After all the previews, rumors, reports of behind-the-scenes squabbles and the initial slice of “H.A.M.”, Jay-Z and Kanye West’s highly anticipated Watch The Throne has arrived — digitally at first, as of today, ahead of Friday’s (August 12) CD release. Head below to listen to Jay, ‘Ye and Beyonce’s collaboration “Lift Off” from the LP.
When we first heard “Lift Off” at Jay and ‘Ye’s star-studded listening party last week at New York’s Rose Center For Earth And Space at the Natural History Museum, we couldn’t help zeroing in on Bey’s supercool cameo in the spacey jam.
“We gonna take it to the moon, take it to the stars / how many people you know can take it this far,” the 4 diva repeats throughout “Lift Off,” which seems to have been whipped up with the sole purpose of becoming the next big hip hop anthem. (You’ve been put on alert, “I’m On One”!)
And to be sure, the song — which was co-produced by West, Jeff Bhasker and Mike Dean — works pretty effectively in the anthem category when played at a large, crowded setting. But when blaring out of speakers on, say, your computer, there seems to be just a little something missing from the chorus.
Don’t get us wrong — “Lift Off” is a decent enough tune. But when the Queen B is involved, we have just come to expect something a bit larger and hook-laden than what we’re served here. In other words, we do have lift off. We’re just not sure exactly how much fuel is in this craft’s tank.
Are we crazy? Think we need to give our ears a once-over with a Q-Tip? Give “Lift Off” a listen, and decide for yourself.
This is amazing. The beat and instrumental literally gets grander and grander with every chorus. I can see this song and Lighters by Eminem and Royce da 5’9″ battling each other on the charts!
LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING,SINGERS MAKE SONGS FOR US TO SING LOVE LIKE,BUT IF WE KEEP ON SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT THIER SONG WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN.PUT YOUR SELF IN THIER PLACE,IF YOU WERE IN THIER PLACE YOUR GONNA FEEL REALLY REALLY BAD.SO IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY JUST SHUT UP.AND TO PEOPPLE THAT SAY BEYONCE CANT SING YOUR DREAMING BEYONCE WON 16 GRAMIES.WATCH THE THRONE SELD HALF A MILLION COPIES ON ITS FIRST WEEK SO THATS REALLY REALLY GOOD.
I FELL LIKE MOST OF YOU ARE ALL JUST HATERS.
Jay-Z’s verse could have been left on the cutting room floor. This style suites Kanye a lot better. And I do agree with Idolator that the chorus is missing something. Perhaps the song could have use a great bridge sung by Beyonce.
Joseph, I think you’re right – the chorus is repeated way too many times (in my opinion) and becomes a bit watered down after awhile. Maybe if she had just done the bridge it might have had a better “less is more” effect?
Miss.
nyan,your a big fat liar,this is so badly not a miss,just be a hater like you are.I love it.
IMO This track is amazing it puts me in a trans Beyonce sounds amazing and comforting this is my fav. def should be a single
definitely a HIT, i love it!
hit, love it, love it
i dont want to say this song sucks, but every person on here i feel is capable of so much more!
hot ass song ok i see u bey
It’s horrible, and I don’t know why people always have to apologize when they make a negative comment pertaining to beYAWNcy. “SOME” people think this chic is a Godess or something and she’s an annoying, whining, aggressive, yodeling pole dancer. And some try to compare her as the new Diana Ross, and that is so far from truth, Diana in her hey day even now showed eloquence and class and glamour. This thing, beYAWNcy is far from it. She sounds like an iliterate child in interviews, she has no personality and the only way and reason she’s where she is, is because of her corrupt, and devious father pulling strings and pimping her out to the industry. The song sucks, and her contribution to it is even worse – her annoying voice makes everything, even simple things sound the same – a yodeling, whaling loud mess. She needs to take her halo and go.
@Troy, I agree. People act like they are afraid to think for themselves when it comes to her. She’s very overrated to me and you’re right, the song is horrible and so is she.
PEOPPLE ARE AFRAID CAUSE THEY KNOW THATS NOT TRUE.AND THE SONG IS REALLY GOOD AND SO IS SHE.IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY JUST SHUT UP.
MY MOM WHO CAN SING, SAYS THAT BEYOUNCE CANNOT SING AND SHE SAID THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO TELL HER THAT. SHE IS NOT A SINGER. BUT SHE CAN ENTERTAIN. BEYOUNCE IS SO OVER-RATED. I FOUND OUT THE TRUTH WHEN I SAW HER IN CONCERT. I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH MOM’S SHE CANNOT SING. BUT HER DANCING IS VERY GOOD. AND THE COSTUMES ARE FABULOUS. I DO NOT COMPARE HER TO DIANA ROSS BECAUSE DIANA CAN SING. BEYOUNCE GOT AHEAD BECAUSE OF HER BODY AND GOOD LOOKS. NOT TALENT.!!!!!
LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING,SINGERS MAKE SONGS FOR US TO SING LOVE LIKE,BUT IF WE KEEP ON SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT THIER SONG WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN.PUT YOUR SELF IN THIER PLACE,IF YOU WERE IN THIER PLACE YOUR GONNA FEEL REALLY REALLY BAD.SO IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY JUST SHUT UP.AND TO PEOPPLE THAT SAY BEYONCE CANT SING YOUR DREAMING BEYONCE WON 16 GRAMIES.WATCH THE THRONE SELD HALF A MILLION COPIES ON ITS FIRST WEEK SO THATS REALLY REALLY GOOD. ZENELLA,YOU CANT EVEN SPELL BEYONCE’S NAME.AND YOU SHOULD NOT COMPARE HER TO DIANA ROSS,CAUSE SHE IS FABOULOUS.YOUR JUST JEOULOUS AND A HATER.
Some of the comments on the page are very ridiculous. This song is HOT and fun and positive. Quit hating and over analyzing songs. Try enjoying the music. It really is not that difficult to do. *Sigh*
@troy..i see u your hating ass be on the carters post all the damn time hater@omaraso whatever your damn name is ..jay and beyonce rule this world and your ass too teamcarter niccas
hate mongers troy and the rest of your fellow hatters when are you going to stope your hate on bey the most talentedever
is not working bey is amazing on the song the more you hate monger hate on our bey the more god and we her fans will love her for life god bless you bey their is norting to hate about you you are the best
FATU I AGREE WITH YOU.
to the people saying B cant sing come on???? we’ve all heard dangerously in love 2
Ur review is on point!
Hook and Track is EPIC….Lyrics on verses Horrible. They wasted a good beat and hook. SMH. This whole project could have been great. But after listening to the whole album it’a a major let down. IMO
A bridge would have been perfect! I think Beyonce may have had more control over who was on this album. I think more guest appearances, like Rihanna, maybe Eminem, would have made the album more marketable. Right now, it sounds crazy and all over the place. They could have made it more fun, it’s too damn dark and kind of scary. It’s as if they spent to much time trying to CREATE art instead of letting it flow.
Why weren’t there more guest appearances? Who edited this album? Beyonce’s album went Platinum!
To all the people who say beyonce cant sing are truly and plainly DEAF!! i am not a beyonce fan but a gaga fan! N i can honestly say beyonce is definately the best singer vocalist and controlled and powerful singer we have at the moment! I am truly astonished at these haters!!! Good song love it! Beyonce sang really well! Jay shouldve had more in the song. But honestly people…beyonce cant sing??? Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Love Love ‘Lift off’
Been waiting for this for a while. These three just hit the firmament in major style and it’s fantastic to see.
This girl is the best voice of our generation and she deserves every bit of her fortune. If people knew how much this girl does for charity, they’d be seriously suprised.
Ye, don’t let us down now, don’t be rude to no-one. And Hova, love you strong.
Its a HIT! I bought the CD on Friday and I had to listen to it twice before I fell in love with every single song. The first thing I listen to is the lyrics, my man listens to the beats first. After hearing and incorporating both (just listen to the song as a whole), you know this is an amazing classic CD like anything else that Kanye and Jay Z makes. Lift Off is amazing, so is the rest of the CD
Are you a dumbass? How would BEYONCE have control over whos on Jay-Z & Kanye’s own album.
“Lift Off.” Sexy, dope, love it!! I want to see a video, KJZB! Disappointed they didn’t play this at MTV Awards.
Totally agree with Oonda. Does anyone know if they’re going to release a video of Lift Off?
How many grammy’s has Beyonce won? And how many has your mother won? Yeah, that’s what I thought….
This song is great and BEYONCE can’t sign? WTF> Yo momma sound deaf and senile!!!! Beyonce can sing and Jayz and Kanye can rap! NEED Guest appearances and it’s Dark?. You all sound like a bunch of non talented haters. I listen to the entire album and there are several uplifting songs. I Love Rih, but she has several dak songs.. like MANDOWN…you callin that a fun song! If I hear that non talented talking wanna be rapper “Eminem” again, I’m going to VOMIT! All he does is talk rap about killing his mama, baby mama and himself! some many haters and non talented people commenting. You can comment, it’s your constitutional right but be prepared for backlask if your point doesn’t make sense and seem more like jealousy! Especially towards BEYONCE’s talented. This chick can blow. And this album is HOT!!!! The only thing I give a thumbs down to is the use of the N word and that applies to all rappers and musicians.
Correction – Especially towards BEYONCE’s talent!