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"Last Dance" is a song by English-Albanian singer Dua Lipa from her eponymous debut studio album (2017). The song was written by Lipa,
Talay Riley Talay Riley is a British singer-songwriter. Career At the age of 18, Talay Riley signed his first major publishing deal with Global Publishing. His first appearance was in 2009, when he appeared on rapper Chipmunk's single which peaked at num ...
and its producer Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk. The song was released for digital download and streaming on 9February 2016 through Dua Lipa Limited, after having premiered on
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, ...
a day earlier. It is a
chillwave Chillwave (originally considered synonymous with glo-fi and hypnagogic pop) is a music microgenre that emerged in the late 2000s. It loosely emulates 1980s electropop while engaging with notions of memory and nostalgia. Common features includ ...
,
dance-pop Dance-pop is a popular music subgenre that originated in the late 1970s to early 1980s. It is generally uptempo music intended for nightclubs with the intention of being danceable but also suitable for contemporary hit radio. Developing from a ...
and post-EDM song that features a
contemporary Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from approximately 1945 to the present. Contemporary history is either a subset of the late modern period, or it is ...
dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
-heavy production. Lipa was inspired by being tired and homesick, and lyrically, she sings about a relationship that could crash at any second. "Last Dance" received acclaim from music critics, with many praising Lipa's vocals. The song peaked at number four on ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
''s Twitter Emerging Artists chart. An accompanying music video premiered via YouTube on 18February 2016. It was directed and produced by both Jon Brewer and Ian Blair, and was filmed in California's rainforests. The song appeared in an advert for Lipa's campaign with Jaguar and was promoted by her with numerous live performances in 2016, mainly on her Hotter than Hell Tour.


Background and composition

"Last Dance" was written by Dua Lipa,
Talay Riley Talay Riley is a British singer-songwriter. Career At the age of 18, Talay Riley signed his first major publishing deal with Global Publishing. His first appearance was in 2009, when he appeared on rapper Chipmunk's single which peaked at num ...
and Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk, with the latter of the three solely handling production. They wrote the song in October 2014 during the singer's first trip to Toronto, after she had many failed writing sessions attempting to recreate the sound of " Hotter than Hell" (2016). It was her third writing session in a day and Lipa decided to write about the fact that she was tired and homesick. Lipa recalled writing the song as "a very honest moment," being able to capture her feelings in that exact moment. She went on to say that every time she listens to the song, Lipa recalls that moment. After leaving the session, Lipa was unsure about the song, though after hearing the finished version, she fell in love with it. Lipa stated that it is the sound she wanted her album to have and is the song she would take to producers and say "this is my sound." "Last Dance" was recorded at KasaKoz Studios in Toronto while the vocals were recorded at TaP Studio / Strongroom 7 in London. Mixing took place at BabelFish Studios by Matty Green and the song was mastered by John Davis at
Metropolis Studios Metropolis Studios is a music production and entertainment industry company established in 1989 by Gary Langan, Carey Taylor and Karin Clayton.Donald Brackett It is located in the Powerhouse, a Grade II listed building, at 70 Chiswick High ...
in London. Musically, "Last Dance" is a
chillwave Chillwave (originally considered synonymous with glo-fi and hypnagogic pop) is a music microgenre that emerged in the late 2000s. It loosely emulates 1980s electropop while engaging with notions of memory and nostalgia. Common features includ ...
,
dance-pop Dance-pop is a popular music subgenre that originated in the late 1970s to early 1980s. It is generally uptempo music intended for nightclubs with the intention of being danceable but also suitable for contemporary hit radio. Developing from a ...
and post-EDM song. It runs for 3 minutes and 48 seconds, and follows a structure of
verse Verse may refer to: Poetry * Verse, an occasional synonym for poetry * Verse, a metrical structure, a stanza * Blank verse, a type of poetry having regular meter but no rhyme * Free verse, a type of poetry written without the use of strict me ...
, bridge,
chorus Chorus may refer to: Music * Chorus (song) or refrain, line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse * Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound * Chorus form, song in which all verse ...
, verse, bridge, chorus, middle eight, breakdown. The song is composed in time and the
key Key or The Key may refer to: Common meanings * Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm * Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock * Key (ma ...
of
A minor A minor is a minor scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has no flats and no sharps. Its relative major is C major and its parallel major is A major. The A natural minor scale is: : Changes nee ...
, with a driving beat tempo of 120 beats per minute and a chord progression of F(add2)–Am–C/G. Lipa's vocals span from the low note of A3 to the high note of D5, showing a sense of urgency with them and using looped vocals. The track begins slowly, with Lipa vocally whispering. It builds up to where Lipa is enunciating every lyric. The
chorus Chorus may refer to: Music * Chorus (song) or refrain, line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse * Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound * Chorus form, song in which all verse ...
is mostly instrumental, featuring
electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic co ...
sounds and a
dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...
beat. The middle eight contains a breakdown, where Lipa vocally hits her high notes. The track has a
contemporary Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from approximately 1945 to the present. Contemporary history is either a subset of the late modern period, or it is ...
dance-heavy, tribal and glitchy production with house synth chords and a
bassline Bassline (also known as a bass line or bass part) is the term used in many styles of music, such as blues, jazz, funk, dub and electronic, traditional, or classical music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played (in jazz and some ...
rumble. Lyrically, the song contains Tumblr-inspired lyrics about an intense relationship that could crash at any second.


Release and promotion

In October 2015, Lipa revealed that the song would be released in January of the following year. "Last Dance" premiered on 8February 2016 via
Annie Mac Annie Mac (born 18 July 1978), is an Irish DJ, broadcaster and writer. She hosted a variety of shows on BBC Radio 1, including BBC Switch and ''Future Sounds''. She also DJed in various locations, including hosting her AMP (Annie Mac Presents) ...
's
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including electronica, dance, ...
show. The song was released for digital download and streaming the following day through Lipa's independent record label, Dua Lipa Limited, as the third
single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...
from her eponymous debut studio album. It first appeared as the third track on the Austrian, German, and Swiss-exclusive
extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.
(EP) for the singer's previous single " Be the One", released on 19February 2016.Citations regarding the "Be the One" digital EP release: * * * The song was included as the
B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record company ...
of the
CD single A CD single (sometimes abbreviated to CDS) is a music single in the form of a compact disc. The standard in the Red Book for the term ''CD single'' is an 8 cm (3-inch) CD (or Mini CD). It now refers to any single recorded onto a CD of any s ...
for "Be the One" which was released on 11March 2016. Remixes by Coucheron and Stefan Ponce were released on 25March 2016. The song was intended to be the second track on the album but was ultimately removed from the standard track listing and included as the closing track on the deluxe edition, released 2June 2017. However, it appears as the second track on the Austrian, German and Swiss version of the album. In2018, the song was included in an advert for Lipa's campaign with Jaguar, titled "Join The Pace". Lipa performed "Last Dance" for the first time on 13January 2016 at the
Eurosonic Eurosonic Noorderslag is an annual four-day music showcase festival and conference held in January in Groningen, Netherlands. The first three days of the festival (Eurosonic) feature artists from all over Europe, the last day of the festival (No ...
festival. It was also included on the set list for Lipa's Hotter than Hell Tour (2016). Lipa performed the song in 2016 during her
MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...
push artist live performance. She also performed the song for her MTV Setlist show on 20November 2016 at the Iridium in New York City.


Music video

The music video for "Last Dance" was directed and produced by Jon Brewer alongside Ian Blair, while edited by Jackson Ducasse. It premiered to YouTube on 18February 2016. The visual was filmed during December 2015 in the rainforests of California, with Lipa recalling that it was really cold in the state. It opens with Lipa in a red-lit bathroom, going into a bath and coming out of a lake in a technicoloured rainforest. She then begins to run and dance in the forest, wearing a T-shirt dress. In another scene, Lipa is seen wearing a black bra and mesh pants. At multiple points, the visuals flicker into 3D territory. Lipa is also seen dancing with her hands up in a looped fragment, as well as making an eagle hand gesture for nodding to her Kosovan heritage.


Reception

"Last Dance" was met with acclaim from music critics. Kim Taylor Bennett of ''
Vice A vice is a practice, behaviour, or habit generally considered immoral, sinful, criminal, rude, taboo, depraved, degrading, deviant or perverted in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character tr ...
'' compared the song to the works of Rihanna, calling it "ballsy" and "beautiful." She went on to praise Lipa's vocal flexibility, writing her voice is "powerful one minute and a magnetically vulnerable the next." Writing for ''Pulse Media'', Jessica Boyle also compared the song to Rihanna and categorized the lyrics as "standalone," and Lipa's voice as "smokey." She concluded that it would sound nice with a club remix. In ''
The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is considered a newspaper ...
'', Ailbhe Malone praised the song's production and lyrics mix, while comparing the breakdown in the middle eight to
Cashmere Cat Magnus August Høiberg (born 29 November 1987), known professionally as Cashmere Cat, is a Norwegian DJ, record producer, songwriter and musician. He is best known for producing songs for artists including Kanye West, The Kid Laroi, Selena Gomez ...
. ''
Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including Condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to North and ...
''s Justin McCraw commended Lipa's vocals but also said that it is not "vocally adventurous". He concluded by stating the song "is worth getting hurt over". William Defebaugh of '' V'' noted that the song highlights Lipa's "strong, sultry vocals" and "savy song-writing skills". '' Idolator''s Bianca Gracie called "Last Dance" a "flirty
une Une is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Eastern Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. The urban centre is located at an altitude of at a distance of from the capital Bogotá. The municipality borders Chipaque in the nort ...
that will "immediately hit you at your waistline," courtesy of Lipa's "sultry and bold" vocals. She went on to call the production "fluttering" and the song as a whole a "solid future festival staple." For ''A Bit of Pop Music'', Michiel Vos praised Lipa's vocal abilities and compared the chorus to
Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Bieber is recognized for his genre-melding musicianship and has played an influential role in modern-day popular music. He was discovered by American record executive Scooter B ...
's ''
Purpose Purpose is the end for which something is done, created or for which it exists. It is part of the topic of intentionality and goal-seeking behavior. Related concepts and subjects: * Goal, a desired result or possible outcome * Intention, the state ...
'' (2015), and
Major Lazer Major Lazer is an American electronic dance music DJ trio, which includes record producer Diplo, and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums. It originates from Kingston, Jamaica, and was founded in 2008 by Diplo and Switch, with Switch leaving afte ...
. Sebas E. Alonso of ''Jenesaispop'' also compared the song to the music of Major Lazer, while '' The 405''s Sean Ward called it "thrilling." For '' Clash'', Robin Murray called the track "gorgeous" and "infectious," with "innate energy" and a "real
pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop!, a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Albums * ''Pop'' ( ...
intelligence." "Last Dance" peaked at number four on the US ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' Twitter Emerging Artists chart, lasting for seven weeks on the chart.


Track listings

*Digital download and streaming # "Last Dance" – 3:48 *Digital download and streaming – remixes # "Last Dance" (Stefan Ponce remix) – 4:57 # "Last Dance" (Coucheron remix) – 3:02


Personnel

* Dua Lipa vocals * Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk production, keyboards, programming, backing vocals *
Talay Riley Talay Riley is a British singer-songwriter. Career At the age of 18, Talay Riley signed his first major publishing deal with Global Publishing. His first appearance was in 2009, when he appeared on rapper Chipmunk's single which peaked at num ...
backing vocals * Matt Vlahovich additional keyboards * Michael Sonnier engineering assistance * Matty Green mixing * John Davis mastering


Certifications


Release history


Footnotes


References


External links

* *
Lyrics of this song
at
MetroLyrics MetroLyrics was a website dedicated to song lyrics. It was founded in December 2002, and its database contained over one million songs by over 16,000 artists. Unlike other lyric websites, MetroLyrics places a warning on songs that contain expli ...
{{Authority control 2016 singles 2016 songs Chillwave Dua Lipa songs Songs written by Talay Riley Songs written by Dua Lipa Songs written by Stephen Kozmeniuk