"I Can't Lose" is a song by English DJ and record producer

Mark Ronson Mark Daniel Ronson (born 4 September 1975) is a British-American DJ, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. He is best known for his collaborations with artists such as Duran Duran, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, R ...

with featured vocals by Keyone Starr. The song is a promotional single from Ronson's fourth studio album ''

Uptown Special ''Uptown Special'' is the fourth studio album by English record producer Mark Ronson. The album was released on 13 January 2015 in the US and 19 January 2015 in the UK. It is his first album in nearly five years, following '' Record Collection'' ...

'', released on 13 January 2015.

Background

The song was written as the follow-up to "

Uptown Funk "Uptown Funk" is a song by British record producer Mark Ronson from his fourth studio album, ''Uptown Special'' (2015), featuring American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars. It was released as the album's lead single on 10 November 2014 via dow ...

" from

. "I Can't Lose" was written mostly by

Jeff Bhasker Jeff Bhasker (born March 4, 1974) is an American record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He was awarded the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in 2016 and nominated in 2013. An accomplished producer, he ...

and samples Snoop Dogg's " Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" and "Hot Music" by

Soho Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century. The area was develo ...

; in an interview with ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'', Ronson described how Bhaskar had decided that the most appropriate way of discovering an appropriate vocalist for the song was to "drive through the deep south to find someone to sing it", an idea which Ronson loved. This trawling process led to Ronson and Bhaskar sifting through "a few hundred amazing singers" in assorted churches, nightclubs, bars and community centres. However they "had a very specific vocalist in mind", who turned out to be Keyone as both of them realised as she started singing in Mississippi State University.

Music video

A music video was produced for the song. It features both Ronson and Starr performing in an underground Chinatown club along with assorted musicians. The title of the source album, ''Uptown Special'', appears frequently throughout the video. Two rival gangs gamble whilst this performance is going on; after one group loses, a dance-fight breaks out in the car park, with the song's trumpet break causing the club to vibrate. Starr then proceeds to abscond with the winnings and Ronson acts as the getaway driver.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' termed the song "a seductive soul-pop jam". ''

'' described it as "a brass-studded, synth-funk bagatelle that sounds straight outta ic1982".

Track listing

*;The Remixes EP # I Can't Lose (Artful Remix) – 4:47 # I Can't Lose ( Lindstrøm Remix) – 7:42 # I Can't Lose (Pomo Remix) – 3:37 # I Can't Lose (

Duke Dumont Adam George Dyment (born August 1981), better known by his stage name Duke Dumont, is an English DJ and record producer. He is best known for his hit singles " Need U (100%)" " I Got U", " Ocean Drive" and " Won't Look Back" which both reache ...

Remix) – 4:21 # I Can't Lose (MenuWriteMessage Remix) – 2:32

Charts

References

{{authority control Mark Ronson songs 2015 singles 2015 songs Songs written by Jeff Bhasker Songs written by Mark Ronson Songs written by Snoop Dogg Songs written by Kurupt Songs written by Warren G Songs written by Nate Dogg Songs written by Dr. Dre Song recordings produced by Jeff Bhasker Song recordings produced by Mark Ronson