Apple (song)

Last updated

"Apple"
Single by Charli XCX
from the album Brat
Released2 August 2024
Genre
Length2:31
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Charli XCX singles chronology
"Guess"
(2024)
"Apple"
(2024)
"Talk Talk"
(2024)
Lyric video
"Apple" on YouTube

"Apple" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was produced by A. G. Cook and written by Charli XCX and released on 7 June 2024 from her sixth studio album Brat through Atlantic Records. It went viral on TikTok shortly afterwards, spawning a dance craze on the platform. The song was released to Italian radio through Warner Records on 2 August 2024 as the third single from the album. "Apple" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. [2]

Contents

Background and composition

"Apple" was teased on 8 September 2023 after Charli XCX uploaded a photo of her notebook, displaying the lyrics to a track called "The Apple". The track was again previewed on 2 April 2024 in a voice memo sent to her fans, which confirmed "Apple" to be part of her 2024 album Brat. [3] In the song, Charli takes a bite from a metaphorical apple, determines it to be rotten, and has an overwhelming urge to flee the scene. [4] The track addresses Charli's relationship with her parents and intergenerational trauma. "Apple" is used as a metaphor symbolizing both family connection and the nature of trauma. [3] The song utilizes retro 1980s electro and synth-pop while keeping a prominent pop sound. [5] [6]

Reception and cover versions

Meaghan Garvey of Pitchfork found the track's fruit allegory "curious", but wrote that she had never had a Charli lyric "bounce around" her head in "the way that lines from 'Apple' have". [7] Gio Santiago of Resident Advisor wrote that the track "would have no issues turning an empty dance floor into a sweaty sauna" [8] and Ludovic Hunter-Tilney of the Financial Times opined that the track paid tribute to "the sound of the 1980s". [4]

The song went viral on TikTok shortly after release after New York-based actor and content creator Kelley Heyer uploaded a dance to the platform. Performing the dance involves body rolls, placing hands on hips, holding an imaginary apple above the performer's head, and pretending to drive a car. [9] By 28 June, Charli had filmed herself performing the dance alongside Troye Sivan, while similar videos had been filmed by various celebrities. [10] In addition, a version of the dance was produced by #AmishTikTok content creators, who substituted operating a horse and buggy for driving a car. [9] Charli later uploaded footage of her abortively trying to convince her fiancé George Daniel to perform the dance. [11]

In August 2024, [12] Griff performed a dream-pop version of the track for Like a Version , a series for Triple J. [13] NME described her take as "sparkly and glittery" and wrote that the track had "a heavy emphasis on dreamy synths and wavy cymbals". In an interview for Triple J, Griff stated that she had been moved to cover the track as she had found the album inspirational. [12]

On August 12, 2024, UPSAHL performed an acoustic cover of "Apple" for Sirius XM Hits 1. [14]

Year-end lists

PublicationAccoladeRankRef.
Exclaim! 20 Best Songs of 202416 [15]
NPR 124 Best Songs of 2024 [16]

Remix

"Apple featuring the Japanese House"
Remix by Charli XCX featuring the Japanese House
from the album Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat
Released11 October 2024 (2024-10-11)
Genre
Length2:37
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Audio video
"Apple featuring the Japanese House" on YouTube

In October 2024, at Charli XCX's instruction, fans of XCX announced that the Japanese House would feature on a remix of the song for Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat . [19] [20] It was released on 11 October 2024 along with the remix album. [21]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Apple"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [22] 18
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [23] 74
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [24] 37
Canada CHR/Top 40 ( Billboard ) [25] 26
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [26] 85
Estonia Airplay (TopHit) [27] 129
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [28] 30
Greece International (IFPI) [29] 50
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [30] 37
Ireland (IRMA) [31] 9
Latvia Airplay (LaIPA) [32] 18
Lithuania (AGATA) [33] 47
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) [34] 61
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [35] 90
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [36] 22
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100) [37] 86
Portugal (AFP) [38] 115
Singapore (RIAS) [39] 28
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [40] 75
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [41] 93
UK Singles (OCC) [42] 8
US Billboard Hot 100 [43] 51
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ( Billboard ) [44] 2
US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [45] 12
US TikTok Billboard Top 50 ( Billboard ) [46] 3

Year-end charts

2024 year-end chart performance for "Apple"
Chart (2024)Position
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) [47] 12

Certifications

Certifications for "Apple"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [48] Gold35,000
Canada (Music Canada) [49] Platinum80,000
New Zealand (RMNZ) [50] Gold15,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [51] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Apple"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Italy2 August 2024 Radio airplay Warner [52]
United States10 September 2024 Contemporary hit radio [53]

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