Energy (Keri Hilson song)

"Energy"
Single by Keri Hilson
from the album In a Perfect World…
ReleasedMay 27, 2008 (2008-05-27)
StudioHomesite 13 (Novato, California)
Length3:29
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Runaways
Keri Hilson singles chronology
"Hero"
(2008) 		"Energy"
(2008) 		"Superhuman"
(2008)
Music video
"Keri Hilson - Energy (Official Music Video)" on YouTube

"Energy" is a song by American recording artist Keri Hilson. It was written and produced by production team The Runaways, consisting of Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Rico Love, and Wayne Wilkins, for her studio album In a Perfect World… (2009). A midtempo power ballad, "Energy" talks about an overwhelming and consuming toxic love that is causing the protagonist to reconsider her priorities.

The song was released as Hilson's solo debut single as well as the album's leading single in the United States on May 27, 2008. Although being released worldwide, it initially only charted in New Zealand at number two and managed to reach top thirty on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Dance Club Play charts. Generally well received by music critics, it was named sixty-first on the Top 144 Songs of 2008 listing by Blender magazine.[1]

Background

"Energy" was written and produced by the Runaways. It was also recorded by the Runaways at Homesite 13 studios in Novato, California.[2] Hilson stated that she wanted to prove that she can be successful even without collaborations and guest vocalists and so it was announced "Energy" would be released as the next worldwide single following the success of "Knock You Down."[3] The song was released on September 14, 2009, in the UK.[4] On September 25, 2009, she appeared live on breakfast TV show GMTV in the UK where she performed the single.[5] That same day, she appeared on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge where she performed a stripped version of "Energy" as well as a gospel cover version of "Supernova" originally sung by Mr Hudson and Kanye West.[6]

Critical reception

Nick Levine from Digital Spy found that "despite its glistening production, this synthy R&B ballad falls into the solid but unspectacular category. "I don't want us to be the end of me, this love is taking all of my energy," Hilson sings on the chorus, but her vocals are a little too controlled to convey these anguished emotions. Still, it's already become her first UK chart entry without a mate to hold her hand, which is a success of sorts."[7] Billboard's described the song as a "midtempo power ballad showcasing Hilson's range and soul [...] The Runaways provide a catchy hook."[8]

Complete Music Update felt that "Energy" was "not a track that will blow your mind or take over the charts like Rhianna’s "Umbrella. It’s simple lyrics [...] are wrapped around a characteristic R&B beat which make it a solid but standard single, though there is no denying that the girl can sing."[9] BBC Radio 1 editor Fraser McAlpine compared the song "Apologize" by American band OneRepublic and "Battlefield" by singer Jordin Sparks. He found that "Energy" was "this two songs being nailed together clumsily, and then thrown out in the rain, with a price tag hanging from one of the rusty spikes."[10] Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani called the song "ironically lifeless."[11]

Chart performance

"Energy" reached its highest chart peak in New Zealand, where it peaked at number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified Gold by Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) on November 30, 2008, for sales over 7,500 copies.[12][13] In Australia, the peaked at number 55 on the Australian Singles Chart and number 19 on the Australian Urban Singles chart.[14] In the United States, "Energy" was less successful; it peaked at number 78 on the US Billboard Hot 100 but managed to reach top thirty on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Dance Club Play charts.[15]

Music video

The music video for "Energy" was directed by Melina Matsoukas and produced by Wohn Winter.[16] Set primarily in a boxing ring, Hilson plays a boxer whose love interest (played by Christian Keyes) is her apparent trainer. Hilson explains that her character continually tries to sort their broken relationship, but by the end of the video, she realizes that it's just not working. Throughout the video, there are cutaways in which Hilson argues with her boyfriend in their apartment, Hilson working out, having recently worked out and now in locker room, singing against a wall, and singing in a hallway.

Track listings

International CD

  1. "Energy" (Radio Edit) – 3:28
  2. "Energy" (Wideboys Radio Mix) – 3:04

International maxi CD; download bundle[17]

  1. "Energy" (The Demolition Crew Remix) – 3:03
  2. "Energy" (DJ Q Remix) – 4:23
  3. "Energy" (Instrumental) – 3:29
  4. "Energy" (Acapella) – 3:16

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the In the Perfect World... liner notes.[2]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Energy"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[27] Gold 7,500*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Energy"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
United States May 27, 2008 Digital download
[28]
July 17, 2008 Rhythm radio
August 5, 2008 Mainstream radio [28]
United Kingdom September 13, 2009 Digital download Polydor [17]
September 14, 2009 CD single [29]

References

  1. ^ Blender staff (January 4, 2009). "The Top 144 Songs of 2008". Blender. Retrieved March 26, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b (2009) Album notes for In a Perfect World... by Keri Hilson [Booklet]. Santa Monica, CA; Mosley, Zone 4 (Interscope).
  3. ^ Sam (July 24, 2009). "That Grape Juice Interviews Keri Hilson". ThatGrapeJuice.net. Archived from the original on July 27, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  4. ^ "Perfect Timing – Pete Lewis Interviews Keri Hilson". Blues & Soul. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  5. ^ [1] Archived September 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Video: Keri Hilson Covers Mr Hudson". Rap-Up.com. September 25, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  7. ^ Levine, Nick (September 11, 2009). "Keri Hilson: 'Energy'". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "Reviews: Singles". Billboard. August 23, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "Single Review: Keri Hilson – Energy (Universal/Polydor)". Complete Music Update. September 19, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  10. ^ McAlpine, Fraser (September 11, 2009). "Keri Hilson – 'Energy'". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (March 22, 2009). "Review: Keri Hilson, In a Perfect World…". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  12. ^ Gold Certification in New Zealand, November 30, 2008 Archived July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: May 23, 2009
  13. ^ New Zealand Chart Facts Archived July 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: May 23, 2009
  14. ^ a b "The ARIA Report, Week Commencing ~ 21 July 2008 ~ Issue #960. See p. 3" (PDF). National Library of Archives Australia. July 21, 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Keri Hilson Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  16. ^ "Keri Hilson: Energy". IMDb. March 22, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Energy: Keri Hilson: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  18. ^ "Keri Hilson – Energy". Top 40 Singles.
  19. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  20. ^ "Keri Hilson – Energy". Swiss Singles Chart.
  21. ^ "Keri Hilson: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  22. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  23. ^ "Keri Hilson Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  24. ^ "Keri Hilson Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  25. ^ "Keri Hilson Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  26. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  27. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. August 21, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". Archived from the original on February 13, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  29. ^ "Energy". Amazon UK.