Missing U (song)
2018 single by Robyn
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"Missing U" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn, released on 1 August 2018 as the lead single from her eighth studio album, Honey (2018).[2] It serves as her first solo single in eight years.[3] The song premiered on Annie Mac's show on BBC Radio 1.[4] The single was preceded by a seven-minute short video used to promote the single.[5]
Background
"Missing U" is Robyn's first solo release since her triple album Body Talk (2010).[6] Robyn released several collaborative EPs including Do It Again (2014) and Love Is Free (2015).[6] Robyn also had an appearance on the HBO series Girls soundtrack with the song "Honey" before work on her eighth studio album began.[7]
The demo for the song was created by Robyn in mid-2014 on her laptop along with a LinnDrum machine and a software synth.[8] She noted that the lyrics for the song took two years to complete before finishing them with producers Joseph Mount and Klas Åhlund.[8]
Composition
"Missing U" is a synth-pop[9] and disco[3] song about when people disappear as well as the singer's relationship with her fans.[10][11] The chorus is backed by bubbling synths,[12] while the rest of the song contains a minimal drum beat and grandiose synth loops.[13] The song is considered a departure from Robyn's previous work, lacking the climax that her previous songs had, instead taking on a more demo-like quality.[10] The song was written and produced by Robyn, Klas Åhlund, and Joseph Mount.[14]
Critical reception
The song was critically lauded upon release.[15] Amanda Arnold, writing for The Cut, called the song "characteristically dance-y and synth-based and impossible to get out of your head once it's there." She also compared the song favourably to Robyn's previous singles "Dancing on My Own" and "Call Your Girlfriend".[16] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic wrote that "Robyn holds back just enough to describe something too difficult, or too ephemeral, to deal with otherwise."[17]
Track listings
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Missing U" | 4:51 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Missing U" (Weiss Remix Edit) | 4:02 |
| 2. | "Missing U" (Weiss Remix) | 7:13 |
| 3. | "Missing U" (Weiss Dub) | 5:25 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Missing U" (Silk City & Picard Brothers Remix Edit) | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Missing U" (Silk City & Picard Brothers Remix) | 5:27 |
Credits and personnel
- Robin Carlsson – vocals, composition, co-production
- Joseph Mount – composition, production, bass guitar, synthesizer programming
- Klas Åhlund – composition, production, programming
- John Hanes – mix engineering, studio personnel
- Randy Merrill – master engineering, studio personnel
- Serban Ghenea – mixing, studio personnel
Charts
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[22] | 36 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[23] | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[24] | 29 |
| Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[25] | 3 |
| Belgium Dance (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] | 20 |
| Iceland (RÚV)[27] | 4 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[28] | 77 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[29] | 21 |
| Norwegian Digital Songs (Billboard)[30] | 6 |
| Scotland Singles (Official Charts)[31] | 35 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[32] | 13 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts)[33] | 87 |
| UK Dance (Official Charts)[34] | 15 |
| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[35] | 18 |