"Part II (On the Run)" is a slow-tempo Electro-R&B ballad instrumentally complete with synths and drums, and its lyrics refer to a rebellious couple in love and describe their dangerous relationship.
"[2][3] "Part II (On the Run)" is viewed as a sequel to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's collaboration "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" (2002), when rumors about the pair dating started, as before that neither artist had never talked about it.
[4] "Part II (On the Run)" was sent to U.S. contemporary hit radio stations on February 18, 2014 as the third single to be released from Magna Carta Holy Grail.
[1] "Part II (On the Run)" is a smooth slow-tempo electro-R&B love ballad[7][8][9][10] which is equipped with a steamy, retro and retro-futuristic groove that creates an acute level of moody texture.
[13] Pareles further noted that Timbaland's production sets aside his usual brittle tones to hint at the keyboard confections of 1980's Lionel Richie and Don Henley.
[16][17] She further denounces the couple's own love story as "a toast to clichés in a dark past" over dizzy, diving synths[18] and drums which sound like "they came out of Eric B's basement," as stated by Grant Jones of the website Rap Reviews.
[6][16][19] He further acknowledges that if anyone attacks his girlfriend he would kill them: "Cross the line, speak about mine/ I'mma wave this TEC, I'm a geek about mine/ Touch a ni--a where his rib at/ I click clat/ Push your muh'fuckin' wig back.
"[28] It was also questioned for its "lack of pop appeal,"[29] with Tom Quickfall from The Fly describing it as a "throwaway" song,[30] Alex Macpherson's review for The Guardian disregarding it as an "aimless mid-tempo"[28] and Kyle Ellison of The Quietus calling it "passionless.
"[31] Mike Diver from Clash magazine described the song as "an incongruously positioned, piano-dominated R&B cut sandwiched between a pair of what are, essentially, interludes," going on to say: "It's like the track had no natural home, so the rapper constructed a standalone spot for it, isolated by design, so as not to disappoint the wife.