Already (Beyoncé song)
"Already" (stylized in uppercase)[1] is a song by American singer Beyoncé featuring Ghanaian singer Shatta Wale and Jamaican-American trio Major Lazer from the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift[2] and featured in the 2020 film Black Is King.[3]
"Already" | |
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Song by Beyoncé featuring Shatta Wale and Major Lazer | |
from the album The Lion King: The Gift | |
Released | July 19, 2019 |
Genre |
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Length | 3:43 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
Release
"Already" was written by Beyoncé, Starrah, Nii Armah Mensah, Picard Brothers Ronald Banful and Diplo, with Beyoncé, Diplo and Picard Brothers producing the song respectively.[1]
"Already" was originally released as a track in 2019's The Lion King: The Gift, a soundtrack album curated by Beyoncé for the 2019 photorealistic animated remake of The Lion King. It was then featured in Black Is King, a visual counterpart and television film for the album, released on Disney Plus on July 31, 2020. Its music video was uploaded separately to YouTube and Instagram a few hours prior to the film's release.[3]
Composition and lyrical interpretation
Craig Jenkins of Vulture described the song as a "tune about remembering your roots" and suggested that the song pertains to when a "lost and dethroned Simba [from 2019's The Lion King] is forced to come to terms with his legacy.[4] Jon Pareles of The New York Times stated that "Already" acted as a "springboard" for "[the 2019 Lion King's] plot points" alongside "Keys to the Kingdom" and "Scar", songs also featured on The Lion King: The Gift.[5] Matthew Meadow of Your EDM described Beyoncé's vocals on "Already" as "flawlessly smooth",[6] whereas Devki Nehra of Firstpost described the song as "reggae-heavy."[7]
Music video
Charts
Chart (2019–2020) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[8] | 95 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 36 |
World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[10] | 2 |
Lyricfind U.S. (Billboard)[11] | 4 |
R&B Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[12] | 3 |
Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[13] | 22 |
R&B Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[14] | 13 |
R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[15] | 9 |
Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[16] | 50 |
References
- "The Lion King: The Gift / Beyoncé". Tidal. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "The Lion King: The Gift / Beyoncé". 8o8wave. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "Beyoncé Drops Vibrant 'Already' Video Ahead of 'Black Is King' Visual Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "Beyoncé's Lion King Soundtrack Puts the Focus Back Where It Belongs: Africa". Vulture. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "Beyoncé Reimagines 'The Lion King' as Global 21st-Century Pop". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "Beyoncé Teams Up With Major Lazer For "ALREADY" On Lion King Album". Your EDM. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "The Lion King: The Gift review — Beyoncé's album celebrates African culture, makes a big political statement". Firstpost. July 23, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- "New Zealand Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- "World Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Lyricfind U.S." Billboard. August 8, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "R&B Digital Song Sales Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "R&B Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- "Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2020.