"Kissing Strangers" is a song by American band DNCE, featuring vocals from American rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released as a single through Republic Records on April 14, 2017.[1] It was later included on the bonus edition of the band's self-titled debut studio album, which was released in 2016 and only available on the 2017 Japan version.[2] The remix was a collaboration with Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, who was added to the song, was released on July 28, 2017.[3] "Kissing Strangers" is a pop song.[4]

"Kissing Strangers"
Single by DNCE featuring Nicki Minaj
ReleasedApril 14, 2017 (2017-04-14)
GenrePop
Length3:22
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mattman & Robin
DNCE singles chronology
"Body Moves"
(2016)
"Kissing Strangers"
(2017)
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
(2017)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Light My Body Up"
(2017)
"Kissing Strangers"
(2017)
"Swish Swish"
(2017)
Music video
"Kissing Strangers" on YouTube

Background

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On April 6, 2017, the band posted a picture of Doug the Pug including a phone number listed on his dog tag, if dialed, an instrumental chorus of "Kissing Strangers" will be offered.[4] DNCE and Nicki Minaj teased the collaboration via social media on April 10, 2017. Nicki Minaj revealed photos from the music video, while DNCE released a preview of the song, with an early snippet offered by dialing a phone number.[5]

In an interview by CBS Radio, Joe Jonas of DNCE said: "'Kissing Strangers' is a song about having fun with a stranger, getting to know them a little better, [and then] they're no longer a stranger. Just finding yourself; finding who you want to be with."

"We have the amazing, beautiful, talented Nicki Minaj on the track as well. We shot the music video in L.A. a week ago, and we can't wait to share that." Jonas continued. "We're huge fans of her work, and it was an immediate thought to have her be a part of the song, so we sent her the track, she wrote her verse in like, five minutes, and came out exactly how we'd hopes and she kills it... in the best way."[6]

"I'm really proud of 'Kissing Strangers,'" Justin Tranter, co-writer of the song, told Billboard magazine. "The chorus is about being open-minded to the love that might be in front of you." Cole Whittle said: "I've been working with Justin since we were kids, he's like family to us. He introduced Joe and I, so he's a big part of why DNCE exists."[7]

Music video

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Shortly after the song was released, the band posted a teaser of the music video on social media. The teaser is a behind-the-scenes exclusive look at the video production.[4]

The music video was released on May 12, 2017, via Vevo on DNCE's YouTube channel.[8] It was directed by American music video director Marc Klasfeld, and included all DNCE members and Nicki Minaj. In the video, DNCE holds a house party. It starts with an innocent game of spin the bottle, then Nicki Minaj walks through the door, and is invited by Jonas to get up to the stage with him.[9] She drops the microphone and grabs Jonas by his collar, then puts her lips close to his lips.

Live performances

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On May 8, 2017, DNCE made their major performance debut of "Kissing Strangers" at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards in New York City, alongside their 2016 song "Cake by the Ocean". "The GLAAD Media Awards is an incredible ceremony," Joe Jonas told Billboard magazine at the event. "To be part of something like this, and to play this song — to have fun and celebrate, that's what it's about."[7] On May 16, 2017, the band performed the track in the elimination episode of The Voice, it ended with dozens of lip-shaped balloons falling down on the band.[10][11] On July 6, 2017, DNCE performed the song at Univision's Premios Juventud 2017, the annual youth awards. It marks their first-ever performance on Spanish-language television.[12]

Track listing

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Digital download[13]
No.TitleLength
1."Kissing Strangers" (featuring Nicki Minaj)3:22
Digital download – Remix[14]
No.TitleLength
1."Kissing Strangers" (Remix) (with Luis Fonsi featuring Nicki Minaj)3:22

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[15]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications and sales for "Kissing Strangers"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[45] Gold 30,000
Italy (FIMI)[46] Platinum 50,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates for "Kissing Strangers"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various April 14, 2017 Digital download Original Republic [13]
United States April 18, 2017 Contemporary hit radio [47]
Italy April 21, 2017 Universal [48]
Various July 28, 2017 Digital download Remix Republic [14]

References

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  1. ^ Mike Wass (April 13, 2017). "DNCE Teams Up With Nicki Minaj For "Kissing Strangers"". Idolator. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  2. ^ Holly Williams (May 13, 2017). "Nicki Minaj Is An Absolute Queen On DNCE's New Song 'Kissing Strangers'". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  3. ^ DiMeglio, Mary J. (August 4, 2017). "Luis Fonsi Joins DNCE, Nicki Minaj on New 'Kissing Strangers' Remix: Listen". billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Lauren Tom (April 14, 2017). "DNCE Releases Video Teaser for Nicki Minaj Collab 'Kissing Strangers' Featuring Doug the Pug: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  5. ^ Colin Stutz (April 10, 2017). "Nicki Minaj Teases DNCE Collab 'Kissing Strangers'". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Brian Ives (April 18, 2017). "DNCE on 'Kissing Strangers': 'You Get to Know Them a Little Better'". CBS Radio. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Patrick Crowley (May 8, 2017). "DNCE Performs (and Grind on Debra Messing) at the 2017 GLAAD Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  8. ^ Taylor Weatherby (May 12, 2017). "DNCE & Nicki Minaj Get Their Party and Make Out On in 'Kissing Strangers' Video". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  9. ^ Tony Centeno (May 12, 2017). "DNCE & Nicki Minaj Find Love By "Kissing Strangers" (Video)". Vibe. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  10. ^ Shari Weiss (May 16, 2017). "DNCE "The Voice" Video – Watch "Kissing Strangers" Performance!". Gossip Cop. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  11. ^ Alyssa Norwin (May 16, 2017). "DNCE Rocks 'The Voice' With Hot New Single 'Kissing Strangers'". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  12. ^ Griselda Flores (June 8, 2017). "Premios Juventud 2017 First Round of Performers Include DNCE, J Balvin & More: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Kissing Strangers (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Single by DNCE on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 14 April 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Kissing Strangers (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj] - Single by DNCE & Luis Fonsi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 28 July 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  15. ^ "Kissing Strangers / DNCE". Tidal. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  16. ^ "Top 20 Anglo Argentina – Del 29 de Mayo al 4 de Junio, 2017" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. May 29, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  17. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #417". auspOp. April 22, 2017. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  18. ^ "DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj – Kissing Strangers" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  19. ^ "DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj – Kissing Strangers" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  20. ^ "DNCE Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  21. ^ "DNCE Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  22. ^ "DNCE Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  23. ^ DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj — Kissing Strangers. TopHit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  24. ^ DNCE — Kissing Strangers. TopHit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  25. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 30. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  26. ^ "DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj – Kissing Strangers". Top Digital Download. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  27. ^ "Latvijas Top 40". Latvijas Radio. June 26, 2017. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^ "Mexico Airplay: Jun 10, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  29. ^ "DNCE feat Nicki Minaj - Kissing strangers". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  30. ^ "DNCE feat. Nicki Minaj - Kissing Strangers". Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  31. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 24, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  32. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  33. ^ "Official Russia Top 100 Airplay Chart (week 27)" (in Russian). Tophit. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  34. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 24. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  35. ^ "Official Ukraine Top 100 Airplay Chart (week 21)". Tophit. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  36. ^ "DNCE Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  37. ^ "DNCE Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  38. ^ "DNCE Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  39. ^ "Anglo" (in Spanish). Record Report. July 22, 2017. Archived from the original on July 26, 2017.
  40. ^ "Top 100 Anual Argentina". Monitor Latino. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  41. ^ "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2017)". Tophit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  42. ^ "Top 50 Israel airplay 2017". mediaforest.bizz. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  43. ^ "Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2017)". Tophit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  44. ^ "Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2017)". Tophit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  45. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – DNCE – Kissing Strangers" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  46. ^ "Italian single certifications – DNCE – Kissing Strangers" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 4, 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Kissing Strangers" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  47. ^ "Top 40/Mainstream > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  48. ^ "DNCE FT NICKI MINAJ "Kissing Strangers" (Radio Date: 21/04/2017)". radiodate.it. Retrieved 21 April 2017.