Standing on the Sun explained

Standing on the Sun
Version:remix
Type:song
Artist:Beyoncé featuring Mr. Vegas
Released:November 24, 2014
Recorded:2013
Studio:Kings Landing (Bridgehampton, New York)
Genre:
Length:4:33 (remix version)
Label:
Producer:

"Standing on the Sun" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé, and was chosen as the promotional single for a Beyoncé x H&M curated swimwear collection in 2013.[1] The released recording featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Mr. Vegas is a remix of the song originally written and recorded for potential inclusion on her 2013 surprise eponymous album, and instead appears on the 2014 re-package.[2] [3] It was described by music publication Stereogum as a "sweeping, satisfying pop song with a slight dancehall undercurrent."[4] Upon release, the remix debuted and peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.[5]

Background and composition

“Standing on the Sun” was written by Knowles, Sia Furler, and Greg Kurstin for reported inclusion onto what became her 2013 eponymous fifth album.[6] The “sun” of the track's title is alluded to be the heat between two people.[7] When Knowles was announced as the spokeswoman of the new 2013 H&M summer swimwear campaign, the song was teased as a new promotional single in a similar manner to "Grown Woman", a single connected to her earlier 2013 Pepsi campaign.[8] [9] Upon release of the campaign, the original version of the single was lauded as having "number one hit single written all over it" by British radio station Capital Xtra and "an empowering anthem... celebrat[ing] female strength and beauty."[10] [11]

Several unofficial versions appeared on various music streaming services at the conclusion of the campaign, before a full leak of the original version was reported by Rolling Stone and several other music publications in June 2013.[12]

On November 4, 2014, a special box-set repackaged edition of Knowles' fifth album was announced, including a remix of "Standing on the Sun" featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Mr. Vegas.[13] The remixed version is credited to original collaborators Knowles, Furler, and Kurstin alongside "Drunk in Love" co-writers Noel Fisher, Andre Eric Proctor, Rasool Diaz, and Brian Soko, Mr. Vegas, "Blow" producer Pharrell Williams, and 80s Jamaican reggae producers Cleveland Browne & Danny Browne.[14]

Reception

The remix was met with mixed reception, receiving praise for its "summery" sound, acknowledgement that it would not properly fit on the 2013 original track-listing of the album, and slight disappointment for the release of what many publications considered a "diluted" version of the original.[15] Laurie Tuffrey of The Quietus highlighted the song's "808 trills over tropicalia pop" in comparison to the full-Trap record "Bow Down" released several weeks earlier.[16] Alex Kritselis of Bustle called the remix a "triumph", but also opined that the "remix isn't quite as good as the original version."[17] Moises Mendez II of Rolling Stone gave a more nuanced review based on the "darkness" of the original project: He considered the song "breezy... [with a] fun, tropical element", but understood that the "inclu[sion of] something so light on the original version of such a groundbreaking album... might have felt a little out of place", ranking the remix number 70 on the publication's "Beyonce's 70 Best Songs of All-Time" List.[18]

Visual

90 seconds of the original version were utilized for the H&M campaign commercial in April 2013, directed by noted Swedish music video director Jonas Akurlund, whom Knowles had previously worked with on Lady Gaga collaboration "Telephone", and would direct subsequent visuals for "Haunted" and "Superpower" later in 2013.[19] [20] Reportedly an homage to the fusion of the four elements (fire, water, wind and earth), the video was shot "on a glistening beach" in Nassau, Bahamas.[21] [19] Vanity Fair described the visual as an "affordably outfitted, tribal tiki dance party."[22]

Live performances

Knowles performed the song for the first time on May 31, 2013, at her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour concert in Antwerp, Belgium.[23] [24] The song was debuted as a "special" surprise for the fans, as the show was rescheduled from the originally-planned May 14 date due to dehydration and exhaustion.[25]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2014)! scope="col"
Peak
position
UK Singles Chart (OCC)170
UK Hip-Hop and R&B (OCC)[26] 23
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)45

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
VariousJuly 29, 2013Tiësto remixSelf-released
November 24, 2014Remix version

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Beyonce Collaborates With H&M For New Summer Campaign. Blue. Carreon. Forbes. 2023-12-04. 2013-06-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20130630024213/http://www.forbes.com/sites/bluecarreon/2013/04/25/watch-beyonce-slithers-in-new-hm-campaign/. live.
  2. Web site: Listen to Beyonce’s New ‘Platinum Edition’ Album, Now Streaming on Spotify. Lorena. O'Neil. November 24, 2014. December 4, 2023. November 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221127065321/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/listen-beyonces-new-platinum-edition-751861/. live.
  3. Web site: Beyonce’s ‘Standing on the Sun’ shines in new high-quality version. Whitney. Phaneuf. April 29, 2014. December 4, 2023. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511110416/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/beyonces-standing-on-the-sun-shines-in-new-high-quality-version/. live.
  4. Web site: Beyoncé – "Standing On The Sun". April 30, 2014. December 4, 2023. November 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231108192534/https://www.stereogum.com/1678970/beyonce-standing-on-the-sun/news/. live.
  5. Web site: Beyoncé | Biography, Music & News. Billboard. 2023-12-04. 2022-06-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20220621223842/https://www.billboard.com/artist/beyonce/. live.
  6. Web site: Final Version of Beyonce's "Standing on the Sun" Should Have Been On Her Album – Listen. April 28, 2014. Bustle. December 4, 2023. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202223917/https://www.bustle.com/articles/22591-final-version-of-beyonces-standing-on-the-sun-should-have-been-on-her-album-listen. live.
  7. Beyonce Teases Smoldering 'Standing on the Sun' in Beach-y Commercial. Spin. 2023-12-04. 2022-12-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20221202192022/https://www.spin.com/2013/04/beyonce-standing-on-the-sun-commercial-video/. live.
  8. Web site: Beyonce is the new face of H&M. EW.com. 2023-12-04. 2021-10-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20211020121944/https://ew.com/article/2013/03/21/beyonce-is-the-new-face-of-hm/. live.
  9. Web site: Is Beyoncé Breaking New Ground by Debuting Her Songs in Commercials?. Aisha. Harris. April 25, 2013. slate.com. December 4, 2023. December 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221210092048/https://slate.com/culture/2013/04/new-beyonce-song-standing-on-the-sun-debuts-in-h-m-ad-is-that-rare-video.html. live.
  10. Web site: Beyoncé - 'Standing On The Sun'. Capital XTRA. 2023-12-04. 2023-03-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324010456/https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/beyonce/lists/unreleased-songs/standing-on-the-sun/. live.
  11. Web site: Beyonce – Standing on the Sun - Singersroom.com. Gary. Gentles. May 22, 2013. 2023-12-04. 2022-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818194503/https://singersroom.com/content/2013-05-22/beyonce-standing-on-the-sun/. live.
  12. Web site: Beyonce's 'Standing on the Sun' Leaks. Erin. Coulehan. June 27, 2013. December 4, 2023. October 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201030025252/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beyonces-standing-on-the-sun-leaks-2-231541/. live.
  13. Web site: New Beyoncé Music Is Just Three Weeks Away. November 4, 2014. Vanity Fair. December 4, 2023. June 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602155941/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/11/beyonce-platinum-edition-box-set-release. live.
  14. Web site: Standing on the Sun Remix (feat. Mr. Vegas). November 24, 2014. open.spotify.com. December 4, 2023. October 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231015162005/https://open.spotify.com/track/7jpSvCrFev9EBb5RSmoRTa. live.
  15. Web site: Beyonce's "Standing On The Sun (Mr. Vegas Remix)" Is Here: Listen To The Finished Studio Version. November 21, 2014. idolator.
  16. Web site: The Quietus | News | WATCH: Beyoncé - Standing On The Sun. The Quietus.
  17. Web site: Beyonce's "Standing on the Sun" Is One of the Best Tracks She's Ever Recorded – Listen. November 24, 2014. Bustle. December 4, 2023. December 28, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141228225310/http://www.bustle.com/articles/50773-beyonces-standing-on-the-sun-is-one-of-the-best-tracks-shes-ever-recorded-listen. live.
  18. 'Standing on the Sun (Remix),' feat. Mr. Vegas (2014). Rolling Stone. July 29, 2022. December 4, 2023. December 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221217025007/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/-41868/standing-on-the-sun-remix-feat-mr-vegas-2014-41870/. live.
  19. Web site: Beyonce Previews New Song, ‘Standing On The Sun’: Listen. Erika. Ramirez. April 25, 2013. December 4, 2023. February 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203171155/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-previews-new-song-standing-on-the-sun-listen-1559597/. live.
  20. Web site: Director Jonas Åkerlund on ‘Haunted,’ ‘Superpower,’ and Beyoncé’s Many Virtues. Jeff. Rosenthal. December 16, 2013. Vulture. December 4, 2023. August 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170830080108/http://www.vulture.com/2013/12/beyonce-music-video-director-jonas-akerlund-haunted-superpower.html. live.
  21. Web site: Beyoncé’s "Standing on the Sun" H&M Commercial (Behind-the-Scenes). April 29, 2013. Hypebeast. December 4, 2023. June 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220630170201/https://hypebeast.com/2013/4/beyonces-standing-on-the-sun-hm-commercial-behind-the-scenes. live.
  22. Web site: If You Enjoy Experiencing New Beyoncé Songs as Swimwear Commercials, Then the H&M-Sponsored "Standing in the Sun" Is Perfect for You. April 25, 2013. Vanity Fair. December 4, 2023. August 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808094243/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/04/beyonce-standing-in-the-sun. live.
  23. Web site: Beyonce Premieres New Track ‘Standing on the Sun’ Live. Chris. Payne. June 2, 2013. December 4, 2023. December 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211208123524/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/beyonce-premieres-new-track-standing-on-the-sun-live-1565591/. live.
  24. Web site: Beyoncé debuts new song "Standing on the Sun". May 31, 2013.
  25. Web site: Beyonce cancels Belgium show under doctor's orders. May 14, 2013. May 14, 2013. Associated Press. ABC News. June 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130608143624/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/entertainment&id=9101453. live.
  26. Web site: STANDING ON THE SUN. December 6, 2014. Official Charts. December 4, 2023. July 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230711221400/https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/beyonce-ft-mr-vegas-standing-on-the-sun. live.

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