Heart Wants What It Wants Explained
Heart Wants What It Wants |
Cover: | Bebe Rexha - Heart Wants What It Wants.png |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Bebe Rexha |
Album: | Bebe |
Released: | February 17, 2023 |
Genre: |
|
Length: | 3:02 |
Label: | Warner |
Producer: | Ido Zmishlany |
Chronology: | Bebe Rexha |
Prev Title: | I'm Good (Blue) |
Prev Year: | 2022 |
Next Title: | Call On Me |
Next Year: | 2023 |
"Heart Wants What It Wants" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bebe Rexha from her third studio album Bebe (2023). It was written by Rexha, Bonnie McKee, Ido Zmishlany, Jussi Karvinen, Liana Banks, Ray Goren, Ryan Williamson and Sarah Solovay, with the production completed by Zmishlany. The song was released as the lead single from the album for digital download and streaming in various countries by Warner on February 17, 2023. It has been described as 1970s disco, funk and pop song that discovers the emotion of when you fall out of love. Upon release, the song garnered positive reviews from music critics for its music, lyrics as well as Rexha's vocal delivery. Commercially, it reached number 10 in Bulgaria and number 21 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart as well as the top 40 on the US Billboard Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 rankings. The 1970s-themed music video premiered on Rexha's YouTube channel on February 17 that showcases her performing in a retro-described setting with behind-the-scenes process of the shoot.
Background and composition
On February 8, 2023, Rexha announced her third studio album Bebe (2023) and its lead single "Heart Wants What It Wants" at a listening event in Los Angeles.[1] The song follows the earlier release of "I'm Good (Blue)", a collaborative effort with French disc jockey David Guetta that enjoyed international success.[1] [2] It was written by Rexha, Bonnie McKee, Ido Zmishlany, Jussi Karvinen, Liana Banks, Ray Goren, Ryan Williamson and Sarah Solovay, with the production completed by Zmishlany.[3] With a length of three minutes and two seconds, the song was released for digital download and streaming in various countries by Warner on February 17, 2023.[4]
"Heart Wants What It Wants" has been described as a 1970s disco, funk and pop song, incorporating a dance-pop beat.[5] [6] [7] The song discovers the emotion of when "you fall out of love" as well as themes of empowerment and self-love.[8] [9] During the lyrics, Rexha aims to make it clear to her significant other that she cannot guarantee to love him eternally, having previously believed that her ex was her one true love until her heart decided otherwise.[5] Two remixes, which were done by MK and Nicky Romero, accompanied the single's release in March 2023.[10] [11]
Reception
Upon release, "Heart Wants What It Wants" received positive reviews from music critics. According to George Griffiths from the Official Charts Company, the song is as a "breakout hit" that serves as a "perfect lead-in" to Rexha's third studio album and engages in the "soundscape of the 1970s."[6] Eryn Murphy for Euphoria characterized the song as an original creation and the best preview of the album and responded positively to Rexha's "unmistakable" vocal performance that "elevates the disco-pop feel" of the song.[9] Alex Gonzalez of Uproxx highlighted Rexha's "breezy, pop" vocals and the song's "groovy, disco-inspired" sound that is ready to "hit the dancefloor."[12] Jennifer Machin from Hypebae complimented the song for its catchiness and Rexha for delivering "some serious disco dance vibes."[13] Janet Mfumuzingi for Chérie FM designated the song as a "bold and addictive" title and commented that it showcases a "mature and fulfilled" side of Rexha.[14] Jordi Bardají of Jenesaispop likened the song to British-American band Fleetwood Mac's single "Landslide" (1975) and noted that it "isn't quite as good" as the latter but "gracefully ushers us" into the new era of Rexha.[15]
Commercially, "Heart Wants What It Wants" charted at number 10 in Bulgaria, number 18 in Lebanon, number 38 in Hungary, number 61 in Croatia and number 62 in Poland. The song also peaked in the top 30 on the New Zealand Hot Singles, the US Billboard Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 rankings, and reached the top 50 on the Canadian CHR/Top 40 and Hot AC charts.
Music video
To accompany the release, a 1970s and retro-themed music video for "Heart Wants What It Wants" was uploaded to Rexha's official YouTube channel on February 17, 2023.[8] [14] [16] The video was directed by Michael Haussman of Echobend Pictures and aims to display the techniques used in filming production in the past by utilizing vintage filming equipment.[16] [17] It begins with a close-up shot of a rotating vinyl record that displays the song's title, before shifting to Rexha positioned behind a van.[16] As a film crew emerges from the vehicle, they follow Rexha through a wooded area until they arrive at a retro-described setting that is equipped with filming and microphone equipment.[8] There, Rexha changes her outfit and performs the song, interlacing glimpses of the behind-the-scenes process of the video shoot.[16] Later on, she is joined by a male dancer as the song progresses. The video ends with a scene showcasing Rexha on a dancefloor in a darker setting with flashing lights behind her surrounded by a dancing crew creating a festive atmosphere.[12] [16] The prequel to the music video of "Heart Wants What It Wants" premiered to the platform on March 6, showcasing the proceedings of the video with Rexha performing to the song both inside and next to the van.[18] [19]
Track listing
- Digital download and streaming
- "Heart Wants What It Wants"3:02
- Digital download and streamingRemixes[10] [11]
- "Heart Wants What It Wants" (MK Remix)3:40
- "Heart Wants What It Wants" (Nicky Romero Remix)4:13
Charts
Release history
Notes and References
- Aniftos . Rania . . Bebe Rexha Teases Dolly Parton & Snoop Dogg Collaborations at Album Listening Party . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321141715/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/bebe-rexha-dolly-parton-snoop-dogg-collaborations-album-listening-party-1235251502/ . March 21, 2023 . February 9, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Lane . Lexi . . Bebe Rexha Is In Her Self-Reliant Era On Her New Danceable Single 'Call On Me' . August 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331040504/https://uproxx.com/pop/bebe-rexha-call-on-me/ . March 31, 2023 . March 31, 2023 . live.
- Web site: . Heart Wants What It WantsSong by Bebe Rexha . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153705/https://open.spotify.com/album/2UaBO1EDivXwUZengjvRBG . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live. Note: Click on the three dots on the right of the track to display the credits.
- Blistein . Jon . . Bebe Rexha's New Album Is Coming Out Soon . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321141545/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bebe-rexha-new-album-bebe-release-date-1234697528/ . March 21, 2023 . March 15, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Songtexte . Bebe Rexha mit 'Heart Wants What It Wants' . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219200207/https://www.songtexte.com/news/bebe-rexha-mit-heart-wants-what-it-wants . February 19, 2023 . de . February 18, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Griffiths . George . . Bebe Rexha on disco-banger Heart Wants What It Wants, first UK Number 1 single: 'You can't count any song out!' . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311022953/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/bebe-rexha-on-disco-banger-heart-wants-what-it-wants-first-uk-number-1-single-you-can-t-count-any-song-out-__38714/ . March 11, 2023 . March 7, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Major . Michael . . Bebe Rexha Begins New Era With 'Heart Wants What It Wants' . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217153037/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Bebe-Rexha-Begins-New-Era-With-Heart-Wants-What-It-Wants-20230217 . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Mier . Tomás . Rolling Stone . Bebe Rexha Adds a Seventies Flair to Her Pop Perfection on 'Heart Wants What It Wants' . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219200345/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bebe-rexha-heart-wants-what-it-wants-watch-1234682262/ . February 19, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Murphy . Eryn . Euphoria . Bebe RexhaHeart Wants What It Wants . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321141012/https://www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2023/02/music/tracks-bebe-rexha-heart-wants-what-it-wants/ . March 21, 2023 . February 21, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Apple Music . Heart Wants What It Wants (MK Remix)Single by Bebe Rexha . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316152737/https://music.apple.com/us/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-mk-remix-single/1675892236 . March 16, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Apple Music . Heart Wants What It Wants (Nicky Romero Remix)Single by Bebe Rexha . March 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331145929/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-nicky-romero-remix-single/1678066726 . March 31, 2023 . March 24, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Gonzalez . Alex . . Bebe Rexha Gets Her Groove Back As She Channels Pop Icons In A New Video For 'Heart Wants What It Wants' . 19 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319135513/https://uproxx.com/pop/bebe-rexha-heart-wants-what-it-wants-video/ . 19 March 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Machin . Jennifer . February 17, 2023 . Bebe Rexha Offers 70's Disco Vibes in the New Music Video for 'Heart Wants What It Wants' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319140513/https://hypebae.com/2023/2/bebe-rexha-announces-single-heart-wants-what-it-wants-music . 19 March 2023 . 19 March 2023 . Hypebae.
- Web site: Mfumuzingi . Janet . . Le coup de cœur du club Chérie du jour: 'Heart Wants What It Wants' de Bebe Rexha . 19 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230319141951/https://www.cheriefm.fr/actus/musique/le-coup-de-coeur-du-club-cherie-du-jour-heart-wants-what-it-wants-de-bebe-rexha-71439627 . 19 March 2023 . fr . 2 March 2023 . live.
- Web site: Bardají . Jordi . . Bebe Rexha busca su 'Flowers'… en Fleetwood Mac y Madonna . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321133753/https://jenesaispop.com/2023/02/21/450673/bebe-rexha-heart/ . March 21, 2023 . es . February 21, 2023 . live.
- News: . . Bebe RexhaHeart Wants What It Wants Official Music Video . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217152646/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrGhXL9zCPQ . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Stone . Megan . . Bebe Rexha wants you to dance to new song 'Heart Wants What It Wants' . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321150250/https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/bebe-rexha-wants-you-dance-new-song-heart-wants-what-it-wants . March 21, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- News: Bebe Rexha . YouTube . Bebe RexhaHeart Wants What It Wants The Prequel . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321143531/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux6jZZVybqg . March 21, 2023 . March 6, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Mazzuco . Amauri . Papel Pop . Bebe Rexha divulga o prequel do clipe de 'Heart Wants What It Wants'; assista . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230308131906/https://www.papelpop.com/2023/03/bebe-rexha-divulga-o-prequel-do-clipe-de-heart-wants-what-it-wants-assista/ . March 8, 2023 . pt-br . March 7, 2023 . live.
- Web site: . Charts: 17 March 2023 . November 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317142505/https://www.prophon.org/en/charts/10-mar-2023 . March 17, 2023 . March 10, 2023 . live.
- Web site: . Arc 100: Miley Cyrus na vrhu, P!nk s dvije pjesme u Top 10 . March 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230303202123/https://radio.hrt.hr/drugi-program/glazba/arc-100-miley-cyrus-na-vrhu-p-nk-s-dvije-pjesme-u-top-10-10639712 . March 3, 2023 . hr . February 28, 2022 . live.
- Web site: EHR Top 40 Datums: 19.05.2023. lv. European Hit Radio. 19 May 2023. 19 May 2023.
- Web site: . Bebe Rexha: Chart History . March 31, 2023 . https://archive.today/20230331151349/http://www.olt20.com/Bebe_Rexha_%23fragment-2&panel1-3 . March 31, 2023 . live.
- Web site: . Dutch Single Tip 04/03/2023 . March 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321131214/https://dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=st&date=20230304&year=2023 . March 21, 2023 . nl . live.
- Web site: . NZ Hot Singles Chart . March 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230321131241/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5524 . March 21, 2023 . March 20, 2023 . live.
- Web site: . OLiSoficjalna lista airplay . April 17, 2023 . pl . Select week 08.04.2023–14.04.2023..
- Citations regarding the release of "Heart Wants What It Wants" by Bebe Rexha in various selected countries:
- Web site: Apple Music (Australia) . Heart Wants What It WantsSingle by Bebe Rexha . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217151304/https://music.apple.com/au/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-single/1671027707 . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Apple Music (Canada) . Heart Wants What It WantsSingle by Bebe Rexha . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217151409/https://music.apple.com/ca/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-single/1671027707 . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Apple Music (Kosovo) . Heart Wants What It WantsSingle by Bebe Rexha . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217151507/https://music.apple.com/xk/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-single/1671027707 . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Apple Music (United Kingdom) . Heart Wants What It WantsSingle by Bebe Rexha . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217151554/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-single/1671027707 . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: Apple Music (United States) . Heart Wants What It WantsSingle by Bebe Rexha . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217151748/https://music.apple.com/us/album/heart-wants-what-it-wants-single/1671027707 . February 17, 2023 . February 17, 2023 . live.
- Web site: . Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases . February 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230217152147/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases . February 17, 2023 . dead.
- Web site: . Top 40/M Future Releases . February 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230224145628/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases . February 24, 2023 . dead.