Alligator Sky
Encyclopedia
"Alligator Sky" is a song by American synthpop
artist Owl City
from his third studio album All Things Bright and Beautiful
. It was released as the lead single from the album on April 12, 2011. There are four versions: The first features Californian rapper Shawn Chrystopher
, the second version omits Chrystopher's vocals, a third version featuring Atlanta rapper B.o.B
leaked online, and a fourth version, featuring vocals by Big Boi
of Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast
also leaked online.
that he experimented with different sounds on the album, All Things Bright and Beautiful
, and that "Alligator Sky" is where he 'pulled the hip-hop vibe, stating; "... I'm a big fan of the way hip-hop music is put together and everything that goes into it -- being so beat-heavy and just focusing on the rhythm side of it, sometimes more than melody. But I wanted to marry those two ideas and just focus on the rhythm side of it then have this rapper do verses just as a new look to it.".
band, Long Lost Sun, was leaked on Idolator Blog. Idolator described the remix as a "... a giddy Owl City-esque wall of sound", as well as complementing Shawn Chrystopher's rapping. Idolator Blog
a few days prior to the release on May 2, which explained the concept for the video; saying that it's about two men (Young and Chrystopher) leaving earth, but unlike many videos with a similar theme, they aren't leaving a post-apocalyptic earth
, instead, there is a big celebration.
It has been confirmed by Young that B.o.B and Big Boi will make appearances in separate videos for the leaked versions of the track.
His "Alligator Sky" self makes an appearance at the end of the music video for "Deer in the Headlights" where he is nearly run over by himself driving the DeLorean (from "Back to the Future") after coming to the year 2015
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
artist Owl City
Owl City
Owl City is an American electronica musical project by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young formed in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. Young created the project while experimenting with music in his parents' basement...
from his third studio album All Things Bright and Beautiful
All Things Bright and Beautiful (album)
All Things Bright and Beautiful is the third studio album by American electronic act Owl City. It was released on June 14, 2011.-Writing and development:...
. It was released as the lead single from the album on April 12, 2011. There are four versions: The first features Californian rapper Shawn Chrystopher
Shawn Chrystopher (rapper)
Shawn Chrystopher Garrett, II better known by his stage name Shawn Chrystopher, is an American rapper and music producer. He first gained major attention with the release of his debut mixtape "I.W.G.: I Wear Glasses" in 2008, which was sponsored by urban-clothing powerhouse LRG...
, the second version omits Chrystopher's vocals, a third version featuring Atlanta rapper B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
leaked online, and a fourth version, featuring vocals by Big Boi
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
of Atlanta hip-hop duo OutKast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
also leaked online.
Meaning
Adam Young stated in an interview with AOLAOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
that he experimented with different sounds on the album, All Things Bright and Beautiful
All Things Bright and Beautiful (album)
All Things Bright and Beautiful is the third studio album by American electronic act Owl City. It was released on June 14, 2011.-Writing and development:...
, and that "Alligator Sky" is where he 'pulled the hip-hop vibe, stating; "... I'm a big fan of the way hip-hop music is put together and everything that goes into it -- being so beat-heavy and just focusing on the rhythm side of it, sometimes more than melody. But I wanted to marry those two ideas and just focus on the rhythm side of it then have this rapper do verses just as a new look to it.".
Remix
A remix of the single by the electronicaElectronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
band, Long Lost Sun, was leaked on Idolator Blog. Idolator described the remix as a "... a giddy Owl City-esque wall of sound", as well as complementing Shawn Chrystopher's rapping. Idolator Blog
Critical reception
Of the solo version, PopCrush stated: "The tune is an escape for the listener, as the music takes you on a journey of its own while Young sings... to keep the listener intrigued with the various pieces of music and lyrics coming together as one...", giving it a positive review. PopCrushMusic video
A music video for the first version of the song was released on May 6 and was made by Endeavor Media. Young uploaded 'Behind the Scenes' footage of the video on VEVOVevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
a few days prior to the release on May 2, which explained the concept for the video; saying that it's about two men (Young and Chrystopher) leaving earth, but unlike many videos with a similar theme, they aren't leaving a post-apocalyptic earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, instead, there is a big celebration.
It has been confirmed by Young that B.o.B and Big Boi will make appearances in separate videos for the leaked versions of the track.
His "Alligator Sky" self makes an appearance at the end of the music video for "Deer in the Headlights" where he is nearly run over by himself driving the DeLorean (from "Back to the Future") after coming to the year 2015
Track listing
- "Alligator Sky" (featuring Shawn ChrystopherShawn Chrystopher (rapper)Shawn Chrystopher Garrett, II better known by his stage name Shawn Chrystopher, is an American rapper and music producer. He first gained major attention with the release of his debut mixtape "I.W.G.: I Wear Glasses" in 2008, which was sponsored by urban-clothing powerhouse LRG...
) — 3:05 - "Alligator Sky" (No Rap Edit) — 3:14
- "Alligator Sky" (Long Lost Sun Remix) — 3:08
- "Alligator Sky" (featuring B.o.BB.o.BBobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
) — 3:15 - "Alligator Sky" (featuring Big BoiBig BoiAntwan André Patton , better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André...
) - 3:07
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| German Youth Airplay Chart | 17 |
| German Airplay Chart | 68 |