Outside (Calvin Harris song) explained

Outside
Cover:Calvin Harris - Outside.png
Type:single
Artist:Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding
Album:Motion
B-Side:Ecstasy
Studio:Fly Eye (London)
Genre:
Length:3:47
Label:
Producer:Calvin Harris
Chronology:Calvin Harris
Prev Title:Blame
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:Open Wide
Next Year:2015

"Outside" is a song by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris, featuring English singer Ellie Goulding, from Harris's fourth studio album, Motion (2014). It was released on 20 October 2014 as the album's fourth single. The song also appears on the deluxe edition of Goulding's third studio album, Delirium (2015). "Outside" marks the second collaboration between Harris and Goulding, following the single "I Need Your Love" (2013).

Composition

With a tempo of 128 beats per minute, "Outside" is composed in the key of D minor. It follows a chord progression of B♭-Gm-Dm-C.[3]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics, calling it a great follow-up of their previous collaboration, and noting it as a highlight of the album. Brent Faulkner of PopMatters praised the song as "one of Motions crème de la crème records" and wrote that it "latches from a first listen giving the set arguably its strongest pop hit."[4] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly commented that on "Outside", Harris "finds the perfect balance between [Goulding's] vulnerable warble and the warping synths underneath".[5] Idolator's Robbie Daw found the song to be "just as pleasant, if not slightly more so, than Calvin and Ellie's previous outing together, 2012's 'I Need Your Love.' It's good to hear that there's still quite a bit of musical magic when these two hit the studio together."[6]

Carolyn Menyes of Music Times stated, "There's something that works so well about Harris' string effect synth beats and Goulding's whispered ethereal voice. We've heard it before in 'I Need Your Love' and it's back here again in full force for yet another magical combination."[7] Heather Phares of AllMusic felt that the track "doesn't quite recapture the magic of [Harris and Goulding's] previous work but does make the most of her deceptively powerful soprano, this time in a more upbeat setting."[8] Slant Magazines James Rainis opined that "[t]he most notable characteristic of 'Outside' [...] is that the hook's cadence is exactly the same as the Carly Rae Jepsen/Owl City song 'Good Time,' but it lacks that song's cutesy charm."[9] Chase Hunt of AXS viewed the song as "a decent pairing but an expected outcome."[10]

Commercial performance

"Outside" entered and peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, selling 28,902 copies in its first week.[11] It remained at number six the following week, selling 35,590 copies.[12] In its third week, the song fell to number 10 with 33,208 copies sold.[13]

In the United States, "Outside" became Harris's eighth number-one single on Billboards Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart for the week ending 7 March 2015, surpassing both David Guetta and Madonna, who along with Harris were tied with seven. It also gives Goulding her third number-one on this chart.[14] On the Billboard Hot 100, the song peaked at number 29, making it Harris's eighth and Goulding's fifth top-40 single.

Music video

The music video for "Outside" was directed by Emil Nava and filmed in Los Angeles on 20 October 2014.[15] The video premiered on 12 November 2014.[16]

The video depicts two separate couples in toxic and abusive relationships. Harris and Goulding each play partners in the separate relationships who both appear to be the chief recipient of the abuse. The video is also intercut with shots of Goulding singing directly to the camera in front while her boyfriend rides a motorcycle and Harris being attacked by his girlfriend throwing glass glasses and plates at him of a suburban house, surreal images that bend the fore- and background, objects in the frame freezing in time, Goulding being suspended in the air, and Goulding with a floating rectangular mirror that eventually shatters. The video ends with Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris together in the house in the midst of a mid-fight freeze frame, leaving the viewer to question which version was reality.[15]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Motion.[17]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014–2015) ! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Dance (ARIA)[18] 2
Colombia (National-Report Top Anglo)[19] 3
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[20] 87
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[21] 5
Netherlands (Dance Top 30)3
Slovenia (SloTop50)[22] 4
South Korea International (Gaon)[23] 51

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[24] 80
Australia Dance (ARIA)[25] 17
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[26] 85
Hungary (Single Top 40)[27] 60
Netherlands (Dance Top 30)[28] 31
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] 92
UK Singles (OCC)[30] 84
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[31] 57
Chart (2015)! scope="col"
Position
Australia Dance (ARIA)[32] 28
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[33] 48
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[34] 57
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[35] 37
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[36] 41
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Wallonia)[37] 17
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[38] 58
CIS (Tophit)[39] 31
Denmark (Tracklisten)[40] 65
France (SNEP)[41] 84
Germany (Official German Charts)[42] 40
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[43] 56
Hungary (Single Top 40)[44] 40
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[45] 6
Italy (FIMI)[46] 62
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[47] 40
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[48] 54
Netherlands (Dance Top 30)[49] 13
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[50] 37
Russia Airplay (Tophit)[51] 32
Slovenia (SloTop50)[52] 27
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[53] 35
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 77
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 40
Ukraine Airplay (Tophit)[56] 63
UK Singles (OCC)[57] 85
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[58] 6
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 48

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
United States<-- US source can only source a US release. Feel free to add more countries (with proper sourcing as always). -->20 October 2014Digital download
Germany19 December 2014CD singleSony
United States13 January 2015Contemporary hit radioColumbia[60]
Italy16 January 2015Radio airplaySony[61]

Notes and References

  1. Locker . Melissa . Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding Team Up on Sizzling New Track "Outside" . . 20 October 2014 . 3 November 2015.
  2. Web site: Hall . James . Ellie Goulding needs to find her personality – review . . 25 March 2016 . 3 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161009081017/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/ellie-goulding-needs-to-find-her-personality--review/ . 9 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Calvin Harris "Outside" Sheet Music . Musicnotes. 7 November 2014 .
  4. Web site: Faulkner . Brent . Calvin Harris: Motion . . 18 November 2014 . 11 August 2022.
  5. Anderson . Kyle . Motion . . 19 November 2014 . 5 February 2018.
  6. Web site: Daw . Robbie . Calvin Harris And Ellie Goulding's "Outside": Listen To Their 'Motion' Track . . 20 October 2014 . 22 December 2014.
  7. Web site: Menyes . Carolyn . Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding "Outside" Review: "I Need Your Love" Duo Reunite for Spacey Breakup Anthem [LISTEN] ]. Music Times . 20 October 2014 . 22 December 2014.
  8. Web site: Phares . Heather . Motion – Calvin Harris . . 21 December 2014.
  9. Web site: Rainis . James . Calvin Harris: Motion . . 4 November 2014 . 21 December 2014.
  10. Web site: Hunt . Chase . Review: Calvin Harris 'Motion' a solid set but played safe . . 16 November 2014 . 22 December 2014.
  11. Web site: Jones . Alan . Official Charts analysis: Ed Sheeran pips Calvin Harris to No.1 on albums . . 10 November 2014 . 11 August 2022 . subscription.
  12. Web site: Jones . Alan . Official Charts analysis: Wake Me Up returns to singles summit as Children In Need charity track . Music Week . 17 November 2014 . 11 August 2022 . subscription.
  13. Web site: Jones . Alan . Official Charts analysis: 1D land fourth consecutive No.1 LP as Four sells 141,780 . Music Week . 24 November 2014 . 11 August 2022 . subscription.
  14. Chart Highlights: Madonna's 'Living for Love' Debuts on Pop Songs, Leads Dance Club Songs . Billboard . 23 February 2015 . 23 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150225232822/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6480337/chart-highlights-madonnas-living-for-love-debuts-on-pop-songs . 25 February 2015.
  15. Web site: Gottlieb . Steven . Calvin Harris f/ Ellie Goulding "Outside" (Emil Nava, dir.) . VideoStatic . 12 November 2014 . 21 December 2014.
  16. Web site: Corner . Lewis . Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding premiere 'Outside' music video . . 12 November 2014 . 11 August 2022.
  17. . liner notes . . . 2014 . 88875008972.
  18. Web site: ARIA Dance Singles Chart . . 24 November 2014 . 22 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034017/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/dance-singles/2984 . 29 November 2014.
  19. Web site: Top Géneros Colombia – Anglo . es . . 27 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150507211631/http://www.national-report.com/generosColombia.php . 7 May 2015.
  20. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot 100 . . ja . 24 November 2014 . 22 December 2014.
  21. Calvin Harris Chart History (Mexico Airplay) . . 28 March 2020.
  22. Web site: Tedenska lestvica . sl . . 5 February 2018 . 28 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428052617/https://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2015&week=5 . dead .
  23. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart - Week 45, 2014 . ko . . 2 November 2014.
  24. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2014 . . 11 August 2022.
  25. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles for 2014 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 11 August 2022.
  26. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2014 . hu . MAHASZ . 11 August 2022.
  27. Web site: Single Top 100 – helyezés alapján – 2014 . hu . MAHASZ . 11 August 2022.
  28. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Dance 2014 . nl . . 17 September 2015.
  29. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2014 . sv . . 11 August 2022.
  30. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2014 . . 10 January 2016.
  31. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2014 . Billboard . 22 December 2014.
  32. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Singles for 2015 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 11 August 2022.
  33. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2015 . austriancharts.at . de . 10 January 2016.
  34. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2015 – Singles . nl . Ultratop . 10 January 2016.
  35. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2015 – Dance . nl . Ultratop . 10 January 2016.
  36. Web site: Rapports annuels 2015 – Singles . fr . Ultratop . 10 January 2016.
  37. Web site: Rapports annuels 2015 – Dance . fr . Ultratop . 10 January 2016.
  38. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2015 . Billboard . 10 January 2016.
  39. Web site: CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2015) . . 12 August 2019.
  40. Web site: Track Top-100 2015 . Hitlisten.NU . da . 10 January 2016.
  41. Web site: Top de l'année Top Singles 2015 . fr . . 12 August 2020.
  42. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 2015 . de . GfK Entertainment . 6 January 2016.
  43. Web site: Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2015 . hu . MAHASZ . 1 November 2019.
  44. Web site: Single Top 100 – eladási darabszám alapján – 2015 . hu . MAHASZ . 1 November 2019.
  45. Web site: Dance Top 100 – 2015 . hu . MAHASZ . 1 November 2019.
  46. Web site: Classifica annuale 2015 (dal 29.12.2014 al 31.12.2015) – Singoli . it . . 11 August 2022.
  47. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2015 . nl . Dutch Top 40 . 10 January 2016.
  48. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2015 . nl . Dutch Charts . 10 January 2016.
  49. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Dance 2015 . nl . Dutch Charts . 10 January 2016.
  50. Web site: Airplay – podsumowanie 2015 roku . pl . . 21 January 2016 . 26 January 2016.
  51. Web site: Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015) . Tophit . 12 August 2019.
  52. Web site: SloTop50: Slovenian official year end singles chart . sl . SloTop50 . 18 July 2015 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303131109/http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Letne-lestvice/?year=2015 . dead .
  53. Web site: Top 100 Songs Annual 2015 . El portal de Música . es . 9 May 2022.
  54. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2015 . sv . Sverigetopplistan . 11 August 2022.
  55. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2015 . hitparade.ch . de . 11 August 2022.
  56. Web site: Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015) . Tophit . 12 August 2019.
  57. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2015 . Official Charts Company . 5 February 2018.
  58. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2015 . Billboard . 23 December 2015.
  59. Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2015 . Billboard . 23 December 2015.
  60. Web site: Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases . All Access Media Group . 20 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141220015943/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases . 20 December 2014.
  61. Web site: Calvin Harris "Outside (feat. Ellie Goulding)" . it . Radio Airplay Italia . 10 March 2018.

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