Collide (Leona Lewis and Avicii song)



"Collide" is a song recorded by British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis for her upcoming third studio album, Glassheart (2012). It was written by Arash Pournouri, Autumn Rowe, Sandy Wilhelm, Simon Jeffes and Tim Berg, with production helmed by Wilhelm under his production name Sandy Vee, and Youngboyz. It features Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, and sampleshis instrumental dance track "Penguin". Upon the release of "Collide", Avicii claimed that Lewis and her record label, Syco, had sampled his song without his authorisation, and accused them of plagiarism. Before the lawsuit was filed by Avicii and his record label reach the high court, Syco announced that the song would be a joint release between Lewis and Avicii, and that he would be credited as a featured artist.



The song premiered in the United Kingdom on 15 July 2011, and was released to Australian radio on 22 August 2011. On 2 September 2011, "Collide" was released to download digitally via iTunes as part of a collection of the original song as well as remixes by Afrojack, Cahill, Alex Gaudino and Jason Rooney, in Austria, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. In Germany, the song was released as a CD single on 16 September 2011. It is a house inspired love song, andinstrumentation consists of piano riffs and a guitar.

"Collide" received a mixed reaction from music critics. Some were complimentary of Lewis's vocal performance and compared it to Katy Perry's song "Firework", whilst others were critical of its musical structure. The song achieved commercial success, and peaked inside the top five of the singles charts in Ireland, Scotland and the United Kingdom. It also peaked at number one on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. As part of promotion for the song, an accompanying music video was shot on a beach in Malibu, California and directed by Ethan Ladder. Lewis also performed the song on the game show Red or Black? and at London nightclub G-A-Y, along with other songs. At the 2012 Grammy Awards, the Afrojack remix was nominated for Best Remixed Recording.

Background and release
"Collide" was written by Arash Pournouri, Autumn Rowe, Sandy Wilhelm, Simon Jeffes and Tim Berg , with production of the song helmed by Wilhelm (under his production name Sandy Vee ) and Youngboyz. [1] On 14 July 2011, Lewis announced via her official Twitter account that the song would premiere in the United Kingdom on the The Scott Mills Show radio talk show the following day on 15 July, saying "So excited to let u know to tune into Scott Mills show on Radio One tomorrow for the worldwide exclusive play of my summer single 'Collide' (sic)." [2] [3] With regard to the song, Lewis spoke about "Collide" and why she chose to release it as the lead single, saying "Im excited for people to see a different side to my music. I'm a fan of so many different genres and styles. For me this song has all the great ingredients of a summer anthem. I can't wait for my fans to hear it and to share the rest of the album." [3]

"Collide" was released to Australian mainstream radio on 22 August 2011.[4] On 2 September 2011, "Collide" was released to download digitally via iTunes as part of a collection of the original song as well as remixes by Afrojack, Cahill,Alex Gaudino and Jason Rooney, in Austria, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.[5] In Germany, the song was released as a CD single on 16 September 2011.[6]

Lyrics
I’ll pick you up when you’re down Be there when no one’s around When you’re in unfamiliar places Count on me through life’s changes

I’m in tune with how you feel Everything bout this is real When you’re in unfamiliar places Count on me through life’s changes

You’re all I want, yeah yeah I know you’re the one, yeah You’re all I want, yeah I know you’re the one, yeah

Crash into me At full speed Crash into me We can collide, we can collide

Crash into me At full speed We can collide, we can collide We can collide, we can collide

Crash into me We can collide, we can collide We can collide, we can collide

When you’re in unfamiliar places Count on me through life’s changes

Know that you’re never alone In me you can find a home When you’re in unfamiliar places Count on me through life’s changes

You’re all I want, yeah (yeah) You’re all I want (oh), yeah (yeah yeah) You’re all I want, yeah (you are the one) I know you’re the one, yeah (you are)

Crash into me At full speed We can collide, we can collide We can collide, we can collide

Crash into me We can collide, we can collide We can collide, we can collide

We can collide, we can collide We can collide, we can collide

Composition and lyrics
The song was composed in the key of F minor using common time and a groove of 128 beats per minute.[13] According to Michael Cragg for The Guardian, the song is built upon a "pounding beat" which incorporates elements house.[14] Instrumentation is provided by a piano riffs and a guitar.[13] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-GuardianReview_13-1" style="line-height:1em;">[14] Lewis's vocal range in the song spans over an octave, from the low note of G♯<sub style="line-height:1em;">3 to the high note of E♭<sub style="line-height:1em;">5, on the song.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Digital_Sheet_Music.2C_Leona_Lewis_Collide_12-2" style="line-height:1em;">[13] Lewis makes use of harmonies throughout the duration of the song.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-0" style="line-height:1em;">[15]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">Amy Sciarretto for Popcrush noted that Lewis appeared to be restraining her vocals on the song, writing "Lewis exercising incredible restraint, as she doesn’t let her remarkable, room-filling, enviable voice soar like we are used to."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-1" style="line-height:1em;">[15] Sciarretto continued to note that towards the end of the song, the singer does not show any restraint, and that it is a common device used in song production as it allows the singer to build tension.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-2" style="line-height:1em;">[15] Lyrically, "Collide" is a love song, in which Lewis sings "I'll pick you up when you are down / Be there when no one's around / I'm in tune with how you feel / Everything bout this is real / When you're in the familiar places / Count on me through life's changes."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-3" style="line-height:1em;">[15] Sciarretto also noted that it is when Lewis performs the lyric "Crash into me / At full speed," that she allows herself to not hold back in her vocal performance, and delivers it with "power and breadth".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-4" style="line-height:1em;">[15]

Critical reception
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;"> Amy Sciarretto for Popcrush was complimentary of Lewis's vocals, writing that she sounds "appealing and captivating," and continued to say that it is what her fans have been waiting for. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-5" style="line-height:1em;">[15] Sciarretto gave "Collide" a rating of three out of a possible five stars. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Popcrush_14-6" style="line-height:1em;">[15] Lewis Corner for Digital Spy praised the song, writing that Lewis combined her ability to deliver power ballad lyrics into a dance orientated song. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Corner_15-0" style="line-height:1em;">[16] Corner compared the song to Katy Perry 's " Firework ", also produced by Sandy Vee; however, Corner noted that Lewis performs "Collide" in a way which distances the comparison. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Corner_15-1" style="line-height:1em;">[16] Katherine St. Asaph for Popdust was critical of the song. Whilst she noted that Lewis was venturing into dance music, where artists such as David Guetta and Kylie Minogue have experienced great success, and that Lewis has an iconic voice compared to both, she felt that the delivery still lacked. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-PopdustReview_16-0" style="line-height:1em;">[17] St. Asaph wrote "The lethargic, two-note verses make her voice sound less husky than bored, an emotion that a comeback single should never evoke." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-PopdustReview_16-1" style="line-height:1em;">[17] Michael Cragg for The Guardian felt that the song seemed to build and drop at the wrong times, and that its structure was not cohesive. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-GuardianReview_13-2" style="line-height:1em;">[14] Cragg continued to say that Lewis does a "passable job as a dance diva," and noted the resemblances between "Collide" and "Penguin". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-GuardianReview_13-3" style="line-height:1em;">[14]

Chart performance
<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">"Collide" made its first chart appearance in the United States, where it debuted on the Hot Dance Club Songs<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> at number 32 for the week of 20 August 2011. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USDanceDebut_18-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[19] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The following week, an increase in club plays ascended the song to number 22, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USDanceSecond_19-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[20] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> and to number 16 in its third week. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USDanceThird_20-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[21] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> It ascended into the top ten for the week of 17 September 2011, at number six. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USDanceFifth_21-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[22] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> In its seventh week, "Collide" peaked at number one on 1 October 2011, and was awarded with the Greatest Gainer honour for that week. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USDanceSeventh_22-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[23] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The song became Lewis's first number one song on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart and only her second song to do so; the first was " Bleeding Love<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">" in May 2008, which peaked at number 11. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[24] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> "Collide" charted at number 46 on Billboard<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;padding-left:0.1em;">' <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">s Hot Dance Club Play songs year-end list. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USYearEnd_24-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[25] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> In Ireland, "Collide" debuted at number three on 8 September 2011, <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IrishDebut_25-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[26] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> and remained in the top ten in its second week, where it charted at number eight. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IrishSecond_26-0" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[27] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">"Collide" was the highest new entry on the Irish Singles Chart<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> for that week. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1em;">[28]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;">In Belgium (Flanders), the song peaked at number 13 on 9 September 2011, and remained on that countries singles chart for one month.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BelgiumCharts_28-0" style="line-height:1em;">[29] It also peaked at number six on Belgium's dance chart on 1 October 2011; it remained on the chart for 10 weeks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BelgiumCharts_28-1" style="line-height:1em;">[29] In the United Kingdom, "Collide" debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart on 17 September 2011.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UKDebut_29-0" style="line-height:1em;">[30] The following week, it fell to number 10,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UKSecond_30-0" style="line-height:1em;">[31] and again to number 18 in its third week.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UKThird_31-0" style="line-height:1em;">[32] The song debuted on the UK Singles Download Chart at number five.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UKDigitalDebut_32-0" style="line-height:1em;">[33] In Scotland, the song debuted at number four on 17 September 2011,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ScotDebut_33-0" style="line-height:1em;">[34] and fell by one position to number five the following week.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ScotSecond_34-0" style="line-height:1em;">[35] In Austria, "Collide" debuted at number 29 on 23 September 2011, and remained on the chart for an additional two weeks.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-AustrianCharts_35-0" style="line-height:1em;">[36]

Music video
<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.196969985961914px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;"> "Collide " 's accompanying music video was directed by Ethan Ladder, and filmed on a beach in Malibu, California. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Casting_36-0" style="line-height:1em;">[37] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Premiere_37-0" style="line-height:1em;">[38] The treatment for the video was described as "a beautiful cinematic piece that will showcase the natural beauty of Leona Lewis. It will be inviting, sexy, and organic. It will be a moving fashion spread. It’s about finding the beauty in the subtleties of life. We are looking for beautiful men and women to help set the tone for this video. These people need to match Leona’s vibe and need to be able to have fun." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Casting_36-1" style="line-height:1em;">[37] It was also noted that models applying to be in the video should have an Abercrombie & Fitch style about them, and that "small tatoos" were acceptable. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Casting_36-2" style="line-height:1em;">[37] For the most part of the video, Lewis is featured on a beach in a variety of different settings, such as sitting in an old cabriolet car, in which she is surrounded by her friends. Sitting in the car, Lewis wears a polka dot bikini top. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-RapUpVideo_38-0" style="line-height:1em;">[39] Other scenes include Lewis standing in the shallow part of the ocean by herself, as well as sitting around a fire on the beach. As the video progresses, it changes from daytime to nighttime. Ryan Love of Digital Spy praised the video, saying "[the video] sees Lewis show off a new look while chilling with friends throughout the day and into the night." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Premiere_37-1" style="line-height:1em;">[38] Robbie Daw for Idolator compared the "party in the sand imagery" to Katy Perry's music video for " Teenage Dream ". <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IdolatorVideo_39-0" style="line-height:1em;">[40]

Live performances
<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">Lewis performed "Collide" for the first time on the first episode of game show Red or Black?<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Premiere_37-2" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[38] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-G.A.Y_40-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[41] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The same night, after performing on Red or Black?<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, Lewis performed "Collide" as part of a mini set-list<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> at London nightclub G-A-Y<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-G.A.Y_40-1" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[41] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> The performance featured Lewis performing a "raunchy" dance routine with partially nude male dancers. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSunGAY_41-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[42] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Lewis wore a black knee length dress, with a red heart emblem across her chest. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSunGAY_41-1" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[42] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Nadia Sam-Dalir for The Sun<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> wrote that the singer had "dumped her demure image" in favour of "her raunchiest-ever dance routine surrounded by muscly bare-chested hunks." <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-TheSunGAY_41-2" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[42] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> Lewis performed "Collide" at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> on 24 May 2012. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hackney_42-0" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[43] <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;"> She performed the song as part of a set list with a cover of Diddy – Dirty Money<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">'s " Coming Home<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">", who she was joined on stage with by Wretch 32<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, " Better in Time<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">", "Come Alive", a new song which she premiered from Glassheart<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">, " Bleeding Love<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">" and " Run<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:12.727272033691406px;line-height:19.196969985961914px;">", who she was joined on stage with by the Hackney Community Choir. <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hackney_42-1" style="line-height:1em;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">[43]

Video




Track listings

 * Digital EP<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UKDDRelease_43-0" style="line-height:1em;">[44]
 * 1) "Collide" (Radio Edit) - 3:59
 * 2) "Collide" (Extended Version) - 6:47
 * 3) "Collide" (Afrojack Remix) - 5:53
 * 4) "Collide" (Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney Remix) - 7:37
 * 5) "Collide" (Cahill Remix) - 6:18
 * 1) "Collide" (Cahill Remix) - 6:18