Sky Walker (song) explained
"Sky Walker" is a song by American singer Miguel featuring American rapper Travis Scott. It was written by the two artists with Rogét Chahayed and Happy Perez, who produced it with Miguel. The song was released through ByStorm Entertainment and RCA Records on August 25, 2017, as the lead single from Miguel's fourth studio album, War & Leisure. A Spanish version of the song was included on his extended play Te Lo Dije (2019).
Critical reception
Lauren O'Neill of Vice wrote that the song has "a super chilled-out, laid back vibe in the vein that Miguel always does best".[1] Mikey Fresh of Vibe thinks that the song, which he described as "trippy", "takes listeners on a smoked-out voyage complete with kush clouds and outer-body experiences".[2] Carl Lamarre of Billboard called it a "celebratory song".[3] Jordan Sargent of Spin described the song as "light and airy". He compared the song to Miguel's previous collaboration with Scott on a remix of "Waves", and opined that "Sky Walker" is "more organic".[4] Michelle Geslani of Consequence of Sound wrote that "the two recapture the lushness of" the "Waves" remix.[5] Mitch Findlay of HotNewHipHop regarded the song as "a solid blend of party track and introspective banger".[6] Joshua Espinoza of Pigeons and Planes wrote that the song is "everything you'd expect from a Miguel record: Smooth and airy with an infectious beat that can easily be bumped in a club".[7] Michael Cuby of Paper called it an "oddly perky song", and wrote that "the whole thing is quintessential end-of-the-summer BBQ vibes".[8] Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone named it "a synth-driven new single" and wrote that it has "a trap-leaning beat, accented with splashes of color from a delayed electric guitar".[9]
Commercial performance
"Sky Walker" is Miguel's third-highest-charting single as a lead artist, on the Billboard Hot 100, only behind 2010's "Sure Thing" and 2012's "Adorn". It is his fifth-highest-charting single as a lead artist on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[10]
Music video
The accompanying music video was directed by Director X and Miguel.[11] It shows Miguel in various locations such as a sauna, a basketball court, and a cockpit,[12] as he parties inside the mansion,[8] [9] doing activities like surfing, "pouring out shots, stacking cups on a passed out friend's head, pretending to be a matador" and taking pictures in a bedroom.[13] [14] [15] It also features both Miguel and Scott performing part of the song on top of a Toronto Police Services Ford Interceptor Sedan.[16] [17] [18] [19]
Track listing
- "Sky Walker" (featuring Travis Scott) – 4:20
- Digital download – Spanish version[20]
- "Sky Walker" (Spanish version) – 3:10
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[21]
- Miguel – songwriting, production, engineering, programming
- Travis Scott – songwriting
- Happy Perez – songwriting, production, keyboard, guitar, programming
- Rogét Chahayed – songwriting, keyboard, programming
- David Davis – mixer, engineer
- Bo Bodnar – assistant engineering
Charts
Year-end charts
Notes and References
- News: Lauren. O'Neill. Miguel Has a Laid Back New Song with Travis Scott Called "Sky Walker". August 28, 2017. Noisey. August 25, 2017.
- News: Mikey. Fresh. Miguel Makes His Triumphant Return With New Song, "Sky Walker" (Feat. Travi$ Scott). August 28, 2017. Vibe. August 24, 2017.
- Carl. Lamarre. Miguel Brushes Off the Haters With Travis Scott on the Celebratory 'Skywalker'. August 28, 2017. Billboard. August 24, 2017.
- News: Jordan. Sargent. Miguel – "Sky Walker" ft. Travis Scott. August 28, 2017. Spin. August 24, 2017.
- News: Michelle. Geslani. Miguel and Travis Scott reunite for new song "Sky Walker" and video: Watch. August 28, 2017. Consequence of Sound. August 25, 2017.
- News: Mitch. Findlay. Miguel - Sky Walker Feat. Travis Scott. August 28, 2017. HotHewHipHop. August 24, 2017.
- News: Joshua. Espinoza. Miguel Reconnects With Travis Scott on "Sky Walker". August 28, 2017. Pigeons and Planes. August 25, 2017.
- News: Michael. Cuby. Miguel and Travis Scott Are Ready to (Stylishly) Celebrate in 'Sky Walker' Video. August 28, 2017. Paper. August 25, 2017.
- Ryan. Reed. Watch Miguel's Wild Bubble Bath Party in 'Sky Walker' Video. August 28, 2017. Rolling Stone. August 25, 2017.
- Miguel . .
- News: Noah. Yoo. Watch Miguel and Travis Scott's Video for New Song "Sky Walker". August 28, 2017. Pitchfork. August 25, 2017.
- News: Myles. Tanzer. Miguel Returns With "Sky Walker" Featuring Travis Scott. August 28, 2017. The Fader. August 24, 2017.
- News: Aaron. Williams. Miguel Experiments With Trap Beats And Surfboards On 'Sky Walker' Featuring Travis Scott. August 28, 2017. Uproxx. August 25, 2017.
- News: Singersroom. Miguel – Sky Walker Ft. Travis Scott. August 28, 2017. Singersroom. August 25, 2017.
- News: Katrina. Rees. Miguel releases new song 'Sky Walker' featuring Travis Scott. August 28, 2017. CelebMix. August 26, 2017.
- News: Rhian. Daly. Watch Miguel and Travis Scott get silly in the video for 'Skywalker'. August 28, 2017. NME. August 25, 2017.
- News: Video: Miguel feat. Travis Scott – 'Sky Walker'. August 28, 2017. Rap-Up. August 25, 2017.
- News: Jon. Powell. Miguel and Travis Scott Team Up in "Sky Walker" Visual. August 28, 2017. Respect.. August 25, 2017.
- News: Patrick. Lyons. Miguel's Life Looks Incredible in Travi$ Scott-Assisted "Sky Walker" Music Video. August 28, 2017. Merry Jane. August 26, 2017.
- Web site: Sky Walker (Spanish Version) - Single by Miguel on Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). March 23, 2018 . September 22, 2018.
- Web site: Sky Walker / Miguel TIDAL. Tidal. 28 August 2017.
- Web site: NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. September 4, 2017. November 9, 2019.
- Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. December 5, 2018.
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. August 22, 2019.
- Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. August 22, 2019.
