The Cosmic Dance of Love: Delving into Dua Lipa’s Levitating Lyrics and its Celestial Journey
by Alex Harris
1st November, 2023
Introduction
Dua Lipa’s Levitating has transcended earthly bounds to capture hearts globally. With its catchy beats and whimsical lyrics, it has become a modern-day anthem of love and excitement. This article explores the captivating narrative behind Levitating, its lyrical realm, melody, and the whirlwind of experiences it has traversed post-release, including soaring to chart zeniths and facing legal storms.
Genesis
Levitating is the seventh track in Dua Lipa’s sophomore album, Future Nostalgia, released on March 27, 2020. The song was written by Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, and Koz, who produced the song with Stuart Price. The song stemmed from a Roland VP-330 synthesizer sample played by Koz. The track was reinvigorated with a remix featuring DaBaby, catapulting its appeal across diverse musical landscapes. The remix made a notable entry at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the chart week of October 17, 2020, climbing steadily to peak at #2 by the week ending May 22, 2021.
The Lyrics
The poetic finesse of Dua Lipa’s Levitating lyrics paints a love narrative filled with cosmic allure and earthly desire. The opening verse entices with a promise of a celestial escapade, setting the stage for a love that’s playful, spontaneous, and boundless. The chorus, “I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight, I need you all night, come on, dance with me, I’m levitating,” encapsulates the euphoria of love that defies gravity. The song also features some faux-rapping reminiscent of Blondie’s 1981 song Rapture. According to Lipa, the song is about having fun and meeting someone and falling in love and thinking, “You’ve probably met me at the perfect time, let’s just go for it“. She added that it’s the feeling when love makes you feel like you’re levitating and that it’s otherworldly.
The Beat
The rhythmic charm of Levitating is a masterful creation by Stuart Price and KOZ. The beat, often humorously said to “have crack in it,” mirrors the euphoric pulse of new love, making it a celebratory anthem that resonates with listeners far and wide. The song is an electro-disco and nu-disco song with several disco tropes. It incorporates elements of dance-pop, pop-funk, power pop and space rock, as well as 1970s, 1980s and 1990s pop and R&B styles. The song clocks in at 103 BPM, the same heart-thumpin’ rhythm as the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive.
The Visuals
The official music video for Levitating by Dua Lipa featuring DaBaby extends the cosmic narrative with cosmic narrative of vivid imagery and whimsical theme aligned with celestial love and excitement. It begins with Dua Lipa transitioning from a night scene to a futuristic setting via a portal of light. In a disco and Great Gatsby-themed elevator, she dances with bellhops, later joined by DaBaby.
The video, rich in art deco aesthetics and 1960s futurism, also features contributions from fans through a TikTok contest, adding elements of cosmic dance and makeup. Directed by Warren Fu and released on October 1, 2020, it’s a vibrant blend of retro-futuristic visuals and playful dance sequences, culminating in an engaging, star-studded narrative.
An alternate animated version by NOSTALOOK further explores the song’s celestial narrative in a retro anime style.
Record-breaking Streak
The meteoric rise of Levitating didn’t halt at the charts. Marking its 70th week on the Hot 100 chart by the week ending March 19, 2022, it shattered records by becoming the longest-charting song by a lead female artist in the chart’s history, a testament to its enduring appeal.
Legal Tempest
Despite its astronomical success, Levitating navigated through turbulent waters when Dua Lipa faced a lawsuit concerning a sample used in the song. The legal action claimed that Lipa had used a talk box sample from Bosko’s “Bright Starz” without permission or credit. The lawsuit sought more than $20 million in damages. The legal scrutiny opened discussions around the creative boundaries in music, adding a complex layer to the song’s legacy.
Dua Lipa’s Reflection
Dua Lipa’s reflection on Levitating’s success reveals her heartfelt appreciation for the global embrace of her musical creation. The song’s remarkable journey, amidst the backdrop of a pandemic, speaks volumes about its unique connect with listeners. She said that the song was inspired by her childhood influences, such as Jamiroquai, Prince, and Blondie. She also said that she wanted to touch on her British side as well on the song.
Conclusion
Levitating by Dua Lipa is more than a chart-topping hit; it’s a cultural phenomenon that celebrates the fervor of love through a celestial lens. With each beat, lyric, and visual element, Levitating has managed to encapsulate the exhilaration of love, making it a timeless ode to the euphoria that companionship can foster. Its journey from the studio to the stars, with a detour through legal corridors, reflects the multi-dimensional saga that popular music often traverses.
You might also like: