"Meltdown" was written by Stromae, Lorde, Joel Little, Kamaal Ibn John Fareed, Terrence Thornton, and Este Haim, Danielle Haim and Alana Haim from the indie rock band Haim. It was released on 17 November 2014 as the opening track for the of the motion picture . The song was taken from "Merci", an instrumental track from Stromae's second studio album Racine carrée. The latter is credited with production along with Thomas Azier and Aron Ottingnon. Melissa Locker from Time described "Meltdown" as a "dark synth dance track" and "an '80s-influenced kinetic earworm" while NME called it a "bombastic electro stomp." Exclaim described "Meltdown" as having a "propulsive pulse that spans hip-hop and pop" and Complex characterized it as a "piano-laced, drum pounding production" track. Stromae explained that the song came together after Lorde called his manager to "get a track ". Although the song was from Stromae's album Racine carrée, Lorde "decided to do a new track with it". Stromae said he was touched with how important it was for her to have his opinion, even with invited guests on the track. He described Lorde as being "human, simple and really nice". At one point in the song, Pusha T calls out the film's "image-obsessed bourgeoisie of the Capitol" which Billboard described as "language that would be just as appropriate for real-life society". In his verse, he sings:
Reception
"Meltdown" received generally positive reviews from music critics with several critics praising Lorde and Haim's vocal delivery but criticizing the latter's lack of vocals on the song. Jon Dolan from Rolling Stone called it a "thick, agitated groove that like an all-night dance party in war-torn District 13." Sharing similar sentiments, Chris Taylor from The 405 called it a "dancefloor smash" and stated that the track was "packed with as much extravagant colour as The Capitol." Taylor later expressed that the song was "ridiculously addictive with its driving beat and grandiosity" and deemed it "a perfect way to start the soundtrack." Time editor Melissa Locker described it as an "’80s-influenced kinetic earworm" that would make "people their heads from here to Panem." Other critics shared mixed to positive opinions. NME praised the song but criticized Haim's contribution which was described as "limited" to backing vocals. Alex Hudson from Exclaim also noted Haim's "fairly low" contribution but were pleased when their "distinctive harmonized hooks to the fore in the final passage." Complex editor Zach Frydenlund praised Pusha T's verses. Stereogum described "Meltdown" as a "breezy, synthy track" and stated that while the song "should be a total mess," it comes together "nicely." Consequence of Sound shared similar opinions, saying that while one would not expect an "oddball grouping of musicians would gel together so well," the "tantalizing chorus" of Lorde and Haim as well as the "perfect bridge" for Pusha and Q-Tip’s "hard-hitting verses" prove the latter's statements. It was called the most intriguing song on the soundtrack. Despite "Meltdown" not charting in many countries, it was commercially successful in Belgium. Shortly after the film's release, the song debuted and peaked at number seven in Belgium's Flanders chart component, which records music sales for the north part of the country. In Wallonia, Belgium's southern chart component, "Meltdown" peaked at number 5. It charted at number one on Belgium's Urban chart. In France, "Meltdown" had a minor chart placement at 107.
