Thanks for Leaving explained

Thanks for Leaving
Cover:Thanks For Leaving Alexandrastan.jpg
Alt:Stan posing in front of a blue backdrop, with her sporting an outfit used for the single's music video.
Type:single
Artist:Alexandra Stan
Album:Unlocked
Released:28 April 2014
Studio:Perfect Sound, Hollywood, California
Genre:Electropop
Length:3:36
Prev Title:Baby, It's OK!
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Cherry Pop
Next Year:2014

"Thanks for Leaving" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Alexandra Stan for her second studio album, Unlocked (2014). It was made available for digital consumption on 28 April 2014 through Fonogram Records and Roton as the record's first single. Written by Alexandru Cotoi, Sebastian Jacome, Lee Anna James and Naz Tokio, the track was solely produced by Cotoi and Jacome. Musically, "Thanks for Leaving" is an electropop ballad whose lyrical themes discuss on new beginnings, choices that can be made in difficult situations to move forward, and discovering the joy of being yourself. Particularly, Stan revealed that the lyrics of the recording were personal to her as referring to her past-manager Marcel Prodan, with whom she had an alleged physical altercation in 2013, which caused her career hiatus that year.

An accompanying music video for the singledirected by Khaled Mokhtar in the United Stateswas uploaded onto Stan's YouTube channel on 28 April 2014; it was preceded by the release of three short movies. The visual of "Thanks for Leaving" focuses on the singer's relationship with her boyfriend, which ends with him struggling with alcohol issues. Music critics were generally positive towards the recording, praising its lyrical message; one of them found that it could score high at a Eurovision Song Contest. Commercially, the song experienced minor success, reaching number forty-two on the Romanian Airplay 100 and number eighty-three in Italy.

Background

Stan's second studio album, still untitled at that time, was initially intended for a September 2013 release, but following an alleged physical altercation with her former manager Marcel Prodan, the recording was delayed. Stan accused him of physical attack and blackmail. This event led to her appearing injured on Romanian television and taking a career break.[1] [2] [3] [4] Meanwhile, Cliché (Hush Hush), her last record under Prodan's labelMaan Studiowas made available for consumption in Japan.[5] It served as a reissue of Saxobeats (2011) with the addition of three songs ("Lemonade", "Cliché (Hush Hush)" and "All My People"), which were previously released as singles and were intended for her second studio album.[5] [6] [7] [8] After her recovery, the singer was sued by Prodan for using his songs in her live performances without his permission,[9] but won the copyright battle in June 2014.[10] Subsequently, Stan signed a record deal with Fonogram Records and continued working on her album with another team, including new collaborations with record producers and songwriters Alex Cotoi and Erik Lidbom.

Recordings and composition

After spending some months in the United States,[11] Stan began working on the track in October 2013 at the two-weeks inaugural international songwriting FonoCamp in 2013, held in Azuga, Romania, where she met various Romanian and international artists.[12] "Thanks for Leaving" was written by Lee Anna James, Naz Tokio, Sebastian Jacome and Alexandru Cotoi, while being solely produced by Jacome and Cotoi.[13] When interviewed by Direct Lyrics, she stated that, "This might sound like a cliché, but I expressed myself best through my work. 'Thanks For Leaving' is a song that I had to do and had to sing, it carries such a strong emotional message for me. It talks about how important it is sometimes to just let go of things and move on. I feel like I've done that. I know others relate to the song's message too, so I do hope it has helped them do the same."[14] The single portrays a "modern" electropop song and a pop ballad, which acts as a departure from her previous dance styles.[15] [16] [17] It also serves as the first ballad released in her career.[17] Lyrically, the recording delves on themes of new beginnings, choices that can be made in difficult situations to move forward, and discovering the joy of being yourself.[18] In interviews, Stan expressed that the content of "Thanks for Leaving" is personal and refers to her recovery following her alleged violent incident previously mentioned with Prodan.[19] [11] [20] Florin Grozea of newspaper Adevărul felt the line "I won't spend another day with you inside my head... How could you be so cruel? Turned me into a liar." was directly addressed to Prodan.[21]

Reception

Upon its release, "Thanks for Leaving" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Romanian newspaper Adevărul praised Stan's vocal performance on the song, while also acclaiming its lyrical message.[21] French publication Musique Mag labelled the track "a self-therapy that could climb to the top of the charts this autumn."[16] German music website Hitfire confessed that "Thanks for Leaving" was a "beautiful pop ballad, which also didn't become too dramatic."[17] However, the portal went on into criticizing the singer's accent in her vocals, suggesting that the recording would have sounded better in Romanian language; Hitfire further pointed out that a climax was missing in the track, and denied that "Thanks for Leaving" would become a hit.[17] Commercially, the song experienced minor success. It debuted on the Romanian Airplay 100 at number seventy-one on 11 May 2014,[22] reaching its peak position at number forty-two the next week;[23] it fell to number fifty-one in the week ending 25 May 2014.[24] In Italy, "Thanks for Leaving" opened and peaked on the FIMI chart at position eighty-three, dropping to number ninety-seven the subsequent edition.[25]

Music video and promotion

The accompanying music video for "Thanks for Leaving" was directed by Khaled Mokhtar, and was previewed by several teasers[15] before being uploaded onto Stan's YouTube channel on 28 April 2014.[26] It was preceded by the release of three short films"Rebirth of a Passenger", "No Regrets" and "The Right Moment", which featured the singer performing choreography with backup dancers while speaking over a background melody.[27] [28] [29] [30] [31] The visual was filmed in various locations in the United Statesincluding California[32] in the span of five days;[15] Stan changed eleven outfits throughout the clip.[15]

The visual opens with two men fighting, including one of them being thrown to the floor by the latter. Stanlistening to the action from her houseleaves the place by car, following which she and her boyfriend are presented sitting at opposite ends of a bed. The singer is eventually left by the male alone in the room, with him being shown entering a supermarket while Stan lies on the ground near a piano. Later, he gets back to her house again, but Stan closes the door in his face. Subsequently, she is portrayed traveling with a red car previously shown in the beginning, arriving at an old vehicle and holding a bird on her arm. Over the rest of the music video, the singer is shown meeting her love interest face to face two more times, including a performance of the song to a bar's crowd in which he is featured, sporting a white dress and head accessory. Her suitor ends struggling with alcohol issues. Scenes interspersed through the main video present the singer laying over the abandoned vehicle, and playing the piano in her room.[26]

The song was included on the track list of Stan's Unlocked Tour (2014–15) in Japan.[13] [33] She uploaded a video on her YouTube channel that sees her performing the single while being accompanied by Romanian singer Viky Red on piano.[34] The singer sang the recording live for Romanian radio stations Radio ZU, Pro FM, Radio 21 and Kiss FM.[35] [36] [37] [38] On Radio ZU, Stan further sang a medley of "Mr. Saxobeat" (2011) and "Get Back (ASAP)" (2012).[39]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Unlocked and The Collection.[13] [40]

RecordingRecorded at Perfect Sound Studios in Hollywood, California.
Technical and composing credits
Music video credits

Release history

TerritoryFormatDateLabel(s)
Worldwide[42] Digital download28 April 2014
Italy[43] [44] Digital download12 May 2014
Radio airplayEgo

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Alexandra Stan, desfigurată după ce ar fi fost bătută de manager. 7 June 2013. Alexandra Stan, desfigurated following the beating she has received from her manager. Mediafax. ro. 5 May 2015. Legănel, Cătălin.
  2. News: Alexandra Stan îl acuză pe Marcel Prodan de șantaj în plângerea depusă la parchetul din Constanța. Alexandra Stan accuses Marcel Prodan of blackmail at the law in Constanța. 18 June 2013. Stirile Pro TV. ro. 6 May 2015.
  3. News: The Associated Press. Romanian singer Alexandra Stan claims manager—boyfriend beat her up after fight over money. 18 June 2013. New York Daily News. 22 September 2015.
  4. News: Romanian Pop Star Alexandra Stan Claims Manager Beat Her Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20160113012722/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/romanian-pop-star-alexandra-stan-manager_n_3459489.html. 2016-01-13. 6 June 2013. Huffington Post. 22 September 2015.
  5. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) – Album by Alexandra Stan on iTunes. ja . iTunes Store. 2 September 2016. 2 October 2013.
  6. Web site: Lemonade – Single di Alexandra Stan su iTunes. it. iTunes Store. 2 July 2016. 15 June 2012.
  7. Web site: Cliché (Hush Hush) – Single de Alexandra Stan en iTunes. iTunes Store. 6 November 2012. 27 June 2016.
  8. News: All My People (vs. Manilla Maniacs) – Single by Alexandra Stan on iTunes. 1 May 2013. iTunes Store. 26 May 2016.
  9. News: Probleme pentru Alexandra Stan! Data in judecata de Marcel Prodan!. 17 January 2014. Libertatea. 22 March 2016. ro. Problems for Alexandra Stan! She was sued by Marcel Prodan!.
  10. News: A castigat procesul cu Marcel Prodan, insa Alexandra Stan nu a scapat de probleme! Ce interdictie i-a pus celalalt fost manager. She won the process with Marcel Prodan, but Alexandra Stan didn't get rid of problems! See what an interdiction her other manager set her. ro. 26 June 2014. Cancan. 22 September 2015.
  11. News: A întrecut limita? Alexandra Stan, fără lenjerie intimă în fața studenților. Has she surpassed the limit? Alexandra Stan, without underwear in front of students. Libertatea. ro. 26 June 2014. 2 September 2016.
  12. News: Smiley, Delia, Mohombi si Alexandra Stan au fost impreuna in tabara. Vezi cine sunt cei care au reusit sa ii scoata din tabieturi lor si sa ii puna sa munceasca impreuna. Smiley, Delia, Mohombi and Alexandra Stan met at the songwriting camp. See who convinced them to work together. Wowbiz. ro. 3 November 2013. 31 January 2016.
  13. Unlocked . Unlocked (Alexandra Stan album) . . 2014 . Liner notes . Roton (Barcode: 8693644012601) . Bucharest, Romania.
  14. Web site: DirectLyrics Interviews Alexandra Stan: On Second Album, New Single "Dance", Speaking Spanish & Romania Tourism!. Apaza, Kevin. 31 July 2014. Direct Lyrics. 22 October 2015.
  15. News: Alexandra Stan – "Thanks for Leaving". 28 April 2014. 2 September 2016. Info Music. ro. Tanasă, Raluca.
  16. News: Alexandra Stan : le clip "Thanks for Leaving". 2 September 2016. Musique Mag. fr. Alexandra Stan releases the music video for "Thanks for Leaving".
  17. News: "Mr. Saxobeat" Sängerin Alexandra Stan meldet sich mit Ballade "Thanks for Leaving" zurück. 30 April 2014. 2 September 2016. Hitfire. de. "Mr. Saxobeat"-singer experiences a comeback with ballad "Thanks for Leaving.
  18. News: Alexandra Stan a lansat "Thanks for Leaving". 28 April 2014. 2 September 2016. Cotidianul. ro. Alexandra Stan has released "Thanks for Leaving".
  19. News: Mesajul Alexandrei Stan la sfârşit de relaţie: "Îţi mulţumesc că ai plecat".. Gândul. 28 April 2014. ro. 2 September 2016. Alexandra Stan's message at the end of her relationship: "Thanks for leaving"..
  20. News: Alexandra Stan rupe tăcerea! Vezi ce spune vedeta despre tragedia prin care a trecut acum un an. Click!. 28 April 2014. ro. 2 September 2016. Alexandra Stan breaks the silence! See what the star says about the tragedy she went through a year ago.
  21. News: Alexandra Stan – Thanks for Leaving (recenzie si versuri). Adevărul. 15 June 2014. ro. 2 September 2016. Alexandra Stan – Thanks for Leaving (review and lyrics). Grozea, Florin.
  22. Cristi Nitzu. Airplay 100 . Media Forest. Kiss FM. 11 May 2014 . 2 September 2016.
  23. Web site: Airplay 100 – 18 mai 2014. Kiss FM. ro. 22 September 2018. 18 May 2014.
  24. Cristi Nitzu. Airplay 100 . Media Forest. Kiss FM. 25 May 2014 . 2 September 2016.
  25. Web site: FIMI: Classifica settimanale WK 21 (dal 2014-05-19 al 2014-05-25) . . 9 July 2016.
  26. Web site: Alexandra Stan – Thanks For Leaving [Official Music Video]]. YouTube . 3 September 2016. 28 April 2016.
  27. Web site: Alexandra Stan – Thanks For Leaving EP.1 "Rebirth of a Passenger". YouTube . 3 September 2016. 3 April 2016.
  28. Web site: Alexandra Stan – Thanks For Leaving EP.2 "No Regrets". YouTube . 3 September 2016. 21 April 2016.
  29. Web site: Alexandra Stan – Thanks For Leaving EP.3 "The Right Moment". YouTube . 3 September 2016. 24 April 2016.
  30. Web site: Alexandra Stan – "Thanks For Leaving EP.1 – "Rebirth of a Passenger". Info Music . 3 September 2016. 4 April 2016. Tanasă, Raluca. ro.
  31. Web site: Alexandra Stan – "Thanks For Leaving EP.2 – "No Regrets". Info Music . 3 September 2016. 22 April 2016. Tanasă, Raluca. ro.
  32. Web site: Alexandra Stan – Thanks for leaving (poze filmari videoclip). Urban.ro. 3 September 2016. 2 April 2016. Scris de Edi. ro. Alexandra Stan – Thanks for leaving (behind the scenes). 19 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919040418/http://www.urban.ro/muzica/videoclipuri/alexandra-stan---thanks-for-leaving-poze-filmari-videoclip. dead.
  33. Web site: http://ototoy.jp/news/75650?horiz . ja:アレクサンドラ・スタン、2年振りの来日公演決定. Ototoy. 31 December 2015. 31 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151231105518/http://ototoy.jp/news/75650?horiz. ja. Alexandra Stan, Japan tour decision for the first time in two years. 29 May 2014.
  34. News: Alexandra Stan – Thanks for Leaving (Live @ X Sessions). Urban.ro. 3 September 2016. ro. 17 June 2016. Scris de Edi.
  35. News: Alexandra Stan – Thanks for Leaving (Live la Radio ZU). YouTube. 3 September 2016. 29 April 2014.
  36. News: Alexandra Stan – Thanks For Leaving @ ProFM LIVE Session. YouTube. 3 September 2016. 12 May 2014.
  37. News: Alexandra Stan – Thanks For Leaving (Live @ PatruLa 21). YouTube. 3 September 2016. 7 May 2014.
  38. News: Alexandra Stan Live @ KissFM. YouTube. 3 September 2016. 25 April 2014.
  39. News: Alexandra Stan – Get Back ASAP / Mr. Saxobeat (Live la Radio ZU). YouTube. 3 September 2016. 29 April 2014.
  40. The Collection. . 2015 . Liner notes . Victor Entertainment (Barcode: 4988002698196) . Tokyo, Japan.
  41. Web site: FIMI: Classifica settimanale WK 20 (dal 2014-05-12 al 2014-05-18) . . 9 July 2016.
  42. Citations concerning the international release of "Thanks for Leaving":
  43. Web site: Thanks for Leaving – Single di Alexandra Stan su iTunes. iTunes Store. 12 May 2014. 4 September 2016.
  44. Alexandra Stan 'Thanks for Leaving'. Bencivenga, Ilaria. 12 May 2014. Airplay Control. it. 5 May 2023.