'Marvin's Room' Remixes". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  18. ^ Hensel, Amanda (November 15, 2011). "Cody Simpson Reimagines Drake's 'Marvin's Room' in London". PopCrush. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  19. ^ "New Music: Teyana Taylor – 'Her Room (Marvin's Room Remix)'". Rap-Up. Los Angeles. June 17, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  20. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Listen To Drake's 'Marvins Room' Reimagined As Nu Jazz By This Multi-Platinum Producer". finance.yahoo.com. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  21. ^ "Drake Praises JoJo's 'Marvin's Room' Remix". Rap-Up. Los Angeles. September 13, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  22. ^ Shetler, Scott (June 9, 2011). "Drake, 'Marvins Room' – Song Review". PopCrush. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  23. ^ Rosen, Jody (June 30, 2011). "Drake "Marvin's Room" Song Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 9, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  24. ^ Leight, Elias (September 25, 2020). "500 Greatest Albums: The Drake Era Kicks Into High Gear on 'Take Care'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c Ramirez, Erika (June 30, 2011). "Chart Juice: Drake's 'Marvin's Room' Debuts on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  26. ^ "Drake Slams Universal for Taking New Songs Off the Internet". Billboard. Los Angeles. June 24, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  27. ^ a b "Urban/UAC Radio Adds". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  28. ^ a b "Marvins Room – Single by Drake". iTunes Store (CAN). Apple. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  29. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: September 24, 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  30. ^ "Drake – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  31. ^ "American certifications – Drake". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  32. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK – Weekly Updates Sales 2011". zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  33. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  34. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  35. ^ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  36. ^ "Drake Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  39. ^ "Danish single certifications – Drake – Marvins Room". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  40. ^ "British single certifications – Drake – Marvin's Room". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  41. ^ "American single certifications – Drake – Marvins Room". Recording Industry Association of America.
  42. ^ "Marvins Room – Single by Drake". iTunes Store (US). Apple. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  43. ^ "Marvins Room – Single by Drake". iTunes Store (UK). Apple. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
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