Sheezus (song)

"Sheezus"
Promotional single by Lily Allen
from the album Sheezus
Released 23 April 2014
Format Digital download
Recorded 2013
Genre
Length 3:54
Label Parlophone
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) DJ Dahi
Lily Allen promotional singles chronology
"Back to the Start"
(2009) Back to the Start2009		 "Sheezus"
(2014) Sheezus2014

"Sheezus" is a song by British singer-songwriter Lily Allen, released as a promotional single from her third studio album of the same name (2014). It was released alongside its music video on 23 April 2014 ahead of its planned release date of 28 April due to it being leaked. Parlophone later announced that "Sheezus" will not be released as an official single. According to Parlophone, this decision was made because the word 'period' is repeated three times throughout the song.[1]

Background

Allen released her second album, It's Not Me, It's You, in 2009, which saw a genre shift to synthpop, rather than the ska and reggae influences used on her debut album, Alright, Still (2006). In 2009, Allen announced that she would be taking a hiatus from musical activities. The following year, she opened a fashion rental shop named Lucy in Disguise with her sister Sarah,[2] followed by the 2011 launching of her own record label.[3] In 2013, Allen revealed that she had begun working on her third studio album Sheezus. On 20 June 2012, Allen tweeted that she was in the studio working with Greg Kurstin on new music.[4][5] She changed her professional name from Lily Allen to Lily Rose Cooper.[6] In August 2013 she changed her professional name back to Allen and tweeted new music would be arriving "soon".[7]

Allen initially said that her record label would not allow the release of "Sheezus" as an official single "[because it's] got the word 'period' in it". Allen continued to comment on the matter saying her label wanted to release radio friendly songs such as "Air Balloon", which Allen called "docile pop" and said they were chosen because labels and radio stations "won't play the better stuff".[8] Allen spoke about the single's release during an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, remarking "I would have liked to see [the song] Sheezus as a single, but it's not up-tempo enough. It's also got the word 'period' in it, which is really offensive to people – even though half the world has to deal with it once a month."[8] The song contains references to American singer-songwriters Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, as well as Barbadian singer Rihanna, and New Zealander singer-songwriter Lorde.[9]

Critical reception

Upon release the song was met with polarizing reviews from music critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard praised the song for being "anti-pop", continuing to call it an "sarcastic pop anthem."[10] Time magazine praised the song and Allen for wanting "her ladies to unite in bringing their A-game."[11] Radhika Sanghani of The Daily Telegraph on the other hand said that " ultimately, Allen’s message itself is confused. It seems like she is trying to join Katy Perry and Queen B in jumping onto the feminist pop movement[...] it’s just a shame that she’s doing it so obviously we can recognise it." [12]

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United Kingdom 23 April 2014 Digital download Parlophone

References

  1. ↑ Andy, Greene (10 April 2014). "Lily Allen Talks Motherhood, Online Haters and Her New LP 'Sheezus'" Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 November 2014
  2. ↑ Alexander, Ella (7 September 2010). "Lily Pops Up". Vogue UK. Condé Nast. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Michaels, Sean (21 January 2011). "Lily Allen launches own record label". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Nissim, Mayer (20 June 2012). "Lily Allen back in the studio with Greg Kurstin". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Lily Allen Back In The Studio With Greg Kurstin". MTV UK. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "Lily Allen Changes Professional Name to Lily Rose Cooper". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Lily Allen: new music coming soon?". Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  8. 1 2 Sean Michaels (2014-04-11). "Lily Allen says Sheezus single too risque for radio for mentioning periods | Music". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  9. ↑ "Lily Allen Throws Shade at Lady Gaga, Name Drops Beyoncé, Rihanna and Lorde in Sheezus—Watch Now! | E! Online UK". Ca.eonline.com. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  10. ↑ "Lily Allen Name-Checks Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Lorde On 'Sheezus': Watch Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  11. ↑ Nolan Feeney (2014-04-22). "Lily Allen "Sheezus" New Song Listen". TIME. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  12. ↑ "Sheezus Lily Allen, what the hell are you playing at?". Telegraph. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
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