"Dear Future Husband" | ||||
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Single by Meghan Trainor | ||||
from the album Title | ||||
Released | March 17, 2015 | |||
Studio | The Carriage House (Nolensville, Tennessee) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:04 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Kevin Kadish | |||
Meghan Trainor singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Dear Future Husband" on YouTube |
"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.
Some music critics praised the playful nature of "Dear Future Husband" and compared its lyrics to different Trainor songs, while others were negative about the portrayal of gender roles in its lyrics. In the United States, the song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It reached the top 10 in Australia, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, and Venezuela and received multi-platinum certifications in Australia and Canada.
Fatima Robinson directed the music video for "Dear Future Husband", which depicts Trainor baking pies in the kitchen and scrubbing floors while various men audition to be her partner. It garnered controversy and online criticism over allegations of antifeminism and sexism. Trainor performed the song on television shows such as the iHeartRadio Music Awards, The Voice , and Today and included it on the set lists of her concert tours That Bass Tour (2015), MTrain Tour (2015), and the Untouchable Tour (2016).
American songwriter Kevin Kadish met Meghan Trainor in June 2013 at the request of Carla Wallace, the co-owner of Trainor's publishing firm Big Yellow Dog Music. Kadish liked Trainor's voice and felt a strong song-writing affinity with her due to their mutual love of pop music from the 1950s and 1960s. [1] [2] They wrote the song "All About That Bass", which led to Trainor signing with Epic Records after she performed it for the label's chairman, L.A. Reid. [3] Kadish and Trainor began working on more songs immediately as the label wanted her to record an entire album. [1] Upon its release as Trainor's debut single in June 2014, [4] the song reached number one in 58 countries and sold 11 million units worldwide. [5] [6] [7] Trainor followed it up with "Lips Are Movin", which reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. [8]
Kadish and Trainor wrote "Dear Future Husband" as the third track for Trainor's debut extended play, the 1950s-influenced Title , which they created "just for fun". [9] Trainor was inspired by old-school doo-wop standards like Dion's "Runaround Sue" (1961), and Beach Boys songs that possessed "big choruses that weren't like, melodically up very high" so every listener could chant along to them. [10] She recounted being ill-treated by her romantic partners in high school, [11] and wrote the song's lyrics as a corrective for issues with contemporary dating and hookup culture, like women basing their self-worth on social media likes and whether their partner replied to their texts: "I hope people can hear my songs and know I'm a badass girl and I deserve a good guy to take me out on a date." [12]
"Dear Future Husband" was included as a B-side on the digital release of "All About That Bass" in some European countries, [13] [14] [15] and Trainor's debut major-label studio album, Title (2015). [16] The song began gaining popularity and entered the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2014, attaining a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on January 7, 2015. [17] [18] Epic Records chose "Dear Future Husband" as the third single from the album, [19] and sent it to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States on March 17, 2015, and for radio airplay in Italy on May 8, 2015. [20] [21] On June 26, 2015, Sony Music released the song as a CD single in Germany. [22]
"Dear Future Husband" is three minutes and four seconds long. [16] Kadish produced, recorded, engineered, and mixed the song at the Carriage House studio in Nolensville, Tennessee. He handled drum programming, sound design, and plays the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, and synthesizer, David Baron plays the piano and Hammond organ, and Jim Hoke plays the baritone and tenor saxophone. Dave Kutch mastered it at The Mastering Palace in New York City. [23]
"Dear Future Husband" is a doo-wop [19] [24] [25] and pop [26] [27] [28] song, with influences of jazz. [29] The song opens with the sound of a stylus on a damaged vinyl which transitions into retro ukulele instrumentation. [30] It incorporates brisk piano, buoyant brass, and a drum track that "kicks harder than many 2014 rock bands" according to Stereogum 's Chris DeVille. [31] Alexandra Petri of The Washington Post described "Dear Future Husband" as a "playful pop throwback to the 1950s", while Chuck Arnold of Rolling Stone called it "girl-group bounce". [28] [32] Critics compared the song's melody to that of "Runaround Sue", [5] [33] and The Columbus Dispatch 's Glenn Gamboa likened it to Gary U.S. Bonds's 1961 single "Quarter to Three". [34] [35] [36]
"Dear Future Husband" has lyrics about chivalry and dating. [37] [38] The song presents a list of the things a man needs to do in order to win Trainor's adoration and dedication, and be her life partner. [39] [40] Her requests include "treat[ing her] like a lady" even when she behaves insanely, calling her pretty every night, and putting her family above his. [8] [12] Trainor promises to buy the groceries as long as he buys her flowers, and assures him of sexual favors as a reward if he follows her rules. [24] [41] According to Dolan, its lyrics imagine "marriage as a contract between equals who work and don't cook". [36]
Some music critics praised the playful nature of "Dear Future Husband" and compared its lyrics to other Trainor songs. Entertainment Weekly 's Adam Markovitz jokingly remarked that the song's subject may follow her orders if she kept creating enticing and "kitschy sock-hop throwbacks" like it. [42] Melissa Maerz of the same magazine named it one of the two best songs on the album, and stated that future wives-to-be would agree with the list of expectations Trainor sets out on the song. [43] Writing for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , Piet Levy called "Dear Future Husband" as "cute as a clever rom-com" and praised her humorous innuendos and alternative take on gender roles in a marriage. [44] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times deemed the song a "bouncy" reimagination of the groove of "Runaround Sue". [34] DeVille complimented its smooth production but considered it lyrically interchangeable with Trainor's track "Title" (2014). [31] Lindsey Weber of New York opined that the lyrics of "Dear Future Husband" render it a sequel of "All About That Bass". [45]
Other critics were negative about the portrayal of gender roles in the lyrics of "Dear Future Husband". Writing for Time , Nolan Feeney was critical of the song and remarked that it describes a "Meghtatorship" instead of a "relationship". [12] Mic's Kate Beaudoin thought it sends a message that "men are born to be husbands and women are born to be wives", and hinders a woman's authority to choose who she wants to be. [24] Heidi Stevens of the Chicago Tribune wrote that the lyrics of "Dear Future Husband" deceptively seem empowering and modern at surface value, but are sadly regressive. She criticized Trainor for offering sex as a prize and thought the song compromises women's sexual agency. [41] Petri rewrote its lyrics to make them more politically correct, and noted that just like "All About That Bass", its message lacked self-awareness. [28] Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Chris Barton and Gerrick D. Kennedy, respectively, listed "Dear Future Husband" among the most overrated and worst moments of pop culture in 2015, owing to its backward views on gender. [46] [47]
"Dear Future Husband" initially peaked at number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for January 10, 2015. [48] Following its release as a single, the song re-entered at number 47. [49] It peaked at number 14 on the chart issued for June 6, 2015, and sold its millionth download the same week. [50] The RIAA certified "Dear Future Husband" 3× Platinum. [18] In Canada, the song peaked at number 22 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified 3× Platinum by Music Canada. [51] [52] It reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, and earned a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry. [53] [54]
In Australia, "Dear Future Husband" peaked at number nine, and became Trainor's third song to reach the top 10. [55] The Australian Recording Industry Association certified the song 5× Platinum in 2023. [56] It charted at number 27 in New Zealand and received a Gold certification from Recorded Music NZ. [57] [58] "Dear Future Husband" reached the top 15 of national record charts, at number 3 in South Africa, [59] number 4 in Venezuela, [60] number 5 in the Netherlands, [61] Poland, [62] number 11 in Belgium, [63] the Czech Republic, [64] number 12 in Scotland, [65] and number 14 in Austria. [66] The song received a Platinum+Gold certification in Mexico, [67] Platinum in Sweden, [68] and Gold in Denmark [69] and Spain. [70]
Fatima Robinson directed the Stepford Wives -inspired music video for "Dear Future Husband". [39] [71] Trainor shared a black and white teaser of it on her Instagram account on March 12, 2015. [72] She premiered the video on Today four days later, where she also announced that she would go on tour. [40] [73] [74] Charlie Puth, with whom Trainor collaborated on the song "Marvin Gaye" (2015), makes a cameo in it. [75]
In the video, Trainor performs the song in a latex blue skirt, leopard-print tank top, and red cropped leather jacket with a barbershop quartet. [8] [76] She engages in household chores such as baking pies in the kitchen and scrubbing floors. [19] [39] [77] Trainor uses a dating app reminiscent of Tinder to audition different men to be her partner. [74] [76] They present gifts to her and one of them fails at his attempt to hit the bell on a carnival strength tester machine. [24] Trainor stamps the word "fail" and rejects them one-by-one as they are unsuccessful in following her rules. [8] [74] In the end, she approves of Puth when he brings her a pizza. [39]
Some critics praised the video's throwback style and Trainor's look. Billboard 's Jason Lipshutz thought it "owns its pastiche of retro signifiers" while switching up domiciliary expectations. [8] Shiela Cosgrove Baylis of People wrote that though she took on a more domestic role in the video than her previous ones, it still retained her eccentric fashion choices and "slumber-party dance moves". [74] Others were critical and compared it to different music videos. Feeney stated the video was more frightening than Taylor Swift's portrayal of the "crazy-ex-girlfriend" in the one for "Blank Space" (2014), despite Trainor not using knives as a weapon in it. [12] Writing for USA Today , Kelly Lawler described it as "a lot" and criticized it for having too many things going on at once, noting it lacked the "healthy sense of irony" displayed in the videos for "Blank Space" and Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" (2006). [76] Weber wrote that if Trainor is trying to send a message to her future spouse, someone should ensure that it never reaches him. [78]
The video caused controversy and garnered criticism online, over allegations of antifeminism, sexism, and perpetuation of gender stereotypes, [19] [77] which followed similar backlash Trainor had received for "All About That Bass". [79] [80] [81] Critics accused it of hindering women by suggesting that they should only be domestic housewives. [40] She responded by denying the allegations and explaining her intention: "I think I was just writing my song to my future husband out there, wherever he is. He's chilling right now, taking a minute getting ready for me; it's going to be great." [19] Wendy Geller of Yahoo! thought "it should be obvious that the song and music video aren't meant to be taken seriously", and believed the controversy may unintentionally propel the video's views. [26]
Trainor performed "Dear Future Husband" live in a sailor's hat and knee-length skirt at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 29, 2015. [82] [83] Her male backup dancers were dressed as seamen in red suspenders, boaters, and short pants. MTV News' Brenna Ehrlich commented they looked like extras from H.M.S. Pinafore and Trainor resembled a 1950s pin-up model, while The Hollywood Reporter 's Ashley Lee described the rendition as throwback sailor-themed heaven. [82] [84] On May 19, 2015, Trainor performed an acoustic version of the song on her ukulele at the eighth season of The Voice , accompanied by Kadish on guitar. [29] [85] [86] She was surrounded by lamps during it. Jodi Walker of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the performance illustrated to the show's future winner that the record industry can be a place for "music that sounds like a current spin on a different generation of music". [29] Trainor sang it on Today on May 22, in a set that also featured "All About That Bass", "Lips Are Movin", and "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" (2015). [87]
Trainor opened her That Bass Tour (2015) by performing "Dear Future Husband" in a blue-green crinoline with pleats and an enchanting top, which USA Today's Carlee Wright considered a strong start to the show. [88] [89] She also performed the song as the first on the MTrain Tour (2015), with a band and four backup dancers. [27] Trainor included it on her set list for the 2014 Jingle Ball Tour and the Untouchable Tour (2016). [90] [91] [92] On January 18, 2020, Trainor and fellow judge Olly Murs performed "Dear Future Husband" as a mashup with the latter's 2011 single "Dance with Me Tonight", on the ninth season of The Voice UK , after he pointed out similarities between the tracks. [93]
A gay couple from Minneapolis trying to adopt a baby released a parody of "Dear Future Husband" in March 2015, entitled "Dear Future Baby", about "how they promise to be the best dads they can be". [94] [95] In September, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, made a parody of the song from the narrative of shelter animals listing their demands from future families. [96] Stanford University's medical students created a parody of it about things an aspiring doctor should not do, entitled "Dear Future Doctor", which was released in November and accumulated 120,000 views on YouTube within a month. [97]
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Title. [23]
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA) [56] | 5× Platinum | 350,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [120] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada) [52] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [69] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI) [121] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [67] | Platinum+Gold | 90,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [58] | Gold | 7,500* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [70] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF) [68] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [54] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [18] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | March 17, 2015 | Contemporary hit radio | Epic | [20] |
Italy | May 8, 2015 | Radio airplay | [21] | |
Germany | June 26, 2015 | CD single | Sony | [22] |
Kevin Paul Kadish is an American songwriter and record producer. He co-wrote, produced, and mixed the 2014 Diamond certified single "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor which spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2018, the song was named the 67th Biggest Hot100 Hit of All-Time, by Billboard, seated between The J. Geils Band's "Centerfold" (66) and John Lennon's "(Just Like) Starting Over" (68). The song received two nominations at the 57th Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
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 the 2016 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
"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 hip hop track. Trainor, who as a teenager struggled with her negative body image, was inspired to write the song to promote self-acceptance.
Title is the debut EP by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor. Kevin Kadish produced all of its songs and wrote them with Trainor. The two conceived the EP shortly after Trainor signed with Epic Records in 2014. The label released it on September 9, 2014, and replaced it with a pre-order for Trainor's 2015 debut major-label studio album of the same name the following month.
American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor has released six studio albums, two extended plays (EP), two live albums, 39 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.
"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.
"Title" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from her 2014 debut extended play of the same name. Kevin Kadish produced the track and wrote it with Trainor. Epic Records considered it for release as Trainor's second single but eventually decided on "Lips Are Movin" (2014). The song is in a doo-wop style with Caribbean influences. Lyrically, Trainor demands that her partner define their relationship more clearly and call her his girlfriend.
"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).
"I'll Be Home" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor from the extended play I'll Be Home for Christmas (2014), released by Epic Records. The song later appeared on the Japanese and special editions of her debut major-label studio album Title (2015) and as a streaming and Target bonus track on her 2020 Christmas album A Very Trainor Christmas. Written and produced by Trainor, "I'll Be Home" is a Christmas ballad with lyrics about promising to be home for Christmas. Music critics praised the song as a positive change of sound from her other work. Commercially, it first peaked in 2015 at positions 56 in Switzerland, 72 in the Netherlands, and 35 in Sweden, where it received a Gold certification. It was not until December 2018 and early 2019, that "I'll Be Home" appeared on various other single charts, including number 53 in Austria, number 31 in Norway and number 45 in Germany.
"Bad for Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, featuring guest vocals from Teddy Swims. Trainor, Stephen Wrabel, Ajay Bhattacharyya, and Federico Vindver wrote it, and Vindver handled the production. The song was released on June 24, 2022, as the lead single from her fifth major-label studio album, Takin' It Back (2022). A pop song with gospel influences, it has lyrics about a toxic relationship with a family member and distancing oneself from them.
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-songwriter Meghan Trainor and singer and rapper 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.