"Speechless" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Ciara | ||||
from the album Basic Instinct | ||||
Released | September 7, 2010 | |||
Format | Digital download | |||
Recorded |
Burbank, California The Boom Boom Room Atlanta, Georgia The Nash Estate Triangle Sound Studios |
|||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 4:10 | |||
Label | LaFace | |||
Songwriter(s) | Ciara Harris, | |||
Producer(s) | Tricky Stewart, The-Dream | |||
Ciara singles chronology | ||||
|
"Speechless" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ciara. The song was written by Ciara, The-Dream, and Tricky Stewart, with the latter two producing the song as well. Taken from her fourth studio album Basic Instinct, the song serves as the second single from the album. It was released in the United States as a digital download on September 7, 2010.
"Speechless" is a mid-tempo R&B love song, which utilizes synthesized trumpets and horns as a backdrop. The lyrical content of the song centers around the protagonist saying they need more time to confess how perfect their significant other is. The song's accompanying music video, directed by Colin Tilley, features Ciara in a menagerie of scenes. The single had no direct promotion, and reached seventy-six on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
In September 2009, Tricky Stewart, confirmed via Rap-Up that he and The-Dream had spent the entire summer with Ciara working on her upcoming fourth studio album. He also named "Speechless" as one of two songs he hoped would appear on the album. The album version of the song leaked in March 2010, featuring vocals from The-Dream. However, following the release of its single cover on August 18, 2010, it was confirmed that the song would feature only Ciara. It was also revealed that The-Dream will not be featured on the album version of the song when the official track listing of Basic Instinct was revealed. On the final cut, American songwriter, gospel singer, and session vocalist Lauren Evans performs background vocals. The song was planned to be released as the second official single, how was never sent to radio or released as a CD single.
"Speechless" is a midtempo, R&B love song, featuring trumpet-sounding synths. Andy Kellman of Allmusic said that the song works a "slow motion glide" and that Ciara's voice "hovers in a love-struck daze." The lyrical content of the song consists of the protagonist confesses how perfect her significant other is, and that they need extra time to confess this, such as lines like "I'd need an extra month on the year, one extra holiday just to kiss you all over your face."