Cranes in the Sky

"Cranes in the Sky"
Single by Solange
from the album A Seat at the Table
Released October 5, 2016 (2016-10-05)
Format Digital download
Recorded
  • 2008
  • 2016
Genre R&B
Length 4:10
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
Solange singles chronology
"Looks Good with Trouble"
(2013)		 "Cranes in the Sky"
(2016)

"Cranes in the Sky" is a song by American singer and songwriter Solange. Released on October 5, 2016 by Saint Records and Columbia Records, it is the first single from Solange's third album, A Seat at the Table. The song was written by Raphael Saadiq and Solange, and produced by Sir Dylan along with Saadiq and Solange.

"Cranes in the Sky" is an upbeat track that speaks about attempts to alleviate the pain in alcohol, sex, music or even running away. The single's accompanying music video was directed by Solange and her husband Alan Ferguson.[1] Following its release, "Cranes in the Sky" debuted at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2]

Background and release

Solange wrote "Cranes in the Sky" eight years before the album's release. In 2008, producer and singer Raphael Saadiq handed Solange a CD with a few instrumentals on it. One consisted simply of drums, strings, and bass. That night, Solange returned to her hotel room and wrote "Cranes in the Sky." Eight years later, when she had finished writing and creating A Seat at the Table in New Iberia, Louisiana, Solange revisited "Cranes in the Sky"—shortly after which she called Raphael and asked if he would help produce a few other songs on the album.[3]

Critical reception

"Cranes in the Sky" was ranked at number 7 on Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Songs of 2016” list: “Solange drops a song that can always stop you dead in your tracks, no matter where or when you hear it – describing the kind of sadness she can't escape by crying, drinking, sexing or shopping it away. The music builds from quiet meditation – that Raphael Saadiq bass – into towering soul.” [4]

Music video

The music video for "Cranes in the Sky," directed by Solange and her husband Alan Ferguson, was released on October 2, 2016 alongside the music video for "Don't Touch My Hair."[1][5]

Commercial performance

In the United Kingdom the song charted at number 29 on the UK R&B Singles chart on October 7, 2016.[6] In the week of October 22, 2016, "Cranes in the Sky" debuted at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 28 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States.[7][8]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of A Seat at the Table.[9]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[10] 30
UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[6] 29
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 74
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 28

References

  1. 1 2 "Solange Knowles Dropped Two New Music Videos From A Seat at the Table – Vulture". Vulture.com. October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Hot 100, The Week of October 22, 2016". Billboard. Billboard (US). Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ Sonis, Rachel (October 5, 2016). "Solange Talks Writing "Cranes In The Sky" On Instagram". Idolator. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  4. ↑ "50 Best Songs of 2016". Rolling Stone. November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  5. ↑ "SOLANGE - CRANES IN THE SKY (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube. solangeknowlesmusic. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Archive Chart: 2016-10-07" UK R&B Chart. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Solange – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Solange. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Solange – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Solange. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Here Are The Full Album Credits For Solange's A Seat At The Table". The Fader. September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Solange – Cranes in the Sky" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved November 19, 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.