Find Your Way Back (Beyoncé song) explained

Find Your Way Back
Type:song
Artist:Beyoncé
Released:July 19, 2019
Recorded:2019
Studio:Parkwood West (Los Angeles, California)
Genre:
Length:2:42
Label:
Producer:

"Find Your Way Back" is a song by American singer Beyoncé. It is the fourth track on The Lion King: The Gift (2019), Knowles' curated album released through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records alongside her appearance in the 2019 live-action theatrical adaptation of 1994's The Lion King.[1] A remix by frequent collaborator MeLo-X was released on July 31, 2020 to coincide with the release of the deluxe album edition and film Black Is King.[2]

Upon release, the song debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard World Digital Songs chart alongside the rest of her album contributions, resulting in five top 10 hits.[3] The song remained on the chart for seven weeks.[4] Described by BBC as "light-footed", Rolling Stone lauded the song for "feel-good Afropop production" and Knowles' willingness to allow "the sounds of the continent [to] prevail over her star power."[5] [6]

Background and composition

“Find Your Way Back” was written by Knowles, Hazzard, Booi, Magwenzi, and Osaretin, and originated from a casual session between Booi and Magwenzi in Johannesburg during summer 2018 after the duo "knew they wanted to utilize the bass guitar in a cool way and make something that could 'groove and vibe'."[7] Further discussed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Booi sent the song and a few others to the Parkwood Entertainment team [through his Universal Music Publishing Group A&R rep Ari Gelaw] after a brief trip to New York, but didn’t hear back as the weeks went by.[7] He eventually returned to South Africa, assuming the opportunity was “dead in the water" before receiving a phone call from Parkwood.

The song contains elements of 2017 song "Maradona", written by Sarz and performed by Niniola.[8] Nigerian producer and songwriter Bankulli was responsible for the subtle ode to Yoruba Fuji music, contributing vocals in the bridge.[9] Lyrically, the song alludes to the "Circle of Life" messaging of the film, and acts as a self-reflection about the navigation of one's life: "Find your way back / Big, big world, but you got it, baby / Find your way back, don't let this life drive you crazy / Find your way back, come back home with the street lights on / Find your way back, find your way back."[10] She also reminisces on the lessons taught by her father as a guiding light through life’s travails.[11] The Daily Texan went further, describing the song and fatherhood messaging as a "a spiritual sequel to “Daddy Lessons” from Knowles' 2016 album Lemonade.[12]

Reception

The song was met with acclaim. Hannah Browne of publication The Line of Best Fit described it as "[a] hip-turning highlight", while Ed Power of The Irish Examiner noted "gusto" and "reverence."[13] [14] Christobel Hastings of Stylist opined that the song "has the capacity to transport to another dimension" while "[unexpectedly] rival[ing] their love of her 00s R&B catalog."[15] In a more mixed review, NME mentioned that the "self-help trope" of the song "ramble[s] a bit" when combined with album opener "Bigger", however they also mentioned their singular "power as [standalone] pop tracks", "underpinned by rhythmic Afrobeat-esque production."[16]

Visual

Knowles filmed the music video in the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes near Pismo Beach, California.[17] Directed by Knowles, she is featured alongside two dancers wearing masks inspired by the traditional face coverings worn by the Dogon peoples of Mali, as well as an ensemble of dancers covered in sparkling jewels.[18]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[19] 25
World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)5

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
VariousJuly 19, 2019original Version[20]
July 31, 2020MeLo-X Remix version[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beyoncé's Lion King Soundtrack Puts the Focus Back Where It Belongs: Africa. Craig. Jenkins. July 31, 2020. Vulture. December 28, 2023. July 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230724101606/https://www.vulture.com/2020/07/beyonce-the-lion-king-the-gift-album-review.html. live.
  2. Web site: Watch Beyoncé's "Already" Video and Stream Deluxe Edition of The Gift. July 31, 2020. December 28, 2023. April 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210412130503/https://consequence.net/2020/07/beyonce-deluxe-edition-lion-king-the-gift-already-video-watch/. live.
  3. Web site: Beyoncé Completely Dominates The World Songs Chart With Her 'Lion King' Smashes. Hugh. McIntyre. Forbes. December 28, 2023. September 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200903092334/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2020/08/14/beyonc-completely-dominates-the-world-songs-chart-with-her-lion-king-smashes/. live.
  4. Beyoncé: Chart History: World Digital Song Sales Chart. Billboard. December 26, 2023. Billboard.com. July 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230724101609/https://www.billboard.com/artist/beyonce/chart-history/wdt/. live.
  5. Web site: Beyoncé's Lion King album is more about Beyoncé than The Lion King. July 19, 2019. www.bbc.com. December 28, 2023. January 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230119124320/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49035502. live.
  6. The 70 Greatest Beyoncé Songs. Rolling. Stone. . July 26, 2022. December 28, 2023. January 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230103114240/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-beyonce-songs-1378620/. live.
  7. Web site: How emerging South African producer Bubele Booi ended up on Beyoncé's 'Lion King' album. EW.com. December 28, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227033058/https://ew.com/music/2019/07/23/bubele-booi-beyonce-lion-king-album-interview/. live.
  8. Web site: Beyonce's reimagined 'Lion King' goes global. Jon Pareles The New York. Times. The Columbus Dispatch. December 28, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227035210/https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/local/2019/07/26/beyonce-x2019-s-reimagined-x2018/4605840007/. live.
  9. Web site: Nigerian artist Bankulli speaks on writing songs for Beyonce - P.M. News. December 28, 2023. December 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205063839/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/09/16/nigerian-artist-bankulli-speaks-on-writing-songs-for-beyonce/. live.
  10. Web site: All the Lyrics You Need to Know From Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift Album. July 19, 2019. E! Online. December 28, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227034459/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1058024/decoding-all-the-lyrics-from-beyonce-s-the-lion-king-the-gift-album. live.
  11. Every Song Ranked on Beyonce's 'The Lion King: The Gift': Critic's Picks. Glenn. Rowley. . July 19, 2019. December 28, 2023. February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201064101/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-the-lion-king-the-gift-tracks-ranked-8521705/. live.
  12. Web site: Beyoncé curates perfect, African-influenced sound for 'The Lion King'. Carlos. Garcia. December 28, 2023. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809075648/https://thedailytexan.com/2019/07/23/beyonce-curates-perfect-african-influenced-sound-for-the-lion-king/. live.
  13. Web site: Album review: Beyoncé - The Lion King: Gift. Ed. Power. August 3, 2019. Irish Examiner. December 28, 2023. May 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220517005203/https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30941575.html. live.
  14. Web site: Black is King is a mesmerising and powerful visual album straight from the mind of Beyoncé. The Line of Best Fit. December 28, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227040515/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/beyonce-black-is-king-album-review. live.
  15. Web site: The definitive list of Beyoncé's best songs, according to Team Stylist. www.stylist.co.uk. December 28, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227044219/https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/music/best-beyonce-songs-ranking/673657. live.
  16. Web site: Beyoncé – 'Lion King: The Gift' review. Dhruva. Balram. . July 22, 2019. December 28, 2023. September 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230924110631/https://www.nme.com/reviews/beyonce-lion-king-the-gift-review-2531330. live.
  17. Web site: Visit These Beyonce "Black Is King" Locations. August 3, 2020. December 28, 2023. September 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200924213328/https://www.travelcoterie.com/visit-these-beyonce-black-is-king-destinations/. live.
  18. Web site: A Quick Cultural Guide to Beyoncé's 'Black Is King'. Angelique Jackson,Audrey Cleo. Yap. Angelique. Jackson. Audrey Cleo. Yap. August 4, 2020. December 28, 2023. August 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200806155009/https://variety.com/lists/beyonce-black-is-king-african-culture-references/. live.
  19. Beyoncé | Biography, Music & News. Billboard. December 28, 2023. June 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220621223842/https://www.billboard.com/artist/beyonce/. live.
  20. Meet the African Artists Beyonce Collaborated With For 'The Lion King: The Gift'. D. J.. Soupamodel. . July 25, 2019. December 28, 2023. February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201064100/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-the-lion-king-african-artists-interview-8523901/. live.
  21. Web site: Beyoncé drops new visual album Black Is King. The FADER. December 28, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227040105/https://www.thefader.com/2020/07/31/beyonce-black-is-king-stream-disney. live.

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