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High Off My Love

“High Off My Love” is a track recorded by American media personality and recording artist Paris Hilton , featuring the distinct vocal presence of rapper Birdman . This particular single managed to see the light of day on May 5, 2015, though its journey to public consumption was, shall we say, protracted. The creative minds behind this piece include Hilton herself, alongside Charles D. Anderson, Corte “The Author” Ellis, Rondell “Mr. Beatz” Cobbs II, and Bryan “Birdman” Williams . Production duties were handled with an almost clinical precision by Mr. Beatz.

Released on May 5, 2015 (2015-05-05), “High Off My Love” traverses a few sonic landscapes, primarily settling within the realms of dance-pop , R&B , and trap . The explicit version clocks in at a somewhat generous 3 minutes and 45 seconds, while a cleaner, presumably less offensive, rendition runs for 3 minutes and 19 seconds. It was distributed under the watchful eyes of Cash Money and Universal record labels.

Songwriters

• Paris Hilton
• Charles D. Anderson
• Corte “The Author” Ellis
• Rondell “Mr. Beatz” Cobbs II
• Bryan “Birdman” Williams

Producer

• Mr. Beatz

Paris Hilton singles chronology

• “Come Alive ” (2014)
• “High Off My Love” (2015)
• “I Need You ” (2018)

Birdman singles chronology

• “We Alright ” (2014)
• “High Off My Love” (2015)
• “Respek” (2016)

A visual accompaniment for “High Off My Love” exists, accessible via YouTube .

Initially, “High Off My Love” was penned by Hilton, Corte “The Author” Ellis, Charles D. Anderson, and Frederick “Diji D” Allen IV, with Rondell “Mr. Beatz” Cobbs II and Bryan “Birdman” Williams also contributing to the songwriting credits. The production was exclusively overseen by Mr. Beatz, ensuring a cohesive, if somewhat predictable, sound. After a series of postponements that seemed to stretch into an eternity – or at least, long enough to test the patience of anyone actually paying attention – the song first made an unsolicited appearance on the internet on May 5, 2015. This premature debut occurred when it was, rather tellingly, “mistakenly” released in the United States by various online music stores . The official, deliberate worldwide release, complete with its accompanying visual spectacle, finally arrived on May 15, 2015, courtesy of Cash Money Records .

From a purely musical standpoint, “High Off My Love” presents itself as an up-tempo R&B and trap hybrid, not entirely content with just those classifications, as it also weaves in noticeable elements of eurodance . The lyrical narrative, if one can call it that, centers around individuals encountering each other at a social gathering, expressing a desire to become “get high off their love.” It’s a concept as novel as gravity. In a surprising turn for an artist whose previous works often elicited more derision than praise, “High Off My Love” garnered relatively positive reviews from music critics , especially when held up against the admittedly low bar set by her prior two singles.

The music video for the song, a meticulously crafted piece of promotion, was filmed in the ever-glamorous, or perhaps just conveniently located, Los Angeles, California . It was brought to life under the directorial vision of Hannah Lux Davis . Predominantly shot in a black-and-white aesthetic, the video features Hilton in a series of highly stylized, bondage-themed ensembles, leaving little to the imagination. The creative blueprint for this visual endeavor drew heavily from the cultural phenomenon that was Fifty Shades of Grey , along with Madonna ’s iconic and equally provocative music video for “Justify My Love .”

Background and release

The collaboration on “High Off My Love” was facilitated by rapper Birdman , a figure of considerable influence in the music industry, who had previously signed Hilton to his esteemed record label, Cash Money Records . This partnership was a clear attempt to inject a dose of street credibility into Hilton’s pop endeavors, or perhaps, to leverage her undeniable brand recognition.

Hilton first hinted at “High Off My Love” being her next major single back in June 2014, a time when she was conveniently occupied with shooting the music video for her preceding track, “Come Alive .” The initial announcement suggested an imminent release, but as is often the case with such pronouncements, reality proved to be a more convoluted affair. In January 2015, the world was informed that the single was slated for a February release, a detail Hilton herself enthusiastically corroborated on her Twitter account. This, however, was merely the first in a series of shifting deadlines.

By February 8, 2015, during a red carpet interview at the illustrious 57th Annual Grammy Awards , Hilton revised the timeline, stating that the single would now arrive in March 2015. One might begin to detect a pattern here. On March 18, while engaged in the promotion of her 18th fragrance – a testament to her diverse entrepreneurial spirit – Hilton once again confirmed further delays, pushing the single’s release window to either April or May 2015. The anticipation, if any, was surely reaching critical mass.

Later that same month, amidst the vibrant chaos of Miami Music Week, Hilton provided more concrete details during an interview with AllAccess. She confirmed that Mr. Beatz was indeed the mastermind behind the song’s production and, with a flourish, announced a release date of April 28. This seemed like a definitive statement, until April 8, when Hilton, perhaps sensing a lack of sufficient drama, declared yet another postponement, setting the new release date for May 5.

The promotional machine, however, continued its relentless grind. On April 15, Hilton offered a tantalizing glimpse of the forthcoming music video by posting a preview on her Instagram feed. The following day, Perez Hilton , ever the arbiter of celebrity gossip, provided an exclusive 14-second preview of the music video, accompanied by the single’s artwork, effectively fanning the flames of… well, something.

In an effort to engage her audience, or perhaps to simply outsource design work, Hilton also initiated several contests via her Instagram, inviting fans to design the cover art for the single. On April 19, Hilton, apparently eager to accelerate the process, tweeted that the song would be released even earlier, moving the new date to May 4. This constant recalibration of release schedules was, if nothing else, a masterclass in controlled chaos.

Another preview of the music video surfaced on Hilton’s Instagram on April 23, further teasing the visual experience. The suspense reached a fever pitch on April 29, when an extended, forty-two-minute snippet of the song inexplicably leaked onto the internet. One can only imagine the sheer delight of those who managed to endure nearly an hour of a preview. A day later, on April 30, Hilton, with characteristic nonchalance, announced via her Twitter that the single had been delayed yet again, pushing the release to May 15. Her rationale? She wished for the release to coincide with her stay in the United Kingdom , presumably to personally oversee the promotional blitz.

However, the universe, or perhaps impatient digital distributors, had other plans. On May 4, a full, unadulterated version of “High Off My Love” found its way online. This premature unveiling occurred after it was “mistakenly” released by several prominent online music stores , including 7digital , Amazon.com , and the ubiquitous music streaming service Spotify . Two distinct versions of the track were made available during this inadvertent release: one featuring the rap verses from Birdman , and a “clean” version conspicuously devoid of his contribution. Predictably, the single was promptly removed from all online platforms, a digital retraction that only served to heighten its illicit appeal. To maintain interest, or perhaps just to provide a glimpse into the production process, Hilton posted a behind-the-scenes look from the music video set on her YouTube channel on May 6.

Composition

“High Off My Love”

A 21-second sample of “High Off My Love” featuring an EDM sound which crosses into a trap beat.

Problems playing this file? See media help .

“High Off My Love” is characterized as an up-tempo dance-pop offering, demonstrably influenced by the pervasive sounds of EDM and trap music that dominated the airwaves around its release. It doesn’t stop there, however, as it also incorporates discernible elements of other genres, notably eurodance , creating a somewhat eclectic, if not entirely cohesive, sonic tapestry. The track is structured within the conventional framework of common time and maintains a moderately brisk tempo of 133 beats per minute, which lends itself well to its dance-oriented aspirations. Musically, it features a distinctive hoover synth sound and a pre-chorus section that deliberately transitions into a pronounced trap beat, ensuring that it ticks off several boxes on the contemporary pop checklist.

Critical reception

In a rather unexpected turn of events, especially when contrasted with her previous efforts such as “Good Time ” and “Come Alive ,” “High Off My Love” received a predominantly positive response from music critics . This relative critical success suggests that the song either genuinely resonated, or perhaps the critics simply lowered their expectations to a more manageable level. Hilton’s vocal performance on the track drew comparisons to the distinctive, often breathy, vocal stylings of pop icon Britney Spears , a comparison that, depending on one’s perspective, could be either a compliment or a subtle dig.

Music video

Background and concept

The official music video for “High Off My Love” was finally unveiled to the public on May 15, 2015, making its debut on Hilton’s official Vevo channel. The directorial reins were once again entrusted to Hannah Lux Davis , a familiar collaborator who had previously helmed the visuals for Hilton’s singles “Good Time ” and “Come Alive .” The filming of this particular visual spectacle took place on June 25, 2014, within the sprawling urban landscape of Los Angeles, California , a city that rarely sleeps and always seems to have a camera rolling. Prior to production, Hilton, ever the savvy marketer, had publicly announced an open casting call on her Twitter, actively seeking models to populate the video, thus ensuring a fresh supply of aesthetically pleasing individuals.

Hilton herself offered some insight into the conceptual underpinnings of the video, stating:

The video is actually inspired by Madonna ’s “Justify My Love ” because the song is very sexy and sexual. It’s about love and how it makes me feel high. I wanted the video to be really sexy and fun, and it’s completely the opposite of the “Come Alive” video. I wanted to do two separate kinds of videos.

— Hilton on the inspiration behind the music video

She further elaborated that the cultural juggernaut that was Fifty Shades of Grey also served as a significant wellspring of inspiration for the music video, confirming a deliberate attempt to tap into prevailing themes of sensuality and control. This explicit nod to such provocative works clearly signaled the intended tone and aesthetic of the visual narrative.

Synopsis and reception

The music video commences with a series of dark, silhouetted shots, punctuated by heavy, almost primal, breath sounds, immediately setting a mood of intense intimacy or perhaps just mild exertion. This rather suggestive opening is swiftly followed by a scene featuring Hilton herself, striking a commanding figure in a black coat and a meticulously sculpted beehive hairdo , as she navigates a dimly lit hall. Throughout the video’s duration, a montage of various, often provocative, images of Hilton are interspersed, ensuring constant visual engagement.

Billboard magazine, ever the keen observer of popular culture, offered its assessment of the video, describing it as “racy and awesomely retro, like “I’m a Slave 4 U ” meets “Dirrty ” – with BDSM costumes, bare midriffs and lots and lots of heavy breathing.” This vivid description effectively encapsulated the video’s overt sexuality and its deliberate throwback aesthetic. In terms of audience engagement, the video quickly amassed a considerable viewership, garnering an impressive 314,000 worldwide views within just two days of its release, a figure that swelled to over one million views by the end of its inaugural week. This demonstrated a clear appetite for Hilton’s particular brand of provocative visual content.

Live performances and promotion

Hilton, ever the diligent promoter, debuted the single live on May 7 at the nightclub Legends in Abu Dhabi . This performance served as the official premiere of the track in a live setting, allowing audiences to experience “High Off My Love” beyond its recorded form. The single release party had been announced following a prior cancellation of her DJ performance on April 30, suggesting a rescheduling of promotional efforts to maximize impact.

She subsequently brought the song to a European audience, premiering it in Cannes at the exclusive nightclub V.I.P Room during one of her DJ sets on May 16, 2015. This international exposure further cemented the track’s presence on the global club circuit, aligning with Hilton’s established persona as a jet-setting DJ.

Track listings and formats

The single was made available in various digital formats to cater to different preferences, particularly concerning lyrical content.

Digital download – Explicit

• “High Off My Love” (featuring Birdman) – 3:45

Digital download – Clean

• “High Off My Love” – 3:19

Credits

The creation of “High Off My Love” involved a collaborative effort from a roster of dedicated individuals, each contributing their unique talents to the final product.

• Paris Hilton – primary vocals, songwriter
• Rondell “Mr. Beatz” Cobbs II – producer, songwriter
• Corte “The Author” Ellis – songwriter
• Frederick “Diji D” Allen IV – songwriter
• Charles D. Anderson - songwriter (Virginia USA)
• Bryan “Birdman” Williams – songwriter
• Andrew B. Allen – audio engineer, mixing engineer

Charts

Despite its somewhat chaotic release, “High Off My Love” managed to make a measurable impact on several prominent Billboard charts, indicating a degree of commercial success within specific genres.

Weekly charts

The track notably climbed to the respectable position of number 3 on the US Dance Club Songs chart, suggesting a strong reception within the club environment. It also charted at number 35 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, further solidifying its presence within the electronic music landscape.

Release history

The release of “High Off My Love” was a staggered affair, with different regions and formats becoming available at various times, a common strategy in the digital age.

| Region | Date | Format Cash Money Records | | United States | May 4, 2015 | Digital download