"I Lost a Friend" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Finneas | ||||
from the EP Blood Harmony | ||||
Released | May 3, 2019 | |||
Genre | Electropop | |||
Length | 3:57 | |||
Label | OYOY | |||
Songwriter(s) | Finneas O'Connell | |||
Producer(s) | Finneas | |||
Finneas singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"I Lost a Friend" on YouTube | ||||
Alternative cover | ||||
"I Lost a Friend" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP, Blood Harmony (2019). The song was written and produced solely by Finneas. It was released as the second single from the EP on May 3,2019,through OYOY. An electropop ballad,the song's lyrics address Finneas losing touch with a childhood friend and regretting doing so,as well as wondering why he didn't do anything about it.
The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics,several of whom praised the music and production. An accompanying music video was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on September 30,2019,and was directed by Sam Bennett. In the visual,Finneas wanders around a field as the day turns into night. Finneas performed "I Lost a Friend" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in December 2019. A remix of the song by Marian Hill was released on December 13,2019.
In an interview with WBUR-FM,Finneas explained the song is an autobiographical about a friendship he had that lasted all through high school and had fallen apart. He said,"We were still best friends,and I felt that there was sort of a raw patch [and] some form of resentment or maybe misguided envy. At the time,I wasn't really sure how to deal with that,but I decided that it was probably best to try to write a song about it and not write a song that was vilifying that person in any way or trying to make myself look like the victim." [1]
He continued by saying the song is about losing someone you love for no reason and wondering who or what is to blame. [2] Finneas told Coup de Main that he was nervous putting out "I Lost a Friend" because it was about an old friend with whom he had reunited again. [3] Finneas would explain that he knew his friend going to hear the song,so he sent it to him first to get his opinion. Finneas told his friend:"This is how I was feeling at the time,and I'm glad to have you back in my life." [3] [4]
The song's cover art was created by graphic designer Luke and features a beat-up car in a junkyard. [5] Finneas wrote the song during an afternoon when in his parents' house in the summer of 2018. [2] "I Lost a Friend" was released for digital download and streaming as the second single from Finneas' debut EP Blood Harmony through his record label OYOY on May 3,2019. [6] The track was written and produced by Finneas. [6] A remix by Marian Hill was released on December 13,2019. [7]
Ben Kaye of Consequence of Sound described "I Lost a Friend" as an electropop ballad. [8] "I Lost a Friend" features minimalist instrumentation that consists of bass guitar,piano,drums,layered harmonies,an aggressive beat,and synthesizer. [9] [10] [11]
Finneas later explained the production in an interview with Pitchfork ,saying:"The coolest thing I felt that I found was I had this flute patch that I arpeggiated. [It] sounded kind of percussive ultimately,just in its kind of high end. Having it in this super staccato,randomized,playing a larger scale than it would actually be played on. And that kind of allowed it to build momentum. On the impact of the second chorus,the thing that ended up really making the difference was this sound of [an] RPG going off. That textural sound of all the glass breaking to me is so much more interesting than a crash on a cymbal." [12] He told Rolling Stone the process of writing the song was a "talk-through",which meant he tried to find rhymes after setting up a line. Finneas showcases the process in the pre-chorus:"I know I'll be alright/But I'm not tonight/I'll be lying awake/Counting all the mistakes I've made/Replaying fights." He discussed the pre-chorus further,saying how common it is for him and others to stay awake at night "replaying fights",and also said,"I find that when I'm in an argument and I'm angry,I can't even form a sentence well." [11]
"I Lost a Friend" was met with mainly positive reviews from music critics. Nicole Almeida of Atwood Magazine labeled the track a "slow burning introduction to [Blood Harmony] and an emotional punch that stops you on your tracks". [9] Ben Kaye,writing for Consequence of Sound,called the track "thoughtful" and "heartful". [10] Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone said the track "carries a universal appeal with many fans of the song messaging him about their own friend break-ups in recent months". [11] For NME ,Will Richards was less positive towards the song,saying it "starts as a run-of-the-mill,earnest singer-songwriter tune,but soars towards the end of stabs of distorted bass," comparing "I Lost a Friend" to Billie Eilish's debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep,Where Do We Go? (2019). [13]
Marian Hill's remix was praised by critics. Rania Aniftos of Billboard described it as a "sultry remix" and stated that the remix shifts "the velvety piano melody into a light,airy beat". [7] Claire Shaffer and Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone noted that while the original features a "contemplative piano melody",the remix "opens with his emotive vocals at the fore,which also get some remix manipulations on the harmonies,and the beats and atmospheric touches lightly buoy his refrains". [14]
A music video for "I Lost a Friend" was uploaded to Finneas' YouTube channel on June 25,2019. [15] The video was directed by Sam Bennett and shot in one take in Lancaster,California. [16] In the visual,Finneas wanders drunkenly through a field as the sunset lowers and darkness approaches,wearing a suit and tie. [15] [16] While Finneas continues to across the field,human forms rise and stumble to follow him as he tries to understand what he has done wrong,singing,"How'd the hell I lose a friend I never had?" [16] [17] The visual was met with positive reviews from critics. Rachel Hammermueller of Earmilk commended the visual,saying it has "haunting choreography throughout its one take",noting the choreography for "images that represent the emotion and struggle behind the words of the song itself". [17] Writing for Paste ,Molly Schramm praised the choreography,saying it acts more as a "lyrical dance than a drunken stupor". [16]
Finneas played "I Lost a Friend" on piano for Paste in June 2019. [18] He toured across the United States during October 2019,in support of Blood Harmony. "I Lost a Friend" was one of the tracks Finneas performed from the EP on the tour. [11] That same month,Finneas performed "I Lost a Friend" at the Austin City Limits Music Festival and was backed up by a live band. [19] In December 2019,Finneas performed the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live! . [8] He performed while sat at a keyboard,with the stage being covered in blue as neon lights showcased an empty apartment set. [20] in hushed vocals,and briefly wandered off the stage during the performance before returning to the keyboard. [20]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [21] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
"Bellyache" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP,Don't Smile at Me (2017). The song was released as the EP's second single on February 24,2017,through Darkroom and Interscope Records. It was written by Eilish and Finneas O'Connell,with production being handled by the latter. A midtempo electropop,R&B,and alternative hip hop song,it has hip hop,deep house and Latin macabre influences. Lyrically,the song is written from the perspective of a psychopathic murderer. A remix by Marian Hill was released on May 5,2017. The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics,several of whom praised the production and lyrics.
"Ocean Eyes" is a single by American singer Billie Eilish and was released as the lead single from her debut EP,Don't Smile at Me,and the soundtrack album to the film Everything,Everything (2017). The song was written and produced by Eilish's older brother,Finneas O'Connell,and was originally written for his band. Finneas gave the song to Eilish for her dance performance after realizing the song suited her vocals. It was originally released on SoundCloud on November 18,2015,but was later re-released commercially on November 18,2016,as a single through Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell is an American singer and songwriter. She first gained public attention in 2015 with her debut single "Ocean Eyes",written and produced by her brother Finneas O'Connell,with whom she collaborates on music and live shows. In 2017,she released her debut extended play (EP),titled Don't Smile at Me. Commercially successful,it reached the top 15 of record charts in numerous countries,including the US,UK,Canada,and Australia.
"Watch" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP Don't Smile at Me (2017). Written and produced by Eilish's brother Finneas O'Connell,the song was released for digital download and streaming through Darkroom and Interscope Records on June 29,2017,as the third single from the EP.
"Copycat" is a song recorded by American singer Billie Eilish. It was released by Darkroom and Interscope Records as the fourth single from Eilish's debut studio EP,Don't Smile at Me (2017). Eilish and her brother,Finneas O'Connell,co-wrote the song,with the latter solely handling the production. Musically an electronica and pop track with a hip hop-influenced instrumentation,the song was heavily inspired by someone who kept on copying Eilish and what she did.
Finneas Baird O'Connell,also known mononymously as Finneas,is an American singer-songwriter,record producer,and actor. He has written and produced music for various artists,most notably his sister,Billie Eilish. He has won eight Grammy Awards among 13 total nominations,including nominations for the Big Four categories. He has made history as the youngest act to win the Producer of the Year,Non-Classical category. For his work with Eilish,he has won Record of the Year twice in a row,Album of the Year,Song of the Year,Best Pop Vocal Album,and Best Engineered Album,Non-Classical. He was also nominated for Best New Artist for his solo work. Their song "No Time to Die" from the film of the same name earned him an Academy Award,a Golden Globe and another Grammy.
"When the Party's Over" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and the second single from her debut studio album,When We All Fall Asleep,Where Do We Go? (2019). It was released on October 17,2018,through Darkroom and Interscope Records. It was written and produced by Finneas O'Connell.
"Idontwannabeyouanymore" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP,Don't Smile at Me (2017). Eilish and her brother,Finneas O'Connell,co-wrote the song,with the latter solely handling the production. It was released through Darkroom and Interscope Records on July 21,2017,as the fifth single from the EP. Musically,the song is pop and R&B track with a jazz and neo soul-influenced melody,that was heavily inspired by Eilish being depressed.
"My Boy" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish. It was released by Darkroom and Interscope Records as the sixth single from Eilish's debut extended play (EP),Don't Smile at Me (2017). Eilish and her brother,Finneas O'Connell,co-wrote the song,with the latter solely handling the production. A pop track with jazz-influenced instrumentation,the song was heavily inspired by boys who broke Eilish's heart.
"Bury a Friend" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish and the third single from her debut studio album,When We All Fall Asleep,Where Do We Go? (2019). It was released on January 30,2019,and serviced to US alternative radio stations on February 19,2019,through Darkroom and Interscope Records. The song was described as synth-pop,electronica,electropop and industrial in press reviews,for which hip hop beats,percussion,and a synthesizer provide minimalist instrumentation. Within the dark and violent lyrics,Eilish sings from the perspective of a monster under someone's bed. Her vocals are subtle and treated with layers of vocal effects. Eilish wrote the song with its producer,Finneas O'Connell.
American singer,songwriter,record producer,and composer Finneas O'Connell has released one studio album,two soundtracks,one extended play and 25 singles. The singer began his career after he wrote and produced Billie Eilish's song "Ocean Eyes". Finneas and Eilish uploaded "Ocean Eyes" to SoundCloud in November 2015,and it became an instant hit.
Blood Harmony is the debut extended play by American singer-songwriter Finneas. It was released by his record label OYOY,distributed by AWAL,on October 4,2019. All of the material on the EP was produced and written by Finneas.
"Let's Fall in Love for the Night" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut extended play (EP),Blood Harmony (2019). It was released by OYOY as the lead single from the EP on October 19,2018. A pop track,the song's lyrics are about a boy dreaming about being with a girl he has never met and wanting to be with her in another world. In August 2020,Finneas released a different version of the track,titled "Let's Fall in Love for the Night (1964)",on the deluxe version of the EP,on August 7,2020. Music critics have compared it to the work of Frank Sinatra.
"Shelter" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP,Blood Harmony (2019). The song was released by OYOY as the third single from the EP on August 22,2019. Finneas had heard that Avicii was looking for songs to produce. Afterwards,he wrote the song and sent it to Avicii's team. Lyrically,the song is about a lover that brings Finneas peace,but also trouble.
"Everything I Wanted" is a song by American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish,and co-written by Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell,who also produced it. Darkroom and Interscope Records released the track as a standalone single on November 13,2019,and later added it to the deluxe edition of Eilish's debut studio album When We All Fall Asleep,Where Do We Go? (2019) in December that year. It is a house and electronica-influenced pop and alternative pop track with minimal piano and downtempo bass guitar instrumentation. Inspired by a nightmare she experienced,the song is about Eilish's strong relationship with O'Connell and his protectiveness of her from harm.
"Six Feet Under" is the debut single by American singer Billie Eilish. It was first released through SoundCloud on June 23,2016. It was later re-released on November 17,2016,by Darkroom and Interscope Records. Finneas O'Connell,Eilish's brother,solely wrote and produced the track. The track is described as a "somber" and "delicate" pop ballad. Commercially,it was certified platinum by Music Canada (MC).
"Hostage" is a song by American singer Billie Eilish from her debut EP,Don't Smile at Me (2017). The singer and her brother Finneas O'Connell co-wrote the song,while the latter solely handled production. The song is a stripped-down pop track. Lyrically,it is about the intense love and an overwhelming desire to possess that Eilish feels for her romantic partner.
"Break My Heart Again" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas. It was released by OYOY for digital download and streaming as a single on February 9,2018. The song was later included on the deluxe edition of Finneas' debut EP,Blood Harmony (2019). An indie pop ballad,the song's lyrics address Finneas breaking up with his girlfriend through on and off texting. The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics,several of whom praised the music and lyrical content.
"I Don't Miss You at All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Finneas from his debut EP,Blood Harmony (2019). It was released by OYOY as the fourth and final single from the EP on September 20,2019. The dark pop track was written and produced by Finneas himself. The song received mainly positive reviews from music critics,several of whom praised the music and lyrical content. During his October 2019 United States tour,the singer performed the song. He also sang it on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and during a livestream for Verizon Communications.