Hell n Back
2019 single by Bakar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Hell n Back" is a song by British singer Bakar, released as a single from his EP Will You Be My Yellow? on 15 August 2019 through Black Butter Records.[1] Originally a sleeper hit in the United States in 2020,[2] it charted internationally in 2023.
- Bakar
- Matt Schaefer
- Jake Kosich
- Johnny Koshit
- Andrew Boyd
- Isaiah Barr
- Lee Diamond
| "Hell n Back" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Bakar | ||||
| from the EP Will You Be My Yellow? | ||||
| Released | 15 August 2019 | |||
| Length | 3:33 | |||
| Label | Black Butter | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Bakar singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Hell n Back" on YouTube | ||||
Critical reception
Kitty Empire of The Observer called it a "charming retro love song" as well as "breezy, brass-laden but sprinkled with enough drug references to maintain a respectable edge". Empire also said it "channelled the vintage multicultural London sass of a young Lily Allen" and "its horns and overindulgence spoke of a love for Amy Winehouse".[3]
Commercial performance
Described as a sleeper hit, the song was released as a single in 2019, before charting on the US Billboard alternative charts in 2020. It topped the Adult Alternative Songs chart in July 2020,[4] where it broke the record for the longest climb to number one at 27 weeks.[2] For the chart's 25th anniversary in early 2021,[5] the magazine ranked "Hell n Back" at number 84 on its list of the top 100 most successful songs in the chart's history.[6] It reached the top 10 of the Alternative Airplay chart in October 2020.[7] It was voted in at number 62 on the Triple J Hottest of 2019.[8] It was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in October 2020[9] and silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in October 2021, before achieving platinum status in 2023.[10] The song charted internationally in 2023 and into 2024, reaching the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 in New Zealand.[11][12]
Remix
On 22 September 2023, Bakar released a remix of "Hell n Back" with American singer Summer Walker on his album Halo.[13] Seven months after its release, the remix managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 73 and peaking at 53.[14]
Usage in media
The song was featured in the teaser trailer for the 2023 Pixar film Elemental[15] and the closing credits for the 2024 Paramount film Dear Santa.
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2019–2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | 28 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[17] | 47 |
| Global 200 (Billboard)[18] | 54 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 26 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] | 65 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] | 15 |
| Portugal (AFP)[21] | 156 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] | 80 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] | 92 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 20 |
| UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[24] | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[14] | 53 |
| US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[25] | 18 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[26] | 6 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[27] | 20 |
| US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[28] | 16 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2020) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[29] | 91 |
| Chart (2024) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[32] | 65 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[33] | 4× Platinum | 280,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[34] | 3× Platinum | 240,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[35] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[36] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[37] | 4× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[38] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP)[39] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[10] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[40] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||