Turn da Lights Off

"Turn da Lights Off" is a song by American singer Tweet from her second studio album, It's Me Again (2005). It features guest vocals from American rapper Missy Elliott, who co-wrote and co-produced the song with Kwamé. The song was released on October 5, 2004, as the album's lead single. "Turn da Lights Off" contains a sample of Nat King Cole's "Lost April" and portions of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "If This World Were Mine".[1]

"Turn da Lights Off"
Single by Tweet featuring Missy Elliott
from the album It's Me Again
ReleasedOctober 5, 2004 (2004-10-05)
Recorded2004
Studio
Genre
Length4:55
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Tweet singles chronology
"Thugman"
(2003)		 "Turn da Lights Off"
(2004)		 "Love Again"
(2009)
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Car Wash"
(2004)		 "Turn da Lights Off"
(2004)		 "1, 2 Step"
(2004)

Background

Proposals for the It's Me Again lead single dates back to early 2004, where MTV reported that the Missy Elliott-produced "Shook Up", featuring rapper and former 106 & Park co-host Free, was in consideration for a lead single choice. However, complications from the merging between Elektra Records and Atlantic prevented the song's release, resulting in the song's cancellation and a pushback date for Tweet's It's Me Again album.[2] On October 5, 2004, "Turn da Lights Off" was released and began to appear on numerous mixtapes to help spread the word of the song's release.[3] A promotional remix featuring 50 Cent and an alternate line by Elliott was also released to mixtapes in order to generate further buzz for the single.[4][5]

Critical reception

The song met generally mixed to favorable reviews. Shaheem Reid of MTV's Mixtape Monday complimented the track for its guest production by rapper Kwamé. Reid also praised Missy Elliott for her vocals and opening line, "we gonna take it back like polka dots", for its reminiscent-throwback feel of "a fly era".[3]

By contrast, Andy Kellman of AllMusic criticized Elliott's vocals, stating that her "berserk squawks vandalize[d]" Tweet's "return single". On a lighter note, Kellman did favor Elliott's production for the single, in which he felt it was reminiscent of her other produced-single, "So Gone" by Monica. Kellman had also listed "Turn da Lights Off" as a "Song Pick", where it was cited as the "most representative" of the It's Me Again album.[6]

Music video

The music video for "Turn da Lights Off", alongside a "Makes a Video" special, premiered on MTV2 on January 11, 2005 and was directed by Antti J.[7] The video begins with Elliott portraying a DJ while scratching on a vinyl record and performing her adlibs. The video then cuts to Tweet posing for camera shots in construction for her It's Me Again album booklet. Throughout the video, Tweet is either seen getting a makeover or posing for other various camera shots. Elliott is shown again, where she begins to perform her rap while sitting on a couch behind Tweet's photo shoot or reprising her role as the DJ. The video then cuts back to Tweet posing for more camera shots while lip-syncing to the song.

Track listings
  • US 12-inch single[8]
A1. "Turn da Lights Off" (radio edit) – 4:15
A2. "Turn da Lights Off" (instrumental) – 5:13
B1. "Turn da Lights Off" (album version) – 4:55
B2. "Turn da Lights Off" (acapella) – 4:42
  • UK CD single[9]
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (radio edit) – 3:39
  2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) – 5:51
  • German CD maxi single[10]
  1. "Turn da Lights Off" (radio edit) – 4:14
  2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) – 5:51
  3. "Turn da Lights Off" (remix) – 3:27
A1. "Turn da Lights Off" (album version) (featuring Missy Elliott) – 4:55
A2. "Turn da Lights Off" (remix) – 3:27
B1. "Turn da Lights Off" (instrumental) – 5:13
B2. "Boogie 2nite" (Seamus Haji Boogie Mix) – 5:51

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of It's Me Again.[1]

  • Tweet – vocals
  • Marcella Araica – assistant tracking engineering
  • Carlos Bedoya – additional recording
  • Jimmy Douglass – mixing
  • Missy Elliott – production, songwriting, vocals
  • Kwamé "K1Mil" – production, songwriting
  • Patrick Magee – mixing assistance
  • Herb Powers, Jr. – mastering
  • Mike Rivera – recording

Charts
Chart (2005) Peak
position
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[13] 20
Scotland (OCC)[14] 63
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 29
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] 8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 39

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 5, 2004 12-inch single
[18]
Various November 9, 2004 Digital download Atlantic [19]
United States January 18, 2005 Rhythmic radio
  • The Goldmind
  • Atlantic
 [20]
United Kingdom March 7, 2005
Atlantic [21]
Germany March 18, 2005 CD maxi single Warner [10]
May 30, 2005 12-inch single [12]

References
  1. It's Me Again (liner notes). Tweet. Atlantic Records. 2005. 62872-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. Wiederhorn, Jon (February 13, 2004). "Tweet Gets Happy With Missy's Help, Duets With Daughter On It's Me Again". MTV News. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  3. Reid, Shaheem (October 10, 2004). "Mixtape Monday: Mos Def Hasn't Lost The MC Itch; Chamillionaire Inks Major Deal". MTV. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  4. Reid, Shaheem (February 20, 2005). "Mixtape Monday > Kanye's Boy Rhymefest Plays 50 And Nelly; Common Back With 'Be'". MTV. Archived from the original on January 14, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  5. Reid, Shaheem (March 1, 2005). "All Eyes On 50 Cent: The Sequel > Page 5: About Vivica Fox..." MTV. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  6. Kellman, Andy. "It's Me Again – Tweet". AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  7. "Tweet Makes A Video". rnbdirt.com. January 8, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2005.
  8. "Tweet Feat. Missy Elliott – Turn Da Lights Off (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  9. "Turn Da Lights Off". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  10. "Turn Da Lights Off" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  11. "Tweet Feat. Missy Elliott – Turn Da Lights Off (Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  12. "Turn Da Lights Off [Vinyl Single]" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  13. "Tweet: Turn Da Lights Off" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  16. "Tweet Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  17. "Tweet Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  18. "Turn da Lights Off – Tweet". AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  19. "Turn da Lights Off – Single (feat. Missy Elliott) by Tweet". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  20. "CHR – Available for Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  21. "Reviews: Singles". Music Week. February 26, 2005. p. 23.
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