"Bad Liar" | ||||
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Single by Selena Gomez | ||||
Released | May 18, 2017 | |||
Studio | Interscope (Santa Monica, California) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:34 | |||
Label | Interscope | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Ian Kirkpatrick | |||
Selena Gomez singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Bad Liar" on YouTube |
"Bad Liar" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez, released on May 18, 2017, by Interscope Records. it appears as an international bonus track on Gomez's third studio album, Rare (2020). The track was written by Gomez, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and its producer Ian Kirkpatrick. The song interpolates the bassline from Talking Heads' 1977 single "Psycho Killer", written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. A vertical music video accompanied the release, becoming the first music video to premiere on Spotify, where it was made available exclusively. The official music video directed by Jesse Peretz, was released on June 14, 2017, on Gomez's Vevo channel on YouTube, in which she portrays four characters.
"Bad Liar" received universal acclaim from music critics; Billboard ranked it as the best song of 2017. [1] Critics noted the mid-tempo production for its non-traditional structure in Gomez's catalog. [2] David Byrne, Talking Heads' lead singer, also complimented the song. [3] Commercially, the song reached the top 10 in Lebanon and Mexico, the top 20 in Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovakia, and the United States; and the top 40 in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In 2019, Rolling Stone ranked "Bad Liar" at number 39 on its list of best songs of the 2010s. [4]
"Bad Liar" was written by Selena Gomez, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels and Ian Kirkpatrick. [5] Its initial inspiration came from the American band Talking Heads of whom Gomez and Michaels are fans. During a session with Gomez and Tranter, Michaels suggested that they should write a song over the bassline of the band's 1977 single "Psycho Killer", specifically interpolating band member Tina Weymouth's riff. The minimal bassline from the song was used as a starting point for "Bad Liar" from which its topline melody developed. In an interview with Variety , Tranter recalled that it was "one of those magical moments where the song just comes together very quickly and felt so good." [6] Warner/Chappell Music executive Greg Sowder played "Bad Liar" to Talking Heads member David Byrne who liked the track and Gomez's vocal performance, and along with Weymouth and Chris Frantz granted permission for it to sample "Psycho Killer". [6] [7]
"Bad Liar" has been described as a pop rock [8] [9] and alternative pop [10] song and "slow-build tune", that has "roots in indie rock and new wave" [11] and "pushed [Gomez] into indie pop territory". [12] It begins with a steady beat built around rhythm and the jagged bassline from "Psycho Killer". [13] [14] The production is otherwise sparse and textured, [15] featuring percussive snaps and handclaps. [16] Unlike with Gomez's previous single "It Ain't Me" which made use of reverberation and pitch contouring, her voice is restrained and emphasized on "Bad Liar" by being mixed to limit and contain it. [17] [18] Her vocals are multitracked to emphasize urgency. [16] With several lines in the song being acrostic and syllable-reliant, Gomez uses a spoken-sung cadence. [13] [17] The track is written in verse–chorus form, although it features both a pre-chorus and a post-chorus. [19]
The lyrics find Gomez narrating events of avoiding to admit her feelings for a new love interest, but later conceding that the difficulty of it makes her a "bad liar". [6] [13] Upon release, "Bad Liar" was misinterpreted as a break-up song, prompting co-writer Justin Tranter to explain in a tweet, "You got some of the lyrics wrong, and it's actually about trying to hide magic feelings for someone new, but not being able to." [20]
Gomez first teased the single's release on Twitter on May 3, 2017, sharing a link to her website where fans could sign up for updates though a mailing list. On May 5, 2017, a countdown to the release was launched on the website. [21] "Bad Liar" was made available to be pre-saved on Spotify on May 16, 2017. [22] The song's official lyrics were premiered on lyrics website Genius the following day. [23] The singer also shared a short snippet of "Bad Liar" which received over 4.4 million views on Instagram in one day. [24] The single was released to digital and streaming outlets at midnight EST on May 18, 2017. [25] [26]
Gomez worked with Canadian photographer Petra Collins for the single's promotional artwork. [27] On May 11, 2017, the singer began sharing a series of images on social media featuring the song's title and lyrics written in lipstick across a bathroom mirror. [28] The following day, Gomez posted the cover art for "Bad Liar" on Twitter. It features the song's title written in red lipstick across Gomez's one thigh as she lies on a bed of rocks in a periwinkle babydoll embroidered with flowers and butterflies. [29] [30] Maria Ward of Vogue magazine named Gomez's babydoll "the look of the summer", complimenting its embroidery and "easy, breezy style". [30] An alternative cover art was shared by the singer on Instagram on May 17, 2017, showing her lying down wearing a small gauze bandage, and a yellow fall-risk hospital wristband given to patients who are at risk of falling due to lack of balance and weak muscles. According to Collins, the image was shot straight after Gomez came from hospital for a lupus treatment. [27] [31] [32] Alex Frank of Pitchfork suggested that it referenced tabloid reaction to the singer's time in rehabilitation. [14] Alex Kazemi of V magazine found the artwork powerful and vulnerable, regarding it as the most controversial imagery of a female singer since Fiona Apple's music video for "Criminal" (1997). [32]
"'Bad Liar' may have unlocked a new level of appreciation for Gomez, from those standing on the outside of her millions of fans and (sometimes) objectively highlighting her weaknesses. The single's avalanche of good press feels like a turning point in Gomez's artistic career."
"Bad Liar" received universal acclaim from music critics, with some deeming it Gomez's best song to date. [2] Upon release, "Bad Liar" featured as Pitchfork 's "Best New Track" with Alex Frank calling it "a victory for an uncomplicated pop star who makes uncomplicated pop music, and a fizzy fun track that will sound as good all summer". [14] In his review for Rolling Stone , Elias Leight viewed the song as understated, clever and streamlined. [16] Winston Cook-Wilson of Spin magazine found Gomez's vocals pristine and the track "charmingly weird", calling its lyrics and sample usage "harebrained but ultimately brilliant". He appreciated "Bad Liar" for eschewing contemporary radio trends, concluding that it "mostly just sounds like itself, and there's no higher compliment to pay it." [17] Writing for Entertainment Weekly , Nolan Feeney opined that Gomez "found her lane, and she's racing full speed ahead to some of the most unexpected pop music of the year." [33]
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times regarded the song among the most signature of Gomez's career, describing it as "deceptively original" and "determinedly anti-glossy, as if early DFA Records had tried to reverse engineer a pop song." Caramanica complimented Gomez's singing technique, writing that she "sings sweetly and with clever approaches to rhythm. She doesn't have much power in her voice, but she makes up for that with smart inflections." [34] Joe Lynch of Billboard called it "one of the best and most refreshing pop songs of 2017 so far" and "an addictive instant classic unlike anything else on the radio." [35] Raisa Bruner of Time magazine wrote the song was a "dramatic departure from [Gomez's] previous work" and "a surprisingly subtle pop song that builds effectively to hit status." [36] In 2019, Rolling Stone ranked "Bad Liar" at number 39 on its list of best songs of the 2010s. [4]
Many music publications included "Bad Liar" on their lists of best songs of 2017.
Publication | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Billboard | 1 | |
— | ||
Entertainment Weekly | 10 | |
Esquire | — | |
Fact | 35 | |
The Fader | 14 | |
The Guardian | 4 | |
NME | 10 | |
Noisey | 31 | |
NPR | 75 | |
Pitchfork | 48 | |
Popjustice | 24 | |
PopMatters | 18 | |
Rolling Stone | 12 | |
39 | ||
Spin | 25 | |
Time | 8 | |
The Washington Post | 5 |
A music video premiered on Spotify's mobile app on May 18, 2017. It was shot in November 2016 after Gomez went back from her treatment and it was the first video to premiere as a Spotify exclusive. [18] [54] The low fidelity video features Gomez wearing the same fall-risk wristband from the single's alternative cover art. [13] She is shown writhing on a bed in a pink negligee with a white ribbon binding her hands. [30] [55]
The official video was directed by Jesse Peretz, who had not directed a music video since the Foo Fighters' 2007 single "Long Road to Ruin". [56] [57] It was produced by Black Dog Films and Lighthouse Management+Media. [58] On June 12, 2017, Gomez announced via her social media that the second and official music video for the song would be released on June 14, 2017, posting three film posters in different colors. [56] Mike Wass of Idolator noted that since the posters show "Selena Gomez" as the main star three times, he expected "her to play multiple characters or simply be the only person in it". [56] On June 14, 2017, the music video for the song was uploaded to YouTube. [59] Speaking about the video to Billboard, Kari Perkins (who served as costume designer) said:
For Selena's main character, we wanted to make her like a cool-but-sweet kid that didn't really fit in. For the mom, I wanted to do something more extreme – I wanted her to be more put-together, more of a worldly woman. For the gym teacher – Farrah Fawcett was our inspiration for that character. She was just so iconic and so beautiful at the time; everyone wanted to be like her. And finally, for the male figure, that was really fun; especially finding something that would actually fit Selena because she's so tiny. [60]
The music video for "Bad Liar" is set in 1978 and features Gomez as "a shy high schooler, a gym coach with a Farrah Fawcett-inspired coif, a bespectacled male teacher, and a mom, all of whom are interconnected in unexpected ways." [62] It begins with a teenage-like Gomez riding a bike to school. There, she moves separately from the rest of students, who gossip about her in the hall. In class, she sees two of her teachers, an attractive blonde gym teacher and a grown-up man with big glasses (both played by Gomez), flirting outside, and later on the stairs and in the gym class. When the school day is done, the male teacher's wife (also played by Gomez) arrives, impatient to pick him up. Once they get home for dinner, the wife looks at him accusingly. The two glare at each other as teenage-like Gomez enters the house, revealing to be their daughter. She goes straight to her room, where she dances to the rhythm of the song's final refrain, but as soon as she hears her mother coming, she pretends to be sleeping until her mother leaves. The video concludes with a shot of the girl looking at a photograph of the gym teacher smiling, revealing that she secretly has feelings for her. Gomez also teased her follow-up single "Fetish" through a short clip which debuted at the end of the music video.
Mike Wass of Idolator described the video as "a breath of fresh air at a time when the hot trend in music videos is dying tragically" and stated that he was "glad to see [Gomez] really go for it visually", adding that it was "her biggest production since the Stars Dance era when 'Come & Get It' and 'Slow Down' took her to exotic locations." [63] Alyssa Bailey of Elle complimented Gomez's performance, writing that she "may not be back to acting quite yet, but this mini-movie/music video situation definitely makes you want more", [64] while Emily Mae Czachor of the Los Angeles Times praised the video's visuals, stating: "With a directorial vision by Lemonheads bassist (and, more recently, TV director) Jesse Peretz, the video fuses a retro '70s aesthetic (Farrah Fawcett wigs and all) with an eerie, seductive atmosphere."
Sam Reed of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Regardless, all of this means that the pop star had the opportunity to get dolled up in the most incredible costumes and makeup, from a feathered Farrah Fawcett-style wig and gym shorts to a perfectly coiffed bouffant, to a stache that would make even Nick Offerman crack a smile. [65] In a more mixed analysis, Erika Harwood of Vanity Fair stated: "Unfortunately, this leaves us with more questions than answers about the very plot-heavy video. Is this man the principal or a teacher? Is he the student's step-dad or biological dad? Is he cheating on his wife with the gym teacher? [...] There are no obvious answers to these questions, except that this music video could have cut a character." [66] The music video achieved over 12 million views in its first 24 hours. [67]
Credits and personnel adapted from Rare album liner notes. [68]
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Contains elements of "Psycho Killer", written by Christopher Frantz, Tina Weymouth and David Byrne, published by WB Music Corp.(ASCAP) and Index Music Inc. (ASCAP)
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [106] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [107] | 3× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [108] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [109] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [110] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [111] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [112] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [113] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [114] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Sweden (GLF) [115] | Gold | 4,000,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | May 18, 2017 | Digital download | Original | Interscope | [25] |
United States | May 23, 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | [116] | ||
Italy | June 23, 2017 | Universal | [117] | ||
Various | November 17, 2017 | Digital download | Grant Remix | Interscope | [118] |
Selena Marie Gomez is an American singer, actress, producer, and businesswoman. She began her career as a child actress, appearing on the television series Barney & Friends (2002–2004), and emerged as a teen idol for her leading role on the Disney Channel sitcom Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012). She signed with Hollywood Records in 2008 and formed the band Selena Gomez & the Scene, which released three albums: Kiss & Tell (2009), A Year Without Rain (2010), and When the Sun Goes Down (2011).
"Naturally" is a song performed by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene, taken from their debut studio album Kiss & Tell (2009). It was released by Hollywood Records as the album's second single in the United States and select other countries. The song was produced by Antonina Armato and Tim James who wrote the song with Devrim Karaoglu. Musically, "Naturally" is an uptempo dance-pop song which relies on electropop. The song's lyrics speak of a relationship in which feelings are not forced and the protagonist sings of their happiness. The song was released on December 11, 2009 and officially impacted US mainstream radio on January 19, 2010, and was released physically in numerous European countries thereafter. The song also appears on the international standard edition of the band's second album, A Year Without Rain (2010).
"Love You Like a Love Song" is a song by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene recorded for their third studio album When the Sun Goes Down (2011). It was released as the second single from the album internationally. The song was released for digital download on June 17, 2011, and serviced to mainstream radios on August 16, 2011, in the United States, through Hollywood Records. "Love You Like a Love Song" remains the group's biggest hit single to date.
"Come & Get It" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez for her debut solo studio album, Stars Dance (2013). It was released as the album's lead single on April 7, 2013, through Hollywood Records, and served as her first official release outside of either her acting work or her former band, Selena Gomez & the Scene. The song was written by Norwegian production team Stargate, consisting of Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen, along with Ester Dean. Eriksen and Hermansen handled the tracks production, while Dean served as the vocal producer. The song was one of the last songs to be recorded for the album in early 2013. "Come & Get It" features a change in style from Gomez's previous releases, and features elements of electropop, dance-pop and Punjabi music.
"The Heart Wants What It Wants" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on November 6, 2014, through Hollywood Records, as the lead and only single from her compilation album For You (2014). The song was written by Gomez, Antonina Armato, David Jost and Tim James. Armato and James, who collectively form the production duo Rock Mafia, also produced the song. A mid-tempo pop and R&B track with a minimal electropop beat, its accompanying music video was premiered on November 6, 2014, alongside the premiere of the song itself. It is Gomez's last single release under the label.
"I Want You to Know" is a song by German music producer Zedd, featuring vocals from American singer Selena Gomez from the former's second studio album, True Colors (2015). It was written by Zedd, OneRepublic's frontman Ryan Tedder, and KDrew. "I Want You to Know" was released on February 23, 2015 as the album's lead single and debuted on American contemporary hit radio on March 3, 2015, receiving generally positive reviews from music critics. It has charted within the top 10 in Finland, as well as the top 40 in fifteen additional countries. It has been certified platinum in the United States and Sweden. It won a Latin American Music Award for Favorite Dance Song in 2015. It is also featured in the video games Guitar Hero Live, Dance Dance Revolution A and NBA 2K16.
"Good For You" is the lead single from American singer Selena Gomez's second studio album, Revival (2015). It features vocals by American rapper ASAP Rocky. The song was written by Gomez, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, ASAP Rocky, Hector Delgado, and its producers Nick Monson and Nolan Lambroza. Originally, the track was conceived by the writers in 45 minutes, during a session booked by the latter. The singer then received the song through the trio's A&R and was entirely involved in its creative session, helping to develop it as a representation of her process of self-realization, her confidence as a young woman, and her feelings of vulnerability. After it was reworked by Lambroza, she sent the song to Rocky, who added new instruments and co-produced it with his frequent collaborator Hector Delgado, who was in charge of Rocky's vocal production.
Revival is the second studio album by American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on October 9, 2015, by Interscope Records, her first album released through that label. Preparation for the album began in 2014, when Gomez left her previous label Hollywood Records. The record was influenced by a range of artists, particularly Christina Aguilera and her album Stripped (2002). Gomez co-wrote twelve of its sixteen tracks. The album reflects her journey since 2013, including the media scrutiny surrounding her personal life. As executive producers, Gomez, Danny D and Tim Blacksmith collaborated with Hit-Boy, Rock Mafia, and Stargate to achieve Gomez's new desired sound. Revival is primarily a dance-pop and electropop record, connected by a tropical beach sound, with lyrical themes revolving around love and confidence.
"Same Old Love" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez, who included it on and released it from her second studio album Revival (2015). The song was written by Charli XCX, Ross Golan, and its producers Stargate and Benny Blanco. The song was released as the second single from Revival on September 10, 2015, to contemporary hit radio. It was initially composed by XCX with Stargate and later recorded by Gomez without the former in the studio at the time. "Same Old Love" is a midtempo electropop and synth-pop song backed by a wonky piano loop, a finger-click beat and Italo disco synths. In the song, Gomez uses a forceful, emotive tone and a raspy delivery that are both uncharacteristic for her, accompanied by XCX's chorus vocals. According to Gomez, the lyrics are a representation of various stages of different relationships and are about getting rid of everything toxic in her life, also inspired by her relationship with her father.
"Kill Em with Kindness" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio on May 3, 2016, through Interscope Records as the fourth and final single from her second studio album Revival (2015). The song was written by Gomez and producers Rock Mafia, Benny Blanco and Dave Audé, while R3drum contributed additional production. "Kill Em with Kindness" is a tropical house song with an electronic production.
"Hands to Myself" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez for her second studio album, Revival (2015). It was released on January 20, 2016, as the record's third single by Interscope Records. The track was written by Gomez, Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and its producers Mattman & Robin and Max Martin. It is meant to add a fresh female perspective to the album and was influenced by the music of Prince. Musically, it is a dance-pop and synth-pop song backed by lightly clicking percussion, hand claps, a guitar riff and "tribal pop" synths. Throughout the track, Gomez uses both her higher vocal register for belting, as well as her lower range breathy vocals in a volume just above a whisper. She clips her enunciation of the lyrics, which detail sexual desire.
"We Don't Talk Anymore" is a song by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, featuring vocals from fellow American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on May 24, 2016, as the third single from Puth's debut studio album, Nine Track Mind. The artists wrote the song with Jacob Kasher Hindlin. Musically, it is a tropical-inspired pop song.
"It Ain't Me" is a song by Norwegian DJ Kygo and American singer Selena Gomez. It was released by Interscope Records, Sony and Ultra on 16 February 2017 as the lead single from Kygo's debut extended play Stargazing (2017) and appears as an international bonus track on Gomez's third studio album, Rare (2020). The song was written by Kygo, Gomez, Brian Lee, Ali Tamposi, and Andrew Watt and produced by Kygo, Watt and Louis Bell. An EDM, dance-pop, electropop and tropical house song, "It Ain't Me" comprises an acoustic guitar line, and a build-drop arrangement in its chorus featuring pulsing piano notes, bass, synthesizers, finger-snap claps and pan flute melodies. Gomez sings the track in a husky tone, while in the chorus her vocals are reduced to recurring syllables. The lyrics narrate a past relationship ruined by alcoholism.
"Fetish" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez featuring guest vocals from American rapper Gucci Mane. It appears as a bonus track on the international and Target exclusive edition of Gomez's third studio album, Rare (2020). The song was written by Gomez, Gucci Mane, Chloe Angelides, Brett McLaughlin, Gino Barletta, and its producers Jonas Jeberg, Joe Khajadourian, and Alex Schwartz.
"Wolves" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez and music producer Marshmello. The song was written by Gomez, Ali Tamposi, Louis Bell, Brian Lee, and its producers Marshmello and Andrew Watt. The song was released by Interscope Records on October 25, 2017.
"Back to You" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez from the second season soundtrack to 13 Reasons Why (2018), a TV adaptation of the eponymous book. It appears as an international bonus track on her third studio album Rare (2020) and was written by Gomez, Parrish Warrington, Diederik Van Elsas, Amy Allen, and Micah Premnath. The production was handled by Ian Kirkpatrick and Trackside. It was released on May 10, 2018, as the second single from the soundtrack following the release of Lovely by Billie Eilish and Khalid.
"Look at Her Now" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on October 24, 2019, by Interscope Records as the second single from her third studio album Rare (2020), a day after "Lose You to Love Me". The song was written by Gomez, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter and its producer Ian Kirkpatrick. It has been described as a dance-pop, electropop and synth-pop song. The song reached the top ten in Greece, Latvia, and Slovakia, as well as the top forty in seventeen additional countries, including The United States, where it peaked at number 27. The song received widespread acclaim from music critics, with many praising its production and self-confidence message.
Rare is the third studio album by American singer Selena Gomez, released on January 10, 2020, by Interscope Records. As the executive producer, Gomez worked with many producers, including Ian Kirkpatrick, Jason Evigan, Mattman & Robin, Sir Nolan, Simon Says, The Monsters & Strangerz and David Pramik. Described by Gomez as her "diary from the past few years", Rare is a midtempo pop and dance-pop record, taking cues from electronic, latin pop and R&B styles. Lyrically, the album explores themes of self-love, self-empowerment, self-acceptance, and self-worth. Guest features on Rare are from rappers 6lack and Kid Cudi.
"Ice Cream" is a song by South Korean girl group Blackpink and American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on August 28, 2020, through YG Entertainment and Interscope Records, as the second pre-release single from the group's debut studio album, The Album (2020). The song was composed by Gomez with Tommy Brown, Mr. Franks, Teddy, Bekuh Boom, Victoria Monét, 24, and Ariana Grande, while its lyrics were penned by Boom, Monét, and Teddy. "Ice Cream" is an electropop and bubblegum pop song with elements of trap. Lyrically, the song mainly consists of ice cream-related double entendres.
"Calm Down" is a song by Nigerian singer Rema, from his debut studio album Rave & Roses (2022). It was released on 11 February 2022 through Jonzing World and Mavin as the album's second single. The song charted across Europe, reaching number one on the Belgian Ultratop 50, Dutch Top 40 and Dutch Single Top 100. In the United Kingdom, "Calm Down" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent 27 non-consecutive weeks in the top ten of the chart.
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