"Lake by the Ocean" is a song recorded by American
R&B singer
Maxwell, for his fifth studio album, ''
blackSUMMERS'night
''BLACKsummers'night'' is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Maxwell, released July 7, 2009 on Columbia Records. It is the follow-up to his third album ''Now'' (2001). Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to ...
'' (2016).
Written and produced by MUSZE (Maxwell) and Hod David, the single was released April 7, 2016 by
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...
as the first single from the album. Maxwell debuted the song, alongside "Rose", on February 14, 2016 at the
Barclays Center
Barclays Center is a multi-purpose list of indoor arenas, indoor arena in the New York City Boroughs of New York City, borough of Brooklyn. The arena is home to the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association and the New York Liberty o ...
. "Lake by the Ocean" won the
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song
The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (sometimes known as the R&B Songwriter's Award) has been awarded since 1969. From 1969 to 2000, it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song. Beyoncé has won it a record four times, while Bab ...
at the
59th Annual Grammy Awards
The 59th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on February 12, 2017. The CBS network broadcast the show live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The ceremony recognized the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, ...
.
Background and composition
After a seven-year hiatus, including delayed release dates and cancelled tours due to a medical issue, Maxwell's first single from the second installment of his trilogy ''BLACKSUMMERS'NIGHT'' was released April 8, 2016. "Lake By the Ocean" is a song released after being described as "several years" in the making. The artist expressed, with regards to the single's delayed release, that people did not have ill feelings towards him. Additionally, Maxwell shared that the song's original composition was "much slower" and that he wanted people to know that the songs that he wrote and recorded were of his "real life", in an interview with Kevin O'Donnell for ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cul ...
''.
Reception
"Lake by the Ocean" has been reviewed positively by music critics. Ryan Reed of ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' praised Maxwell's "crooning" ability, usage of a "sweet falsetto" during the song's bridge and additionally, applauded Maxwell's layered harmonies. The same magazine named "Lake by the Ocean" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016: "After a seven-year hiatus, Maxwell returned with a song that turned smooth romance and sweet nothings into a Bob Ross painting, lyrically manifesting landscapes to reflect the cleansing of a relationship. In the end, he created the year's most mature love song." Brittany Williams of
The Arkansas Traveler Arkansas Traveler or Arkansas Traveller may refer to:
* Arkansas Traveler (folklore), a figure of 19th-century American folklore said to have originated with Sandford C. Faulkner
Music
* ''Arkansas Traveler'' (Michelle Shocked album), album
*' ...
noted that "Maxwell relishes in refined youthful aesthetics ... with punchy vocals and non-traditional phrasing". Additionally, his "straightforward, soulful vocals" were described as "the cherry and sprinkles on the eclectic sundae". Splashes of falsetto and quick pauses add that extra flavor to “Lake by the Ocean.” The single has reached number 50 on the US
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...
chart
and debuted on component charts of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 16 on the US
R&B Songs
Hot R&B Songs is a chart released weekly by ''Billboard'' in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular R&B songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations, digital download sales and streaming data. It was establish ...
chart and has peaked at number five on the US
Adult R&B chart.
Music video
Shot on location in Haiti, the music video for "Lake by the Ocean" was released on May 26, 2016. The music video was directed by
Philip Andelman
Philip Andelman is an American music video director and photographer. Andelman has directed music videos for many notable artists, see below. He has received nominations for his works from the MVPA, VMAs, and CMT awards including MVPA Director ...
, who worked with Maxwell to visually depict a world "in need of water" where "two clandestine lovers meet with liquid dreams; one being the bare-boned need for clean water, and another, the performer, who wants to be lost in the watery worlds of love and devotion."
Live performances
On May 4, 2016, in promotion of "Lake by the Ocean", Maxwell performed a live version of the single on ''
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
''The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'' is an American late-night news and liberal political satire talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. Produced by Spartina Productions and CBS Studios, it is the second it ...
''. In support of the second installment of his BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT trilogy, the artist announced a 30 date tour across North America and Asia.
Charts
References
External links
www.musze.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lake By the Ocean (Maxwell Song)
2016 singles
Maxwell (musician) songs
Songs written by Maxwell (musician)
2016 songs
Columbia Records singles
Music videos directed by Philip Andelman