Run This Town

Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna

About Run This Town

"Run This Town" is a song by American rapper Jay-Z. The song also features Rihanna and Kanye West. It was written by the performing trio, with assistance from Ernest Wilson and Jeff Bhasker. Production of the track was made by West and Wilson (also known as "No I. D."). "Run This Town" was released as the second single from Jay-Z's eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3, and is used as the theme song of Battlefield 4."Run This Town" received mixed reviews from music critics; some praised what each member of the trio brought to the track, whilst others thought that Rihanna and Kanye West out-performed Jay-Z. The song was a commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in the United Kingdom. It additionally made top ten chartings in ten other countries including in Australia, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. "Run This Town" won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. The song's accompanying music video, directed by Anthony Mandler, depicts the trio in a post-apocalyptic environment, featuring scenes involving angry protesters surrounding them. "Run This Town" was performed by Jay-Z, West, and Rihanna on the series premiere of The Jay Leno Show in the United States. 


#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Feel it comin' in the air (yeah)
Hear the screams from everywhere (yeah)
I'm addicted to the thrill (I'm ready)
It's a dangerous love affair (what's up? Come on)
Can't be scared when it goes down
Got a problem, tell me now (what's up?)
Only thing that's on my mind (what's up?)
Is who's gon' run this town tonight? (Ah, what's up?)
Is who's gon' run this town tonight? (Yeah, what's up? Yeah)
We gon' run this town

We are, yeah, I said it, we are
This is Roc Nation, pledge your allegiance
Get your fatigues on, all black everything
Black cards, black cars, all black everything
And our girls are blackbirds ridin' with they Dillingers
I get more in depth if you boys really real enough
This is la Familia, I'll explain later
But for now, let me get back to this paper
I'm a couple bands down and I'm tryna get back
I gave Doug a grip and lost a flip for five stacks
Yeah, I'm talkin' 5 commas, 6 zeros, dot zero, here Doug
Back to runnin' circles 'round niggas, now we squared up
Hold up

Life's a game, but it's not fair (yeah)
I break the rules, so I don't care (uh-huh)
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain (what's up?)
Victory's within the mile
Almost there, don't give up now (what's up?)
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gon' run this town tonight? (What's up?)
Hey, hey, hey, hey (what's up?)
Is who's gon' run this town tonight? 

We are, yeah, I said it, we are
You can call me Caesar, in a dark Caesar
Please follow the leader, So Eric B We are
Microphone fiend, it's the return of the god
Peace, God, ah, ah, and ain't nobody fresher
I'm in Maison, ah, Martin Margiela
On the table, screamin', "F*ck the other side, they're jealous"
We got a banquette full of broads, they got a table full of fellas
Yeah, and they ain't spendin' no cake
They should throw they hand in 'cause they ain't got no spades
Yeah, my whole team got dough
So my banquette is lookin' like Millionaires' Row

Life's a game, but it's not fair
I break the rules, so I don't care (what's up?)
So I keep doin' my own thing (uh, uh)
Walkin' tall against the rain (yeah)
Victory's within the mile (what's up?)
Almost there, don't give up now (uh)
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gon' run this town tonight? (What's up?)
Hey, hey, hey, hey (yeah, yeah, yeah, what's up?)
Is who's gon' run this town tonight?

It's crazy how you can go from bein' Joe Blow
To everybody on your dick, no homo
I bought my whole family whips, no Volvos
Next time I'm in church, please, no photos
Police escorts, everybody passports
This the life that everybody ask for
This a fast life, we are on a crash course
What you think I rap for, to push a fucking Rav4?
But I know that if I stay stunting
All these girls only gon' want one thing
I could spend my whole life Good Will Hunting
Only good gon' come is this good when I'm cumming
She got a ass that'll swallow up a G-string
And up top, uh, two bee stings
And I'm beasting off the Riesling
And my nigga just made it out the precinct
We give a damn about the drama that your dude bring
I'm just tryna change the color on your mood ring
Reebok, baby, you need to try some new things
Have you ever had shoes without shoe strings?
"What's that 'Ye?" "Baby, these heels"
"Is that a May- what?" "Baby, these wheels"
You trippin' when you ain't sippin', have a refill
You feelin' like you runnin', huh? Now you know how we feel (what's up?)

Hey, hey (yeah, yeah)
Hey, hey (what's up?)
Hey, hey
Hey, we gon' run this town tonight
What's up?

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated Carter's net worth at nearly $500 million. He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving fourteen Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. He was ranked #1 by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006. Two of his albums, Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001) are considered landmarks in the genre with both of them being ranked in Rolling S… more »

6 fans

Written by: Jeff Bhasker, Robyn Fenty, Kanye West, Shawn Carter, Dion Wilson, Athanasios Alatas, Niko Grapsas, Marinos Giamalakis, Christos Vlachakis, Nikos Dounavis

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Run This Town" was released on July 24, 2009, as the second single from Jay-Z's 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3.
Collaboration
The song features major contributions from two renowned artists— Barbadian singer Rihanna and Kanye West. Rihanna provided the hooks, while Kanye West was involved in both production and vocals.
Producers
"Run This Town" was produced by Kanye West, No I.D., and Jeff Bhasker.
Chart Performance
Upon release, the song topped the charts in the United Kingdom and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Grammy Awards
In 2010, "Run This Town" won two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, capping off its immense critical success.
Music Video
The music video for "Run This Town," directed by Anthony Mandler, features Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye West in a post-apocalyptic setting, surrounded by a rebellious crowd.
Critical Reception
The song received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the collaboration and the production, but criticizing the song's lack of Jay-Z's presence.
Cultural Impact
"Run This Town" has been featured in various media, including movies and video games. For instance, it was used in the trailer for the 2010 film "The Town," and was included in the soundtrack of the video game, "Battlefield 4."
Live Performances
Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Rihanna performed "Run This Town" live at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
Lyrics
The song is a bold anthem of victory and power, with lyrics referring to the trio's dominance in the music industry.
Certified Platinum
The song was certified platinum in the United States, selling over a million copies.
Debate About Song Meaning
Some listeners and critics have speculated that "Run This Town" might have a deeper, possibly political, meaning, relating to themes such as power, society, and control. However, the artists themselves have not commented on these speculations.

Discuss the Run This Town Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Run This Town Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/11054615/Jay-Z/Run+This+Town>.

    Missing lyrics by Jay-Z?

    Know any other songs by Jay-Z? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2009

    Billboard #2


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What is the highest-selling single of all time?
    A White Christmas by Frank Sinatra
    B White Christmas by Bing Crosby
    C Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
    D What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Jay-Z tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!