Don't Fight the Feeling (song) explained

Don't Fight the Feeling
Type:single
Artist:Exo
Album:Don't Fight the Feeling
Recorded:2021
Studio:
  • SM LVYIN Studio (Seoul)
  • Studio 21A (Beijing)
  • doobdoob Studio (Seoul)
Genre:Dance-pop[1]
Language:Korean
Length:2:57
Lyricist:Kenzie
Producer:The Aristocrats
Prev Title:Obsession
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Bird -The Best Ver.-
Next Year:2023

"Don't Fight the Feeling" is a song released by South Korean–Chinese boy band Exo on June 7, 2021, as the lead single of their seventh extended play of the same name. The single marked the group's comeback from their two-year hiatus, and the only song to be released as a seven-member group.

Background

After the release of Obsession, and embarking on their fifth world tour in 2019, Exo entered hiatus in the following year and did not release new materials after two of its members, Suho and Chen enlisted for their mandatory military service on May 14, and October 26, respectively.[2] [3] Their previously enlisted members — Xiumin was discharged on December 6, followed by D.O. on January 25, 2021 per the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, and they resumed their activities with the group not long after.[4] [5]

On April 8, the group uploaded a video in which active members – Xiumin, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, D.O, Kai, and Sehun commemorated their ninth anniversary and revealed that they have been preparing for their next release before the enlistments of Chanyeol and Baekhyun.[6] [7] [8] On May 26, Exo released teaser photo on their Twitter account confirming Lay's participation in the upcoming comeback. This marked his first activity with the group since his last appearance in the Chinese version of "Tempo" in 2018.[9] However, Lay was unable to meet up with his bandmates during the album production due to the pandemic.[10]

The single along with its music video was released alongside the album on June 7.[11]

Composition

"Don't Fight the Feeling" is a funky dance-pop song written by Kenzie and produced by The Aristocrats.[11] [12] The lyrics encourage the listeners to believe in themselves and always look for the future when facing difficulty.[13]

Music video

The music video revolves around science fiction themes showing the band dancing in what appears to be the deck of an aircraft carrier before it became a vessel heading to space.[14] During an interview with Zach Sang, Lay said his appearance in the music video was made possible due to CGI because he was unable to meet up with his bandmates during the pandemic.[15]

Critical reception

Writing for NME, Natasha Mulenga praised the song's uplifting theme and its catchy retro beats. However, she argued the song lacked attention-grabbing elements, unlike the band's previous releases, "Monster" (2016) and "Obsession".

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the EP's liner notes.[16]

Studio

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[17] 77
South Korea (Gaon)[18] 15
South Korea (Kpop Hot 100)[19] 57
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[20] 52
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[21] 6

Notes and References

  1. News: EXO head to space in futuristic video for 'Don't Fight The Feeling'. NME. June 7, 2021. March 9, 2024. Abanes. Mariel.
  2. News: EXO Suho Underwent Military Conscription May 14. Voice of Indonesia. May 4, 2020. March 9, 2024. Angelina. Tarida. Noviana. Riki. Jakarta.
  3. News: EXO's Chen to join military. KBS World. October 19, 2020. March 9, 2024.
  4. News: EXO's Xiumin is getting discharged from the military this December. GMA Integrated News. November 24, 2020. March 9, 2024.
  5. News: EXO's D.O. discharged from military. Yeonhap News Agency. Lee. Minji. January 25, 2021. March 9, 2024. Seoul.
  6. Web site: EXO to release album to mark 9th anniversary. The Korea Herald. Hwang. You-mee. April 8, 2021. March 9, 2024. April 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415134912/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210408001140. live.
  7. News: EXO's Chanyeol to begin mandatory military service. March 29, 2021. March 9, 2024. Yeonhap News Agency. Na-young. Kim. Seoul.
  8. News: EXO's Baekhyun to join military next month. Kim. Boram. April 3, 2021. March 9, 2024. Yeonhap News Agency. Seoul.
  9. News: Lay Akan Berpartisipasi dalam Album Comeback EXO. CNN Indonesia. id. Lay Will Participate in EXO's Comeback Album . May 28, 2021. March 9, 2024.
  10. News: 4 Fakta Comeback EXO Don't Fight The Feeling, Partisipasi Mengejutkan Lay. Suara.com. Pramesti. Fitri Asta. Khotimah. Chusnul. id. 4 facts about EXO's comeback Don't Fight The Feeling, Lay's surprising participation. June 7, 2021. March 9, 2024.
  11. News: EXO pecahkan rekor lewat album "Don't Fight the Feeling". ANTARA. June 7, 2021. March 9, 2024. EXO breaks record with "Don't Fight the Feeling" album. id. Zhafira. Arnidhya Nur. Nurcahyani. Ida. Jakarta.
  12. News: EXO head to space in futuristic video for 'Don't Fight The Feeling'. NME. June 7, 2021. March 9, 2024. Abanes. Mariel.
  13. News: Watch: EXO Says "Don't Fight The Feeling" In Energetic Space-Inspired Comeback MV. June 7, 2021. March 9, 2024. Soompi. Kim. U..
  14. News: EXO head to space in futuristic video for 'Don't Fight The Feeling'. NME. June 7, 2021. March 9, 2024. Abanes. Mariel.
  15. Web site: Lay Zhang on Reuniting with EXO. YouTube. November 30, 2022. March 9, 2024. Zach Sang Show Clips. https://web.archive.org/web/20230214132619/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E78TeGaPwgY. February 14, 2023. live.
  16. Don't Fight the Feeling. Exo. 2021. photobook. Credits. South Korea. SM Entertainment, Dreamus.
  17. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 2021/6/21. Billboard Japan. ja. June 24, 2021. June 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210617072552/https://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2021&month=06&day=21. live.
  18. Web site: Digital Chart – Week 24 of 2021. Gaon Chart. ko. June 24, 2021. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205919/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2021&targetTime=25&nationGbn=T. live.
  19. Billboard Kpop Hot 100. Billboard. June 26, 2021. June 24, 2021. June 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624024906/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-korea-100/2021-06-26. live.
  20. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100 . . June 14, 2023.
  21. Exo Chart History: World Digital Song Sales. Billboard. June 24, 2021. November 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181113085728/https://www.billboard.com/music/exo/chart-history/world-digital-song-sales. live.

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