Unbelievable (Owl City song) explained

Unbelievable
Cover:	Unbelievable Owl City.jpg
Artist:	Owl City featuring Hanson
Album:	Mobile Orchestra
Released:	June 26, 2015
Type:	Single
Genre:	Pop^[1]
Studio:	Sky Harbor Studios, Owatonna, Minnesota; The Terrarium (Minneapolis, MN)
Label:	Republic
Producer:	Young
Chronology:	Owl City
Prev Title:	My Everything
Prev Year:	2015
Next Title:	Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Next Year:	2017

"Unbelievable" is a song by American electronica project Owl City. The song was released on June 26, 2015 as the third and final single from his fifth studio album, Mobile Orchestra. The track features American pop rock band Hanson.^[2]

Background and composition

"Unbelievable" was written by Adam Young, Isaac Hanson, Matthew Thiessen and Emily Wright while production was handled by Young.^[3] Young stated that working with Hanson was a "total dream collaboration." He also called the group the "nicest" and "easiest guys to work with."^[4]

The track runs at 118 BPM and is in the key of D-sharp major.^[5] The song is a nostalgic track with influences of a 90's pop sound and features pop culture references such as Nintendo and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air among many more.^[1]

Owl City and Hanson performed the song on The Today Show on July 14, 2015.^[6]

Critical reception

Kelsie Gibson of Bustle stated, "From Owl City's pure pop sound to Hanson's amazing vocals, this song has me hoping this is just the beginning of more '90s revivals."^[1]

Music video

An animated music video for the song was released on June 29, 2015.^[7] The video was directed by Ryan Maloney and features a walking VHS tape strolling down a paved sidewalk while whistling to the song.^[8] The video also showcases the musicians in animated form, performing the track.^[1]

Personnel

Owl City

• Adam Young – vocals, composer

Additional musicians

• Hanson – featured artist

Production

• Adam Young – producer
• Isaac Hanson – composer
• Matthew Thiessen – composer
• Emily Wright – composer
• Ted Jensen – mastering engineer
• Robert Orton – mixing engineer

Charts

Chart performance for "Unbelievable"

Chart (2015)	Peak position
South Korea International Chart (GAON)^[9]	47
US Hot Christian Songs (Billboard)^[10]	20

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format	Label
Various	June 26, 2015		Republic

Notes and References

1. Hanson Takes Us Back To The '90s. Bustle. Kelsie Gibson. June 29, 2015. March 23, 2023.
2. Web site: One more day until "Unbelievable (ft. @HansonMusic)" hits – pre-order my album and get the song first thing tmrw!!. Twitter. March 23, 2023.
3. Web site: Unbelievable - Owl City. AllMusic. March 23, 2023.
4. Head back to the '90s in Owl City's animated 'Unbelievable' video. Entertainment Weekly. Madison Vain. June 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150630112411/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/29/owl-city-hanson-unbelievable-music-video. June 30, 2015. April 8, 2023.
5. Web site: Key and BPM of Unbelievable by Owl City. Musicstax.com. July 10, 2015. March 23, 2023.
6. Web site: New Music From Owl City: Unbelievable Featuring Hanson. Herb Longs. June 26, 2015. March 23, 2023.
7. Web site: The '90s Nostalgia Is 'Unbelievable' In Hanson's Owl City Cameo. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807171143/https://www.mtv.com/news/n29zkg/hanson-owl-city-unbelievable. dead. August 7, 2022. MTV. Amanda Bell. June 29, 2015. March 23, 2023.
8. Web site: The Dream Of The '90s Is Alive In Owl City & Hanson's Unbelievable Video. Idolator. Carl Williott. July 1, 2015. March 23, 2023.
9. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart: 2015.06.28~2015.07.04. GAON. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709222327/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2015&targetTime=28&nationGbn=E. July 9, 2015. April 16, 2024.
10. Owl City – Chart History: Christian Songs. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20211118011851/https://www.billboard.com/artist/owl-city/chart-history/ico/. November 18, 2021. March 23, 2023.