Words (Alesso song) explained

Words
Cover:Alesso - Words.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Alesso featuring Zara Larsson
Recorded:December 2021 – January 2022
Released:22 April 2022
Genre:
Length:2:22
Label:
Producer:Alesso
Chronology:Alesso
Prev Title:When I'm Gone
Prev Year:2022

"Words" is a song by Swedish DJ and producer Alesso, featuring vocals from fellow Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 22 April 2022 by 10:22PM and Astralwerks. "Words" was written and produced by Alesso, with co-writing from Larsson, Karen Ann Poole and Becky Hill. Further production was provided by Hampus Lindvall, who produced Larsson's vocals. The song received mostly positive reviews from critics and reached number 5 in Sweden and the top 40 in Flanders, Croatia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom.

Background and composition

"Words" is an EDM-pop and house-pop song, written by Alesso, Larsson, Karen Ann Poole and British singer Becky Hill. Alesso also produced the song with production of Larsson's vocals by Hampus Lindvall.[1] [2] It was recorded in both artists' home country of Sweden between December 2021 and January 2022.[3] During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Alesso and Larsson acknowledged that they had known each other for years but had never gotten around to collaborating previously, despite wanting to. Alesso explained his approach to approaching artists, "I always look for artists who can carry dance records".[3] Prior to the release of "Words", or the confirmation of the collaboration, Alesso teased that his next single would feature a female vocalist via TikTok. The teasers featured coloured/artistic silhouettes, but fans immediately guessed that Larsson was going to be featured on the song.[3] [4] The "sultry" lyrics feature Larsson singing about the "words she can't tell a lover".[5] V also noted the vulnerability in the lyrics.[2]

"Words" was released on 22 April 2022, the same day as Piri & Tommy's song of the same name.[6] Alesso's VIP Mix of the song was released on 27 May 2022. Both versions of the song have been played during Alesso's Las Vegas residency at Tao.[3] [7]

Reception

Critics reviews

Drew Barkin from EDM Tunes praised Larsson's "glistening vocals" atop the "super catch" track, stating that their "only regret was that the song wasn't longer".[1] Staff writing for Billboard included "Words" in their best dance songs of the week, praising it for helping to continue Alesso's "hot streak".[5] Ellie Beeck of V called "Words" a "a radio-friendly dance song that is sure to be played at clubs everywhere this summer."[2]

Commercial performance

"Words" peaked at number ten on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, becoming his sixth top-ten single on the chart and on the US On the US Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, it peaked at number four, Alesso's ninth top-five single on the chart.[8] [9]

Music video

The concept of the music video was a clash of worlds with imagery of Greek mythology. Alesso called the video a collaboration and mix of Alesso's world (rave) and Larsson's fashion and beauty.[3] It was directed by Jason Lester and featured an ensemble cast.

Track listing

Digital download/streaming

  1. "Words" (featuring Zara Larsson) – 2:22

Digital download/streaming – Alesso VIP Mix

  1. "Words" (featuring Zara Larsson; Alesso VIP Mix) – 5:28

Personnel and credits

Song credits

Music video credits

Adapted from YouTube.[10]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2022–2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia Hitseekers (ARIA)[11] 19
Croatia International Airplay (HRT)[12] 24
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)132
Finnish Airplay (Radiosoittolista)[13] 10
Lithuania (AGATA)[14] 38
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] 16
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[16] 68

Monthly charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[17] 49
Slovakia (Rádio – Top 100)[18] 13
Slovakia (Singles Digitál – Top 100)[19] 54

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] 42
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[21] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22] 35
Poland (ZPAV)[23] 52
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 14
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[25] 34

Release history

Region! scope=col
Datescope=colFormatscope=colVersionscope=colLabelscope=col
Various22 April 2022Original[26]
27 May 2022Alesso VIP Mix

References

Citations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alesso Drops Catchy Pop-EDM Track With Zara Larsson 'Words' . Edmtunes.com . Barkin . Drew . 26 April 2022 . 30 June 2022 . 16 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220616113814/https://www.edmtunes.com/2022/04/alesso-drops-catchy-pop-edm-track-with-zara-larsson-words/ . live .
  2. Web site: V's new music round up . Beeck . Ellie . . . New York . 22 April 2022 . 30 June 2022 . 17 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517225946/https://vmagazine.com/article/vs-new-music-round-up-66/ . live .
  3. Alesso . Words . Larsson . Zara . Danny Directo . Alesso and Zara Larsson Dish on Their Collab (Exclusive) . . 29 May 2022 . . 30 June 2022 . 6 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220606023444/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=644uIWKGmjQ . live .
  4. Web site: Alesso unites with Zara Larsson to form Swedish powerhouse on 'Words' . Dancing Astronaut . Salafia . Zach . 22 April 2022 . 30 June 2022 . 14 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514002124/https://dancingastronaut.com/2022/04/alesso-unites-with-zara-larsson-for-swedish-mega-collab-words/ . live .
  5. First Spin: The Week's Best New Dance Music From Hot Chip, Alesso, Kerri Chandler & More . Billboard Staff . . 22 April 2022 . 30 June 2022 . 18 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518065935/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-dance-hot-chip-alesso-1235062455/ . live .
  6. Web site: piri Singles and EPs discography . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204123745/https://open.spotify.com/artist/4DpmPt7gfAAq7WEx0E1X8s/discography/single . 4 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . Spotify.
  7. Web site: Alesso releases VIP mix of 'Words': Listen . We Rave You . Vuoncino . Chris . 30 May 2022 . 30 June 2022 . 30 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630174715/https://weraveyou.com/2022/05/alesso-vip-mix-words/ . live .
  8. Web site: Alesso – Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart history . . 1 July 2022.
  9. Web site: Alesso – Dance / Mix Show chart history . . 1 July 2022.
  10. Web site: Alesso – Words (feat. Zara Larsson) . . . 22 April 2022 . 1 July 2022.
  11. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 29 August 2022. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1695. 24. 29 August 2022.
  12. Web site: Harry Styles predvodi ARC 100, Ava Max na korak do vrha. Harry Styles leads ARC 100, Ava Max on the step to the top. HRT. 27 June 2022. 20 October 2024. hr.
  13. Web site: Radiosoittolista. fi. Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. 15 December 2023.
  14. Web site: 2022 34-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. 26 August 2022. 27 August 2022.
  15. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart . 1 July 2022 . . en . 31 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220531140158/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5325 . live .
  16. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. 18 January 2023. Select week 30.12.2022–05.01.2023..
  17. Web site: CZ – RADIO – TOP 100: Měsíc 8/2022. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 20 October 2024. cs.
  18. Web site: SK – RADIO – TOP 100: Měsíc 10/2022. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 20 October 2024. cs.
  19. Web site: SK – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 9/2022. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 20 October 2024. cs.
  20. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. 13 January 2023.
  21. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2022. Dutch Top 40. nl. 3 January 2023.
  22. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2022. MegaCharts. nl. 4 January 2023.
  23. Web site: Airplay 2022 – najpopularniejsze radiowe single. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. pl. 17 February 2023.
  24. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2022. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 15 January 2023.
  25. Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. 5 December 2022.
  26. Web site: Words / Alesso . . 22 April 2022 . 29 June 2022 . 30 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630174717/https://listen.tidal.com/oldBrowser.html . live .

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