Take Away (song)


"Take Away" is a song by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. It was written by Elliott and Timbaland for Elliott's third studio album Miss E... So Addictive and features production by Elliott, Timbaland and Craig Brockman along with guest vocals from R&B singer, Ginuwine. While the album version credits background vocals by 702 member, Kameelah Williams, the single version replaces Williams's vocals with then-newcomer Tweet.
The song and its accompanying music video is dedicated to Elliott's close friend Aaliyah, who was killed in a plane crash on August 25, 2001. The remainder of the music video features a snippet of Elliott's single, "4 My People", which served as an aptly–upbeat dedication to the victims of the 9/11 attacks and citizens of the United States.
The track was released via radio airplay as the album's third single on October 18, 2001 and began charting as an album cut. Soon as it picked up heavier airplay and debuted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks at 84, the song was physically released in the United States on November 5, 2001, and in international regions on January 29, 2002.
On September 29, 2014, the album version of the song was sampled by Elliott's protégée Sharaya J for her single, "Takin' It No More".

Music video

Directed by Dave Meyers, the video begins with a message from Missy Elliott:
Elliott is then shown singing her verses in a –themed palace; decorated with angelic statues and flowers. Tweet is then spotted singing the chorus with Elliott while holding an umbrella under showering flower petals. The following scene then shows Ginuwine singing his verses in two differing locations—one being a rocky cave; and the other being steps of the palace. During his verses, Ginuwine along with Elliott glance at the sight of waterfalls where pictures of Aaliyah are reflecting from the water. Tweet is then shown singing the chorus with Elliott, while playing the harp as people dressed in white begin to dance. The video then transitions to Elliott performing "4 My People" with an American crowd in an upbeat dedication to the 9/11 victims.
The video then ends with a message from Elliott:

Track listings and formats

;European 12" vinyl
  1. "Take Away" — 4:58
  2. "Take Away" — 3:41
  3. "One Minute Man" — 4:25
  4. "Get Ur Freak On" — 8:53
;European CD/Maxi-single
  1. "Take Away" — 3:41
  2. "Take Away" — 4:58
  3. "One Minute Man" — 4:25
  4. "Get Ur Freak On" — 8:53
  5. "Get Ur Freak On" — 3:55
;US CD single
  1. "Take Away" — 3:43
  2. "Take Away" — 4:59
  3. "Take Away" — 5:00
  4. "Take Away" — 3:48

    Charts