Here (Alessia Cara song)

Last updated
"Here"
Alessia Cara - Here.png
Single by Alessia Cara
from the EP Four Pink Walls and the album Know-It-All
ReleasedApril 30, 2015
Recorded2014
Genre
Length3:19
Label Def Jam
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Alessia Cara singles chronology
"Here"
(2015)		"Wild Things"
(2016)
Music video
"Here" on YouTube

"Here" is the debut single by Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara, released on April 30, 2015 as lead single from her EP Four Pink Walls and her album Know-It-All , both debuting in the same year. Created around a sample of "Ike's Rap II" by Isaac Hayes from his album Black Moses , "Here" is a pop and R&B song about people who secretly hate parties. [1] [2]

Contents

The song was a sleeper hit, debuting at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of August 22, 2015, becoming Cara's first entry on the chart. [3] It later became her first top five single on the chart and reached the top of the US Pop Songs chart after a historic 26-week climb which broke a record held by Cee Lo Green's "F**k You!" and Demi Lovato's "Give Your Heart a Break". [4] "Here" has charted in the top three in Iceland and the 40 in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. An official remix EP was released with Logic, Jaden Smith, Chris Lorenzo, and Imanos & Gramercy. The song was featured on the third season of the comedy-drama television series Younger .

Background and composition

Audio-input-microphone.svg
2016 VOA newscast on "Here"
A February 2016 Voice of America news segment on Cara and "Here"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

While working on her debut album in 2014, Cara attended a house party. [5] She told NME, "Everyone seemed to know each other, but not me. It was sweaty, there was a guy and girl passed out with vomit all over her, people were just stepping over them." [6] The party caused her so much discomfort that she called her mother asking to take her home. Cara discussed the party with co-writer Sebastian Kole who then came up with the first line of the song. [7] Her record label, Def Jam, initially persuaded her to release another song that was more friendly for radio, but Cara pushed for the release of "Here" as she felt the other song would not have made her stand out from other singers. [8]

"Here" is a pop, R&B, and soul song. [9] [10] It samples "Ike's Rap II" by Isaac Hayes from the album Black Moses , which had also been sampled in Portishead's "Glory Box" and Tricky's "Hell Is Round the Corner". [11] Oak Felder and Pop Wansel argued about wanting a Portishead or Hayes sample for the song, both unaware it was the same one. [12]

Critical reception

"Here" was met with critical acclaim by music critics, who praised the song's concept and lyrics. Rolling Stone ranked "Here" at number 21 on its year-end list of the 50 best songs of 2015. [13] Billboard ranked "Here" at number six on its year-end list: "If Lorde 's 'Royals' was a rallying cry for those who felt isolated by the rampant materialism in pop culture, then Alessia Cara's 'Here' is the anthem for those fed up with the glut of pop songs about partying and drinking. Thanks to the teenage R&B singer, being an introvert is finally cool again." [14] The prestigious Village Voice voted "Here" the 18th-best single released in 2015 on their annual year-end critics' poll, Pazz & Jop; the song is tied with Courtney Barnett 's "Depreston". [15]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
Billboard 25 Best Songs of 2015 [16] 6
Complex The Best Songs of 2015 [17] 10
Consequence of Sound Top 50 Songs of 2015 [18] 42
Entertainment Weekly The 40 Best Songs of 2015 [19] 4
Pazz & Jop Single of the Year 2015 [20] 18
Pitchfork The 100 Best Tracks of 2015 [21] 32
PopMatters The 90 Best Songs of 2015 [22] 64
Rolling Stone 50 Best Songs of 2015 [23] 21
Time Out London The 100 Best Songs of 2015 [24] 10

Music video

An official lyric video of the song was released on her YouTube page on May 7, 2015. [25] The official video was directed by Aaron A [26] and was released on her YouTube page on May 26, 2015. The video uses the inspiration of how Cara wrote the song by having her at a party and being the only one moving while the party is frozen in time, [27] while she's next to crowds of girls and guys drinking beer and gossiping. [26] In an interview with Taylor Swift, Cara states the extras at the party are actually people from the original party that was the inspiration for the song, and some of her friends. [28]

The visual effect of the frozen partygoers predated the viral Internet phenomenon Mannequin Challenge.

Track listings

Digital download [29] [30]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Here"
3:19
Total length:3:19
CD single
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Here"
  • Caracciolo
  • Wansel
  • Felder
  • Tillman
  • Hayes
  • S.Gerongco
  • R. Gerongco
  • Lam
  • Pop & Oak
  • Sebastian Kole
  • RP
3:19
2."Seventeen"
  • Pop & Oak
  • Kuya [a]
3:32
Total length:6:51
Digital download - The Remixes [31]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Here (Logic Remix) [feat. Logic]"
  • Caracciolo
  • Wansel
  • Felder
  • Tillman
  • Hayes
  • S.Gerongco
  • R. Gerongco
  • Lam
  • Pop & Oak
  • Sebastian Kole
  • RP
3:19
2."Here (Jaden Smith Remix) [feat. Jaden Smith]"
  • Caracciolo
  • Wansel
  • Felder
  • Tillman
  • Hayes
  • S.Gerongco
  • R. Gerongco
  • Lam
  • Pop & Oak
  • Sebastian Kole
  • RP
3:44
3."Here (Chris Lorenzo Remix)"
  • Caracciolo
  • Wansel
  • Felder
  • Tillman
  • Hayes
  • S.Gerongco
  • R. Gerongco
  • Lam
  • Pop & Oak
  • Sebastian Kole
  • RP
4:54
4."Here (Imanos & Gramercy Remix)"
  • Caracciolo
  • Wansel
  • Felder
  • Tillman
  • Hayes
  • S.Gerongco
  • R. Gerongco
  • Lam
  • Pop & Oak
  • Sebastian Kole
  • RP
3:27
Total length:15:24

2:00 AM version

"Here (2:00 AM version)"
Song by Alessia Cara
from the album Know-It-All (Deluxe edition)
Recorded2015
Length3:45
Label Def Jam
Songwriter(s)

A 2:00 AM version was included in the deluxe edition of the album Know-It-All . [32]

Live performances

On July 29, 2015, Cara made her US television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon performing "Here" with house band The Roots, after host Jimmy Fallon discovered the song online. [33] On October 31, 2015, Cara joined Taylor Swift onstage as a surprise guest at the 1989 World Tour in Tampa, Florida, singing a duet of "Here" for Swift's last US show. [34] On November 20, 2015, Cara sang "Here" live during the closing credits of the NBC live comedy, Undateable . [35]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [77] 2× Platinum140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [78] 2× Platinum120,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [79] 5× Platinum400,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [80] Platinum90,000‡
France (SNEP) [81] Gold100,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [82] Gold200,000‡
Italy (FIMI) [83] Gold25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ) [84] 2× Platinum60,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway) [85] Gold30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV) [86] Gold25,000‡
Portugal (AFP) [87] Gold10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [88] Gold30,000‡
Sweden (GLF) [89] Platinum40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [90] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [91] 5× Platinum5,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, format(s), label(s) and reference(s)
RegionDateFormatVersionLabelRef.
United StatesApril 30, 2015 Digital download Original Def Jam [29]
Canada [30]
United StatesJune 15, 2015 Adult album alternative [92]
July 14, 2015 Top 40 radio [93]
United KingdomAugust 17, 2015 UMG [94]
ItalyOctober 9, 2015 Radio airplay [95]
United StatesOctober 15, 2015 CD single Def Jam [96]
November 9, 2015 Hot adult contemporary [97]
November 13, 2015Digital download2:00 AM version [31]
VariousApril 15, 2016Remixes EP
  • Def Jam
  • UMG
 [98]

References

  1. ↑ "New Songs: Alessia Cara - Here". Cut from Steel. May 4, 2015. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  2. ↑ Zeichner, Naomi (April 27, 2015). "Every Introvert Needs To Hear This Song". The Fader . Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ Trust, Gary (August 13, 2015). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Drake Ties James Brown's Record". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  4. ↑ Trust, Gary (January 25, 2016). "Alessia Cara's 'Here' Completes Record Climb to No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Alessia Cara Says a Plastic Surgery Show Inspired Her Hit Song 'Scars to Your Beautiful'". 15 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Carson, Dan (2015-08-10). "Radar New Act Of The Week – Alessia Cara Is Pop's Latest Superstar In Waiting". NME . Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  7. ↑ Platon, Adelle (2016-05-14). "Sebastian Kole Dishes on Writing for Jennifer Lopez, 'Grey's Anatomy' Success & New His New EP". Billboard . Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  8. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (2015-05-19). "Alessia Cara Speaks Up for the Outsiders on 'Here'". The New York Times . Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  9. ↑ Torres, Eric (April 29, 2015). "Alessia Cara: "Here" Track Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  10. ↑ Martins, Chris (August 28, 2015). "Drake Co-Signed Singer Alessia Cara on Her Rising Fame: 'It's the Coolest Fluke Ever'". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Alessia Cara flips Portishead's 'Glory Box'". 19 May 2015.
  12. ↑ Kawashima, Dale (2017-09-07). "Interview with Oak Felder, Hit Writer/Producer for Alessia Cara, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj And Other Artists". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  13. ↑ "50 Best Songs of 2015". Billboard.com.
  14. ↑ "Billboard 25 Best Songs of 2015: Critics' Picks". Billboard.com.
  15. ↑ "Pazz & Jop Statistics". The Village Voice. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  16. ↑ "25 Best Songs of 2015: Critics' Picks". Billboard . December 17, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  17. ↑ "The Best Songs of 2015". Complex . December 10, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Top 50 Songs of 2015". Consequence of Sound . November 30, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  19. ↑ "The 40 Best Songs of 2015". Entertainment Weekly . December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Single of the Year 2015". Pazz & Jop. January 12, 2016. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  21. ↑ "The 100 Best Tracks of 2015". Pitchfork. December 14, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  22. ↑ "The 90 Best Songs of 2015". PopMatters . January 3, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  23. ↑ "50 Best Songs of 2015". Rolling Stone . December 3, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  24. ↑ "The 100 Best Songs of 2015". Time Out London . December 7, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Alessia Cara - Here (Lyric Video)". YouTube. May 7, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  26. 1 2 Beauchemin, Molly (May 26, 2015). "Alessia Cara Transcends a Party in the "Here" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Alessia Cara - Here (Behind The Scenes)". YouTube. May 26, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Taylor Swift Interviews Alessia Cara #KNOWITALL (Full Interview)". YouTube . 25 November 2015.
  29. 1 2 "iTunes - Music - Here - Single by Alessia Cara". iTunes . April 30, 2015. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  30. 1 2 "Release group "Here" by Alessia Cara - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. April 30, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  31. 1 2 Know-It-All by Alessia Cara, November 30, 2015, retrieved October 1, 2023
  32. ↑ "Know-It-All (Deluxe) by Alessia Cara". iTunes . 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015.
  33. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (July 30, 2015). "Alessia Cara Makes TV Debut Playing 'Here' With the Roots on 'Fallon". Spin . SpinMedia . Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  34. ↑ Swift, Taylor (November 1, 2015). "Sharing a stage with @alessiacara and @idinamenzel was the perfect way to end this amazing chapter. Thanks ladies". Twitter . Twitter, Inc. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  35. ↑ Undateable Writers Room [@UndateableWRoom] (2015-11-20). "The 1 & only @alessiacara prepping to sing with her amazing band on #UndateableLive on @nbc" (Tweet). Retrieved 2018-04-23– via Twitter.
  36. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  45. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 49. týden 2015 in the date selector. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  46. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 50. týden 2015 in the date selector. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  48. ↑ "Top de la semaine" . Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  49. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History". RÚV. RÚV. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  51. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 4, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Top 20 Inglés Del 18 al 24 de Enero, 2016". Monitor Latinoaccessdate=2018-05-02. 2016-01-18.
  53. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  54. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 2016" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  56. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201545 into search. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  57. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201546 into search. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  58. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  59. ↑ "Alessia Cara – Here". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  61. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  62. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  63. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  64. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  65. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  66. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  67. ↑ "Alessia Cara Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  68. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 2 January 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs Year End 2015". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 2 January 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  70. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2016". Billboard . 2 January 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  71. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2016". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  72. ↑ "Adult Pop Songs: Year-End 2016". Billboard . 2 January 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  73. ↑ "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. 16 December 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  74. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  75. ↑ "Pop Songs: Year-End 2016". Billboard . 2 January 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  76. ↑ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. 9 December 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  77. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  78. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  79. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here". Music Canada . Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  80. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  81. ↑ "French single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  82. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alessia Cara; 'Here')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  83. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  84. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here". Radioscope. Retrieved January 5, 2025.Type Here in the "Search:" field.
  85. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  86. ↑ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved June 19, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Here in the search box.
  87. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  88. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  89. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Alessia Cara" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  90. ↑ "British single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  91. ↑ "American single certifications – Alessia Cara – Here". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  92. ↑ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases | ..." All Access . June 15, 2015. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  93. ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates ..." All Access . July 14, 2023. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  94. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 - Playlist". BBC Radio 1 . August 17, 2015. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  95. ↑ "ALESSIA CARA "Here" | (Radio Date: 09/10/2015)". Radio Airplay SRL. October 9, 2015. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  96. ↑ "Grab @AlessiaCara's new album #Here, available exclusively in FYE stores & score $2 off her next album #KnowItAll!". X (formerly Twitter). October 15, 2015. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  97. ↑ "Exclusive Mediabase Analysis From All Access". All Access. November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  98. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Here (The Remixes) - EP by Alessia Cara". iTunes Store. 15 April 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.