Celebrate (Ingrid Michaelson song) explained

Celebrate
Type:single
Artist:Ingrid Michaelson
Album:It Doesn't Have to Make Sense
Length:3:29
Label:
Producer:
  • Cason Cooley
  • Katie Herzig
Chronology:Ingrid Michaelson
Prev Title:Light Me Up
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:The Lotto
Next Year:2016

"Celebrate" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson from her sixth studio album, It Doesn't Have to Make Sense (2016). It was released as a promotional single for the album on August 18, 2016.

Background

Ingrid Michaelson wrote a majority of It Doesn't Have to Make Sense (2016) while taking inspiration from the loss of her mother, giving the album a dark tone. To contrast this feeling, Michaelson began writing the chorus of "Celebrate", stating in an interview "how can you not be happy when you're singing the word 'celebrate?'"[1] During live performances, she would detail her interactions with Jimmy Clark that are described within the song before performing it.[2]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]

AJR version

Celebrate (feat. AJR)
Cover:Celebrate Ingrid Michaelson AJR Single.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Ingrid Michaelson featuring AJR
Album:Alter Egos
Length:3:17
Label:
Producer:
  • Cason Cooley
  • Katie Herzig
  • Ryan Met

On May 8, 2017, a version of the song featuring American indie pop band AJR was released as the only single for Michaelson's Alter Egos, an EP of five re-recorded tracks featuring new artists. A music video for the song featuring both groups was later released on June 13, 2017.

Background

In support of It Doesn't Have to Make Sense, Michaelson toured in 2016 while featuring AJR as an opening act.[4] During the development of Alter Egos, Michaelson recalled the experience as fun and picked AJR as a remixer.[5] The band added various instruments to the song with lead singer Jack Met additionally re-recording the second verse.[4] Their remix of "Celebrate" is the only song on the EP to feature elements of the original song, with other collaborators re-recording all portions of the song.[6]

Music video

An official video directed by Andrew Elvis Miller was released on June 13, 2017.[7] The video features Michaelson and various dancers in medieval themed clothing and large powdered wigs inspired by Hamilton, using modern objects while in solid black and white backgrounds.[4] AJR later appears in the same attire, with band member Adam carrying a bass guitar and Ryan carrying a sample machine.[8] The song's video was filmed at YouTube Space in New York City, with choreography done by Stacey Tookey.[9]

Commercial performance

AJR's success with their 2016 single "Weak" commercially boosted their remix of "Celebrate",[10] out-performing Michaelson's original song and other remixes appearing on Alter Egos. The remix tipped on the Ultratop 50 Flanders, contributing to the EP reaching number 13 on Billboards Independent Albums and number 96 on Billboards Top Album Sales chart.[11] [12]

Charts

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Manders. Hayden. Ingrid Michaelson's New Song Is A Reason To "Celebrate". Nylon. en. August 18, 2016. February 14, 2024.
  2. Web site: Wellen. Lily. Milwaukee Fell in Love with Ingrid Michaelson at The Pabst. Breaking & Entering. en. October 14, 2016. March 20, 2024.
  3. Web site: Credits / It Doesn't Have To Make Sense / Ingrid Michaelson . August 26, 2016 . . February 14, 2024.
  4. Web site: Tan. Emily. AJR Move From Opening Act to The Headliner on 'The Click'. PopCrush. en. August 31, 2017. March 20, 2024.
  5. Web site: Tan. Emily. Ingrid Michaelson Is Still Figuring It Out. PopCrush. en. June 21, 2017. March 20, 2024.
  6. Web site: LeDonne. Rob. Ingrid Michaelson On Her Collaborative New EP 'Alter Egos' & Upcoming Projects. Billboard. en. May 12, 2017. March 20, 2024.
  7. Web site: Secret Road. Ingrid Michaelson Releases Music Video For "Celebrate (Feat. AJR)". Secret Road. en. June 22, 2017. February 14, 2024.
  8. Web site: AM 570 LA Sports. Ingrid Michaelson Hosts A Royal Dance Party In 'Celebrate' Video. iHeartRadio. en. June 13, 2017. February 14, 2024.
  9. Web site: Macon's BIN 1670. Ingrid Michaelson Hosts A Royal Dance Party In 'Celebrate' Video'. Black Information Network. en. June 13, 2017. March 20, 2024.
  10. Web site: BMI. Indie Spotlight: AJR. BMI. en. May 5, 2017. March 20, 2024.
  11. Ingrid Michaelson Chart History - Independent Albums. Billboard. March 20, 2024.
  12. Ingrid Michaelson Chart History - Top Album Sales. Billboard. March 20, 2024.