Girls (Rita Ora song)

"Girls" is a song by British singer Rita Ora, featuring American rapper Cardi B, American singer Bebe Rexha and British singer Charli XCX. The single was released on 11 May 2018 by Atlantic Records.[1] It was written by Ora, Klenord Raphael, Ali Tamposi, Rexha, Jonny Coffer, Jordan Thorpe, Belcalis Almanzar (Cardi B), Brian Lee, Watt and Benjamin Diehl, while the production was handled by Ben Billions, Coffer and Watt.[2]

"Girls"
Single by Rita Ora featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX
from the album Phoenix
Released11 May 2018 (2018-05-11)
GenrePop
Length3:41
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ben Billions
  • Jonny Coffer
  • Andrew Watt
Rita Ora singles chronology
"For You"
(2018)		 "Girls"
(2018)		 "Let You Love Me"
(2018)
Cardi B singles chronology
"Be Careful"
(2018)		 "Girls"
(2018)		 "Dinero"
(2018)
Bebe Rexha singles chronology
"Push Back"
(2018)		 "Girls"
(2018)		 "I'm a Mess"
(2018)
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Out of My Head"
(2017)		 "Girls"
(2018)		 "5 in the Morning"
(2018)
Music video
"Girls" on YouTube

Background

The collaboration was announced on 4 May 2018.[3] Rita Ora described the song as an "empowering anthem":

"These past few years I've been so inspired by all the strong women I've seen who aren't afraid to be themselves. For those who aren't afraid to rule the world, this is our anthem. A celebration of love. And of course, thank you to all the fellow boss women who so kindly graced this song with me — each representing who they are and where they are from [...]"[4]

Composition

"Girls" is a pop song[5] that comprises a hip hop-influenced beat.[6] The lyrics explore themes of same-sex attraction.[4][7][2]

Music video

The music video for "Girls" was released on 6 June 2018.[8] It was directed by Helmi.

Live performances

Ora performed the song live for the first time at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend on 28 May 2017, with Charli XCX and Raye, one year before its release as an official single.[9] Her first televised performance was on the season finale of Germany's Next Topmodel on 24 May 2018.[10]

Criticism and controversy

American singers Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani, who identify as gay and queer respectively, criticized the song for being "harmful" to the LGBTQ community. Kiyoko referred to the song in a tweet she posted as being "tone-deaf", stating that the song "fueled the male gaze while marginalizing the idea of women loving women."[11] Kehlani voiced her opinion in a series of tweets, "I have an incredible song out with one of the artists, and would love to work with the other three as well. I have met them all and respect them. There. Were. Harmful. Lyrics." She concluded her tweets with: "Every artist on the song is fantastic, and very much loved and supported by me... by all of us. But this isn't about talent, it's about choice."[12] Several days later, Ora apologized for unintended offense.[13] Ora responded to criticism, as she wrote: "Girls was written to represent my truth and is an accurate account of a very real and honest experience in my life... I have had romantic relationships with women and men throughout my life and this is my personal journey".[14]

Track listing
  • Digital download
  1. "Girls" (featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX) – 3:41
  • Digital download[15]
  1. "Girls" (featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX) (Martin Jensen Remix) – 4:20
  • Digital download[16]
  1. "Girls" (featuring Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX) (Steve Aoki Remix) – 3:45

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[17] 52
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 62
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[19] 33
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[20] 1
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 72
Croatia Airplay (HRT)[22] 24
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[23] 59
Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[24] 20
France (SNEP)[25] 138
Germany (Official German Charts)[26] 69
Greece Digital Singles (IFPI Greece)[27] 33
Hungary (Single Top 40)[28] 38
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[29] 37
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 26
Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[31] 42
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32] 19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 73
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[34] 1
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[35] 27
Portugal (AFP)[36] 72
Romania (Airplay 100)[37] 50
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[38] 15
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[39] 31
Spain Digital Songs (PROMUSICAE)[40] 42
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 66
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 54
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[43] 22
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[44] 3
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[45] 6
US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard)[46] 14

Year-end charts
Chart (2019) Position
Portugal (AFP)[47] 2046

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] Gold 35,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] 2× Platinum 80,000
Poland (ZPAV)[50] Gold 10,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Silver 200,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 11 May 2018
Original Atlantic
Italy Contemporary hit radio Warner [52]
United States 22 May 2018 Rhythmic contemporary radio
  • Warner Bros.
  • Atlantic
 [53]
United Kingdom 25 May 2018 Contemporary hit radio Warner [54]
8 June 2018 Digital download Steve Aoki Remix Atlantic [16]
15 June 2018 Martin Jensen Remix [15]
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References
  1. "Rita Ora's new single featuring Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha is released". Belfast Telegraph. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  2. Coleman II, C. Vernon (11 May 2018). "Cardi B, Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX Drop New Song "Girls"". XXL. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  3. Britton, Luke Morgan (4 May 2018). "Rita Ora, Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha are teaming up for a massive new single called 'Girls'". NME. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  4. "New Music: Rita Ora feat. Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX - Girls". Rap-Up. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  5. "Rita Ora Taps Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX For "Girls"". HotNewHipHop. May 10, 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  6. Kaye, Ben (11 May 2018). "Rita Ora rallies Cardi B, Charli XCX, Bebe Rexha for "Girls": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  7. "Charli XCX, Cardi B, Rita Ora and Bebe Rexha link up for "Girls"". The Fader. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  8. "Watch Rita Ora, Cardi B Share a Kiss in 'Girls' Video". Rolling Stone. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  9. "BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, 2017, Rita Ora feat. Raye & Charli XCX". BBC.
  10. Ora, Rita (24 May 2018). "So I'm driving back from Soundcheck and I nearly choked on my sandwich I saw this HUGE poster I had to stop the car and take a picture! I'm performing GIRLS tonight LIVE for the first time on TV for @germanysnexttopmodel Final alongside one of my absolute favourites @shawnmendes I'm so excited!! And Congrats to all the finalists for getting this FAR! See you tonight I'm on at 10pm!! 💕💖💞". Instagram. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  11. Enos, Morgan (May 11, 2018). "Hayley Kiyoko Calls Rita Ora's 'Girls' 'Tone-Deaf,' Worries It Does 'More Harm Than Good' for LGBTQ Community". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  12. "Hayley Kiyoko Says Rita Ora's New Single "Girls" Sends 'Dangerous' Message".
  13. "Rita Ora Apologizes Over Widespread Criticism of New Song 'Girls'". Rolling Stone.
  14. "Rita Ora Says Her Song "Girls" Is About "My Personal Journey" And She Never Meant To Offend". BuzzFeed News. 14 May 2018.
  15. "Girls (feat. Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX) [Martin Jensen Remix] – Single by Rita Ora on iTunes". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  16. "Girls (feat. Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX) [Steve Aoki Remix] – Single by Rita Ora on iTunes". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved 19 June 2018.
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  34. "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  35. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
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  40. "Spain Digital & Physical Songs Sales". spanishcharts.com. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
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  49. "Brazilian single certifications – Rita Ora – Girls" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  50. "Polish single certifications – Rita Ora feat. Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX – Girls" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  51. "British single certifications – Rita Ora/Cardi B/Rexha/Charli – Girls". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Girls in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  52. "RITA ORA "Girls" - (Radio Date: 11/05/2018)". Radiodate.it. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  53. "Top 40/R Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  54. "BBC – Radio 1 – Playlist". BBC Radio 1. 25 May 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
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