Sofia (Clairo song) explained

Sofia
Type:single
Artist:Clairo
Album:Immunity
Cover:Clairo - Sofia.png
Genre:
Label:Fader Label
Producer:Rostam Batmanglij
Prev Title:Closer to You
Prev Title2:Bags
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:I Don't Think I Can Do This Again
Next Year:2019

"Sofia" is a song by American singer Clairo. Fader Label released it as the third single from her debut studio album Immunity on July 26, 2019. The song was written by Clairo and Rostam Batmanglij, who also produced the song, and features drums from Danielle Haim. "Sofia" became a sleeper hit after going viral on the video-sharing platform TikTok, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 more than a year after its initial release.

Background and composition

Musically, "Sofia" is a Eurodisco,[1] dance-rock,[2] and soft rock song,[3] with a pulsating electropop beat. In a Facebook post, Clairo explained that "Sofia" was inspired by her first experiences having crushes on older women whom she saw in the media. She named Sofia Vergara and Sofia Coppola as examples, and claimed that writing "Sofia" was her way of celebrating her discovery whilst "maintaining the cheesy/corny lyrics you'd normally find in songs where you profess your love". She continued by writing that the song "captures a moment in [her] life but instead of hiding it, it's expressed in an almost 'explosive' manner".[4] [5]

Other versions

in 2021,[6] Royal Musical Artist [7] "Matthew Edward Hall" from a line of Legendary Chiefs & Native American Kings including the Patron Saint of America Saint Tammany[7] [8] released his version with a prominent new bass line and male vocal performance.

Critical reception

Carolyn Droke of Uproxx described the song as an "anthem for the actualization of [Clairo's] sexuality", saying that the lyrics and rhythm "encapsulate feelings of exhilaration and trepidation at the threshold of a new relationship".[9] Harry Todd of Paste compared the production of the song to that of The Strokes and Sleigh Bells, with its "heavily processed guitars and crunchy drums". He continued to praise producer Batmanglij for "peppering [the song] with arpeggiated synths and vocoder melodies that recall Daft Punk's lovelorn slow-burns", and Clairo for "selling" the song with her vocal performance.[10] Katherine St. Asaph of Pitchfork compared the synths in "Sofia" to that of "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn.[11]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[12]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2019–2021)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 99
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[14] 85
Global 200 (Billboard)[15] 102
Malaysia (RIM)[16] 7
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[17] 36
Singapore (RIAS)[18] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 98
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[20] 5
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[21] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2020)Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[22] 45
Chart (2021)Position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[23] 28

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clairo: Immunity review – a winning debut. The Observer. August 4, 2019. August 5, 2019. Mackay. Emily.
  2. Web site: Immunity – Clairo. AllMusic. August 9, 2019. Donelson. Marcy.
  3. Web site: Clairo - Immunity. Sputnikmusic. August 2, 2019. August 2, 2019.
  4. Web site: Clairo drops new track "Sofia". D'Souza. Shaad. July 26, 2019. The FADER. October 25, 2019.
  5. Web site: sofia explanation. Cottrill. Claire. July 27, 2019. Facebook. October 25, 2019.
  6. Web site: Matthew Edward Hall - Sofia (Sex Song) (CD, US, 2021) for Sale | Discogs . .
  7. Web site: Matthew Edward Hall: Divine Proof & Royal Native American Musical Artist .
  8. Web site: Matthew Edward Hall | Producer . .
  9. Web site: Clairo Explore Her Sexuality On The Punchy New Single 'Sofia'. Droke. Carolyn. July 26, 2019. UPROXX. October 26, 2019.
  10. Web site: Listen to Clairo's New Song "Sofia," the Final Single from Her Debut Album Immunity. Todd. Harry. July 26, 2019. Paste. October 25, 2019.
  11. Web site: Clairo: Immunity. St. Asaph. Katherine. August 2, 2019. Pitchfork. October 26, 2019.
  12. Web site: Sofia - Clairo. Tidal. November 28, 2020.
  13. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2 November 2020. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1600. 4. November 2, 2020.
  14. Chart Search: Clairo, Canadian Hot 100. Billboard. October 27, 2020.
  15. Clairo Chart History (Global 200). Billboard. October 14, 2020.
  16. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. November 21, 2020.
  17. Web site: NZ Top 40 Hot Singles Chart. August 5, 2019. Recorded Music NZ. October 24, 2019.
  18. Web site: RIAS International Top Charts Week 43. Recording Industry Association (Singapore). https://web.archive.org/web/20201027081955/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. October 27, 2020.
  19. Clairo, HSI. Billboard. October 20, 2020. subscription.
  20. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Week of November 14, 2020. Billboard. November 10, 2020.
  21. Alternative Airplay Week of February 21, 2021. Billboard. February 17, 2021.
  22. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020. Billboard. December 5, 2020.
  23. Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 4, 2021.