In for the Kill (song) explained

In for the Kill
Cover:La Roux - In for the Kill.png
Type:single
Artist:La Roux
Album:La Roux
Studio:Elfin (Teddington, London)
Genre:Synth-pop
Length:4:08
Label:Polydor
Producer:
  • Ben Langmaid
  • Elly Jackson
Prev Title:Quicksand
Prev Year:2008
Next Title:Bulletproof
Next Year:2009

"In for the Kill" is a song by English synth-pop duo La Roux from their eponymous debut studio album (2009). The song was released as the album's second single on 15 March 2009. It became the duo's breakthrough single, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart. Dubstep producers Skream and Skrillex both made remixes of the track. In 2011, "In for the Kill" was nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.[1]

Background

Frontwoman Elly Jackson told Steve Harris of Xfm radio that the song is "about telling someone how you feel regardless of what you get back, and not waiting to find out if they want you or not."[2] The track is heavily influenced by the title theme of the 1980s animated television series Pole Position,[3] with the music video paying homage to the show as well.

Critical reception

"In for the Kill" received generally positive reviews from music critics. Digital Spy reviewer David Balls described the song as "slightly odd, endlessly exciting" and stated that it "manages to sound quaintly old-school and positively futuristic all at the same time."[4] Francis Jolley of Clickmusic praised it as "80s synth pop at its most glorious", naming it "the most exciting single around."[5] In a review for Exclaim!, Cam Lindsay wrote that the track "features some icy, high-pitched woos from Jackson and pulse-pounding beats" which make it sound "delicious".[6] MSN Music called it a "damn fine electro pop humdinger" and complimented Jackson's powerful vocals which "hit the ground running and burst with effervescence from the opening note."[7]

In October 2011, NME placed the song at number 64 on its list of the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[8]

Commercial performance

"In for the Kill" debuted at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart for the week ending 28 March 2009.[9] Four weeks after its debut, the song peaked at number two with 51,724 copies sold.[10] [11] The single spent four consecutive weeks at number two, before falling to number three with sales of 44,310 copies.[12] In January 2011, "In for the Kill" was named the 11th best-selling download in the United Kingdom of all time.[13] The song had sold 875,523 copies in the UK as of July 2014.[14] In Ireland, the track debuted at number 47 on 16 April 2009 and peaked at number 13, four weeks later.[15]

"In for the Kill" was less successful in continental Europe, charting at number 43 in Belgium, number 53 in Austria, number 68 in Slovakia and number 92 in Germany. It nevertheless reached number 11 in Norway, as well as number nine on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. The single debuted at number 50 in Australia on 29 June 2009, but fell off the chart the next week. On 13 July 2009 it re-entered the chart at number 46, peaking at number 36, two weeks later. In the United States, "In for the Kill" topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart on the issue dated 27 November 2010, becoming the duo's second number-one song on the chart after "Bulletproof".[16]

Music videos

The first music video for "In for the Kill" was directed by Kinga Burza and produced by Sarah Tognazzi.[17] The 1980s-inspired video features Jackson singing the song while driving a Toyota MR2. It begins with Jackson driving down a dark road at night. At the beginning of the chorus, she puts on a pair of sunglasses, removing them at the chorus' end. During the instrumental section of the song, she waves her hand out of the car window, at which point the road ahead and the cloud-covered moon is visible. Jackson continues to drive until she comes across another version of herself standing in the middle of the road. The video concludes with Jackson driving the car, her eyes glowing white.

A second video was released on 7 October 2010 to promote the US release of the single, featuring a slightly altered version of the song. The video was directed by LEGS and filmed at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.[18] [19]

Alternative versions

Dubstep musician Skream produced the most well-known remix of the song, titled the Let's Get Ravey remix, which was included on the CD single and digital EP. The remix was featured during the closing credits of the Entourage episode "Hair", originally aired 8 August 2010,[20] as well as in television commercials for the 2009 fantasy video game Bayonetta and in the trailer for the 2012 film Dredd.[21] [22] It is also part of the soundtrack to Matchstick Productions' 2011 ski film Attack of la Niña.[23]

Skream's remix received positive reviews from music critics. The Observer reviewer Gareth Grundy called it a "proper remix, the kind that nudges the original song into thrilling new territory."[24] Cam Lindsay of Exclaim! wrote that while the original version "features some icy, high-pitched wails from Jackson and pulse-pounding beats [...] it's the 'Let's Get Ravey Mix' [...] that really kills it."[6] Skream also produced an alternate remix, That Doesn't Sound Like Skream's Remix, which appeared on the physical and digital EP releases of "In for the Kill".

French musician Lifelike's self-titled remix, which is over six minutes long, was released as a 12-inch single and digital download by French electronic music label Kitsuné, and it was also included on the 2009 compilation album Kitsuné Maison Compilation 7.[25] The official remix of the song for the US featuring rapper Kanye West premiered exclusively on the Entertainment Weekly website on 12 October 2010,[26] and was released digitally on 2 November.

Cover versions

The song was covered on the Live Lounge segment of BBC Radio 1's The Jo Whiley Show on four separate occasions: on 18 May 2009 by Australian R&B singer Daniel Merriweather,[27] on 30 January 2010 by Swedish indie pop trio Miike Snow,[28] on 12 May 2010 by American R&B singer Kelis,[29] on 8 September 2013 by English indie pop trio London Grammar[30] and by Billie Marten.

"In for the Kill" has been sampled by several rappers.[31] Atlanta rapper Donnis sampled it on his song "For the Kill" from his 2010 mixtape Fashionably Late.[32] Later that year, it was sampled on French Montana's song "Goin' In for the Kill" featuring Chinx Drugz and Cheeze, which appears on French Montana's mixtape Coke Boys.[31] [33] The track was sampled by production duo Cool & Dre for rapper Game's "The Kill" from his 2011 mixtape Purp & Patron.[34] In April 2011, Jackson confirmed that Dr. Dre had sampled "In for the Kill" for his upcoming album Detox.[35] UK drill rapper Tion Wayne sampled the song's chorus in his 2022 single "IFTK", with La Roux also listed as a lead artist; it reached a peak of number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.[36] [37]

Track listings

  1. "In for the Kill" – 4:08
  2. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:05
  1. "In for the Kill" – 4:10
  2. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:04
  3. "In for the Kill" (That Doesn't Sound Like Skream's Remix) – 3:27

A. "In for the Kill" – 4:08

B. "In for the Kill" – 4:08

  1. "In for the Kill" (Lifelike Remix) – 6:08
  1. "In for the Kill" – 4:10
  2. "Quicksand" – 3:06
  3. "In for the Kill" (Lifelike Remix) – 6:09
  4. "In for the Kill" (That Doesn't Sound Like Skream's Remix) – 3:26
  5. "Quicksand" (autoKratz Drags to Riches Remix) – 4:40
  6. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:16
  7. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Lets Get Ravey Remix) – 5:03
  1. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:01
  2. "In for the Kill" (Tim Bran Remix) – 3:43
  3. "In for the Kill" (Danger's Ocean Remix) – 4:16
  4. "In for the Kill" (Skrillex Remix) – 5:11
  1. "In for the Kill" (featuring Kanye West) – 4:40

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of La Roux.[38]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2009–2010)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[39] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (2009)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Dance (ARIA)[40] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[41] 6

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009)! scope="col"
Position
UK Singles (OCC)[42] 35

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
United Kingdom15 March 2009Digital EPPolydor[43]
16 March 2009[44] [45]
France20 April 2009Kitsuné[46] [47] [48]
Germany8 May 2009Digital EPUniversal[49]
Japan20 May 2009EP[50]
Australia5 June 2009Digital EPUniversal[51]
Germany12 June 2009CD single[52]
United States14 September 2010Digital EP – remixes[53]
2 November 2010Digital single – featuring Kanye West[54]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grammy Awards 2011: Selected winners . . 14 February 2011 . 9 September 2014.
  2. Web site: In for the Kill by La Roux . Songfacts . 16 April 2009.
  3. Web site: Price . Simon . Album: La Roux, La Roux, (Polydor) . . 28 June 2009 . 12 November 2010.
  4. Web site: Balls . David . La Roux: 'In for the Kill' . . 19 February 2009 . 9 September 2014.
  5. Web site: Jolley . Francis . La Roux – In for the Kill . Clickmusic . 26 March 2009 . 24 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101113201856/http://www.clickmusic.com/singles/article/La-Roux-In-For-The-Kill . 13 November 2010.
  6. Web site: Lindsay . Cam . La Roux – "In for the Kill" . . 20 March 2009 . 24 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121003073420/http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/la_roux-in_for_kill . 3 October 2012 . dead .
  7. Web site: La Roux – "In for the Kill" . . 5 March 2009 . 24 April 2009.
  8. Web site: 150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years . . October 2011 . 9 September 2014.
  9. Web site: 2009 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive . . 28 March 2009 . 9 September 2014.
  10. Web site: Jones . Alan . No change at the Top . . 20 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090426111731/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=22&storycode=1037545&c=2 . 26 April 2009 . 9 September 2014 . subscription.
  11. Web site: 2009 Top 40 Official Singles Chart UK Archive . . 25 April 2009 . 9 September 2014.
  12. Web site: Green Day Breakdown at number one . Music Week . 18 May 2009 . 9 September 2014.
  13. Web site: Top 100 Downloads of All Time . . 2 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120912173508/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/downloads . 12 September 2012 . dead . 6 January 2011.
  14. Web site: Jones . Alan . Official Charts Analysis: Sheeran's X sells 33k copies to spend fifth week at No.1 . Music Week . 28 July 2014 . 17 April 2019 . subscription.
  15. Web site: Top 50 Singles, Week Ending 16 April 2009 . . 12 November 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120329041157/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2009&year=2009&week=16 . 29 March 2012 . dead .
  16. Murray . Gordon . La Roux Lights Up With No. 1 Debut . . 1 August 2014 . 9 September 2014.
  17. Web site: Knight . David . La Roux's in for the Kill by Kinga Burza . Promo News . 9 February 2009 . 9 September 2014.
  18. Web site: Brown . Jimmy . La Roux's in for the Kill by LEGS . Promo News . 15 October 2010 . 9 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811172909/http://www.promonews.tv/videos/2010/10/15/la-roux%E2%80%99s-kill-legs . 11 August 2014 . dead .
  19. Web site: La Roux goes to New York to revitalize in for the Kill . . 8 October 2010 . 27 October 2010.
  20. Web site: Entourage: S7 Ep 84: Hair: Music . . 12 November 2010.
  21. Web site: Hashimoto . Yusuke . Bayonetta TV Commercial . . 4 January 2010 . 25 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100205171513/http://platinumgames.com/2010/01/04/bayonetta-tv-commercial/ . 5 February 2010 .
  22. Web site: What's That Song in the New 'Dredd' Trailer? . . 21 June 2012 . 9 September 2014.
  23. Web site: Attack of La Nina . de . Sportpantoffel . 16 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120125033232/http://www.sportpantoffel.de/detail.php?ident=ski_gHkl00940 . 25 January 2012 . dead .
  24. Web site: Grundy . Gareth . Electronic review: La Roux, In For the Kill (Skream remix) . . 15 March 2009 . 9 September 2014.
  25. Web site: Various Artists – Maison Compilation 7 . Kitsuné . 9 September 2014.
  26. Greenblatt . Leah . La Roux feat. Kanye West, 'In for the Kill': An EW exclusive stream . Entertainment Weekly. 12 October 2010 . 12 November 2010.
  27. Web site: Live Lounge – Daniel Merriweather . . 18 May 2009 . 12 November 2010.
  28. Web site: Live Lounge – Miike Snow . BBC Radio 1 . 30 January 2010 . 12 November 2010.
  29. Web site: Live Lounge – Kelis . BBC Radio 1 . 12 May 2010 . 12 November 2010.
  30. Web site: London Grammar cover La Roux's in for the Kill in the Live Lounge . BBC Radio 1 . 8 September 2013 . 2 November 2013.
  31. Web site: Ahmed . Insanul . VOTE: Who Rocked La Roux's "In for the Kill" The Best? . . 28 January 2011 . 9 September 2014.
  32. Web site: Shepherd . Julianne Escobedo . Premiere: Donnis, "Tha Kill" MP3 . . 21 June 2010 . 9 September 2014.
  33. Web site: Coke Boys [Explicit]

    French Montana: MP3 Downloads ]

    . Amazon . 9 September 2014.
  34. Web site: Game – The Kill [Prod. Cool & Dre] ]. . 25 January 2011 . 9 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075345/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.13613/title.game-the-kill-prod-cool-dre . 7 July 2011 . dead .
  35. Web site: La Roux talks about 'hilarious' Dr. Dre collaboration . . 6 April 2011 . 9 September 2014.
  36. Web site: Murray . Robin . Tion Wayne's 'IFTK' Is A La Roux-Sampling Smash . . 16 May 2022 . 13 June 2022 .
  37. Web site: Smith . Carl . Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill claims new Official Singles Chart peak as Harry Styles reigns with As It Was . . 10 June 2022 . 13 June 2022 .
  38. . liner notes . . . 2009 . 2703635.
  39. European Hot 100 Singles . Billboard . 16 May 2009 . 9 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090512172010/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=European%2BHot%2B100%2BSingles . 12 May 2009.
  40. Web site: ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Dance Singles 2009 . . 9 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808123209/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-dance-singles-2009.htm . 8 August 2014.
  41. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2009 . Official Charts Company . 10 July 2018.
  42. Web site: Myers . Justin . Official Charts announces The Noughties definitive chart books . Official Charts Company . 24 September 2019 . 13 January 2021.
  43. Web site: In for the Kill – EP by La Roux . January 2009 . iTunes Store (UK) . 5 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100820041056/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/in-for-the-kill-ep/id305408465 . 20 August 2010.
  44. Web site: In for the Kill . Amazon (UK) . 12 November 2010.
  45. Web site: La Roux – In for the Kill (7", Shape, Pic, Ltd) . . 5 May 2010.
  46. Web site: La Roux – In for the Kill (EP) . . 9 September 2014.
  47. Web site: La Roux – In for the Kill (12") . Kitsuné . 25 April 2009.
  48. Web site: Kitsuné: In for the Kill (Lifelike Remix) – Single by La Roux . January 2009 . iTunes Store (France) . 9 September 2014.
  49. Web site: In for the Kill von La Roux . de . 7digital (Germany) . 9 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160127164203/https://de.7digital.com/artist/la-roux/release/in-for-the-kill-1 . 27 January 2016.
  50. Web site: http://p-vine.jp/music/pcd-17288 . ja:デビュー！ . Debut! . ja . . 9 September 2014.
  51. Web site: In for the Kill by La Roux . zdigital (Australia) . 9 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140728040631/http://www.zdigital.com.au/artist/la-roux/release/in-for-the-kill-1 . 28 July 2014 . dead .
  52. Web site: La Roux In for the Kill . de . . 9 September 2014.
  53. Web site: In for the Kill Remixes – EP by La Roux . January 2010 . iTunes Store (US) . 12 November 2010.
  54. Web site: In for the Kill (feat. Kanye West) – EP by La Roux . January 2010 . iTunes Store (US) . 12 November 2010.

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