Released 21 March 2014 Recorded 2013 | Format Digital download Genre Hip hop | |
Length 4:53 (Album version)
3:37 (Single version) Writer(s) Mark Landon, Alasdair Murray | ||
"Tightrope" is a song by Australian rapper, Illy. Written by Mark Landon and Alasdair Murray and produced by the former under his stage name, M-Phazes the song was first released in March 2014 through Illy's record label, ONETWO as the fourth single from Illy's fourth studio album, Cinematic (2013).
Contents
"Tightrope" was well received by fans and was also singled out as one of the strongest tracks on Cinematic in Navarone Farrell's review of the album for The AU Review.
Background and release
Whilst recording material for his fourth studio album, Cinematic (2013), Illy collaborated with a variety of artists including the Hilltop Hoods, Daniel Merriweather and Ahren Stringer of The Amity Afflcition among others. When asked about the album's material Illy responded, "It’s the most ambitious work I’ve done and these are the biggest risks I’ve taken, but I believe they’re the strongest songs I’ve written".
"Tightrope" was eventually released as the follow-up to the album's third single, "Youngbloods" in March 2014. While the album version of the song features guest vocals by Kristina Miltiadou the single version features vocals by Scarlett Stevens. Despite this, the original version was released to radio and also used in the song's accompanying music video. When speaking about the single, Illy commented, "Tightrope has been going off on the tour. It’s good to have a single that can also be a track that goes down really well in a live performance".
Music video
The song's accompanying music video runs for approximately three minutes and thirty-seven seconds. The video centres on Illy who is seen rowing a boat across a lake. As he continues to do so however, he is followed and subsequently shot at by a woman, causing his boat to sink and sending him into the water.
Track listing
Chart performance
"Tightrope" debuted at number thirty-nine on the Australian ARIA singles chart and after re-entering the chart twice, eventually reached its peak position of number eighteen during its ninth week on the chart, thereby becoming Illy's first top twenty hit and one of his top hits to date. The song was certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments in excess of 70,000 copies.