Powerful (song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Powerful
| cover = MajorLazerPowerful.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Major Lazer featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley
| album = Peace Is the Mission
| released = {{Start date|2015|6|1}}
| recorded = 2014
| studio = Honor Roll Music (Miami, FL){{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002836946|label=Peace Is the Mission|first=David|last=Jeffries|access-date=July 19, 2015}}
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|Neo soul|Trip hop}}
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=26}}
| label = {{hlist|Mad Decent|Because}}
| writer = {{hlist|Diplo|Maxime Picard|Clement Picard|Ilsey Juber|Fran Hall|Tarrus Riley}}
| producer = {{hlist|Major Lazer|Picard Brothers}}
| chronology = Major Lazer
| prev_title = Lean On
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Lost
| next_year = 2015
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Ellie Goulding
| type = singles
| prev_title = Love Me like You Do
| prev_year = 2015
| title = Powerful
| year = 2015
| next_title = On My Mind
| next_year = 2015
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = Tarrus Riley
| type = singles
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| title = Powerful
| year = 2015
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{Extra album cover
| type = studio
| cover = Powerful (2015) - Album Cover (Remixes).jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| caption = Powerful (Remixes) Cover
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|o6b9JpBFjd4|"Powerful"}}}}
}}
"Powerful" is a song recorded by American electronic music project Major Lazer. It's the second official single off their third studio album, Peace Is the Mission (2015), featuring guest vocals from English singer Ellie Goulding and Jamaican singer Tarrus Riley. The song was initially planned to be the lead single from the album but was scrapped in favor of Lean On.{{Cite web|title=Major Lazer & DJ Snake - Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Pop-Up Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch/xXIhxNYiWLI|access-date=29 August 2020|website=YouTube}}
Composition
The song is described as an "EDM power ballad" and its soul, pop and R&B nature led the critics to label it as one of the most accessible and radio friendly songs in the album.{{Cite web|title = Major Lazer: Peace Is the Mission|url = https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20519-peace-is-the-mission/|archive-url = https://archive.today/20151206183659/http://m.pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20519-peace-is-the-mission/|url-status = live|archive-date = December 6, 2015|website = Pitchfork|access-date = 2015-11-08|language = en-US}}{{Cite web|title = Major Lazer 'Peace Is the Mission': A Track-by-Track Review|url = https://www.insomniac.com/media/major-lazer-peace-mission-track-track-review/2|website = Insomniac.com|access-date = 2015-11-08|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170825064741/https://www.insomniac.com/media/major-lazer-peace-mission-track-track-review/2|archive-date = 2017-08-25|url-status = dead}}{{cite magazine|last=Dolan|first=Jon|date=June 2, 2015|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/major-lazer-peace-is-the-mission-20150602|title=Major Lazer's New Album: Peace Is the Mission|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|access-date=June 6, 2015}} It was written by Thomas Pentz, Maxime Picard, Clement Picard, Ilsey Juber, Fran Hall and reggae musician Tarrus Riley; the latter is also featured on the track along singer Ellie Goulding. The song is a musical departure from Major Lazer's dancehall-inspired signature sound, having this song dubbed as a ballad by many reporters.{{Cite web|title = Major Lazer Enlists Ellie Goulding For New "Powerful" Single|url = http://www.youredm.com/2015/04/23/major-lazer-enlists-ellie-goulding-for-new-powerful-single/|website = Your EDM|access-date = 2015-11-08|first = Matthew|last = Meadow| date=23 April 2015 }}{{Cite web|title = Ellie Goulding Gets Supernatural in Major Lazer's 'Powerful' Video {{!}} SPIN|url = http://www.spin.com/2015/07/ellie-goulding-major-lazer-powerful-video/|website = Spin| date=24 July 2015 |access-date = 2015-11-08}} Lyrically, the song talks about the protagonist's significant other having 'power' on them, such when they touch there is electricity. It also hints at sex. The chorus of the song was first used in the Major Lazer TV series on FXX a month before the full song was released in the episode "Vampire Weekend".
Music video
The music video was released on July 23, 2015. It features both Goulding and Riley performing their parts using telekinetic powers and ruining a small diner. The clip's theme is labeled as "supernatural" and was directed by James Slater.{{Cite magazine|title = Watch Major Lazer's Diner-Ruining 'Powerful' Video With Ellie Goulding|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-major-lazers-diner-ruining-powerful-video-with-ellie-goulding-20150724|magazine = Rolling Stone|access-date = 2015-11-08}}
Use in media
- In 2017, the song was used in an advertisement for Emporio Armani's Stronger With You and Because It's You perfumes.,Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/HRYE10SWZE0 Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190322111447/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRYE10SWZE0 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRYE10SWZE0| title = Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani Because It's You & Stronger With You | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and in the 2017 advertising campaign for Unilever's Close-Up toothpaste.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfpB52NXU4I (in Indonesian)
- On the November 4, 2019, episode of the reality television singing competition show The Voice, Team Gwen (Stefani) member Jacob "Jake" HaldenVang performed a rock arrangement of the song in a Knockout round, opposing fellow Team Gwen member Royce Lovett, who performed Avicii's "Wake Me Up." Coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton all preferred HaldenVang's performance, and Stefani agreed, naming him the winner of the Knockout and advancing him to the Live Playoffs. Meanwhile, Lovett was eliminated when Shelton opted not to steal him onto his team (as Clarkson and Legend had already used their steals by that time).
Track listing
{{Track listing
| title1 = Powerful
| note1 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley
| length1 = 3:26
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download – Remixes - EP{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/cn/album/powerful-feat-ellie-goulding-tarrus-riley-remixes-ep/1036658252|title=Powerful (feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley) [Remixes] - EP by Major Lazer on Apple Music|website=iTunes|access-date=June 28, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
|
| title1 = Powerful
| note1 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley
| length1 = 3:26
| title2 = Powerful
| note2 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (With You. x GITCHII Remix
| length2 = 4:03
| title3 = Powerful
| note3 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (Gregor Salto Remix
| length3 = 4:34
| title4 = Powerful
| note4 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (Michael Calfan Remix
| length4 = 2:55
| title5 = Powerful
| note5 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (BOXINBOX & Lionsize Remix
| length5 = 3:48
| title6 = Powerful
| note6 = featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (G-Buck Remix
| length6 = 4:06
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2015)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Australia|7|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=July 28, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"|Australia Dance (ARIA){{cite web|title= ARIA Dance Singles Chart - 15/6/15 |archive-url= https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150622035800/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20150622-1358/Issue1320.pdf |url= http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/dance-singles |date=June 15, 2015 |archive-date=June 22, 2015 |publisher=ARIA Charts}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
| style="text-align:center;"|1 |
| {{single chart|Austria|55|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=August 27, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|30|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=October 16, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia|33|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=October 23, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Canada|64|artist=Major Lazer|rowheader=true|access-date=January 11, 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Czech Republic|10|year=2015|week=49|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Czechdigital|47|year=2015|week=43|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Denmark|39|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=July 28, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|France|78|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=September 2, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Germany|90|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|songid=1414917|access-date=February 21, 2019|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Hungarysingle|31|year=2015|week=37|access-date=September 17, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland|77|year=2015|week=32|access-date=August 7, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Italy|31|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=December 4, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|31|date=2015-07-30|rowheader=true|access-date=July 24, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|73|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=August 29, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|20|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=July 28, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Poland|7|year=2015|chartid=1773|access-date=19 October 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| Poland (Polish Airplay New){{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/pozostale/archiwum.php?year=2015&typ=nowosci&idlisty=1711#title|title=Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video|publisher=Polish Airplay New|access-date=7 August 2015|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623163502/http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/pozostale/archiwum.php?year=2015&typ=nowosci&idlisty=1711#title|url-status=dead}}
| align=center| 1 |
| scope="row"| Poland (Video Chart){{cite web|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/pozostale/archiwum.php?year=2015&typ=tv&idlisty=1776#title|title=Top 5 Airplay TV|publisher=ZPAV|work=Polish Video Chart |access-date=6 February 2017}}
| align=center| 5 |
| {{single chart|Scotland|93|date=2015-07-30|rowheader=true|access-date=July 24, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakia|50|year=2016|week=7|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|53|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley|song=Powerful|access-date=September 20, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UKindependent|3|date=2015-08-13|rowheader=true|access-date=August 7, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|UK|54|date=2015-08-07|rowheader=true|access-date=August 7, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|83|artist=Major Lazer|rowheader=true|access-date=October 20, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|22|artist=Major Lazer|rowheader=true|access-date=October 20, 2015}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceelectronic|5|artist=Major Lazer|rowheader=true|access-date=September 8, 2015}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|access-date=July 2, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Major Lazer|title=Powerful|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|type=single|id=5093|access-date=November 21, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|artist=Major Lazer|title=Powerful|award=Platinum|certyear=2016|certweek=11|region=Italy|relyear=2015|type=single|id=3395|access-date=March 22, 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding And Tarrus Riley|title=Powerful|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|source=radioscope|access-date=February 2, 2025|type=single}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Major Lazer|title=Powerful|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2021|id=17395-5672-1|access-date=October 10, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Major Lazer|title=Powerful|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|access-date=June 26, 2019|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of release dates, showing region, formats, label and reference |
| scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| United States
| September 1, 2015 | {{hlist|Mad Decent|Interscope}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|o6b9JpBFjd4|"Powerful"}}
{{Major Lazer}}
{{Ellie Goulding}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Diplo