Title (song)
"Title" | |
---|---|
Song |
"Title" is a song by American singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor for her debut extended play (EP), Title (2014), and debut studio album Title (2015). Trainor collaborated with Kevin Kadish during the songwriting process, while production was handled by Kadish. "Title" is influenced by soca, and additionally incorporates elements of folk and ska; its lyrics see Trainor demanding her lover to put a name on their relationship status.
Contents
Background
Trainor felt that "Title" showcased what her artistic style was about, and said, "I loved that 'Title' showed a little Caribbean drum before the chorus and then, like, a rap bridge that was, like…[a] totally different sound."[1] It was described by the singer as "call me your girlfriend, I'm sick of being your boo thing, so call me your girlfriend and give me that title".[2]
Composition
![]() |
|
Problems playing this file? See media help. |
"Title" is a soca-pop song which runs for a duration of 2 minutes and 54 seconds (2:54).[3] It blends horns and background vocals with ukulele folk-pop and island percussion morphed into a programmed beat. It contains handclaps and subtle modern sound effects. Trainor uses an assertive throwback aural tone on the song.[4] The rap verse in "Title" was compared to the works of Australian rapper Iggy Azalea and American duo Karmin.[5] The song's lyrics see Trainor demanding her lover to put a name on their relationship status.[6] Christina Garibaldi of MTV News wrote that the song serves a lesson for women not to settle for a friends-with-benefits relationship.[7]
Chart performance
Despite not being released as a single, "Title" managed to appear on two national charts, fueled by strong digital sales of "Title". It peaked at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 in New Zealand.[8]
Critical Reception
The song received critical acclaim by numerous critics, with the audio version of the song having been listened to over 21 million times on Youtube as of 1st June 2016. [9]. The Los Angeles Times referred to the song as one that "breezes past all troubles" while music review site Ppcorn also gave it a positive review, describing the song as having "feisty lyrics" with a "lively beat". [10].
Music video
Background and concept
A music video for "Title" was shot in Los Angeles on October 21, 2014, at a downtown movie palace.[11] It was directed by Anthony Phan. Its premise follows a theme inspired by the AAU Mr. America pageant. Trainor was accompanied by several film makers and male models who wore sashes, while sporting a sparkling dress and lime green fur for the shoot.[6] The music video was released on November 20, 2015, on the special edition of the album.[12]
Synopsis
The video begins with Trainor performing "Title" accompanied by her ukulele and background dancers, interspersed with shots of Trainor's brother Ryan filming the performance. The venue is then revealed to be a "Mister America" pageant. Trainor then, while singing, introduces the contestants of the pageant, wearing a black coloured coat. Trainor continues performing, while the contestants walk down the ramp. Trainor is shown singing, while sitting on a couch of flowers, donning a crown and a white gown. The contestants are depicted in a gymnasium, performing weight-lifting and other exercises. The half-naked contestants walk down the ramp, dance, and cycle, as Trainor's performance progresses. Trainor is then shown singing the song on royal staircases, in a pastel-coloured gown and lime fur. Trainor presents a crown to the winner of the pageant. The video ends with shots of Trainor's performance interspersed with Trainor and the newly-crowned winner walking down the ramp.[13]
Live performances
On October 6, 2014, Trainor performed "Title" live for MTV.[1] She reprised "Title" in a session for the National Post on October 14, 2014.[14] Trainor has also performed it as part of her set for the Jingle Ball Tour 2014.[15] The song was also included on the set list of Trainor's That Bass Tour.[16]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Title.[17]
- Recording
- Recorded and engineered at The Carriage House, Nolensville, Tennessee
- Mastered at The Mastering Palace, New York City, New York
- Published by Year Of The Dog Music (ASCAP), a division of Big Yellow Dog, LLC / Over-Thought Under-Appreciated Songs (ASCAP)
- Personnel
- Meghan Trainor – songwriter, vocals, ukulele
- Kevin Kadish – songwriter, producer, programming, electric guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, mixing, recording, engineering, synthesizer
- David Baron – piano, organ
- Dave Kutch – mastering
Charts
Chart (2014-15) | Peak position |
---|---|
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100[19] | 100 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
---|---|---|
New Zealand (RMNZ)[20] | Gold | 7,500 |
United States (RIAA)[21] | Gold | 500,000 |
*sales figures based on certification alone |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqc-akOWPe8
- ↑ http://ppcorn.com/us/2016/01/07/meghan-trainor-album-review/
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Meghan Trainor – Title". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ↑ "Meghan Trainor – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Meghan Trainor. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
External links
- Articles which use infobox templates with no data rows
- Pages using infobox song with unknown parameters
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with empty listen template
- Pages using div col with unknown parameters
- Singlechart making named ref
- Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand
- Certification Table Entry usages for United States
- 2014 songs
- Meghan Trainor songs
- Songs written by Kevin Kadish
- Songs written by Meghan Trainor