Us Against the World (Christina Milian song)
"Us Against the World" is a song by American entertainer Christina Milian. It was written by Milian and Makeba Riddick as well as the producer Theodore "Madd Scientst" Thomas. The song was released for streaming as a single on October 6, 2008 by MySpace Records, through a joint venture with Interscope, as part of a new record deal for Milian. The song is Milian's first release since her 2006 album So Amazin' and the single "Say I". Shortly after the release of that album, Milian was dropped from longtime record label Def Jam due to poor album sales. "Us Against the World" is a cinematic ballad, which Milian acknowledged was her first ballad release. Milian conceived the song as a love anthem while watching the 1996 adaption of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, and wanting to create music that captured the same themes.
"Us Against the World"
October 6, 2008
Larrabee Sound (Hollywood, California)
- 4:39 (single version)
- 4:16 (Jason Nevins remix)
- 4:02 (video edit)
- Christina Milian
- Makeba Riddick
- Theodore "Madd Scientst" Thomas
Madd Scientist
A music video inspired by the films Mad Max (1979) and 300 (2007), helmed by Ray Kay, was released in promotion of the song. Filmed in Sepia, the video features Milian alone amongst sand dunes in a desert backdrop before uniting with her love interest. Kay had previously worked with Milian for the videos on the videos for her singles "Whatever U Want" and "Say I" in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Additionally, a remix of the song produced by Jason Nevins was, released in January 2009. "Us Against the World" experienced limited commercial success, peaking at number 65 on the US Billboard Pop 100 Airplay and number 112 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was billed as the lead single for her fourth studio album Dream in Colour, later titled Elope, which ultimately went unreleased after more record label changes for Milian.
Background and release[edit]
In 2006, Milian left longtime record label Def Jam Recordings, shortly after the release of her third studio album So Amazin'. It was widely reported in the media that this was due to low album sales, with 163,000 copies of So Amazin' sold in the first week.[1][2] Speaking to Rap-Up, Milian said the experience had a negative impact on her, "It was embarrassing. It was a week after my album got put out. I would be in my room a lot of the time crying by myself." Milian said she was let go by the label for budget cuts, but felt like it was "to spend the money on [Rihanna]".[3] Less than two years later, it was confirmed that Milian had signed a new deal with MySpace Records, a joint venture between the social networking service MySpace and American record label Interscope.[4]
Billboard carried the exclusive announcement, in which Milian said: "I've been out of the game for one-and-a-half years, and I think I'm long overdue for a comeback, so I'm treating this album like it's my last chance to make an impression. I'm competing with myself and being very detailed."[2] "Us Against the World" was announced as the album's lead single, with the album, tentatively titled Dream in Colour, due for release in early 2009.[3] The song was made available for streaming on the MySpace platform as a single by the aforementioned record labels on October 6, 2008.[2] It was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on October 28, 2008.[5] A Jason Nevins produced remix of the song was later released, and appeared on the compilation album Jason Nevins Presents Ultra Dance 10, released on January 6, 2009.[6] The remix was released to iTunes in the United States on January 6, 2009 by Radio Killa Records, MySpace and Interscope.[7]
In early 2009, Milian confirmed that she had signed to The-Dream's Radio Killa record label and would be re-titling the album Elope. Further delays to the album's release came as Radio Killa and Milian agreed a deal with Interscope to distribute the album. Initially, "Us Against the World" was still billed as the album's first single, but Milian later stated that fans could expect a new lead single in 2009.[8][9]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the CD single.[10]
Recording locations
Personnel
Notes