"4x4" is the fourth track from Miley Cyrus's fourth studio album Bangerz. It features American rapper Nelly.
It was written and produced by Pharrell Williams, with additional songwriting provided by Cyrus and Nelly. The song is a pop and country track which sees additional influences from hip hop music, and discusses having fun through the metaphor of a 4x4 truck.
"4x4" received generally favorable reviews from contemporary music critics,who appreciated its overall production and individuality compared to the other tracks included on Bangerz. Despite not having been released as a single, it peaked at number 41 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Digital Songs chart. Cyrus first performed the song during her episode of MTV Unplugged in January 2014, and has also performed it during her Bangerz Tour.
Background and Composition[]
It was announced that Nelly would appear on Cyrus' album Bangerz (2013) when its track listing was confirmed on September 10. Their collaboration, "4x4", was written by Cyrus, Nelly, and Pharrell Williams; it was produced by Williams and engineered by John Hanes. Andrew Coleman arranged, recorded, and edited the song with assistance from Todd Hurtt and Matthew Desrameaux; it was later mixed by Serban Ghenea. Nelly commented that the track blends elements of pop, hip hop, and country music, and elaborated that "it's about having fun; kind of how a 4x4 truck symbolizes rebelliousness [...] you know, mashing out, wanting to ride with the bad boys." He added that Cyrus "does a little rapping and a little singing" on the song, which he felt was a way in which she "expresses herself".
Critical reception[]
"4x4" received generally favorable reviews from contemporary music critics. Writing for AllMusic, Heather Phares described the track as an "improbable but entertaining piece of country-rap", and distinguished it as a stand-out track from Bangerz. Mariah Eakin from The A.V. Club opined that its "progressive" production was similar to a "Scale-era Matthew Herbert", and commented that its lyrical content "[takes] the song in a silly Bonnie and Clyde direction". Nick Catucci from Entertainment Weekly was complimentary towards the "winningly nutty Pharrell production", while Kyle Fowle from Slant Magazine commented that Cyrus "explores ideas of femininity with a sinister, determined edge" by assuming the position of the "other woman" mentioned in "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. Writing for PopMatters, Evan Sawdey described "4x4" as an "almost throwaway squaredance of a club song [...] complete with some accordion work", and suggested that it was the most inventive track from the record because it was "absurd, ridiculous, and actually playful in a way in which these other Bangerz aren't."
Lyrics[]
[Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
'Round and 'round and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
And away we go and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
[Verse 1: Miley Cyrus]
I'm a female rebel, can't you tell?
Bang on the dashboard, just chipped a nail
Lean out the window, that's when I yell
Driving so fast 'bout to piss on myself
Driving so fast 'bout to piss on myself
Police want to get him and put him in jail
I'mma do whatever to get him his bail
Hooked on donuts and rooster-tails
[Pre-Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
I'm in that passenger seat, riding high in the air
And we're driving fast 'til we plumb out of gas, let's go
[Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
'Round and 'round and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
And away we go and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
[Verse 2: Miley Cyrus]
I'm a female rebel, can't you see?
Riding around your backyard, who could it be?
Pull out on the scene right out of the seat
Pumping his breaks to the sound of the beat
Pumping his breaks to the sound of the beat
He don't understand what he's doing to me
Deep down inside, like a pitbull in heat
Someone's coming, so we head for the streets
[Pre-Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
I'm in that passenger seat riding, high in the air
And we're driving fast 'til we plumb out of gas, let's go
[Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
'Round and 'round and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
And away we go and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
[Bridge: Miley Cyrus]
It's 12 o'clock and I don't want to party
My big boyfriend and my big truck hobby
A little bit of dirt never hurt nobody
Now I got dirt all over my body
Might as well light a L
His big fog lights is bright as hell
Calls it off, he starts to yell
He hits the gas so I grab the rail
[Verse 3: Nelly]
Sure you want to ride with me?
If you scared don't lie to me
I'm a crazy motherfucker from the Midwest
With a Mississippi flow and an Arch rest
Four by four up the altar steps
We doing donuts underneath the arch, yes!
I need a chick on time don't mind being early
A ride-or-die down like six thirty
A straight-up chick like twelve o'clock
"I don't know where he at", that's what she tell the cops
Take a stand for a n*gga, raise a hand for a n*gga
"I solemnly swear he was with me all day"
To the judge, "he the one I love"
Hell they could tell, she don't even budge
Round and round we go
Don't stop 'til I tell you so
[Pre-Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
I'm in that passenger seat riding high in the air
And we're driving fast 'til we plumb out of gas, let's go
[Chorus: Miley Cyrus]
'Round and 'round and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
'Round and 'round and away we go
And away we go and away we go
Four by four and away we go
High not low and away we go
[Outro: Miley Cyrus]
I'm a female rebel, can't you tell, can't you tell?
I'm a female rebel, can't you tell, can't you tell?
