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Hunger (Florence and the Machine song)

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"Hunger" is a song by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine from their fourth studio album, High as Hope (2018). It was written by Florence Welch, Emile Haynie, Thomas Bartlett and Tobias Jesso Jr., and produced by Welch and Haynie. The song was released on 3 May 2018 as the second single of the album.[1][2][3] An uptempo alternative pop and soul song, "Hunger" was inspired by the singer's teenage struggles with eating disorder and alcoholism.

"Hunger"
Single by Florence and the Machine
from the album High as Hope
Released3 May 2018 (2018-05-03)
Studio
  • Beacon House, Los Angeles
  • 123, London
  • The Dairy, London
  • Sunset Sound, Los Angeles
  • Vox, Los Angeles
Genre
Length3:34
LabelVirgin EMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Emile Haynie
  • Florence Welch
Florence and the Machine singles chronology
"Sky Full of Song"
(2018) 		"Hunger"
(2018) 		"Patricia"
(2018)
Music video
"Hunger" on YouTube

"Hunger" received positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Welch's personal lyrics in contrast to its "radio-friendly" sound, calling the song a standout from the album. The song impacted US hot adult contemporary radios on 18 June 2018. Despite achieving moderate success in Europe, the song became the band's fifth number one single on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in June 2018.

A music video for "Hunger", directed by Andrés González Rojas, was released the same day. It shows lead singer Welch dancing in an art museum. Florence and the Machine promoted the song by performing it live at several night shows in 2018. The band included the song on the set list for the High as Hope Tour (2018–2019).

Background and release

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Florence Welch, the lead singer of Florence and the Machine revealed "Hunger" was originally a poem, without thinking to turn out into a song.[4] Katherine St. Asaph, a reviewer from Pitchfork, thought that the poem was originally meant for Welch's collection book Useless Magic before becoming a song.[5]

"Hunger" was written by Welch, Emile Haynie, Thomas Bartlett, and Tobias Jesso Jr. and produced by Welch and Haynie. The song was recorded at the Beacon House, Los Angeles, and 123, London.[6] Additional recording was provided by Tim Montague, Morgan Stratton, and Michael Harris at the Dairy in London, Sunset Sound and Vox, the latter two located in Los Angeles. Tom Elmhirst mixed the track at Electric Lady Studios, London; Bob Ludwig was in charge of the mastering, which was made at Gateway Mastering, Portland.[6]

On 30 April 2018, the band teased through their Instagram the release of the second single from their fourth album High as Hope.[7] "Hunger" was released on 3 May 2018 as the album's second single, alongside its release date.[8] The song impacted US hot adult contemporary radios on 18 June 2018.[9] A remix by German DJ and producer Claptone was released on 27 March 2019 through the duo's YouTube account.[10]

Composition

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"Hunger" is an up-tempo alternative pop and soul song.[11][12][13] According to sheet music website Musicnotes.com, the song runs at 116 beats per minute (BPM) and is played in the key of D minor. Welch's vocals range between F3 to D5.[14] Its instrumentation was described by Pip Williams of The Line of Best Fit to consist of reverberated staccato strings, driving percussion and deliberate piano.[12] The Independent critic Roisin O'Connor commented that "the delicate shimmer of the tambourine and the cello gliding sweetly at the start of the build on the chorus also make this one of the best-structured songs on the record."[15] The A.V. Club reviewer Katie Rife claimed that "Hunger" is "the closest the record comes to a 'Dog Days Are Over'-style anthem."[16]

Welch described the song to be "about the ways we look for love in things that are perhaps not love, and how attempts to feel less alone can sometimes isolate us more," adding that "I guess I made myself more vulnerable in this song to encourage connection, because perhaps a lot more of us feel this way than we are able to admit. Sometimes when you can't say it, you can sing it."[17] Part of the song deals with Welch's teenage struggles with an eating disorder, opening with the lyrics "At 17, I started to starve myself. I thought that love was a kind of emptiness;" while also mentioning her alcohol addictions.[18][11][19] Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone wrote that throughout "Hunger", Welch meditates on the correlation between beauty, romance and mortality.[13] In an interview with BBC Radio 1, Welch said the song is "also a celebration of how much I see young people changing things", citing her inspiration from young women for the track.[20]

Reception

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The track received positive reviews from music critics, with several calling it a standout. Williams praised "Hunger" for "hitting a sweet spot Welch has courted for years" and called it a standout of High as Hope.[12] O'Connor also agreed to be a standout, complimenting "the sense of purpose both in the instrumentation and Welch's determined vocal work."[15] Writing for Drowned in Sound, Nina Bertok noted that the song covers "one of the grimmest themes" throughout the album despite its "radio-friendly festival anthem" sound.[11] Christopher Roberts from Under the Radar ranked the track as the second of the "Ten Best Songs of the Week".[21]

"Hunger" reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart in the United Kingdom.[22] The single received a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which denotes track-equivalent sales of two hundred thousand units based on sales and streams.[23] In the United States, the song debuted at number one on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs, becoming the band's fifth non-consecutive number one single on that chart.[24] The song was also certified gold by Music Canada (MC) for shipments of over 40,000 copies in Canada.[25]

Music video

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A music video for "Hunger" was uploaded through the band's YouTube channel the same day of the song's release.[26] It was directed by Andres Gonzalez Rojas, who had previously collaborated with Florence and the Machine on the video for "Sky Full of Song".[27] The video was uploaded to the band's channel the same day of the song's release.[4] The clip sees Welch "letting loose and break out into dance at an art museum."[28] At the end of the video, a shot of a statue buried in a desert appears with flowers growing in it, reminiscent of the scenery of Percy Bysshe Shelley's Ozymandias.[29] As of June 2022 the video has received over 45 million views.

Live performances

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"Hunger" made its live debut at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax, England on 5 May 2018, their first live performance of 2018.[30] The song was later performed at several night shows. On 7 May 2018, the song was performed at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[3] "Hunger" was also performed at the Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Later... with Jools Holland.[31] The band also appeared performing the song on 29 May 2018 at the Later... with Jools Holland, where they also performed the then-unreleased track "100 Years" from their album.[32] Aside those performances, the band performed the song at the finale of the fourteenth season of The Voice.[33] "Hunger" was included on the set list for Florence and the Machine's High as Hope Tour in 2018 and 2019.[34]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of High as Hope.[6]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[35] 92
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[36] 42
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[37] 20
France (SNEP)[38] 127
Greece (IFPI)[39] 77
Iceland (RÚV)[40] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[41] 43
Scotland (OCC)[42] 23
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[43] 6
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[22] 41
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[44] 17
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[45] 33
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[24] 1
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[46] 9

Year-end charts

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Chart (2018) Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[47] 28

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[49] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[25] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "Hunger"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United Kingdom 3 May 2018
Virgin EMI [8]
United States 18 June 2018 Hot adult contemporary Republic [9]

References

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  1. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (21 June 2018). "Florence + The Machine's 'Hunger' Hits No. 1 on Adult Alternative Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2018. The song is the lead single from High as Hope, Florence + the Machine's fourth studio album.
  2. ^ Copsey, Rob (4 May 2018). "Florence and the Machine announce new single Hunger". Official Charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018. Hunger serves as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album.
  3. ^ a b Gaca, Anna (17 May 2018). "Watch Florence and the Machine's Electrifying "Hunger" Performance on Fallon". Spin. Retrieved 6 July 2018. Hunger" is the official lead single from Florence and the Machine's forthcoming album High as Hope, and we've also heard the album track "Sky Full of Song.
  4. ^ a b "Watch Florence + The Machine's Hunger Video". Radio X. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. ^ St. Asaph, Katherine (4 July 2018). "Florence and the Machine: High as Hope". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  6. ^ a b c High as Hope (Media notes). Florence and the Machine. Virgin EMI Records / Republic Records. 2018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Trendell, Andrew (3 May 2018). "Florence + The Machine share majestic video for new single 'Hunger' and confirm 'High As Hope'". NME. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Hunger by Florence + the Machine". Amazon MP3 (Amazon.co.uk). 3 May 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Hot Modern/AC Future Releases". Archived from the original on 6 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Florence + The Machine - Hunger (Claptone Remix)". 27 March 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2022 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ a b c Bertok, Nina (29 June 2018). "Album Review: Florence + The Machine - High As Hope". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  12. ^ a b c Williams, Pip (28 June 2018). "Florence + the Machine boast sincerity over spectacle on fourth record High As Hope". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b Reed, Ryan (3 May 2018). "Florence and the Machine Preview New LP With Soulful 'Hunger'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 July 2018. ...with its soulful lead single, "Hunger."
  14. ^ "Florence + The Machine "Hunger" Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  15. ^ a b O'Connor, Roisin (30 June 2018). "Florence & The Machine, High As Hope album review: Calm after chaos". The Independent. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  16. ^ Rife, Katie (29 June 2018). "Florence + The Machine, High As Hope". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  17. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (3 May 2018). "Florence and the Machine Announce New Album High as Hope, Share New Song "Hunger": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  18. ^ Ryzik, Melena (14 June 2018). "'I Never Thought I Would Talk About It.' So Florence Welch Put It in a Song". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  19. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "High as Hope – Florence + the Machine". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  20. ^ ""I'd found the joy again": Florence + The Machine on writing new album High As Hope | Part 1/3". BBC Radio 1. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2022 – via YouTube.
  21. ^ Roberts, Christopher (4 May 2018). "10 Best Songs of the Week: Beach House, Florence + the Machine, Natalie Prass, and More". Under the Radar. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Florence & The Machine | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company.
  23. ^ a b "British single certifications – Florence & The Machine – Hunger". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Florence + the Machine Chart History: Triple A". Billboard. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  25. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Florence & The Machine – Hunger". Music Canada. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  26. ^ Gaca, Anna (3 May 2018). "Florence And The Machine Announce New Album High As Hope, Release "Hunger"". Spin. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Florence + The Machine 'Sky Full Of Song' by AG Rojas". Promo News. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  28. ^ Trendell, Andrew (3 May 2018). "Florence + The Machine share majestic video for new single 'Hunger' and confirm 'High As Hope' album release date". NME. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Hunger : A Mysterious Statue". LittlePonderings.co.uk. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  30. ^ Daramola, Israel (7 May 2018). "Watch Florence And The Machine Debut 2 New Songs". Spin. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  31. ^ Roberts, Christopher (29 June 2018). "Watch Florence + the Machine Perform, Be Interviewed on "Seth Meyers" and "Good Morning America"". Under the Radar. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  32. ^ Roberts, Christopher (29 May 2018). "Watch Florence + the Machine Perform New Song "100 Years" on "Later… with Jools Holland"". Under the Radar. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  33. ^ Kreps, Daniel (23 May 2018). "'The Voice': Watch Florence and the Machine's Roaring Finale Performance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  34. ^ Jones, Damian (23 November 2011). "Florence + The Machine bring 'High As Hope' to The O2 and dedicate a song to Patti Smith". NME. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  35. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #472". auspOp. 12 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Florence %2B the Machine – Hunger" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  37. ^ "Florence %2B The Machine – Hunger" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  38. ^ "Florence %2B the Machine – Hunger" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  39. ^ "IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) Week 18 2018". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  40. ^ "Topplistinn 23. Juni 2018". RÚV. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  41. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  42. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  43. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  44. ^ "Florence the Machine Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  45. ^ "Florence the Machine Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  46. ^ "Florence + the Machine Chart History". Billboard.
  47. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  48. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  49. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Florence + The Machine – Hunger" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  50. ^ "American single certifications – Florence & The Machine – Hunger". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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