Wikipedia

Brazil (Declan McKenna song)

"Brazil" is the debut single by English singer, songwriter, and musician Declan McKenna. Written by McKenna and produced by Max Marlow, it was released as the lead single from McKenna's debut studio album, What Do You Think About the Car? on 4 December 2015.

"Brazil"
Single by Declan McKenna
from the album What Do You Think About the Car?
B-side"Basic"
Released4 December 2015
Recorded2014
GenreIndie rock
Length4:12
LabelSelf-released
Songwriter(s)Declan McKenna
Producer(s)Max Marlow
Declan McKenna singles chronology
"Brazil"
(2015) 		"Paracetamol"
(2016)

After putting "Brazil" on his Bandcamp page, around forty music managers heard the track and rushed to McKenna's next gig to try and sign him. The song was written about the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the dismal poverty in the country and the corruption surrounding Sepp Blatter and other FIFA officials.[1][2]

The song went viral on TikTok in May 2022,[3] resulting in it reaching new highest peaks in the charts in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[4]

Critical reception

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BBC News called the song an extraordinarily mature song for a 16-year-old songwriter.[5] Matt Wilkinson at NME called it "one of the best songs" of 2015, he said, "This bright’n’breezy Hertfordshire teen's first track 'Brazil' was one of the best songs of last year, recalling Jamie T right at the start of his career and being easily the finest song to ever be written about corruption in football."[6]

Live performances

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On 25 May 2016, McKenna performed the song live on the late-night talk show Conan, which was shown on TBS.[7] He performed the song live at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2017 on the BBC Introducing Stage.[8]

Music video

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A music video to accompany the release of "Brazil" was first released onto YouTube on 2 December 2014. The video was directed by Dan Stokes.[9]

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

  • Max Marlow – producer, engineer, mixing engineer
  • Declan McKenna – composer, lyricist, associated performer
  • Barry Grint – mastering engineer

Charts

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2015–2017 chart performance for "Brazil"
Chart (2015–2017) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[11] 135
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[12] 45
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] 12
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[14] 16
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[15] 41
2022 chart performance for "Brazil"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 22
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 56

Certifications

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Certifications for "Brazil"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Poland (ZPAV)[18] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[20] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release history and formats for "Brazil"
Region Date Format Label
Various 4 December 2015 Digital download Columbia Records

References

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  1. ^ Tobiano, Maurice (17 April 2023). "'Brazil': Pure, simple joy". Michigan Daily. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  2. ^ Welch, Andy (12 December 2015). "Glastonbury Festival competition winner Declan McKenna is one to watch". Bristol Post. Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  3. ^ Fullbrook, Danny (9 February 2024). "Declan McKenna says 'parents might not like new album'". BBC News. Hertfordshire – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  5. ^ "New Talent at Glastonbury". BBC News. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  6. ^ Wilkinson, Matt (22 November 2015). "New Music Of The Day: Declan McKenna - Paracetamol". NME. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Declan McKenna "Brazil" 05/25/16 - CONAN on TBS". YouTube. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  8. ^ "Declan McKenna - Brazil (Radio 1's Big Weekend 2017)". YouTube. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Declan McKenna - Brazil". YouTube. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Credits / Brazil / Declan McKenna – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Declan McKenna – Brazil" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Japan Hot 100 Chart | August 17, 2017". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Declan McKenna Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Declan McKenna Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Declan McKenna Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  16. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  18. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 June 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Brazil in the search box.
  19. ^ "British single certifications – Declan McKenna – Brazil". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  20. ^ "American single certifications – Declan McKenna – Brazil". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
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