Here (Alessia Cara song) explained

Here
Cover:Alessia Cara - Here.png
Alt:A polaroid of Alessia Cara. The artist's name and song title are written in black on the polaroid.
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Alessia Cara
Ep:Four Pink Walls and the album Know-It-All
Released:April 30, 2015
Genre:
Label:Def Jam
Producer:
Next Title:Wild Things
Next Year:2016

"Here" is the debut single by Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara, released on April 30, 2015 as lead single from her EP Four Pink Walls and her album Know-It-All, both debuting in the same year. Created around a sample of "Ike's Rap II" by Isaac Hayes from his album Black Moses, "Here" is a pop and R&B song about people who secretly hate parties.[1] [2]

The song was a sleeper hit, debuting at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of August 22, 2015, becoming Cara's first entry on the chart.[3] It later became her first top five single on the chart and reached the top of the US Pop Songs chart after a historic 26-week climb which broke a record held by Cee Lo Green's "F**k You!" and Demi Lovato's "Give Your Heart a Break".[4] "Here" has charted in the top 40 in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. An official remix EP was released with Logic, Jaden Smith, Chris Lorenzo, and Imanos & Gramercy. The song was featured on the third season of the comedy-drama television series Younger.

Background and composition

While working on her debut album in 2014, Cara attended a house party.[5] She told NME, "Everyone seemed to know each other, but not me. It was sweaty, there was a guy and girl passed out with vomit all over her, people were just stepping over them."[6] The party caused her so much discomfort that she called her mother asking to take her home. Cara discussed the party with co-writer Sebastian Kole who then came up with the first line of the song.[7] Her record label, Def Jam, initially persuaded her to release another song that was more friendly for radio, but Cara pushed for the release of "Here" as she felt the other song would not have made her stand out from other singers.[8]

"Here" is a pop, R&B, and soul song.[9] [10] It samples "Ike's Rap II" by Isaac Hayes from the album Black Moses, which had also been sampled in Portishead's "Glory Box" and Tricky's "Hell Is Round the Corner".[11] Oak Felder and Pop Wansel argued about wanting a Portishead or Hayes sample for the song, both unaware it was the same one.[12]

Critical reception

"Here" was met with critical acclaim by music critics, who praised the song's concept and lyrics. Rolling Stone ranked "Here" at number 21 on its year-end list of the 50 best songs of 2015.[13] Billboard ranked "Here" at number six on its year-end list: "If Lordes 'Royals' was a rallying cry for those who felt isolated by the rampant materialism in pop culture, then Alessia Cara's 'Here' is the anthem for those fed up with the glut of pop songs about partying and drinking. Thanks to the teenage R&B singer, being an introvert is finally cool again."[14] The prestigious Village Voice voted "Here" the 18th-best single released in 2015 on their annual year-end critics' poll, Pazz & Jop; the song is tied with Courtney Barnetts "Depreston".[15]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
Billboard25 Best Songs of 2015[16] 6
ComplexThe Best Songs of 2015[17] 10
Consequence of SoundTop 50 Songs of 2015[18] 42
Entertainment WeeklyThe 40 Best Songs of 2015[19] 4
Pazz & JopSingle of the Year 2015[20] 18
PitchforkThe 100 Best Tracks of 2015[21] 32
PopMattersThe 90 Best Songs of 2015[22] 64
Rolling Stone50 Best Songs of 2015[23] 21
Time Out LondonThe 100 Best Songs of 2015[24] 10

Music video

An official lyric video of the song was released on her YouTube page on May 7, 2015.[25] The official video was directed by Aaron A[26] and was released on her YouTube page on May 26, 2015. The video uses the inspiration of how Cara wrote the song by having her at a party and being the only one moving while the party is frozen in time,[27] while she's next to crowds of girls and guys drinking beer and gossiping.[26] In an interview with Taylor Swift, Cara states the extras at the party are actually people from the original party that was the inspiration for the song, and some of her friends.[28]

The visual effect of the frozen partygoers predated the viral Internet phenomenon Mannequin Challenge.

2:00 AM version

Here (2:00 AM version)
Artist:Alessia Cara
Recorded:2015
Label:Def Jam

A 2:00 AM version was included in the deluxe edition of the album Know-It-All.[29]

Live performances

On July 29, 2015, Cara made her US television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon performing "Here" with house band The Roots, after host Jimmy Fallon discovered the song online.[30] On October 31, 2015, Cara joined Taylor Swift onstage as a surprise guest at the 1989 World Tour in Tampa, Florida, singing a duet of "Here" for Swift's last US show.[31] On November 20, 2015, Cara sang "Here" live during the closing credits of the NBC live comedy, Undateable.[32]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2015–2016)Peak
position
France Airplay (SNEP)[33] 15
Iceland (RÚV)[34] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2015)Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[35] 60
US Billboard Hot 100[36] 94
Chart (2016)Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[37] 79
US Billboard Hot 100[38] 39
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[39] 43
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[40] 27
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[41] 9
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 25
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[43] 22

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, format(s), label(s) and reference(s)!Region!Date!Format!Version!Label!Ref.
United StatesApril 30, 2015Digital downloadOriginalDef Jam[44]
Canada[45]
United StatesJune 15, 2015Adult album alternative[46]
July 14, 2015Top 40 radio[47]
United KingdomAugust 17, 2015UMG[48]
ItalyOctober 9, 2015Radio airplay[49]
United StatesOctober 15, 2015CD singleDef Jam[50]
November 9, 2015Hot adult contemporary[51]
November 13, 2015Digital download2:00 AM version
VariousApril 15, 2016Remixes EP[52]

Notes and References

  1. News: New Songs: Alessia Cara - Here. May 12, 2015. Cut from Steel. May 4, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150507192052/http://cutfromsteel.com/new-song-alessia-cara-here/. May 7, 2015.
  2. Every Introvert Needs To Hear This Song. Zeichner. Naomi. The Fader. April 27, 2015. August 14, 2015.
  3. Trust. Gary. Hot 100 Chart Moves: Drake Ties James Brown's Record. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. August 13, 2015. August 19, 2015.
  4. Trust. Gary. Alessia Cara's 'Here' Completes Record Climb to No. 1 on Pop Songs Chart. Billboard. January 25, 2016. September 6, 2021.
  5. Web site: Alessia Cara Says a Plastic Surgery Show Inspired Her Hit Song 'Scars to Your Beautiful'. 15 July 2021.
  6. News: Carson . Dan . Radar New Act Of The Week – Alessia Cara Is Pop's Latest Superstar In Waiting . . 2015-08-10 . 2018-04-23 .
  7. Platon . Adelle . Sebastian Kole Dishes on Writing for Jennifer Lopez, 'Grey's Anatomy' Success & New His New EP . . 2016-05-14 . 2018-04-23 .
  8. News: Caramanica . Jon . Jon Caramanica . Alessia Cara Speaks Up for the Outsiders on 'Here' . . 2015-05-19 . 2018-04-23 .
  9. Web site: Torres . Eric . Alessia Cara: "Here" Track Review . . April 29, 2015 . July 29, 2022.
  10. Martins . Chris . Drake Co-Signed Singer Alessia Cara on Her Rising Fame: 'It's the Coolest Fluke Ever' . . September 21, 2023 . August 28, 2015 . live . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929154615/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/alessia-cara-interview-drake-cosign-taylor-swift-know-it-all-album-6678428/ .
  11. Web site: Alessia Cara flips Portishead's 'Glory Box'. 19 May 2015.
  12. News: Kawashima . Dale . Interview with Oak Felder, Hit Writer/Producer for Alessia Cara, Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj And Other Artists . Songwriter Universe . 2017-09-07 . 2018-04-23 .
  13. 50 Best Songs of 2015. Billboard.com.
  14. Billboard 25 Best Songs of 2015: Critics' Picks. Billboard.com.
  15. News: Pazz & Jop Statistics. The Village Voice. January 13, 2016.
  16. 25 Best Songs of 2015: Critics' Picks . December 17, 2015 . . March 20, 2016.
  17. The Best Songs of 2015 . December 10, 2015 . . March 20, 2016.
  18. Top 50 Songs of 2015 . November 30, 2015 . . March 20, 2016.
  19. The 40 Best Songs of 2015 . December 10, 2015 . . March 20, 2016 . June 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170613101325/http://ew.com/article/2015/12/10/40-best-songs-2015/ . dead .
  20. Web site: Single of the Year 2015 . January 12, 2016 . . March 20, 2016 . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201224938/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2015 . dead .
  21. Web site: The 100 Best Tracks of 2015 . December 14, 2015 . Pitchfork . March 20, 2016.
  22. The 90 Best Songs of 2015 . January 3, 2016 . . March 20, 2016.
  23. 50 Best Songs of 2015 . December 3, 2015 . Rolling Stone. March 20, 2016.
  24. The 100 Best Songs of 2015 . December 7, 2015 . . March 20, 2016.
  25. Web site: Alessia Cara - Here (Lyric Video). YouTube. May 7, 2015. September 16, 2015.
  26. Web site: Alessia Cara Transcends a Party in the "Here" Video. Beauchemin. Molly. Pitchfork. May 26, 2015. September 16, 2015.
  27. Web site: Alessia Cara - Here (Behind The Scenes). YouTube. May 26, 2015. September 16, 2015.
  28. Web site: Taylor Swift Interviews Alessia Cara #KNOWITALL (Full Interview) . . 25 November 2015 . en.
  29. Web site: Know-It-All (Deluxe) by Alessia Cara. iTunes. 13 November 2015.
  30. Web site: Alessia Cara Makes TV Debut Playing 'Here' With the Roots on 'Fallon. Unterberger. Andrew. Spin. SpinMedia. July 30, 2015. August 19, 2015.
  31. Web site: Sharing a stage with @alessiacara and @idinamenzel was the perfect way to end this amazing chapter. Thanks ladies.. Swift. Taylor. Twitter. Twitter, Inc. November 1, 2015. November 1, 2015.
  32. Undateable Writers Room . Undateable . UndateableWRoom . 667869920751779840 . 2015-11-20 . The 1 & only @alessiacara prepping to sing with her amazing band on #UndateableLive on @nbc. . 2018-04-23.
  33. Web site: Top de la semaine. February 24, 2016.
  34. Web site: Alessia Cara Chart History. RÚV. 11 April 2016. 24 May 2017.
  35. Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015. October 23, 2016. Billboard. 2 January 2013. Prometheus Global Media.
  36. Hot 100 Songs Year End 2015. October 23, 2016. Billboard. 2 January 2013. Prometheus Global Media.
  37. Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2016. Billboard. 2 January 2013. December 8, 2016.
  38. Hot 100 Songs - Year-End 2016. Billboard. 2 January 2013. December 8, 2016.
  39. Adult Pop Songs: Year-End 2016. Billboard. 2 January 2013. December 18, 2016.
  40. Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2016. Billboard. 16 December 2014. September 30, 2019.
  41. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2016. Billboard. September 30, 2019.
  42. Pop Songs: Year-End 2016. Billboard. 2 January 2013. December 18, 2016.
  43. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2016. Billboard. 9 December 2014. September 30, 2019.
  44. Web site: April 30, 2015 . iTunes - Music - Here - Single by Alessia Cara . https://web.archive.org/web/20150617125258/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/here-single/id991444374 . June 17, 2015 . October 1, 2023 . iTunes.
  45. Web site: April 30, 2015 . Release group "Here" by Alessia Cara - MusicBrainz . October 1, 2023 . musicbrainz.org.
  46. Web site: June 15, 2015 . Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases ... . https://web.archive.org/web/20150524142156/https://www.allaccess.com/triple-a/future-releases . May 24, 2015 . October 1, 2023 . All Access.
  47. Web site: July 14, 2023 . Top 40/M Future Releases Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates ... . https://web.archive.org/web/20150708054338/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases . July 8, 2015 . October 1, 2023 . All Access.
  48. Web site: August 17, 2015 . BBC - Radio 1 - Playlist . https://web.archive.org/web/20150817073943/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/playlist . August 17, 2015 . October 2, 2015 . BBC Radio 1.
  49. Web site: October 9, 2015 . ALESSIA CARA "Here" (Radio Date: 09/10/2015) . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001013530/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/alessia-cara-here-143600-09-10-2015-radiodate/ . October 1, 2023 . October 1, 2023 . Radio Airplay SRL . en.
  50. Web site: October 15, 2015 . Grab @AlessiaCara's new album #Here, available exclusively in FYE stores & score $2 off her next album #KnowItAll! . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002040547/https://twitter.com/officialfye/status/654828124870324224 . October 2, 2023 . October 2, 2015 . X (formerly Twitter) . en.
  51. Web site: November 9, 2015 . Exclusive Mediabase Analysis From All Access . October 1, 2023 . All Access . en.
  52. Web site: 15 April 2016 . iTunes - Music - Here (The Remixes) - EP by Alessia Cara . iTunes Store.

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