Right Now (Mary J. Blige song)

Last updated
"Right Now"
Right Now (Mary J. Blige song).png
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album The London Sessions
ReleasedOctober 27, 2014 (2014-10-27)
Recorded2014
Genre
Length3:49
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Disclosure
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
"Therapy"
(2014)		"Right Now"
(2014)		"Whole Damn Year"
(2014)
Music video
"Right Now" on YouTube

"Right Now" is a song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige from her twelfth studio album, The London Sessions (2014). It was written by Blige, Sam Smith, Jimmy Napes, and Disclosure, featuring production from the latter. Musically, "Right Now" is a mid-tempo R&B song, with deep house and UK garage influences. Lyrically, it exudes a displeased woman letting her lover know that she is fed up with his ways, and is planning on making changes. The song was released as the album's second single on October 27, 2014.

Contents

"Right Now" peaked at number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart, becoming Blige's fifth song to do so. Numerous remixes and cover versions of the song were made, most notably reworks by Basement Jaxx and Simon Neale. Blige performed the song on several television and award show ceremonies, such as Later... with Jools Holland , The Ellen DeGeneres Show , and BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Conception and release

"Right Now" was written by Blige and English musicians Sam Smith, James Napier, and brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence from electronic music duo Disclosure. [1] Production of the song was helmed by Disclosure, while American record producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins was consulted for vocal production. [1] "Right Now" was recorded at Metropolis Studios and at MusicBox Studios in London. [1] Production of the song was motivated by "F for You", the fourth single from Disclosure's debut studio album, Settle (2013). [2] In late 2013, Blige saw the duo's single their Vevo video site, and got in touch with them about covering the song. [2] The resulting duet, largely composed by Blige, became a top ten hit on the UK Dance Chart. [2] Inspired by its response, Blige initially hoped to record an extended play with the duo, [3] though her label encouraged her to enhance recording overseas and soon it was announced that Blige would move to London to experiment with a new sound with a host of young British acts. [4] [5]

With "Right Now", Howard Lawrence approached Blige with some chords he had made on songwriter James Napier's piano. His brother Guy further helped in the production of the song, adding drums that gave "it a Disclosurey feel". [2] Blige joined production during the vocal writing which resulted in a friendly "dog-fight". [2] While much of "Right Now" was written within two and half hours, the duo spent a lot of time editing and polishing the track. Commenting on the creation process, Howard commented: "That's how Guy and me work. We'll write a whole song very roughly, then go in and proof-read it for a long, long time and change it so much that you wouldn't even recognise it from when you started". [2]

Composition

Musically, the song consists of a shuffling back-beat, [6] throbbing synthesizers, [7] dramatic strings, [6] and a glitchy, uptempo percussion. [8] It merges deep house and UK garage with contemporary R&B, [9] while elements of hip hop music are also present. [9] Many contemporary critics viewed "Right Now" as a clear influence of Disclosure's signature sound. [8] Nick Murray from Rolling Stone magazine found elements of London's "woozy, late-1990s garage music" and American record producer Timbaland's "early-aughts pop bangers" and further went on to describe its production as "a smooth, syncopated retro-sex sound". [10]

Music video

The music video for "Right Now" was directed by Mike Ho. It marked his second collaboration with Blige after their video for "Suitcase". [11] The visuals video feature Blige being chauffeured in a black Bentley while enjoying the night views of the city, intercut with footage of her singing to the camera in a yellow dress. [12] After her arrival at the London nightclub, she takes off her fur coat and throws it on the ground before performing the track in front of an excited crowd. [13]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The London Sessions. [1]

Charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
CIS (TopHit) [14] 191
UK Singles (OCC) [15] 100
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [16] 15
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [17] 1

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesNovember 24, 2014 [18] Digital download Capitol

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary J. Blige</span> American singer, songwriter, and actress (born 1971)

Mary Jane Blige is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Often referred to as the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and "Queen of R&B", Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, twelve NAACP Image Awards, and twelve Billboard Music Awards, including the Billboard Icon Award. She has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards, including one for her supporting role in the film Mudbound (2017) and another for its original song "Mighty River", becoming the first person nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Jerkins</span> American record producer and rapper

Rodney Roy Jerkins, also known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enough Cryin</span> 2006 single by Mary J. Blige

"Enough Cryin" a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Sean Garrett and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter for her seventh studio album, The Breakthrough (2005), while production was helmed by Jerkins. The song features Blige's alter ego, Brook Lynn, whom Blige created to give her lyrical freedom without the fear of damaging her own persona. "Enough Cryin" was released as the album's third single on March 2, 2006 in the United States, peaking at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 1992 single by Mary J. Blige

"Real Love" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige from her debut studio album, What's the 411? (1992). It was written and produced by Cory Rooney and Mark Morales. The song samples Audio Two's 1987 song "Top Billin'", and was issued as the album's second single on July 28, 1992. It became Blige's first top-10 hit, peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic charts and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 4, 1992. Rolling Stone included "Real Love" in their list of 500 Best Songs of All Time in 2021 at number 327. This song was based off of real life experiences.

<i>My Life</i> (Mary J. Blige album) 1994 studio album by Mary J. Blige

My Life is the second studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige, released on November 29, 1994, by Uptown Records and MCA Records. Many of the topics on My Life deal with clinical depression, Blige's battling with both drugs and alcohol, as well as being in an abusive relationship. Unlike her debut, What's the 411? (1992), Blige contributed lyrics to fourteen of the album's tracks, making it her most introspective and personal album at the time. Similar to her debut album, My Life features vast production from Sean "Puffy" Combs for his newly founded label, Bad Boy Entertainment, which was at the time backed by Arista Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By</span> 1995 single by Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige

"I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" is a duet song by the American recording artists, rapper Method Man and singer Mary J. Blige who sings the intro, the choruses, and backing vocals. The song is a remix of Method Man's "All I Need". All versions of this song contains an interpolation of Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's hit, You're All I Need to Get By. Both this remix song and the original were produced by RZA. This remix song was released as a single and is also known as "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By ". The video for this remix song was directed by Diane Martel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just Fine</span> 2007 single by Mary J. Blige

"Just Fine" is a song by the American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Jazze Pha and Tricky Stewart for her eighth studio album, Growing Pains (2007), while production was helmed by Pha and Stewart. It was released as the album's lead single in October 16, 2007. The song peaked at number 22 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, while also topping the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The One (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 2009 single by Mary J. Blige featuring Drake

"The One" is a song by American recording artist Mary J. Blige featuring Canadian rapper Drake. Written by Blige and Drake along with Ester Dean and producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, it was included in her ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear (2009). Released as the album's lead single, the song marked Blige's 5th entry on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, on which it reached number 32. Blige's sum extended her lead for most charted titles among women in the 1990s and 2000s.

<i>Stronger with Each Tear</i> 2009 studio album by Mary J. Blige

Stronger with Each Tear is the ninth studio album from American R&B and soul singer Mary J. Blige. The album was released in the US on December 21, 2009, under Blige's own imprint, Matriarch Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reminisce (song)</span> 1992 single by Mary J. Blige

"Reminisce" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige from her debut album, What's the 411? (1992). It was co-written by Kenny Greene and Dave "Jam" Hall, who also produced it. Described as a new jack swing song inspired by 1970s soul music, it contains a sample of "Stop, Look, Listen" (1989) by American rapper MC Lyte. The single peaked at number fifty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A more uptempo and hip hop-inspired remix of the song, featuring duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, later appeared on Blige's 1993 remix album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 2009 single by Mary J. Blige

"I Am" is a song by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Johntá Austin, Ester Dean, Magnus Beite, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen for her ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear (2009), while production was helmed by Hermansen and Eriksen under their production moniker Stargate. Lyrically, the song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25/8 (song)</span> 2011 single by Mary J. Blige

"25/8" is a song by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Crystal Johnson, Al Sherrod Lambert, and Eric Hudson for her tenth studio album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (2011), while production was handled by Blige and the latter. An R&B and soul song, "25/8" is built on drum splashes and a fluttering flute, and samples from B. T. Express's rendition of "Now That We Found Love", written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. Lyrically, it features the female protagonist expressing her need to have more than 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to spend time with her love interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Wrong (song)</span> 2011 single by Mary J. Blige featuring Drake

"Mr. Wrong" is a song taken from American R&B singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige's album My Life II... The Journey Continues . It features rapper, Drake. The song was produced by Jim Jonsin and Rico Love. It was released as the album's second official single on October 28, 2011.

<i>My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)</i> 2011 studio album by Mary J. Blige

My Life II... The Journey Continues is the tenth studio album by American singer and songwriter Mary J. Blige, released on November 21, 2011, by Geffen Records and Matriarch Records. Titled as the sequel and serving as a thematical extension to her 1994 breakthrough album My Life, which portrayed a dark period in Blige's personal life, it talks about the themes of struggle, heartbreak, and strength while reflecting the growth and evolution she had experienced since the release of its predecessor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">F for You</span>

"F for You" is a song by British electronic music duo Disclosure. The track is the fourth single from the duo's debut studio album, Settle. It is the first single from the album not to feature a guest vocalist, and features vocals from Howard instead. The song is used in the EA Sports game, FIFA 14.

<i>The London Sessions</i> (Mary J. Blige album) 2014 studio album by Mary J. Blige

The London Sessions is the twelfth studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. It was released on November 24, 2014, by Capitol Records and Matriarch Records. On October 26, 2014, the album leaked in its entirety to the Internet, with Billboard calling it "superb" and "objectively her best since 2005's The Breakthrough".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whole Damn Year</span> 2014 single by Mary J. Blige

"Whole Damn Year" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Emeli Sandé and Knox Brown for her twelfth studio album The London Sessions (2014), featuring production from the latter. "Whole Damn Year" is a R&B song, with a neo soul influence. The song was released as the album's third single on December 1, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Therapy (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 2014 single by Mary J. Blige

"Therapy" is a song recorded by American singer Mary J. Blige from her twelfth studio album, The London Sessions (2014). It was written by Blige, British singer Sam Smith and Eg White. Production was handled by White, Stephen Fitzmaurice, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Jimmy Napes. "Therapy" is an uptempo pop song with strong influences from doo-wop and rhythm and blues. The song was released as album's lead single on September 23, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doubt (Mary J. Blige song)</span> 2015 single by Mary J. Blige

"Doubt" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige and English musician Sam Romans for her twelfth studio album The London Sessions (2014), while production was helmed by Romans and record producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. "Doubt" is a R&B ballad, with gospel influences. The song was released as the album's fourth and final single on March 9, 2015. "Doubt" peaked in the top ten on the US Adult R&B Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnets (song)</span> 2015 single by Disclosure

"Magnets" is a song by British electronic duo Disclosure featuring vocals from New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde. It was written by Howard Lawrence, Guy Lawrence, Lorde and produced by James Napier and Disclosure. The single was released on 23 September 2015, by PMR and Island Records, as the fourth single from their second studio album Caracal (2015). "Magnets" is an Electronica and Dancehall song with influences of Reggae fusion along with electronic beats, percussion loops, synthesizers and tribal drums in its instrumentation. Its lyrics describe the risk taken by two lovers restricted from being together for moral reasons.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 The London Sessions (Media notes). Mary J. Blige. Columbia Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Horan, Tom (2014-08-31). "Mary J Blige interview: 'The UK is a better place to make music than the States'". The Observer. TheGuardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  3. ↑ Drell, Cady (2014-10-28). "Behind Mary J. Blige's Dance-Music Makeover". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 2014-11-13.
  4. ↑ "Mary J. Blige To Record New Album 'The London Sessions'".
  5. ↑ Harriet Gibsone (29 August 2014). "Mary J Blige: Mitch Winehouse 'gave me the chance to hug Amy through him'". the Guardian.
  6. 1 2 Stern, Bradley (2014-09-05). "Mary J Blige And Disclosure Team Up For "Right Now": Listen". Idolator. Idolator.com. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  7. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (2014-09-05). "Mary J. Blige Straddles R&B & Electronica on Disclosure-Produced "Right Now"". Fuse. Fuse.tv. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  8. 1 2 Leight, Elias (2014-09-24). "Watch Mary J. Blige Perform New Songs 'Therapy' & 'Right Now'". Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  9. 1 2 Reilly, Nick (2014-09-26). "REVIEW: Mary J. Blige, iTunes Festival London". Entertainmentwise.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  10. ↑ Murray, Nick (2014-09-26). "Right Now". Rolling Stone. RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2014. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  11. ↑ Listermann, Andrew (2014-10-24). "Mary J. Blige "Right Now" (Mike Ho, dir.)". Videostatic.com. Retrieved 2014-11-03.
  12. ↑ DeGroot, Joey (2014-10-23). "Mary J. Blige Shares Second Music Video for 'Right Now' Featuring Disclosure". MusicTimes.com. Retrieved 2014-11-03.
  13. ↑ Jang, Esther (2014-10-25). "Mary J. Blige Songs: Singer Embraces London Music Scene With New 'Right Now' Music Video". LatinPost.com. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  14. ↑ Mary J. Blige — Right Now. TopHit. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  15. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  16. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  17. ↑ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  18. ↑ "Mary J. Blige — Right Now". iTunes (US). Retrieved 2015-03-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.