Feels (song)
2017 single by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean
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"Feels" is a song by the Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris featuring the American musicians Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean. It was released on 15 June 2017 through Columbia Records as the fourth single from Harris's fifth album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017). Starrah assisted the artists in writing the song.[1][2]
- God's Eyes Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Glenwood Plce Studios (Burbank, California)
- Westlake Recording Studios (West Hollywood, California)
- Mobile Trap Studios
| "Feels" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean | ||||
| from the album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 | ||||
| Released | 15 June 2017 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Calvin Harris | |||
| Calvin Harris singles chronology | ||||
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| Pharrell Williams singles chronology | ||||
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| Katy Perry singles chronology | ||||
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| Big Sean singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Feels" on YouTube | ||||
"Feels" peaked at number one in Belgium, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Lebanon, Poland, and the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, it charted within the top ten in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Slovakia, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland as well as the top 20 in Italy, Sweden and the United States. Emil Nava directed two music videos for the song, which respectively premiered in June and August 2017.
Background and release
During 2011, Harris was planned to open for Katy Perry in the latter's California Dreams Tour. When he cancelled his appearance on the tour, it caused a disagreement between the two. According to her, they eventually "bumped into each other" during a Vanity Fair Oscar party. Harris then said that he had a song Perry should "check out". She later agreed and collaborated in the song.[3][4] Other than Perry, Pharrell Williams and Big Sean collaborated in the song.[5] Starrah helped write the song;[3] the song was produced by Harris himself.[6] Harris announced his fifth album, titled Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 on 9 May 2017.[7] On 14 June, Harris revealed that he would release the fourth single from the album, titled "Feels". The post included the single's cover art and credits.[8] The song was released on 15 June, before the album's release date on 30 June.[9]
Composition
"Feels" is a disco-funk[10] and ska[11] song containing elements of dancehall, hip-hop and electronica.[12] The bassline and chord progression of the song bear resemblance to "Let's Groove" (1981) by Earth, Wind & Fire; its authors, Maurice White and Wayne Vaughn, were later acknowledged in the song's credits.[13]
Critical reception
Andy Cush of Spin called the song "a little flimsy" while also noting that "the groove is unimpeachable" and that "It has a skillful melange of sounds from the mid-70s apex of analog recording, the era of disco and yacht rock: a warm and rounded bassline, some Nile Rodgers-style guitar, a slick descending line on Fender Rhodes."[14] Rolling Stone's Elia Leight said that the song is "a simple, lighthearted loop, which combines punctual ska guitar, a playful keyboard line and charming squeaks that recall a cartoon character's slip on a banana peel."[15] Brent Faulkner from The Musical Hype said the song is undercooked, leaving more to be desired, adding that it's "the type of record that is pleasing more because of the sound than the lyricism."[16] Erin Van Der Meer from Grazia said the song was so "right this minute" that it "almost feels forced."[17]
Krystal Rodriguez of Vice reported that the song was "primed for summertime play" and "yet another contender for song of the summer." Rodriguez further said that the song had a "laidback beat" perfect for pool parties and sitting beneath the sun.[18] Saeed Saeed of The National said that "Feels" was the highlight of the album, further stating that it had Pharrell Williams' strongest vocal performance since "Blurred Lines".[19]
Commercial performance
In the US, "Feels" debuted at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached a peak of 20, making it Harris' eighth top 20 hit, as well as Perry's eighteenth. It spent eighteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. "Feels" peaked at number five on the Canadian charts, giving Perry her eighteenth top ten in the country. In Harris' native United Kingdom, "Feels" topped the UK Singles Chart, making it Harris' eighth, Williams' fourth, Perry's fifth, and Sean's first chart-topping single on the chart. Across the world, and especially in Europe, the song met a widespread acclaim, reaching the summit in Wallonia, Croatia, Iceland and Israel. It also reached the top ten in Finland, Czech Republic, Austria, The Netherlands, Slovenia and France, among others, top twenty in Sweden, Italy, Colombia and Guatemala, top thirty in Spain and Philippines and top forty in Japan.[20]
Music videos
The song's accompanying music video was uploaded to Harris' Vevo channel on YouTube on 26 June 2017. The clip was directed by Emil Nava.[21] In the video, Harris, Williams, Perry and Big Sean lounge around on a desert island in tropical-themed attire. Perry is seen frolicking in the grass, Williams in a boat, and Big Sean in the beachside.[22][23] A second video, also directed by Nava, followed two months later. It features all four artists as a band playing the track in front of a live audience and receiving applause for their performance.[24]
Accolades
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTV Video Music Awards | 2017 | Best Collaboration | Nominated | [25] |
| NRJ Music Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated | [26] | |
| The Official Number One Awards[a] | Number One Single | Won | [28] | |
| The Official Vodafone Big Top 40 Number One Awards[b] | Number One Award | Won | [30] | |
| Won | ||||
| Planeta Awards | Best Hip-hop/R&B Song of the Year | Won | [31] | |
| Vevo Certified Awards | Vevo Certified Award | Won | [21] | |
| Brit Awards | 2018 | British Single of the Year | Nominated | [32] |
| British Video of the Year | Eliminated | |||
| Spotify Awards | 2023 | Billion-Play Award[c] | Won | [34] |
Listicles
Track listings
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Feels" (featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean) | 3:43 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the song's liner notes.[8][39]
- Calvin Harris – composition, production, mixing, Ibanez 1200 Bass, Linn LinnDrum, 1976 Yamaha Ux Ebony Piano, Gibson SG Custom, 1965 Fender Stratocaster, Wurlitzer electric piano, claps
- Pharrell Williams – vocals, composition
- Katy Perry – vocals, composition
- Big Sean – vocals, composition
- Brittany Hazzard – composition
- Mike Larson – recording
- Marcos Tovar – recording
- Gregg Rominiecki – recording
- Jacob Dennis – recording assistance
- Iain Findlay – recording assistance
- Dave Kutch – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts |
Monthly charts
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[164] | 6× Platinum | 420,000‡ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[165] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| Belgium (BRMA)[166] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[167] | Diamond | 250,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[168] | 6× Platinum | 480,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[169] | 2× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[170] | Diamond | 233,333‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[171] | Platinum | 400,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[172] | 2× Platinum | 100,000‡ |
| Mexico (AMPROFON)[173] | 4× Platinum+Gold | 270,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[174] | 5× Platinum | 150,000‡ |
| Norway (IFPI Norway)[175] | 4× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[176] | 3× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[177] | Platinum | 10,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae)[178] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[179] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[180] | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[181] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Sweden (GLF)[182] | 3× Platinum | 24,000,000† |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 15 June 2017 | Digital download | [8][39] | |
| Italy | 16 June 2017 | Radio airplay | Sony | [183] |
| United States | 20 June 2017 | Contemporary hit radio | Columbia | [184] |
Notes
- The Number One Award for singles was first introduced by the Official Charts Company (OCC) in December 2011, followed by the introduction of the Number One Award for albums in 2015.[27]
- The Official Vodafone Big Top 40 Number One Awards were introduced in 2009 and are given to artists who top the Big Top 40 chart. They are awarded for each week they spend at number one.[29]