Part II (On the Run)
"Part II (On the Run)" is a song recorded by American rapper Jay-Z from his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013) featuring American singer and wife Beyoncé. The song was written by Jay-Z, James Fauntleroy, Timbaland, and J-Roc while the production was handled by the latter two. It is viewed as a sequel to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 2002 collaboration "'03 Bonnie & Clyde", a song which was rumored to be about their relationship. "Part II (On the Run)" is a slow-tempo Electro-R&B ballad instrumentally complete with synths and drums, and its lyrics refer to a rebellious couple in love and describe their dangerous relationship.
"Part II (On the Run)"
February 18, 2014
5:33
- Timbaland
- J-Roc
The song charted at numbers 93 and 81 on the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100 respectively based on downloads alone, following the release of Magna Carta Holy Grail. It was sent to U.S. contemporary hit radio stations as the third single to be released from the album on February 18, 2014.[1]
Composition[edit]
"Part II (On the Run)" is a smooth slow-tempo electro-R&B love ballad[7][8][9][10] which is equipped with a steamy, retro and retro-futuristic groove that creates an acute level of moody texture.[11][12] It is instrumentally complete with keyboards and drums.[13][14] Jon Pareles, a writer of The New York Times noted that it was the closest song to pop music on Magna Carta Holy Grail.[13] Pareles further noted that Timbaland's production sets aside his usual brittle tones to hint at the keyboard confections of 1980's Lionel Richie and Don Henley.[13] Lyrically, the song speaks about a rebellious couple that is desperately in love.[7] The song opens with an airy prelude during which Beyoncé sings the lines, "Who wants that perfect love story anyway anyway / Cliché cliché cliché. Who wants that hero love that saves the day anyway, cliché cliché cliché" in dreamy lead vocals along with breathy harmonies.[4][13][15] Jay-Z and Beyoncé further trade verses about fugitives finding romance, with Beyoncé singing, "I hear sirens while we make love"[13] and slowly exhaling in the song, singing in her lower register, swearing that she can still hold her lover's heart and gun.[16][17] She further denounces the couple's own love story as "a toast to clichés in a dark past" over dizzy, diving synths[18] and drums which sound like "they came out of Eric B's basement," as stated by Grant Jones of the website Rap Reviews.[14] With the lines: "If it's you and me against the world/ Then so be it," Jay-Z notes the criticism towards the couple when they first went public with "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" and the lines referencing Tupac Shakur in the song.[6][16][19] He further acknowledges that if anyone attacks his girlfriend he would kill them: "Cross the line, speak about mine/ I'mma wave this TEC, I'm a geek about mine/ Touch a ni--a where his rib at/ I click clat/ Push your muh'fuckin' wig back."[20]
Chart performance[edit]
For the week ending July 14, 2013, "Part II (On the Run)" charted at number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[33][34] With the song appearing on the chart together with six other songs from Magna Carta... Holy Grail, Jay-Z was ranked at the fifth place for the most appearances in the Hot 100's archives. "Part II (On the Run)" also became the pair's fifth collaboration to reach the chart. As Beyoncé and Jay-Z married in 2008, the song marked their first Hot 100 hit as husband-and-wife.[35] The same week it also appeared at number 29 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[36]
It also debuted at number 93 on the UK Singles Chart[37] and at number 187 on the French Singles Chart,[38] following its release with Magna Carta Holy Grail.
Music video[edit]
On April 17, 2014, Jay-Z and Beyoncé were seen filming the music video for "Part II (On the Run)" atop a motorcycle with Jay-Z in black leather biker gear and Beyoncé sporting a short white dress and veil.[39]
The music video was later revealed to be a "faux-trailer" entitled "RUN", featuring "Part II (On the Run)" in the background. The video was released on May 17, 2014 to promote Beyoncé and Jay-Z's On the Run Tour.[40] The video, which features multiple celebrity cameos including Don Cheadle, Guillermo Díaz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Blake Lively, Sean Penn, Emmy Rossum, Rashida Jones and Kidada Jones shows Beyoncé and Jay-Z out on a Bonnie and Clyde expedition, filled with action, crime, love and guns. Multiple other snippets of tracks from Magna Carta Holy Grail carry the video, alongside "Part II (On the Run)"[41] The video was directed by Melina Matsoukas.[42]
Alternate version[edit]
On July 7, 2013 a solo version of "Part II (On the Run)" sang only by Beyoncé appeared on the Internet.[43][44] Christina Lee of the website Idolator wrote in her review of the solo version: "'Without you, I got nothing to lose' Beyoncé sings in 'Part II (On the Run)'... In a strange way, she turned out to be right."[43]