Binibini Explained

Binibini
Cover:Binibini-ZackTabudlo.jpeg
Type:Single
Artist:Zack Tabudlo
Album:Episode
Language:Filipino
Genre:
Label:
Producer:Zack Tabudlo
Prev Title:Elizabeth
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Hindi Ko Kaya
Next Year:2021

"Binibini" is a song by Filipino singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo from his debut studio album, Episode (2021). It was released for streaming on March 26, 2021, via Island Records Philippines and UMG Philippines.[1] Written and produced by Tabudlo, the Tagalog lyrics symbolize love as a dance, and tells of feelings and first times, showing the whole cycle of romance, including heartbreak.

The song was a commercial success, as it made it into the top of local Spotify Philippines charts. It broke the record for the longest-running number 1 local track by a Filipino RADAR artist on the Philippines Top 50 Chart with six weeks, and gained global footing by topping the charts for four consecutive weeks on Global Viral.

A music video was released on April 12, 2021. Later that year, a remix, "Binibini (Last Day On Earth)", was released as a duet with James TW and features rewritten English lyrics.

Composition

"Binibini" is a kundiman tune with a length of 3 minutes and 41 seconds.[2] It features a sound of 1990s alternative rock in the bridge, where it incorporates alternative rock-styled guitar effects and melodies, according to Manilla Bulletin, who believed it accompanies the track's vibe very well.[3] The publication also thought it had a "modern singer-songwriter flair" that created the song's "uniquely arresting sound".

In a press release, Tabudlo revealed that he had written ‘Binibini’ at the peak of a romantic relationship with a former lover. He said "She was the binibini that I would dance with in the middle of the rain, in the middle of a chaos, or whatever’s happening around us.”[4] He likened the song to the mutual connection between two persons romantically swept away with each other, but are “waiting for the right moment to say what they feel.”

Critical reception

Rolling Stone featured the song in its "10 Songs From International Hitmakers You Should Have on Your Radar".[5]

Commercial performance

In 2021, "Binibini" broke the record for the longest-running number 1 local track by a Filipino RADAR artist (an international program for emerging artists) on the Spotify Philippines' Top 50 Chart with six weeks, and gained a global audience by topping the charts for four consecutive weeks on Global Viral. In a few months, it had amassed 18.3 million streams on Spotify.[6] It also entered the Spotify Viral charts of five foreign countries, namely Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.[7] It ended 2021 as Spotify Wrapped's Most Streamed Song in the Philippines.[8]

On February 15, 2022, Billboard launched the Philippines Songs chart as part of its Hits of the World collection, in which "Binibini" debuted at number 13.[9] It then peaked at number 9 on the week dated April 16.[10] "Binibini" charted for 18 weeks in total, making its last appearance on the week ending on June 18, 2022.[11]

Music video

The music video for "Binibini" was directed by Dan Villegas and premiered on April 12, 2021. It stars Seth Fedelin and Andrea Brillantes as a young couple about to break up. Together, they relive the moments they've shared throughout the relationship as time rewinds all the way back to the day they first met. This includes a scene in which the lovers dance in the rain.[12] Throughout the video, Tabudlo performs in heavy rain symbolizing his own experiences with a previous lover.

The music video topped the YouTube Trending charts for several weeks. As of March 21, 2024, the music video has 45 million views on YouTube.

Other versions

"Binibini" has been covered by grentperez and the a cappella group Filharmonic.

James TW version

In April 2021, James TW, known for his hit single “When You Love Someone”, released a cover of "Binibini" on TikTok. Tabudlo then shared the cover, leading to a collaboration between them, as they also shared the same label, Island Records.[13] [14] On June 7, 2021, Tabudlo shared a clip on Twitter of their collaboration.[15] On June 11, "Binibini (Last Day on Earth)" was released, with rewritten English lyrics.[16]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from UMG Philippines.

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Philippines (Billboard)9

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: April 12, 2021 . Zack Tabudlo's 'Binibini' Serenades Us with a Reimagined Kundiman . March 23, 2024 . Manila Bulletin.
  2. Web site: Tabudlo . Zack . Zack Tabudlo . March 13, 2021 . 'Binibini' . March 23, 2024 . Apple Music (US).
  3. Web site: 2021-03-28 . Zack Tabudlo Unleashes His Latest Single "Binibini" . 2024-03-21 . HYPNOTICASIA . en-US.
  4. Web site: Chong . Yoke Ming . 2021-04-13 . Zack Tabudlo releases heartbreaking music video for 'Binibini' . 2024-03-21 . NME . en.
  5. Brown . Ted . 2021-07-28 . Here Are 10 Songs From International Hitmakers You Should Have on Your Radar . 2024-03-21 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  6. Web site: Lifestyle . Manila Standard . 2021-06-05 . Young Pinoys on top: Zack Tabudlo's 'Binibini' breaks record on Spotify . 2024-03-21 . Manila Standard . en-US.
  7. Web site: Biong . Ian . 2021-07-29 . Zack Tabudlo's 'Binibini' featured in Rolling Stone list of int'l hits . 2024-03-21 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  8. Web site: Fernandez . Jenny . 2023-11-30 . All Of Spotify Wrapped's Most Streamed Song In Philippines . 2024-03-21 . billboardphilippines.com . en-US.
  9. Philippines Songs – Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512124423/https://www.billboard.com/charts/philippines-songs-hotw/2022-02-19/ . May 12, 2022 . 2024-03-21 . Billboard.
  10. Philippines Songs – Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20220412091233/https://www.billboard.com/charts/philippines-songs-hotw/2022-04-16/ . 2022-04-12 . 2024-03-21 . Billboard.
  11. Philippines Songs – Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226154234/https://www.billboard.com/charts/philippines-songs-hotw/2022-06-18/ . February 26, 2023 . 2024-03-21 . Billboard.
  12. Web site: November 24, 2021 . Here's the Story Behind That Rain Scene in the Music Video of Zack Tabudlo's Hit 'Binibini' . March 21, 2024 . Esquire.
  13. Web site: 2021-04-21 . WATCH: British singer James TW covers Zack Tabudlo's 'Binibini' . 2024-03-21 . GMA News Online . en.
  14. Web site: Ramos . Rossane . June 23, 2011 . Zack Tabudlo and James TW are a match made on TikTok . 2024-03-21 . Philstar.com.
  15. Web site: 2021-06-07 . Zack Tabudlo teams up with James TW for 'Binibini (Last Day on Earth)' – listen . 2024-03-21 . Zack Tabudlo teams up with James TW for 'Binibini (Last Day on Earth)' – listen Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. . en.
  16. Web site: Chong . Yoke Ming . 2021-06-11 . Zack Tabudlo releases English rewrite of 'Binibini' with James TW . 2024-03-21 . NME . en.