Tail (song) explained

Tail
Type:single
Artist:Sunmi
B-Side:What the Flower
Cover:Sunmi - Tail.png
Recorded:2020–2021
Genre:
Length:3:10
Label:Abyss Company
Composer:
Lyricist:Lee Sun-mi
Producer:Frants
Prev Title:Oh Yeah
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:You Can't Sit with Us
Next Year:2021

"Tail" (; stylized in all caps) is a song by South Korean singer and songwriter Sunmi. It was released as a standalone single on February 23, 2021, through Abyss Company. "Tail" was made available for digital download and streaming, and includes the B-side track "What the Flower". Both recordings were written by Sunmi, with additional production credits handled by Frants on "Tail" and Hong Song-jin on the B-side. The song is also notable for its distininctive choregraphy.

Musically, "Tail" is a dance and city pop song which conveys her instinctive feelings regarding love, similar to how "animals use their tail to express their emotions". Commercially, "Tail" peaked at number 22 on the Gaon Digital Chart.

Background and release

On February 2, 2021, Sunmi's agency Makeus Entertainment (now named Abyss Company), stated that Sunmi is preparing to comeback at the end of February with a new release.[1] On February 10, the singer announced the date of the release via Instagram.[2] On February 15, the tracklist of the single was released.[3] Concept photos and videos for both songs were released on February 17 and 18,[4] [5] [6] as well as a track spoiler video the following day.[7] The music video teaser for "Tail" was released on February 22, 2021.[8] The single released digitally on February 23 along with the music video for the title track.[9]

Music and lyrics

Turning 30 this year in Korean age, the new single marked a milestone for Sunmi.[10] "It’s my first move taken in my 30s and I feel like I’ve taken a very daring step forward," she said.[10] The disco lead single, "Tail" is a dance and city pop song about a "super sensitive cat woman villainess who wants love with all her heart, expressing her deepest instinctive feelings". Sunmi added: "Animals use their tail to express their emotions".[10] The song features a unique sense of rhythm and a catchy melody. "What the Flower" is a soul-infused B-side track with her lush vocals moving nimbly across sparkling guitar work and warm piano.[11]

Critical reception

Sofiana Ramli of NME wrote that "the pair of songs work well together, presenting new facades to a beloved veteran performer". Writing for IZM, Stern stated that "Tail" is a "song that reveals Sunmi's concerns, who don't want to fall into mannerism".

The A-side song "Tail" won best song in the official 2021 Miyane fan club awards. In addition, the B Side "What the Flower" won the best B-side award for the same year.

Credits

Credits adapted from Melon.[12]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea (Gaon)[13] 22
South Korea (K-pop 100)[14] 20
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)[15] 13
Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US World Digital Songs (Billboard)18

Monthly chart

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
South Korea (Circle)[16] 35

Year-end chart

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
South Korea (Circle)[17] 191

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 선미 측 "2월 말 목표로 컴백 준비 중"(공식). 2021-02-26. entertain.naver.com. ko.
  2. Web site: Lee. Sunmi. February 10, 2021. [COMEBACK TEASER]]. February 26, 2021. Twitter.
  3. Web site: 23일 컴백 선미, 새 앨범 타이틀곡은 '꼬리'..트랙리스트 이미지 공개. 2021-02-26. breaknews.com. February 15, 2021 . ko.
  4. Web site: Lee. Sunmi. February 17, 2021. [CONCEPT PHOTO] - 꽃같네(What The Flower) CONCEPT PHOTO]. February 26, 2021. Twitter.
  5. Web site: Lee. Sunmi. February 18, 2021. [CONCEPT VIDEO] - 꼬리(TAIL) CONCEPT VIDEO]. February 26, 2021. Twitter.
  6. Web site: Lee. Sunmi. February 18, 2021. [CONCEPT PHOTO] - 꼬리(TAIL) CONCEPT PHOTO]. February 26, 2021. Twitter.
  7. Web site: 꼬리' 컴백 선미, 콘셉트 포토 공개..도도한 캣우먼 변신 '시선강탈'. 2021-02-26. breaknews.com. ko.
  8. Web site: Lee. Sunmi. February 22, 2021. [MUSIC VIDEO TEASER]]. February 26, 2021. Twitter.
  9. Web site: 2021-02-24. 선미, 신곡 '꼬리(TAIL)'로 캣우먼 완벽 변신. 2021-02-26. 톱데일리. ko.
  10. News: Sunmi returns with a bold swing of 'Tail'. Ji-won. Choi. February 23, 2021. March 6, 2021. The Korea Herald.
  11. News: Sunmi's 'TAIL' is a flirty affair that hints at a fully realised artistic identity. Ramili. Sofiana. March 1, 2021. March 6, 2021. NME.
  12. Web site: 꼬리 (TAIL) - 선미 . Melon . 13 October 2021 . ko.
  13. Web site: Tail. March 11, 2021.
  14. Billboard Korea K-Pop 100. Billboard. March 5, 2021.
  15. Sunmi. March 3, 2021. Billboard.
  16. Web site: 2021년 3월 Digital Chart. Circle Chart. January 13, 2023.
  17. Web site: Digital Chart 2021. Circle Chart. January 13, 2023.