Lovely (Billie Eilish and Khalid song)

"Lovely" (stylized in all lowercase letters) is a song recorded by American singers Billie Eilish and Khalid. It was released by Darkroom and Interscope Records as the lead single from the Netflix drama series 13 Reasons Why’s second season soundtrack. Eilish and Khalid wrote the song with Eilish's brother, Finneas O'Connell, who produced the track. The song has been described as a chamber pop ballad. Its lyrics describe Eilish and Khalid trying to overcome serious depression together.

"Lovely"
Single by Billie Eilish and Khalid
from the album 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 (Music from the Original TV Series)
ReleasedApril 19, 2018 (2018-04-19)
Genre
Length3:20
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Finneas O'Connell
Billie Eilish singles chronology
"Bitches Broken Hearts"
(2018)		 "Lovely"
(2018)		 "Party Favor"
(2018)
Khalid singles chronology
"Love Lies"
(2018)		 "Lovely"
(2018)		 "OTW"
(2018)
Music video
"Lovely" on YouTube

Upon its release, "Lovely" received positive reviews from music critics. "Lovely" reached number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the song peaked within the top ten in several other countries. It was certified tuplet platinum in Australia. The track was accompanied by a music video released on April 26, 2018. The video depicts Eilish and Khalid walking around a glass case, interacting with each other. Eilish included the track on the setlists of her 2019 When We All Fall Asleep Tour and her 2020 Where Do We Go? World Tour.

Background and release

"Lovely" was released on April 19, 2018, for digital download and streaming through Darkroom and Interscope Records as the lead single for the album 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 (Music from the Original TV Series).[1] The song was later included on the expanded edition of her debut EP Don't Smile at Me.[2] The track was written by Billie Eilish, Khalid and Finneas O'Connell, while production was solely handled by the latter. Mastering and mixing was handled by the studio personnel, John Greenham and Rob Kinelski, respectively.[3] In an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1, Eilish explained the inspiration for the track’s title: “We called it that because the song was sort of really freaking depressing so then it’s like oh, how lovely, just taking everything horrible like you know what this is great. I’m so happy being miserable.”[4][5] A remix by American electronic dance music duo Hippie Sabotage, was released on July 10, 2018 through Soundcloud.[6] Dan Regan of Billboard praised the remix, saying it has "fresh vocals" and a "trap-style beat [that] buff new dimension into the song".[7]

Compostion and lyrical interpretation

Critical commentary described "Lovely" as a chamber pop-based stripped back ballad.[4][8][9][10][11] According to sheet music published by Universal Music Publishing Group at Musicnotes.com, it is written in the key of E minor with a moderately fast tempo of 114 beats per minute; its chord progression follows a basic sequence of Cmaj7–Em–Bm.[12] The track features minimalist production that consists of piano, violin strings provided by Madison Leinster, and percussion".[10][11][13] Eilish also explained about working with Khalid and how the track was created to Zane Lowe: “One thing that I’ll say is that when we wrote this song, what was cool about it was that it wasn’t like we’re going to the studio and going to write a hit. He just came over and we hung out. Me and my brother hung out with Khalid in our house and it was literally this is us hanging out as friends and we ended up writing a song.”[4]

Claudia Willen of Insider stated "Lovely" begins with "Khalid's voice echoing Eilish's vocals, the artists come together to harmonize in the chorus, singing about the feeling of being trapped inside of one's own mind".[14] It finds the duo crooning miserably and being inextricably trapped.[10][15] But it gets even worse as they move into the chorus, as Eilish sings: Isn't it lovely, all alone?/Heart made of glass, my mind of stone/Tear me to pieces, skin to bone/Hello, welcome home."[4] Eilish and Khalid become hopeless as the song is coming to an end. "But I know some day I'll make it out of here/Even if it takes all night or a hundred years/Need a place to hide, but I can't find one near/Wanna feel alive, outside I can fight my fear", as backdrop piano and two chord strings accompany the lyrics.[16]

Critical reception

Upon release, "Lovely" received critical acclaim from music critics. Jon Blistein from Rolling Stone called it a "smoldering ballad".[11] Raisa Bruner writing for The Times labled the song as "somber" and "haunting", and stated "[there] [is] little to celebrate in the dark, brooding lyrics, but still 'Lovely' finds beautiful sounds in that pained place".[10] Mike Nied of Idolator commended the production, and described them as "heartrending strings" and "atmospheric production".[4] Robin Murray writing for Clash depicted the track as a "internet-shattering single", while saying it is a "bold, defiant gesture".[17] David Smyth of Evening Standard cited Eilish's and Khalid's vocals in "Lovely" as a "grandiose duet".[18]

Graham Corrigan of Complex praised the song as a "intensely dramatic offering", and described Eilish's vocals as "smoky" while it "act[s] as quicksand, dragging the listener down to a dark place", Corrigan further described Khalid's vocals as an "interesting counterpoint to [Eilish's] [vocals] as he "occupies a very different textural space, cutting through the straining strings where she seems to melt into the instrumentation".[19] Tyler Schmitt of Variance defined "Lovely" as a track that "lives up to its name".[5] NME's Hannah Mylrea called the song one of the best from the official soundtrack for the second season of 13 Reasons Why, saying, "with its lush strings and interweaving vocals, this sizzling duet is properly gorgeous. The masterfully written [ballad] is completed with heart-wrenching crescendos and trickling piano lines.[20] Tanis Smither writing for Earmilk was similarly positive, saying, "take two of the best voices in pop music and pair them with one of the greatest new producers in pop music, and you get magic" and further mentions "Lovely" has "dramatic and orchestral, with heart-wrenching strings".[13]

Consequence of Sound ranked "Lovely" at number 15 on their list of 2018's best songs. On behalf of the publication, Lake Schatz remarked "Lovely" as "one of the most fragile offerings of [2018]". And comments that the song is another entry that showcases [Eilish's] versatility as an artist".[21] The song placed at number 4 on Billboard's All 27 of Khalid's Collaborations, Ranked: Critic's Picks list, with the staff calling the song "beautiful" and "sorrowful".[22] "Lovely" ranked at number 17 in Australia's Triple J's Hottest 100.[23] Insider placed the song at number 25 on their Every Billie Eilish song, ranked list.[14]

Commerical performance

"Lovely" first debuted at number two on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart on May 4, 2018.[24] The track later rose to number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart on January 25, 2019.[25] Following the release of Eilish's debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, "Lovely" re-entered the chart at number 85. At the same time, Eilish broke the record for the most simultaneous Hot 100 entries for a female artist.[26] It has received a double-platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which denotes track-equivalent sales of two million units based on sales and streams.[27]

In the United Kingdom, the single peaked at number 47 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Eilish's first song to chart in the UK.[28].[29] And has received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which denotes track-equivalent sales of 600,000 units.[30] "Lovely" peaked at number 46 on the Canadian Hot 100 and has received quadruplet platinum certification by Music Canada (MC).[31][32] It was the most successful in Australia, peaking at number five on the ARIA Charts.[33] It has also received the highest certification in Australia, being awarded a tuplet certification.[34]

Music video

A music video for "Lovely" was directed by Taylor Cohen and was uploaded to Eilish's official YouTube channel on April 26, 2018.[35][36][37] The visual begins Eilish being trapped inside a crystalline box.[38] Khalid then appears out of thin air behind her, wearing matching black threads and heaps of silver chains as he sings with her.[36][39] Eilish and Khalid start wandering around the box wearily. A single rain cloud from above starts to unleash rain and thunder.[40][41] The singers sometimes separate, but manage to find their way back to each other.[39] The water from the cloud then starts to freeze the box, ice covers the walls as Khalid and Eilish hold each other inside. But as the visual is towards its end, the ice melts to reveal the box is finally empty.[40] The video's concept was created by Eilish who was inspired and wanted to portray the feeling of being hopelessly trapped with another person.[37][42]

The music video was positively received by critics. Blistein called the visual a "simple yet striking video", while Nied cited it as being a "captivating spectacle complete with brilliant special effects that capture the severity of their situation".[38][40] Chantilly Post writing for HotNewHipHop described that the video "is so simple and striking at the same time".[39] Madeline Roth of MTV said, "the visual is undeniably somber, but they at least seem to find some comfort in one another".[36] Melissa Litterello of Soundigest called the visual "incredible", and depicted that "our eyes were glued throughout to see what would happen next" and that it was "definitely entertaining to watch".[43]

Live performances

"Lovely" was performed live during Eilish's North American 1 by 1 tour in 2018.[44] Eilish performed it at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with Khalid in April 2019.[45] "Lovely" was included on the setlist of Eilish's 2019 When We All Fall Asleep Tour.[46] The track was also included on the setlist of her 2020 Where Do We Go? World Tour.[47]

Track listing
Digital download and streaming[1]
No.TitleLength
1."Lovely"3:20
Digital download – Hippie Sabotage Remix[6]
No.TitleLength
1."Lovely" (Hippie Sabotage Remix)4:47

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[34] 5× Platinum 350,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[76] Platinum 30,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[77] Gold 20,000
Canada (Music Canada)[32] 4× Platinum 320,000
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[78] Platinum 90,000
France (SNEP)[79] Platinum 200,000
Germany (BVMI)[80] Gold 200,000
Italy (FIMI)[81] Platinum 50,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[82] 3× Platinum 180,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[83] 2× Platinum 60,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[84] 3× Platinum 60,000*
Portugal (AFP)[85] 2× Platinum 40,000^
Sweden (GLF)[86] Platinum 8,000,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[27] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

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

gollark: They also have to pray 5 times every 90 minutes if in low Earth orbit.
gollark: Probably not some kind of weird 3-axis spinning chair.
gollark: I remember there being a solution for this, but I forgot what it is.
gollark: It's probably just me, in your walls.
gollark: Enjoy your vision!

References
  1. "Lovely by Billie Eilish and Khalid on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  2. "dont smile at me (Expanded Edition) by Billie Eilish". Spotify. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  3. ""Lovely" by Billie Eilish and Khalid". Tidal. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  4. Nied, Mike (April 19, 2018). "Billie Eilish & Khalid Join Forces On Lush New Single 'Lovely'". Idolator. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  5. Schmitt, Tyler (April 19, 2018). "Hear Billie Eilish & Khalid Team Up for New Song 'Lovely'". Variance. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  6. "Lovely (remix) by Hippie Sabotage". Soundcloud. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  7. Regan, Dan (March 29, 2019). "The 12 Best Billie Eilish Remixes". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  8. Solomon, Dan (July 13, 2018). "Khalid's 2018 Guest Appearances Could Make an Entire Album". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  9. Spruch, Kristen (December 12, 2019). "10 Billie Eilish Songs Every Superfan Should Know". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  10. Bruner, Raisa (April 20, 2018). "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week". The Times. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  11. Blistein, Jon (April 19, 2018). "Hear Khalid Join Billie Eilish on Aching New Song, 'Lovely'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  12. "Billie Eilish and Khalid 'Lovely' Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  13. Smither, Tanis (April 20, 2018). "Billie Eilish and Khalid release moody 'lovely' - Earmilk". Earmilk. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  14. Callie Ahlgrim, Libby Torres and Claudia Willen (March 18, 2020). "Every Billie Eilish song, ranked". Insider. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  15. Schatz, Lake (April 20, 2018). "Billie Eilish and Khalid collaborate on 'Lovely' new song: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  16. Pareles, Jon; Caramanica, Jon; Russonello, Giovanni (April 20, 2018). "The Playlist: Prince's Own 'Nothing Compares 2 U,' and 12 More New Songs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2019. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  17. Murray, Robin (April 20, 2018). "Billie Eilish x Khalid Unite On 'Lovely'". Clash. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  18. Smyth, David (April 27, 2018). "Five tracks to hear this week (Apr 27-May 4)". Evening Standard. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  19. Corrigan, Graham (April 19, 2018). "Billie Eilish and Khalid Join Forces on 'Lovely'". Complex. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  20. Mylrea, Hannah (May 18, 2018). "13 Reasons Why season 2 soundtrack – the best songs". NME. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  21. "Top 50 Songs of 2018". Consequence of Sound. December 11, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  22. "All 27 of Khalid's Collaborations, Ranked: Critic's Picks". Billboard. April 4, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  23. Boulton, Martin (January 27, 2019). "All 27 of Khalid's Collaborations, Ranked: Critic's Picks". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  24. "Billie Eilish: Chart History - Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  25. "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  26. Zellner, Xander (April 9, 2019). "Billie Eilish Earns First Hot 100 Top 10, Breaks Record For Most Simultaneous Hits Among Women". Billboard. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  27. "American single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 4, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  28. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  29. Copsey, Rob (February 8, 2019). "Ariana Grande keeps Official Singles Chart top spot, Billie Eilish scores highest new entry". Official Singles Chart. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  30. "British single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  31. "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  32. "Canadian single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Music Canada. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  33. "Australian-charts.com – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  34. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  35. Boulton, Martin (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish and Khalid Drop Visual For Atmospheric New Track 'Lovely': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  36. Roth, Madeline (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish and Khalid Are Trapped in a Glass Case of Emotion In 'Lovely' Video". MTV. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  37. "Video: Billie Eilish & Khalid Release Official Video For Lovely". BroadwayWorld. April 26, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  38. Nied, Mike (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish & Khalid Are Trapped In Their 'Lovely' Video". Idolator. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  39. Boulton, Chantilly (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish & Khalid Are Trapped In A Glass Box For Their 'Lovely' Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  40. Blistein, Jon (April 26, 2018). "Watch Billie Eilish, Khalid Brave Rain, Ice in 'Lovely' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  41. "See Billie Eilish and Khalid's video for 'Lovely'". Yahoo! News. April 27, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  42. "Billie Eilish Debuts Official Video for 'lovely' with Khalid". Universal Music Group. April 26, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  43. Litterello, Melissa (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish Drops 'Lovely' Music Video with Khalid". Soundigest. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  44. "Billie Eilish Announces North American 1 By 1 Tour". Universal Music Group. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  45. Powers, Shad (December 10, 2019). "Second time around even better for Billie Eilish as Weekend 2 set is more powerful, raw". The Desert Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  46. Saw, Yadana (April 25, 2019). "Review: Billie Eilish at Spark Arena – "a shared dream"". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  47. Young, Alex (March 10, 2020). "Billie Eilish Launches "Where Do We Go? World Tour"". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  48. "Austriancharts.at – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  49. "Ultratop.be – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  50. "Ultratop.be – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  51. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201824 into search. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  52. "Lescharts.com – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  53. "Offiziellecharts.de – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  54. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  55. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  56. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Billie Eilish & Khalid". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  57. "Dutchcharts.nl – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  58. "Charts.nz – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  59. "Norwegiancharts.com – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". VG-lista. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  60. "Portuguesecharts.com – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  61. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  62. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201824 into search. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  63. "Swedishcharts.com – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  64. "Swisscharts.com – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  65. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  66. "ARIA End of Year Singles 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  67. "Top Selling Singles of 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  68. "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  69. "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  70. "Track Top-100 2019" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  71. "Digitālās Mūzikas Tops 2019" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  72. "Top Selling Singles of 2019". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  73. "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  74. "Årslista Singlar, 2019". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  75. "Top 100 Songs of 2019". Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  76. "Austrian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  77. "Brazilian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  78. "Danish single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  79. "French single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  80. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billie Eilish & Khalid; 'Lovely')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  81. "Italian single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 23, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Lovely" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
  82. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved November 19, 2019. Type Billie Eilish in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Lovely in the box under TÍTULO
  83. "New Zealand single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  84. "Polish single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  85. "Top AFP/Audigest - Semana 16 de 2020" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  86. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 7, 2019 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.