Red Flags (song) explained

Red Flags
Cover:	Mimi Webb - Red Flags.png
Type:	single
Artist:	Mimi Webb
Album:	Amelia
Length:	2:24
Label:	Epic
Producer:	Cirkut Connor McDonough Ryan Daly
Prev Title:	Ghost of You
Prev Year:	2022
Next Title:	Freezing
Next Year:	2023

"Red Flags" is a song by British singer and songwriter Mimi Webb, from her debut studio album Amelia.^[1] It was released on 13 January 2023 through Epic Records as the third single from the album. The song debuted at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, later rising to a peak of number twelve.^[2]

Production

The song was co-produced by Cirkut (real name Henry Walter), who had also worked with Webb on her previous single, "Ghost of You". Webb also revealed in an interview with the Official Charts Company that she "wrote [the song] with Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough, Toby McDonough, CASTLE, and Ryan Daly [Cirkut also helped produce and co-write the track]. We wrote it at the end of last summer. We did a lot of really sick songs that are on the album."^[3]

Composition and lyrics

According to the Official Charts Company, the main theme of the song is "Mimi [beginning] to wonder why she's staying in a situation she should be well shot of" and seeing how "those red flags can actually seem a bit green".

Webb herself describes it as a "revenge song", saying "I was very in love, I think sometimes you want what you can't have. It can be really challenging and you have to have such a discipline to walk away. For me, I look back at our old conversations and, honestly, that person was really trying to get me to get break up with them. I didn't even see it! I thought it was all green flags."

Live performances

Webb made several guest appearances on TV shows to promote the single, performing live on The Graham Norton Show on Friday 10th February 2023^[4] She also appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform the song on 16 January 2023.^[5] Following the release of her album, Amelia, Webb featured in the "End of the Show Show" on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, aired live on Saturday 4th March 2023, performing '"Red Flags".^[6]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Peak position
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)^[7]	42
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)^[8]	14
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[9]	14
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[10]	31
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[11]	28

Year-end charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Position
UK Singles (OCC)^[12]	88

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cheung . Catharina . Mimi Webb's IRL Situationship Inspired "Red Flags" . . 3 February 2023 . 14 February 2023.
2. Web site: Griffiths . George. Miley Cyrus scores month-long stint at Number 1 with Flowers . . 10 February 2023 . 14 February 2023.
3. Web site: Griffiths . George . Mimi Webb on her fiery new single Red Flags: "No-one would want this song written about them!" . Official Charts Company . 13 January 2023 . 14 February 2023.
4. Web site: Kettle . Emilia . Find out who's on The Graham Norton Show tonight . 10 February 2023 . 14 February 2023 . Yahoo! News.
5. Web site: Cantor . Brian . Mimi Webb Takes The Stage, Hugh Jackman Chats On "Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (Early Look) . 16 January 2023 . 14 February 2023 . Headline Planet.
6. Web site: Duke . Simon . ITV's Ant and Dec hit with Saturday Night Takeaway 'ban' by defiant guest . Chronicle Live . 4 March 2023 . 6 March 2023.
7. Canada CHR/Top 40 Chart: April 1, 2023. Billboard. 30 March 2023.
8. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of March 1, 2023. Billboard Japan. ja. 1 March 2023.
9. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 23 January 2023. 14 February 2023.
10. Adult Pop Airplay Chart: March 25, 2023. Billboard. 22 March 2023.
11. Pop Airplay Chart: April 1, 2023. Billboard. 28 March 2023.
12. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart – 2023. Official Charts Company. 3 January 2024.