Released March 25, 2016 Recorded 2015 Length 3:21 | Format Digital download Label Dualtone | |
"Cleopatra" is a song recorded by American folk rock band The Lumineers. The song serves as the title track to their sophomore studio album of the same name.
Contents
"Cleopatra" was released as the album's second single on March 25, 2016.
Background
According to Wesley Schultz (lead vocalist of The Lumineers), the song was inspired by an encounter with a taxi driver that Schultz met in the Republic of Georgia. Recently, through a Facebook post, The Lumineers clarified upon that, and explained the full background of the song, and what it meant:
It's inspired by a true story about a female taxi driver who, when was younger, was proposed to. But her father had just passed away, so she didn't give her boyfriend an answer. So he left the village broken-hearted and rejected, and never returned again. He was her great love and she wouldn't wash the footprints off the floor after he left.
On March 24, 2016, Zane Lowe premiered the song on Beats 1 Radio.
Music video
The official music video was directed by Isaac Ravishankara, and uploaded to The Lumineers' Youtube and VEVO account on July 7, 2016. Since then, it has garnered over 12 million views.
Live performances
The Lumineers performed the song live at the iHeartRadio music theater in LA. The performance was officially aired on Audience Network at 9pm on April 8, 2016. Although, a video for the performance was uploaded to The Lumineers' Youtube and VEVO account beforehand.
Covers
The song has been covered numerous times since its release, by many upcoming artists which include: Daniel Robinson, Ellysse Mason, Josh Brown, and Natalie Del Carmen.