Smokin Out the Window

In early 2017, after .Paak and Mars met on tour, they decided to get together in the studio with no intent, besides their mutual appreciation and affection.[3][4] At this point, the duo decided to try if they could turn the "backstage in-jokes" into songs. The first thing they wrote together started with one of them saying the sentence "Smoking out the window". They created an amusing "stressed-out" man smoking too many cigarettes as he tries to find his way out of "anxious" situations when they got together in the studio the "joke" was turned into a hook.[4] Once the tour ended, the sessions were put on hold.[3] Nevertheless, in late February 2021, Mars and Paak announced on social media the formation of their new band, Silk Sonic, and revealed the artwork for their debut studio album, An Evening with Silk Sonic (2021). They also announced the release of the first single, "Leave the Door Open", on March 5, 2021.[5]

"Smokin Out the Window" was written by Mars, Paak and Dernst Emile II. The production was handled by Mars and D' Mile. The former played the guitar and was in charge of the percussion, while the latter played the bass and piano. Bootsy Collins vocals were recorded by Tobe Donohue at Rehab Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio. Homer Steinweiss played drums, while Ella Feingold was in charge of the vibraphone. The horn section had Kameron Whalum playing the trombone, Marc Franklin the trumpet, Kirk Smothers playing the alto and bari sax and Lannie McMillan the tenor sax. The horns were recorded by Boo Mitchell at Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. The drums were recorded by Jens Jungkurth at The Legendary Diamond Mine, Long Island City, New York. Larry Gold did the arrangement and conduction of the strings at Milk Boy Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Jeff Chestek recording it. Blake Espy, Emma Kummrow and Christopher Jusell played the violin with Natasha Colkett, Tess Varley and Luigi Mazzocchi, Jonathan Kim and Yoshihiko Nakano were responsible for the viola and Glenn Fischbach played the cello. Charles Moniz, with engineering assistant Alex Resoagli, engineered and recorded the song at Shampoo Press & Curl Studios. Serban Ghenea mixed "Leave the Door Open" at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, with John Hanes serving as the mix engineer and Bryce Bordone as mixing assistant. It was mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound, NYC.[6]

On November 5, 2021, "Smokin Out the Window" was released as the third single via digital download and streaming services in various countries by Aftermath Entertainment and Atlantic Records.[7] On the same date, Warner Music Group also issued the track to be added to Italian contemporary hit radio.[8] American adult contemporary radio stations began adding the track onto their playlists on November 8, 2021, through Atlantic Records,[9] and it was released to US contemporary hit radio on November 9, 2021, through the aforementioned label.[10]

Screenshot of Mars and Anderson performing at a stage with backup singers in the music video

The music video for "Smokin Out the Window" premiered alongside the song's release on November 5, 2021, and was directed by Mars and John Esparza.[11] In the video, the duo perform on a stage decorated with large light-up stars, alongside backup singers and a band.[12] Originally, Silk Sonic teased their fans by tweeting out a muted clip of an alternate music video, showing the duo driving downtown as they sing the vocals, all the while smoking and munching on pizza.[13] It turns out that this clip was actually lip-synced to the second chorus of the song.[14]

The song was listed by Billboard publication as being among the best songs of the year. On the Billboard 100 Best Songs of 2021, the single was placed at number 63 the list. Rania Aniftos wrote "the success of "Smokin Out the Window" can be attributed to the fact that Silk Sonic can make calling a woman "this b—h" weirdly attractive".[15]

On November 21, 2021, "Smokin Out the Window" was performed live for the first time, as the opening act of that year's American Music Awards.[16] Just a week later, it would be performed at the 2021 Soul Train Music Awards, alongside "Fly as Me".[17]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of An Evening with Silk Sonic.[6]