Accelerate (Christina Aguilera song)

The song combines unaccented rhythmic patterns, and incorporates hip hop and trap-pop genres.{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5264447/christina-aguileras-accelerate/|title=Christina Aguilera Is Back With a New Rap-Forward Single|magazine=Time|publisher=Time USA, LLC|first=Raisa|last=Bruner|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=May 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/queen-of-reinvention-christina-aguilera-drops-new-single-accelerate-as-she-makes-musical-comeback-a3830596.html|title='Queen of reinvention' Christina Aguilera drops new single Accelerate as she makes musical comeback|work=Evening Standard|date=May 3, 2018|first=Emma|last=Powell|access-date=May 31, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/10/this-months-best-music-may-florence-the-machine-paris-ariana-grande-roisin-murphy|title=50 great tracks for May from Florence + the Machine, Christina Aguilera, Deafheaven and more|work=The Guardian|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=May 30, 2023}} "Accelerate" also draws from old-school Chicago techno,{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1994483/christina-aguilera-accelerate-feat-2-chainz-ty-dolla-ign-prod-kanye-west-video/video/|title=Christina Aguilera – 'Accelerate' (Feat. 2 Chainz & Ty Dolla $ign) (Prod. Kanye West) Video|work=Stereogum|first=Tom|last=Breihan|date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504184754/https://www.stereogum.com/1994483/christina-aguilera-accelerate-feat-2-chainz-ty-dolla-ign-prod-kanye-west-video/video/|access-date=June 20, 2020|archive-date=May 4, 2018}} electro-funk,{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/listen-christina-aguilera-gets-back-to-ballads-with-new-song-twice-130232|title=Listen: Christina Aguilera gets back to ballads with new song 'Twice'|publisher=AXS|date=May 11, 2018|first=Lucas|last=Villa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081255/https://www.axs.com/listen-christina-aguilera-gets-back-to-ballads-with-new-song-twice-130232|archive-date=May 13, 2018|access-date=October 9, 2024}} 1980s boogie and contemporary R&B.{{cite web|url=http://people.com/music/christina-aguilera-new-single-album-liberation/|title=Christina Aguilera Drops New Single 'Accelerate' and Video from First New Album in 6 Years|work=People|publisher=Dotdash Meredith|date=May 3, 2018|first=Dave|last=Quinn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504011906/http://people.com/music/christina-aguilera-new-single-album-liberation/|archive-date=May 4, 2018|access-date=May 31, 2023}} The track's electronic bassline was named an "explicit" throwback to the era of an acid house subgenre by Stereogum. Its outro was inspired by a doo-wop music genre. The song's production is characterized by synthesizer-generated beats.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/christina-aguilera-accelerate-ft-ty-dolla-dollarign-and-2-chainz/|title=Christina Aguilera "Accelerate" [ft. Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz]|last=Pearce|first=Sheldon|date=May 3, 2018|website=Pitchfork|access-date=May 4, 2018}} It also features tribal rhythmic structure,{{cite web|url=https://muumuse.com/2018/05/christina-aguilera-accelerate-review.html/|title='Accelerate': Christina Aguilera Brings Us Up to Speed (Single Review)|work=MuuMuse|date=May 3, 2018|first=Bradley|last=Stern|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627091244/https://muumuse.com/2018/05/christina-aguilera-accelerate-review.html/|archive-date=June 27, 2018|access-date=October 9, 2024}} distinctive drum beats,{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpostbrasil.com/entry/christina-aguileras-new-single-accelerate-is-a-comeback-worth-waiting-for_us_5aeb05b1e4b022f71a05d4a9|title=Christina Aguilera's New Single 'Accelerate' Is A Comeback Worth Waiting For|work=HuffPost|publisher=Oath/Verizon Media|date=May 3, 2018|first=Cole|last=Delbyck|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504011852/https://www.huffpostbrasil.com/entry/christina-aguileras-new-single-accelerate-is-a-comeback-worth-waiting-for_us_5aeb05b1e4b022f71a05d4a9|archive-date=May 4, 2018|access-date=October 9, 2024}} and rap interludes by Aguilera, complemented by male supporting vocals. A percussive hi-hat is also incorporated into the song's melody.

"Accelerate" contains a sample of "I Like Funky Music" by Uncle Louie, and "I Feel So Good Inside", written by Ronald Brown, as performed by The Techniques IV.{{Cite AV media notes|title=Liberation|others=Christina Aguilera|type=CD liner notes|year=2018|publisher=RCA Records}} In the song's lyrics, Aguilera "accelerates" her sexual partner and urges him to show passion towards her, as she sings: "Accelerate, c'mon babe, pick up your speed; stamina, fill me up, that's what I need."{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/features/viva/christina-aguilera-accelerate-583431/|title=Christina Aguilera Returns With Kanye West-Produced Track 'Accelerate'|work=Vibe|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=May 3, 2018|first=J'na|last=Jefferson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004110831/https://www.vibe.com/features/viva/christina-aguilera-accelerate-583431/|archive-date=October 4, 2023|access-date=October 9, 2024}} The themes of the song include sex ("Another shot, you comin' home with me"){{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/931848/christina-aguilera-releases-accelerate-her-first-lead-single-in-six-years|title=Christina Aguilera Releases 'Accelerate', Her First Lead Single in Six Years|work=E!|publisher=E! Entertainment Television, LLC|date=May 3, 2018|first=Zach|last=Johnson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504001706/https://www.eonline.com/news/931848/christina-aguilera-releases-accelerate-her-first-lead-single-in-six-years|archive-date=May 4, 2018|access-date=October 9, 2024}} and empowerment ("Get that moola, power, you on fire tonight"), which led music journalist Bradley Stern to compare the track to Aguilera's 2003 single "Can't Hold Us Down". Lucas Villa of AXS pointed out the feminist, "girl-power" tone of the lyrics. The song also celebrates personal freedom and living in the moment.{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/christina-aguileras-new-music-video-is-so-artsy-fans-are-stoked-that-shes-back-8975316|title=Christina Aguilera's New Music Video Is So Artsy & Fans Are Stoked That She's Back|work=Bustle|publisher=BDG Media, Inc.|date=May 3, 2018|first=Nathan|last=Diller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505205648/https://www.bustle.com/p/christina-aguileras-new-music-video-is-so-artsy-fans-are-stoked-that-shes-back-8975316|archive-date=May 5, 2018|access-date=October 9, 2024}}

Ty Dolla Sign recalled the studio recording process in the Rolling Stone interview: "She [Aguilera] invited me to her crib to come finish the record. It was dope. We just went in there and I just heard her do her shit live in person. I was like 'What the fuck is this? It’s incredible!'"{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ty-dolla-ign-is-making-hits-for-everybody-this-summer-665935/|title=Ty Dolla $ign Is Making Hits for Everybody This Summer|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|first=Brittany|last=Spanos|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2021}}

Cole Delbyck praised the single as a "comeback worth waiting for" in his review for HuffPost. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times called "Accelerate" "fantastically weird", stating, "Ty Dolla Sign's moans and yelps, sinuous keyboard lines, a charmingly staccato verse from 2 Chainz. Somewhere in there is Ms. Aguilera, under-singing and trying not to get pushed into a corner. And yet despite these disparate inputs, there's something loose and admirable happening here: everyone is trying new things, and the disarray verges on flamboyance." According to MTV's Sam Prance, "Accelerate" is one of Aguilera's "most experimental releases to date," as well as "an instantly memorable pulsating club bop." Billboard called the single "a stormy comeback" with high energy,{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8451286/christina-aguilera-liberation-album-accelerate-single-ty-dolla-sign-2-chainz|title=Christina Aguilera Prepping 'Liberation' Album, Drops 'Accelerate' with Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz: Listen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 15, 2018}} while The Guardian regarded it as catchy and a "promising comeback", noting Aguilera's "incredible" vocals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/may/11/christiana-aguilera-track-of-week|title=Tracks of the week reviewed: Christina Aguilera, Céline Dion and Kanye West|website=The Guardian|last=Sampson|first=Issy|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018}} The Fader praised Aguilera for "brave artistic choice" and assured that upon listening deeper into the song, its weirdest and most interesting sounds become "addictive". Brock Radke of Las Vegas Magazine believed "Accelerate" is a "pulsating, rhythmic track" that "defies categorization and reaffirms Aguilera’s dedication to pushing past pop boundaries". Bradley Stern from MuuMuse considered "Accelerate" to be the antithesis of a pop song. He called the single "an aggressively fucks-free, polarizing hip-hop cut", as well as "a fresh and strange listen from start to finish".{{cite web|url=https://muumuse.com/2018/05/christina-aguilera-accelerate-review.html/|title='Accelerate': Christina Aguilera Brings Us Up to Speed (Single Review)|work=MuuMuse|first=Bradley|last=Stern|date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627091244/https://muumuse.com/2018/05/christina-aguilera-accelerate-review.html/|archive-date=June 27, 2018|access-date=May 30, 2023}}

Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork said it is "certainly a liberation from something, though it's unclear what. There's a fun song (or two) trapped in here somewhere, between several mutations, but without any sort of constancy or meaningful direction, it isn't much of a song at all; it's a series of disjointed episodes with superfluous parts. 'Accelerate' is unnecessarily mixing and inflating ideas when far less would do." Hugh McIntyre, a contributor to Forbes, was critical of the song, saying "'Accelerate' sounds like it's headed somewhere, but it never actually arrives. The track is disappointingly one-note, and once you've heard what it has to give in the first few seconds, there isn't a lot more to discover. The drum-heavy production immediately catches the ear, but it never develops and grows, and there's no powerful hook that requires a replay".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2018/05/03/christina-aguilera-finally-kicks-off-a-new-era-with-lackluster-single-accelerate/|title=Christina Aguilera Finally Kicks Off A New Era With Lackluster Single 'Accelerate'|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|date=May 3, 2018|website=Forbes.com|access-date=May 4, 2018}}

The British magazine i-D ranked the song on a list of the Best Pop Comebacks of the 21st Century.{{cite web|url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/akdgmb/the-best-pop-music-comebacks-of-the-21st-century-so-far|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201113095851/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/akdgmb/the-best-pop-music-comebacks-of-the-21st-century-so-far|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2020|title=Best pop comebacks of the 21st century so far, ranked|work=i-D|publisher=Vice Media Group LLC|date=November 12, 2020|first=Douglas|last=Greenwood|access-date=November 13, 2020}}

In the United States, the song peaked at number twenty-four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 in the week of May 19, 2018.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2018-05-19/|title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 – The week of May 19, 2018|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Billboard Media, LLC|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230612182130/https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/2018-05-19/|archive-date=June 12, 2023|access-date=June 12, 2023}} It became Aguilera's tenth number-one song on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart — her seventh of the 2010s decade.

Elsewhere, the song had minor commercial success, reaching number six in Spain's digital component chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.spanishcharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=s3&year=2018&date=20180513|title=Spanish Song Sales: Week of May 13, 2018|work=Spanishcharts.com|access-date=June 2, 2018}} and number twenty-two on the Hungarian Single Top 40. In the United Kingdom and Canada, "Accelerate" charted on the digital sales component charts in each country,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-canada-digital-song-sales/2018-05-19/|title=Canadian Digital Song Sales: Week of May 19, 2018|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230531155224/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-canada-digital-song-sales/2018-05-19/|archive-date=May 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023}} although in the UK it also reached number 99 on the biggest singles of midweek list compiled by the Official Charts Company.{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/GEkfsrw.jpg|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200612100237/https://i.imgur.com/GEkfsrw.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 12, 2020|title=Official Singles Chart Update Top 100: 07 May 2018 − 13 May 2018 (Midweeks)|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=June 12, 2020}} It peaked at number thirteen on the German Black Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.trendcharts.de/jahrescharts/2018-2/jahrescharts-urban-2018/|title=Jahrescharts Urban 2018 – Deutsche Trendcharts|publisher=Deutsche Black Charts|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200627114329/https://i.imgur.com/EiI7pVI.jpg|archive-date=June 27, 2020|access-date=June 27, 2020|url-status=dead}} Throughout Europe, "Accelerate" also reached lower regions of charts in France,{{cite web|url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Christina+Aguilera+feat.+Ty+Dolla+$ign+%26+2+Chainz&titel=Accelerate&cat=s|title=Christina Aguilera feat. Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz – Accelerate|publisher=Les classement single|language=French|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520054133/https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Christina+Aguilera+feat.+Ty+Dolla+$ign+%26+2+Chainz&titel=Accelerate&cat=s|archive-date=May 20, 2018|access-date=May 31, 2023}} Greece,{{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|title=Digital Singles Chart (International) Εβδομάδα: 18/2018|publisher=IFPI Greece|language=el|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516114420/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|archive-date=May 16, 2018|url-status=dead}} and Scotland.

The song achieved commercial success in Latin American countries, charting within the top ten of three radio airplay charts. As reported by Monitor Latino, "Accelerate" reached number three on the Panama Anglo Top 20 chart,{{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/print/Panama/Anglo/20180528|title=Top 20 Panama Anglo – Del 28 de Mayo al 3 de Junio, 2018|publisher=Monitor Latino|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230531155514/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/print/Panama/Anglo/20180528|archive-date=May 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023|language=es}} number six on the Costa Rica Anglo chart,{{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/print/Costa%20Rica/Anglo/20180528|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200813134004/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/print/Costa%20Rica/Anglo/20180528|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2020|title=Top 20 Costa Rica Anglo – Del 28 de Mayo al 3 de Junio, 2018|publisher=Monitor Latino|language=es|access-date=August 13, 2020}} and number eight on the Guatemala Anglo chart.{{cite web|url=http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/print/Guatemala/Anglo/20180507|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200813121828/http://charts.monitorlatino.com/top20/print/Guatemala/Anglo/20180507|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2020|title=Top 20 Guatemala Anglo – Del 7 al 13 de Mayo, 2018|publisher=Monitor Latino|language=es|access-date=August 13, 2020}} Commercially, it also performed well in Indonesia, as reported by LIMA.{{cite web|url=http://oi64.tinypic.com/oqj6o6.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141851/http://oi64.tinypic.com/oqj6o6.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-06-12|title=Indonesian Top Digital Songs Chart by LIMA – May 11th, 2018|publisher=LIMA|access-date=October 10, 2024}}

File:CAguilera DenverOct2018 4.jpg.]]

An accompanying music video for "Accelerate", directed by fashion photographer Zoey Grossman, premiered via Aguilera's YouTube channel on May 3, 2018. Ty Dolla Sign and 2 Chainz do not appear in the video, as it only stars the singer herself.

Additionally, a vertical video for the song was released exclusively via Spotify on the same day.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/xtina/status/992079816550596609|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200720092933/https://twitter.com/xtina/status/992079816550596609|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 20, 2020|title=Exclusive #Accelerate vertical video on @Spotify|publisher=Twitter. Twitter, Inc.|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=July 20, 2020}}

On May 31, 2018 Pandora Radio hosted a listening party as a preview for a then-upcoming album Liberation. Aguilera sang parts of "Accelerate" during the meeting with journalists.{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/event/christina-aguilera-liberation-powered-by-pandora-775168722#/christina-aguilera-hosts-an-intimate-listening-party-for-her-biggest-picture-id964698254|title=Christina Aguilera hosts an intimate listening party for her biggest fans on Pandora to preview her upcoming album, LIBERATION, at The Peppermint Club on May 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California|publisher=Getty Images|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=July 25, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/111055868.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200725090419/https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/111055868.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-07-25|title=Christina Aguilera Has a Liberation Listening Party with Pandora|work=Oh No They Didn't|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=July 25, 2020}} On June 9 she performed the track, along with "Fall in Line", at the Genentech Gives Back benefit concert in San Francisco.{{cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/christina-aguilera/2018/atandt-park-san-francisco-ca-1bea9574.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200725090943/https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/christina-aguilera/2018/atandt-park-san-francisco-ca-1bea9574.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-07-25|title=Christina Aguilera Concert Setlist at Genentech Gives Back – San Francisco, CA, USA – June 9, 2018|publisher=Setlist.fm|access-date=July 25, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://christinaaguilera.com.pl/2018/06/zdjecia-video-koncert-charytatywny-genentechgivesback/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200725091345/http://christinaaguilera.com.pl/2018/06/zdjecia-video-koncert-charytatywny-genentechgivesback/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-07-25|title=ZDJĘCIA/VIDEO: KONCERT CHARYTATYWNY #GENENTECHGIVESBACK|work=Christina Aguilera|date=June 10, 2018|language=pl|access-date=July 25, 2020}} The next day she made a surprise appearance during the Los Angeles Pride Parade.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8460248/christina-aguilera-performs-accelerate-la-pride-video|title=Christina Aguilera Makes Surprise Appearance at LA Pride, Debuts Special 'Accelerate' Remix: Watch|magazine=Billboard|date=June 11, 2018|first=Henry|last=Youtt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614035852/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8460248/christina-aguilera-performs-accelerate-la-pride-video|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=2018-06-14}} Her performance of a dance remix of "Accelerate" featured a group of drag queens. The song was then included in the setlist for three of Aguilera's tours: The Liberation Tour (2018),{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/christina-aguilera-s-liberation-tour-marks-beautiful-comeback-in-las-v-134618|title=Christina Aguilera's Liberation Tour marks beautiful comeback in Las Vegas|publisher=AXS|first=Lucas|last=Villa|date=November 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711070131/https://www.axs.com/christina-aguilera-s-liberation-tour-marks-beautiful-comeback-in-las-v-134618|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=2019-07-11}} Christina Aguilera: The Xperience (2019–2020),{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7790504/christina-aguilera-launches-the-xperience-residency-see-the-setlist?chrome=1|title=Christina Aguilera Launches 'The Xperience' Residency: See The Setlist|work=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Nied|date=June 1, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2020}} and The X Tour (2019).{{cite web|url=https://sosugary.com/christina-aguilera-brings-the-x-tour-to-europe/|title=Christina Aguilera Brings 'The X Tour' to Europe|work=So Sugary|date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719183743/https://sosugary.com/christina-aguilera-brings-the-x-tour-to-europe/|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=2019-07-19}}

Credits adapted from RCA Records and Discogs.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11970104-Christina-Aguilera-Featuring-Ty-Dolla-ign-2-Chainz-Accelerate|title=Christina Aguilera featuring Ty Dolla $ign & 2 Chainz – Accelerate|date=3 May 2018 |publisher=Discogs. Zink Media, LLC|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/tv8qs|archive-date=October 10, 2024|access-date=October 10, 2024}}

• Vocals – Christina Aguilera
• Co-lead vocals – Ty Dolla Sign, 2 Chainz
• Songwriters – Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, Mike Dean, Che Pope, Ernest Brown, Carlton Mays, Jr., Bibi Bourelly, Ilsey Juber, Tayla Parx, Tyrone Griffin Jr., Tauheed Epps, Kirby Lauryen Dockery
• Producers – Kanye West, Mike Dean,
• Co-producers – Charlie Heat, Honorable C.N.O.T.E.; Eric Danchick (additional producer), Noah Goldstein (add. prod.)
• Audio engineer – Noah Goldstein, Oscar Ramirez
• Additional vocals – Kirby Lauryen Dockery

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Category:2018 singles

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Category:Vertically oriented music videos