Love Sex Magic
Encyclopedia
"Love Sex Magic" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara
, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride
. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake
, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's
, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo
. The Y's and Elizondo also produced the track. The song was released from Fantasy Ride as the lead single internationally, and was the second single from that album released in the United States.
The song reveals a complete departure from Ciara's previous style, neither a sensual ballad
nor incorporating Crunk&B
influences. It embraces a dance-pop
sound, while including R&B
and funk via a retro 70s-style guitar which is present in the piece. Many critics noted the similarities between the song and music on Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds
(2006). Critics gave the song mixed reviews, complimenting the song's funk and retro feel and the chemistry present between Ciara and Timberlake. Typical critiques observed that Timberlake overwhelmed Ciara's performance, that Ciara had changed her previous sound, and indicted the song as left over from Timberlake's previous album. The song would later go on to be nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 52nd Grammy Awards
.
"Love Sex Magic" reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
, becoming Ciara's fifth top ten hit, and her first since "Get Up
" in 2006. While it did not perform as well as her previous chart entries in the United States, it stands as her best international effort, reaching the top ten in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and France. The music video also exhibits a retro feel inspired by the Crazy Horse
cabaret
show, and features Timberlake, Ciara, and several different kinds of foreplay
, as well as Ciara dancing. For its routines it was nominated for Best Choreography at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
. Ciara has performed the song on television a number of times, including on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
and with Timberlake on Saturday Night Live
.
reported that Ciara and Timberlake had recorded a new duet for her then-upcoming album, Fantasy Ride
. The final version of the song, initially titled "Love and Sex and Magic", featured Timberlake dueting with Ciara. Eventually known as "Love Sex Magic", the song was written by Timberlake, Mike Elizondo
, and Timberlake's production team The Y's
—James Fauntleroy II
, Timberlake, and Robin Tadross. Timberlake wanted to create a song that both genders could relate to.The Y's and Elizondo produced the song. Ciara said that her collaboration with Timberlake was one of the best of her career, because they actually collaborated in the studio, rather than him being added as a guest feature after the initial recording. She explained, "I actually went into the studio to make the record from scratch, or he had the record there for me, but us being together was a very rare case I've had over the years." Ciara enjoyed her time with Timberlake, and valued the opportunity to work with him as an "artist and producer." She also noted how passionate Timberlake was about his work, and mentioned his humbleness and positive attitude.
noted that while a pop fan might see the singer "back in her mind creatively", a Ciara fan would see the song as "signal[ing] the end of the singer's career as it once was". Sargent stated that the song "sounds nothing like the chrome-plated crunk&b
nor the moonlit balladry that Ciara has staked her name on." Musically, the song is a dance-pop
-R&B
number which makes use of electro and funk music, as well as displaying disco and soul
influences. The song has a minimalistic dance beat, with a "funky, retro 70s style R&B guitar" as the backdrop. Lauren Carter of the Boston Herald
said that the song is influenced by Timberlake's disco-funk work on FutureSex/LoveSounds
, stating that "it sounds like a reworked version of his bass-heavy dance number "Sexy Ladies." Carter commented that Timberlake was "ushering Ciara away from her typically crunk-laced stylings in favor of JT’s electro-slide." Ann Powers of The Los Angeles Times said that the song was "Madonna
-esque." Both Ciara and Timberlake provide verses, accompanied by vocal whims and falsetto
. According to Bill Lamb of About.com
, the song "lays aside pretentions of deep meaning and instead encourages a fun-filled trip to the dance floor." Lamb noted the "vocal magnetism" between Ciara and Timberlake in the song. He found that the song features a "smooth breakdown."
", calling the song one of the "biggest anthems of the year." Gennoe went on to call the song the "highlight" and "saving grace" of Fantasy Ride. Nick Levine of Digital Spy
said that "the track itself is nearly as sexy as the promo clip", commenting "Ciara purrs, and Timberlake, if you'll pardon the pun, more than rises to the occasion. All in all, 'Love Sex Magic' is pretty much spot on." Lauren Carter of the Boston Herald said "It’s not quite magic, but it grows on you." Although stating that it may be "light pop fluff", Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song four out of five stars, calling it a "fun track" that would get "mainstream pop audiences dancing and singing along." Lamb commented that a "funky guitar and appearance by Justin Timberlake may be just enough to carry her back near the top of the pop chart." Jeremy Medina of Entertainment Weekly
said, "Hooking up with Timberlake essentially guarantees a one-way ticket back to chart supremacy, so nice work there, Ciara." Medina went on to call the song an early candidate for "song of the summer."
Jon Caramanica welcomed the "female aggression" presented by Ciara on the track. Caramanica called it an unexpected twist, calling Ciara "still curiously anonymous". She noted that Timberlake, not a "vocal powerhouse" himself, out-sings Ciara on the track. Tom Breihan of Pitchfork Media
said that the song was not bad and complimented the song's disco feel. He said that it gained Ciara a "radio foothold that had been hers to lose a couple of years ago", and commented that it seemed like "a bargain-basement Justin Timberlake track, the sort of thing he could've had lying around in a closet somewhere nearly three years after FutureSex/LoveSounds." Breihan pointed out that "Timberlake's nerdy swagger really highlights Ciara's total lack of presence." Jordan Sargent of PopMatters criticized the song for being generic, calling it "a formulaic FutureSex/LoveSounds disco retread", commenting "The song probably could’ve been given to any struggling female singer and become a hit, and the fact that Ciara had to use it as her parachute is as puzzling as it is unfortunate." Andy Kellman of Allmusic called the song a "hobbling flop" and said that it was "easily forgettable."
At the 52nd Grammy Awards
, "Love Sex Magic" was nominated for the award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. It lost to Jason Mraz
and Colbie Calliat's "Lucky
."
, and the next week jumped to number twenty-seven. In its third week, the song rose to number ten, becoming Ciara's fifth top ten single. It was her first top ten entry since "Get Up
" in 2006. It was her highest-charting song on the Hot 100 since "Like a Boy
" in 2007. "Love Sex Magic" appeared on multiple Billboard component charts, reaching number fourteen on the Pop Songs chart, number eighteen Hot Dance Club Songs chart, and eighty-three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart. On the Canadian Hot 100
, the song debuted at number nine, and would later peak at number six.
Although the single did not rank among Ciara's most successful singles in the US, it performed well overall in international markets. The song debuted at number six on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, peaking at number five the next week. It spent fourteen weeks on the chart, and was eventually certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
(ARIA), for shipments totalling 70,000 copies. In New Zealand, the song debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at fourteen. It remained stagnant the next week until peaking at six the following week. Having spent thirteen weeks on the chart, the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
(RIANZ), for shipments totalling 7,500 copies.
Across Europe, the single charted in the top ten of seven charts, and the top twenty of four others. Due to its numerous chartings in Europe, the song peaked at number six on the European Hot 100 chart. The song saw success on charts in the British Isles. On the week ending April 30, 2009, the song peaked at number four on the Irish Singles Chart
, moving from number seven the previous week. "Love Sex Magic" spent seventeen non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart
, debuting at number six and peaking at number five the following week. However, it was a total success on the UK R&B Chart
topping the chart for two weeks.
-directed music video for "Love Sex Magic" premiered on March 22, 2009. In an interview with MTV News
, Ciara said: "It's all about showing another side of me with this video. I'm basically giving you a show you'd see in Vegas—and it's my love, sex and magic show. He's the voyeur and I play with him a little bit. I got my inspiration from the Crazy Horse [Cabaret
] show and just from the shows [in Vegas], period. It's giving you the elements of love and sex and magic." In a later interview about the video, Ciara stated that she had to lick Timberlake's ear, and at one point, he was licking her neck and they were "freestyling". Martel wanted them to do something "edgy", so they found a "cool way to do it." Ciara noted the different pauses in cuts in between the tapings, commenting "so it's licking on the neck, again, then his biting on my neck, again. It was really funny." The singer would later elaborate on the Crazy Horse show reference in an interview with Blues & Soul
, explaining the she had so much respect for the show that it became her reference. On working with Timberlake, she said, "Justin is one of the most easy-going, down-to-earth, hard-working and passionate artists you could ever work with. And, with both me and him, our goal was just to make the best video we could possibly make together, and to give the fans something a little fun and a little unexpected."
s. The video then cuts to Ciara in a leotard
, posing in abstract and flexible poses. Ciara is then seen dressed in a tiger-striped catsuit
performing solo dance moves on a stage. Timberlake performs his verse seated onstage while Ciara performs intricate tricks, such as snaking under his legs. Then the two begin to lightly move to the track before Ciara forms her body as an armrest as he leans on her. Ciara and the dancers perform choreography and cabaret
-style moves on the pole. The bridge
of the song puts Timberlake on the ground and Ciara, standing over him, turns and performs her signature "Matrix" over him as he guides her body toward his with his right hand. The two perform and as Ciara gets up, Timberlake smacks her side as she pops to the beat. The video then cuts to a scene with Ciara in the catsuit portraying a tiger in a cage. In the final scene, Ciara and the dancers perform, dressed in 70s-inspired tuxedos and colored afros. The video ends with clips of Ciara's multiple performance scenes from throughout the video.
Nick Levine of Digital Spy
gave the video a positive review: "The video that accompanies this track is one of the year's best so far—and certainly the sexiest: Ciara licks Justin's ear, Justin reciprocates by slapping her bum, and, well, Ciara's flexibility would put many a poledancer to shame. Quite frankly, the whole thing could make a nun have impure thoughts". At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
, the video was nominated for "Best Choreography"; it lost to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
." The video ranked at number thirty-nine on BET
's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
with Timberlake, that night's host. Accompanied by live instruments, Ciara performed choreography with backup dancers, while Timberlake played the keyboard. Timberlake and Ciara danced provocatively after he came from behind the keyboard to perform his verse. During the set, Ciara also performed "Never Ever
." A writer for BET's Sound Off Blog said, "aside from the fact that her grunts were live and her stage humps were unreal, Ciara’s set was pretty decent. Not that I expected any less from the A-Town princess, but that was a pretty tasty performance." The writer pointed out that Timberlake was not even noted on the set until he began his verse. In an interview with MTV News
, Ciara went into detail about the setup of the performance, stating:
On May 13, 2009, Ciara performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
, accompanied by background dancers. Ciara and the dancers performed choreography similar to that of the video and wore the 70s-inspired suits and afros. The same day, she performed the song with "Never Ever" on Jimmy Kimmel Live
. Ciara performed the song at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
on May 30, 2009.
Source
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American R&B singer Ciara. It was released on May 3, 2009 in the UK by RCA Records and May 5 in the United States on LaFace Records. The album combines R&B and hip hop sound from her previous albums along with a new pop and dance direction.The album...
. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's
The Y's
The Y's is a R&B/pop production group consisting of Justin Timberlake, James Fauntleroy, and Rob Knox In 2008 Rob Knox and James Fauntleroy ended their associations with production group The Underdogs to start new production group The Y's together with Justin Timberlake.The production group...
, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo
Mike Elizondo
Michael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
. The Y's and Elizondo also produced the track. The song was released from Fantasy Ride as the lead single internationally, and was the second single from that album released in the United States.
The song reveals a complete departure from Ciara's previous style, neither a sensual ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
nor incorporating Crunk&B
Crunk&B
Crunk&B is a type of music that combines crunk music and contemporary R&B. Both term and music were coined by Lil Jon after he produced Yeah! for Usher and Okay for Nivea in 2004.- Notable songs :* "Yeah!" – Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris...
influences. It embraces a dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
sound, while including R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and funk via a retro 70s-style guitar which is present in the piece. Many critics noted the similarities between the song and music on Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds
FutureSex/LoveSounds
In 2005, Timberlake felt inspired to record songs again. Motivated by the "sad state" of pop radio, he decided he needed to experiment with music. Reportedly, it was not until Timberlake turned to producer Timbaland "that he figured out the direction he wanted the record to take"...
(2006). Critics gave the song mixed reviews, complimenting the song's funk and retro feel and the chemistry present between Ciara and Timberlake. Typical critiques observed that Timberlake overwhelmed Ciara's performance, that Ciara had changed her previous sound, and indicted the song as left over from Timberlake's previous album. The song would later go on to be nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 52nd Grammy Awards
52nd Grammy Awards
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast...
.
"Love Sex Magic" reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, becoming Ciara's fifth top ten hit, and her first since "Get Up
Get Up (Ciara song)
"Get Up" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. Released on July 25, 2006, the song serves as the first single from the original soundtrack to the film Step Up , as well as the lead single for her second album, Ciara: The Evolution. It features American rapper Chamillionaire...
" in 2006. While it did not perform as well as her previous chart entries in the United States, it stands as her best international effort, reaching the top ten in countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and France. The music video also exhibits a retro feel inspired by the Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (cabaret)
Le Crazy Horse Saloon or Le Crazy Horse de Paris is a Parisian cabaret known for its stage shows performed by nude female dancers and for the diverse range of magic and variety 'turns' between each nude show...
cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
show, and features Timberlake, Ciara, and several different kinds of foreplay
Foreplay
In human sexual behavior, foreplay is a set of intimate psychological and physically intimate acts between two or more people meant to create desire for sexual activity and sexual arousal. Either or any of the sexual partners may initiate the foreplay, and they may not be the active partner during...
, as well as Ciara dancing. For its routines it was nominated for Best Choreography at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 13, 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, honoring the best music videos from June 19, 2008, to June 29, 2009. Comedian Russell Brand hosted the event for the second time in a row. The awards were held a few months after Michael...
. Ciara has performed the song on television a number of times, including on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
and with Timberlake on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
Background
A song entitled "Magic", performed by Justin Timberlake, leaked online in November 2008. In February 2009 Rap-UpRap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
reported that Ciara and Timberlake had recorded a new duet for her then-upcoming album, Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American R&B singer Ciara. It was released on May 3, 2009 in the UK by RCA Records and May 5 in the United States on LaFace Records. The album combines R&B and hip hop sound from her previous albums along with a new pop and dance direction.The album...
. The final version of the song, initially titled "Love and Sex and Magic", featured Timberlake dueting with Ciara. Eventually known as "Love Sex Magic", the song was written by Timberlake, Mike Elizondo
Mike Elizondo
Michael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
, and Timberlake's production team The Y's
The Y's
The Y's is a R&B/pop production group consisting of Justin Timberlake, James Fauntleroy, and Rob Knox In 2008 Rob Knox and James Fauntleroy ended their associations with production group The Underdogs to start new production group The Y's together with Justin Timberlake.The production group...
—James Fauntleroy II
James Fauntleroy II
James Edward Fauntleroy II is an American R&B singer-songwriter signed to Roc Nation. Formerly a member of The Underdogs, Fauntleroy currently works with the production group The Y's, and is the acting president of entertainment conglomerate "1500 Or Nothin"...
, Timberlake, and Robin Tadross. Timberlake wanted to create a song that both genders could relate to.The Y's and Elizondo produced the song. Ciara said that her collaboration with Timberlake was one of the best of her career, because they actually collaborated in the studio, rather than him being added as a guest feature after the initial recording. She explained, "I actually went into the studio to make the record from scratch, or he had the record there for me, but us being together was a very rare case I've had over the years." Ciara enjoyed her time with Timberlake, and valued the opportunity to work with him as an "artist and producer." She also noted how passionate Timberlake was about his work, and mentioned his humbleness and positive attitude.
Composition
With "Love Sex Magic", Ciara moved in a more pop direction than her past music. Jordan Sargent of PopMattersPopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
noted that while a pop fan might see the singer "back in her mind creatively", a Ciara fan would see the song as "signal[ing] the end of the singer's career as it once was". Sargent stated that the song "sounds nothing like the chrome-plated crunk&b
Crunk&B
Crunk&B is a type of music that combines crunk music and contemporary R&B. Both term and music were coined by Lil Jon after he produced Yeah! for Usher and Okay for Nivea in 2004.- Notable songs :* "Yeah!" – Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris...
nor the moonlit balladry that Ciara has staked her name on." Musically, the song is a dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
-R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
number which makes use of electro and funk music, as well as displaying disco and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
influences. The song has a minimalistic dance beat, with a "funky, retro 70s style R&B guitar" as the backdrop. Lauren Carter of the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
said that the song is influenced by Timberlake's disco-funk work on FutureSex/LoveSounds
FutureSex/LoveSounds
In 2005, Timberlake felt inspired to record songs again. Motivated by the "sad state" of pop radio, he decided he needed to experiment with music. Reportedly, it was not until Timberlake turned to producer Timbaland "that he figured out the direction he wanted the record to take"...
, stating that "it sounds like a reworked version of his bass-heavy dance number "Sexy Ladies." Carter commented that Timberlake was "ushering Ciara away from her typically crunk-laced stylings in favor of JT’s electro-slide." Ann Powers of The Los Angeles Times said that the song was "Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
-esque." Both Ciara and Timberlake provide verses, accompanied by vocal whims and falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
. According to Bill Lamb of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
, the song "lays aside pretentions of deep meaning and instead encourages a fun-filled trip to the dance floor." Lamb noted the "vocal magnetism" between Ciara and Timberlake in the song. He found that the song features a "smooth breakdown."
Critical reception
Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music UK said that with the track, Ciara "lucked into the sexiest thing to happen to pop since Timberlake's own FutureSex/LoveSoundsFutureSex/LoveSounds
In 2005, Timberlake felt inspired to record songs again. Motivated by the "sad state" of pop radio, he decided he needed to experiment with music. Reportedly, it was not until Timberlake turned to producer Timbaland "that he figured out the direction he wanted the record to take"...
", calling the song one of the "biggest anthems of the year." Gennoe went on to call the song the "highlight" and "saving grace" of Fantasy Ride. Nick Levine of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
said that "the track itself is nearly as sexy as the promo clip", commenting "Ciara purrs, and Timberlake, if you'll pardon the pun, more than rises to the occasion. All in all, 'Love Sex Magic' is pretty much spot on." Lauren Carter of the Boston Herald said "It’s not quite magic, but it grows on you." Although stating that it may be "light pop fluff", Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song four out of five stars, calling it a "fun track" that would get "mainstream pop audiences dancing and singing along." Lamb commented that a "funky guitar and appearance by Justin Timberlake may be just enough to carry her back near the top of the pop chart." Jeremy Medina of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
said, "Hooking up with Timberlake essentially guarantees a one-way ticket back to chart supremacy, so nice work there, Ciara." Medina went on to call the song an early candidate for "song of the summer."
Jon Caramanica welcomed the "female aggression" presented by Ciara on the track. Caramanica called it an unexpected twist, calling Ciara "still curiously anonymous". She noted that Timberlake, not a "vocal powerhouse" himself, out-sings Ciara on the track. Tom Breihan of Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
said that the song was not bad and complimented the song's disco feel. He said that it gained Ciara a "radio foothold that had been hers to lose a couple of years ago", and commented that it seemed like "a bargain-basement Justin Timberlake track, the sort of thing he could've had lying around in a closet somewhere nearly three years after FutureSex/LoveSounds." Breihan pointed out that "Timberlake's nerdy swagger really highlights Ciara's total lack of presence." Jordan Sargent of PopMatters criticized the song for being generic, calling it "a formulaic FutureSex/LoveSounds disco retread", commenting "The song probably could’ve been given to any struggling female singer and become a hit, and the fact that Ciara had to use it as her parachute is as puzzling as it is unfortunate." Andy Kellman of Allmusic called the song a "hobbling flop" and said that it was "easily forgettable."
At the 52nd Grammy Awards
52nd Grammy Awards
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast...
, "Love Sex Magic" was nominated for the award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. It lost to Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Thomas Mraz , also known as Mr. AZ and Mr. Raz, is an American singer-songwriter. Mraz released his debut album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which contained the hit single "The Remedy ", in 2002, but it was not until the release of his second album, "Mr. A-Z", in 2005, that Mraz achieved...
and Colbie Calliat's "Lucky
Lucky (Jason Mraz song)
"Lucky" is a song by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. It is the third single from Mraz's third studio album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. The song has been on the Billboard charts as well as on the other music charts worldwide....
."
Chart performance
The song debuted at number eighty-six on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and the next week jumped to number twenty-seven. In its third week, the song rose to number ten, becoming Ciara's fifth top ten single. It was her first top ten entry since "Get Up
Get Up (Ciara song)
"Get Up" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. Released on July 25, 2006, the song serves as the first single from the original soundtrack to the film Step Up , as well as the lead single for her second album, Ciara: The Evolution. It features American rapper Chamillionaire...
" in 2006. It was her highest-charting song on the Hot 100 since "Like a Boy
Like a Boy
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution . Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S...
" in 2007. "Love Sex Magic" appeared on multiple Billboard component charts, reaching number fourteen on the Pop Songs chart, number eighteen Hot Dance Club Songs chart, and eighty-three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. On the Canadian Hot 100
Canadian Hot 100
The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007...
, the song debuted at number nine, and would later peak at number six.
Although the single did not rank among Ciara's most successful singles in the US, it performed well overall in international markets. The song debuted at number six on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, peaking at number five the next week. It spent fourteen weeks on the chart, and was eventually certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
(ARIA), for shipments totalling 70,000 copies. In New Zealand, the song debuted on the New Zealand Singles Chart at fourteen. It remained stagnant the next week until peaking at six the following week. Having spent thirteen weeks on the chart, the song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
(RIANZ), for shipments totalling 7,500 copies.
Across Europe, the single charted in the top ten of seven charts, and the top twenty of four others. Due to its numerous chartings in Europe, the song peaked at number six on the European Hot 100 chart. The song saw success on charts in the British Isles. On the week ending April 30, 2009, the song peaked at number four on the Irish Singles Chart
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured...
, moving from number seven the previous week. "Love Sex Magic" spent seventeen non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, debuting at number six and peaking at number five the following week. However, it was a total success on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
topping the chart for two weeks.
Music video
The Diane MartelDiane Martel
Diane Martel is a music video director and choreographer.-Choreographer:1989*Bloodhounds of Broadway 1991*"Shiny Happy People" - R.E.M...
-directed music video for "Love Sex Magic" premiered on March 22, 2009. In an interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, Ciara said: "It's all about showing another side of me with this video. I'm basically giving you a show you'd see in Vegas—and it's my love, sex and magic show. He's the voyeur and I play with him a little bit. I got my inspiration from the Crazy Horse [Cabaret
Crazy Horse (cabaret)
Le Crazy Horse Saloon or Le Crazy Horse de Paris is a Parisian cabaret known for its stage shows performed by nude female dancers and for the diverse range of magic and variety 'turns' between each nude show...
] show and just from the shows [in Vegas], period. It's giving you the elements of love and sex and magic." In a later interview about the video, Ciara stated that she had to lick Timberlake's ear, and at one point, he was licking her neck and they were "freestyling". Martel wanted them to do something "edgy", so they found a "cool way to do it." Ciara noted the different pauses in cuts in between the tapings, commenting "so it's licking on the neck, again, then his biting on my neck, again. It was really funny." The singer would later elaborate on the Crazy Horse show reference in an interview with Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
, explaining the she had so much respect for the show that it became her reference. On working with Timberlake, she said, "Justin is one of the most easy-going, down-to-earth, hard-working and passionate artists you could ever work with. And, with both me and him, our goal was just to make the best video we could possibly make together, and to give the fans something a little fun and a little unexpected."
Synopsis and reception
The video opens with Ciara and Timberlake face to face, caressing seductively. The camera cuts to Ciara who appears almost impervious to gravity. Dressed in lingerie, she maneuvers around a horizontal dance pole; background dancers are veiled in vibrant color schemes and alternating strobe lightStrobe light
A strobe light or stroboscopic lamp, commonly called a strobe, is a device used to produce regular flashes of light. It is one of a number of devices that can be used as a stroboscope...
s. The video then cuts to Ciara in a leotard
Leotard
A leotard is a skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs free. It was made famous by the French acrobatic performer Jules Léotard ....
, posing in abstract and flexible poses. Ciara is then seen dressed in a tiger-striped catsuit
Catsuit
A catsuit is a close-fitting one-piece garment that covers the torso and the legs, and frequently the arms. They are usually made from stretchable material, such as lycra, chiffon, spandex , leather, latex, PVC, or velour, and frequently close using a zipper at the front or back.Catsuits, which...
performing solo dance moves on a stage. Timberlake performs his verse seated onstage while Ciara performs intricate tricks, such as snaking under his legs. Then the two begin to lightly move to the track before Ciara forms her body as an armrest as he leans on her. Ciara and the dancers perform choreography and cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
-style moves on the pole. The bridge
Bridge (song)
"Bridge" is a song by progressive metal band Queensrÿche appearing on their 1994 album Promised Land.-Chart performance:...
of the song puts Timberlake on the ground and Ciara, standing over him, turns and performs her signature "Matrix" over him as he guides her body toward his with his right hand. The two perform and as Ciara gets up, Timberlake smacks her side as she pops to the beat. The video then cuts to a scene with Ciara in the catsuit portraying a tiger in a cage. In the final scene, Ciara and the dancers perform, dressed in 70s-inspired tuxedos and colored afros. The video ends with clips of Ciara's multiple performance scenes from throughout the video.
Nick Levine of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the video a positive review: "The video that accompanies this track is one of the year's best so far—and certainly the sexiest: Ciara licks Justin's ear, Justin reciprocates by slapping her bum, and, well, Ciara's flexibility would put many a poledancer to shame. Quite frankly, the whole thing could make a nun have impure thoughts". At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 13, 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, honoring the best music videos from June 19, 2008, to June 29, 2009. Comedian Russell Brand hosted the event for the second time in a row. The awards were held a few months after Michael...
, the video was nominated for "Best Choreography"; it lost to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
"Single Ladies " is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. It was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 2008 as the album's lead single, and appeared with "If I Were a Boy" as a double A-side single, demonstrating the...
." The video ranked at number thirty-nine on BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
Live performances
On May 9, 2010, Ciara performed the song on Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
with Timberlake, that night's host. Accompanied by live instruments, Ciara performed choreography with backup dancers, while Timberlake played the keyboard. Timberlake and Ciara danced provocatively after he came from behind the keyboard to perform his verse. During the set, Ciara also performed "Never Ever
Never Ever (Ciara song)
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first official single from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's...
." A writer for BET's Sound Off Blog said, "aside from the fact that her grunts were live and her stage humps were unreal, Ciara’s set was pretty decent. Not that I expected any less from the A-Town princess, but that was a pretty tasty performance." The writer pointed out that Timberlake was not even noted on the set until he began his verse. In an interview with MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, Ciara went into detail about the setup of the performance, stating:
"I just kind of felt cool, 'cause Justin can play [piano] real well and he really gets into the music and it was, like, 'Hey, let's make you part of the band.' Having Justin in the background for the live performance was very different from the music video for the song, where the two dance quite provocatively with one another. [We wanted to] do something different and make it fun. It was awesome to see him pick up the keys."
On May 13, 2009, Ciara performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
, accompanied by background dancers. Ciara and the dancers performed choreography similar to that of the video and wore the 70s-inspired suits and afros. The same day, she performed the song with "Never Ever" on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
. Ciara performed the song at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
on May 30, 2009.
Track listing and versions
- German Maxi CD
- "Love Sex Magic" (Main Version) – 3:40
- "Love Sex Magic" (Instrumental) – 3:40
- "Love Sex Magic" (PokerFace Club Mix) – 4:19
- "Love Sex Magic" (Jason Nevins Sex Club Radio Mix) – 3:28
- "Love Sex Magic" (Video) – 3:40
- UK and European CD Single
- "Love Sex Magic" (Main Version) – 3:40
- "Go GirlGo Girl (Ciara song)"Go Girl" is a song co-written and performed by American R&B singer Ciara. The song was released as the lead single, for her third studio album Fantasy Ride, however it was only included on the Japan version of the album...
" (featuring T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
) (Main Version) – 4:29
Credits and personnel
- Ciara Harris – vocals
- Justin TimberlakeJustin TimberlakeJustin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
– vocals, producer, writer, programming - James Fauntleroy – producer, writer, programming
- Robin Tadross – producer, writer, programming
- Mike ElizondoMike ElizondoMichael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
– producer, writer - Spike Stent – mixing
- Mixed by: Spike Stent
- All Programming by: The Y's
- Recorded at: Henson Recording StudiosHenson Recording StudiosHenson Recording Studios was established in 2000 at the former A&M Studios. The remake of We Are the World was recorded at Henson Recording Studios in February 2010 to benefit the Haiti earthquake victims....
in Los Angeles, CACaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Source
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
Year-end charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 46 |
| Hungarian Singles Chart | 58 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 86 |
| UK Singles Chart | 53 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... ) |
Platinum |
| New Zealand (RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... ) |
Gold |
Radio and release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | March 3, 2009 | Mainstream Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts... and rhythmic Rhythmic Contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may... airplay |
| March 13, 2009 | Digital download | |
| United Kingdom | April 5, 2009 | |
| Japan | April 8, 2009 | |
| Germany | April 17, 2009 | |
| May 1, 2009 | CD single | |
| Maxi single Maxi single A maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:... |