In for the Kill (song)
In for the Kill is a track by the British synth-pop duo La Roux, featured on their self-titled debut album released in 2009. Issued as the album’s second single on 15 March 2009, it served as their breakthrough, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart. Renowned dubstep artists Skream and Skrillex produced remixes of this song. In 2011, it received a nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Background
Lead vocalist Elly Jackson explained that the song communicates emotions directly without waiting for them to be returned. The composition heavily incorporates influences from the 1980s animated series Pole Position, which is also referenced visually in its accompanying music video.
Critical reception
The track "In for the Kill" was met with favorable critiques. Digital Spy described it as "a bit unusual yet endlessly thrilling," merging retro and futuristic elements seamlessly. Clickmusic lauded it as "the pinnacle of 80s synth pop" and "the most exhilarating single available." Exclaim! emphasized Jackson’s "cool, high-register" vocals paired with dynamic, driving rhythms, while MSN Music praised its vibrant electro-pop sound and Jackson’s commanding vocal performance.
In October 2011, NME placed the song at number 64 on its compilation of the "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years."
Commercial performance
In for the Kill entered the UK Singles Chart at number 11 during the week ending 28 March 2009. It ascended to its peak position of number two four weeks afterward, selling 51,724 copies, and held that rank for four straight weeks before slipping to number three with sales of 44,310 units. By January 2011, it ranked as the UK’s 11th best-selling digital download, amassing total sales of 875,523 copies by July 2014. In Ireland, the single debuted at number 47 on 16 April 2009 and climbed to its highest spot at number 13 four weeks later.
The song experienced moderate chart success across continental Europe, reaching number 43 in Belgium, number 53 in Austria, number 68 in Slovakia, and number 92 in Germany. It peaked at number 11 in Norway and achieved a top ten position at number nine on the European Hot 100 Singles chart. In Australia, it initially entered the charts at number 50 in June 2009, briefly dropped off, then reappeared to reach a peak of number 36.
In the United States, In for the Kill topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart on 27 November 2010, marking La Roux’s second chart-topping single there following "Bulletproof."
Music videos
The original music video for "In for the Kill," directed by Kinga Burza and produced by Sarah Tognazzi, showcases an ’80s-inspired theme featuring Jackson driving a Toyota MR2. The visuals depict her nighttime drive while wearing sunglasses during the chorus and encountering a doppelgänger before concluding with glowing eyes.
A second video was released on 7 October 2010 to support the US single launch. Directed by LEGS and shot at the Hotel Chelsea in New York City, this version presents a slightly modified arrangement of the song.
Alternative versions
The most prominent remix of the track was crafted by dubstep producer Skream, known as the Let's Get Ravey remix, which was included on both the CD single and digital EP formats. This version was used during the end credits of the Entourage episode titled "Hair," appeared in advertisements for the 2009 video game Bayonetta, and featured in the trailer for the 2012 movie Dredd. Additionally, it is part of the soundtrack for Matchstick Productions' 2011 ski film Attack of la Niña.
Critics highly praised Skream’s remix; for instance, The Observer described it as a "proper remix" that enhances the original composition. Cam Lindsay from Exclaim! regarded it as superior to the original track. Skream also delivered another version called That Doesn't Sound Like Skream's Remix, which was available on both physical and digital EP releases.
French artist Lifelike contributed a six-minute remix that was released as a 12-inch single and digital download through French label Kitsuné. This remix also appeared on the 2009 compilation album Kitsuné Maison Compilation 7. The official US remix featuring rapper Kanye West debuted on Entertainment Weekly on 12 October 2010, followed by a digital release on 2 November.
Cover versions
The song has been covered multiple times on the Live Lounge segment of BBC Radio 1's The Jo Whiley Show, with performances by Australian R&B vocalist Daniel Merriweather (18 May 2009), Swedish indie pop group Miike Snow (30 January 2010), American R&B artist Kelis (12 May 2010), and English indie pop trio London Grammar (8 September 2013), along with a rendition by Billie Marten.
"In for the Kill" has served as a popular sample source among rappers. Atlanta-based rapper Donnis incorporated it into "For the Kill" from his 2010 mixtape Fashionably Late. In the same year, French Montana sampled it on "Goin' In for the Kill," featuring Chinx Drugz and Cheeze from his mixtape Coke Boys. The production team Cool & Dre used it for rapper Game's track "The Kill" on his 2011 mixtape Purp & Patron. In April 2011, Jackson confirmed that Dr. Dre had sampled "In for the Kill" for his anticipated album Detox. More recently, UK drill artist Tion Wayne sampled the chorus in his 2022 single "IFTK", where La Roux is credited as a lead artist; this track reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Track listings
- CD single
- "In for the Kill" – 4:08
- "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:05
- Digital EP
- "In for the Kill" – 4:10
- "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:04
- "In for the Kill" (That Doesn't Sound Like Skream's Remix) – 3:27
- UK limited edition 7-inch picture disc
- A. "In for the Kill" – 4:08
- B. "In for the Kill" – 4:08
- French digital single and 12-inch single
- "In for the Kill" (Lifelike Remix) – 6:08
- French and Japanese EP
- "In for the Kill" – 4:10
- "Quicksand" – 3:06
- "In for the Kill" (Lifelike Remix) – 6:09
- "In for the Kill" (That Doesn't Sound Like Skream's Remix) – 3:26
- "Quicksand" (autoKratz Drags to Riches Remix) – 4:40
- "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:16
- "In for the Kill" (Skream's Lets Get Ravey Remix) – 5:03
- US digital EP – remixes
- "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:01
- "In for the Kill" (Tim Bran Remix) – 3:43
- "In for the Kill" (Danger's Ocean Remix) – 4:16
- "In for the Kill" (Skrillex Remix) – 5:11
- US digital single – featuring Kanye West
- "In for the Kill" (featuring Kanye West) – 4:40
Credits and personnel
Information sourced from the liner notes of the La Roux album.
Recording
- Tracking completed at Elfin Studios located in Teddington, London
- Mixing carried out at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Personnel
- Elly Jackson – lead vocals, production duties
- Ben Langmaid – production
- Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
- John Hanes – mix engineer
- Tim Roberts – assistant mix engineer
Weekly charts
| Chart (2009–2010) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| Australia | 36 |
| Australia Dance | 5 |
| Austria | 53 |
| Flanders | 43 |
| Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) | 9 |
| Germany | 92 |
| Ireland | 13 |
| Norway | 11 |
| Scotland | 10 |
| Slovakia | 68 |
| United Kingdom | 2 |
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | 1 |
| US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Songs | 6 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2009) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Australian Dance (ARIA) | 18 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 6 |
Decade-end charts
| Chart (2000–2009) | Rank |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC) | 35 |
Release history
| Region | Release date | Format(s) | Record label | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 15 March 2009 | Digital EP | Polydor | |
| 16 March 2009 | CD single, 7-inch single | |||
| France | 20 April 2009 | Digital download, 12-inch single, EP | Kitsuné | |
| Germany | 8 May 2009 | Digital EP | Universal | |
| Japan | 20 May 2009 | EP release | P-Vine Records, Kitsuné | |
| Australia | 5 June 2009 | Digital EP | Universal | |
| Germany | 12 June 2009 | CD single format | ||
| United States | 14 September 2010 | Digital EP featuring remixes | Cherrytree Records, Interscope Records | |
| 2 November 2010 | Digital single including Kanye West collaboration |