Back to Sleep (song)

The song was written by Chris Brown and August Rigo, and was produced by Vinylz and Boi-1da. The song was recorded in 2015 at Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. "Back to Sleep" was premiered via SoundCloud on November 5, 2015, and was sent to radio four days later as the album's third single, also receiving its commercial release for digital download on November 9, 2015.{{cite web|url= https://twitter.com/chrisbrown/status/662379552904052739 | title = Urban single coming today! "FUCK YOU BACK TO 2 SLEEP" | publisher= Twitter | access-date= November 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url= https://twitter.com/chrisbrown/status/662415152998801408 | title = Listen to @Power1051 NY right now for my new urban single #SexYouBackToSleep! | publisher= Twitter | access-date= November 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-sleep-single/id1057316555 |title=Back To Sleep – Single by Chris Brown |publisher=iTunes Store (US) |access-date=November 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118065550/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-sleep-single/id1057316555 |archive-date=November 18, 2015 }}

File:Marvin Gaye (1973 publicity photo).jpg's 1982 song "Sexual Healing"]]

"Back to Sleep" is a mid-tempo R&B slow jam, about late night sex, that features minor influences of funk, and roland TR-808 beats reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's 1982 song "Sexual Healing".{{Cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/chris-brown-sex-you-back-to-sleep-new-song.1967104.html|title = Chris Brown – Sex You Back to Sleep|website = HNHH|date = November 5, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6812828/chris-brown-royalty-album-review|title=Chris Brown Falls Short of King on 'Royalty': Album Review|website=Billboard.com|date=December 18, 2015|access-date=July 29, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/chris-brown-and-rick-ross-perform-sorry-and-back-to-sleep-on-kimmel-new-video.36185.html|title=Chris Brown & Rick Ross Perform "Sorry" & "Back To Sleep" On Kimmel|website=Hotnewhiphop.com|date=December 8, 2015|access-date=July 29, 2018}} Vibe stated that the song infuses elements of "new school R&B" with "a light dusting of 1980s pop".{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2015/11/chris-brown-sex-you-back-to-sleep-royalty-2015/|title=Chris Brown Doesn't Leave Anything To The Imagination On "Sex You Back To Sleep"|date=November 6, 2015|website=Vibe.com|access-date=July 29, 2018}}http://addictedtoradio.com/chris-brown-falls-short-of-king-on-royalty/ {{dead link|date=July 2018}} According to Billboard, the lyrical content of "Back to Sleep" features "Brown fresh off a late night flight into town", detailing how he plans to go to his girlfriend's house, wake her up at 3:30 a.m. to have sex with her, then tuck her in for actual sleep.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/chris-brown-slow-jams-7587936/amp/ | title=Chris Brown's 12 Sexiest Slow Jams | magazine=Billboard }}

The music video for "Back to Sleep" was directed by Brown,{{cite web|url=http://www.directlyrics.com/chris-brown-premieres-racy-music-video-for-back-to-sleep-watch-news.html|title=Chris Brown Premieres Racy Music Video For "Back To Sleep": Watching

|website=Directlyrics|access-date=July 29, 2018}} and released on December 14, 2015, on his YouTube and Vevo account.{{cite web|url=http://www.vevo.com/watch/chris-brown/back-to-sleep-(explicit-version)/USRV81501057|title=Chris Brown – Back To Sleep (Explicit Version)|publisher=Vevo|date=December 14, 2015|access-date=December 15, 2015}}

The video follows the conclusion of Brown's "Fine by Me" music video, and starts with the singer making a phone call to his girlfriend, asking her if he could "come over" to her house even though it's late at night, because of "weird" things happening to him throughout the night. As soon as Brown arrives to her house, they get intimate, with scenes showing them kissing and touching in the shower and bedroom, intercut with scenes of Brown performing the song in a club, with a female band.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/12/14/video-chris-brown-back-to-sleep/|title=Video: Chris Brown – 'Back to Sleep'|website=Rap-up.com|access-date=July 29, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6806097/chris-brown-back-to-sleep-video-watch|title=Watch Chris Brown Get Frisky in 'Back To Sleep' Video|website=Billboard.com|date=December 14, 2015|access-date=July 29, 2018}}

Brown promoted the song with live performances on televised shows and festivals, including Jimmy Kimmel Live!,{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/12/rick-ross-chris-brown-sorry-back-to-sleep-jimmy-kimmel-live-watch/|title=Rick Ross and Chris Brown Bust Out 'Sorry' and 'Back to Sleep' on 'Kimmel'|date=December 8, 2015|website=Spin.com|access-date=July 29, 2018}} Taraji & Terrence's White Hot Holidays,{{Cite web |url=http://www.flavorinthestreet.com/flavor-in-the-street/2015/12/10/chris-brown-performs-back-to-sleep-and-this-christmas-with-tank-at-white-hot-holidays |title=Chris Brown Performs 'Back to Sleep' and 'This Christmas' with Tank at 'White Hot Holidays' — Flavor in the Street |access-date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420233927/http://www.flavorinthestreet.com/flavor-in-the-street/2015/12/10/chris-brown-performs-back-to-sleep-and-this-christmas-with-tank-at-white-hot-holidays |archive-date=April 20, 2016 |url-status=dead }} the "Lil' Weezyana Fest 2016", and the 3rd iHeartRadio Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/04/chris-brown-liquor-back-to-sleep-2016-iheart-radio-music-awards/|title=Chris Brown Performs "Liquor," "Back to Sleep" and More at 2016 iHeart Radio Music Awards – XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=July 29, 2018}} The song was included on all the setlists of Brown's tours following its release.

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Chris Brown has released three remixes to the song. Part 1 features Usher and Zayn,{{Cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/02/20/new-music-chris-brown-usher-zayn-back-to-sleep-remix/|title = New Music: Chris Brown feat. Usher & Zayn – 'Back to Sleep (Remix)'}} and was released as "Back to Sleep (Remix)" on February 26, 2016;{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/back-to-sleep-remix-feat/1088093336|title=Back to Sleep (Remix) [feat. Usher & ZAYN] – Single by Chris Brown|website=iTunes|date=February 26, 2016}} in addition to verses from Usher and Zayn Malik, the remix also features a new verse from Brown where he mentions his ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran and cancels out the rest of the song except the chorus and bridge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-brown-karrueche-tran-update-singer-name-drops-ex-sex-you-back-sleep-remix-see-2316065|title=Chris Brown-Karrueche Tran Update: Singer Name-Drops Ex in 'Sex You Back to Sleep' Remix; See Fan Reactions|website=International Business Times|date=February 20, 2016}} Part 2 features Miguel, August Alsina, and Trey Songz, and was released as "Back to Sleep (Remix)" on April 8,{{Cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/chris-brown-f-ck-you-back-to-sleep-remix-new-song.1969303.html|title=Chris Brown – F*ck You Back to Sleep (Remix) Feat. Trey Songz, Miguel & August Alsina|website=HNHH|date=April 8, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/04/07/new-music-chris-brown-august-alsina-miguel-trey-songz-back-to-sleep-remix/|title = New Music: Chris Brown feat. August Alsina, Miguel, & Trey Songz – 'Back to Sleep (Remix)'}} while Part 3 was released on April 10 as "Back To Sleep (Legends Remix)", and features Tank, R. Kelly and Anthony Hamilton.{{cite web | url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/02/chris-brown-teased-back-to-sleep-remixes-with-zayn-miguel-usher-and-more | title=Chris Brown Teases "Back to Sleep" Remixes f/ ZAYN, Miguel, Usher, and More | work=Complex | date=February 20, 2016 | access-date=February 20, 2016}} On August 29, 2016, R&B singer Brandy shared a version of the song with Brown.{{cite web|title=Brandy Remixes 'Back to Sleep' by Chris Brown: Listen Now|url=http://ratedrnb.com/2016/08/brandy-remixes-back-sleep-chris-brown-listen-now/|website=ThisisRnB|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Brandy Back to Sleep Remix with Chris Brown|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIZuT7hbBnU|website=YouTube| date=August 29, 2016 |access-date=July 8, 2017}} On July 15, 2016, another remix version was released, dubbed as the "Secret Garden Remix". The song featured previously released verses from R. Kelly, Usher, Tank, and an additional verse from R&B singer and actor Tyrese Gibson.{{cite web | url=https://thisisrnb.com/2016/07/new-music-chris-brown-feat-tyrese-r-kelly-usher-tank-back-to-sleep-secret-garden-remix/ | title=NEW MUSIC: CHRIS BROWN FEAT. TYRESE, R. KELLY, USHER & TANK – 'BACK TO SLEEP (SECRET GARDEN REMIX)' |work= ThisisRnB | date=July 15, 2016 | access-date=October 1, 2020}}

"Back to Sleep" received widespread acclaim from music critics. In 2018, the co-host of The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne tha God, defined the song as "the best R&B record in the past 15 years" along with "Adorn" by Miguel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/charlamagne-tha-god-picks-his-kings-of-randb-and-best-rap-album-of-the-year-news.66899.html|title=Charlamagne Tha God Picks His "Kings of R&B" & Best Rap Album of the Year|website=HNHH|date=December 15, 2018}} AllMusic's editor Andy Kellman stated that the track is the best one on the Royalty album.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/royalty-mw0002889076|title=Royalty – Chris Brown – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 29, 2018}} Brad Wete of Billboard said that it "excels as a quality addition to his catalog’s stellar collection of panty-dropping and baby-making songs", comparing the song to Brown's previous singles "Take You Down" (2008) and "No Bullshit" (2011), and also to Marvin Gaye's 1982 song "Sexual Healing".

Mikael Wood of The Courier-Journal praised Brown's "great vocal performance" on the track, describing it as "a smooth depiction of genuine sexuality".{{cite web|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/arts/music/2015/12/29/chris-brown-royalty-review/78015688/|title=Chris Brown has no filter on 'Royalty'|website=Courier-journal.com|access-date=July 29, 2018}}{{cite web | url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/chris-brown-royalty | title=Review: Chris Brown, Royalty | website=Slant Magazine | date=December 21, 2015 }} Soul Bounce called it "The highlight of Royalty" and "a polished, well-produced song that spotlight's Brown's talent".{{cite web | url=https://soulbounce.com/2016/04/chris-brown-recruits-every-damn-body-for-his-back-to-sleep-remixes/ | title=Chris Brown Recruits Every Damn Body for His 'Back to Sleep' Remixes | date=April 11, 2016 }} Renowned for Sound complimented the song's "impressive vocals" and its production, saying that "the synth R&B arrangement is as smooth as ever", stating that the chorus has a "risqué" sex appeal.{{cite web | url=https://renownedforsound.com/single-review-chris-brown-back-to-sleep-feat-usher-zayn/ | title=Single Review: Chris Brown – 'Back to Sleep' (Feat. Usher & Zayn) – Renowned for Sound }} Vibe said that "Back to Sleep" is "a super sexy song", finding shock value in its sexually explicit lyrics.{{cite web | url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/chris-brown-usher-zayn-back-to-sleep-remix-406402/amp/ | title=Chris Brown Gets an Assist from Usher and Zayn for A "Back to Sleep" Remix | date=February 20, 2016 }}

On the Billboard Hot 100, the song debuted at number 64 on the week ending January 2, 2016,{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2016-01-02|title = The Hot 100 Chart|magazine = Billboard}} and reached number 48 on the week ending February 13, 2016.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2016-02-13|title = The Hot 100 Chart|magazine = Billboard|date = January 2, 2013}} On the week ending March 12, 2016, it reached number 36 on the Hot 100,{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2016-03-12|title = The Hot 100 Chart|magazine = Billboard}} and number 2 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2016-03-12/mainstream-r-and-b-hip-hop|title = Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay|magazine = Billboard|date = January 2, 2013}} On the week ending March 19, 2016, it reached number 20 on the Hot 100 and became the top Digital Gainer of the week,{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100|title=The Hot 100 Chart|magazine=Billboard}} debuting at number 13 on the Digital Songs chart,{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-songs|title=Digital Song Sales Chart|magazine=Billboard}} having sold 42,000 downloads that week, 32% of which stemmed from the Part 1 remix.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6975220/macklemore-ryan-lewis-numer-1-rb-hip-hop-albums|title=Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Debut at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart|magazine=Billboard|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=March 10, 2016}} The same week, it reached number 5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number 2 on the R&B Digital Songs chart,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2016-03-19/r-and-b-digital-songs|title=R&B Digital Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=March 19, 2016|access-date=March 8, 2016}} and number 3 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-songs|title=Hot R&B Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013}} By April 2, 2016, the single had sold 300,620 copies in the US.{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.38181/title.hip-hop-single-sales-rihanna-g-eazy-desiigner|title=Hip Hop Single Sales: Rihanna, G-Eazy & Desiigner|publisher=HipHopDX|last=Mansell|first= Henry|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2016}}

• Digital download

1. "Back to Sleep" (Explicit) – 3:21

• Digital download (Remix){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/back-to-sleep-remix-feat-usher-zayn-single/1088093251|title=Back to Sleep (Remix) [feat. Usher & ZAYN] – Single by Chris Brown|website=iTunes|date=February 26, 2016}}

1. "Back to Sleep" (Remix) {{small|(featuring Usher and Zayn)}} – 4:27

• Digital download (Legends Remix){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/back-to-sleep-legends-remix/1106018762|title = Back to Sleep (Legends Remix) [feat. Tank, R. Kelly & Anthony Hamilton] – Single by Chris Brown|website = iTunes|date = April 10, 2016}}

1. "Back to Sleep" (Legends Remix) {{small|(featuring Tank, R. Kelly and Anthony Hamilton)}} – 3:43

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Back to Sleep"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Chris Brown|title=Back to Sleep|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Chris Brown|title=Back to Sleep|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|id=12344|access-date=April 13, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Chris Brown|title=Back to Sleep|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2015|access-date=January 8, 2025|certyear=2024|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Chris Brown|title=Back to Sleep|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|id=14550-1138-1|access-date=March 24, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Chris Brown|title=Back to Sleep|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2025|number=4}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Chris Brown singles|state=expanded}}

{{Usher songs}}

{{Zayn Malik}}

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Category:2015 singles

Category:2015 songs

Category:Songs about sleep

Category:Chris Brown songs

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Songs written by Chris Brown

Category:Song recordings produced by Boi-1da

Category:Song recordings produced by Vinylz

Category:Usher (musician) songs

Category:Miguel (singer) songs

Category:August Alsina songs

Category:Tyrese Gibson songs

Category:Tank (American singer) songs

Category:Trey Songz songs

Category:Zayn Malik songs

Category:Songs written by Boi-1da

Category:Songs written by Vinylz

Category:Songs written by August Rigo

Category:Songs written by Allen Ritter

Category:Song recordings produced by Allen Ritter