"Torn" | ||||
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Single by Ava Max | ||||
from the album Heaven & Hell | ||||
B-side | "Salt" | |||
Released | August 19, 2019 | |||
Studio | A Studios, West Hollywood, California | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:18 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Cirkut | |||
Ava Max singles chronology | ||||
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Alternate cover | ||||
![]() CD single cover | ||||
Music video | ||||
"Torn" on YouTube |
"Torn" is a song by American singer Ava Max,released on August 19,2019,through Atlantic Records as the third single from her debut studio album, Heaven &Hell (2020). The song was written by Max,Madison Love,James Lavigne,Thomas Eriksen,Sam Martin,and the producer Cirkut. It is a dance and pop song with lyrics describing the internal struggle between wanting to stay and leave in a relationship. "Torn" charted in the top 10 in Poland,the Netherlands,Slovakia,and Slovenia. The song was certified double platinum in Poland and was certified gold in five countries.
An accompanying music video was directed by Korean-American director Joseph Kahn and released on August 27,2019. The superhero-themed video was filmed in Milan for four days. Max portrayed dual identities;a regular woman and a superhero,as she sought revenge on her boyfriend. Max performed "Torn" as a medley in the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards shows,and at the 2019 Jingle Bell Ball.
Max teased "Torn" in the caption of a video posted on Instagram,asking her fans if they knew the name of the song she was about to release. A pre-order link for "Torn" was discovered,with Max subsequently sharing the cover art and a snippet of the song. [1] "Torn" was released on August 19,2019. [2] It was written by Max,Madison Love,James Lavigne,Thomas Eriksen,Sam Martin,and the producer Cirkut. [3] The song was recorded in Virginia Beach, [4] and West Hollywood,California in A Studios. [3]
"Torn" is a dance [5] and pop [6] song,which uses elements of disco. [5] [6] The lyrics describe the internal struggle of wanting to leave while also wanting to stay with a lover, [5] which Max stated that the song "explores the struggle" between "love and hate". [2]
Shaad D'Souza of The Fader compared "Torn" to the discography of ABBA. [7] Writing for Us Weekly ,Nicholas Hautman noted that it "subtly sample[d]" the group's 1979 song "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)". [8] Max responded to the comparisons by stating that she listened to ABBA and Ace of Base during her childhood,and wanted to "add a little disco flair in there". [9] The song was included on Vogue's Best Songs of 2019 listicle,where writer Christian Allaire stated that it "earworms its way into my head at least once a day". [10]
In Poland,"Torn" peaked at number three on the Polish Airplay Top 100 chart dated November 16,2019, [11] and was certified double platinum by the Polish Airplay Top 100 (ZPAV) for track-equivalent sales of 40,000 units in the country. [12] The song reached number three in the Netherlands, [13] number four in Slovakia, [14] and number nine in Slovenia. [15] On the Scottish Singles Chart issued September 6,2019,"Torn" bowed at number 18, [16] while the song peaked at number 87 on the UK Singles Chart dated September 13,2019,where it remained for two weeks. [17] "Torn" was certified gold in Austria, [18] Brazil, [19] France, [20] Italy, [21] and Switzerland. [22]
The Joseph Kahn-directed music video was shot in Milan for four days from June to August 2019,and was released on August 27,2019. [23] It has been considered to be "superhero-themed". [24] Madeline Roth of MTV News described Max's character as a "woman scorned" who "goes undercover as a hero who kicks the shit out of some masked villains —including her shady boyfriend". Roth described the secret identity of Max's character as someone who "endur[ed] a venomous relationship" and survived a betrayal to "fight back". Max explained the process of creating the concept of the video,stating that she perceived the visuals while recording the song and knew exactly what she wanted. [25] She approached Kahn with the idea of creating two personas for an ordinary woman named 'Amanda',and a superhero named 'Ava Max'. [26] Max jokingly asked him to allow her to become a superhero,with the knowledge that it was difficult to accomplish. However,Kahn responded that he "always wanted to do that". [25]
Max performed her own stunts,spending the morning in the second day of the shoot practicing before shooting the video at 1:00am. [26] She is seen wearing various pieces of clothing from Trussardi,including archive items from the Eighties and Nineties,such as glittery pumps with the 'T' logo on the heel,a leather trench coat and a messenger bag with Trussardi's greyhound logo as the closure. Max stated that she "wanted something uniquely Italian with a rich history that was fashion-forward yet elegant. Trussardi was the only option". [27] A model of the Fiat Panda customized by Trussardi is briefly featured in the music video,which a portion was used in commercials. [28] [29] As of March 2023,the video has over 100 million views on YouTube. [30]
The video begins with a worn-out book opening the page to Chapter One. A brunette woman named Amanda (portrayed by Ava Max) is seen arguing with her boyfriend across the dining table,as he storms out to his car and drives off in the rain. Amanda then transforms into her superhero costume inside the mansion,consisting of a red cape,silver pants and signature blonde hair,half cut on her right side. In Chapter Two,several masked thugs commit a store robbery and make their getaway in a red sports car. Amanda confronts them in the middle of the highway and proceeds to overpower them,as comic-style text appears after each blow. Back at the mansion,news of the incident is broadcast,as her boyfriend watches on the couch. Back in her brunette hair,Amanda furiously scrubs the dishes as sparks appear from her hands,eventually cracking them in half.
The next scene starts with Amanda's boyfriend getting out of the car with another girl. Amanda is seen walking the dog out,as she cuts the seat belt from the same car. She emerges in a masked ball while wearing a half-mask,and encounters her boyfriend wearing a domino mask. The two walk out to the balcony,where the two embrace,as flashback scenes quickly play out from the beginning of the video. However,her boyfriend pushes her off the balcony,as Amanda falls into the ocean. Multiple jump cuts occur between scenes of Amanda plunging in the ocean,and laying inside a bath tub back in the mansion. Chapter Three depicts Amanda flying out of the ocean floor and back into her boyfriend's sight,as she proceeds to electrocute him by punching him in the mouth. The video ends with brunette Amanda walking out of the mansion with her boyfriend on the couch,as the book lands on the 'Fin' page before finally closing.
Max gave her first televised performance of "Torn" on the pre-show at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards in a medley with "Sweet but Psycho". [7] During the performance,Max and the dancers appeared in silver costumes and gladiator boots,as they performed a choreographed dance with vocal runs. [31] While appearing on the red carpet at the same event,she wore a shiny superhero costume with a red cape attached, [32] which served as a tease for the music video released the next day. [25] Max performed "Torn" and "Sweet but Psycho" at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards,where she wore a red gown while performing on a white runway,which was described by Joe Lynch of Billboard as using "minimalist imagery to maximum effect". [33] At the 2019 Jingle Bell Ball,Max performed "Torn" in a medley with "So Am I" and "Sweet but Psycho", [34] performing with other artists such as The Script,Rita Ora,Regard and Mabel. [35]
Digital download / streaming [36]
Digital download / streaming – Kream remix [37]
Digital download / streaming – Hook n Sling remix [38]
Digital download / streaming – Cirkut DJ mix [39]
Digital download / streaming – Adryiano remix [40]
| Streaming [41]
|
Credits adapted from the German CD single. [3]
Publishing and recording locations
Personnel
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Austria (IFPI Austria) [18] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [19] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
France (SNEP) [20] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [21] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [12] | 2× Platinum | 40,000‡ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [22] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 19, 2019 | Original | Atlantic | [36] | |
Italy | August 30, 2019 | Radio airplay | Warner | [63] | |
Various | September 5, 2019 |
| KREAM remix | [37] | |
September 12, 2019 | Hook N Sling remix | [38] | |||
September 26, 2019 | Cirkut DJ mix | [39] | |||
October 10, 2019 | Adryiano remix | [40] | |||
Germany | January 10, 2020 | CD single | Original | Atlantic | [3] |
"Domino" is a song by British singer and songwriter Jessie J from her debut studio album, Who You Are (2011). The song was released on 29 August 2011 as the fifth single from the album. Musically, "Domino" is an electropop and dance-pop song. Jessie J co-wrote "Domino" with its producers, Dr. Luke and Cirkut, with extra writing from Claude Kelly and Max Martin.
Amanda Ava Koci, known professionally as Ava Max, is an American singer and songwriter. She signed with Atlantic Records in 2016, through which she released her breakthrough single, "Sweet but Psycho", in August 2018. The song peaked at number one in 22 countries and reached number two and number 10 on the Australian ARIA Charts and US Billboard Hot 100, respectively.
"Sweet but Psycho" is the debut single by American singer Ava Max, released on August 17, 2018, through Atlantic Records. It was later included on her debut studio album Heaven & Hell (2020). The song was written by Max, Madison Love, Tix, Cook Classics, and the producer Cirkut. "Sweet but Psycho" is a pop, dance-pop, electropop, and synth-pop song with lyrics about the perception of a young woman. The song's title was inspired by frequent interactions between Max and her parents. It received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who praised its upbeat sound and catchy chorus, but criticized its formulaic production.
American singer Ava Max has released two studio albums, one extended play, 28 singles, 15 promotional singles and 24 music videos, as well as 4 visualizer music videos. In 2008, Max released an independent extended play on her Myspace profile titled Amanda Kay. She released "Take Away the Pain" under the stage name Ava in 2013, which was later produced by the Canadian duo Project 46 in 2015.
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"Boyfriend" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande and American musical duo Social House. It was released by Republic Records on August 2, 2019. It is the second single from the latter's debut extended play, Everything Changed... (2019). It became Grande's 14th and Social House's first top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became the first song by a woman, and third overall, to top the Rolling Stone Top 100 Songs chart, achieving it in its debut week. It won the MTV Video Music Award for Song of Summer, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
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"Who's Laughing Now" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released on July 30, 2020, through Atlantic Records as the sixth single from her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell (2020). The song was written by Max, Madison Love, Måns Wredenberg, Noonie Bao, and producers Cirkut and Lotus IV. It is a dance-pop song with lyrics about a girl being gaslighted, and continues from Max's 2018 song "Sweet but Psycho". "Who's Laughing Now" reached number one in Poland, and charted in the top ten in eight countries. An accompanying music video was directed by Isaac Rentz and depicts Max seeking revenge on her boss and cheating boyfriend.
Heaven & Hell is the debut studio album by American singer Ava Max. It was released by Atlantic Records on September 18, 2020. Max recorded the album from December 2018 to March 2020, where she collaborated with composers including Cirkut, RedOne, Charlie Puth, and Bonnie McKee. Musically, Heaven & Hell is a pop, dance-pop, and electropop record split into two sides; the former contains anthemic sounds, while the latter incorporates darker melodies.
"Naked" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released through Atlantic Records on September 18, 2020, as the only promotional single from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell (2020). The song was written by Max, Bonnie McKee, Eden xo, Parrish Warrington, Diederik van Elsas and Cirkut, while produced by Cirkut and Trackside. It is a pop, dance-pop, electropop, and synth-pop song containing synthesizers and bass guitar. The lyrics depict the perception of Max's internalized emotions being emphasized past her physical appearance.
"OMG What's Happening" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released through Atlantic Records as the seventh single from her debut studio album, Heaven & Hell (2020). It was released September 3, 2020. The disco-funk and disco-pop song was written by Max, Roland Spreckley, Henri Antero Salonen, Sorana Păcurar, Cirkut and Jason Gill, and produced by the latter two writers alongside Hank Solo. A music video was released on October 29, 2020, which was directed by American music video director Hannah Lux Davis. It depicts Max racing against other drivers in muscle cars.
"My Head & My Heart" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released on November 19, 2020, through Atlantic Records, as the eighth and final single from Max's debut studio album, Heaven & Hell (2020). The song was included on the digital re-release version of the album. The dance and pop anthem was written by Max, Madison Love, Aleksey Potekhin, Sergey Zhukov, Tia Scola, Earwulf, and Cirkut, with production handled by the latter two producers and Jonas Blue.
"EveryTime I Cry" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released on June 8, 2021, through Atlantic Records. The house and electropop song was written by Max, Caroline Pennell, Lauren Aquilina, and producers Cirkut and Sean Myer. It consists of a piano with synthesizers, and lyrics describing the effect of women's empowerment during difficult situations. "EveryTime I Cry" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the upbeat production. The song peaked at number seven in Poland and at number 99 in the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video was directed by Max and Charlotte Rutherford and depicts the singer on the desert which transforms into a lush landscape with her tears. It was compared to previous music videos by TLC and Shakira.
"The Motto" is a song by Dutch disc jockey Tiësto and American singer and songwriter Ava Max from the former's seventh studio album, Drive (2023). The song was written by the artists, Claudia Valentina, Pablo Bowman, Sarah Blanchard, and Lostboy, who produced it with the DJ. It was released as the third single from the album for digital download and streaming in various countries by Atlantic and Musical Freedom on 4 November 2021. "The Motto" is a fusion of dance, EDM, and pop, showcasing empowering lyrics that emphasize "doing you, having a good time and letting the world know". Upon its release, the release of the song was well received by music critics, who praised the music and production of the song, the collaborative effort between the artists, and the vocal delivery of Max. At the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards, the song received a nomination in the category for the Best Collaboration.
"Maybe You're the Problem" is a song by American singer and songwriter Ava Max from her second studio album, Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023). The song was written by Max, Abraham Dertner, Cirkut, Jonas Jeberg, Marcus Lomax and Sean Douglas, and produced by Cirkut, Dertner and Jeberg. It was released as the lead single from the album for digital download and streaming by Atlantic in various countries on April 28, 2022. Blending dance, dance-pop, dance-rock, pop and synth-pop music, the song depicts Max's ex as a toxic individual unwilling to accept any form of commitment placing blame on others while absolving himself. Upon release, it garnered a positive reception from music critics for its music, lyrics and Max's vocal rendition, with various critics highlighting it as a standout on the album.
"Million Dollar Baby" is a song by American singer and songwriter Ava Max from her second studio album, Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023). The song was written by Max, Jessica Agombar, Cirkut, Lostboy, Michael Pollack, Casey Smith, David Stewart and Diane Warren, and produced by Cirkut, Lostboy and Stewart. It was released as the second single from the album for digital download and streaming by Atlantic in various countries on September 1, 2022. Drawing inspirations from the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, the upbeat eurodance and pop song interpolates LeAnn Rimes' song "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (2000). Titled in reference to Million Dollar Baby (2004), it delivers a message of empowerment that acts as a personal affirmation of Max's self-worth. Upon release, it received a positive reception from music critics for its music, lyrics and Max's vocal rendition as well as its adept use of the interpolation.
"Dancing's Done" is a song by American singer and songwriter Ava Max from her second studio album, Diamonds & Dancefloors (2023). The song was written by Max, Burns, Pablo Bowman, Cirkut, Lostboy and Sean Douglas, and produced by Burns and Lostboy. It was released as the fourth single from the album for digital download and streaming by Atlantic in various countries on December 20, 2022. A dark-inspired 1980s dance-pop, disco and eurodance song, the song navigates through the theme of seeking a connection with an individual desiring shared moments.
a disco-infused dance track
the disco-tinged pop track