Monster (Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber song) explained

Monster
Cover:Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber - Monster.png
Type:single
Artist:Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber
Album:Wonder
Genre:Pop
Length:2:58
Label:Island
Producer:Frank Dukes
Prev Year:2020
Monster
Year:2020
Next Year:2021

"Monster" is a song by Canadian singers Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber. It was released through Island Records as the second single from the former's fourth studio album, Wonder, on November 20, 2020. The song was produced by Frank Dukes and additionally produced by Matthew Tavares and Kaan Güneşberk. The two artists wrote it with Dukes alongside Daniel Caesar and Mustafa the Poet. All producers and songwriters are Canadian.

Background

Rumours about a possible collaboration began in July 2020 after Bieber and Mendes were spotted with American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly, jamming around on a piano, when Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, posted videos of them.[1] [2] In August 2020, the two artists were spotted with Bieber's wife, American model Hailey Bieber, at American record producer Andrew Watt's recording studio in Los Angeles, California,[3] [4] fuelling speculation of an upcoming collaboration between the two Canadian artists.[5] [6] [7] During an interview on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp on October 6, 2020, Mendes was asked if he turned down a collaboration with Bieber in September, to which he replied: "Is this you trying to get me to confirm that I have a collaboration with Justin Bieber? I didn't last month". He said that it would be "insane" for him to turn it down, considering that Bieber has been one of his favourite artists since he was nine years old. He stated that he cannot confirm or deny", but added that their relationship in the past six months leading up to the time of the interview has grown closer.[8] [9] "It's really cool to have him as a mentor in a lot of ways, just to kind of talk through stuff with, because there's not many people who do this type of stuff," he furtherly explained,[10] [11] [12] [13] describing Bieber as "freakishly talented".[14] The song marks the first time the two singers have worked together.[15] [16] In an exclusive interview for Apple Music, Mendes told Zane Lowe that the single is "about how society can put celebrities up on a pedestal and watch them fall". Mendes called it "one of the most special songs" he had ever written.[17]

Composition and lyrics

"Monster" is a pop song that is set in the key of D minor with a tempo of 146 beats per minute.[18] [19] Lyrically, the song is about the pitfalls and pressure of stardom. Mendes stated: "It's about how society can put celebrities up on a pedestal and watch them fall and it seems to be this entertainment thing. And it's hard."[17]

Release and promotion

The song was first revealed on September 29, 2020, when Mendes launched an interactive VR experience on a website for the album, in which a "set list" showed a track titled "Monster" with a special guest.[20] [21] On November 13, 2020, Mendes released the official album tracklist, confirming the song's title, while its co-lead artist remains unannounced.[22] On November 16, 2020, Mendes and Bieber both posted a 13-second teaser clip on social media, officially announcing the release date of the collaboration,[23] which serves as the second single from the album after "Wonder".[24] [25] The teaser features a synthy instrumental playing in the background, with the song's title, release date and the two artist's names overlaid on top of four outdoor scenes in dimly lit and foggy conditions,[26] [27] including an empty street with streetlights, a forest, and an empty platform with stairs.[28] [29] On November 18, 2020, Mendes and Bieber posted the song's cover art on social media,[30] as well as pre-order links for the single,[31] [32] which includes limited CD singles with two different exclusive covers available on the singers' respective online stores.[33] [34]

Music video

The music video was directed by Colin Tilley and released via YouTube on November 20, 2020.[36] The video is shot in one single take, and starts with Mendes walking through the woods onto a cube platform with stairs and continuing his performance there, before being joined by Bieber.[37] Video director Rory Kramer released several images of the production on Instagram, including one showing a crane on location with a platform that enabled the camera operator to capture the video in a single take.[38] The scenario captures the emotions in the song and what it is about.

Commercial performance

The song debuted and peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Mendes' sixth top 10 and Bieber’s 21st in the United States. Monster also debuted in the top ten in over fifteen countries, including the UK and Australia. Elsewhere, the song debuted at number one in Denmark and Canada, making it Mendes's second number one single and Bieber's 11th in the latter.

Live performances

Bieber and Mendes performed the song for the first time at the American Music Awards of 2020 on November 22, 2020.[39]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[40]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020–2021)Peak
position
Greece (IFPI)[41] 6
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[42] 18
Malaysia (RIM)[43] 7
Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)[44] 18
Peru (UNIMPRO)[45] 52
Romania (Airplay 100)[46] 20
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[47] 44
Singapore (RIAS)[48] 4
Slovenia (SloTop50)[49] 32
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[50] 41

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[51] 15
Denmark (Tracklisten)[52] 88
Global 200 (Billboard)[53] 121
Portugal (AFP)[54] 88

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
VariousNovember 20, 2020[55]
ItalyRadio airplayUniversal[56]
United StatesNovember 24, 2020Contemporary hit radio[57]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fans Are Freaking Out Over Video Of Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes & Tori Kelly Jamming In The Studio. https://web.archive.org/web/20200710144013/https://etcanada.com/news/666438/fans-are-freaking-out-over-video-of-justin-bieber-shawn-mendes-tori-kelly-jamming-in-the-studio/. dead. July 10, 2020. Furdyk. Brent. July 9, 2020. Entertainment Tonight Canada. November 17, 2020.
  2. Web site: Shawn Mendes Cannot 'Confirm Nor Deny' Justin Bieber Collaboration. Pappaianni. Kayla. October 10, 2020. CISS-FM. November 17, 2020.
  3. Web site: Shawn Mendes Heads To The Studio With Justin Bieber & Ex Hailey Bieber. Foxwell. Georgia. August 20, 2020. Capital. November 17, 2020.
  4. Web site: Shawn Mendes HINTS at collaboration with Justin Bieber in the works; Says JB is 'one of my favourite artists'. Pinkvilla Desk. October 7, 2020. Pinkvilla. Mumbai. November 17, 2020. November 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201121013703/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/shawn-mendes-hints-collaboration-justin-bieber-works-says-jb-one-my-favourite-artists-567011. dead.
  5. Web site: Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber Were Spotted in the Same Recording Studio Sparking Collab Rumors. Fuentes. Tamara. August 20, 2020. Seventeen. November 17, 2020.
  6. Web site: Is Shawn Mendes Collaborating With Justin Bieber?. Krol. Jacklyn. October 7, 2020. PopCrush. November 17, 2020.
  7. News: Shawn Mendes-Justin Bieber collab in the offing?. Policarpio. Allan. October 14, 2020. Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 17, 2020.
  8. Web site: Shawn Mendes Says He Grew Closer to Justin Bieber Amid Collaboration Rumorsc. Fuentes. Tamara. October 7, 2020. Seventeen. November 17, 2020.
  9. Web site: Shawn Mendes is coy about potential collab with Justin Bieber. Darkins. Will. October 8, 2020. Radio.com. November 17, 2020.
  10. Web site: Shawn Mendes 'Cannot Confirm Nor Deny' He Has an Upcoming Collab with Justin Bieber. Rice. Nicholas. October 7, 2020. People. November 17, 2020.
  11. Web site: Shawn Mendes Teases Possible Justin Bieber Collaboration. Star. Regina. October 7, 2020. iHeartRadio. November 17, 2020.
  12. Web site: Shawn Mendes Hints At Upcoming Collab With Justin Bieber, Will Neither 'Confirm Nor Deny'. https://web.archive.org/web/20201019134837/https://etcanada.com/news/699649/shawn-mendes-hints-at-upcoming-collab-with-justin-bieber-will-neither-confirm-nor-deny/. dead. October 19, 2020. Furdyk. Brent. October 6, 2020. Entertainment Tonight Canada. November 17, 2020.
  13. Web site: Shawn Mendes won't 'confirm or deny' duet with Justin Bieber. Costantino. George. October 8, 2020. ABC News Radio. November 17, 2020. October 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201011003049/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2020/10/8/shawn-mendes-wont-confirm-or-deny-duet-with-justin-bieber.html. dead.
  14. Web site: Did Shawn Mendes Record A Song With Justin Bieber?. Kennedy. John R.. October 7, 2020. iHeartRadio. November 17, 2020.
  15. Web site: Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes come together for newly announced collaboration. November 16, 2020. CBC News. November 17, 2020.
  16. Web site: Shawn Mendes teams up with Justin Bieber on upcoming single 'Monster'. November 16, 2020. Tri-City News. The Canadian Press. Toronto. November 17, 2020.
  17. Shawn Mendes & Justin Bieber Face the 'Monster' Inside In Powerful New Single: Watch. Aniftos. Rania. November 20, 2020. Billboard. November 22, 2020.
  18. Web site: Shawn Mendes And Justin Bieber Confront Their Inner 'Monster' For An Eerie Pop Collaboration. White. Caitlin. November 20, 2020. Uproxx. February 2, 2022.
  19. Web site: Monster. Shawn. Mendes. Shawn Mendes. Justin. Bieber. Justin Bieber. Adam. Feeney. Frank Dukes. Ashton. Simmonds. Daniel Caesar. Mustafa. Ahmed. Mustafa the Poet. November 20, 2020. Musicnotes.com. 20 November 2020 .
  20. Web site: Shawn Mendes's New Album Details Might Have Been Leaked. Fuentes. Tamara. September 29, 2020. Seventeen. November 17, 2020.
  21. Web site: Shawn Mendes Shares 'Wonder' Release. Kennedy. John R.. October 1, 2020. iHeartRadio. November 17, 2020.
  22. Web site: Shawn Mendes Announces 'Wonder' Release Date & Mystery Collab. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101031523/https://etcanada.com/news/707637/shawn-mendes-debuts-new-acoustic-version-of-his-hit-single-wonder/. dead. November 1, 2020. Atad. Corey. October 1, 2020. Entertainment Tonight Canada. November 17, 2020.
  23. Web site: Shawn Mendes Reveals New Collaboration with Justin Bieber, 'Monster'. Fuentes. Tamara. November 16, 2020. Seventeen. November 17, 2020.
  24. Web site: Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes tease new collaborative single 'Monster'. Rose. Anna. November 17, 2020. NME. November 17, 2020.
  25. Web site: Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber announce 'Monster' Duet arriving Friday. Cingrana. Joe. November 16, 2020. WBBM-FM. Radio.com. November 17, 2020.
  26. Shawn Mendes Announces New Collaboration With Justin Bieber. Aniftos. Rania. November 16, 2020. Billboard. November 17, 2020.
  27. Web site: Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber are joining forces on a new track. Coetzee. Nikita. November 17, 2020. News24. November 19, 2020.
  28. Web site: Shawn Mendes Reveals 'Monster' Justin Bieber Collab: See The Eerie Teaser. Fields. Taylor. November 17, 2020. WQLX. iHeartRadio. November 17, 2020.
  29. Web site: Shawn Mendes announces new collaboration with Justin Bieber. Trujillo. Jovita. November 17, 2020. ¡Hola!. November 17, 2020.
  30. Mendes. Shawn. Shawn Mendes. ShawnMendes. 1329122391969079298. November 18, 2020.
    1. MONSTER friday with @justinbieber
    . November 19, 2020.
  31. Mendes. Shawn. ShawnMendes. 1329164269745651712. November 18, 2020. Limited #MONSTER CD singles available this week only, plus exclusive covers on each of our stores. November 19, 2020.
  32. Bieber. Justin. Justin Bieber. justinbieber. 1329153707125202945. November 18, 2020.
    1. MONSTER CDs available now. Exclusive cover on my store
    . November 19, 2020.
  33. Web site: Limited Monster CD Single Exclusive Shawn Cover. November 18, 2020. Shawn Mendes Official Store. November 19, 2020.
  34. Web site: Limited Monster CD Single Exclusive Justin Cover. November 18, 2020. Justin Bieber Shop. November 19, 2020.
  35. Web site: Luísa Sonza, Anitta, Pabllo Vittar: confira os indicados do 'MTV MIAW 2021'. Luísa Sonza, Anitta, Pabllo Vittar: check out the 'MTV MIAW 2021' nominees. UOL. pt. August 23, 2021. August 23, 2021.
  36. Web site: Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber - Monster. Mendes. Shawn. November 20, 2020. November 20, 2020. YouTube.
  37. Web site: Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes team up for 'Monster'. Bowsher. Allison. November 20, 2020. etalk. November 22, 2020.
  38. Web site: Some photos I took at the Monster music video shoot...out now. @justinbieber @shawnmendes. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CH0Ywu1hvPn . 2021-12-24 . limited. Rory. Kramer. November 20, 2020. Instagram. December 5, 2020.
  39. Web site: Watch Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes open AMAs 2020 with 'Monster'. Daly. Rhian. November 23, 2020. NME. November 23, 2020.
  40. Web site: Credits / Monster / Shawn Mendes – TIDAL. Mendes. Shawn. November 20, 2020. November 20, 2020. Tidal.
  41. Web site: Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 48/2020. IFPI Greece. July 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20201207180413/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html. December 7, 2020.
  42. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. July 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20201207060345/http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/. December 7, 2020. dead.
  43. Web site: #RIMChart Top 20 Most Streamed International + Domestic song Week 48 (20/11/20- 26/11/20). https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CIXxIoPpInE . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram. 4 December 2020.
  44. Justin Bieber Chart History (Mexico Airplay). Billboard. July 3, 2021.
  45. Web site: Total Streams Peru: Semana 45 (05/11/2021 to 11/11/2021). es. Unión Peruana de Productores Fonográficos. July 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127142913/http://www.unimpro.org/sitio/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BMAT-Total-Streams-PE-TOP-3000-Week-45.pdf. November 27, 2021.
  46. News: Top Airplay 100 - Început de primăvară, cu Alina Eremia pe primul loc!. Top Airplay 100 – Beginning of spring, with Alina Eremia on the top!. Arvunescu, Victor. 1 March 2021. 1 March 2021. Romanian. Un site de muzică.
  47. Web site: Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 28/01/2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128062642/https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/radio/radio-san-marino/top-50-ascoltare . 28 January 2021 . it . . January 28, 2021 . 19 August 2024.
  48. Web site: RIAS International Top Charts Week 48. Recording Industry Association Singapore. December 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201164833/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. December 1, 2020.
  49. Web site: SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart. slotop50.si. 23 February 2021. 24 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210524124557/https://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2021&week=6. dead.
  50. Web site: Top 100 Songs Weekly. El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. December 3, 2020.
  51. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  52. Web site: Track Top-100 2021. Hitlisten. January 6, 2022.
  53. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  54. Web site: Top AFP/Audiogest – Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021 – De 01/01/2021 a 30/12/2021. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. pt. January 26, 2022.
  55. Web site: Monster CD Single. November 18, 2020. Shawn Mendes Official Store. November 19, 2020.
  56. Web site: SHAWN MENDES 'Monster' (Radio Date: 20/11/2020). November 20, 2020. radiodate.it. November 20, 2020.
  57. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. All Access Music Group. November 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201120111953/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. November 20, 2020.

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