Powerful (song)

"Powerful" is a song recorded by American electronic music project Major Lazer. It's the second official single off their third studio album, Peace Is the Mission (2015), featuring guest vocals from English singer Ellie Goulding and Jamaican singer Tarrus Riley. The song was initially planned to be the lead single from the album but was scrapped in favor of "Lean On".

"Powerful"
Single by Major Lazer featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley
from the album Peace Is the Mission
Released	June 1, 2015 (2015-06-01)
Recorded	2014
Length	3:26
Label	Mad Decent Because
Songwriters	Diplo Maxime Picard Clement Picard Ilsey Juber Fran Hall Tarrus Riley
Producers	Major Lazer Picard Brothers
Major Lazer singles chronology
"Lean On" (2015) "Powerful" (2015) "Lost" (2015)
Ellie Goulding singles chronology
"Love Me like You Do" (2015) "Powerful" (2015) "On My Mind" (2015)
Music video
"Powerful" on YouTube

Composition

The song is described as an "EDM power ballad" and its soul, pop and R&B nature led the critics to label it as one of the most accessible and radio friendly songs in the album.^[1][2][3] It was written by Thomas Pentz, Maxime Picard, Clement Picard, Ilsey Juber, Fran Hall and reggae musician Tarrus Riley; the latter is also featured on the track along singer Ellie Goulding. The song is a musical departure from Major Lazer's dancehall-inspired signature sound, having this song dubbed as a ballad by many reporters.^[4][5]

Music video

The music video was released on July 23, 2015. It features both Goulding and Riley performing their parts using telekinetic powers and ruining a small diner. The clip's theme is labeled as "supernatural" and was directed by James Slater.^[5][6]

Use in media

In 2017, the song was used in an advertisement for Emporio Armani's Stronger With You and Because It's You perfumes.^[7] On November 4, 2019, episode of the reality television singing competition show The Voice, team Gwen (Stefani) member Jacob "Jake" HaldenVang performed a rock arrangement of the song in a Knockout round, opposing fellow Team Gwen member Royce Lovett. Coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Blake Shelton all preferred HaldenVang's performance, and Stefani agreed, naming him the winner of the Knockout and advancing him to the Live Playoffs.^[8]

Track listing

Digital download^[9]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley)	3:26

Digital download – remixes - EP^[10]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley)	3:26
2.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (With You. x GITCHII remix)	4:03
3.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (Gregor Salto remix)	4:34
4.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (Michael Calfan remix)	2:55
5.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (BOXINBOX & Lionsize remix)	3:48
6.	"Powerful" (featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley) (G-Buck remix)	4:06

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2015) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[11] 7 Australia Dance (ARIA)[12] 1 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[13] 55 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[14] 30 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[15] 33 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 64 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[17] 10 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[18] 47 Denmark (Tracklisten)[19] 39 France (SNEP)[20] 78 Germany (GfK)[21] 90 Hungary (Single Top 40)[22] 31 Ireland (IRMA)[23] 77 Italy (FIMI)[24] 31 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[25] 31 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26] 73 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[27] 20 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[28] 7 Poland (Polish Airplay New)[29] 1 Poland (Video Chart)[30] 5 Scotland Singles (OCC)[31] 93 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[32] 50 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 53 UK Indie (OCC)[34] 3 UK Singles (OCC)[35] 54 US Billboard Hot 100[36] 83 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[37] 22 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[38] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2015) Position Australia (ARIA)[39] 68 Poland (ZPAV)[40] 43 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[41] 21

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42]	2× Platinum	140,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[43]	Gold	30,000^
Italy (FIMI)[44]	Platinum	50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[45]	Platinum	15,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[46]	Silver	200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[47]	Gold	500,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
United States	September 1, 2015	Contemporary hit radio	Mad Decent Interscope	[48]