Never Be Like You
2016 single by Flume
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Never Be Like You" is a song by Australian musician Flume, co-written by and featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Kai. It was released on 16 January 2016, by Future Classic, as the lead single of Flume's second studio album, Skin (2016). A remix by Disclosure was released on 4 March 2016, and a remix EP was released on 25 March 2016.[1][2][3]
_(Official_Single_Cover)_by_Flume.png)
| "Never Be Like You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by Flume featuring Kai | ||||
| from the album Skin | ||||
| Released | 16 January 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:54 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Flume singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Kai singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Never Be like You" on YouTube | ||||
The song debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Singles Chart, later reaching number one and becoming Flume's first song to top the chart. The song also charted in Belgium, France, the United States and New Zealand, where it reached number two on the RMNZ Singles Chart.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2016, the song won Best Pop Release, and was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Video. The song received a nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 2017 Grammy Awards.[4] On 26 January 2017, the song was voted number one on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2016.[5]
Background
In a press release, Flume said, "kai and I were sending ideas back and forth online, then met up in New York and went into the studio. We laid down some chords and started an idea but weren't feeling inspired. So we went out into the night for a few hours and when we returned, it all started to come together."[6]
Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from critics.
Harley Brown of Spin said that "Diplo‑endorsed artist kai provides sumptuous and sterling vocals over sparkling half‑time drops, like an instrumental B‑side from [Justin Timberlake's 2006 album] FutureSex LoveSounds" and that "The new R&B look is a good one for Flume".[7]
Billboard said "The song features Canadian chanteuse kai, smoothly balancing chilled out trap effects with spacey ambient noise and future bass elements, going hard and soft at once – a duality expressed in the lyrics as well, with kai begging forgiveness while asserting right to just be herself".[8]
Rolling Stone named "Never Be like You" one of the 30 best songs of the first half of 2016: "The pop realization of the twisted techno mutations of cutting-edge acts like Flying Lotus, Rustie and Arca. "Never Be like You" skulks like Justin Timberlake's "My Love" caught in a parade of sparking, stuttering robotics."[9]
In 2025, the song placed 26 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.[10]
Track listings
Digital download[11]
- "Never Be Like You" – 3:54
Digital download (Disclosure remix)[12]
- "Never Be Like You" (Disclosure remix) – 6:11
Digital download (EP)[13]
- "Never Be Like You" – 3:54
- "Never Be Like You" (Disclosure remix) – 6:11
- "Never Be Like You" (Wave Racer remix) – 3:28
- "Never Be Like You" (Teengirl Fantasy remix) – 4:22
Digital download (Martin Solveig remix)[14]
- "Never Be Like You" (Martin Solveig remix) – 4:44
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[56] | 7× Platinum | 490,000‡ |
| Belgium (BRMA)[57] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[58] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[59] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[60] Martin Solveig remix |
Diamond | 333,333‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[61] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[62] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[63] | 6× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[64] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[65] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||