Towards the Sun (song)

Last updated
"TOWARDS THE SUN"
Towards the Sun cover.png
Single by Rihanna
from the album From the Home Soundtrack
ReleasedSeptember 2nd, 2015
Genre Pop music and R&B
Length4:33
Label Westbury Road
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Rihanna singles chronology
"FourFiveSeconds"
(2015)		"TOWARDS THE SUN"
(2015)		"Bitch Better Have My Money"
(2015)
Home singles chronology
"Towards the Sun"
(2015)		"Feel the Light"
(2015)

"Towards the Sun" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna for the soundtrack to the 2015 film Home, in which she plays main character Tip. The song was premiered on BBC Radio 1 on February 9, 2015, and it was released for digital download as the soundtrack's lead single the same day by Westbury Road. The song was sent to mainstream radio on March 17, 2015 in the US. The song was written and produced by Tiago Carvalho and Gary Go, with additional writing by Rihanna.

Contents

"Towards the Sun" is a mid-tempo pop and R&B ballad with positive and optimistic lyrics. On release, it received positive reviews from music critics who praised Rihanna's vocals and compared the song to the works of the British band Coldplay and their 2012 collaboration with Rihanna, "Princess of China". Commercially the song was a moderate success, peaking at 76 on the UK Singles Chart and 22 on the French singles chart.

It was later heard in a promo for the Superhero Drama miniseries Heroes Reborn [1]

Background

In June 2012, it was announced that Rihanna would star in the lead role in the film Happy Smekday! with the American actor Jim Parsons. In September 2012, 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation announced that the movie would be released on November 26, 2014. [2] In June 2013, the film was retitled from as Home. [3] In 2014, Variety magazine reported that, in addition to her voice role, Rihanna had created a concept album for the film which was to be released on March 13, 2015. [4] It was later reported that the film's soundtrack would also include songs recorded by Charli XCX, Kiesza, and Jennifer Lopez (who also stars in the film). [5] "Towards the Sun" was written by Tiago Carvalho, Gary Go and Rihanna. Scott Mills premiered the song on BBC Radio 1 on February 9, 2015 [6] and it was made available for digital download the same day on the iTunes Store. [7] It was sent to the US Top 40/Mainstream radio on March 3, 2015.. [8]

Composition and lyrics

"Towards the Sun" is a mid-tempo [9] pop [10] and R&B [5] ballad [11] with a length of four minutes and thirty-three seconds. [7] The single has "pounding" drums, sing-along lyrics, "gigantic" chorus, "layered harmonies", "swirling effects" and uplifting, positive lyrics. [11] [12] Nolan Feeney of Time noted that the song features "a children's choir and otherwordly[sic] atmospherics". [13] Andrew Trendell of Gigwise described it as a "slow-burning stomper of a number, loaded with huge drums and arena backing vocals", further comparing it to the works of the British band Coldplay. [6] Daniel Welsh of The Huffington Post UK agreed with Trendell about the Coldplay comparison and linked the song to the band's 2012 collaboration with Rihanna, "Princess of China". [11] Jason Lipshutz of Billboard compared the song's mid-tempo groove to the one on the singer's 2012 single, "Diamonds". [14] New York Post's Jaclyn Hendricks noted that the song has a "livelier" production than Rihanna's previous single, her collaboration with Kanye West and Paul McCartney, "FourFiveSeconds" (2015). [9]

Madison Vain of Entertainment Weekly opined that the song is "anthemic" and "whispier" than Rihanna's previous singles. [5] According to Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone , the song is more optimistic and positive than her previous singles and albums which could be heard in the lines, "Turn your face towards the sun. Let the shadows fall behind you." [10] According to Welsh the song's lyrics are "seriously empowering" and "very dramatic stuff". [11] MTV News ' Brenna Enrlich called the song "heroic" in which Rihanna is clearly singing to turn the face to the shadows and look at the sun. [15]

Critical reception

Daniel Welsh of The Huffington Post UK praised "Towards the Sun"'s lyrics, its production, Rihanna's voice on the song and its chorus. According to him, "with the theatrical atmosphere of the track, we can imagine the chorus will sound particularly anthemic being sung by a stadium crowd". [11] Spin 's Brennan Carley called the song "bombastic" and also praised its chorus and the "anthemic" nature. [16] Trendell noted, "The result is no less than epic and triumphant. Expect this to soundtrack many a victory this summer." [6] Spanos praised Rihanna's falsetto on the song and called the track "epic" and "empowering". [10]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Home. [17]

Locations
Personnel

Charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [18] 56
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) [19] 32
CIS (TopHit) [20] 141
France (SNEP) [21] 22
Scotland (OCC) [22] 42
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) [23] 52
UK Singles (OCC) [24] 76
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) [25] 64
US Kid Digital Songs (Billboard) [26] 1

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
AustraliaFebruary 9, 2015 Digital download Westbury Road [27]
Canada [7]
France [28]
Germany [29]
Ireland [30]
Italy [31]
New Zealand [32]
Spain [33]
United Kingdom [34]
United States [35]
United KingdomMarch 2, 2015Mainstream radio [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pon de Replay</span> 2005 single by Rihanna

"Pon de Replay" is the official debut single by Barbadian singer Rihanna, from her debut studio album, Music of the Sun (2005). It was written and produced by Vada Nobles, Alisha "M'Jestie" Brooks, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers. The song was released on May 24, 2005, as the lead single from the album. Prior to signing a six-album record deal with Def Jam Recordings, "Pon de Replay" was one of three songs which was recorded for her demo tape to be sent to record labels. It is a pop, dancehall and R&B song that features elements of reggae, and reggaeton. The lyrics revolve around Rihanna asking a DJ to turn the volume of her favorite songs up louder. The title means "play it again" in Bajan Creole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If It's Lovin' that You Want</span> 2005 single by Rihanna

"If It's Lovin' That You Want" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her debut studio album, Music of the Sun (2005). It was written by Samuel Barnes, Scott La Rock, Makeba Riddick, Jean-Claude Oliver, Lawrence Parker, and produced by Poke & Tone. It was released on August 16, 2005, as the second and final single from the album. The lyrics revolve around "basically telling a guy, 'If it's lovin' that you want, you should make me your girl because I've got what you need".

<i>A Girl Like Me</i> (Rihanna album) 2006 studio album by Rihanna

A Girl Like Me is the second studio album by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was released on April 10, 2006, by Def Jam Recordings. For the production of the album, Rihanna worked with Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken, Stargate, J. R. Rotem, and label-mate Ne-Yo, who wrote the album's second single. Described as a "deft mixture of island rhythms, contemporary R&B, and balladry", A Girl Like Me is a pop, reggae and R&B album influenced by Rihanna's Caribbean roots. The album also incorporates elements of dancehall, dub-pop, hip hop, club, dance and rock music as well as ballads, which music critics were ambivalent towards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna song)</span> 2007 single by Rihanna

"Don't Stop the Music" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was released worldwide on September 7, 2007, as the album's fourth single. The song was written by Tawanna Dabney and its producers StarGate. Michael Jackson also received a songwriting credit for the sampling of the line "Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-koosa" from Jackson's 1983 single "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Both Rihanna and Jackson were sued by Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango, who asserted that the hook originated in his 1972 song "Soul Makossa". "Don't Stop the Music" is a dance track that features rhythmic devices used primarily in hip hop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Live Your Life (T.I. song)</span> 2008 single by T.I.

"Live Your Life" is a song by American rapper T.I., featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna, from T.I.'s sixth studio album, Paper Trail (2008). It was released as the seventh single from the album on September 8, 2008. The song's lyrics speak of T.I.'s rise to fame and optimism of the future. It also gives dedication to the American troops fighting in Iraq. The song both samples and interpolates the 2003 song "Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovers in Japan</span> 2008 single by Coldplay

"Lovers in Japan" is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The song is built around an introductory tack piano sound, then followed by chiming guitars and soaring choruses, supported by the pianos and rhythms that accompany the song's lyrics. The album version of "Lovers in Japan" shares the track with the song "Reign of Love".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crack the Shutters</span> 2008 single by Snow Patrol

"Crack the Shutters" is a song from Scottish alternative rock band Snow Patrol's fifth album A Hundred Million Suns. It was released as the follow-up single to "Take Back the City" on different dates in December 2008 depending on the region, and was the second single taken from the album. The lyrics were written by Gary Lightbody and the music was composed by Snow Patrol. The song was described by lyricist Lightbody as the purest love song he'd ever written. The single was received generally positively by music critics, the lyrics and vocals being praised in particular.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Girl (In the World)</span> 2010 single by Rihanna

"Only Girl (In the World)" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fifth album, Loud (2010). Serving as the album's lead single, it was released on September 10, 2010. Crystal Johnson wrote the song in collaboration with producers Stargate and Sandy Vee. Rihanna contacted Stargate before Loud's production and asked them to create lively, uptempo music. "Only Girl (In the World)" was the first song composed for the album, and the singer decided to include it on the track list before she recorded her vocals. Backed by strong bass and synthesizer, it is a dance-pop and Eurodance song that has an electronic composition. Its lyrics describe Rihanna demanding physical attention from her lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S&M (song)</span> 2011 single by Rihanna

"S&M" is a song by the Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The song was released on January 23, 2011, as the fourth single from the album. American songwriter Ester Dean wrote "S&M" in collaboration with the producers Stargate and Sandy Vee. Backed by bass beats, a keyboard and guitars, it is an uptempo Hi-NRG and Eurodance track with lyrics about sexual intercourse, sadomasochism, bondage, and fetishes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California King Bed</span> 2011 single by Rihanna

"California King Bed" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fifth studio album, Loud (2010). The song was written and produced by Andrew Harr and Jermaine Jackson, of the American production duo the Runners, with Priscilla Renea, Alex Delicata and Rihanna. The song was chosen to be a single from the album through Twitter, and it was released as the album's sixth single on May 13, 2011, by Def Jam. "California King Bed" is a rock and R&B power ballad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Found Love</span> 2011 song by Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

"We Found Love" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her sixth studio album, Talk That Talk (2011). The song features Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, whose 2012 album 18 Months also includes the track. "We Found Love" premiered on September 22, 2011, on the Capital FM radio station in the United Kingdom, and was made available to download on the same day as the lead single from Talk That Talk. "We Found Love" is an uptempo electro house song, with elements of dance-pop, techno and Europop. The song's lyrics speak of a couple who "found love in a hopeless place".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess of China</span> 2012 single by Coldplay and Rihanna

"Princess of China" is a duet recorded by British rock band Coldplay and Barbadian singer Rihanna for Coldplay's fifth studio album Mylo Xyloto. The song was written by band members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and Chris Martin, with additional composition by Brian Eno and a sample from "Takk..." performed by Sigur Rós. The song was released as the fourth single from Mylo Xyloto and was sent to US Mainstream radio on 14 February 2012. It was later released as a digital download on 13 April 2012. A companion EP to the single, featuring an acoustic version of the song, was released on 1 June 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You da One</span> 2011 single by Rihanna

"You da One" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna recorded for her sixth studio album, Talk That Talk (2011). It was co-written by Rihanna with Ester Dean, Henry Walter, John Hill and Lukasz Gottwald. Production of the song was completed by Gottwald, under his production name Dr. Luke, and Cirkut. Kuk Harrell and Marcas Tovar recorded the track at the Sofital Paris Le Laubourg, Room 538, and Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. It premiered on US radio on November 11, 2011, and was made available to download digitally throughout Europe and Australasia on November 14, 2011. It was added to US Mainstream, rhythmic and urban radio station playlists on November 29, 2011. Throughout December 2011 and January 2012, a remix extended play (EP) was released worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas (Coldplay song)</span> 2013 single by Coldplay

"Atlas" is a song by British rock band Coldplay for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, the soundtrack to the 2013 American science-fiction adventure film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It was released digitally as the lead single from the soundtrack on 6 September 2013 worldwide, and on 8 September in the United Kingdom. The song was accompanied by a lyric video, which also premiered on 6 September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FourFiveSeconds</span> 2015 single by Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney

"FourFiveSeconds" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, American rapper Kanye West, and English musician Paul McCartney. It was written and produced by McCartney, Kanye West, Mike Dean, Dave Longstreth and Noah Goldstein with additional writing from Kirby Lauryen, Ty Dolla Sign, Dallas Austin, Elon Rutberg and Rihanna. Previewed by West at the iHeartMedia Music Summit on January 21, 2015, it was digitally released on January 24. "FourFiveSeconds" is a folk-pop and soul song with an instrumentation consisting of an acoustic guitar, organ and bass guitar.

<i>Home</i> (soundtrack) 2015 soundtrack album by various artists

Home: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the 2015 animated film Home, based on the 2007 children book The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. It features songs recorded by Rihanna, Clarence Coffee Jr., Kiesza, Charli XCX, Jacob Plant, and Jennifer Lopez. It was released on March 13, 2015 through Westbury Road and Roc Nation. Following the announcement that Rihanna would star in the film, it was revealed she would release a concept album based on the animated film. As the executive producer of the soundtrack, she called on various artists to feature on the album. Rihanna's "Towards the Sun" and Jennifer Lopez's "Feel the Light" were released as singles to promote the album and movie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel the Light</span> 2015 single by Jennifer Lopez

"Feel the Light" is a ballad song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for the soundtrack of the 2015 film, Home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Oxygen</span> 2015 single by Rihanna

"American Oxygen" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was written by Alex da Kid, Candice Pillay, Sam Harris and Rihanna; Alex da Kid and Kanye West produced it. Written over the course of a year, "American Oxygen" was inspired by the 1984 single "Born in the U.S.A." performed by Bruce Springsteen. It was made available for streaming on Tidal on April 5, 2015, and released for digital download on April 14 via the iTunes Store as a standalone single. The song has patriotic lyrical content about a new America and the chasing of the American dream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitch Better Have My Money</span> 2015 single by Rihanna

"Bitch Better Have My Money" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It was written by Rihanna, Bibi Bourelly, producer Deputy, co-producer Kanye West, and additional producers Travis Scott and WondaGurl. The song was digitally released on March 26, 2015, through the iTunes Store. "Bitch Better Have My Money" is a trap song and represents a notable musical departure from the previous single, "FourFiveSeconds".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work (Rihanna song)</span> 2016 single by Rihanna featuring Drake

"Work" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna featuring Canadian rapper Drake, from Rihanna's eighth studio album Anti (2016). It was released on January 27, 2016, by Westbury Road and Roc Nation as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Rihanna, Drake, Jahron Brathwaite, Monte Moir, Rupert Thomas, Allen Ritter, and Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels, the latter of which produced the track while Kuk Harrell and Noah "40" Shebib were additional producers. Incorporating elements of dancehall, reggae, pop, and R&B, "Work" contains an interpolation of Alexander O'Neal's "If You Were Here Tonight" (1985). Written in the English-based creole languages of Jamaica and Barbados, its lyrics are about fragile relationships and yearning for intimacy.

References

  1. ↑ "Heroes Reborn 2015 Trailer" . Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ "New Distributor Twentieth Century Fox Unveils DreamWorks Animation's Release Slate Through 2016". DreamWorks Animation. September 9, 2012. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Movie Title Changes". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  4. ↑ Graser, Marc (February 25, 2014). "Rihanna to Make Concept Album for Upcoming Animated Movie". Variety . Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 Vain, Madison (February 9, 2015). "Hear Rihanna's 'Towards the Sun' from the movie Home". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Trendell, Andrew (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna returns with new single 'Towards The Sun'". Gigwise . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "Music — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single by Rihanna". iTunes Store (CA). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Impacting Songs: March 3, 2015". All Access. Archived from the original on March 1, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Hendricks, Jaclyn (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna drops new song, 'Towards the Sun'". New York Post . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Spanos, Brittany (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna Looks 'Towards the Sun' in New Song for Animated Film". Rolling Stone . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Welsh, Daniel (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna's New Song 'Towards The Sun': Five Things About Her New Track, Taken From The 'Home' Soundtrack". The Huffington Post UK . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  12. ↑ Hughes, Josiah (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna 'Towards the Sun'". Exclaim! . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ Feeney, Nolan (February 9, 2015). "Hear Rihanna's New Song 'Towards the Sun' from the Movie Home". Time . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  14. ↑ Lipshutz, Jason (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna Releases 'Towards the Sun' Single From 'Home' Soundtrack". Billboard . New York. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  15. ↑ Enrlich, Brenna (February 9, 2015). "Rihanna Gives Us Light With 'Towards The Sun'". MTV News . Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  16. ↑ Carley, Brennan (February 9, 2015). "Hear Rihanna's Bombastic New Soundtrack Single, 'Towards the Sun'". Spin . Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  17. ↑ Home (liner notes). Rihanna & Various artists. Westbury Road, Roc Nation. 2015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ↑ "Rihanna – Towards the Sun" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Rihanna – Towards the Sun" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  20. ↑ Rihanna — Towards the Sun. TopHit. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Rihanna – Towards the Sun" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  23. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201518 into search. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2015-03-30." TopHit. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Kid Digital Songs: March 14, 2015". Billboard . March 14, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Music — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single by Rihanna". iTunes Store (AU). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Musique — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single par Rihanna" (in French). iTunes Store (FR). Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Musik — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single von Rihanna" (in German). iTunes Store (DE). Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Music — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single by Rihanna". iTunes Store (IE). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Musica — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single di Rihanna" (in Italian). iTunes Store (Italy). Retrieved February 9, 2015.[ dead link ]
  32. ↑ "Music — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single by Rihanna". iTunes Store (NZ). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Musica — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single di Rihanna" (in Spanish). iTunes Store (ES). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Music — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single by Rihanna". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Music — Towards the Sun (From The 'Home' Soundtrack) - Single by Rihanna". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  36. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 Playlist". BBC Online. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015.
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.