Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Turn da Lights Off

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Released
  
October 5, 2004

Length
  
4:55 (album version)

Genre
  
R&B, hip hop

Label
  
Atlantic/Goldmind

Format
  
Radio airplay, CD single, digital download, 12" vinyl

Recorded
  
2004 The Hit Factory, Audiovision (Miami, Florida)

"Turn da Lights Off" is a song performed by American R&B singer Tweet. The song features guest vocals by frequent collaborator Missy Elliott alongside production from Elliott and Kwamé. It was released as the lead single from Tweet's second album, It's Me Again (2005). The song contains R&B samples and excerpts of Nat King Cole's "Lost April" and Marvin Gaye's "If This World Were Mine".

Contents

Background

Proposals for the It's Me Again lead single dates back to early 2004, where MTV reported that the Missy Elliott–produced "Shook Up," featuring former 106 & Park co-host Free, was in consideration for a lead single choice. However, complications from the merging between Elektra Records and Atlantic prevented the song's release, resulting in the song's cancellation and a pushback date for Tweet's It's Me Again album. In October 5, 2004, "Turn da Lights Off" was released and began to appear on numerous mixtapes to help spread the word of the song's release. A promotional remix featuring 50 Cent and an alternate line by Missy Elliott was also released to mixtapes in order to generate further buzz for the single.

Critical reception

The song met generally mixed to favorable reviews. Shaheem Reid of MTV's Mixtape Monday complimented the track for its guest production by hip-hop legend Kwamé. Reid also praised Missy Elliott for her vocals and opening line: "taking it back like polka-dots," for its reminiscent-throwback feel of "a fly era."

By contrast, Andy Kellman of AllMusic criticized Elliott's vocals, stating that her "berserk squawks vandalize[d]" Tweet's "return single." On a lighter note, Kellman did favor Elliott's production for the single, in which he felt it was reminiscent of her other produced–single, "So Gone" by Monica. Kellman had also listed "Turn da Lights Off" as a "Song Pick," where it was cited as the "most representative" of the It's Me Again album.

Music video

The video, alongside a "Makes a Video" special, premiered on MTV2 in January 11, 2005.

The video begins with Missy Elliott portraying a DJ while scratching on a vinyl record and performing her adlibs. The video then cuts to Tweet posing for camera shots in construction for her It's Me Again album booklet. Throughout the video, Tweet is either seen getting a makeover or posing for other various camera shots. Missy is then shown again, where she begins to perform her rap while sitting on a couch behind Tweet's photo-shoot or reprising her role as the DJ. The video then cuts back to Tweet posing for more camera shots while lip-syncing to the song.

Track listings and formats

US 12" vinyl
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Radio Edit) — 4:15
  2. "Turn da Lights Off" (Instrumental) — 5:13
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (Album Version) — 4:55
  4. "Turn da Lights Off" (Acapella) — 4:42
European 12" vinyl
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Album Version) (featuring Missy Elliott) — 4:55
  2. "Turn da Lights Off" (Remix) — 3:27
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (Instrumental) — 5:13
  4. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) — 5:51
European CD/Maxi-Single
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Radio Edit) — 4:14
  2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) — 5:51
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (Remix) — 3:27
European CD single
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (Radio Edit) — 3:39
  2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) — 5:51

References

Turn da Lights Off Wikipedia
(Text) CC BY-SA