"Criminals" | ||||
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Single by Meghan Trainor | ||||
from the album Timeless (Deluxe) | ||||
Written | 2017 | |||
Released | September 20, 2024 | |||
Length | 2:34 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Justin Trainor | |||
Meghan Trainor singles chronology | ||||
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Audio | ||||
"Criminals" on YouTube |
"Criminals" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from the deluxe edition of her sixth major-label studio album, Timeless (2024). Trainor wrote it with songwriters Tyler Johnson and Josh Kear, and her brother Justin handled production. The song was initially written for her third major-label studio album, Treat Myself (2020), but was not included on it after Trainor rewrote the album to make it a pop record that feels relevant in an era when hip-hop reigns. "Criminals" became available as Timeless's deluxe edition's second track on August 16, 2024, when it was released by Epic Records. Sony Music released the song as the deluxe edition's lead single on September 20, 2024.
"Criminals" reached number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 98 on the Canadian Hot 100. The song peaked at number eight on the Polish Airplay Top 100 and in the top twenty on the Adult Pop Airplay and Pop Airplay charts in the US. It also reached the top twenty on digital sales charts in the US and UK. "Criminals" gained popularity after becoming the opening theme for the 2024 Netflix miniseries The Perfect Couple . Critical reception focused on the song's usage in the show's dance sequence, with some finding it catchy. Trainor included it on the set list of her 2024 concert tour, the Timeless Tour.
Meghan Trainor began recording songs for her third major-label studio album, Treat Myself (2020), while still recovering from her second vocal cord surgery. [1] She wrote a track called "Call Us Criminals" with songwriters Tyler Johnson and Josh Kear. [2] In January 2018, Trainor stated that it was her favorite song on the album, which she called her "best work yet" two months later. [1] [3] In 2024, Trainor recalled that the song was written seven years ago, and she immediately thought it "was a smash". Her team asked her not to put it on the album, and Trainor held onto it in hopes that it could have a "special moment" in the future. [4] She eventually rewrote Treat Myself four times to make it a pop record that feels relevant in an era when hip-hop reigns. [5]
Trainor returned to her doo-wop sound on her fifth major-label studio album, Takin' It Back (2022), after the song "Title" attained viral popularity on video-sharing service TikTok in 2021. [6] The album included the single "Made You Look", which went viral on TikTok [7] [8] and became her highest-charting single in years. [9] [10] [11] Trainor continued the sound on her sixth major-label studio album, Timeless (2024), which was identified by critics as a doo-wop and bubblegum pop record. [12] [13] "Criminals" became available as the album's deluxe edition's second track on August 16, 2024, when it was released by Epic Records. [14] Sony Music sent the song for radio airplay in Italy as the deluxe edition's lead single on September 20, 2024. [15] Epic sent it to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States three days later. [16] Trainor included "Criminals" on the set list of her 2024 concert tour, the Timeless Tour. [17] [18] On October 24, 2024, an extended play containing Chromeo, Ellis, and J.Bird's remixes of the song was released alongside its live performance from the tour's Madison Square Garden stop. [19] [20]
"Criminals" is 2 minutes and 34 seconds long. [14] Trainor's brother Justin produced and programmed the song, and he engineered it with Andrew Wells and Bo Bodnar. Wells and Taubenfeld play guitar. Johnson, Kear, Bodnar, Trainor and her brother Ryan, and Daryl Sabara provided background vocals. Trainor handled vocal production, Randy Merrill mastered the song, and Jeremie Inhaber mixed it. Wells provided additional production. [2]
In the lyrics of "Criminals", Trainor acknowledges that she has behaved in a bad way but intends to repeat this, and she addresses a partner as her best one ever: "Lock me up cause I've been bad, and I know I'll do it again / You're the best I ever had, I'm guilty, I confess." Trainor continues to discuss a romantic relationship in subsequent lyrics and believes that the satisfaction it brings her must equate to a crime because of how good it is: "Anything that feels this good / Well, it must be illegal, it must be illegal, illegal." [21]
"Criminals" appears as the theme song in the American mystery drama miniseries The Perfect Couple (2024). Susanne Bier wanted to incorporate a dance sequence with the show's cast into its opening sequence, and she liked "Criminals" from a list of songs sent by the music supervisor. Charm La'Donna created a choreography set to it. [22] Bier believed that the repetition of the words "Call us criminals, criminals" would lead viewers to speculate even more about who might be the culprit in the plotline's murder. [23] [24] Trainor expressed excitement about its inclusion in the show and the dance sequence: "It has been a life long dream of mine to have one of my songs be used as the intro for a show and to have this many icons dancing along is just too good to be true." [25] Many cast members objected to the dance sequence and even created a WhatsApp group to avoid doing it, [26] [27] but they ended up enjoying it after the filming. [28]
Capital's Katie Louise Smith believed the song succeeded in fulfilling Bier's intention and stimulated viewers to think more about the perpetrator of the murder: "It worked out perfectly to set the tone of the entire show. The routine serves as a perfect closer for the series too." [23] Dusty Baxter-Wright of Cosmopolitan referred to the dance routine and "Criminals" as "both catchy and a little bit jarring". [21] Writing for Glamour , Stephanie McNeal stated: "Every time the song and dance routine would come on, we'd groove on the couch, attempting the moves (badly) and singing the song. Predictably, the song soon got hopelessly stuck in my head." [29]
The inclusion of "Criminals" in The Perfect Couple caused its Spotify streams to increase by 1770% in the period between the show's release and the last week of September, prompting Trainor to add it to the set list of the Timeless Tour. [30] The song debuted at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 issued for November 23, 2024. [31] It peaked at numbers 18 and 17 on the Adult Pop Airplay and Pop Airplay charts in the US, respectively. [32] [33] "Criminals" entered at number 19 on the Digital Song Sales chart. [34] In Canada, the song debuted at number 98 on the Canadian Hot 100. [35]
"Criminals" reached number 18 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart and number 19 on Singles Sales. [36] [37] The song entered at number 21 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart. [38] It charted at number eight on the Polish Airplay Top 100. [39] "Criminals" also peaked at number 21 on San Marino's SMRRTV Top 50 chart, [40] number 41 on Lithuania Airplay, [41] number 40 on Commonwealth of Independent States Airplay, [42] and number 54 on the Russian Airplay chart. [43]
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Timeless (Deluxe). [2]
Weekly charts
| Monthly charts
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Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | Ref. |
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Italy | September 20, 2024 | Radio airplay | Original | Sony | [15] |
United States | September 23, 2024 | Contemporary hit radio | Epic | [16] | |
Various | October 24, 2024 | Remixes | [19] |
Meghan Elizabeth Trainor is an American singer-songwriter and television personality. She rose to prominence after signing with Epic Records in 2014 and releasing her debut single "All About That Bass", which reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold 11 million copies worldwide. Trainor has released six studio albums with the label and has received various accolades, including a Grammy Award, four ASCAP Pop Music Awards, and two Billboard Music Awards.
"All About That Bass" is the debut single of American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, released on June 30, 2014, through Epic Records. The song was included on Trainor's debut extended play (EP), Title (2014), and her debut studio album of the same name (2015). Written by Trainor and producer Kevin Kadish, "All About That Bass" is a bubblegum pop, doo-wop and pop rap track. Trainor, who as a teenager struggled with her negative body image, was inspired to write the song to promote self-acceptance.
American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor has released six studio albums, two extended plays (EP), two live albums, 40 singles, 34 music videos, three independent albums, and 26 promotional singles. She self-released the albums Meghan Trainor (2009), I'll Sing with You (2011), and Only 17 (2011); they were pulled from circulation after she signed with Epic Records in February 2014. Trainor's debut single, "All About That Bass", was released on June 30, 2014, and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks. The single became the longest-reigning number-one by an Epic recording artist in the United States, surpassing the seven-week record held by Michael Jackson's songs "Billie Jean" (1983) and "Black or White" (1991). It topped the national charts of 58 countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all-time. As of 2015, it had sold over 11 million units internationally. "All About That Bass" was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and preceded Trainor's debut EP, Title (2014), which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 in September 2014.
Title is the debut major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. It was released on January 9, 2015, by Epic Records. Initially a songwriter for other artists in 2013, Trainor signed with the label the following year and began recording material she co-wrote with Kevin Kadish. They were dissatisfied with the electronic dance music predominant in contemporary hit radio and drew influence from retro-styled 1950s and 1960s music.
"Lips Are Movin" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, taken from her debut major-label studio album, Title (2015). It was written by Trainor and the album's producer, Kevin Kadish. Epic Records premiered the song on MTV News on October 15, 2014, and released it to the United States contemporary hit radio stations on October 21, as the second single from Title. A retro-tinged doo-wop and pop song with girl-group harmonies and bubblegum pop hooks, "Lips Are Movin" was inspired by Trainor's conflict with her record label. However, critical commentary has described it as a song about Trainor leaving her significant other after discovering he is cheating on her.
"Dear Future Husband" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. It was included on Title, her 2014 extended play, and later on her 2015 studio album of the same name. Trainor wrote the song with its producer, Kevin Kadish. Epic Records released "Dear Future Husband" as the album's third single on March 17, 2015. A doo-wop and pop song, it has lyrics about chivalry and dating. In the song, Trainor lists things a potential romantic suitor needs to do to win her affection.
"Like I'm Gonna Lose You" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her debut major-label studio album Title (2015), featuring guest vocals from John Legend. Trainor wrote the song with Justin Weaver and Caitlyn Smith, and produced it with Chris Gelbuda. Epic Records released it as the album's fourth single on June 23, 2015. A soul love ballad, "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" is about savoring moments spent with loved ones and not taking them for granted.
"Marvin Gaye" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth featuring fellow American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, from his third EP, Some Type of Love (2015). It later served as the lead single for his debut studio album, Nine Track Mind (2016). Puth co-wrote it, with Julie Frost, Jacob Luttrell and Nick Seeley, and produced it. Artist Partner Group released it as a single on February 10, 2015. The doo-wop and soul song is named after singer Marvin Gaye, whose name is used as a verb in the lyrics.
Thank You is the second major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Epic Records released it on May 13, 2016, after a week of exclusive streaming on Apple Music. Trainor wrote most of its material with songwriter Jacob Kasher Hindlin and the album's producer Ricky Reed. Influenced by various genres including dance, hip hop, funk, and Caribbean music, Trainor conceived the album to showcase her versatility. It features guest appearances by Yo Gotti, LunchMoney Lewis, Trainor's mother, and R. City.
"No" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her second major-label studio album, Thank You (2016). Ricky Reed produced the song and wrote it with Trainor and Jacob Kasher Hindlin; Epic Records released it as the album's lead single on March 4, 2016. A dance-pop song inspired by 1990s pop music and R&B, "No" has lyrics about sexual consent and empowerment, encouraging women to reject unwanted advances from men.
"Me Too" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her second major-label studio album, Thank You (2016). Trainor wrote the song with Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Jason Derulo, Peter Svensson, and its producer, Ricky Reed. Epic Records released it as the album's second single on May 5, 2016. An electro and R&B song with a minimalistic musical bed of a synth bassline, finger snaps, and popping mouth sounds, "Me Too"'s lyrics concern self-love, as Trainor asserts confidence in her looks.
"No Excuses" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, released on March 1, 2018, as the lead single from her third major-label studio album, Treat Myself (2020). Trainor co-wrote it with Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Andrew Wells, who produced it as well. The track was announced in February 2018 along with its official single artwork. The pop song, with country and R&B influences, has lyrics against sexism. The song received acclaim from music critics, some of whom noted that it was a return to the sound of Trainor's album Title (2015).
Treat Myself is the third major-label studio album by the American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Epic Records released it on January 31, 2020, after delaying it for over a year from its originally scheduled release date. Trainor worked with producers including Mike Sabath, Tyler Johnson, Ojivolta, and Andrew Wells. Initially inspired by pop artists and her experiences with panic disorder, Trainor rewrote the album to adapt to changing trends in the music industry and the rising popularity of hip-hop. It features guest appearances by Sabath, Nicki Minaj, Lennon Stella, Sasha Sloan, the Pussycat Dolls, and AJ Mitchell.
"Just Got Paid" is a song by English DJ and record producer Sigala, singer Ella Eyre, and American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from the former of the three's debut studio album, Brighter Days (2018). The song features a guest appearance by rapper French Montana. The performers co-wrote it with Steve Manovski, George Astasio, Jon Shave, Nile Rodgers, and Jason Pebworth, with production from Sigala, Manovski and Joakim Jarl. Ministry of Sound Recordings and B1 Recordings released it on 7 September 2018, as the tenth and final single from the album. The funk and electronic dance music song has a disco vibe, "poppy" vocals and its lyrics deal with living a luxurious lifestyle despite not being wealthy.
"All the Ways" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. The song was released on June 21, 2018, as a promotional single for the initial intended release of Trainor's third studio album, Treat Myself, and later only appeared on its Target deluxe edition following the album's 2020 release. The song was serviced to hot adult contemporary radio as the lead single from Trainor's second EP, The Love Train, on February 11, 2019.
Takin' It Back is the fifth major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Epic Records released the album on October 21, 2022. Trainor worked with producers including Federico Vindver, Gian Stone, Kid Harpoon, and Tyler Johnson. Featured artists include Scott Hoying, Teddy Swims, Theron Theron, Natti Natasha, and Arturo Sandoval. It is a doo-wop and bubblegum pop album, which Trainor conceived as a return to the sound of her debut major-label studio album, Title (2015), after its title track went viral on TikTok. Takin' It Back's lyrical themes revolve around motherhood and self-acceptance.
"Made You Look" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her fifth major-label studio album, Takin' It Back (2022). Trainor wrote it with songwriter Sean Douglas and its producer, Federico Vindver. Epic Records released it as the album's second single on October 31, 2022. A doo-wop song that recalls earlier styles of popular music, it was inspired by Trainor's insecurities about body image and encourages listeners to embrace their natural beauty and confidence.
"Mother" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from the deluxe edition of her fifth major-label studio album, Takin' It Back (2022). She co-wrote the song with Sean Douglas and its producers, Gian Stone and her brother Justin. Epic Records released it to US hot adult contemporary radio stations as the deluxe edition's lead single on March 27, 2023. A pop song with doo-wop influences, it interpolates the Chordettes' single "Mr. Sandman". Inspired by men who said Trainor's pregnancy would end her career, the song is about women's empowerment; in its lyrics, she asks the male subject to stop mansplaining and to listen to her.
"Been Like This" is a song by American singer-songwriters Meghan Trainor and T-Pain from the former's sixth major-label studio album, Timeless (2024). They co-wrote the song with Kurt Thum, Trainor's brother Ryan, and its producers, Gian Stone and Grant Boutin. Epic Records released it as the album's lead single on March 14, 2024. A doo-wop song with contemporary influences, it incorporates a jazz intro and trumpet melody and has lyrics about confidence.
Timeless is the sixth major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Epic Records released it on June 7, 2024. Trainor worked with producers including Federico Vindver, Gian Stone, Grant Boutin, and Jason Evigan. Featured artists include T-Pain, Lawrence, and Niecy Nash. It is a doo-wop and bubblegum pop album with club beats and influences of dance-pop and R&B. The album has a message of self-empowerment, women's empowerment, and positive self-talk, inspired by Trainor's family, motherhood, and experiences in the music industry.