In spring 2022, Lizzo thought she had finished her third studio album, 'Special.' The track list was complete, the work felt done. Then, at the last moment, she made the decision to write one more song. That song was 'About Damn Time'—and it changed everything. Released on April 14, 2022, 'About Damn Time' reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in its 14th week, becoming Lizzo's second chart-topper. Inspired by funk and disco, it arrived precisely when the post-pandemic world needed to dance again.
Funk and Disco as Cultural Zeitgeist
Producers Ricky Reed and Blake Slatkin crafted 'About Damn Time' by sampling The World's Famous Supreme Team's 'Hey! DJ' from 1984. This wasn't merely a technical choice—it was an intentional time warp, threading together the punk energy of the early 1980s with the desperate yearning for joy in the early 2020s.
The production is relentlessly danceable by design. Layered jazz and funk instrumentation, stacked vocals, and an irresistible beat make the song instantly recognizable and impossible to ignore. Though Lizzo didn't reach for her signature flute on this track, her charismatic vocal performance became its beating heart.
The Chart Climb Nobody Saw Coming
'About Damn Time' didn't rocket to number one immediately upon release. Instead, its true power revealed itself gradually. TikTok dance challenges emerged organically. Fans uploaded videos of themselves dancing. Radio stations recognized the hook's infectious quality, and streaming platforms kept the song in rotation.
By week 14, 'About Damn Time' reached the top of the Hot 100. It was Lizzo's second number-one single after 'Truth Hurts.' While the song held its position, it played in wedding halls, nightclubs, festivals, and street corners around the world. People were dancing away the melancholy the pandemic had left behind.
"Writing that song at the last moment was such a blessing. I knew it was something people needed."— Lizzo, Album Interview
From Song to Cultural Phenomenon
While the song's success was remarkable, how it became a cultural phenomenon was even more impressive. Major television performances, TikTok dance challenges, and grassroots streams converged organically. 'About Damn Time' transcended being merely a song—it became the sonic embodiment of post-pandemic joy.
In the summer of 2022, 'About Damn Time' was the most exuberant chart-topper in years. With one last-minute creative decision, Lizzo redefined her legacy and inspired millions around the world to get up and dance.
"'About Damn Time' isn't just a dance song. It's the feeling of being alive again, of returning to joy."— Music Critics
