"Growing Up Is _____" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. The song was released on 10 December 2021[1] as the lead single from his debut studio album, 4th Wall (2023).[2][3] The song peaked at number 68 on the ARIA Singles Chart.
| "Growing Up Is _____" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ruel | ||||
| from the album 4th Wall | ||||
| Released | 10 December 2021 | |||
| Length | 3:53 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Ruel singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Growing Up Is" (Official live video) on YouTube | ||||
The song was described in a press release as being an "ode to the messy, complicated, yet ultimately exhilarating rites of passage we all traverse while growing up", with Ruel saying "The idea of the underline at the end of the title was to try to explain that everyone has a different experience growing up. Everyone has ups and downs, but because it's never just one thing, I couldn't just give it one word and wanted to leave it open for interpretation."[4]
At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, the song earned Ruel a nomination for Best Solo Artist.[5]
At the APRA Music Awards of 2023, the song was nominated for Most Performed Australian Work of the Year and Most Performed Pop Work of the Year.[6]
Music video
editAn official live video, directed by Grey Ghost, produced by Jessica Galea and filmed at Filmworx in Melbourne was premiered on 9 December 2021.[7]
Critical reception
editAl Newstead from ABC said "The track has the old-school soul of the 19-year-old's golden voice but the production is dreamier, with echoing drums and shimmering guitars providing a melancholy fringe. It all builds to an enrapturing chorus that captures the dizzying experience of youth: falling in and out of love and emotional yo-yo'ing between profound reflection and partying:"[3]
Charts
edit| Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[8] | 68 |
| Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[9] | 21 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] | 11 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[11] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Growing Up Is – Single by Ruel on Apple Music". Apple Music. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ Paul, Larisha (15 December 2021). "On "Growing Up Is" Ruel documents the perpetual coming-of-age experience". The Fader. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ a b Newstead, Al (9 December 2021). "First Play: Ruel releases 'Growing Up Is_____', says album "should be out" by Splendour In The Grass". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ Rose, Anna (2 December 2021). "Ruel teases a new single titled "Growing Up Is..."". NME Australia. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Lars Brandle (12 October 2022). "Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)". The Music Network. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA Awards. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ Lochrie, Conor (9 December 2021). "Ruel releases moody new single, 'GROWING UP IS _____'". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 24 January 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1664. Australian Recording Industry Association. 24 January 2022. p. 4.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 25. týden 2022 in the date selector. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 1 August 2022.