"Tightrope" is a 2010 song by American singer Janelle Monáe, the first official single from The ArchAndroid.

Speaking in May 2010 to UK urban writer Pete Lewis, deputy editor of Blues & Soul, Monáe discussed the background to the song: "'Tightrope' is basically dealing with how in life it's important to keep your balance and not get too high or low about things during the time when you're either being praised or being criticised.

Pitchfork note that the tracks sped up alien backing vocals are the only thing that keep the theme of sci-fi and of the future.

Pitchfork went on to explain "But when the chorus hits, she switches up into a classic soul-singer wail, the type of immediate retro yowl that keeps Sharon Jones in fancy shoes.

In the music video she portrays an inpatient that possesses the power to walk through walls and later she catches the "crazy/dancing feet" with her friends.

"[6] The video references experimental filmmaker Maya Deren's iconic 1943 film, Meshes of the Afternoon.

[16] In January 2011, The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll ranked "Tightrope" at number 2 to find the best music of 2010, behind CeeLo Green's "Forget You".