Climax (song) explained

Climax
Cover:Climax cover.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Usher
Album:Looking 4 Myself
Genre:
Label:RCA
Producer:
  • Diplo
  • Ariel Rechtshaid
  • Johnny "Natural" Najera
Chronology:Usher
Prev Title:Without You
Prev Year:2011
Next Title:Scream
Next Year:2012

"Climax" is a song by American singer-songwriter Usher. It was released on February 22, 2012, by RCA Records as the lead single from his 2012 studio album Looking 4 Myself. The song was written by Usher, Ariel Rechtshaid, Redd Stylez, and 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 Billboard Hot 100, with 31,000 digital units sold in its first week. It peaked at number 17 and charted for 20 weeks, and also reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Usher's 12th number-one single on the chart. "Climax" was received with widespread critic acclaim, who commended its musical direction, lyrics, Usher's singing, and Diplo's production. Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly named it one of the best singles of 2012. In 2013, "Climax" won Usher a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.

Writing and recording

"Climax" was written by Usher, Redd Stylez, Ariel Rechtshaid, and 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.[2] Diplo originally pursued a house music sound based on a chord progression he wrote, but changed his direction after working in the recording studio alone on what he called a "wildfire" beat.[2] He later said of his direction for the song, "the idea of pushing cut-off on a synth used so much in 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]

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. 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" is set in common time.[9] Diplo called the style "Radiohead quietstorm", and both Spin and Rolling Stone agreed that the song was a mix of quiet storm style, electronic music and alternative R&B.[10] [11] It is written in the key of C minor, and Usher's voice ranges from B2 to D5.[9] The music is built around a haunting riff, complemented by sparse drum machine and some musical accompaniment.[12] Its varying soundscape incorporates electronic effects such as clicks, hisses, whooshes, and low-frequency synths,[13] as well as subtle strings and scattered piano notes.[10] Music writers have noted Diplo's production as uncharacteristically reserved and understated.[12] [13] [14]

Notes and References

  1. Lipshutz. Jason. March 2, 2012. Track Review: Usher, 'Climax'. Billboard. April 26, 2012.
  2. News: Robinson. Peter. Peter Robinson (journalist). Diplo: the man who brought Usher to Climax. The Guardian. April 20, 2012. April 26, 2012.
  3. Web site: Pelly. Jenn. Phillips. Amy. February 14, 2012. Listen: Diplo Produces New Usher Track "Climax". Pitchfork Media. April 26, 2012.
  4. Web site: Diplo Confirms Usher's "Climax" Was Inspired By The Weeknd's 'House of Balloons'. Genius. Mench. Chris. April 9, 2020. April 10, 2020.
  5. Diplo Thread 1/3. 1248326577504407561. Thomas Wesley (verified account). Diplo. April 9, 2020. April 10, 2020.
  6. Diplo Thread 2/3. 1248326659125571585. Thomas Wesley (verified account). Diplo. April 9, 2020. April 10, 2020.
  7. Have you ever seen the moon bark back at the dog?. 1248356308991934464. Usher Raymond IV (verified account). Usher. April 9, 2020. April 10, 2020.
  8. Web site: The Weeknd Says There’s ‘No Feud’ With Usher, Cites Him as ‘Why I Make Music’. Billboard. August 25, 2020. March 16, 2023.
  9. Web site: Usher – Climax . EMI Music Publishing. Musicnotes.com . June 5, 2012 . 2012.
  10. Hogan. Marc. February 15, 2012. 14 Ways Usher and Diplo's Slow Jam 'Climax' Keeps Peaking. Spin. New York. November 23, 2015.
  11. Web site: Pitchfork Staff . The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s . . October 7, 2019 . ...the 2012 hit was quickly compared to alt-R&B newcomers like James Blake and the Weeknd. . October 22, 2022.
  12. Elan. Priya. February 15, 2012. NME Track Reviews – Usher, 'Climax'. NME. April 26, 2012.
  13. Web site: Copsey. Robert. March 30, 2012. Usher: 'Climax' – Single review. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. April 26, 2012.
  14. Web site: February 29, 2012. Usher: 'Climax' Is Not About Sex. Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. March 3, 2012.
  15. Santiago. Karinah. April 22, 2012. Chart Juice: Usher's 'Climax' Reaches R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Peak. Billboard. April 26, 2012.
  16. Usher's 'Climax' Arrives, Young the Giant's 'Glee' Gain, Maroon 5's 'Hands' Hits 1 Million. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. March 3, 2012. May 12, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120512110814/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/retail/chart-moves-usher-s-climax-arrives-young-1006338752.story. dead.
  17. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=usher|chart=all}} Climax – Usher]. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. January 6, 2013.
  18. Web site: Usher . . March 25, 2011.
  19. Web site: Official chart analysis: weekly album sales plummet to record 21st Century low, Adele back at No.1. Music Week. Intent Media. January 6, 2012. April 16, 2012.
  20. Rosen. Jody. Jody Rosen. Climax. Rolling Stone. February 23, 2012. April 26, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140504065531/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/clmax-20120223. May 4, 2014.
  21. Hermes. Will. Will Hermes. June 18, 2012. Express Yourself EP. Rolling Stone. August 28, 2018.
  22. Web site: Harmitt-Williams. Aiden. May 16, 2017. The Climax of Usher Raymond. FWRD. August 28, 2018.
  23. Web site: Battan. Carrie. February 14, 2012. Usher: "Climax". Pitchfork Media. April 26, 2012. September 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120918092333/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13160-climax/. dead.
  24. Elan. Priya. February 21, 2012. NME Track Reviews – Usher feat. Diplo – 'Climax'. NME. April 26, 2012.
  25. 50 Best Songs of 2012: Usher, 'Climax'. Rolling Stone. 5 December 2012. New York. December 23, 2012.
  26. Staff. December 21, 2012. Best and Worst 2012: Carly Rae Jepsen, Taylor Swift, and the other best singles of the year. Entertainment Weekly. December 31, 2012.
  27. Web site: Singles — All Votes . . . 2013-01-18.
  28. 1. Usher, "Climax". Time. 4 December 2012. May 26, 2016. Wolk. Douglas.
  29. News: February 10, 2013 . Grammys 2013: Complete list of nominees and winners . Los Angeles Times . February 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130215164839/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/music/la-et-ms-grammys-2013-complete-list-of-nominees-and-winners,0,4278545.story . February 15, 2013 . dead .
  30. 20 Best Songs of 2012: Critics' Picks . 18 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  31. Web site: The Top Tracks of 2012 . 12 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203306/http://beatsperminute.com/features/the-top-tracks-of-2012/7/ . dead .
  32. News: Best Tracks of 2012 . 14 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  33. Web site: Single of the Year 2012 . 16 January 2013 . . 24 November 2015.
  34. Web site: The Top 100 Tracks of 2012 . 17 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  35. Web site: Best Songs of 2012 . 10 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  36. Top 50 Songs of 2012 . 7 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  37. 40 Best Songs of 2012 . 10 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  38. 50 Best Songs of 2012 . 5 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  39. The 50 Best Songs of 2012 . 12 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  40. The 25 Best Singles of 2012 . 12 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  41. The 100 Best Tracks of 2012 . 13 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  42. Favorite Songs of 2012 . 22 December 2012 . . 24 November 2015.
  43. Web site: Usher Goes Through Relationship Drama in 'Climax' Video. PopCrush. July 24, 2012.
  44. Web site: Daw. Robbie. Usher's Dramatic "Climax" Video: Watch. May 13, 2012. Idolator. 9 March 2012. Buzz Media.
  45. Lipshut. Jason. Usher Busts Out a Gun in 'Climax' Video: Watch. May 13, 2012. Billboard. March 9, 2012.
  46. Web site: Lapointe. Jeff. Usher's new video "Climax" is about pain not sex. May 13, 2012. MTV News. MTV Networks. March 12, 2012.
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNTyfVh3nmU Usher - Climax (Official Music Video)
  48. Horowitz. Steven. Usher Premieres New Album Off-Broadway. May 13, 2012. Rolling Stone. April 28, 2012.
  49. Web site: Sciarretto. Amy. Usher Makes Fans 'Scream' + 'Climax' on 'SNL'. May 13, 2012. Popcrush. May 12, 2012.
  50. Web site: Looking 4 Myself - Credits. Tidal. April 4, 2020.
  51. Web site: Australian-charts.com – Usher – Climax. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Hung Medien. January 6, 2013.
  52. Web site: Top 40 Urban Albums & Singles Chart . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . https://web.archive.org/web/20120317174118/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_urban.asp?chart=1Q40RB&chart2=1R40RB . March 17, 2012 . dead .
  53. Web site: Usher – Climax – Austriancharts.at. de. Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien. January 6, 2013.
  54. Web site: Ultratop.be – Usher – Climax. nl. Ultratip & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. January 6, 2013.
  55. Web site: Ultratop.be – Usher – Climax. fr. Ultratip & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. January 6, 2013.
  56. Web site: danishcharts.dk – Usher – Climax. da. Tracklisten. Hung Medien. January 6, 2013.
  57. Web site: Chart Track. Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association. January 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20121202081829/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=14. December 2, 2012. dead.
  58. Web site: Usher chart history. The Official Lebanese Top 20. April 6, 2014.
  59. Web site: Dutchcharts.nl – Usher – Climax. nl. Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. January 6, 2013.
  60. Web site: Media Forest. mediaforest-group.com.
  61. Web site: Archive Chart. Official Charts Company. January 6, 2013.
  62. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart . ko . . April 6, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212201417/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E&current_week=10&current_year=2012&chart_Time=week . December 12, 2013 .
  63. Web site: Archive Chart. Official Charts Company. January 6, 2013.
  64. Web site: Archive Chart. Official Charts Company. January 6, 2013.
  65. Web site: GAON DIGITAL CHART : 2012 . gaonchart.co.kr . ko . May 17, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222063503/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E&current_year=2012&chart_Time=year . February 22, 2014 .
  66. Web site: End of Year Charts: 2012. UKChartsPlus. May 17, 2014.
  67. 2012 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs. Billboard. February 2, 2019.
  68. R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – 2012 Year End Charts. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 16, 2012.
  69. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2012. Billboard. September 30, 2019.
  70. Decade-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. January 17, 2020.
  71. Web site: Urban/UAC Future Releases . All Access . https://web.archive.org/web/20120215195739/http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases . February 15, 2012 . dead .
  72. Web site: Climax – Single. iTunes Store. Apple Inc. February 23, 2012.
  73. CHR/Top 40 – Week Of: March 13, 2012. https://archive.today/20120709102452/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=03/13/2012&Format=1. dead. July 9, 2012. Radio & Records. July 24, 2012.
  74. Web site: Singles Release Diary. Digital Spy. October 2006 . Hearst Magazines. July 24, 2012.
  75. Web site: Arredondo. Eric. March 12, 2012. Track Review: Usher – "Climax" [Prod. Diplo]|publisher=Beats Per Minute|access-date=April 26, 2012}}

    The song's musical structure is characterized by intervals in which the music builds to a potential break, but softly decrescendos instead. As each verse concludes, the song's snapping, electronic rhythm track gradually softens and rippling synth chords repeat throughout the song. Marc Hogan of Spin writes that Diplo "teases us with the sort of wubba-wubba subwoofer noises that have become inescapable in the past year or so of pop radio. But he never actually gives in with the full dubstep drop ... the song keeps swelling to one big wave after another, without ever really reaching a single, song-stopping crescendo." Hogan cites the bridge at around the three-minute mark as "the closest thing to a climax" on the song, "when the track gets as quiet as it ever has before becoming as lush as it ever gets." Pitchfork Medias 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."

    The song is a breakup lament dealing with the theme of commitment. Its title refers to the turning point of a relationship. 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?" Usher sings in a pleading falsetto and a plaintive tone on the song, alternating restrained vocals and anguished howls. 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."[14] 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".

    Release

    The song was first released onto the internet on Valentine's Day 2012 through SoundCloud. Upon its release, Diplo commented on Twitter: "Seriously the best record I've been part of ... I'm pretty sure in 9 months there are gonna be a lot of new babies that this song is responsible for". It was released as the lead single for Usher's 2012 album Looking for Myself.[15]

    "Climax" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 81, with 31,000 digital units sold in the week of March 10, 2012.[16] It peaked at number 17 and spent 20 weeks on the chart.[17] The song also reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, on which it charted for 33 weeks, and became Usher's 12th number-one single on the chart. It peaked at number three on the Dance/Club Play Songs, on which it charted for 13 weeks. In the United Kingdom, "Climax" debuted and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart, selling 41,617 units.[18] [19] It charted for seven weeks and peaked at number 29 in Australia.

    Critical reception

    "Climax" has received widespread acclaim from music critics, who have lauded it as one of Usher's best-written and best-produced songs, and named the 2012's best song by several magazines. In Rolling Stone, Jody Rosen gave the song four out of five stars and stated, "Quiet storm gets a freaky sci-fi makeover",[20] while Will Hermes hailed it as "spring's best quiet-storm jam".[21] FWRD writer Aiden Harmitt-Williams regarded its mix of quiet storm with EDM as "a genius move".[22] Pitchfork journalist Carrie Battan deemed it "a doubly satisfying departure from [Usher and Diplo's] respective strains of club-ready fare."[23] 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." 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." 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."[24] 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." 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."

    Accolades

    Rolling Stone ranked "Climax" number 15 on their year-end best songs list for 2012.[25] Entertainment Weekly ranked it number 14 on their year-end list of best singles.[26] It was voted as the third best single of 2012 by The Village Voices 40th annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll[27] and the official best single of 2012 by Time magazine.[28] At the 2013 Grammy Awards, "Climax" won Usher a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.[29]

    Year-end lists

    PublicationAccoladeRank
    Billboard20 Best Songs of 2012[30] 1
    TimeTop 10 Songs of 20121
    Beats Per MinuteThe Top Tracks of 2012[31] 2
    The GuardianBest Tracks of 2012[32] 2
    Pazz & JopSingle of the Year 2012[33] 3
    PitchforkThe Top 100 Tracks of 2012[34] 3
    Said the GramophoneBest Songs of 2012[35] 4
    Consequence of SoundTop 50 Songs of 2012[36] 5
    Spin40 Best Songs of 2012[37] 11
    Rolling Stone50 Best Songs of 2012[38] 15
    ComplexThe 50 Best Songs of 2012[39] 16
    Slant MagazineThe 25 Best Singles of 2012[40] 20
    FactThe 100 Best Tracks of 2012[41] 21
    NPRNPR Music's 100 Favorite Songs Of 2012 [42]

    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 sex 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.[43]

    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.[44] Jason Lipshut of Billboard found the "narrative arc" for the video to be "a bit perplexing".[45] 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."[46] The music video on YouTube has received over 110 million views as of May 2024.[47]

    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.[48] Usher appeared on Saturday Night Live on May 12, 2012, to perform "Scream" and "Climax".[49]

    Personnel

    Credits are adapted from Tidal.[50]

    • 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

    Weekly charts

    Chart (2012)Peak
    position
    Australia (ARIA)[51] 29
    Australia Urban (ARIA)[52] 15
    Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[53] 44
    Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[54] 4
    Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[55] 6
    Canada (Canadian Hot 100)96
    Denmark (Tracklisten)[56] 39
    Ireland (IRMA)[57] 39
    Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20)[58] 15
    Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[59] 82
    Nigeria (Media Forest)[60] 161
    Scotland (Official Charts Company)[61] 9
    South Korea (Gaon Chart)[62] 5
    UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[63] 1
    UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[64] 4
    US Billboard Hot 10017
    US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)3
    US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)1
    US Pop Songs (Billboard)36

    Year-end charts

    Chart (2012)Position
    South Korea (Gaon Chart)[65] 100
    UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[66] 155
    US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[67] 11
    US Billboard Hot 10072
    US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)45
    US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[68] 2
    US Rhythmic (Billboard)[69] 43

    Decade-end charts

    Release history

    CountryDateFormat (Version)Label
    United States[71] February 21, 2012Urban radioRCA Records
    Worldwide[72] February 22, 2012Digital download
    United States[73] March 13, 2012Mainstream radio
    United Kingdom[74] April 8, 2012Digital download

    See also

    References

    .