Jump to content

ABCDEFU

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 125.237.201.5 (talk) at 23:09, 27 August 2022. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"ABCDEFU"
Single by Gayle
from the album A Study of the Human Experience
ReleasedAugust 13, 2021 (2021-08-13)
Genre
Length2:48
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pete Nappi
Gayle singles chronology
"Oscar Nominated"
(2021)
"ABCDEFU"
(2021)
"Ur Just Horny"
(2022)
Music video
"ABCDEFU" on YouTube

"ABCDEFU" (stylized in all lowercase, also known by its radio edited title "ABC") is the major-label debut single by American singer Gayle,[3][4] released on August 13, 2021, through Atlantic and Arthouse Records. It was co-written by Gayle with Sara Davis and David Pittenger, and produced by Pete Nappi.[5] The song is the lead single from Gayle's debut EP A Study of the Human Experience Volume One.[6]

Commercially, "ABCDEFU" reached number one on the Billboard Global 200 and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, "ABCDEFU" topped the charts in Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Background and promotion

The song marks the first single release since the Nashville-based singer signed with Atlantic in 2021.[7] On her TikTok, Gayle uploaded a video where she stated "I'm out of [song] ideas" and asked followers to comment song ideas. "Comment anything and I'll try my best to turn it into a song." Nancy Berman, a marketing manager at Atlantic Records commented asking for a song that incorporates the alphabet.[8] Within a few days, Gayle uploaded another video of her strumming the chorus of the song.

According to Gayle, the song "came from a place of trying so hard to be the nice, respectful ex-girlfriend, to the point where it was negatively affecting me".[9] In an interview with Tongue Tied Mag, Gayle explained the inspiration behind the song: "After the breakup, I was trying really, really hard to be a nice person—like, overcompensating for it—like, the week after we broke up, I called him and was, like, 'Hey, bud!' and 'What's up, my friend?!'".[10] On March 31, 2021, Gayle stated on Instagram that she had dislocated her middle finger, and the X-ray scan from the hospital was used for the single's cover art.[11]

The song achieved mainstream success within a few months after release, surpassing over 500 million global streams as of March 2022.[12] Gayle has since released different versions of the song, including the demo, a "chill version", and an "angrier version".[13]

Music video

The accompanying music video was released on August 13, 2021. The video was shot via a camcorder with 4:3 aspect ratio at a low resolution to evoke an early 2000s home video feel. In the music video, the singer and her friends visit and look around her ex's home.[9][14]

Composition

According to the digital sheet music published at musicnotes.com by Warner Music Publishing, "ABCDEFU" is written in the key of E major with a tempo of 122 beats per minute.[15] The song's title and lyrical content are a play on words incorporating the first six letters of the alphabet with the addition of the twenty-first to form an initialism for the profane phrase Fuck yoU.

Sonically the song is characterized by "minimalistic sonics" and "jagged guitar work", while it "reaches its climax with a massive sing-a-long chorus".[7]

Critical reception

Gayle's song has been a viral hit on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Emily Zemler of Rolling Stone praised the passion of Gayle's live renditions of the piece.[16] April Bredael of Tongue Tied Magazine thought the song "adds to a growing list of accomplishments" of the singer with tracks that are "authentic, honest, and unapologetic".[10]

Track listing

Digital download and streaming[17]

  1. "ABCDEFU"  – 2:48

Digital download and streaming (Nicer version)[18]

  1. "ABC" (nicer)  – 2:48
Digital download and streaming (Demo version)[19]
  1. "ABCDEFU" (demo)  – 2:35

Digital download and streaming (Chill version)[20]

  1. "ABCDEFU" (chill)  – 2:56

Digital download and streaming (Angrier version)[21]

  1. "ABCDEFU" (angrier)  – 2:39

Digital download and streaming (featuring Royal & the Serpent)[22]

  1. "ABCDEFU" (featuring Royal & the Serpent)  – 2:49

Digital download and streaming (The Wild Remix)[23]

  1. "ABC" (The Wild Remix)  – 3:02

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "ABCDEFU"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[88] 3× Platinum 210,000
Austria (IFPI Austria)[89] 3× Platinum 90,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[90] 2× Platinum 80,000
Canada (Music Canada)[91] 4× Platinum 320,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[92] Gold 45,000
France (SNEP)[93] Diamond 333,333
Germany (BVMI)[94] Platinum 400,000
Italy (FIMI)[95] 2× Platinum 200,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[96] Platinum 30,000
Poland (ZPAV)[97] 2× Platinum 100,000
Portugal (AFP)[98] Platinum 10,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[99] Gold 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[100] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[101] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "ABCDEFU"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various August 13, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
Original Atlantic [17]
August 14, 2021 Nicer [18]
September 10, 2021 Demo [19]
September 17, 2021 Chill [20]
September 24, 2021 Angrier [21]
November 19, 2021 Royal & the Serpent remix [22]
Italy November 26, 2021 Radio airplay Original Warner [102]
United States December 7, 2021 Contemporary hit radio Atlantic [103]
Various December 31, 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
The Wild remix [23]
February 18, 2022 CD single
  • Original
  • Nicer
  • Demo
  • Chill
  • Angrier
  • Royal & the Serpent remix
  • Atlantic
  • Warner
[104]

References

  1. ^ "Gayle - ABCDEFU | Musikfreitag". Musikfreitag (in German). November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "Who is Gayle? The 17 year old pop sensation breaking through with..." Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  3. ^ "GAYLE's 'abcdefu' Hits No. 1 on Both Billboard Global Charts". Billboard. January 10, 2022.
  4. ^ "GAYLE scores breakthrough UK Number 1 single with abcdefu". Official Charts.
  5. ^ "abcdefu - Gayle | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Griffiths, George (February 24, 2022). "Gayle announces debut EP A Study of the Human Experience Volume One". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Gayle shares new single 'abcdefu'". milkymilkymilky.com. August 17, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  8. ^ Fowler, Kate (February 11, 2022). "Atlantic Records denies claims 'abcdefu' TikTok start was marketing ploy". Newsweek. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Exclusive interview: Gayle says what we are all thinking in 'abcdefu' and we got to ask her all about it!". The Honey Pop. September 26, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Bredael, April (September 15, 2021). "Interview: Gayle". Tongue Tied Magazine. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  11. ^ "GAYLE on Instagram: "had fun dislocating my middle finger last night"". March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  12. ^ "Gayle releases acoustic video of "abcdefu" emotional stripped down version of her Atlantic Records debut streaming here now". Guitar Girl Magazine. October 6, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  13. ^ "Interview: Gayle Talks New Single "abcdefu"". Poternative. September 29, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  14. ^ "Okay so is the 'abcdefu' audio on TikTok a real song?". The Tab. November 30, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  15. ^ David, Pittenger; Sara, Davis; Gayle, Rutherford, Taylor; GAYLE (December 6, 2021). "abcdefu". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Zemler, Emily (January 6, 2022). "Watch Gayle Perform Breakout Hit 'Abcdefu' on Fallon". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "abcdefu - Single by Gayle". August 13, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  18. ^ a b "abc (nicer) - Single by GAYLE". Apple Music (US). August 14, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "abcdefu (demo) - Single by GAYLE". Apple Music (US). September 10, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  20. ^ a b "abcdefu (chill) - Single by GAYLE". Apple Music (US). September 17, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "abcdefu (angrier) - Single by GAYLE". Apple Music (US). September 24, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "abcdefu (feat. Royal & the Serpent) - Single by GAYLE". Apple Music (US). November 19, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  23. ^ a b "abc (The Wild Remix) - Single by GAYLE". Apple Music (US). December 31, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  25. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  26. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  27. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  28. ^ "Top 100 Brasil" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. Retrieved May 25, 2022. Note: In "SEMANA REFERÊNCIA" select March 14, 2022 - March 18, 2022. To access the full Top 100, click on "VER TOP 100 COMPLETO" and enter your name and email. Then enter the code you received by email.
  29. ^ "Архив класации" [Rankings] (in Bulgarian). PROPHON. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  30. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart: Week of March 12, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  31. ^ Gayle — abcdefu. TopHit. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  32. ^ "Pjesma 'Cold Heart' i dalje predvodi Airplay Radio Chart, osam izvođača zauzima trećinu visoke radijske rotacije u Hrvatskoj". Hrvatska radiotelevizija. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  33. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20229 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  34. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202149 into search. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  35. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  36. ^ "Gayle: abcdefu" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  38. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  39. ^ "GAYLE's 'abcdefu' Hits No. 1 on Both Billboard Global Charts". Billboard. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  40. ^ "Billboard Global 200 Chart: Week of January 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  41. ^ "IFPI Charts". ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  42. ^ "Top 20 Guatemala del 28 de Febrero al 6 de Marzo, 2022". Monitor Latino. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  43. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  44. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  45. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  46. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  47. ^ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 13th December 2021 - Week 49 of 52". Indian Music Industry. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  48. ^ "Indonesia Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  49. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  50. ^ "Media Forest charts WK 3". Media Forest. 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  51. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". Top Digital Download. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  52. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas 2022/01/19". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  53. ^ "2021 50-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  54. ^ "Luxembourg Songs - The week of February 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  55. ^ "Top 20 Most Streamed International +Domestic Songs Week 1 (31/12/2021-06/12/2022)". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  56. ^ "Mexico Airplay". Billboard. April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  57. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  58. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  59. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  60. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". VG-lista. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  61. ^ "Total Streams Peru: Semana 2 (07/01/2022 to 13/01/2022)" (PDF). Unión Peruana de Productores Fonográficos. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; January 31, 2022 suggested (help)
  62. ^ "Philippines Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  63. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  64. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  65. ^ "Top 10 din 100 cele mai difuzate piese pentru saptamana 10 (08.03.2022 - 14.03.2022)" (in Romanian). Uniunea Producătorilor de Fonograme din România. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  66. ^ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts. Media Forest. Retrieved March 1, 2022. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  67. ^ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts. Media Forest.
  68. ^ "18, 2022 Russia Airplay Chart for March 18, 2022." TopHit. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  69. ^ "RIAS Top Charts - Week 2 (7 - 13 Jan 2022)". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  70. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202215 into search. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  71. ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202148 into search. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  72. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 50". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  73. ^ "Digital Chart – Week 10 of 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  74. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  75. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  76. ^ "Gayle – abcdefu". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  77. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  78. ^ "25, 2022 Ukraine Airplay Chart for March 25, 2022." TopHit. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  79. ^ Trust, Gary (February 28, 2022). "'We Don't Talk About Bruno,' From 'Encanto,' Leads Billboard Hot 100 For Fifth Week". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  80. ^ "Adult Contemporary: Week of May 14, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  81. ^ "Adult Pop Airplay: Week of March 26, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  82. ^ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of December 11, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  83. ^ "Pop Airplay: Week of March 5, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  84. ^ "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of March 5, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  85. ^ "Rock & Alternative Alrplay: Week of March 12, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  86. ^ "Gayle Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  87. ^ "Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  88. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  89. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  90. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  91. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU". Music Canada. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  92. ^ "Danish single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  93. ^ "French single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  94. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Gayle; 'ABCDEFU')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  95. ^ "Italian single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  96. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  97. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2022 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  98. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  99. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  100. ^ "British single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  101. ^ "American single certifications – Gayle – ABCDEFU". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  102. ^ "GAYLE "abcdefu" | (Radio Date: November 26, 2021)". radiodate.it (in Italian). Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  103. ^ "Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  104. ^ Versions of "ABCDEFU" released on CDs:
    1. "abcdefu CD". Warner Music Store. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
    2. "abc (nicer) CD". Warner Music Store. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
    3. "abcdefu (demo) CD". Warner Music Store. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
    4. "abcdefu (chill) CD". Warner Music Store. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
    5. "abcdefu (angrier) CD". Warner Music Store. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
    6. "abcdefu (feat. Royal & the Serpent) CD". Warner Music Store. Retrieved January 9, 2022.