Thinkin Bout You (Ciara song)

Last updated
"Thinkin Bout You"
Ciara - Thinkin Bout You.png
Single by Ciara
from the album Beauty Marks
ReleasedMarch 29, 2019 (2019-03-29)
Studio
  • Beauty Marks Studios
  • Space Primates Palace
Genre
Length3:48
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Space Primates
Ciara singles chronology
"Greatest Love"
(2019)
"Thinkin Bout You"
(2019)
"Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels (Remix)"
(2019)
Music video
"Thinkin Bout You" on YouTube

"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ciara, from her seventh studio album Beauty Marks (2019). The song was released on March 29, 2019, as the fifth single from the album. It was distributed to digital download and streaming formats by Beauty Marks Entertainment, Ciara's own record label. The song was written by Ciara, Ester Dean, Marc Sibley, Nathan Cunningham, and produced by Space Primates. The music video for the track was released alongside the single, and was directed by American director Hannah Lux Davis. She worked alongside British stylist Phoebe Lettice Thompson for the visual and it features Ciara dancing around a hotel suite as she gets ready for a date. To promote its release, Ciara has performed the song live at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.

Contents

"Thinkin Bout You" has received positive reviews from music critics. The song's upbeat rhythm has been favoured and branded pop, disco and a homage to 1980's popular music. The single has so far achieved modest success on the US R&B Digital Songs Billboard chart, peaking at number three.

Background

Ciara announced the single on March 28, 2019 via her Twitter account. [3] The song was released the following day on March 29 and it serves as the fifth single from her seventh studio album "Beauty Marks". [4] Ciara started her own record label in 2017 and "Beauty Marks" is named after her label and the first album to have been released on it. [5] "Thinkin Bout You" was distributed to digital download and streaming formats via the label. [4] [3] [6]

The song was written by Ciara, Ester Dean, [7] Marc Sibley and Nathan Cunningham.[ citation needed ] It was produced by Space Primates. [8]

Ciara told Ericka Franklin from The Hollywood Reporter that the song is "retro with a modern twist" and "has a bit of a disco vibe to it." [7] She told Liz Calvario‍ from Entertainment Tonight that "Thinkin Bout You" is about the "special feeling" you have in the early stages of a relationship. [9]

Music video

The music video for the track was teased via the singer's Instagram account on March 29, 2019. [10] It was released alongside the single the following day. It was directed by the American director Hannah Lux Davis. [6] The video features Ciara singing and dancing around a luxury hotel suite as she gets ready for a date. As the video progresses, she is seen taking a bath, dancing on the bed while getting ready and changing into multiple outfits as she dances around the hotel suite. At the end of the video, she decides on a final outfit just as her date arrives at the door. [6] Ciara worked with the British stylist Phoebe Lettice Thompson for the video. She did not have many different styles in the video because the narrative of the video is simply getting ready for a date. Ciara added that she was "very comfortable dancing around in my room and letting go and getting lost in my thoughts." [7]

Glenn Rowley from Billboard called the video a "bubbly clip" which opens like a scene out of the movie Pretty Woman . [6]

Live performances

Ciara performed the song live for the first time at the April 2019 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. [11] Ciara's first live televised performance was at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019. [12] [13] To promote the set Ciara partnered with music identification application Shazam. Viewers who used the application to identify her performance could access exclusive backstage rehearsal footage. [14] The performance was compared to the works of Janet Jackson. [15] [16] On May 15, 2019 Ciara sang the track live on Sirius XM. [17] On May 17, Ciara performed the song on the outdoor stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live! . She wore a red jumpsuit as part of a choreographed set and she was accompanied by the dance group The Lab. [18]

Critical reception

Emily Zemler from Rolling Stone branded it a "buoyant pop song" accompanied by a "hooky chorus and disco-tinged dance floor beat." Zemler interpreted the song as Ciara "reflecting on a missed love connection." [4] Jessica Bennett ( Ebony ) labelled it a "feel-good single". [19] Billboard's Rowley said that "Thinkin Bout You" has a "effervescent" first verse and a "fizzy chorus". [6] Fellow Billboard journalist Carl Lamarre called it an "uptempo bop". [20] In a review posted by GQ the song is described as "a really good pop track is this intangible quality that make you feel sexy and great." [21] It also stated that "it's upbeat in a way that feels genuine" and "it's one part sentimental, and one part feeling herself." The use of pop guitars and synths were compared to those featured on a typical Carly Rae Jepsen song. [21] Chris DeVille writing for Stereogum said that the track is a "peppy Prince-inspired pop song" that sounds similar to Janelle Monáe's song "Make Me Feel" crossed with Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling". [2]

Mike Wass from Idolator said that the song rivalled her previous singles "Level Up" and "Greatest Love" as the best release from "Beauty Marks". He concluded that the song is "a sugary sweet delight that promises great things for the album." [8] Glennisha Morgan from Kiss 95.1 said "the uptempo pop track has a bit of an '80s feel to it." [22] A writer for Mix 93.3 called it a "love song" with a "upbeat but laid back feel." [23] Fox Life's Elena Arrisico said that the "fresh" song has an eighties sound that could make it a commercial success during summer months. [24] Quinn Keaney from PopSugar said that the very danceable record is the kind "you sing embarrassingly loud in the shower." [25] Hugo Gloss said that "Thinkin Bout You" described Ciara's delivery as "soft vocals" to a "dance beat". [26]

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
France Downloads (SNEP) [27] 193
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs ( Billboard ) [28] 20

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mya (singer)</span> American singer and actress (born 1979)

Mya Marie Harrison is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and actress. Classified as a "triple threat entertainer," she was born in Washington D.C. and studied ballet, jazz, and tap dance as a child. Her career began in television as a dance posse member, performing on BET's Teen Summit. She signed with record executive A. Haqq Islam's University Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release her eponymous debut studio album (1998), which lyrically explored romance and coming-of-age scenarios. Met with critical and commercial success, the album was led by her first single, "It's All About Me", which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. Her collaborative singles — "Girls Dem Sugar", "Ghetto Supastar ", and "Take Me There" — were also met with commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara</span> American singer (born 1985)

Ciara Princess Wilson is an American singer, songwriter, businesswoman, dancer, model, and actress. She rose to prominence with her debut studio album, Goodies (2004) and its lead single of the same name, which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Follow-up singles from the album included "1, 2 Step" and "Oh", both of which peaked at number two on the former chart. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received two nominations at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. Ciara also guest featured on the 2005 singles "Lose Control" by Missy Elliott and "Like You" by Bow Wow, both of which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodies (song)</span> 2004 single by Ciara

"Goodies" is the debut single by American singer Ciara featuring hip-hop rapper and Jive recording artist Petey Pablo for her debut studio album of the same name. The song was released as the album's lead single on June 8, 2004, through LaFace Records. It was written by Ciara, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, and Lil Jon the song's producer. The song was recorded as an answer song to the featured performer's hit single, "Freek-a-Leek." The song's lead woman refuses men's sexual advances, proclaiming that they will not get her "goodies" because "they stay in the jar."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's the Way Love Goes (Janet Jackson song)</span> 1993 single by Janet Jackson

"That's the Way Love Goes" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson from her fifth album, janet. (1993). The song was released on April 20, 1993 by Virgin, as the lead single from the Janet album. Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song's themes of romantic lust saw Jackson transitioning to sensual territory, considered a shocking contrast to her previous releases among critics and the public. The song's slow tempo fused R&B, pop, funk and soul music with flourishes of downtempo and hip hop music. It received positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who praised it as "iconic", "hypnotic", and "extravaganza" for its production and vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1, 2 Step</span> 2004 single by Ciara

"1, 2 Step" is a song by American singer Ciara featuring American rapper Missy Elliott. Written alongside producer Jazze Pha, it was released on November 1, 2004 as the second single of the former's debut studio album, Goodies. In the United States. It peaked within the top 10 of the charts in several countries worldwide, including Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song is heavily inspired by 1980s electro music production. Throughout the song, Ciara gives a description of how the song's beat feels as she exhorts party-goers to dance to the music. "1, 2 Step" was ranked 59th on Billboard's Top 100 Songs of the 2000s. In the United States, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh (Ciara song)</span> 2005 song by Ciara

"Oh" is a song by American singer, Ciara who wrote the song with Ludacris, Andre Harris, and Vidal Davis. "Oh" was produced by Harris and Davis, who work as Dre & Vidal. The song was released on March 1, 2005, as the third single from her debut album, Goodies. The downtempo R&B song features hip-hop elements and a heavy bassline, and can be seen as an anthem to her hometown, Atlanta, Georgia. Ciara sings about the many things the city has to offer, while Ludacris raps the third verse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)</span> 2005 single by Missy Elliott

"Lose Control" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott featuring singer Ciara and rapper Fatman Scoop. It was released as the lead single from Elliott's sixth studio album, The Cookbook, on May 23, 2005. It contains samples from Hot Streak's "Body Work" and Cybotron's "Clear". The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number two in New Zealand, and in the top thirty in various countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Up (Ciara song)</span> 2006 single by Ciara

"Get Up" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. Released on July 25, 2006, the song serves as the first single from the original soundtrack to the film Step Up (2006), as well as the lead single for her second album, Ciara: The Evolution. It features American rapper Chamillionaire. The song was written by the singer and rapper with her mentor Jazze Pha, who produced the song. The song is a hip-hop number, accompanied by dance music sounds, while integrating a crunk beat. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who compared it to her previous work, namely "1, 2 Step."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara discography</span> Artist discography

American singer Ciara has released seven studio albums, one extended play, one DVD, one promotional single, 54 singles and 28 music videos, including seven as a featured artist. She made her debut in 2004 with her debut album Goodies which debuted at three in the US and charted within the top 40 in several international markets. The album's title track peaked at number-one in the United States for seven weeks and gave the singer the title of "The First Lady of Crunk&B", while singles "1, 2 Step" and "Oh" reached the top three in the US. All three singles reached the top 10 in many international markets, with "Goodies" topping charts in the UK. Goodies was certified triple-Platinum in the United States, Platinum in Canada, and sold over five million copies worldwide. Ciara also participated in a number of successful collaborations, including US top five hits "Lose Control" with Missy Elliott, and "Like You" with rapper Bow Wow, as well as the US top 10 "So What" with group Field Mob.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciara videography</span>

American singer Ciara has appeared in numerous music videos and films. Her videography includes twenty music videos, six guest appearances in other artists' videos as a featured artist, two guest appearances in other artists videos and three film appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promise (Ciara song)</span> 2006 single by Ciara

"Promise" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara from her second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution (2006). It was written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Polow da Don and Elvis Williams and produced by Polow da Don and Nealante. The song was released as the album's official lead single on October 16, 2006, through LaFace Records. The song was selected as the first single as Ciara wanted to put out a single with a slower pace, noting that her previous releases had been up-tempo. According to Ciara, the song represents the album's theme of evolving and symbolizes her growth as a songwriter and artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like a Boy</span> 2007 single by Ciara

"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution (2006). Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S. and second single in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Was I Thinkin'</span> 2003 single by Dierks Bentley

"What Was I Thinkin'" is the debut single by American country music artist Dierks Bentley, released in April 2003 from his self-titled debut album. The song became his first number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in September 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Ever (Ciara song)</span> 2009 single by Ciara featuring Young Jeezy

"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first single released from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Sex Magic</span> 2009 single by Ciara featuring Justin Timberlake

"Love Sex Magic" is a song by American singer Ciara from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride (2009). Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's and Mike Elizondo. The Y's and Elizondo also produced the track. The song was released as the lead single from Fantasy Ride internationally and was the second single from the album released in the United States, on March 3, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thinkin Bout You (Frank Ocean song)</span> 2012 single by Frank Ocean

"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Channel Orange (2012). The song was written by Ocean and Shea Taylor. Originally to be featured on Bridget Kelly's debut album, Ocean released his demo version of the track for free on his Tumblr account in 2011. In May 2012, the song was officially sent to radio and released on iTunes as a single by Ocean. Kelly released her version of the track entitled "Thinking About Forever" on her debut EP Every Girl released October 19, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Got Me Good (Ciara song)</span> Song recorded by American singer Ciara

"Got Me Good" is a song recorded by American singer Ciara. It was written by Ciara, Olivia Waithe and Rodney Jerkins, who also produced the song. "Got Me Good" premiered alongside its music video on Ciara's birthday, October 25, 2012, and was released as a digital download two weeks later on November 6, 2012. Epic Records serviced the single to rhythmic radio in the United States on November 13, 2012. The song was originally going to impact US contemporary hit radio on November 20, 2012, but was pushed back to December 4, 2012.

<i>Jackie</i> (Ciara album) 2015 studio album by Ciara

Jackie is the sixth studio album by American singer Ciara, and was released on May 1, 2015, through Epic Records. Following her departure from her previous record label, and the release of her self-titled fifth studio album, Ciara embarked on a hiatus in order to focus on her relationship with American rapper Future, which provoked Ciara to start work on her sixth album which was predominantly inspired by her then-fiancé. In May 2014, Ciara gave birth to her first child and shortly thereafter called off the engagement. Following the public break-up, Ciara postponed the album and began to record new music, while concentrating on motherhood.

<i>Beauty Marks</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Ciara

Beauty Marks is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Ciara. It was released on May 10, 2019, through her own independent label, Beauty Marks Entertainment with distribution from Alternative Distribution Alliance. It is her first album since Jackie (2015). The album was preceded by five singles "Level Up", "Freak Me", "Dose", "Greatest Love" and "Thinkin Bout You".

"Jump" is a song by American singer Ciara, featuring American hip hop group Coast Contra. It was released on July 8, 2022, through Ciara's own label Beauty Marks Entertainment, in partnership with Uptown and Republic Records.

References

  1. "Hear Ciara's Upbeat New Single 'Thinkin Bout You'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  2. 1 2 DeVille, Chris (March 29, 2019). "Ciara – "Thinkin Bout You"". Stereogum . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Strauss, Matthew (March 29, 2019). "Ciara Announces New Album Beauty Marks, Shares New Song "Thinkin Bout You"". Pitchfork . Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 Zemler, Emily (March 29, 2019). "Hear Ciara's Upbeat New Single 'Thinkin Bout You'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  5. Crawford, Lauren (April 23, 2019). "Ciara Shares Flawless No-Makeup & Extension-Free Selfie: 'The Real Me'". iHeartRadio . Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Rowley, Glenn (April 1, 2019). "Ciara Preps For Date Night in 'Thinkin Bout You' Video: Watch". Billboard . Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 Franklin, Ericka (March 29, 2019). "Ciara on How She and Husband Russell Wilson Sync Up on Fashion and Fitness". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Wass, Mike (March 29, 2019). "Ciara Is Seriously Lovesick On Slinky New Single, "Thinkin Bout You"". Idolator . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  9. Calvario, Liz (April 10, 2019). "Ciara Shares the Most Important Thing She Does for Her Wellbeing". Entertainment Tonight . Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  10. Samhan, Jamie (March 30, 2019). "Ciara Leaves Nothing To The Imagination In Her Sexy New Video". Entertainment Tonight Canada . Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  11. Testino, Laura (April 26, 2019). "Ciara's Jazz Fest performance was always going to be sunny". The Times-Picayune . Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  12. Lewis, Hilary (April 9, 2019). "Billboard Music Awards: Taylor Swift, Madonna, BTS, Jonas Brothers to Perform". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  13. Crist, Allison (May 1, 2019). "Ciara Makes Television Debut of "Thinkin Bout You" at 2019 Billboard Music Awards". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  14. "#Shazam @ciara's performance right now to get access to exclusive rehearsal footage!!! #ShazamBBMAs #BBMAs". Twitter . Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  15. Domanick, Andrea (May 2, 2019). "BTS and Halsey lead new pop generation at Billboard Music Awards". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  16. "Ciara Performs 'Thinking' Bout You' at 2019 BBMAs: Watch". Vibe . May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  17. "Watch: Ciara Sings Her Latest Single, 'Thinkin Bout You' On SiriusXM". Soundpasta. May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  18. Zemler, Emily (May 17, 2019). "Watch Ciara Perform 'Thinkin Bout You' on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  19. Bennett, Jessica (April 2, 2019). "Ciara Drops Latest Single Ahead of New Album 'Beauty Marks'". Ebony . Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  20. Lamarre, Carl (May 1, 2019). "Ciara Brings the Heat For 'Thinkin Bout You' Performance at BBMAs: Watch". Billboard . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "The 4.5 Songs You Need to Hear Right Now". GQ . April 4, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  22. Morgan, Glennisha (March 29, 2019). "Ciara Releases 'Thinkin Bout You' Single". Kiss 95.1 . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  23. "Ciara Returns With New Single 'Thinkin Bout You'". Mix 93.3 . Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  24. Arrisico, Elena (March 29, 2019). "Thinkin Bout You di Ciara: audio, testo e traduzione". Fox Life (in Italian). Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  25. Keaney, Quinn (May 2, 2019). "I Can Already Tell I Won't Be Able to Stop "Thinkin' Bout" Ciara's Billboards Performance". PopSugar . Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  26. "BBMA 2019: Ciara arrasa em apresentação incrível do novo single "Thinkin Bout You"; vem ver!". Hugo Gloss (in Brazilian Portuguese). May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  27. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 14, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  28. "Ciara Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard . Retrieved April 28, 2019.