Attention (Omah Lay and Justin Bieber song) explained

Attention
Cover:Attention Omah Lay.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Omah Lay and Justin Bieber
Album:Boy Alone
Released:4 March 2022
Genre:Afrobeats
Length:3:01
Label:
Producer:
Chronology:Omah Lay
Prev Title:Winter Wonderland / Don't Worry Be Happy
Prev Year:2021

"Attention" is a song by Nigerian singer Omah Lay and Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released through Sire Records and KeyQaad as the second single from Lay's debut studio album, Boy Alone, on 4 March 2022. The song was produced by Avedon and Harv. "Attention" was Lay's first charting song.

Background

Lay was in the studio with producer Harv in Los Angeles, California. When he heard the instrumental, he came up with the lyrics to the song. Harv connected with Bieber on FaceTime and played the song for him. Bieber then sent his vocals to Lay. Lay felt that the best part about collaborating with Bieber "was how easy it was" and he "didn't even expect it to be that simple".[1]

Composition and lyrics

"Attention" is an afrobeats song that is set in the key of F minor with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[2] Bieber opens the song up with the first verse, which sees him use his lower register.[3] [4] Lyrically, the two artists address the loneliness of a one-sided relationship and also wonder if they should use drugs and alcohol to ease the pain.[5] [6]

Release and promotion

The song was released for streaming and download on 4 March 2022.[7] Four days later, it was pushed to radio airplay.[8]

Critical reception

Jon Pareles of The New York Times felt that Bieber's "restrained croon dovetails nicely with the equanimity of Afrobeats singers".[9]

Music video

The official music video for "Attention", directed by Colin Tilley, premiered on Bieber's YouTube channel on 4 March 2022. It sees Lay and Bieber around a bonfire, surrounded by women, in which they dance with them and sing the song.[10]

Credits and personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[11] 17
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[12] 9
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[13] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[14] 13

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Various3 March 2022[15]
Italy4 March 2022Contemporary hit radioWarner[16]
United States8 March 2022[17]

Notes and References

  1. Omah Lay Talks Reuniting With Justin Bieber and Bringing More 'Attention' to Afrobeats Music. Billboard. Mamo. Heran. 4 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  2. Web site: Attention. Stanley. Didia. Omah Lay. Justin. Bieber. Justin Bieber. Vincent. Van den Ende. Avedon (record producer). Bernard. Harvey. Harv. Felisha. King-Harvey. 4 March 2022. Musicnotes.com. 4 March 2022 .
  3. Web site: Watch Omah Lay and Justin Bieber's Video for New Single "Attention". Complex. Blanchet. Brenton. 4 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Omah Lay and Justin Bieber Team Up on 'Attention'. Rap-Up. 3 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  5. Web site: Justin Bieber links with Omah Lay for addictive new track 'Attention'. Lavin. Will. NME. 5 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
  6. Justin Bieber Is In His Afrofusion Bag as He Joins Omah Lay on the Sexy 'Attention'. Rolling Stone. Mier. Tomás. 4 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  7. Web site: Attention - Single by Omah Lay & Justin Bieber on Apple Music. Apple Music. 4 March 2022.
  8. Trust. Gary. gthot20. 1499527381916262406. 3 March 2022. .@Omah_Lay & @justinbieber "Attention" being promoted to pop radio as of Monday, March 7. 4 March 2022.
  9. Web site: The Buzzy Band Wet Leg Trips Out at a Party, and 13 More New Songs. The New York Times. Pareles. Jon. Herrera. Isabelia. Russonello. Giovanni. Zoladz. Lindsay. 4 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  10. Web site: Justin Bieber joins afrobeats artist Omah Lay on "Attention". The Fader. Renshaw. David. 4 March 2022. 4 March 2022.
  11. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas [2022/03/16 公開]]. Billboard Japan. ja. 16 March 2022.
  12. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 14 March 2022. 12 March 2022.
  13. Justin Bieber Chart History (U.S. Afrobeats Songs). Billboard. 29 March 2022.
  14. Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 16 February 2023.
  15. Web site: Attention - Single by Omah Lay & Justin Bieber on Apple Music. Apple Music. 3 March 2022.
  16. Web site: Omah Lay & Justin Bieber "Attention" (Radio Date: 04/03/2022). radiodate.it. it. 6 March 2022.
  17. Web site: Top 40 Mainstream Future Releases. All Access. 4 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220304204333/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. 4 March 2022.