Headlines

Album: Take Care (2011)
Charted: 57 13
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first single by Canadian rapper Drake, from his second studio album, Take Care, was produced by his longtime producers and collaborators Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels and Noah "40" Shebib. It first premiered on Drake's blog, October's Very Own, on July 31st, 2011 and was made available free to download.
  • The song finds Drake thoughtfully ruminating about the consequences of fame. "I might be too strung out on compliments," he raps. "Overdosed on confidence / Starting not to give a f--k and stop fearing the consequence."
  • Drake told Billboard magazine why he released this as the first single from Take Care. "By no means is it the best song on my album, it's really just the song for this moment, right now," he said. "I always try to put forth a song with a message. A lot of people pick their single by what's the strongest song. I don't really do that. I like to make sure that the content is very relevant to right now. I want people to party to it but at the same time the fans, the people that care about my career, the people that follow me, will hear a message in it."
  • The video was directed by OVO crew members Lamar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne and shot in Drake's hometown of Toronto, Canada. It is a family affair featuring members of some of the rapper/singer's friends such as T-Minus, Noah "40" Shebib, The Weeknd, Boi-1da and Kromatik, but none of his Young Money label mates.
  • Shebib told MTV News how he and Drake had radio in mind when they cut this track: "That's a catchy song. 'They know, they know, they know,'" he said. "It's corny, it's catchy, it's perfect. That will run on radio all day. You balance with those evils when you make music. I understand what's going to work on radio as much, sometimes I want to make different types of music. But the thing is, you want to win. You want to have your cake and eat it too."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.