Words (Alesso song)
"Words" | |||||
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File:Alesso - Words.png | |||||
Single by Alesso featuring Zara Larsson | |||||
Released | 22 April 2022 | ||||
Recorded | December 2021 – January 2022 | ||||
Genre | |||||
Length | 2:22 | ||||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | |||||
Producer(s) | Alesso | ||||
Alesso singles chronology | |||||
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Music video | |||||
"Words" on YouTube |
"Words" is a song by Swedish DJ and producer Alesso, featuring vocals from fellow Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 22 April 2022 by 10:22PM and Astralwerks. "Words" was written and produced by Alesso, with co-writing from Larsson, Karen Ann Poole and Becky Hill. Further production was provided by Hampus Lindvall, who produced Larsson's vocals. The song received mostly positive reviews from critics and reached number 5 in Sweden and the top 40 in Flanders, Croatia, Hungary, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom.
Contents
Background and composition
"Words" is an EDM-pop and house-pop song, written by Alesso, Larsson, Karen Ann Poole and British singer Becky Hill. Alesso also produced the song with production of Larsson's vocals by Hampus Lindvall.[1][2][3] It was recorded in both artists' home country of Sweden between December 2021 and January 2022.[4] During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Alesso and Larsson acknowledged that they had known each other for years but had never gotten around to collaborating previously, despite wanting to. Alesso explained his approach to approaching artists, "I always look for artists who can carry dance records".[4] Prior to the release of "Words", or the confirmation of the collaboration, Alesso teased that his next single would feature a female vocalist via TikTok. The teasers featured coloured/artistic silhouettes, but fans immediately guessed that Larsson was going to be featured on the song.[4][5] The "sultry" lyrics feature Larsson singing about the "words she can't tell a lover".[6] V also noted the vulnerability in the lyrics.[3]
"Words" was released on 22 April 2022.[2] Alesso's VIP Mix of the song was released on 27 May 2022.[7] Both versions of the song have been played during Alesso's Las Vegas residency at Tao.[4][8]
Reception
Critics reviews
Drew Barkin from EDM Tunes praised Larsson's "glistening vocals" atop the "super catch" track, stating that their "only regret was that the song wasn't longer".[1] Staff writing for Billboard included "Words" in their best dance songs of the week, praising it for helping to continue Alesso's "hot streak".[6] Ellie Beeck of V called "Words" a "a radio-friendly dance song that is sure to be played at clubs everywhere this summer."[3]
Commercial performance
"Words" peaked at number ten on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, becoming his sixth top-ten single on the chart and on the US On the US Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, it peaked at number four, Alesso's ninth top-five single on the chart.[9][10]
Music video
The concept of the music video was a clash of worlds with imagery of Greek mythology. Alesso called the video a collaboration and mix of Alesso's world (rave) and Larsson's fashion and beauty.[4] It was directed by Jason Lester and featured an ensemble cast.[11]
Track listing
Digital download/streaming
- "Words" (featuring Zara Larsson) – 2:22
Digital download/streaming – Alesso VIP Mix
- "Words" (featuring Zara Larsson; Alesso VIP Mix) – 5:28
Personnel and credits
Song credits
- Alesso – producer, mixer, programmer, engineer
- Randy Merrill – mastering engineer, engineer
- Zara Larsson – lead vocals
- Hampus Lindvall – vocal producer
Music video credits
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- Gus Bendinelli – cinematographer, colorist
- Montana Bertoletti – lead man
- Mitchell Brinker – BBG
- Laura Burhenn – producer[lower-alpha 1]
- Luis Cano – stylist (for Alesso)
- Nikki Carmela – cast member
- Karim Dakkon – key grip
- Andy DeLuca – projection graphic designer
- Eddie Diaz – BTS (for Alesso)
- Erikx DiSantis – line producer, cast member
- Chase DuBose – gaffer
- Jake Dugger – 2nd AC, loader
- Miguel Escalona – swing
- David Goold – BBE
- Ava Jones – production designer
- Loies Kim – video commissioner
- A Klass – cast member
- Jason Lester – director, editor
- Brianna Liebling – production manager
- Maranda – hair stylist (for Zara Larsson)
- James Marin – steadicam
- Eric Moore – set dresser
- Tyeri Morrison – cast member
- Joe Mortimer – creative director
- Grace Pae – make-up artist (for Zara Larsson)
- Markelle Pike – cast member
- Nikki Pittam – hair stylist (for Alesso)
- Katie Qian – stylist (for Zara Larsson)
- Jorge Ramos – cast member
- Marlaine Reiner – groomer (for Alesso)
- Brian Robins – cast member
- Jordan Sakai – 1st AC
- Matthew Sanchez – associate director
- Grant Spanier – BTS
- Drew Wall – set dresser
- Wilder Yari – cast member
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
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Belgium (BEA)[35] | Gold | 15,000 |
Poland (ZPAV)[36] | Platinum | 20,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] | Silver | 200,000 |
xunspecified figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
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Various | 22 April 2022 | Original |
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[2] | |
27 May 2022 | Alesso VIP Mix | [7] |
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Ultratop.be – Alesso %2B Zara Larsson – Words" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 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.
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202241 into search. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 36, 2022" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Alesso %2B Zara Larsson – Words" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Alesso %2B Zara Larsson – Words". VG-lista.
- ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202242 into search.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Alesso %2B Zara Larsson – Words". Singles Top 100.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 20220930" UK Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 20220930" UK Dance Chart.
- ↑ "Alesso – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for Alesso.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 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. Enter Words in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
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- 2022 singles
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