User:Abi-Maria/sandbox2

Background
"Focus" was written by Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Ilya, and produced by Max Martin and Ilya. Grande recorded the song on May 5, 2015. It features uncredited guest vocals by Jamie Foxx, which were initially speculated to be by rapper Pitbull. According to Grande, the sound of "Focus" bares no similarities to rest of the material for her upcoming third studio album, Moonlight (2016). She said, "That's why I put 'Focus' first, because it's the only one that sort of sounds like that".

Music and lyrics
"Focus" is a Horn-heavy, retro-modern fusion pop song. with a sharp beat, "Focus" recalls the sound of Grande's 2014 singles "Problem" and "Bang Bang", specifically the unconventional chorus structure of the former. Its middle eight contains a horn breakdown. Also upbeat, the track includes booming jazz instruments with additional saxophone and cowbell loops. In contrast with Grande's sensual moan-singing, Foxx raps the chorus hook, "Focus on me, f-f-focus on me!" with a frenetic chanting technique. Musically, "Focus" received comparisons to the works of rapper Mystikal,  namely his 2000 single "Shake Ya Ass".

The song's lyrics are about a luring a love interest, though with a self-affirming message of asserting yourself in a relationship. Carolyn Menyes of the Music Times writes that the track is "a rallying cry for [Grande]'s girls". According to Grande, "Focus" is not about focusing on her physical appearance, but who she is and what she believes in. Regarding the track's opening line, "I know what I came to do and that ain't gonna change", she explained: "What I came here to do in this world is not only to entertain but to love, to share, to listen, to improve, to learn, to share music, to share experience, to share feelings, to make people feel happy and empowered". Grande also directs the lyrics to decry misogyny and discrimination, and to promote equality: "'The more we focus on each other as people and not on what we look like, what we’re wearing, our gender, our hairstyle, our sexuality, the color of our skin. But focus on each other on a soul level. The more we realize how much we have in common, the more we listen to each other, the more one we become.'"

Release
"Focus" serves as the lead single from Moonlight. Grande announced its release during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on September 15, 2015. It was teased by Grande on her social media accounts for over a month. On October 9, 2015, she shared a teaser video of the song in which she described its meaning and revealed its opening line. Grande posted a black-and-white version of the single's cover art on Instagram on October 14, 2015; it features her sporting bold lashes and cat eye make-up, and uncharacteristic platinum blonde hair—inspired by her grandmother, Nonna. Jennifer Velez of InStyle deemed it Grande's "most dramatic hair change yet", and said she "shocked the beauty world when her signature high ponytail was given a dramatic blonde update".

On October 25, 2015, Grande shared a 16-second snippet of the song on Twitter and Instagram. Preceded by Grande teasing the single's release on Twitter with the hashtag "#FocusTonight", "Focus" was released on October 29, 2015, an hour ahead of its scheduled midnight debut. The final version of the cover art was released the same day; it features Grande's platinum blonde hair donned with a shade of lavender, and a purple backdrop. It was shot by Alfredo Flores.

Critical reception
"Focus" received mixed reviews from music critics. Several critics noted production and structure similarities between the song and Grande's 2014 singles "Problem" and "Bang Bang", while Foxx's refrain was widely compared to Mystikal's "Shake Ya Ass" (2000). In a positive review, Michelle Geslani of Consequence of Sound wrote that "Focus" returned Grande "to the spotlight in a big way"; she deemed it "groovy", and highlighted its "massive chorus", "stylish attitude" and "busy percussion". Jay Balfour of Complex felt the track was "definitely proof that [Grande's] still at the top of her game", and praised the singer's vocal and the song's "boisterously funky pop beat".

In a mixed review, Pretty Much Amazing said that despite "promising ingredients", the song was not as "immediate" as the preceding singles from her 2014 album, My Everything. The website, however, added: "But like most pop aimed at the radio, 'Focus' benefits greatly from Stockholm Syndrome." Sam Wolfson of The Guardian said the track was "90% of the way there" in being Grande's own "Crazy in Love" or "1 Thing", and complimented its "chunky horn lines" and "break-it-down-now middle eight". However, Wolfson felt Foxx's chorus was "a mess" and "some leftover sample that Pitbull thought was too cheesy", and concluded that Grande "needs to work on her finishing". Brennan Carley of Spin was also critical of the refrain which he opined was "faux", "grating" and "a bit too in line with 'Problem' to be considered a real step forward". Carley also noted, "The vocals lack any real excitement from a star who's got the restraint and skill to take her instrument places most other pop singers can't anymore", but wrote that "Focus" was an "undoubtably a catchy slow-burn" and that it will "sure make some noise". Billboard said "Focus" needed "sharpening" and gave it a two-and-a-half (out of five)-star rating; they dismissed it as a "rehash" of "Problem" "with little of the same rush", and her first "less-than-great single" since "Put Your Hearts Up" (2011). PopMatters editors gave the song a four (out of ten) combined score; some complimented its production and catchy tune, while others were critical of its originality, similarities with "Problem", and a lack of Grande's "trademark vocal runs".

Commercial performance
Industry forecasters have predicted "Focus" to debut within the top 15 of the US Billboard Hot 100 with a sales tally of 110,000-120,000 copies.

Background and development
The accompanying music video for "Focus" was directed by Hannah Lux Davis who previously directed Grande's 2014 videos for "Bang Bang" and "Love Me Harder". It premiered on Vevo on October 29, 2015, within an hour of the single's release. Initially, actor Tom Felton was expected to appear in the video following a Twitter interaction between him and Grande that was spurred by comparisons of the two's platinum blonde hair.

Synopsis
Neon hues throughout see Grande's platinum blonde hair changes from baby blue to lavender to light pink. She has several tight monochrome outfits changes, mainly comprising crop tops and high-heels. Grande is later depicted dancing while blowing a trumpet during the song's middle eight. She also engages in hair flips in a tunnel, hair and shoulder twirls, and a dance sequence with a bevy of female dancers. Elsewhere, Grande is pictured dancing in a variety of tight, light purple settings. Artificial human legs are depicted in some scenes severed through holes in a wall. At one point, Grande takes a selfie.

Reception
Vanity Fair's Josh Duboff praised the visual's aesthetic which he felt "manages to look both retro and futuristic at the same time". Michelle Geslani of Consequence of Sound said the video was "equally as chic" as the song. Conversely, Pretty Much Amazing said "Focus" benefited from the music video which they praised as "colorful and stylish", and deemed Davis Lux's directing "on-point". Nick Maslow of People highlighted Grande's "intense" choreography and opined that she "embraces her sultry side for the clip". Emilee Lindner of MTV News called the video something "you won't want to miss", and praised Grande's styling and trumpet segment. In a negative review, Timothy Gabriele of PopMatters criticized the video's Samsung product placement and added, "Don't even pay attention to the arbitrary severed legs that the director seems to have added from a checklist in the study guide to Sut Jhally's Dreamworlds videos".

Live performance
Grande gave her first live performance of "Focus" during her set at the iHeartRadio Theatre in Los Angeles on October 30, 2015. She was scheduled to perform the track for a November 7, 2015 airing of The Jonathan Ross Show, but failed to pitch for the rendition. Grande's absence prompted host Jonathan Ross to improvise a karaoke version of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" (1980) with present guests Joan Collins, Danny DeVito and Sheridan Smith for the episode. Ross later decried Grande's no-show and deemed her "lazy".