"Rose Colored Glasses" | ||||
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Single by Kelly Rowland | ||||
from the album Here I Am | ||||
Released | June 28, 2010 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Electropop | |||
Length | 4:01 | |||
Label | Universal Motown | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Dr. Luke Emily Wright (vocals) | |||
Kelly Rowlandsingles chronology | ||||
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"Rose Colored Glasses" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland, recorded for her third studio album, Here I Am (2011). It was written by Ester Dean and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, with lyrics reflecting the different perspectives on relationships and how one can perceive a relationship different from the outside. It opens with an electro-crescendo followed by Rowland's vocals which were produced by Emily Wright; the song's production is based upon layered synths and drums, programmed by Dr. Luke. Dean helped Rowland to record the song, which Rowland said made her cry as it reminded her of her own experiences in past relationships. "Rose Colored Glasses" also had an effect on Rowland's vocals, causing them to swell. The song was serviced to rhythmic and contemporary hit radio on June 29, 2010. Critics praised "Rose Colored Glasses" as one of Rowland's strongest vocal and emotional performances to date.
The arrangement and delivery were praised as being classy, while the critics felt that the overall emotion of the song gave Rowland the best chance of achieving US chart success. "Rose Colored Glasses" was released on June 28, 2010, across some parts of Europe, and a day later in the United States and Canada, where it was intended to be one of the album's two lead singles. An accompanying 3-D concept music video, directed by British fashion photographer John "Rankin" Wadell was released, featuring atmospheric visuals and mood-lit scenes including streamers, doves, and rose petals. Reception for the video was positive, praising its simplicity and noting the stunning visuals and variety of outfits worn by Rowland. The single had limited chart success, entering the top-forty radio airplay charts in Slovakia and the United States, but failing to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. It is only included on international versions of Here I Am, which was released later in the year than the domestic (US) version of the album.
At the 2010 Winter Music Conference, Rowland confirmed she was ready to release the lead single from her third studio album. On March 29, 2010, during the conference, she debuted the David Guetta-helmed song, "Commander" with her live performance of the song. [1] However, just prior to its release, Rowland's label (Universal Motown) confirmed that the song would only be fully released as a single in international markets. [2] Prior to its release, "Shake Them Haters Off" was replaced by two new songs, one for urban radio and one for contemporary hit radio. [3] "Rose Colored Glasses" was unveiled as the pop lead single, and serviced to both contemporary and rhythmic radio on June 29, 2010. [4] [5] It was also released for digital download on June 29, 2010, in Canada and the United States. [6] [7] The urban single, "Grown Woman", was also serviced to urban, urban adult contemporary and rhythmic radio on June 29, 2010. [5] [8] The album was pushed back into 2011, in which time two other singles to preceded the album – "Forever and a Day" (2010) and "Motivation" (2011). [9]
“Rose Colored Glasses” is a mid-tempo electro ballad written by Ester Dean and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald. [10] [11] [12] [13] The song, which opens with an electro-crescendo followed by Rowland's vocals, has a layered synth production, courtesy of Dr. Luke. [12] [14] In the lyrics, Rowland "explores the subtle ways that perspective can truly change everything...[telling] a story of a relationship that, on the outside, seems troubled." [12] Lizzie Goodwin, from entertainment website Gather.com, called the song an "addition to your break-up/female empowerment playlist." [15] Dean accompanied Rowland in the recording studios when she recorded the song. [16]
During an interview for Rowland's segment in the iHeartRadio concert series, it was revealed that "Rose Colored Glasses" had made Rowland cry. [16] She said “the first time I heard the song it made me think of all of the relationships where I had to wear rose colored glasses,” in particular noting her past “toxic relationships” and “situations where I needed to leave” as the causes of her Rowland's tears. [16] Later it was revealed that the song had made Rowland's vocals swell. During an interview for The Belfast Telegraph , Rowland spoke of the songs she had recorded for her third studio album. When speaking of "Rose Colored Glasses", she said that it had taken its toll on her, “It brought back a few memories, and when I recorded it I cried so much my vocal chords got swollen." [17] She also expressed her pleasure at being able to sing about her experiences.
"It's just so nice to express that emotion and get it all out there because everyone out there, I'm sure you guys can relate to the pain of feeling like a complete idiot when everybody's laughing at you when you're getting played by the person in your life at the time. And you just need to take off your rose colored glasses." [18]
The song was praised by critics who agreed that it was Rowland's best chance of reaching the US Billboard Hot 100 again. They praised both production and vocal delivery of the song. [10] [19] Robbie Daw of Idolator said that, although he "liked the dancability of the Kelly's upbeat tunes," it was "as nice to hear her take on a ballad again." He called the single her best chance of "finally crack[ing] the upper reaches of the Hot 100 once again." [19] Following the video's premier, Daw said that, alongside "Kelly looking stunning in the video," the song had "hit" potential. "Surely the timing is right—especially with all the other singles Dr. Luke has had a hand in dominating the charts—for Rowland to be allowed into the spotlight once more." [20] Lizzie Goodwin of Gather.com agreed that the song, though different from her previous singles, stands on its own as a catchy tune. "Though it’s no 'When Love Takes Over', Kelly Rowland’s latest single and music video 'Rose Colored Glasses' isn’t half-bad. It might not be a dance hit, but her new single is pretty catchy and is a great addition to include in a breakup/girl empowerment playlist." [15] Mack from Sound-Savvy said, "Kelly always makes those love songs that make you re-examine things...While I don’t think Rose Colored Glasses will impact as hard as Commander, it's a formidable single in its own right and I kinda like it." [21] Despite accepting that Rowland has had her moments with the club songs, Melinda Newman of HitFix praised Dr. Luke's production work, stating that "the song is a show stopper (a nice production by him - we often find him too slick)." [10] Jeremy Helligar of True/Slant said that Rowland had done a smart thing by not releasing "Commander" in the United States. He said, "[Rowland's] edgier preference of dance music is very different to the dance-pop that Lady Gaga often tops the charts with." He later added that the song was "still to the left of what normally passes for modern R&B." [22] PopinStereo said that the electro ballad "sounds fresh and breathtaking" thanks to an "amazing production" and "great vocal delivery." [11]
When the single's cover was revealed, it divided opinions. Becky Bain of Idolator liked "simplicity of the black and white cover," though she felt it strange that the image "didn't have color or glasses." [23] Rap-Up magazine thought the opposite to Bain, saying that "Rowland's eyes do the talking with the black-and-white artwork." [3] On June 28, 2010, the single was released as a digital download in Belgium, [24] Norway, [25] and Sweden. [26] A day later, it was sent to American pop [4] and rhythmic [27] radio, as well as released for digital download. [6] On July 23, 2010, it was also released in other parts of Europe, including Italy and the Netherlands. [28] [29] Media Base's seven-day airplay report showed that in the last week of August, "Rose Colored Glasses" managed to peak at number thirty-nine on the US Top 40 Airplay chart, a component of the Mainstream Top 40 chart published by Billboard . [30] However, by the week ending September 11, 2010, it had received no adds to official playlists, despite being played 585 times across thirty-four stations. [31] The only other territory where the song charted was Slovakia. It debuted on the Slovakian Airplay Chart at number sixty-eight [32] before peaking at number twenty-five three weeks later. [33]
Rowland first revealed on New York's 103.5 KTU FM that the video was due to be filmed in the last week of July 2010. [34] The video shoot began on July 31, 2010. [35] The clip was filmed using 3-D technology and was directed by British fashion photographer John "Rankin" Wadell, whose previous credits include "Say it Right" by Nelly Furtado and "Acapella" by Kelis. [18] [36] Behind-the-scenes footage on Rap-Up TV revealed that the video focuses on the pain of leaving a relationship. [18]
Scenes in the video include vivid colors, unique visuals, and mood-responsive lighting. During the shoot, Rowland said, "This video has been one of the best video experiences I’ve ever had. I’ve shot a lot of videos, but this one is probably the most intriguing because of how it’s shot, the lighting—everything is so detailed." [37] Rankin said that "the concept for the video was 3D" to best portray how "the people look at your relationships with an optimism that can't be seen from the inside." The scenes feature the use of circular trap and turntables so that Rowland "could be seen from every angle." [18] "Rose Colored Glasses" was set to premier on the Vevo network on September 20, 2010; [38] however, it was uploaded to her Vevo account on September 15, 2010, five days earlier than expected. [39]
At the beginning of the video, Rowland is seen dressed in waist-high trousers, a white blouse, and a black tie. The first scene of the video features Rowland and her love interest, played by Alvino Lewis, arguing. During the song's build-up, she is dressed in a black-and-white netted catsuit, standing in front of pink and red streamers. Just before the chorus, she appears in a low cut corset against a dark backdrop with her hair tied in a tight bun. In the chorus, she appears in a gold dress on a turntable surrounded by smoke, spliced with scenes of the argument and a blue-tinged image of Rowland. As she sings the hook of the song, the camera flicks to a scene where she is surrounded by windswept rose petals (top frame). [40] During the second verse, the blue tinged image of Rowland is seen again, as is a new scene where she is on the turntable again dressed in a black ball gown with frills around the neck and shoulder. This is spliced with more scenes of Rowland in her gold dress. As the chorus builds for a second time, Rowland is seen wearing a tube dress before switching to the dark corset scene where it begins to rain. Rowland is then seen surrounded by white doves (bottom frame) which fly around her while she spins on the circular trap. The bridge of the song focuses on the dark corset scenes where the rain increases and Rowland's facial expressions display deep sadness. Billboard commented on the last scenes: "In the end, Rowland finally takes those 'Rose Colored Glasses' off – the ones that have prevented her from seeing how truly damaging her relationship is – punching through a glass wall before pastel-colored butterflies appear in representation of her breakthrough." The video ends with blue-tinged images, where she sheds a single tear. [40]
Critics generally praised the clip's simplicity, the visuals, and the choice of outfits. A reviewer from Rap-Up said, "Kelly Rowland turns her tears into art in the eye-popping video for 'Rose Colored Glasses'..." They focused on the choice of visuals, saying that "the clip shows the Destiny's Child alum struggling with a relationship, while numerous wardrobe changes, vivid colors, doves, and stunning shots of Kelly burst onto the screen." [41] Liz Goodwin of Gather.com agreed with the visuals, saying, "In the music video, Kelly Rowland's body is looking fantastic. (Though she could switch up the weave for another hairstyle.) The outfits are hot – she’s looking fit! Kudos to Kelly for pulling off the very, very low-cut corset without falling out of it! She can be grateful to gravity for still being on her side...and for double-sided tape." [15] Robbie Daw of Idolator said, "We hope two things happen now that Kelly Rowland’s Rankin-directed 'Rose Colored Glasses' music video has premiered: 1.) you like it and show Miss Kelly some love on iTunes, and 2.) radio programmers in this fine country open their ears and show Miss Kelly major love on the airwaves...Kelly looks truly stunning in this video, from the opening shot of her wearing a dress shirt and tie to the couture dresses she vamps in expertly." [20]
Mariel Concepcion of Billboard was also positive of the video, saying that "not only does she walk away from an unhealthy situation in the clip - she looks completely stunning while doing so." [40] A reviewer from Kayrhythm.com said, "The clip is fairly successful, despite its simplicity and sobriety, which probably result from a lack of budget. In the song, Kelly is very beautiful and very emotional because it gives way to sadness created by the decline of a relationship with her boyfriend. In the absence of a spectacular clip, Kelly still focused on her wardrobe, perfect for the occasion." The reviewer pointed out that the video works because of Rowland having a good team behind her. "Kelly's team is really good. Imagine the damage that Kelly could have done with the team of Rihanna!..." [42] Julia Guez of Ados.fr was also critical of the clip, saying, "The aesthetic is the rendezvous, the Destiny's Child alum appears sexier than ever, but why has it increased the costumes? Something is missing...coherence, an imprint? We do not yet see the real Kelly..." [43]
Rowland performed the single live for the first time during the set list of her iHeartRadio concert at P.C. Richard and Son Theater in New York City on August 25, 2010. [16] Entertainment Weekly said that Rowland had recorded "Rose Colored Glasses" in Simlish for The Sims 3: Late Night expansion pack. [44] She reprised her performance of the single at her Walmart-Soundcheck mini-concert. [45]
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) [33] | 25 |
South Korea International (Gaon) [47] | 28 |
US Top 40 Airplay (Mediabase) [30] | 39 [lower-alpha 1] |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Belgium | June 28, 2010 | Digital download | Universal Music | |
Netherlands | ||||
Norway | ||||
Canada | June 29, 2010 | |||
United States |
| Universal Motown | ||
Italy | July 26, 2010 | Digital download | Universal Music |
Kelendria Trene Rowland is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups. During the group's three-year hiatus, Rowland released her debut solo studio album, Simply Deep (2002), which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It included the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Dilemma", as well as the UK top-five hits "Stole" and "Can't Nobody". Rowland also ventured into acting with starring roles in Freddy vs. Jason (2003) and The Seat Filler (2005).
"Train on a Track" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland. It was written by Rob Fusari, Sylvester Jordan Jr., Balewa Muhammad, and Tiaa Wells and recorded by Rowland for her solo debut album Simply Deep (2002), while production was helmed by Fusari. A light and breezy pop rock song that is built around an acoustic guitar-driven instrumentation, the love song has Rowland singing about a person whom she considers her equal in every manner. The song's musical composition, as well as Rowland's harmonies and the poetic wordplay of its lyrics, positively surprised critics.
Ms. Kelly is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. It was released on June 20, 2007, through Columbia Records in collaboration with Music World Entertainment. Originally titled My Story and expected for a mid-2006 release, the album marked Rowland's first solo studio album in four years. Retitled and delayed numerous times prior to its official release, the album's release date was eventually moved to 2007 in favor of a multi-tiered marketing strategy and additional recording sessions. Willed to produce a more personal effort after her debut studio album Simply Deep (2002), Rowland contributed nine tracks to the reworked Ms. Kelly, which took her solo work further into urban music markets, involving production by Scott Storch, Polow da Don, Soulshock & Karlin and singer Tank, among others.
American singer Kelly Rowland has released four studio albums, two compilation albums and a box set, four extended plays, three video albums and DVDs, 45 official, featuring, charity and promotional singles, and 55 music videos. She began her career in 1997 with one of the best-selling girl groups, Destiny's Child, who have sold around 60 million records worldwide.
"Like This" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland, featuring vocals by rapper Eve. Recorded late into the production of Rowland's second solo album Ms. Kelly (2007), the song was released on March 13, 2007, as the lead single from the album. The artists co-wrote the song with its producers Sean Garrett, Polow da Don, Blac Elvis, and Jason Perry, with additional production from S-Dot. "Like This" is a R&B song, with its lyrics referring to a woman growing out of a past relationship.
"Work" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. It was written by Rowland along with Scott Storch and Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd for her second studio album, Ms. Kelly (2007), while production was helmed by Storch and Boyd. An up-tempo party record that displays elements of funk and go-go, "Work" is composed in the key of E♭ minor. Lyrically, the song speaks of a woman who affirms to her man that actions speak louder than words and that she is not a woman who is easy to get to. "Work" was acclaimed by music critics who highlighted the pulsating beat, suggestive lyrics, and the fast and stuttered style in which Rowland sings.
"Daylight" is a R&B song recorded by American recording artist Bobby Womack for his 1975 album Safety Zone. Written by Womack with lyricist Harold Payne, it was issued as a single and reached No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart in the spring of 1976.
"When Love Takes Over" is a song by French record producer David Guetta with vocals by American singer Kelly Rowland, from Guetta's fourth studio album, One Love (2009). It was released as the lead single from the album on 21 April 2009 by Virgin Records. The song was conceived when Guetta played the instrumental version during one of his DJ sets in summer 2008; American recording artist Kelly Rowland, who fell in love with the track, convinced Guetta to allow her to take it so that she could write and record vocals for it. It was co-written by Nervo.
"Commander" is a song performed and co-written by American recording artist Kelly Rowland and French disc jockey and record producer David Guetta from Rowland's third studio album, Here I Am (2011). It serves as the project's international lead single and her debut release with Universal Motown. It was the pair's second collaboration, having previously topped charts around the world with a similar dance production, "When Love Takes Over", in 2009. Rowland and Guetta co-wrote the song with French DJ Sandy Vee and American songwriter Rico Love, who described the song as a "fun and aggressive club record" with themes of female empowerment and lyrics with deliberate grammatical errors. Guetta and Vee produced "Commander" with synthesized dance beats that blend R&B with electronica and house music, with Love providing backing vocals and vocal production. The song was premiered at the 2010 Winter Music Conference and subsequently garnered acclaim from contemporary critics for Rowland's vocal performance as well as Guetta's musical production.
Here I Am is the third studio album by American singer Kelly Rowland, released through Universal Motown and Universal Music Group on July 22, 2011. The album is Rowland's first release since parting ways with her manager Mathew Knowles and longtime Sony Music record label Columbia Records. Here I Am is predominately a pop, R&B and dance album. It follows Rowland's assertion that "no one puts her in a box" with common themes around womanhood, sexual intimacy and love. Originally scheduled for release in 2010, the album was pushed back after the first round of singles were released to mixed critical and commercial reception.
"Grown Woman" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland, recorded during the recording sessions for her third studio album Here I Am (2011). It was written by singer-songwriter Ne-Yo as well as Magnus Beite and Bernt Stray, and co-written and produced by Norwegian duo StarGate. The mid-tempo R&B song's lyrics revolve around Rowland "assert[ing] her maturity and clue[ing] her suitors in on what won’t fly when it comes to relationships." It was conceived after Rowland approached Ne-Yo to work on her third album, and asked for a record which would declare she's grown. "Grown Woman" was described by critics as different from what is normally called R&B.
"Forever and a Day" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland. Written by Rowland, Andre Merritt, Samual Watters, and Jonas Jeberg, the uptempo Europop song is the second international single taken from her third studio album, Here I Am (2011). It was produced and record by Jeberg at his personal recording studios in Copenhagen, Denmark.
"Invincible" is a song by English rapper Tinie Tempah. Written by Tempah, co-written and produced by iSHi, the song features guest vocals from American recording artist, Kelly Rowland. It was released on 26 December 2010, serving as the fourth official single from Tempah's debut album, Disc-Overy. The song was conceived by Tempah as a tribute to the music which Rowland used to release when she was part of Destiny's Child. Critics noted the song's production, which consists of brassy horns and a piano riff similar to David Guetta and Rowland's hit single "When Love Takes Over" (2009). An accompanying music video sees Tempah travelling through London reminiscing about his humble beginnings. Rowland appears as a projected image on the buildings.
"Motivation" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Rowland for her third studio album Here I Am (2011). The song was written by Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Daniel Morris and Lil Wayne, with Jonsin producing the song and Lil Wayne having featured vocals. The R&B slow-jam was released as the fourth single from Here I Am on March 2, 2011, by Universal Motown Records.
"Lay It on Me" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland featuring two rap verses from American rapper Big Sean, taken from Rowland's third studio album Here I Am (2011). The contemporary R&B and Hi-NRG song was written by Sean, Ester Dean and Chauncy "Hit-Boy" Hollis who also produced the song. "Lay It On Me" has a piano-driven melody and is laced with 808s and high NRG beats; the lyrics centre on Rowland describing sexual encounters with a lover.
"Down for Whatever" is a song by American recording artist Kelly Rowland featuring production collective The WAV.s, taken from Rowland's third studio album Here I Am (2011). The song was released on October 26, 2011. The Eurodance driven up-tempo song is the album's third international single and sixth overall and final single, released from October 26, 2011, by Universal Motown and Universal Music. "Down for Whatever" was written by Teddy Sky and Bilal Hajji and co-written and produced by RedOne, Jimmy Joker and The WAV.s. The song has been described as a Eurodance and Electro music. The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who say that the song is as catchy as Rowland's previous dance hits, "When Love Takes Over" and "Commander". It was also described as a "Radio friendly song".
"Ice" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland, featuring American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on August 24, 2012. It was originally the lead single from Rowland's fourth studio album, Talk a Good Game (2013), however it did not make the album's final cut. The song was written by Rowland, Sean Garrett, Noel Fisher and Wayne, while the production was helmed by Garrett and Fisher. "Ice" is the third collaboration between Rowland and Wayne, following the Destiny's Child collaboration "Soldier" (2004), and her solo single "Motivation" (2011).
"Kisses Down Low" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland and is the first single from her fourth studio album Talk a Good Game. The song was written by Rowland, Marquel Middlebrooks, Timothy and Theron Thomas and Michael Williams, the latter of whom also produced the song under his production moniker, Mike WiLL Made It. Complimented for its lyrics about oral sex and steamy content, "Kisses Down Low" was released on February 1, 2013, serving as the lead single from Talk a Good Game. The song has been certified gold by the RIAA.
"Dirty Laundry" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelly Rowland, for her fourth studio album, Talk a Good Game (2013). Co-written and produced by The-Dream, the R&B ballad was serviced to radio as the album's second single on May 15, 2013, and was released for digital download on May 21, 2013, through Republic Records. The record candidly documents the time in Rowland's life after the release of her debut album Simply Deep (2002); Rowland speaks of her envy of former groupmate Beyoncé's solo success and the domestic abuse she suffered during a previous relationship. Critics praised the sparse piano-led melody, as well as Rowland's openness about her jealousy of Knowles and the inspiring message about leaving an abusive relationship. The official remix features a new introduction from Rowland and new verses from R. Kelly.
"Say Yes" is a song by American singer Michelle Williams, taken from her fourth studio album Journey to Freedom (2014). It features Williams' former Destiny's Child groupmates Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. The song was written by Williams, Carmen Reece, Al Sherrod Lambert and Harmony Samuels who also produced it. E1 Music released "Say Yes" as the album's third single on June 2, 2014. "Say Yes" marks the third time the trio collaborated as solo artists following the disbandment of their group in 2006.
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