Big Feelings

Last updated

"Big Feelings"
Single by Willow
from the album Empathogen
ReleasedApril 11, 2024 (2024-04-11)
Length4:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Willow
  • Chris Greatti
Willow singles chronology
"Symptom of Life"
(2024)
"Big Feelings"
(2024)
Visualizer
"Big Feelings" on YouTube

"Big Feelings" (stylized as "b i g f e e l i n g s") is a song by American singer Willow from her sixth studio album, Empathogen (2024). Music companies Three Six Zero and Gamma released the song on April 11, 2024, as the second single from the album. It was written and produced by Willow and Chris Greatti, with additional songwriting from Zach Tenorio.

Contents

Background and release

In 2022, Willow signed to music companies Three Six Zero and Gamma after leaving Roc Nation, the label she was under since 2010. [1] "Big Feelings" was released as the second single from Empathogen (2024), following "Symptom of Life", on April 11, 2024. [2] Its release was accompanied by the announce of the album and an official visualizer, in which Willow stands infront of black backdrop with a yellow and green circle. [3] It was shot at the same place of the music video to the singer's 2021 single "Transparent Soul". [4] Willow performed "Big Feelings" for the first time as part of her Tiny Desk Concert hosted by NPR Music, which was published on May 1, 2024. [5] [6]

Composition

"Big Feelings" was written by Willow, Chris Greatti, and Zach Tenorio, with production from the first two. [4] Willow named "Big Feelings" her favorite song of hers and "one of the best compositions that [she has] ever sang on". [4] [1] She stated that she made the song with a perfect ending and closure to the album in mind. [1] In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter , Willow explained that she choose "Big Feelings" as the last song on the album because she "wanted to end on a really complicated, grandiose note", and to honor "the complexity and grandiosity of [the] song". [7] It is a piano-based track, described by Willow as "dense and dissonant but also darkly beautiful". [8] In a statement, she also said: "Musically, it has a darkness and complexity that reflects what we all experience in our own minds. The song is about accepting those intense feelings that you have no idea what to do with". [9] [10]

Critical reception

Music critics of The New York Times named "Big Feelings" as one of the most notable new tracks from its release week. [11] Essence also included it on a list of the Best New Music of the Week. [12] The magazine Out described "Big Feelings" as a "experimental masterpiece for the ears", in which Willow "mash[es] genres and tempos". [13] Dork's Ali Shutler described it as a "beautiful, empathetic song about overwhelming emotions and hard-fought acceptance". [14] Dylan Green from Pitchfork said that the chorus of the song that begins, "I have such big feelings", sounds "ripped from a rejected High School Musical: The Musical: The Series script". [15]

In June 2024, "Big Feelings" was added by Rolling Stone and The New York Times to their list of the Best Songs of 2024 So Far, with a critic from the former describing it as a "soaring and chaotic" showstopper. [16] [17]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "Big Feelings"
OrganizationYearCategoryRecipientResultRef.
Grammy Awards 2025 Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals WillowPending [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willow Smith</span> American singer (born 2000)

Willow Smith, also known mononymously as Willow, is an American singer. The daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, she has received various accolades, including a Young Artist Award, an NAACP Image Award, a BET Award, and nominations for two Daytime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and a MTV Video Music Award.

<i>Taylor Swift</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Under the Big Machine Records imprint, it was released in the United States and Canada on October 24, 2006, and elsewhere on March 18, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Miller</span> American rapper (1992–2018)

Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, was an American rapper. Miller began his career in Pittsburgh's local hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of 15. In 2010, he signed a record deal with independent label Rostrum Records and released his breakthrough mixtapes K.I.D.S. (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011). Miller's debut studio album, Blue Slide Park (2011), became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200 since 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoebe Bridgers</span> American musician (born 1994)

Phoebe Lucille Bridgers is an American singer-songwriter. Her indie folk music typically centers around acoustic guitar and electronic production, with melancholic lyrical themes. She has received four Grammy Awards from eleven nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tank and the Bangas</span> American musical group

Tank and the Bangas is an American musical group based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest and in November 2019, they were nominated in the Best New Artist category for the 2020 Grammy Awards. They have released three studio albums, Thinktank (2013), Green Balloon (2019), and Red Balloon (2022).

<i>Poppy.Computer</i> 2017 album by Poppy

Poppy.Computer is the debut studio album by American singer and songwriter Poppy. It was released on October 6, 2017, by Mad Decent. The album's songs were recorded with Simon Wilcox, Titanic Sinclair, Chris Greatti and Ryosuke Sakai. It is heavily influenced by Japanese music and culture and is an art pop record. The album was included in Rolling Stone's list of best pop albums in 2017.

<i>I Disagree</i> 2020 studio album by Poppy

I Disagree is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Poppy. it was released on January 10, 2020, as her first album with Sumerian Records following her departure from Mad Decent, as well as her final collaborative project with Titanic Sinclair before the end of their creative partnership in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tems</span> Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1995)

Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.

<i>Brain Candy</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Hockey Dad

Brain Candy is the third studio album from Australian duo Hockey Dad. The album was released on 31 July 2020 by Farmer & The Owl and debuted at number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Humberstone</span> British musician (born 1999)

Holly Ffion Humberstone is an English singer-songwriter from Grantham, England. In 2021, she signed a recording contract with Interscope and Polydor Records. Her first extended play (EP) following the signings, The Walls Are Way Too Thin, was released in November 2021. Afterwards, she won the Brit Award for Rising Star at the 2022 Brit Awards. She released her debut studio album, Paint My Bedroom Black, in October 2023. Her work Haunted House was nominated for the Best Song Musically and Lyrically Ivor Novello Award.

<i>Songs</i> and <i>Instrumentals</i> 2020 studio albums by Adrianne Lenker

Songs and Instrumentals are two studio albums by Adrianne Lenker, both released by 4AD on October 23, 2020. They are her fourth and fifth solo albums, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willow (song)</span> 2020 single by Taylor Swift

"Willow" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). It was released on December 11, 2020, by Republic Records as the lead single from the album. "Willow" is a chamber folk love song making use of several metaphors to convey the singer's romantic state of mind, such as portraying her life as a willow tree, over picked guitars, glockenspiel, flute, strings, and percussion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lizzy McAlpine</span> American singer-songwriter and record producer (born 1999)

Elizabeth Catherine McAlpine is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, McAlpine began gaining recognition by posting original songs and covers online on the platforms SoundCloud and YouTube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transparent Soul</span> 2021 single by Willow Smith

"Transparent Soul" is a song by American singer-songwriter Willow featuring American drummer Travis Barker. It was released on April 27, 2021, by MSFTS and Roc Nation, as the lead single from her fourth solo studio album Lately I Feel Everything. The song has been described by publications such as Rolling Stone and Guitar World as a pop-punk track about ingenuine people. A remix of the song featuring American rapper Kid Cudi was released on November 19, 2021.

<i>Familia</i> (Camila Cabello album) 2022 studio album by Camila Cabello

Familia is the third studio album by American singer Camila Cabello. It was released on April 8, 2022, through Epic Records. Cabello wrote the album during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021 with producers such as Mike Sabath, Ricky Reed, Edgar Barrera and Cheche Alara. The album was inspired by the "manifest collective joy" Cabello felt with her family during the pandemic and is about connecting with the singer's Latin American roots. Familia features guest vocals from Ed Sheeran, Willow, María Becerra and Yotuel. It was Cabello's last album with Epic Records as she departed months after the album's release and signed with Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maybe It's My Fault</span> 2022 single by Willow

"Maybe It's My Fault" is a song by American singer Willow. It was released on June 24, 2022, through Roc Nation, as the lead single from Willow's fifth studio album, Coping Mechanism (2022). "Maybe It's My Fault" was written by Willow, Asher Bank, and the song's producer Chris Greatti.

<i>Coping Mechanism</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Willow

Coping Mechanism is the fifth studio album by American singer Willow. It was released on October 7, 2022, through MSFTS Music and Roc Nation. The album was preceded by a slew of singles, including "Maybe It's My Fault", "Hover Like a Goddess", "Curious/Furious", and "Split".

Hannah Grae is a Welsh rock musician from Port Talbot. Several of her works have gone viral online, and she released a mini-album, Hell Is a Teenage Girl, in April 2023. She is a member of Loud LDN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Symptom of Life</span> 2024 single by Willow

"Symptom of Life" is a song by American singer Willow from her sixth studio album, Empathogen (2024). She wrote it with Chris Greatti and Brad Oberhofer, and produced it with the former. The song was released through Three Six Zero and Gamma on March 12, 2024, as the lead single from the record. An accompanying self-directed music video was published on the same date. "Symptom of Life" is a math-pop track led by piano, drums, and a bass countermelody.

<i>Empathogen</i> (album) 2024 studio album by Willow

Empathogen is the sixth studio album by American singer Willow. It was released through Three Six Zero and Gamma on May 3, 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Amorosi, A. D. (May 17, 2024). "Willow Smith Looks Ahead to Touring With Childish Gambino, Looks Back on 'Whip My Hair,' and… Baby Turtles?". Variety. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  2. Armstrong, Megan (April 13, 2024). "Willow Dropped 'Big Feelings' Ahead Of Her 'Empathogen' Album, And Questlove Can't Believe How Great It Is". Uproxx. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  3. Duran, Anagricel (April 15, 2024). "Willow shares whimsical new single 'Big Feelings' and announces album 'Empathogen'". NME. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "Willow Shares 5 Things You Didn't Know About Her New Song 'Big Feelings'". Billboard . Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  5. Singh, Surej (May 2, 2024). "Willow premieres funky new track 'Run!' during 'Tiny Desk' performance". NME. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  6. Blistein, Jon (May 1, 2024). "Willow Premieres Frenetic Funk Jam 'Run!' During 'Tiny Desk' Concert". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  7. Victorian, Brande (September 26, 2024). "Willow Smith Says "Musicianship Is Going to Become the Next Clout" Ahead of 'Empathogen' Deluxe Release". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  8. Stickler, Jon (April 12, 2024). "Willow Announces 'Empathogen' Album With New Single Big Feelings". Stereoboard. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  9. Paul, Larisha (April 11, 2024). "Willow Processes 'Darkness and Complexity' on 'Big Feelings' From New Album 'Empathogen'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  10. Avila, Daniela (April 11, 2024). "Willow Shares 'Darkly Beautiful' Song 'Big Feelings' and Reveals Release Date for New Album empathogen". People. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  11. Pareles, Jon (May 10, 2024). "Post Malone Goes Country With Morgan Wallen, and 8 More New Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  12. Jones, Okla (April 12, 2024). "Best New Music This Week: Chlöe, Baby Rose, WILLOW And More". Essence. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  13. Henderson, Taylor (April 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift is tortured & Willow Smith has big feelings on this New Music Friday". Out. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  14. Shutler, Ali (April 28, 2024). "WILLOW: "I want to challenge myself"". Dork. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  15. Green, Dylan (May 9, 2024). "Willow: empathogen Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  16. "The Best Songs of 2024 So Far". Rolling Stone. June 12, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  17. Pareles, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (June 20, 2024). "The 40 Best Songs of 2024 (So Far)". The New York Times. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  18. Atkinson, Katie (November 8, 2024). "Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2024.