Carly Rae Jepsen initially wrote this euphoric power-pop tune during recording sessions for her 2015 album Emotion, but it didn't make the final tracklisting. The song was later considered for the album's follow-up EP, E•MO•TION: Side B, but instead was included on the soundtrack for the 2016 Canadian-French animated movie Ballerina after Jepsen signed on for the film and felt the song was fitting for the story.

The lyrics tell the story of an ecstatic love.

I wanna cut through the clouds
Break the ceiling
I wanna dance on the roof
You and me alone
I wanna cut to the feeling

Ballerina tells the story of an 11-year-old orphan named Felicie in Paris who dreams of becoming a dancer. Carly Rae voices the character Odette, a former prima ballerina who gives Felicie advice. The film was subsequently re-titled Leap! for its American release.

Jepsen told Entertainment Weekly how the song came to be part of the movie:

"That was actually a contender for [E·MO·TION: Side B] and, originally, the first album. It was almost too cinematic and theatrical. I was like, 'If I had my way with it, this would be great for a musical or movie!'

When Ballerina came along, I met with people as I was doing the voiceover…and they were showing me a couple scenes. There was one in particular where they were like, 'We're looking for the right song for this, do you have anything?' I was like, 'Actually, this has been in my back pocket. I've been saving it for the B-sides, but if this works for you guys, I'd be stoked to share it.'"

The sing-along-pop tune samples Madonna's 1983 hit "Lucky Star."