Good Time (Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen song) explained

Good Time
Cover:Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen - Good Time.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
Album:The Midsummer Station Kiss
Released:June 26, 2012
Recorded:2010–2012
Studio:Sky Harbor Studios, Owatonna, Minnesota; The Terrarium, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Signalpath Studios, Almonte, Ontario
Length:3:26
Chronology:Owl City
Prev Title:Shooting Star
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Beautiful Times
Next Year:2014

"Good Time" is a song by American electronica project Owl City and Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. It was released on June 26, 2012, as the lead single from Owl City's album The Midsummer Station and was used as the second single from Jepsen's second studio album, Kiss. "Good Time" was written by Matt Thiessen, Brian Lee, and Adam Young of Owl City. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with critics describing it as a "summer anthem".

"Good Time" attained commercial success worldwide, reaching No. 1 in Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea, while peaking inside the top ten in twelve additional countries. The success of the song broke the "one-hit wonder" label for both acts.

Background, writing and release

On June 14, 2012, Adam Young announced that he would be collaborating with Carly Rae Jepsen on a new song, claiming that it would be released on June 26, 2012.[1] On June 20, 2012, he released the single "Good Time" via his SoundCloud account.[2] The song was released on iTunes on June 26, 2012.[3] An acoustic version of the song was released in 2013 on Owl City's The Midsummer Station - Acoustic EP.[4]

"Good Time" was written by Matt Thiessen, Brian Lee, and Adam Young,[5] while production was handled by Emily Wright, Stargate and Young.[6] According to Young, the collaboration happened to be a "happy accident."[7] Young also added, "It was this whole worlds-collide thing, and it was this kind of dream come true... [It was] so kind to lend her talent to this song, so yeah, it worked out."[7] Jepsen recalled, "Actually [I found out about the track] through [my label head] Scooter Braun. He sort of played me the song in one of the first weeks I came down to L.A. to meet him. I heard it and I was just like, 'This is amazing. I would love to sing on this.'"[8]

Critical reception

The song has received positive reviews from critics, including Billboard: "It only makes sense that he's joined by Jepsen...[on] a track that could become a radio staple for the rest of the summer,"[3] and Entertainment Weekly: "'Good Time' goes down easier than a frozen margarita at a beachfront tiki bar."[2] On his site The Re-View, British critic Nick Bassett referred to the song as "an uplifting, out and out pop duet which will most definitely ensure that neither artist has to settle for a 'one hit wonder' tag."[9] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy stated that the track is an "addictively fizzy, sweet treat."[10] Jocelyn Vena of MTV compared the song's lyrics to Katy Perry's, "Last Friday Night" and the Black Eyed Peas', "I Gotta Feeling" for its references to, "sleeping in their clothes after all that partying, staying up all night and generally pledging to have fun."[6] Bill Lamb of About.com stated, "The pair are ultimately very charming and appealing together. It is quite possible they may have another chart-topping pop hit to follow up each of their #1 debut singles." However, he criticized the song by stating, "there is nothing that sounds original here."

Slates Forrest Wickman also called it a "worthy successor" to "Call Me Maybe". He pointed to how "the song opens with a familiar story, and then subverts it, by removing anything that's not squeaky clean." Like Kesha in "TiK ToK," the singer begins the song waking up after a night of hard partying, in his clothes with a song by Prince inside his head. But in contrast, Wickman observes, he's "on the right side of the bed", not hung over, and ready to go out again the next evening. "When a children's choir is tossed in at the end, it's a bit gratuitous, but in this wholesome song why not," he concludes. "'Good Time' is a guilty pleasure, without the guilt."[11] Rolling Stone called the song "mediocre dance pop".[12] Chris Richards of The Washington Post noted that song doesn't get good until Jepsen's verse.[13]

Commercial performance

In the US, the song debuted at number 32 on the US Pop Songs chart and number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week dated July 4, reaching number eight a few weeks after.[14] The song is the second (and, as of 2024, the most recent) to make the top ten on the chart for both artists; Owl City's first top ten single since "Fireflies", and Jepsen's second consecutive one after "Call Me Maybe." It had sold a million copies in the United States by August 29, 2012,[14] and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. It sold 2,249,000 copies in the US by the end of 2012.[15]

It peaked atop the charts in Canada and New Zealand, becoming Owl City's first number one single and Jepsen's second in both countries. The song debuted at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart on August 26, 2012.[16] It rose to number five the following week, becoming Owl City's first top 5 UK hit since 2010's "Fireflies".

Music video

Background

A teaser for the music video was released on June 20, 2012.[17] The music video was directed by Declan Whitebloom and officially premiered via Vevo on July 24.[18] Most of the video was shot at Silver Mine Lake in Harriman State Park in New York and the rest in New York City.[19]

Synopsis

The music video begins with Jepsen waiting by her Fiat 500 in front of an apartment, when her friends then come out and join her. They then drive away from the haze of New York City. As they drive away, the video alternates between shots of Jepsen and Young with his own group in a Mercury Cougar as they drive down a forest road.[20] They eventually meet up at a small cabin-like building and start drinking slushies.[21] As Jepsen's verse starts, she is shown walking through the forest, with other shots of the rest of the group walking and coming to a campground.[20] Once the hook and chorus begin, Young is seen by a lake, along with other shots of Jepsen and the rest of the group. As the sky darkens, they start dancing around a bonfire.[22] The video concludes with shots of the group dancing and partying through the night.[20]

Live performances

Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen performed "Good Time" at America's Got Talent Wild Card results show on August 22, 2012,[23] and the next day on Today.[24] The duo also performed it in New York on August 25, 2012, during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, an event that marks the start of the U.S. Open;[25] The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 28,[26] and Conan on August 29. Jepsen performed "Good Time" with Cody Simpson on Justin Bieber's Believe Tour (selected dates), and with Jared Manierka on her headlining The Summer Kiss Tour.

Lawsuit

In October 2012, Alabama singer and songwriter Allyson Nichole Burnett filed a copyright infringement suit authored by attorney Neville Johnson in a California federal court against Jepsen and Young as well as several publishing companies and performing rights groups. She claimed that Young, Matt Thiessen and Brian Lee copied a prominent motif of her 2010 song, "Ah, It's a Love Song". The lawsuit noted several similarities between the two songs, including an identical pitch sequence (5-3-5-3-2), melodic contour (down, up, down, down), rhythmic construction (8th rest, 8th note, 8th note, 8th note, 8th note, 8th rest, quarter note), and timbre (textless vocals).[27] Burnett also stated that she suffered "emotional and psychological damage" from fans asking why she copied the song.[27]

In January 2014 Jepsen's music publishing company, BMI, reached an agreement with Burnett to place over $800,000 in royalties in an escrow account for the plaintiff's benefit. In return, Burnett agreed to drop her lawsuit.[28] In June 2014 the suit was dropped, after an investigation revealed the song to be an original work. The royalties in escrow were returned to both, with Owl City receiving $525,901.77.[29] [30]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for "Good Time"
YearOrganizationAwardResultRef(s)
2012Vevo Certified Awards100,000,000 Views[31]
Billboard Japan Music AwardsHot Top Airplay of the Year[32] [33]
Digital & Airplay Overseas of the Year
NRJ Music AwardsInternational Group/Duo of the Year[34]

Track listing

Digital download
  1. "Good Time" – 3:26
CD single
  1. "Good Time" – 3:26
  2. "Good Time" (Adam Young Remix) – 3:10
UK digital remixes EP[35]
  1. "Good Time" – 3:26
  2. "Good Time" (Adam Young Remix) – 3:10
  3. "Good Time" (Fred Falke Full Remix) – 6:18
  4. "Good Time" (Wideboys Club Remix) – 5:31

Credits and personnel

Recording[36]
Personnel[36]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[37] 3
Honduras (Honduras Top 50)[38] 41
Italy (FIMI)[39] 27
Latvia (European Hit Radio)[40] 4
Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20)[41] 4
Lithuania (European Hit Radio)[42] 6
Luxembourg (Luxembourg Digital Songs)[43] 2
Mexico (Billboard Ingles Airplay)[44] 12
South Korea (GAON) (International Chart)[45] 1
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[46] 47
Venezuela (Record Report)[47] 88

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)!scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[48] 16
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[49] 67
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[50] 56
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[51] 59
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[52] 30
France (SNEP)[53] 52
Germany (Media Control AG)[54] 66
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[55] 8
Latvia (European Hit Radio)40
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[56] 27
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[57] 68
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[58] 14
South Korea International Chart (GAON)[59] 156
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] 56
UK Singles (OCC)[61] 69
US Billboard Hot 100[62] 38
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[63] 38
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[64] 27
Chart (2013)!scope="col"
Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[65] 35
2015 year-end chart performance for "Good Time"!Chart (2015)!Position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[66] 88

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United States[68] June 26, 2012Digital downloadRepublic Records
Canada[69] 604 Records
Australia[70] Republic Records
New Zealand[71]
Europe[72] [73] [74] [75] [76]
Brazil[77]
GermanyJuly 20, 2012
France[78]
United KingdomAugust 23, 2012
TaiwanSeptember 16, 2012

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Incredibly thrilled to announce that @carlyraejepsen and I will be releasing our new single, "Good Time" on 6/26.. Twitter. https://web.archive.org/web/20140227143206/https://twitter.com/owlcity/status/213409929699135489. February 27, 2014. October 8, 2023.
  2. Hoffa. Meredith. Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City have a 'Good Time' in new collaboration: Hear it here | EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. June 20, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120622125129/http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/06/20/carly-rae-jepsen-owl-city-good-time-single/. June 22, 2012. June 21, 2012.
  3. Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City Team Up for 'Good Time' Summer Anthem: Listen . . Brennan Carley . June 20, 2012 . June 21, 2012.
  4. Web site: Owl City Announce The Midsummer Station Acoustic EP. Alter the Press!. October 8, 2023.
  5. Weekly Chart Notes: Oh, Boy: Owl City, Carly Rae Jepsen Go Top 10. Billboard. Gary Trust. September 2, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  6. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City Stay Up All Night On 'Good Time'. MTV. Jocelyn Vena. June 21, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120623235110/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1687995/carly-rae-jepsen-owl-city-good-time.jhtml. June 23, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  7. Web site: Owl City Calls Carly Rae Jepsen Duet 'A Happy Accident'. https://web.archive.org/web/20231014095019/https://www.mtv.com/news/e8x73h/owl-city-carly-rae-jepsen-duet-good-time. dead. October 14, 2023. MTV. Jocelyn Vena. June 21, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  8. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen Talks 'Amazing' Owl City Duet 'Good Time'. Jocelyn Vena. MTV. June 27, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120630222940/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1688530/carly-rae-jepsen-owl-city-collaboration.jhtml. June 30, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  9. Web site: Owl City Feat. Carly Rae Jepsen: Good Time (New Single). July 1, 2012. November 30, 2012. https://archive.today/20121130110244/http://there-view.tumblr.com/post/25220215778/owl-city-and-carly-rae-jepsen-good-time. dead.
  10. Web site: Owl City ft. Carly Rae Jepsen: 'Good Time' – Single review. Digital Spy. Lewis Corner. August 29, 2012. January 28, 2023.
  11. News: Wickman. Forrest. Carly Rae Jepsen Returns with Another Guiltless Pleasure. Slate. July 24, 2012. July 30, 2012.
  12. Carly Rae Jepsen – Kiss. Jon. Dolan. September 18, 2012. September 29, 2014. Rolling Stone.
  13. News: Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City, 'Good Time': It's trending, but is it good?. The Washington Post. Chris Richards. June 21, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  14. Taylor Swift's 'Never Ever' Fever Persists At No. 1 On Hot 100. August 29, 2012. Billboard. Gary Trust. October 8, 2023.
  15. News: Chart Watch Extra: Top Songs of 2012 . Paul. Grein. Chart Watch. Yahoo Music . January 3, 2013 . January 5, 2013 .
  16. Web site: Official Singles Chart: 25 August 2012 - 31 August 2012. Official Charts Company. October 8, 2023.
  17. Owl City release "Good Time" video teaser. Alternative Press. July 20, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  18. Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City "Good Time" music video. Entertainment Weekly. Erin Strecker. July 24, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  19. Web site: Vena. Jocelyn. Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City Go Camping For 'Good Time' – Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV. July 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120706074918/https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1689029/carly-rae-jepsen-owl-city-good-time.jhtml. July 6, 2012. September 7, 2012.
  20. Watch Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City Have a 'Good Time' in New Video. Billboard. Jason Lipshutz. July 24, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  21. Web site: Owl City, Carly Rae Jepsen 'Good Time' Video Premiere. AOL Music. Caitlin White. July 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120729050032/http://blog.music.aol.com/2012/07/24/owl-city-carly-rae-jepsen-good-time-video-premiere/. July 29, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  22. Web site: Watch: Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen combine for a squeaky-clean Good Time. Uproxx. Katie Hasty. July 24, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  23. Web site: Hilton. Perez. Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City Light Up America's Got Talent With Their Good Times!. PerezHilton.com. August 28, 2012. August 23, 2012. April 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403200628/http://perezhilton.com/2012-08-23-carly-rae-jepsen-owl-city-good-time-video-watch. dead.
  24. Web site: Lee. Christina. Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen Sing 'Good Time' On The 'TODAY' Show. Idolator. August 24, 2012 . August 28, 2012. August 24, 2012.
  25. Web site: Montalvo . Megan . Arthur Ashe Kids' Day – Festivities Kick Off U.S. Open . . August 25, 2012 . August 23, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120906031215/http://www.queenstribune.com/feature/Feature_082312_ArthurAsheKidsDay.html . September 6, 2012 .
  26. Watch Owl City perform "Good Time" with Carly Rae Jepsen on Jay Leno. Alternative Press. August 29, 2012. October 8, 2023.
  27. Gardner, Eriq. Carly Rae Jepsen, Owl City's Adam Young Sued for Alleged 'Good Time' Theft. Billboard. October 30, 2012,. Accessed from November 4, 2012.
  28. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City – Still Waging Battle Over 'Good Time' ... Publishing Co. Releases $800K . TMZ.com . January 31, 2013 . February 1, 2014.
  29. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City – $500K Victory in 'Good Time' Legal War. June 9, 2014. tmz.com. March 23, 2016.
  30. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen | The Canadian Encyclopedia. thecanadianencyclopedia.ca.
  31. Web site: Carly Rae Jepsen Awarded For 100 Million 'Call Me Maybe', 'Good Time' Views. Jeff C. August 7, 2013. March 31, 2023.
  32. News: AKB48, Carly Rae Jepsen Win Big at Billboard Japan Music Awards. December 19, 2012. msn.com. December 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235231/http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=781422&affid=100055. December 30, 2013. dead.
  33. Web site: Winners for 'Billboard JAPAN Music Awards 2012′ announced. December 15, 2012. Tokyohive.com. December 29, 2013.
  34. Web site: NRJ Music Awards 2013 : palmarès et meilleurs moments. January 27, 2013. February 10, 2023.
  35. Web site: iTunes Music – Good Time (Remixes) – EP by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen . iTunes Store . August 31, 2012 . November 5, 2012.
  36. Good Time . . 2012 . liner notes . . 0602537126637.
  37. Owl City Chart History (Euro Digital Songs Sales). Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003175629/https://www.billboard.com/music/Owl-City/chart-history/IDS. October 3, 2021. March 29, 2023.
  38. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20121007003703/http://www.tiempo.hn/fuzion/top-50 . Top 50 . es . October 4, 2012 . October 7, 2012 . Fuzion . . dead .
  39. Web site: 'Good Time' on the FIMI's Database Top of the Music. FIMI.it. August 8, 2018.
  40. Web site: EHR Top 40. https://web.archive.org/web/20131230112815/http://www.europeanhitradio.com:80/topi/EhrOldTop100/2012. December 30, 2013. February 2, 2023.
  41. Web site: The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Owl City (Chart History). The Official Lebanese Top 20. February 19, 2023.
  42. Web site: European Hit Radio Top 40. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009063839/http://www.europeanhitradio.lt/charts/european-hit-radio-top-40. October 9, 2012. February 3, 2023.
  43. Luxembourg Digital Song Billboard September 22, 2012. Billboard. September 22, 2012.
  44. Carly Rae Jepsen Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay. Billboard. November 3, 2012.
  45. Web site: :: 가온차트와 함께하세요 :: . Gaonchart.co.kr . November 5, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121219094524/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon . December 19, 2012 .
  46. Owl City Chart History (Hot Latin Songs). Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003225503/https://www.billboard.com/music/Owl-City/chart-history/HTL. October 3, 2021. March 29, 2023.
  47. Web site: Top 100 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121219091535/http://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/?i=ascenso . es . . R.R. Digital C.A . November 3, 2012 . December 19, 2012 . dead .
  48. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles 2012. aria.com.au.
  49. Web site: Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal. austriancharts.at.
  50. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2012. Ultratop. October 7, 2019.
  51. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2012. Ultratop. October 7, 2019.
  52. Canadian Hot 100 : Year End 2012. . January 6, 2015.
  53. Web site: Classement Singles – année 2012 . . January 6, 2016 . fr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014064915/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2012 . October 14, 2013 .
  54. Web site: Top 100 Singles Jahrescharts 2012 . de . . January 5, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130106044835/http://www.viva.tv/charts/52-top-100-jahrescharts-2012 . January 6, 2013 .
  55. Japan Hot 100 : Year End 2012. Billboard. January 6, 2015.
  56. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012. Dutch Top 40. October 26, 2019.
  57. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2012. MegaCharts. nl. October 7, 2019.
  58. Web site: New Zealand End Of Year Chart 2012. THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART. Recorded Music NZ. December 4, 2016.
  59. Web site: Gaon Year-End Digital Chart 2012. GAON. July 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222063503/http://gaonchart.co.kr/digital_chart/index.php?nationGbn=E&current_year=2012&chart_Time=year. February 22, 2014.
  60. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2012 – hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. October 7, 2019.
  61. Web site: Top 100 Singles of 2012 . . December 31, 2012 . January 5, 2013.
  62. Best of 2012 – Hot 100 Songs. Billboard. December 14, 2012.
  63. Adult Pop Songs – Year End 2012. Billboard. August 31, 2019.
  64. Pop Songs – Year-End 2012. Billboard. August 30, 2019.
  65. Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2013. Billboard. September 1, 2019.
  66. Japan Hot 100 : Year End 2015. Billboard. August 18, 2017.
  67. Billboard Japan Hot Overseas Year-End 2016. Billboard. September 9, 2023.
  68. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/good-time-single/id536592199 iTunes – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  69. https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/good-time-single/id537336287 iTunes Canada – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  70. https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes Australia – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  71. https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes New Zealand – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  72. https://itunes.apple.com/be/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes Belgium – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  73. https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes – Musik – „Good Time – Single“ von Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  74. https://itunes.apple.com/fi/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes Finland – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  75. https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes Ireland – Music – Good Time – Single by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  76. https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes Spain – Música – Good Time – Single de Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  77. https://itunes.apple.com/br/album/good-time-single/id537935412 iTunes – Música – Good Time – Single de Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
  78. https://www.amazon.fr/Good-Time/dp/B008HRVQL0 Good Time: Owl City: Amazon.fr: Téléchargements MP3

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