Verge (song) explained

Verge
Cover:Verge - Single (Cover).png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Owl City featuring Aloe Blacc
Album:Mobile Orchestra
Released:May 14, 2015
Recorded:2014–2015
Genre:
Length:3:33
Label:Republic
Producer:Adam Young
Chronology:Owl City
Prev Title:Tokyo
Prev Year:2014
Next Title:My Everything
Next Year:2015

"Verge" is a song by American electronica project Owl City from his fifth studio album Mobile Orchestra. It features guest vocals from American singer Aloe Blacc and was released on May 14, 2015 as the lead single from the album.

Background

After the song was previewed on ESPN's Draft Academy on May 5, it was announced that "Verge", featuring Aloe Blacc would be released on May 14 as the album's first single.[1] A lyric video of "Verge" was later published on Owl City's VEVO channel on YouTube on May 13, 2015.[2]

In an interview with Yahoo Music!, Young explained the meaning of the song; "When I wrote 'Verge' I wanted to capture that moment everyone experiences, that one event in life that signifies the end of an era followed by a new beginning." He also called the collaboration with Blacc an "honor" and his contribution on the track, "invaluable."[3]

Composition

On Owl City's official website, "Verge" is stated as "...his bright, buoyant production and shimmering vocals with a booming soulful refrain from Aloe Blacc. It blurs the lines between electro, alternative, pop, and R&B all at once, while remaining perfect for the dance floor."[4] Young added that he had written the song before sending it to Blacc. He also stated that Blacc helped make the song "a lot better."[5]

Release and promotion

"Verge" reached number 44 on the Japan Hot 100 chart and number three on the Twitter Real-Time Chart. Owl City released on September 11, 2015. The three-track EP featured remixes of "Verge" by Tom Swoon, Low Steppa, and Transcode.[6]

Reception

Amy Sciarretto of Artistdirect praised the track's beats, harmonies and falsetto, and added "Owl City knows how to craft pop songs that embed themselves in our brains for days."[7]

Music video

On May 28, the music video premiered on Yahoo Music! and was made available on VEVO and YouTube the next day.[3] According to Young, the original idea of the video was supposed to have a wedding themed concept before Blacc suggested the video have a graduation themed concept instead.[8]

Track listing

Digital download
The Remixes

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Verge"
Chart (2015)Peak
position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[9] 44
South Korea International Chart (GAON)[10] 93

Year-end charts

Chart (2015)! scope="col"
Position
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[11] 156

Notes and References

  1. 595649198063771648. ESPNMusic. Get a sneak peak first listen to the new song by @OwlCity ft. @AloeBlacc tonight on #DraftAcademy 7PM EST @ESPN! "Verge" is available 5-14. May 5, 2015.
  2. Web site: Owl City Verge Featuring Aloe Blacc Lyric Video. Herb Longs. May 17, 2015. February 4, 2023.
  3. Web site: See It First: Owl City Debuts Verge Featuring Aloe Blacc. Yahoo! Music. Wendy Geller. May 28, 2015. May 28, 2015.
  4. Web site: Owl City - Bio. www.owlcitymusic.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20151105040917/http://www.owlcitymusic.com/bio/. November 5, 2015. February 4, 2023.
  5. Web site: Interview: Owl City. Timeout. May 18, 2015. June 18, 2023.
  6. Web site: Verge (The Remixes) [feat. Aloe Blacc] - EP by Owl City]. Apple Music. February 4, 2023.
  7. Web site: New Owl City Coming July 10; Hear "Verge". Artistdirect. Amy Sciarretto. May 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150530032722/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/new-owl-city-coming-july-10-hear-verge/11713170. May 30, 2015. February 19, 2024.
  8. Web site: Owl City - Verge (Behind The Scenes) ft. Aloe Blacc. YouTube. June 18, 2023.
  9. Web site: Owl City – Chart History: Japan Hot 100. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20160630083154/https://www.billboard.com/artist/322788/owl-city/chart?f=848. June 30, 2016. February 14, 2023.
  10. Web site: Gaon Digital Chart: 2015.07.12~2015.07.18. GAON. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723082242/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/chart/online.gaon?serviceGbn=ALL&termGbn=week&hitYear=2015&targetTime=30&nationGbn=E. July 23, 2015. April 16, 2024.
  11. Web site: Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2015. TopHit. February 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20190809085302/https://tophit.ru/en/chart/russia/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all. August 9, 2019.