Thats What I Want
"Thats What I Want" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Lil Nas X | ||||
from the album Montero | ||||
Released | September 17, 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:23 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Lil Nas X singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Thats What I Want" on YouTube |
"Thats What I Want" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper and singer Lil Nas X, released through Columbia Records on September 17, 2021, as the fourth single from his debut studio album Montero (2021). It is a pop and pop rock song with elements of power pop, while the rapper is singing about wanting love. It was written by Lil Nas X and the song's producers, Omer Fedi, Blake Slatkin, Ryan Tedder, and KBeaZy.
It received favorable reviews, with critics comparing it to Sum 41's work, especially to their 2007 single "Underclass Hero". The song's release was accompanied by a Stillz-directed music video featuring the rapper falling in love with a football player. It contains a cameo from Billy Porter and an homage to the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain. Lil Nas X performed this song for the first time on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. It became a top ten hit in 10 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Composition[]
"Thats What I Want" was written by Lil Nas X, and song's producers: Omer Fedi, Blake Slatkin, Ryan Tedder, and KBeaZy.[1] It is a pop[2][3] and pop-rock[4] song backed-up by acoustic guitar,[5] "breezy" rhythm,[6] "acoustic strums and hand claps and raindrop-bloopy synth notes."[7] The song was compared by the critics to Sum 41's "Underclass Hero" (2007), Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" (2014) and the Kid Laroi's collaboration with Justin Bieber "Stay" (2021).[6][7][8][9] The track begins with the rapper stating "Need a boy who can cuddle with me all night."[3] The song's chorus is accompanied by "power pop" background choir and it sees Lil Nas X singing that he wants to have a lover.[10]
Release and promotion[]
Lil Nas X first previewed the song on TikTok on February 14, 2021.[11] On August 26, 2021, Lil Nas X published another Montero announcement in a form of news, with "Thats What I Want" playing in the background.[4][12] Hours before the album's release, the rapper uploaded a video on his YouTube channel entitled The Montero Show, where he presents his music videos from the least to the most favorite, but when he is about to announce the "Thats What I Want" video his water breaks. Deryck Whibley and Jason McCaslin talks about the Underclass Hero single of the song from the video.[13] With the album's release, the song has been announced as its fourth single.[14] On the same day it received airplay premiere on Australian mainstream radio station The Music Network and British BBC Radio 1.[15][16] It impacted pop radios in Italy and the United States on September 24 and 28 respectively.[17][18] Later it was sent to the US rhythmic contemporary stations and Russian contemporary hit radios in October.[19][20] He debuted this song live on September 22, 2021, for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.[21]
Critical reception[]
Carl Wilson from Slate stated that "Thats What I Want" is a "fantastic" song and an "anthem of same-sex longing";[7] while Mike Wass of Variety called it "toe-tapper with massive radio appeal".[3] Its chorus has been described as "indelible" by The Guardian's Alexis Petridis,[6] "snappy" by Gil Kaufman of Billboard,[22] and "stirring" in an article published on Entertainment Weekly by Maura Johnston.[10] Calling its beat "infectious", David Smyth of Evening Standard said that Lil Nas X could have made the pronouns ambiguous for "mass appeal", but opposing to that he made the song "[ring] completely true".[8] Writing for Rolling Stone, Jon Dolan assigned to the song adjectives such as "playful", "hopeful", "sweet", and "proud";[23] while New Statesman's Emily Bootle described it as an "innocent, emotive love song".[24] Zoya Raza-Sheikh from Gay Times said it is a "soaring track packed with unapologetic queer heartache that builds the record's momentum".[5] In an article published by Billboard in late September 2021, the song was described as "designed to be a charts favorite" by Stephen Daw, while Jason Lipshutz said that it "functions as a spiritual sequel to 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)' (2021)".[9]
Commercial performance[]
"Thats What I Want" debuted at number 10 on Billboard Hot 100 on the chart issued October 2, 2021, giving Lil Nas X his third top ten debut and fifth top ten hit.[18] It later peaked at number nine on the chart issued February 23, 2022.[25] It charted within the top ten with the album's previous singles "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" and "Industry Baby", giving the rapper his first time where three of his songs were simultaneously within top ten.[26] It also appeared at number 5 on Streaming Songs chart with 24.2 million streams. Additionally, “Thats What I Want” debuted on the Mainstream Top 40 chart at number 34 and reached number one on the chart dated February 19, 2022, becoming Lil Nas X’s third consecutive number one single on the chart.[27] It also debuted on Billboard's global charts, at number 4 on the main chart, while logging at number 8 on Excluding US chart with 39.6 million streams from outside the US.[28] Elsewhere, "Thats What I Want" became highest debut in UK Singles Chart on chart issue September 30, 2021, logging at number 10.[29][30] It was also placed at number 7 on ARIA Singles Chart.[31]
Music video[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d0/Lil_Nas_X_-_Thats_What_I_Want_music_video_screenshot.png/220px-Lil_Nas_X_-_Thats_What_I_Want_music_video_screenshot.png)
The music video for "Thats What I Want" was directed by STILLZ and produced by Esteban Zuluaga, Malcolm Duncan, and Fabien Colas which premiered on September 17, 2021.[32] During a football game at the fictional Montero University, whose players wear pink uniforms, Lil Nas X falls from the sky to crash on the field, causing him to injure his knee. As he is taken off the field, he meets the eyes of another player, played by Yai Ariza.[22] The two of them meet alone in the locker room, where they begin to kiss.[7][14] Later they are seen in a passionate sex scene in the shower, with Lil Nas X opening a Durex condom package.[12]
In the second verse, the pair are seen next to a campfire in cowboy outfits as well as being intimate in a tent; the scene is a homage to Brokeback Mountain (2005).[33][34] Next, Lil Nas X goes to the other man's house with flowers, only to discover he is married to a woman and has a child.[22] Lil Nas X drives home in anguish, gets drunk, and eventually passes out.[14]
At the end of the video, Lil Nas X enters a church wearing a white wedding gown and walks down the aisle in tears. At the alter a priest, played by Billy Porter, gives him an electric guitar,[14] on which Lil Nas X plays a solo.[7]
Kaufman described the video as "steamy, drama-filled", adding that it is "fittingly high drama visual for an album that has already given us some other iconic videos for 'Industry Baby' and 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name).'"[22] Writing for The Fader, Shaad D'Souza described it as "raunchy" and "cinematic."[33] Wilson said that it is "tour de force performance of in-your-face queerness."[7]
Charts[]
Weekly charts[] |
Year-end charts[]
|
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[89] | 2× Platinum | 140,000![]() |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[90] | Gold | 45,000![]() |
France (SNEP)[91] | Gold | 100,000![]() |
Italy (FIMI)[92] | Gold | 35,000![]() |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[93] | Platinum | 30,000![]() |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[94] | Gold | 30,000![]() |
Portugal (AFP)[95] | Gold | 5,000![]() |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[96] | Gold | 10,000![]() |
United Kingdom (BPI)[97] | Gold | 400,000![]() |
United States (RIAA)[98] | Platinum | 1,000,000![]() |
Streaming | ||
Sweden (GLF)[99] | Gold | 4,000,000![]() |
|
Release history[]
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Italy | September 24, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | Sony | [17] |
United States | September 27, 2021 | Hot adult contemporary radio | Columbia | [100] |
September 28, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | [101] | ||
October 5, 2021 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | [19] | ||
Russia | October 7, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | Sony | [20] |
References[]
- ^ Zeliner, Xander (September 29, 2021). "Lil Nas X & Take a Daytrip Lead Hot 100 Songwriters & Producers Charts Thanks to 'Montero' Hits". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (September 17, 2021). "'Montero' album review: Lil Nas X proves himself as an innovator in emotionally raw album". USA Today. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c Wass, Mike (September 16, 2021). "Lil Nas X Drops the Mask on a Strikingly Personal 'Montero': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Clark, Conor (August 26, 2021). "Lil Nas X confirms debut album Montero release date and teases new song". Gay Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X debut album Montero: track-by-track review". Gay Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c Petridis, Alexis (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X: Montero review – pop-rap at its proudest, biggest and best". The Guardian. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Wilson, Carl (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X Is a Visionary. That Doesn't Mean He's a Great Musician". Slate. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Smyth, David (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X - Montero review: Against the odds, this ground-breaker is living his truth". Evening Standard. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "Five Burning Questions: Lil Nas X's 'Montero' Debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Johnston, Maura (September 17, 2021). "Montero review: Lil Nas X sounds limitless on his debut album". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "hey im cupid. i know you're lonely today. its ok, just vibe with me". February 14, 2021.
- ^ a b Romano, Nick (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X gets a steamy Brokeback Mountain moment in 'That's What I Want' music video". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ McCloud, Taylor (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X Drops Daytime Talk Show "The Montero Show" To Go Along With Album Release". HotNewHipHop.com. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Langford, Jackson (September 17, 2021). "Watch Lil Nas X walk down the aisle in video for 'That's What I Want'". NME. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ "BBC - Radio 1 Playlist". BBC Radio 1. September 17, 2021. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "Lil Nas X - THATS WHAT I WANT (Radio Date: 24-09-2021)". EarOne. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (September 27, 2021). "The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber's 'Stay' Scores Sixth Week at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "Lil Nas X - That's What I Want(listen to the song, watch the music video)". TopHit. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- ^ Haylock, Zoe (September 22, 2021). "Lil Nas X Goes Back to His Country Roots Covering Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'". Vulture. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Kaufman, Gil (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X Gets Left at the Altar in Dramatic 'That's What I Want' Video". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X Makes Us Like Him Even More on 'Montero'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Bootle, Emily (September 17, 2021). "Addictive and subversive, Lil Nas X's Montero is a masterpiece of contemporary pop". New Statesman. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/CaSqAQuMhRK/
- ^ Zeliner, Xander (September 27, 2021). "Lil Nas X Charts 11 Songs From 'Montero' on Billboard Hot 100, Led by Three in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Trust, Gary (February 14, 2022). "Lil Nas X Lands Third No. 1 on Pop Airplay Chart From 'Montero' With 'Thats What I Want'". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ Trust, Gary (September 27, 2021). "The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber's 'Stay' Keeps Atop Global Charts, Lil Nas X & CKay Notch New Top 10s". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Lil Nas X heading for highest new entry on this week's Official Singles Chart as Ed Sheeran looks set to retain Number 1 with Shivers". Official Charts Company. September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Brandle, Lars (September 27, 2021). "Drake's 'Certified Lover Boy' Beats Lil Nax X's 'Montero' In Tight U.K. Chart Race". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber stay at #1 on ARIA Singles Chart for 11th week". ARIA Charts. September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X Releases New Album Montero, New Video for "That's What I Want": Listen and Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ a b D'Souza, Shaad (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X channels Brokeback Mountain in cinematic "THATS WHAT I WANT" video". The Fader. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Ermac, Raffy (September 17, 2021). "Lil Nas X's Brokeback Mountain Homage Is Exactly What We Want". Out. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ Komerički, Goran (October 11, 2021). "ARC 100 - datum: 11. listopada 2021" [ARC 100 - date: October 11, 2021]. Hrvatski radio (in Croatian). Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202210 into search. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202138 into search. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 38, 2021". Hitlisten. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X: Thats What I Want" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ "Top Singles (Week 38, 2021)". SNEP. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 27th September 2021 | Week 38 of 52". Indian Music Industry. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 38" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas [ 2021/09/29 公開]" (in Japanese). Billboard. September 29, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
- ^ "2021 38-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. September 24, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021-38". VG-lista. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV 18.10.2021". San Marino RTV. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 38 (17 - 23 Sep 2021)". Recording Industry Association Singapore. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202210 into search. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI". IFPI ČR. Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202138 into search. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: Week 38". The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 38". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 38". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Lil Nas X Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "Ö3-Austria Top40 Single-Jahrescharts 2021". Ö3 Austria Top 40. Archived from the original on January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2021". Ultratop. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Stream Top 100 - darabszám alapján - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2021" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2021" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ ""Friday" Riton i Nightcrawlers z udziałem Mufasa & Hypemana – radiowym numerem jeden w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2021". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "French single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 30, 2021. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Thats What I Want" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Lil Nas X; 'Thats What I Want')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "British single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Lil Nas X – Thats What I Want". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Lil Nas X" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
- 2021 singles
- 2021 songs
- Lil Nas X songs
- Columbia Records singles
- LGBT-related songs
- American pop rock songs
- Songs about loneliness
- Song recordings produced by KBeaZy
- Song recordings produced by Omer Fedi
- Song recordings produced by Ryan Tedder
- Songs written by Lil Nas X
- Songs written by Omer Fedi
- Songs written by Ryan Tedder