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"Black Widow" is a song by rapper Iggy Azalea, from her debut studio album, The New Classic and it's re-release Reclassified. It was written by Azalea, Katy Perry, Sarah Hudson, Benny Blanco, and duo StarGate; the latter also produced the song. Initially a track recorded by Perry for her fourth studio album Prism, the song was excluded from its tracklisting, however Perry handed the song to Azalea for her to complete. The song is influenced by snap and trap genres, containing an ominous steel drum rhythm, heavy bass and a sparse beat. The song's hook is sung by British recording artist Rita Ora, and its lyrics chronicle subjects of revenge and feminism in a failed romantic relationship. The song was serviced as the fourth official single of Azalea's album on July 8, 2014 becoming a commercial success. Katy Perry's demo leaked in full on July 8, 2020.
Its composition has been the subject of music critics' comparisons to Perry's "Dark Horse" and other StarGate productions, some of which have been negative. Other journalists, however, praised its beat and Azalea and Ora's vocals. The song charted due to strong digital sales during the debut week of The New Classic. Accordingly, it achieved peaks of number 91 in the United Kingdom and number 86 in Australia, and appeared on several component charts. Azalea has performed the song live as part of the set list for her first headlining tour, The New Classic Tour.
Background[]
In early 2013, Azalea made a friendship with American singer Katy Perry through Chris Anokute, an A&R at Azalea's record label Island Records. Anokute, who previously was an A&R for Perry at her label Capitol Records, told Azalea that Perry was a fan of her music. When Azalea was nominated at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, Anokute asked Perry if she could promote Azalea so that she could win votes in her category for Artist to Watch. Perry then took to Twitter to rave about Azalea's music, and Azalea later consulted Anokute about a future collaboration with Perry. Shortly afterward, Azalea and Perry begun working together with the latter's frequent collaborator Dr. Luke, but the collaboration proved unsuccessful. Azalea then heard about a song Perry recorded, "Black Widow", which was going to be given away to another artist. The song was initially written as a last-minute addition to Perry's fourth studio album, Prism, but the composition finalized only after the album's release. Perry's version included a chorus and verse. Azalea described the track as "a legend" and a "mysterious record", and tried to listen to the song through her label contacts, but she was later ignored.
"I've known Iggy for so many years. She supported me on my first tour. It was only an eight show tour in America. She only had 'Pussy' out at that time. I've always loved her vibe and her energy. I knew [her new album] was going to be a shock and it was a good shock, and I'm really happy for her. What we've done together is so cool and 'Black Widow' has an amazing message. We've always wanted to work together and we found the perfect song. It's all about women empowerment." — Rita Ora on collaborating with Azalea on the song.
On 4 June 2013, Azalea confirmed that British recording artist Rita Ora would feature on her debut studio The New Classic, after previously announcing Ora's feature on 26 December 2012. She stated, "I had a song in mind, and I need a woman with a big voice to sing the chorus because I can't do it". Azalea then asked Perry if she could record "Black Widow" for her album, which Perry then agreed to. The record, however, was never sent to Azalea and on 1 August 2013, she denied that Ora would be collaborating with her on the album. Azalea then met Perry for the first time, as her supporting act at the iTunes Festival that year. At the festival, Perry approached Azalea with an offer to record "Black Widow" as she felt the song would suit her better. Azalea was then invited to Perry's after party that night, where the two exchanged numbers, and Perry sent Azalea the record. When Azalea received the song, it only consisted of a hook and a beat. She initially wanted Perry to sing the song's hook, but Perry was unable to because of time constraints. In an interview, Azalea mentioned, "It needed someone who could really sing, as Katy's voice is awesome. The sky's the limit for Rita. Rita's a superstar and she will only get bigger. Rita is a great fit. Her voice can blow people away." Azalea and Ora then begun the recording "Black Widow" in November 2013 after the MTV Europe Music Awards, but only completed it in January 2014.
The final version of "Black Widow" was co-written by Azalea, Perry, Sarah Hudson, Benny Blanco, and its producers StarGate. Tim Blacksmith and Danny D. were responsible for the song's executive production and production co-ordination. StarGate provided the track's instrumentation and programming. Azalea and Ora recorded their vocals for the song at Record Plant and Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, and Jungle City Studios in New York. Their vocals were engineered by Daniel Zaidenstadt and Eriksen, while Miles Walker was credited as the track's assistant vocal engineer. Phil Tan completed the mixing process at Ninja Club Studios in Atlanta, with the assistance of Daniela Rivera. The song was originally rumoured to be produced by both duo StarGate and Benny Blanco, though upon the release of the album, Blanco was only credited as a songwriter.
On 26 February 2014, in an interview with Los Angeles radio station Power 106, Azalea stated that the album's fifth single would be written by Perry and feature an undisclosed female artist. A 90-second preview of "Black Widow" was released on 11 April 2014. The song's full version then leaked online on 17 April 2014, five days prior to the release of The New Classic on 22 April 2014.
Lyrics[]
(Rita Ora)
I'm gonna love you
Until you hate me
And I'm gonna show you
What's really crazy
You should've known better
Then to mess with me, honey
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you
Gonna love you, gonna love you
Like a black widow, baby
(Iggy Azalea)
This twisted cat and mouse game always starts the same
First we're both down to play then somehow you go astray
We went from nothing to something liking to loving
It was us against the world now we just fucking
It's like I loved you so much and now I just hate you
Feeling stupid for all the time that I gave you
I wanted all or nothing for us ain't no place in between
By me believing what you say that you never mean
Like It'll last for ever but now forever ain't as long
If it wasn't for you I Wouldn't be stuck singing this song
You was different from my last but now you got a mirror
But as it all plays out I see it couldn't be clearer
Now sing
(Rita Ora)
You used to be thirsty for me
But now you wanna be set free
This is the web, the web that you weave
So baby now rest in peace (It's all over with now)
I'm gonna love you
Until you hate me
And I'm gonna show you
What's really crazy
You should've known better
Then to mess with me, honey
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you
Gonna love you, gonna love you
Like a black widow, baby
(Iggy Azalea)
I'm gonna l-l-l-love you until it hurts
Just to get you I'm doing whatever works
You've never met nobody
That will do you how I do ya
That will bring you to your knees
Praise Jesus hallelujah
I'm a make you beg for it, plead for it
Till you feel like you breath for it
Till you do any and everything for it
I want you to fiend for it
Wake up and dream for it
Till it's got you gasping for air
And you lean for
'Till they have a CAT scan to check on your mind
And it's nothing but me, on it (on it, on it)
Now it's me time believe that
If it's yours when you want it
I wouldn't promise I need that
Till I'm everywhere that you be at
I can't fall back go quick
Cause this here is fatal attraction so I take it all or I don't want shit
(Rita Ora)
You used to be thirsty for me
But now you wanna be set free
This is the web, the web that you weave
So baby now rest in peace (It's all over with now)
I'm gonna love you
Until you hate me
And I'm gonna show you
What's really crazy
You should've known better
Then to mess with me, honey
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you
Gonna love you, gonna love you
Like a black widow, baby
Katy Perry Demo[]
I'm gonna love ya until you hate me
And I'm gonna show ya what's really crazy
You should've known better than to mess with me harder
I'm gonna love ya, I'm gonna love ya, gonna love ya, gonna love ya
Like a black widow, baby
I got my little black dress on
And some blood red nails
Yeah I'm packed with poison
Going out for the kill
Cause I've made a mistake
Yeah I kissed the snake
Now my hourglass shape's
Gonna seal your fate
You used to be thirsty for me
But now you wanna be set free
This is the web, web that you weave
So baby now rest in peace
I'm gonna love ya until you hate me (right)
And I'm gonna show ya (show 'em what, show 'em what) what's really crazy
You should've known better than to mess with me harder (it's all over with now)
I'm gonna love ya, I'm gonna love ya, gonna love ya, gonna love ya
Like a black widow, baby
Oh little did you know
When you crossed the line
That I'm a triple scorpio
With a wicked eye
Oh can you feel the sting
It's paralyzing
Now you're stuck with me
Cause you ****ed with me
You used to be thirsty for me
But now you wanna be set free
This is the web, web that you weave
So baby now rest in peace
I'm gonna love ya until you hate me (right)
And I'm gonna show ya (show 'em what, show 'em what) what's really crazy
You should've known better than to mess with me harder (it's all over with now)
I'm gonna love ya, I'm gonna love ya, gonna love ya, gonna love ya
Like a black widow, baby
Rita Ora solo version[]
I'm gonna love you
Until you hate me
You know I'm gonna show you
What's really crazy
You should've known better
Then to mess with me, honey
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you
Gonna love you, gonna love you
Like a black widow, baby
You used to be thirsty for me
But now you wanna be set free
This is the web, the web that you weave
So baby now rest in peace
I'm gonna love you
Until you hate me
You know I'm gonna show you
What's really crazy
You should've known better
Then to mess with me, honey
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you
Gonna love you, gonna love you
Like a black widow, baby
I never told you
That I lied to you
I never showed you
that all the things came true
But I can never fail in love
Yes, I can never fall in love
So I'm just gonna show you that love
Oh I said, you used to be thirsty for me
But now you wanna be set free
This is the web, the web that you weave
So baby now rest in peace
I'm gonna love you
Until you hate me
You know I'm gonna show you
What's really crazy
You should've known better
Then to mess with me, honey
I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna love you
Gonna love you, gonna love you
Like a black widow, baby