Brazil (Declan McKenna song) explained

Brazil
Cover:BrazilDeclanMcKenna.png
Type:single
Artist:Declan McKenna
Album:What Do You Think About the Car?
B-Side:Basic
Released:4 December 2015
Recorded:2014
Genre:Indie rock
Length:4:12
Label:Self-released
Producer:Max Marlow
Next Title:Paracetamol
Next Year:2016

"Brazil" is the debut single by English singer, songwriter, and musician Declan McKenna. Written by McKenna and produced by Max Marlow, it was released as the lead single from McKenna's debut studio album, What Do You Think About the Car? on 4 December 2015.

Critical reception

After putting just one song on his Bandcamp page, around forty managers heard of the song and rushed to his next gig to try to sign him. The song was written about the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the dismal poverty in the country and the corruption surrounding Sepp Blatter and other FIFA officials.[1] BBC News called the song an extraordinarily mature song for a 16-year-old songwriter.[2] Matt Wilkinson at NME called it "one of the best songs" of 2015, he said, "This bright’n’breezy Hertfordshire teen's first track 'Brazil' was one of the best songs of last year, recalling Jamie T right at the start of his career and being easily the finest song to ever be written about corruption in football."[3]

The song went viral on TikTok in May 2022, resulting in "Brazil" reaching new highest peaks in the charts in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[4]

Live performances

On 25 May 2016, McKenna performed the song live on the late-night talk show Conan, which was shown on TBS.[5] He performed the song live at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2017 on the BBC Introducing Stage.[6]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "Brazil" was first released onto YouTube on 2 December 2014. The music video was directed by Dan Stokes.[7]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[8]

Charts

2022 chart performance for "Brazil"! Chart (2022)! Peak
position

Release history

Release history and formats for "Brazil"! Region! Date! Format! Label
Various4 December 2015Digital downloadColumbia Records

Notes and References

  1. News: Glastonbury Festival competition winner Declan McKenna is one to watch. Welch. Andy. 12 December 2015. Bristol Post. 6 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20151220113233/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Glastonbury-Festival-competition-winner-Declan/story-28341626-detail/story.html. 20 December 2015.
  2. Web site: New Talent at Glastonbury. BBC News. 6 April 2020.
  3. Web site: New Music Of The Day: Declan McKenna - Paracetamol. NME. 22 November 2015. 6 April 2020.
  4. Web site: IRMA – Irish Charts. Irish Recorded Music Association. 28 May 2022.
  5. Web site: Declan McKenna "Brazil" 05/25/16 - CONAN on TBS. YouTube. 26 May 2016. 6 April 2020.
  6. Web site: Declan McKenna - Brazil (Radio 1's Big Weekend 2017). YouTube. 27 May 2017. 6 April 2020.
  7. Web site: Declan McKenna - Brazil. YouTube. 2 December 2014. 6 April 2020.
  8. Web site: Credits / Brazil / Declan McKenna – TIDAL. Tidal. 6 April 2020.
  9. Web site: Japan Hot 100 Chart August 17, 2017. Billboard Japan. Japanese. 6 April 2020.