Collide (Leona Lewis and Avicii song)

"Collide" is a song performed by British recording artist Leona Lewis from her upcoming third studio album, Glassheart (2012). The song features Swedish DJ Avicii, who wrote the track along with Simon Jeffes, Arash Pournouri, Autumn Rowe, Lewis and Sandy Vee, the latter who also produced it along with the Youngboyz.^[1] The song interpolates elements from "Perpetuum Mobile" by Penguin Cafe Orchestra. It was released for purchase starting from 2 September 2011 as the lead single from Lewis's upcoming third studio album Glassheart.

"Collide" premiered on Scott Mills' BBC Radio 1 show, The Scott Mills Show, on 15 July 2011 in the United Kingdom. Upon the song's radio premiere, several media outlets reported that its instrumental was very similar to a club song by Avicii, who later claimed that "Collide" featured the same instrumental and that Lewis's record label, Syco, had "stolen" his idea without his permission. Lewis and Avicii eventually settled in court, coming to an amicable mutual agreement to release the song as a collaboration between Lewis and Avicii. The DJ has since expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of working with Lewis.

Afrojack's "Festival Remix" of the song has been nominated at 2012 Grammy Awards for Best Remix.

Background

"Collide" was first announced as the first single from Lewis's third studio album, Glassheart^[2] via her official Twitter account on 14 July 2011,^[3] where she tweeted details of the premiere date as well as the title of the song, saying "So excited to let u know to tune into Scott Mills show on Radio One tomorrow for the worldwide exclusive play of my summer single 'Collide' (sic)".^[3] The song premiered on Scott Mills' BBC Radio 1 show The Scott Mills Show the following day.^[4]

Shortly after its premiere, "Collide" was likened an instrumental club track, "Penguin", by disc jockey Avicii. The DJ alleged that Sony and Lewis had recorded vocals over his instrumental without his or his label's consent.^[5] It was later announced that Avicii's record label, Ministry of Sound, had allegedly filed a lawsuit against Lewis's label Syco and its owner Simon Cowell. Syco representatives responded to the allegations, claiming that Avicii has been credited as a songwriter on the production credits of the song.^[6] On 16 August 2011, the situation was resolved with both Avicii and Lewis in court, with an agreement that the song will be a collaboration with both artists.^[7]

Reception

Critical response

Digital Spy's Lewis Corner was positive about the song, stating "We've always known that Leona's voice was created for a euphoric club-classic [...] here she has combined it with lyrical substance and live instruments that are a perfect fit alongside her hearty and emotive vocals."^[8] He and fellow Digital Spy reporter Robert Copsey named it amongst their top ten songs of the week of 18 July 2011.^[9] Ron Slomowicz from About.com described the song as "magical", partly due to the change in genre for Lewis and said "Leona's hauntingly beautiful vocals fit the track perfectly and the chorus is quite touching."^[10] Michael Cragg of The Guardian gave the song a mixed review, feeling that although Lewis gave an acceptable performance, the structure of the song is "all over the place".^[11] In a review by Popjustice the different song structure was also noted, but they felt it worked well for the song.^[12] Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly was negative about the song, calling it "a misguided dip into dance-pop [that] lands with a major thud".^[13]

Chart performance

In the issue of Billboard magazine dated 9 August 2011, "Collide" became the "Hot Shot Debut" on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs, debuting at number thirty-two, three weeks before its official release date.^[14] In its fourth week, the song rose to number thirteen. In its seventh week the song topped the chart, becoming Lewis' first number one on the chart. In Japan the song debuted at number 79 and jumped nearly 50 places the following week to number 32. In Slovakia, the song debuted a number eighty-nine on the week ending 28 August 2011.^[15] On 9 September, "Collide" debuted on the Irish Singles Chart at number three.^[16]

Music video and live performances

The music video for "Collide" was shot on 27 July 2011 and was directed by Ethan Lader. The video, shot on a beach in Los Angeles, has been described during the casting call as "a beautiful cinematic piece that" showcases "the natural beauty of" Lewis.^[17] The "inviting, sexy, and organic" piece was planned as "a moving fashion spread", dealing with "finding the beauty in the subtleties of life.^[17] The music video premiered via Lewis's official VEVO account on the 26 August 2011.^[18] The video mainly features Lewis on a beach. as well as sitting in an old cabriolet car, in which Lewis is surrounded by friends in both scenes. Throughout the video, clips of the surrounding sceneries are shown, with the end of the video showing the scenery to have changed to night time, featuring people performing with flare torches on the beach whilst Lewis sings in front of them. Ryan Love of Digital Spy praised the video, saying "[the video] sees Lewis show off a new look while chilling with friends throughout the day and into the night."^[18] Lewis performed the live television debut of the song during the opening episode of Red or Black?. She has also performed the song at G-A-Y,^[19] New York Fashion Week, and at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.

Track listings

• Digital EP^[20]

1. "Collide" (Radio Edit)
2. "Collide" (Extended Version)
3. "Collide" (Afrojack Remix)
4. "Collide" (Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney Remix)
5. "Collide" (Cahill Remix)

• Promo versions^[21]

1. "Collide" (Extended Version Instrumental)
2. "Collide" (Extended Dub Mix)
3. "Collide" (Afrojack Festival Remix Instrumental)
4. "Collide" (Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney Remix Radio Edit)
5. "Collide" (Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney Remix Instrumental)
6. "Collide" (Cahill Remix Radio Edit)
7. "Collide" (Cahill Remix Radio Edit Instrumental)
8. "Collide" (Cahill Remix Instrumental)
9. "Collide" (Cahill Dub Mix)
10. "Collide" (Nay Ray Club Remix Radio Edit)
11. "Collide" (Nay Ray Club Remix)
12. "Collide" (Nay Ray Chill Out Remix)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Radio and release history

References