I'm Better

"I'm Better" is a song by American recording artist Missy Elliott, and features accompanying vocals by frequent production partner Lamb.^[1]

"I'm Better"
Single by Missy Elliott featuring Lamb
Released	January 27, 2017 (2017-01-27)
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:40
Label	Goldmind Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Melissa Elliott Cainon Lamb
Producer(s)	Lamb x Yonni
Missy Elliott singles chronology
"Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" (2016) "I'm Better" (2017) "Throw It Back" (2019)

Critical reception

In a retrospective review of the song, Steven J. Horowitz from Vulture found that with "I'm Better" Elliott "reemerged with what could have been a triumphant single, but it didn’t feel entirely natural to her style. Flush with sirens and tip-toeing synths, "I’m Better" loses its footing with its trap-inspired meter – more Migos than Missy."^[2]

Music video

The video was co-directed by Elliott and Dave Meyers.^[3] Elliot noted that she had the video in mind upon listening to the track.^[4] The video took a month to rehearse owing to Elliott's wish to make it "look like art instead of just a video"^[4] and for the choreography to be "challenging".^[4] Rolling Stone noted the video "builds on Elliott's future-forward off-kilter aesthetic",^[3] also stating that it "nods as much to sci-fi as classic, Hype Williams-era hip-hop videos".^[3] Further praise from Billboard, stating the music video is a "stylized, can’t-look-away clip", and noted the "aquatic sequence is an unexpected trip".^[5]

Remix

An official remix of "I'm Better" was released in May 2017. The remix featured Eve, Lil' Kim, and Trina.^[6]

Track listings

1. "I'm Better" (featuring Lamb) – 3:33
2. "I'm Better" (Remix) (featuring Eve, Lil Kim and Trina) – 4:29

Charts

Chart (2017)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[7]	74
France (SNEP)[8]	120
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	71
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10]	28

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, and reference

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
United States	January 27, 2017	Digital download	Atlantic Goldmind	[11]
	March 14, 2017	Urban radio	Atlantic	[12]

References

1. Bundy, Will (January 27, 2017). "Missy Elliott Debuts New Single and Video 'I'm Better'". The FADER. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
2. Horowitz, Steven J. (September 4, 2019). "Every Missy Elliott Song, Ranked Missy has not just redefined pop music — she's consistently reinvented it". Vulture.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
3. Legaspi, Althea. "See Missy Elliott's Colorful Video for Slow-Burning New Song 'I'm Better'". Rolling Ston.
4. Lobenfeld, Claire (27 January 2017). "Missy Elliott on 'I'm Better', FKA twigs and the "five or six albums" she'll never release". Fact Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
5. "Missy Elliott Debuts Electric New Song and Video 'I'm Better': Watch". Billboard. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
6. Lamarre, Carl (May 24, 2017). "Missy Elliott Delivers Ladies' Anthem 'I'm Better (Remix)' With Lil' Kim, Eve & Trina". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
7. "Missy Elliott Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
8. "Missy Elliott feat. Lamb – I'm Better" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
9. "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
10. "Missy Elliott Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
11. "Missy Elliott – I'm Better (feat. Lamb)". iTunes. 27 January 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
12. "Urban/UAC > Future Releases". AllAccess Music Group. March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.

External links

• I'm Better ft. Lamb on YouTube