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Levitating

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"Levitating" is the fifth single and fifth track from Dua Lipa's second studio album, Future Nostalgia. It was released on October 1, 2020, through Warner Records.

The song also appears as the fifth track on her second reissue album, Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition.

A remix of "Levitating" by American DJ The Blessed Madonna featuring by Madonna and Missy Elliott was released for digital download and streaming on August 13, 2020 as the lead single from Dua Lipa and The Blessed Madonna's remix album Club Future Nostalgia. A second remix featuring American rapper DaBaby was released for the same formats on October 1, 2020 as the fifth single of Future Nostalgia, appearing on the bonus edition of the album.

Background[]

After figuring out the title of her second studio album, Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa began working backwards, figuring out the sound she desired.[1] Shortly after, "Levitating" was written, which is the first track recorded that appears on the album's final track listing.[2] The song was written by Lipa with her longtime collaborators Clarence Coffee Jr. of The Monsters & Strangerz, Sarah Hudson and Stephen Kozmeniuk, the latter of which also handled the production. Before going into the studio, Kozmeniuk spent a few weeks coming up with ideas to play in the studio, eventually thinking it would be cool to create a "slinky disco track". The song was recorded during the same session as "Not My Problem". "Bite The Peach", “Where’d the Magic Go”, "Narcissist" & "Gettin' Good".

Lipa sent him some notes and stuff that she was inspired by, which became the idea of blending old with new. Kozmeniuk thought the best way to create this idea was to use old instruments, one of which was a Roland VP-330 synthesizer, which he had been looking for, for seven to eight years. After shipping the synthesizer from Tokyo to Toronto, he immediately plugged it in and began playing. The first thing he played, which he described as a "synthetic choir sound", later turned into the synth line from the song. He looped the sound and began building a song around it, including creating an analog string sound, also using the Roland VP-330.[3]

"Levitating" was written and recorded in a one-day studio session at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London between the four writers on August 28, 2018. They started the session by Hudson doing a Tarot card reading in order for the writers to open up about what was happening in their lives. Lipa recalled it "changing the energy in the room." Kozmeniuk then began playing some tracks he had created with Lipa in mind. "Levitating" was one of the first tracks he played, which the collaborators all agreed that it would be the one to write onto. Lipa took out the voice memos app on her phone and began leading the song by singing a melody, making it up on the way with Coffee later elevating it.

They had the visuals of being in an Austin Powers movie, with Mike Myers doing a random dance to the song, which helped give them a mood while writing the lyrics.[4][5] The session ended up with the collaborators ordering doughnuts and 'levitating' from the sugar rush. They immediately began writing after that, with a good feeling going into it. They decided to include the "sugarboo" lyric as an ode to their friendship as it was something they called one another as a joke. Lipa also decided to add a rap in order to get her British side across, because she often gets mistaken from where she is actually from.

Lipa began by recording the lead vocals, and later some backing vocals and vocals with all the collaborators. They would create different personas with different vocals every time they recorded them. Lipa recalled that she and her co-writers were dancing all through making the song, even if they were experiencing writer's block or working on the production. After finishing the song, Lipa enlisted the help of Stuart Price for some additional production. He brought more "bounce" to the song and helped with the bass groove. He also incorporated a high drone synth as a disco trope, and a string part in the pre-chorus. Koz later also enlisted the help of Bosko Electrospit Kante to play a talk box. "Levitating" helped dictate what the rest of Future Nostalgia would sound like and where Lipa thought everything made sense, where she had both the "future" and "nostalgia" elements. She called it the "starting point" of the album.[6][7]

A video and photos of the recording session of the final mastered version can be seen here[8][9]

Release and promotion[]

"Levitating" was released on March 27, 2020 as the fifth track on Lipa's second studio album, Future Nostalgia. In August 2020, Lipa confirmed that the song would serve as the album's fifth official single.[10] It was promoted to Italian and British contemporary hit radio formats on August 13 and September 23, 2020, as a promotional single.[11] On September 25, 2020, DaBaby confirmed in an interview with Capital FM that he had a collaboration with Lipa coming out soon.[12] Later that day, Lipa announced that a remix of "Levitating" featuring DaBaby would be released a week later.[13] The remix's cover art was shot by Joseph Ford.[14] It premiered on October 1, 2020, being released for digital download and streaming. The remix was later added to the bonus edition and digital reissue of Future Nostalgia, which was released alongside the song.

The remix was serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in the United States on October 6, 2020, serving as the album's third single in the country.[15] It was also serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in Italy and the United Kingdom on October 2 and October 9, 2020, respectively.[16][17] The original was serviced to adult contemporary radio formats in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2020.[18] The remix was also scheduled to be serviced to adult contemporary radio formats in the US on October 19, 2020, but was ultimately replaced with the original.[19][20] Due to its music video partnership with TikTok, the app launched a worldwide advertising campaign with promotion on several digital and social media channels, as well as New York City's Times Square and prominent sites in cities across Europe.

The app also launched the #Levitating challenge, where Lipa invited fans to use TikTok's slow-motion feature to show off their levitating skills.[21] The song was promoted with an Instagram filter on the app.[22] Lipa and Koz did an interview about the creation of the song on music podcast Song Exploder's 194th episode, released on October 7, 2020. It was also included in Morrisons' 2020 Christmas TV Ad.[23] The song was used during the 46th People's Choice Awards on November 15, 2020. The song was included in a promotional video for the 2020–21 NBA season made by NBA on TNT. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris used it in a playlist supporting Biden's inauguration.[24]

A remix of the track by KUU was released on November 20, 2020.[25] It is a four on the floor-styled song with a simple and hypnotic sound design that makes use of tropical synths, Balearic beats, a rolling bassline, and funky piano chords, all layered with Lipa's vocals.[26][27]

A remix of the track by Amaal Mallik featuring guest vocals in Hindi by Prakriti Kakar and Sukriti Kakar was released on March 26, 2021.

Over the 2020–21 Premier League season, a video clip of Manchester City F.C. manager Pep Guardiola dancing, with part of the track overlaid on it, surfaced on X/Twitter. The clip was later posted by Manchester City's official Twitter account on February 4, 2021,[28] and again on February 7, 2021 following Manchester City's 4–1 victory over Liverpool F.C., which was their first victory at Anfield in 18 years.[29][30][31]

Commercial performance[]

Following the release of Future Nostalgia, "Levitating" found success as an album track throughout Europe, debuting at number 97 in Greece, 29 in Hungary, 41 in Lithuania, 83 in Portugal, 62 in Slovakia, and 71 in Spain. In the United Kingdom, the song was the most streamed album track on video services.[32] It debuted at number 51 on the UK Official Audio Streaming Chart dated April 3, 2020.[33] Following the release of The Blessed Madonna's remix, the original version debuted at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart dated August 21, 2020. It lasted five weeks on the chart, before re-entering at number 30 on the chart dated 9 October 2020, following the release of the DaBaby remix. The song peaked at number five on the chart, becoming Lipa's tenth UK Top 10 single.[34] In November 2020, the song reached the summit of the UK Radio Airplay Chart.[35] In January 2021, it was awarded a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for track-equivalent sales of 600,000 units.[36] It has also reached number four and 13 respectively on the Irish Singles Chart and Scottish Singles Chart respectively.[37][38]

"Levitating" reached the summit of the chart in Bulgaria.[39] On Australia's ARIA Singles Chart dated October 26, 2020, the original began being credited as the Blessed Madonna's remix was credited before then,[40] and peaked at number four.[41] In New Zealand, the original version debuted at number six on the NZ Hot Singles Chart dated April 6, 2020,[42] and the October 12, 2020 chart saw DaBaby's remix debuting at number 14.[43] On the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart dated October 19, 2020, the original version debuted at number 36,[44] and the DaBaby Remix was later credited, reaching a peak of number five.[45] The remix was awarded 7× platinum certification in the country by Recorded Music NZ for track-equivalent sales of 210,000 units.[46]

DaBaby's remix of "Levitating" debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Global 200 chart dated October 17, 2020,[47] and has peaked at number 2 on the chart.[48] It has reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100, becoming Lipa's first and DaBaby's second number-one single in Canada. It topped the chart for three nonconsecutive weeks.[49][50] "Levitating" became Lipa's biggest US chart hit. It debuted at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated October 17, 2020.[51] On the chart dated January 9, 2021, it reached the chart's tenth position, becoming Lipa's third top 10 single following "Don't Start Now" (2019) and "New Rules" (2017).[52] It peaked at number 2 on the chart (behind Silk Sonic's debut song "Leave the Door Open"),[53] tying "Don't Start Now" as Lipa's highest-charting US song, and it is Lipa's longest-running top-10 hit. On the issue dated September 4, 2021, in its 34th week in the top 10, "Levitating" surpassed “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B to become the longest-running top 10 single by a female artist.[54][55] It has since become the second song to spend a total of 40 weeks in the top ten, as of the week ending October 30, 2021, after "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd.[56] On the issue dated March 19, 2022, in its 70th week on the chart, "Levitating" surpassed "How Do I Live" by LeAnn Rimes as the longest-charting hit on the Hot 100 by a female artist.[57] The DaBaby remix of "Levitating" topped both the US Mainstream Top 40 chart, which monitors pop radio stations,[58] and the US Adult Top 40, which monitors hot adult contemporary radio formats.[59] It also reached number one on the Radio Songs chart after a 37-week climb, the longest climb to the top spot in the chart's 30-year history, surpassing the 35-week climb set by "I Hope" by Gabby Barrett in October 2020.[60] In December 2021, the solo version of "Levitating" was named the best-performing single of the year on the Hot 100, becoming only the fourth single to achieve this without topping the weekly chart (after "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in 1965, "Breathe" by Faith Hill in 2000, and "Hanging by a Moment" by Lifehouse in 2001) and the first single by a female solo artist to top the year-end chart since 2011.[61][62]

Music video[]

From August 25, 2020 to August 31, 2020, Lipa held a contest on social media platform TikTok for fans to create visualisers for "Levitating", including dance, animation, and makeup, for a chance to be featured in the video, later revealed to be the video for the remix featuring DaBaby.[63] The challenge garnered 300,000,000 views and 150,000 video submissions, of which 16 creators were invited to be a part of the video.[64] Three creators, Andrew Wilson, Ramana Borba, and Rikki Sandhu, helped as part of the crew. They animated Lipa's cosmic dance floor, helped with some of the dance routines, and designed the cosmic makeup on Lipa's dancers, respectively. For the video, Lipa had a mood board consisting of Austin Powers, 1960s futurism and surrealism, Studio 54 and disco, thinking that "Levitating" was the perfect song to encapsulate these ideas.[65]

The music video was directed by American director Warren Fu,[66] and took over 16 and a half hours to shoot,[67] with stylist Lorenzo Posocco being on Zoom for over 17 hours during it.[68] While filming, Lipa quickly decided that she did not like her look moments before going on camera, and within five minutes hairstylist Chris Appleton flipped her wig and gave her a whole new look. TikTok users Dexter Mayfield and Olivia Wong prepared for being on camera by vibing off everyone's energy and staying calm, respectively.[69] DaBaby was originally supposed to be dressed as an astronaut for his shots, but ultimately did not due to the video's "flow", so he could just party.[70] The visual premiered on YouTube at 13:00 BST (12:00 UTC) on October 2, 2020. It was proceeded by the release of two teasers on TikTok, in which Lipa invites users to "The Levitating Experience" that takes one to an "intergalactic dance floor;" she also warns viewers not to mess with the system and informs them about how to get there, among other items.[71][72]

An alternate animated music video was released on September 13, 2021, using the original version of the song without DaBaby. The music video was produced by Japanese animation group NOSTALOOK, in retro 1980s-1990s Japanese anime style, similar to Sailor Moon and Creamy Mami.[73][74][75]

Live performances[]

Lipa performed "Levitating" for the first time on The Graham Norton Show on November 20, 2020. Two days later she performed it at the American Music Awards of 2020.[76] The ceremony took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, however Lipa's performance was filmed at London's Royal Albert Hall in a custom built set.[77][78] At the end of the performance, she levitated towards the sky with the help of wires through a pulley system,[79][80] which gained praise from Olivia Horn of The New York Times and Vulture's Justin Curto, who both viewed the performance as one of the ceremony's best moments. Horn also praised Lipa's dancing abilities.[81] For Radio.com, Marty Rosenbaum ranked it as the night's eighth best moment and also praised the levitating bit.[82]

Lipa performed "Levitating" as the second track on the setlist for her live stream concert Studio 2054 on November 27, 2020. She performed it during her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, released on December 4, 2020.[83] The following day, Lipa performed it as a medley with her single "Physical" (2020) at both the LOS40 Music Awards 2020 and the 2020 NRJ Music Awards;[84][85] she also performed "Fever" (2020) with Angèle at the latter ceremony.[86] On December 10, 2020, Lipa performed an acoustic set at the 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball which included "Levitating" as well as "Don't Start Now" and a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", the latter of which was a virtual performance with a few of her fans for Capital One's Holiday Jam.[87][88] During her appearance on Saturday Night Live in December 19, 2020, she performed "Levitating", "Don't Start Now", and acted in a World War II-themed skit.[89] Lipa performed the song as part of her livestream concert Pandora in December 22, 2020.[90] On New Year's Eve 2020, she performed it during YouTube's Hello 2021 virtual countdown special for the Indian, British and American shows.[91]

On March 14, 2021, Lipa performed the remixed version with DaBaby for the first time at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, alongside a performance of "Don't Start Now".[92]

Track listing[]

  • Digital download / streaming – DaBaby Remix
  1. "Levitating" (featuring DaBaby) – 3:23
  • Digital download / streaming – KUU Remix
  1. "Levitating" (KUU Remix) [featuring DaBaby] – 4:10
  • Digital EP – Version 1
  1. "Levitating" (featuring DaBaby) – 3:23
  2. "Levitating" – 3:23
  3. "Levitating (The Blessed Madonna Remix)" (featuring Madonna and Missy Elliott) – 4:10
  4. "Levitating" (KUU Remix) [featuring DaBaby] – 4:10
  • Digital download / streaming – Don Diablo Remix
  1. "Levitating" (Don Diablo Remix) [featuring DaBaby] – 3:28
  • Digital download / streaming – Don Diablo Extended Remix
  1. "Levitating" (Don Diablo Extended Remix) [featuring DaBaby] – 4:28
  • Digital EP – Version 2
  1. "Levitating" (featuring DaBaby) – 3:23
  2. "Levitating" – 3:23
  3. "Levitating" (The Blessed Madonna Remix) [featuring Madonna and Missy Elliott] – 4:10
  4. "Levitating" (KUU Remix) [featuring DaBaby] – 4:10
  5. "Levitating" (Don Diablo Remix) [featuring DaBaby] – 3:28
  • Digital download / streaming – Amaal Mallik Remix
  1. "Levitating" (Amaal Mallik Remix) [featuring Sukriti Kakar and Prakriti Kakar] – 2:36

Videos[]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I can take you for a ride
I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm
Where the music don't stop for life
Glitter in the sky, glitter in my eyes
Shining just the way I like
If you're feeling like you need a little bit of company
You met me at the perfect time

[Pre-Chorus]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Verse 2]
I believe that you're for me, I feel it in our energy
I see us written in the stars
We can go wherever, so let's do it now or never
Baby, nothing's ever, ever too far
Glitter in the sky, glitter in our eyes
Shining just the way we are
I feel like we're forever every time we get together
But whatever, let's get lost on Mars

[Pre-Chorus]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Post-Chorus]
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm levitating (Woo)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Woo)

[Bridge]
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my ass off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my ass off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Pre-Chorus]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading

[Chorus]
I got you (Yeah), moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night (All night), come on, dance with me
I'm levitating (Woo)

[Post-Chorus]
You can fly away with me tonight (Tonight)
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Take you for a ride)
I'm levitating (Woo)
You can fly away with me tonight (Tonight)
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Let me take you for a ride)

[Chorus]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight (You are my starlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me (Come on, dance with me)
I'm levitating
You, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Intro: DaBaby]
Billboard Baby, Dua Lipa make 'em dance when it come on
Everybody lookin' for a dancefloor to run on

[Verse 1: Dua Lipa]
If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I can take you for a ride
I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm
Where the music don't stop for life
Glitter in the sky, glitter in my eyes
Shining just the way I like
If you're feeling like you need a little bit of company
You met me at the perfect time

[Pre-Chorus: Dua Lipa]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading
Yeah, yeah, yеah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus: Dua Lipa]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, comе on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Verse 2: DaBaby]
I'm one of the greatest, ain't no debatin' on it (Let's go)
I'm still levitated, I'm heavily medicated
Ironic I gave 'em love and they end up hatin' on me (Go)
She told me she love me and she been waitin'
Been fightin' hard for your love and I'm runnin' thin on my patience
Needed someone to hug, even took it back to the basics
You see what you got me out here doin'? (Yeah)
Mighta threw me off, but can't nobody stop the movement
Uh-uh, let's go
Left foot, right foot, levitatin' (C'mon)
Pop stars (Go), Dua Lipa with DaBaby
I had to lace my shoes for all the blessings I was chasin' (Go)
If I ever slip, I'll fall into a better situation
So catch up, go put some cheese on it
Get out and get your bread up (Yeah, yeah)
They always leave when you fall, but you run together (Hey)
Weight of the world on my shoulders, I kept my head up
Now, baby, stand up, 'cause, girl, you

[Pre-Chorus: Dua Lipa & DaBaby]
You want me (Hey), I want you, baby (Hey)
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus: Dua Lipa]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
You, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Post-Chorus: Dua Lipa]
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm levitating (Woo)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Woo)

[Bridge: Dua Lipa]
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my ass off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
My love is like a rocket, watch it blast off
And I'm feeling so electric, dance my ass off
And even if I wanted to, I can't stop
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[Pre-Chorus: Dua Lipa]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way, we're renegading

[Chorus: Dua Lipa & DaBaby]
I got you (Yeah), moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night (All night), come on, dance with me (Let's go)
I'm levitating (Woo)

[Post-Chorus: Dua Lipa]
You can fly away with me tonight (Tonight)
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Take you for a ride)
I'm levitating (Woo)
You can fly away with me tonight (Tonight)
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Let me take you for a ride)

[Chorus: Dua Lipa]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Intro: Stuart Price & Dua Lipa]
(Dance)
Woohoo

[Verse 1: Dua Lipa & Madonna]
If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I can take you for a ride (For a ride)
I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm
Where the music don't stop for life (For life)
Glitter in the sky, glitter in my eyes
Shining just the way I like (I like)
If you're feeling like you need a little bit of company
You met me at the perfect time

[Pre-Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna, Madonna]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way is liberating
Yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna, Madonna]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me (Come and dance with me)

[Verse 2: Madonna]
I believe that you're for me, I feel it in our energy
I see it written in the stars
We can go wherever, so let's do it now or never
Baby, nothing's ever, ever too far
Glitter in the sky, glitter in our eyes
Shining just the way we are
I feel like we're forever every time we get together
No, we're never gonna be apart

[Pre-Chorus: Madonna with Dua Lipa]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way is liberating
Yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna, Madonna]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me (Baby, won't you come and dance with me)
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me (Come on, dance with me)

[Post-Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna, Madonna]
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride (Baby, let me take you for a ride)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride (Can't stop it, baby)

[Verse 3: Missy Elliott]
Let's go!
Boy, I'm advanced, got my real tight pants
When I back it up, I put you in a trance (Woo)
If you wanna dance, then show me all your bands
'Cause tonight, I might give you a chance
(Let's get it, skrrt) Pull up in the coupe
Ooh, that dude, he look hella cute
Yeah, he lookin' at me like "Ooh"
Suck my breasts like Betty Boop (Woo)
Oh my, my, my (My, my)
Get to stuttering like "I-I-I" (I-I)
I'm a freak, I like to play shy
But I will get it poppin', anything, I'll try it
Say I'm on his top five list
On a Major Key like Khaled
Don't speak, open up your eyelids
I can be your girl if you keep it private

[Pre-Chorus: Dua Lipa with Madonna, Madonna]
You want me, I want you, baby
My sugarboo, I'm levitating
The Milky Way is liberating
Yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna, Madonna]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
(Come and dance with me)

[Post-Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna]
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
(Come on, let me take you for a ride)
You can fly away with me tonight
You can fly away with me tonight
Baby, let me take you for a ride
(Come on, let me take you for a ride)

[Chorus: Dua Lipa & Madonna]
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight (You are my starlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me (Come on, dance with me)
I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight (You're the moonlight)
I need you all night, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating

[Outro: Dua Lipa & Madonna, Dua Lipa & Madonna]
Woohoo
I'm levitating (Woo)
Come on, come on, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating
(Come on, let me take you for a ride)
I'm levitating (Woo)
Come on, come on, come on, dance with me
I'm levitating (Woohoo)
(Can't stop it baby, ah)

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition.

Recording and management[]

  • Vocals recorded at Sarm Studios (London, United Kingdom)
  • Recorded at the Bunker at 13, Sarm Music Village (London, United Kingdom) and Modulator Music (Toronto, Canada)
  • Mixed at Henson Studios (Hollywood, California)
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound (Edgewater, New Jersey)

Personnel[]

  • Dua Lipa – vocals
  • DaBaby – featured vocals (remixed version)
  • Stephen Kozmeniuk – production, vocal production, bass, drums, guitar, synthesizer
  • Stuart Price – production, bass, drum programming, keyboards
  • Clarence Coffee Jr. – backing vocals
  • Sarah Hudson – backing vocals
  • Paul Phamous – backing vocals
  • Todd Clark – backing vocals
  • Russell Graham – keyboards
  • Bosko "Electrospit" Kante – talkbox
  • Homer Steinweiss – drums
  • Lorna Blackwood – additional vocal recording, programming
  • Matt Snell – engineering
  • Phil Hotz – assistant engineering
  • Cameron Gower Poole – vocal engineering
  • Josh Gudwin – mixing
  • Elijah Marrett-Hitch – assistant mixing
  • Heidi Wang – assistant mixing (remixed version)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering
  • Will Quinnell – assistant mastering

References[]

  1. ↑ "Dua Lipa on Why Fans Want 'Future Nostalgia' 'Especially Right Now'"
  2. ↑ "Dua Lipa Is the Future of Pop: The Singer Breaks Down the Making of Future Nostalgia"
  3. ↑ "Episode 194: Dua Lipa 'Levitating'"
  4. ↑ "Dua Lipa Talks Studio 2054, Miley Cyrus Collab, Levitating & Future Nostalgia"
  5. ↑ "Dua Lipa: Dancing in the Dark"
  6. ↑ "Dua Lipa's Unplanned, Uncertain, Unprecedented Album Launch"
  7. ↑ "Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia Livestream PART 2 - #StayHome #WithMe"
  8. ↑ https://x.com/DuaLipaFuturee/status/1640315096764170240
  9. ↑ https://x.com/DuaLipaFuturee/status/1640315109523222530
  10. ↑ "Dua Lipa kicks off music video competition with #DuaVideo on TikTok"
  11. ↑ "Dua Lipa 'Levitating' (The Blessed Madonna Remix)"
  12. ↑ "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY, @DaBabyDaBaby AND @DUALIPA!!!"
  13. ↑ "Let's Go! See Which Rapper Will Take Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' to New Heights With a New Remix"
  14. ↑ "Had the pleasure of meeting and shooting @dualipa & @dababy for their new song Levitating ft DaBaby dropping OCTOBER 2nd!"
  15. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases"
  16. ↑ "Dua Lipa 'Levitating'"
  17. ↑ "Radio 1 Playlist"
  18. ↑ "Radio 2 New Music Playlist"
  19. ↑ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases"
  20. ↑ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases"
  21. ↑ "Dua Lipa lands "Levitating" video with help from TikTok"
  22. ↑ "Dua Lipa - Levitating Filter"
  23. ↑ "Morrisons celebrates a care-free Christmas amid Covid-19 concerns"
  24. ↑ "Listen to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' Inauguration playlist"
  25. ↑ "Levitating (feat. DaBaby) [KUU Remix] - Single by Dua Lipa"
  26. ↑ "KUU Delivers Euphoric Remix of Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' With DaBaby"
  27. ↑ "KUU Remixes Dua Lipa Smash 'Levitating'"
  28. ↑ X/Twitter - "Morning Mood! 🕺🔷 #ManCity"
  29. ↑ "Manchester City have not beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League since 2003"
  30. ↑ X/Twitter - "The Anfield curse broken? Oh go on then - one last time 😉🔷 #ManCity"
  31. ↑ "Man City put four past Reds at Anfield"
  32. ↑ "What should be Dua Lipa's next single from Future Nostalgia?"
  33. ↑ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100"
  34. ↑ "Dua Lipa | Full Official Chart History"
  35. ↑ "The UK Radio Airplay Chart"
  36. ↑ "British single certifications – Dua Lipa – Levitating"
  37. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50"
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100"
  39. ↑ "PROPHON – Charts"
  40. ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles"
  41. ↑ Dua Lipa – Levitating"
  42. ↑ "Hot Singles Chart"
  43. ↑ "Hot Singles Chart"
  44. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart"
  45. ↑ Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby – "Levitating"
  46. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby – Levitating"
  47. ↑ "Billboard Global 200 Chart"
  48. ↑ "Dua Lipa Chart History (Global 200)"
  49. ↑ "Dua Lipa Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)"
  50. ↑ "DaBaby Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)"
  51. ↑ "The Hot 100 Chart"
  52. ↑ "24kGoldn's 'Mood' Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100, Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Lifts to Top 10"
  53. ↑ "Dua Lipa Chart History (Hot 100)"
  54. ↑ "The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber's 'Stay' Leads Hot 100 for Third Week, Lizzo & Cardi B's 'Rumors' Bows in Top Five"
  55. ↑ "Extended 'Stay': The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber Top Billboard Hot 100 For Fourth Week"
  56. ↑ "Adele's 'Easy on Me' Blasts to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100"
  57. ↑ "Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Makes History as the Longest-Charting Billboard Hot 100 Hit Ever Among Women"
  58. ↑ "Dua Lipa Chart History (Pop Songs)"
  59. ↑ "Dua Lipa Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)"
  60. ↑ "BTS' 'Butter' Leads Hot 100 for Fifth Week, Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Becomes Most-Heard Radio Hit"
  61. ↑ "Year-End Charts, Billboard Hot 100 Songs"
  62. ↑ "The Year In Charts 2021: Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' Is the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Song of the Year"
  63. ↑ "Dua Lipa kicks off music video competition with #DuaVideo on TikTok"
  64. ↑ "Dua Lipa launches Levitating video with TikTok creators"
  65. ↑ "Dua Lipa Shares The Story Behind The 'Disco Dream' That Is Her Fashion-Packed New Video"
  66. ↑ "Dua Lipa - Levitating Featuring DaBaby (Official Music Video)"
  67. ↑ "Taking you behind the scenes of Levitating featuring @dababy"
  68. ↑ X/Twitter - "Shoutout to my bff/ confidant / fashion icon Lorenzo Posocco who stayed on zoom for 17hrs during this shoot to make sure every thing was perfect (with support from Abi & Seb who were on the ground being total angels)"
  69. ↑ "Dua Lipa Shares The Story Behind The 'Disco Dream' That Is Her Fashion-Packed New Video"
  70. ↑ X/Twitter - "As a sneak peek, here's a little random production thing that ended up not happening... @DaBabyDaBaby's arrival was originally in a space suit. Space suits are awesome and all, but I think it flowed better having him arrive to the elevator party just as he was in the video"
  71. ↑ "Let the countdown to October 2nd begin!"
  72. ↑ "Almost time! Levitating featuring @dababy video out 2nd October"
  73. ↑ "Dua Lipa's worldwide hit "Levitating" bags Japanese Animated Music Video"
  74. ↑ "Singer Dua Lipa Goes Full Sailor Moon in Animated Music Video for 'Levitating'"
  75. ↑ "Sailor Moon Style Anime Used Phenomenally To Recreate Dua Lipa Music Video"
  76. ↑ "Watch Dua Lipa Perform 'Levitating' (and Levitate) at AMAs 2020"
  77. ↑ "Dua Lipa Flies During Performance Of 'Levitating' At AMAs"
  78. ↑ "while I wait for the official performance to be uploaded... here are some bts pics of rehearsals and building the set at The Royal Albert Hall for the @AMAs!!!"
  79. ↑ "Dua Lipa goes 'Levitating' at Royal Albert Hall for AMAs 2020"
  80. ↑ "2020 American Music Awards: 5 must-see moments, including BTS and Taylor Swift"
  81. ↑ "AMAs 2020: Best and Worst Moments Event Recap"
  82. ↑ "Our 13 favorite moments from the 2020 American Music Awards"
  83. ↑ "Watch Dua Lipa's NPR 'Tiny Desk (Home) Concert'"
  84. ↑ "Los emotivos recuerdos de Dua Lipa tras conquistar 2 LOS40 Music Awards 2020"
  85. ↑ "Vidéo Dua Lipa chante 'Levitating' en live!"
  86. ↑ "Vidéo Dua Lipa et Angèle réunies pour chanter 'Fever' en live"
  87. ↑ "Dua Lipa Covers John Lennon's 'Happy Xmas,' Receives Award From Bernie Sanders"
  88. ↑ "Billie Eilish, Harry Styles & More Slay 2020 Jingle Ball"
  89. ↑ "Saturday Night Live recap: Kristen Wiig hosts last SNL of 2020"
  90. ↑ "Here Are All the Livestreams & Virtual Concerts to Watch: Week of December 21"
  91. ↑ "YouTube To Ring In New Year With 'Hello 2021' Global Celebration Video"
  92. ↑ "Dua Lipa - Levitating ft. DaBaby / Don't Start Now (Live at the GRAMMYs 2021)"
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