Anywhere (Rita Ora song)

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"Anywhere"
Ora posing in a white T-shirt and blue shorts.
Single by Rita Ora
from the album Phoenix
Released20 October 2017 (2017-10-20)
Recorded2017
Studio
  • Deep Cuts (Los Angeles, California)
  • KBK (Stockholm, Sweden)
Genre
Length3:35
LabelAtlantic UK
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Alesso
  • Watt
  • Sir Nolan
Rita Ora singles chronology
"Lonely Together"
(2017) 		"Anywhere"
(2017) 		"For You"
(2018)
Music video
"Anywhere" on YouTube

"Anywhere" is a song by British singer Rita Ora. It was released on 20 October 2017 as the second single from Ora's second studio album, Phoenix (2018). The track was written by Ora, Ali Tamposi, Brian Lee, Nick Gale, and its producers Alesso, Watt and Sir Nolan. It is a wistful, dance-pop and electropop love song about escapism, featuring a breakdown of stuttering vocal loops.

The song was chosen as The Guardian's track of the week. Commercially, "Anywhere" reached the top ten in fifteen countries, including the United Kingdom where it peaked at number two (making it Ora's eleventh UK top-ten single). The music video, directed by Declan Whitebloom, shows Ora in various locations throughout New York City.

Background and release[]

According to Ora, the story behind the song came from Avicii's single, "Lonely Together" (which she featured on), as both were "cut from the same cloth", being developed from a similar guitar line by some of the songwriters who worked with her on "Anywhere".[2] Ora wrote "Anywhere" with Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Brian Lee, Alesso, Digital Farm Animals and Sir Nolan.[3][1][4] The core of the track was written in Los Angeles in early 2017 and stemmed from the initial hook, "Take me anywhere, anywhere away from here", which then became "...anywhere away with you."[5][6] It was inspired by Ora wanting to go on a road trip with her friends to escape Los Angeles.[7][8]

"Anywhere" was first made available for pre-order and its cover art was shared by Ora on Instagram on 13 October 2017.[9] The song was released by Atlantic Records UK as the album's second single on 20 October 2017.[3][5] The same day, Ora appeared on The Radio 1 Breakfast Show as a host alongside Nick Grimshaw to premiere "Anywhere".[10] Remixes by R3hab and Willy William were released on 24 November 2017.[11][12] The following day, "Anywhere" was promoted with its own filter on Snapchat.[13]

Composition[]

"Anywhere" is a wistful, dance-pop and electropop song.[14][15] Featuring dream-like production, the track has a firm electronic beat which acts as a metronome for Ora's vocal.[14][16] Instrumentation is provided by keyboards and guitar.[3] The song has two choruses; the first begins with Ora singing "Over the hills and far away, a million miles from L.A, just anywhere away with you," while the second is a breakdown of stuttering vocal loops.[14] Having a moderate tempo of 107 beats per minute, the song is written in the key of B minor and follows the chord progression of Em–A–D–Bm in the first chorus.[17]

As interpreted by the singer, "Anywhere" is a love song about escapism and "having a desperation of wanting to break free from whatever it is you're going through."[5][16] Ora also felt the song's message of breaking free was relevant to what British citizens have experienced in 2017.[9] Andrew R. Chow of The New York Times wrote that the lyrics are driven by wanderlust.[18] Due to the processed vocal loops, the second chorus is lyrically inaudible and has no meaning. Ora said lyrics to it can be made up.[2][8]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

"Anywhere" was chosen by The Guardian as their track of the week. Journalist Peter Robinson deemed the song a "well-judged electropop romp" and "the modern answer" to ABBA's "Super Trouper", adding that it "sounds like something that sparks minor online controversy when it only comes third in Sweden's annual Eurovision heats – and Melodifestivalen followers will know there is no higher compliment."[15] Laurence Day of The Line of Best Fit regarded it as "a glittering return".[7] Rolling Stone's Sarah Grant opined that unlike on "Lonely Together", Ora "sounds refreshingly unadorned on this simple song."[16] A critic from The Observer wrote, "Pensive, poised and ludicrously catchy, Rita Ora continues her patient rebirth with this delicate banger."[19] Writing for Billboard magazine, Jon Ali called "Anywhere" Ora's "finest single to date", noting, "it sounds like Rita's finally found her footing in the pop musical landscape, and it's on the dancefloor."[20]

Chart performance[]

On 27 October 2017, "Anywhere" debuted at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 16,085 units.[21] In its fourth week, the song reached number two with sales of 38,159 units.[22] "Anywhere" became Ora's 11th top 10 single in the UK, and her third of 2017 (following "Your Song" and "Lonely Together").[23]

Music video[]

Directed by Declan Whitebloom, the music video for "Anywhere" was filmed over 14 hours in New York City on 5 October 2017.[24][25][26] The video was produced by Randy Bobbit for Black Dog Films and commissioned by Dan Curwin.[24] Most of Ora's jewellery and footwear in the visual were designed by Alexis Bittar and Sophia Webster, respectively.[25] One of the scenes see Ora dancing in a restaurant that remained open while the video was being filmed.[27] The video personifies the song's message of romantic escapism although a love interest is absent.[16][28] It finds Ora dancing and singing in nine different high fashion ensembles in various locations.[29] The music video premiered on YouTube at 12:00 GMT on 20 October 2017.[30][31] The video has gained more than 300 million views on YouTube.

Ora wearing an Off-White blue velveteen coatdress in a scene filmed at the Meatpacking District, Manhattan.

It begins with Ora singing at Times Square, wearing a half-and-half Halpern Fall 2017 collection piece and large square earrings by Bittar. She is then shown on a hotel rooftop overlooking the Hudson River in a Tezenis black bodysuit, a red coat from Vaquera The Handmaid's Tale Collection and Double Disco earrings.[25][32] Other segments take place at a shop, restaurant, hair salon and in the streets of the Meatpacking District and Chinatown, Manhattan.[32]

In the next scene, Ora holds blue balloons while walking through traffic and on sidewalks, sporting a matching blue velveteen coatdress and thigh-high boots from Off White's Fall 2017 collection.[25][28] The singer is also shown on a moving carriage in an Attico multi-patterned halter gown, Colin LoCascio red faux-fur coat and Saint Laurent Niki Swarovski crystal-embellished leather knee-high boots. In other scenes, she has hip hop-style looks including a Mulberry jumpsuit, a black Paco Rabanne top and bottom, and a Madeleine Thompson rainbow cashmere tracksuit with a pink bucket hat by Kangol and Marc Jacobs. In a scene near the end of the video, Ora runs in a street in a vintage Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, Gigi Burris veil and Mulberry boots.[25]

MTV's Sam Prance regarded it among Ora's best videos, writing, "From the incredible outfits to the setting and the carefree vibe, it's a total joy to watch".[27] Ross McNeilage from the same publication described it as "super-fun" and "a high-fashion Rita in Wonderland."[28]

Live performances[]

Ora's first televised performance of "Anywhere" was on The Jonathan Ross Show on 21 October 2017.[33] The following day, she performed the song in a medley with "Your Song" and "Lonely Together" at the 2017 BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards.[34] On 5 November, Ora performed "Anywhere" on The X Factor UK.[35] She performed a medley of "Anywhere" and "Your Song" at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards on 12 November,[36] and at Germany's 2017 Bambi Awards on 16 November.[37] Ora also performed "Anywhere" on the Children in Need 2017 telethon (18 November),[38] Australian breakfast programme Sunrise (22 November),[39] and Sounds Like Friday Night (1 December).[40] She performed an acoustic version of "Anywhere" alongside a cover of the Wham! classic "Last Christmas" on Radio 1's Live Lounge on 11 December.[41]

On 21 February 2018, Ora performed "Anywhere" live during a medley with "Your Song" and "For You" (with Liam Payne) at the 2018 Brit Awards.[42] On 12 April 2018, she performed the song live during a similar medley at the German Echo Music Prize.[43]

Track listings[]

  • Digital download[3]
  1. "Anywhere" – 3:35
  1. "Anywhere" (R3hab Remix) – 2:54
  1. "Anywhere" (Willy William Remix) – 3:33

Credits and personnel[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[1]

  • Rita Ora – composition, vocals
  • Ali Tamposi – composition, backing vocals
  • Andrew Watt – composition, production, backing vocals, keyboard, guitar, programming, vocal production
  • Alesso – composition, production, keyboard, programming
  • Nolan Lambroza – composition, production, keyboard, instruments, programming
  • Nicholas Gale – composition
  • Brian Lee – composition
  • John Hanes – mix engineering
  • Dave Kutch – master engineering
  • Daniel Zaidenstadt – engineering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing

Charts[]

Certifications[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[105] 3× Platinum 210,000double-dagger
Austria (IFPI Austria)[106] Gold 15,000double-dagger
Belgium (BEA)[107] Gold 10,000double-dagger
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[108] Platinum 60,000double-dagger
Canada (Music Canada)[109] Gold 40,000double-dagger
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[110] Platinum 90,000double-dagger
France (SNEP)[111] Gold 100,000double-dagger
Germany (BVMI)[112] Gold 200,000double-dagger
Italy (FIMI)[113] Gold 25,000double-dagger
Netherlands (NVPI)[114] Platinum 40,000double-dagger
New Zealand (RMNZ)[115] Gold 15,000double-dagger
Norway (IFPI Norway)[116] Platinum 60,000double-dagger
Poland (ZPAV)[117] Diamond 100,000double-dagger
Portugal (AFP)[118] Gold 5,000double-dagger
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[119] Gold 20,000double-dagger
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[120] Platinum 20,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[121] 2× Platinum 1,200,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Anywhere / Rita Ora". Tidal. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Ora, Rita (2 November 2017). "Rita Ora on Working With Chris Martin, MTV EMAs & More". Independent Local Radio (Interview). Interviewed by Glen Scott. Kent: KMFM.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Anywhere". Qobuz. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Anywhere / Warner/Chappell Music". Warner/Chappell Music. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Gibson, John (16 October 2017). "Rita Ora on acceptance, her second album and why she feels like she's 'reborn'". AOL. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  6. ^ Knight, Jenna (13 October 2017). "Rita Ora announces new single 'Anywhere' available from 20 October" (Press release). Atlantic Records. Pressparty. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Day, Laurence (20 October 2017). "Rita Ora has returned with 'Anywhere'". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Ungerman, Alex (3 November 2017). "Rita Ora Admits She Has No Idea What She's Singing in That One Part of 'Anywhere' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Bhutia, Jigmey (15 October 2017). "'Why are you so beautiful?' Fans gush over Rita Ora's stunning photo". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  10. ^ "#NewMusicFriday: It's Rita Ora vs Liam Payne". BBC. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Anywhere (R3hab Remix)". Qobuz. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "Anywhere (Willy William Remix)". Qobuz. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  13. ^ Sukhraj, Ramona (22 October 2017). "The Complete List of Snapchat Filter Songs". Medium. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b c Copsey, Rob (19 October 2017). "Rita Ora's new single Anywhere - first listen preview". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b Robinson, Peter (27 October 2017). "Rita Ora's Anywhere: an Abba-esque electropop romp". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Grant, Sarah (20 October 2017). "See Rita Ora's Wild New York City Night in 'Anywhere' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  17. ^ "Rita Ora - Anywhere (Digital Sheet Music)". Musicnotes, Inc. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  18. ^ Chow, Andrew R. (12 November 2017). "What's on TV Sunday: Joe Biden and the MTV Europe Awards". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  19. ^ "The New Review - Hot Tracks". The Observer. 29 October 2017. p. 32.
  20. ^ Ali, Jon (1 November 2017). "Queer Necessities: Billboard Pride's November Playlist". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  21. ^ Jones, Alan (27 October 2017). "Official Charts Analysis: Post Malone's Rockstar seals fourth week as the UK's top single". Music Week. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  22. ^ Jones, Alan (17 November 2017). "Charts Analysis: Camila Cabello scores third week atop singles chart". Music Week. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  23. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (11 November 2017). "Camila Cabello Leads The U.K. Singles Chart for a Second Week While Rita Ora Scores Another Smash". Forbes. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Rita Ora 'Anywhere' by Declan Whitebloom". Promo News. 25 October 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Watkins, Rachel (6 October 2017). "All The Looks From Rita Ora's 'Anywhere' Music Video Shoot". RCFA. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  26. ^ Ora, Rita (6 October 2017). "Mood. After a 14-hour music video day". Instagram. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b Prance, Sam (26 October 2017). "Rita Ora Shares Stunning Behind the Scenes Video of 'Anywhere'". MTV. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b c McNeilage, Ross (20 October 2017). "Rita Ora Is A Carefree New Yorker in The 'Anywhere" Video". MTV. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  29. ^ Stern, Bradley (25 October 2017). "Look, Rita Ora's 'Anywhere' Deserves Our Respect". MuuMuse. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  30. ^ Ora, Rita (19 October 2017). "Anywhere. Song + Video Out tomorrow at 12PM ❤". Instagram. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  31. ^ Ora, Rita (20 October 2017). "Let's gooooo!! The #ANYWHERE video is out now on @youtube