Like This (Kelly Rowland song)

"Like This" is a song by American singer Kelly Rowland, featuring vocals by rapper Eve. Recorded late into the production of Rowland's second solo album ''Ms. Kelly'' (2007), the song was released on March 13, 2007, as the lead single from the album. The artists co-wrote the song with its producers Sean Garrett, Polow da Don, Blac Elvis, and Jason Perry, with additional production from S-Dot. "Like This" is a R&B song, with its lyrics referring to a woman growing out of a past relationship.

The song received generally positive critical reviews. Upon its release, the song became Rowland's highest-charting solo success since her 2002 single " Stole", reaching the top-ten in Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as the top-twenty in Australia and New Zealand and number 30 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. In addition, it became Rowland's first single to peak at the top position on the US '' Billboard'' Hot Dance Club Play chart. An accompanying music video was directed by Mike Ruiz and filmed in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California in mid-March 2007.

Writing and recording

"Like This" was written by Sean Garrett, Polow da Don, Blac Elvis, Jason Perry, Rowland, and rapper Eve Jeffers. The song was one of the last songs on the ''Ms. Kelly'' album that Rowland and Garrett started working on in mid-September 2006 after the cancellation of ''My Story'', the album's original version. Conceived around an instrumental track from da Don, Rowland declared "Like This" the perfect example of what attitude she exactly had on her mind when creating the revamped version the album, telling '' MTV News'' in 2007: "Polow already had this hot track. I loved the sound of the cowbell; it was so different! Sean and I started writing and he said 'Kelly this is your first single'." Happy about finally running "into that song that definitely sticks out" after many months recording, Rowland eventually took a break from recording.

Initially titled "Wooo!" and "Bump like This", Rowland resumed recording weeks later after she had approached Eve to appear on the song. "I just heard Eve on this song", she recalled. "I knew her energy belonged on the song and, just like that, it all came together. Then I knew: This was the single ..and it turned out he eanwas right." Garrett further elaoborated in an interview with MTV: "It's a great combination of her thoughts and her feel on the type of music that she likes to do. It's a cross between something in a club and on mainstream radio. We're just trying to stay a step ahead of what's going on." Alongside Polow da Don, Garrett, S-Dot, and Elvis received co-producer credits on "Like This". Vocal production was helmed by Rowland and Max Gousse, while mixing was handled Jean Marie Horvat, with Colin Miller serving as assistant.

Critical reception

"Like This" received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Spence D. of media website IGN observed that "Rowland's playfully serious stance is exposed on the jump off track, which surges to a Polow the Don groove that is slinky and invigorating. Toss in a little cameo from Eve and you've got one of those sizzling summertime mid-tempo jammies that'll appeal to even the most sullen of R&B pop fans." BBC
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