Let Me Love You (Ariana Grande song)

"Let Me Love You" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring American rapper Lil Wayne from her third studio album Dangerous Woman (2016). It was written by Tommy Brown, Victoria Monét, Steven Franks, Grande and Wayne, with production being done by Franks and Brown, the latter under the name TB Hits. The song was released as the second promotional single from the album on April 18, 2016. A slow-paced, sultry R&B track, "Let Me Love You" features delicate piano chords, electro-beats, smooth, deep bass, trap-lite, hip-hop beats, and interspersed vocals. Lyrically, the song talks about getting over an ex and laying on the chest of someone new.

"Let Me Love You"
Promotional single by Ariana Grande featuring Lil Wayne
from the album Dangerous Woman
ReleasedApril 18, 2016 (2016-04-18)
RecordedAugust – September 2014
GenreR&B[1][2][3]
Length3:43
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • TB Hits
  • Mr. Franks
Ariana Grande Promotional singles chronology
"Be Alright"
(2016)		 "Let Me Love You"
(2016)		 "Arturo Sandoval"
(2017)
Music video
"Let Me Love You" on YouTube

A music video for the song, directed by Grant Singer, was released on May 16, 2016. For the first week, the music video was available to watch exclusively on Apple Music. It shows Grande in various intimate settings and Wayne appears as well. The music video spawned a nomination for Best Collaboration Video at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.

Background and release

"Let Me Love You" was the first song Grande recorded for the album, which initially was called "Moonlight". It was written and recorded in late 2014, as stated by Grande during an interview with Ryan Seacrest.[5] Later, on March 11, 2016, Grande revealed the title of four tracks from the track list of Dangerous Woman, with one being "Let Me Love You", which was said to have American rapper Lil Wayne as a featured guest.[6] Wayne had previously rapped about Grande on his track "London Roads" off his album Free Weezy Album (2015).[7] Ten days later, Grande teased a snippet of the track through her Snapchat account.[8] She also stated that it was one of her favorite verses of his ever and that they felt like "old school Lil Wayne."[9][10] On April 18, 2016, "Let Me Love You" was released as the album's second promotional single from the album.[11]

Composition and lyrics

"Let Me Love You" was written by Thomas Brown, Victoria McCants, Steven Franks, Ariana Grande and Dwayne Carter. The song was produced by Brown and Franks. It features American rapper Lil Wayne and contains an interpolation of the song "All the Time", recorded by Jeremih, Wayne and Natasha Mosley, and produced by Fki. "Let Me Love You" is a "a slow-paced sultry jam",[12][13] having a laid back R&B melody,[8][12][3] delicate piano chords, electro-beats,[14] smooth, deep bass,[15] a steady beat,[16] trap-lite sound, hip-hop beats,[17] and interspersed vocals.[16] It features Grande's whispering vocals,[13] while also having "sultry, breathy falsetto singing and belted-out vocal runs."[18] In the chorus, her vocals are stuttered.[19] Wayne appears halfway through the track, and near the end they sing back and forth until it fades out.[14] Ariana's vocals on the song span from the low note of E3 to the high note of D5.

Lyrically, "Let Me Love You" talks about getting over an ex and laying on the chest of someone new.[13] While "lying on some hunk's chest", she's just chilling and "looking for love", mostly "a one-night stand,"[20] as stated by Digital Spy's Lewis Corner and seen in the lines: "I just broke up with my ex, now I'm out here single/ I don't really know what's next, but I ain't even tripping, I'ma chill and sit back/ I know they'll be coming from the right and the left, left, left."[16] Wayne responds to her verses with what was considered "catchy word play", such as "she's grinding on this Grande,"[13] which turns the singer's last name into a sexual innuendo.[21] "And when it comes to that nigga, I'll give her amnesia / She just looking for love / She says she's single and I'm her feature, oh my God," he finishes his rap.[19]

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic picked the track as one of the album's highlights, praising the producers for "shepherding many of the cuts with a heavier R&B influence."[1] Larry Bartleet of NME named it one of the album's "nudge-nudge moments".[22] Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone called it a "slow-burning, stifling track" that has "smoky late-night vibes."[19] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy noted that "the darker, sexier, and slower production certainly suggests this is a song for the early hours, rather than a romantic dinner for two."[20] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine was positive, writing that "despite the track's de rigueur chopped-up vocals standing in for an actual hook, the impeccably produced 'Let Me Love You' is reminiscent of Brandy's 'Angel in Disguise,' right down to Grande's breathy, hypnotic lead vocal."[23] John Hil of Noisey thought the song was "interesting" and felt excited about the other collaborations on the record.[15]

Wren Graves of Consequence of Sound opined that, "The hook relies on the kind of electronic vocal manipulations we associate with a weaker voice, say Selena Gomez, but the verses are Grande at her mewling best."[24] Spin's Andrew Unterberger stated that the song is "not quite irresistible, but it's mildly alluring"[25] Carolyn Menyes of Music Times claimed that it "may miss the sort of fiery hook that helped Grande's similarly-themed hit "Love Me Harder" such a success, but it gels flawlessly with the subdued offerings Grande has showed so far from what is sure to be her most mature record to date."[26] Quinn Moreland of Pitchfork was more mixed with Wayne's appearance, claiming that it was "one of Dangerous Woman's more surprising features, yet perhaps predictably," feeling that he seems "sleepy."[27] Nathan Wisnicki of Pretty Much Amazing agreed, calling it "tuneless" and that it has "a really lazy hook."[28]

Music video

Despite not being released as a single, a music video for the song was directed by Grant Singer and released exclusively on streaming platform service Apple Music on May 15, 2016.[29][30] A week later, on May 22, the music video was released on her YouTube and Vevo channel (the same day her music video for "Into You" was released). As stated by Gil Kaufman of Billboard, "For the most part, Ariana lounges around on her bed and couch in her black leather bustier, shorts and high heels asking a new man if she can love him. And then Lil Wayne shows up in a puff of smoke trailing some XXL promises."[30] The music video spawned a nomination for Best Collaboration at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.[31] It surpassed 100 million views on October 25, 2016, making it Grande's thirteenth Vevo-certified music video after "Side to Side".[32]

Credits and personnel
Recording
  • Recorded at Vietom Studios.
  • Mixed at Mixstar Studios, Virginia Beach, California.
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound.
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dangerous Woman, Republic Records.[33]

Charts

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  2. McKee, Hannah (May 23, 2016). "Review: Ariana Grande's Dangerous Woman". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  3. Geffen, Sasha (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande And Lil Wayne Sound So Sultry On 'Let Me Love You'". MTV. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  4. https://listen.tidal.com/album/60602066
  5. Inocencio, Marc (March 11, 2016). "Interview: Ariana Grande Talks New Songs, 'Mature' Album & 'SNL'". On Air With Ryan Seacrest. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  6. Bellini, Danica (March 11, 2016). "Lil Wayne & Ariana Grande Collaboration Confirmed Before New 'Dangerous Woman' Album Release". Music Times. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  7. Wicks, Amanda (March 11, 2016). "Lil Wayne and Ariana Grande Collaborate on 'Let Me Love You'". Radio.com. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  8. Simon, Jordan (March 21, 2016). "Hear A Snippet Of Ariana Grande & Lil Wayne's "Let Me Love You"". Idolator. SpinMedia. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  9. "Ariana Grande Talks About Lil Wayne And Nicki Minaj Features On Her New Album". Young Money. April 4, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  10. "New Music: Ariana Grande feat. Lil Wayne – 'Let Me Love You'". Rap-Up. April 17, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  11. Davidson, Amy (April 18, 2016). "Listen to Ariana Grande and Lil Wayne swap stories about their exes on new song 'Let Me Love You'". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  12. Fitz-Gerald, Sean (April 18, 2016). "Listen to Ariana Grande and Lil Wayne Get Over Their Exes in 'Let Me Love You'". Vulture.com. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  13. Brown, Lisa (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande Shares Sultry New Tune 'Let Me Love You' Featuring Lil Wayne". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  14. Goodman, Jessica (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande reveals Lil Wayne collab 'Let Me Love You'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  15. Hill, John (April 18, 2016). "Hear a New Ariana Grande and Lil' Wayne Collaboration, "Let Me Love You"". Noisey. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  16. Riotta, Chris (April 17, 2016). "Ariana Grande's "Let Me Love You" Feat. Lil Wayne Leaks Online — and Fans Are Losing It". Mic. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  17. Villa, Lucas (April 20, 2016). "Listen: Ariana Grande turns up the heat in 'Let Me Love You' featuring Lil Wayne". AXS. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  18. Murphy, Sarah (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande "Let Me Love You" (ft. Lil Wayne)". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  19. Kreps, Daniel (April 18, 2016). "Hear Ariana Grande's Slow Jam 'Let Me Love You' With Lil Wayne". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  20. Corner, Lewis (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande's new album Dangerous Woman - our track-by-track first-listen review". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  21. Lee, Christina (April 19, 2016). "Ariana Grande Drops Lil Wayne-Featuring "Let Me Love You": Listen". Idolator. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  22. Bartleet, Larry (May 23, 2016). "Ariana Grande – 'Dangerous Woman' Review". NME. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  23. Cinquemani, Sal (May 19, 2016). "Ariana Grande: Dangerous Woman - Album Review - Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  24. Graves, Wren (May 25, 2016). "Ariana Grande – Dangerous Woman - Album Reviews - Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  25. Unterberger, Andrew (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande Banters With Lil Wayne on New Slow Jam 'Let Me Love You'". Spin. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  26. Menyes, Carolyn (April 18, 2016). "Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne 'Let Me Love You' Review: Chilled Out New Song Is Her Most Mature Yet". Music Times. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  27. Moreland, Quinn (May 25, 2016). "Ariana Grande: Dangerous Woman Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  28. Wisnicki, Nathan (May 23, 2016). "Review: Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman". Pretty Much Amazing. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  29. Carley, Brennan (April 16, 2016). "Ariana Grande and Lil Wayne Go Low Tech in Their Sultry 'Let Me Love You' Video". Spin. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  30. Kaufman, Gil (May 16, 2016). "Ariana Grande & Lil Wayne Share 'Let Me Love You' Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  31. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 26, 2016). "Beyonce Rules MTV Video Music Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  32. "Let Me Love You (Official) - Ariana Grande - Vevo". Vevo. October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  33. Dangerous Woman (inlay cover). Ariana Grande. Republic Records. 2016.CS1 maint: others (link)
  34. Ryan, Gavin (April 23, 2016). "ARIA Singles: Gnash 'I Hate U, I Love U' Spends Second Week at No 1". Noise11. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  35. "Ariana Grande Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  36. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 21, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  37. "Portuguesecharts.com - Singles (Week 21)". Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  38. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  39. "Gaon Digital Chart – Issue date: 2016.04.17 – 2016.04.23". Gaon Chart. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  40. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  41. "Ariana Grande Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  42. "Universal Music Brasil". Universal Music. Instagram. September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  43. "Polish single certifications – Ariana Grande feat. Lil Wayne – Let Me Love You" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  44. "British single certifications – Ariana Grande & Lil Wayne – Let Me Love You". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 3, 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Let Me Love You in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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