Hell n Back explained

Hell n Back
Cover:Bakar - Hell n Back.png
Type:single
Artist:Bakar
Ep:Will You Be My Yellow?
Length:3:33
Label:Black Butter
Producer:
  • Jake the Snake
  • Beach Noise
Prev Title:Chill
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:1st Time
Next Year:2020

"Hell n Back" is a song by British singer Bakar, released as a single from his EP Will You Be My Yellow? on 15 August 2019 through Black Butter Records.[1] Originally a sleeper hit in the United States in 2020,[2] it charted internationally in 2023.

Critical reception

Kitty Empire of The Observer called it a "charming retro love song" as well as "breezy, brass-laden but sprinkled with enough drug references to maintain a respectable edge". Empire also said it "channelled the vintage multicultural London sass of a young Lily Allen" and "its horns and overindulgence spoke of a love for Amy Winehouse".[3]

Commercial performance

Described as a sleeper hit, the song was released as a single in 2019, before charting on the US Billboard alternative charts in 2020. It topped the Adult Alternative Songs chart in July 2020,[4] where it broke the record for the longest climb to number one at 27 weeks.[2] For the chart's 25th anniversary in early 2021,[5] the magazine ranked "Hell n Back" at number 84 on its list of the top 100 most successful songs in the chart's history.[6] It reached the top 10 of the Alternative Airplay chart in October 2020.[7] It was voted in at number 62 on the Triple J Hottest of 2019.[8] It was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in October 2020[9] and silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in October 2021, before achieving platinum status in 2023. The song charted internationally in 2023 and into 2024, reaching the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 in New Zealand.

Remix

On 22 September 2023, Bakar released a remix of "Hell n Back" with American singer Summer Walker on his album Halo.[10] Seven months after its release, the remix managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 73 and peaking at 53.

Usage in media

The song was featured in the teaser trailer for the 2023 Pixar film Elemental.[11]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[12] 18
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] 6
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[14] 20

Year-end charts

Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] 91
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[16] 16
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[17] 50

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bakar announces New EP with breezy lead single "Hell N Back". The Line of Best Fit. Kenneally. Cerys. 16 August 2019. 2 June 2023.
  2. Web site: Bakar Is The Moment. Uproxx. Gonzalez. Alex. 29 April 2022. 2 June 2023.
  3. News: Bakar: Nobody's Home review – a spectacularly strong sense of place. The Observer. Empire. Kitty. Kitty Empire. 27 February 2022. 2 June 2023.
  4. Adult Alternative Songs: July 4, 2020. Billboard. 2 June 2023.
  5. https://web.archive.org/web/20230531232100/https://www.billboard.com/pro/adult-alternative-airplay-25th-anniversary-recap/. Dave Matthews Band & The Wallflowers' 'One Headlight' Top Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Charts. Rutherford. Kevin. Billboard. 18 February 2021. 31 May 2023. 23 October 2023.
  6. Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs. Billboard. 23 October 2023. 11 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231011155120/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-adult-alternative-songs/. live.
  7. Alternative Airplay: October 10, 2020. Billboard. 2 June 2023.
  8. Web site: triple j Hottest 100 2019. triple j. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 June 2023. 2203-0905.
  9. Australia. single. 2020. 2 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Bakar Drops 'Hell N Back' Remix With Summer Walker. Uproxx. Gonzalez. Alex. 22 September 2023. 30 September 2023.
  11. Web site: What Is The Song In Pixar's Elemental Teaser Trailer?. Looper. Phillips. Patrick. 17 November 2022. 18 November 2022.
  12. Adult Pop Airplay: Week of October 7, 2023. Billboard. 3 October 2023.
  13. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of May 5, 2024. Billboard. 30 April 2024.
  14. Pop Airplay: August 26, 2023. Billboard. 22 August 2023.
  15. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020. Billboard. 25 July 2023.
  16. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 25 November 2023.
  17. Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 22 November 2023.

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