Lovely (Billie Eilish and Khalid song)
"Lovely" | ||||
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Khalid and Eilish are seen sitting down, posing for a photo. | ||||
Single by Billie Eilish and Khalid | ||||
from the album 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 (Music from the Original TV Series) | ||||
Released | April 19, 2018 | |||
Genre | Chamber pop | |||
Length | 3:20 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Finneas O'Connell | |||
Billie Eilish singles chronology | ||||
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Khalid singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Lovely" on YouTube |
"Lovely" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song recorded by American singers Billie Eilish and Khalid. It was released by Darkroom and Interscope Records as the first single from Netflix drama series 13 Reasons Why. It was written by the lead artists and Eilish's brother Finneas O'Connell, who also produced the track.[1] The song has been described as chamber pop song. During the song's lyrics, Eilish and Khalid try to overcome serious depression together.
Upon its release, "Lovely" received positive reviews from music critics. 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. "Lovely" reached number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song further peaked within the top ten in several countries. It was certified quadruple platinum in Canada and Australia. Eilish included the track on the setlists of her 2019 When We All Fall Asleep Tour and 2020 Where Do We Go? World Tour.
Background and composition
"Lovely" was written by Eilish, her brother Finneas O'Connell and Khalid. Finneas solely produced the track. Mastering and mixing was handled by the studio personnel John Greenham and Rob Kinelski, respectively.[2] It was released on the album 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 (Music from the Original TV Series) as its first single.[3] The song has been described as a chamber pop song.[4] The song is written in the key of E minor with a moderately fast tempo of 114 of 110 beats per minute and its chord progression follows a basic sequence of Cmaj7–Em–Bm.[5] The track features strings, a downcast piano and percussion.[6][7][8][9] The song's lyrics start with the duo attempting to overcome a serious depression: "Thought I found a way/But you never go away."[6] Author Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone further mentioned that Eilish and Khalid sing with "a sense of urgency and yearning": "Oh, I hope some day I'll make it out of here/ Even if it takes all night or a hundred years."[7] The singers get hopeless as they move into the chorus. "Isn't it lovely, all alone?/Heart made of glass, my mind of stone/Tear me to pieces, skin and bone/Hello, welcome home."[6][7]
Reception
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, and is totally, ahem, lovely."[10] Mike Nied of Idolator gave the song a positive review and said "the collaborators deliver some of their most soulful vocals over heartrending strings and atmospheric production."[6] 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."[11] "Lovely" debuted at number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on January 2019.[12] In the United Kingdom, "Lovely" reached number 47.[13] The song has further peaked within the top 10 in Australia and New Zealand.[14][15] It has received several certifications, including quadruple platinum certifications from Music Canada (MC) and the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[16][17]
Promotion
Eilish first performed "Lovely" with Khalid in Japan in 2018.[18] The song was included on the setlist of Eilish's When We All Fall Asleep Tour (2019).[19] and eventually added to the singer's 2020 Where Do We Go? World Tour.[20] A music video for the song was released a week following the single's release and was directed by Taylor Cohen.[21] The video was inspired by Eilish's desire to portray two people being “hopelessly trapped”.[22] It begins with Eilish alone, Khalid then appears out of thin air behind her. The two singers are trapped inside in a crystalline box. They walk around for a while, sometimes interacting and then the camera pans up and shows a single, thundering rain cloud. It beings to rain inside the box and the water starts to rise and freeze.[23] The walls would begin to be shrouded in ice as Khalid and Eilish hold each other inside. As the video ends, the ice thaws to reveal the box is empty.[21] The music video was positively received by music critics upon its release. While Mike Nied of Idolator called the video "undeniably dark",[22] Madeline Roth of MTV stated it was " undeniably somber" yet Eilish and Khalid "at least seem to find some comfort in one another."[23]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[2]
- Billie Eilish – vocals, songwriter
- Khalid – vocals, songwriter
- Finneas O'Connell – producer, songwriter
- John Greenham – mastering engineer
- Rob Kinelski – mixer
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[49] | 5× Platinum | 350,000‡ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[50] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[51] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[16] | 4× Platinum | 320,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[52] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[53] | Platinum | 200,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[54] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[55] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[56] | 3× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[57] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[58] | 3× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[59] | 2× Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[60] | Platinum | 8,000,000† |
United Kingdom (BPI)[61] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[62] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Billie Eilish - Topic (April 19, 2018), lovely, retrieved November 28, 2018
- ^ a b ""Lovely" by Billie Eilish and Khalid". Tidal. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Lovely by Billie Eilish on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ Solomon, Dan (July 13, 2018). "Khalid's 2018 Guest Appearances Could Make an Entire Album". Texas Monthly. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid "lovely" Sheet Music in E Minor (transposable)". Musicnotes.com. May 1, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Billie Eilish & Khalid Join Forces On Lush New Single "Lovely"". Idolator. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c Blistein, Jon (March 18, 2020). "Hear Khalid Join Billie Eilish on Aching New Song, 'Lovely'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Callie Ahlgrim, Libby Torres and Claudia Willen (March 18, 2020). "Every Billie Eilish song, ranked". Insider. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ Corrigan, Graham (April 19, 2018). "Billie Eilish and Khalid Join Forces on "Lovely"". Complex. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "13 Reasons Why season 2 soundtrack – the best songs". NME. May 18, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "Billie Eilish and Khalid release moody "lovely" - EARMILK". EARMILK. April 20, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ a b "Billie Eilish Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ a b "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ a b "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Music Canada. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- ^ "Billie Eilish - lovely (Live 2018)". YouTube. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ Saw, Yadana (April 25, 2019). "Review: Billie Eilish at Spark Arena – "a shared dream"". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Launches "Where Do We Go? World Tour"". Consequence of Sound. Young, Alex. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Blistein, Jon (April 26, 2018). "Watch Billie Eilish, Khalid Brave Rain, Ice in 'Lovely' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Nied, Mike (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish & Khalid Are Trapped In Their "Lovely" Video". Idolator. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Roth, Madeline (April 26, 2018). "Billie Eilish And Khalid Are Trapped In A Glass Case Of Emotion In 'Lovely' Video". MTV. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "Billie Eilish Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 24. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Billie Eilish & Khalid". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". VG-lista. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2018". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2018". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2019". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ "Track Top-100 2019" (in Danish). Hitlisten. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ "Digitālās Mūzikas Tops 2019" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 2019". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2019". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2019". Rolling Stone. January 10, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ "French single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billie Eilish & Khalid; 'Lovely')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
- ^ "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. Type "Lovely" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "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 the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2020 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ "Top AFP/Audigest - Semana 16 de 2020" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 4. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 7, 2019 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "British single certifications – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Lovely". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – Billie Eilish – Lovely". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
External links
- Single chart usages for Germany2
- 2010s ballads
- 2018 singles
- 2018 songs
- Interscope Records singles
- Songs written by Finneas O'Connell
- Billie Eilish songs
- Khalid (singer) songs
- Songs written by Khalid (singer)
- Male–female vocal duets
- Songs about depression
- Songs written by Billie Eilish
- Song recordings produced by Finneas O'Connell
- Pop ballads
- Chamber pop songs