Powerful (song)

"Powerful"
Single by Major Lazer featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley
from the album Peace Is the Mission
Released	June 1, 2015
Recorded	2014
Genre	EDM soul R&B
Length	3:26
Label	Mad Decent Because
Songwriter(s)	Diplo Maxime Picard Clement Picard Ilsey Juber Fran Hall Tarrus Riley
Producer(s)	Major Lazer Picard Brothers
Major Lazer singles chronology
"Lean On" (2015) "Powerful" (2015) "Lost" (2015)
Ellie Goulding singles chronology
"Love Me like You Do" (2015) "Powerful" (2015) "On My Mind" (2015)
Tarrus Riley singles chronology
"Powerful" (2015)
Alternative cover
Powerful (Remixes) Cover

"Powerful" is a song recorded by American electronic music project Major Lazer. It's the second official single off their third studio album, Peace Is the Mission (2015), featuring guest vocals from English singer Ellie Goulding and Jamaican singer Tarrus Riley. The song was initially planned to be the lead single from the album but was scrapped in favor of Lean On.

Composition

The song is described as an "EDM power ballad" and its soul, pop and R&B nature led the critics to label it as one of the most accessible and radio friendly songs in the album. It was written by Thomas Pentz, Maxime Picard, Clement Picard, Ilsey Juber, Fran Hall and reggae musician Tarrus Riley; the latter is also featured on the track along singer Ellie Goulding. The song is a musical departure from Major Lazer's dancehall-inspired signature sound, having this song dubbed as a ballad by many reporters. Lyrically, the song talks about the protagonist's significant other having 'power' on them, such when they touch there is electricity. It also hints at sex. The chorus of the song was first used in the Major Lazer TV series on FXX a month before the full song was released in the episode "Vampire Weekend".

Music video

The music video was released on July 23, 2015. It features both Goulding and Riley performing their parts using telekinetic powers and ruining a small diner. The clip's theme is labeled as "supernatural" and was directed by James Slater.

Use in media

• In 2017, the song was used in an advertisement for Emporio Armani's Stronger With You and Because It's You perfumes., and in the 2017 advertising campaign for Unilever's Close-Up toothpaste.
• On the November 4, 2019, episode of the reality television singing competition show The Voice, Team Gwen (Stefani) member Jacob "Jake" HaldenVang performed a rock arrangement of the song in a Knockout round, opposing fellow Team Gwen member Royce Lovett, who performed Avicii's "Wake Me Up." Coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton all preferred HaldenVang's performance, and Stefani agreed, naming him the winner of the Knockout and advancing him to the Live Playoffs. Meanwhile, Lovett was eliminated when Shelton opted not to steal him onto his team (as Clarkson and Legend had already used their steals by that time).

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Release history