Back Together (song)
| "Back Together" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Back Together" is a song by American singer Robin Thicke. It premiered on August 5, 2015. It was made available for digital download and released a single on August 6, 2015, by Interscope Records.[1] The song, produced by Max Martin and Ali Payami, features a guest appearance from fellow Trinidadian native rapper Nicki Minaj.
Background and composition
Thicke and Minaj first collaborated on the track "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" for Thicke's fourth studio album Sex Therapy: The Session (2009).[2] Speaking on Minaj's involvement during an interview for On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Thicke said, "I was working with Max Martin and [Savan Kotecha] and we had been messing with the song for a few months, and then Max finally got it to a place where he loved it and I thought it could use a little spice — a little edge. That’s when I sent it to Nicki and she loved it."[3] "Back Together" is raging, disco-fied track.[4]
During an interview with Good Morning America, when asked about the meaning of the song or if there were any intended allusions to his ex-wife (Paula Patton) Thicke explained, "Actually I didn't write the song so I can't take credit for the meaning, but when I met with the producers ... I just heard this idea of getting back together and getting yourself back together and, you know, what I was going through at the time I really related to that and connected with it so it's more about the theme of getting yourself back together with love and partnership".[5][6]
Critical reception
The song was described by Los Angeles Times music writer Mikael Wood as "a total banger, with a killer electro-disco groove ... and a delightfully raunchy guest verse by Nicki Minaj."[7] Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone wrote, "'Back Together' boasts a bumping Studio 54 disco beat and buzzsaw synths reminiscent of the electro-pop surge led by Justice and Daft Punk. Thicke, however, sounds as soulful as ever, breezily crooning devoted paeans to a destructive love over Martin's catchy production."[8]
Music video
A music video for the song, directed by Ben Mor, was filmed in Miami.[9] It was premiered via Thicke's VEVO channel on August 13, 2015.[9]
Performances
Thicke has performed the song on Good Morning America,[10] The Late Late Show with James Corden,[11] Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.[12]
Charts
| Chart (2015–16) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] | 79 |
| France (SNEP)[14] | 144 |
| Italy (FIMI)[15] | 73 |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[16] | 28 |
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[17] | 57 |
| Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[18] | 69 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[19] | 25 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[20] | 28 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] | 41 |
| US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[22] | 14 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI)[23] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Back Together (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Single by Robin Thicke". iTunes. August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ "New Music: Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Back Together'". Rap-Up. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ Inocencio, Marc. "Robin Thicke on Collaborating With Nicki Minaj on 'Back Together,' If He'll Work With Miley Cyrus". RyanSeacrest.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ "Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj Deliver Blistering 'Back Together'". Rolling Stone. August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ Kindelan, Katie. "Robin Thicke Says 'Back Together' Not About Ex Paula Patton". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ "Video: Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Back Together'". Rap-Up. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ Woods, Mikael. "Hey, hey, hey: The Robin Thicke comeback is happening, people". LATimes.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ Blistein, Ron. "Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj Deliver Blistering 'Back Together'". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Robin Thicke & Nicki Minaj - "Back Together" [Music Video Premiere!]". DirectLyrics. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
- ^ "Robin Thicke Performs 'Back Together' on 'GMA'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ "Robin Thicke Performs 'Back Together' on 'The Late Late Show'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ "Robin Thicke Performs 'Back Together' on 'Tonight Show'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 34. týden 2015 in the date selector.
- ^ "Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj – Back Together" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 42 (dal 2015-10-16 al 2015-10-22)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201536 into search.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201534 into search.
- ^ "Robin Thicke Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Robin Thicke Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Robin Thicke-Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Robin Thicke-Hot R&B Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Robin Thicke – Back Together" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Back Together" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".