"Obsessed" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Addison Rae, released on March 19, 2021, through Sandlot Records.[1]
| "Obsessed" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Addison Rae | ||||
| from the EP AR (Spotify version) | ||||
| Released | March 19, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | October 2020 | |||
| Genre | Dance-pop | |||
| Length | 2:14 | |||
| Label |
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| Composer(s) |
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| Lyricist(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Addison Rae singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Obsessed" on YouTube | ||||
The song peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The song was originally intended to be the lead single from Rae's debut extended play AR in 2021, but the project was shelved due to Rae's lack of confidence. The EP was later officially released August 18, 2023, with "Obsessed" as a Spotify-exclusive bonus track on the EP.
Background and composition
edit"Obsessed" is a dance-pop song.[2] The lyrics are about a relationship and self-hate.[2][3] At a young age, Rae was influenced by her mother's playlist which included music from the 1990s and 2000s. In an interview with Vogue, Rae identifies Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry as musical influences. She cited Taylor Swift as an inspiration for the song.[3]
Production
editPreceding the release, Rae worked with songwriter Jacob Kasher Hindlin (Jkash) to study songwriting. Rae released the song through Hindlin's independent label, Sandlot Records. They worked with manager Adam Mersel, and publicists Katie Greenthal and Courtni Asbury of The Lede Company.[4] After four months in the Hindlin's studio, Rae and her team developed most of "Obsessed" in one session.[4]
Critical reception
edit"Obsessed" was critically panned; in a review for PopDust, music critic Langa stated "Addison Rae's embarrassing new single 'Obsessed' proves she should stick to lip syncing".[5] Zoe Haylock of Vulture negatively compared Rae's use of whispering to Selena Gomez.[6] Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Nick Romano described the lyrics as "[reading] more like a text exchange", while assuming the message was "about how obsessed [Rae] is with herself", in contrast with what Rae intended, writing "the execution may have gotten lost in translation".[7]
In a 2023 article for Vogue, Rae revealed that the criticism she received from the song almost made her quit music entirely, as it made her believe that she wasn't good enough for the industry.[8]
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, the song debuted at its peak of number 10 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart issue dated April 3, 2021, which serves as a twenty-five slot extension to the main Billboard Hot 100.
Promotion
editRae performed "Obsessed" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, marking her debut appearance on a late-night talk show. She released accompanying clothing and poster merchandise.[2]
Music video
editThe music video, directed by Diane Martel, includes dances choreographed by Sara Biv and Calvit Hodge.[3] On the day of its release, the single was the sixth video trending on YouTube.[2] Kyle Luu was the stylist. In parts of the video, Rae wore catsuits by LaQuan Smith, clothing by Mugler and a fake fur Gucci bolero. Her white Dion Lee corset was inspired by the Britney Spears' music video for "Sometimes". The catsuit was influenced by the music video of "Say You'll Be There" by the Spice Girls.[3]
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] | 74 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[10] | 64 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] | 15 |
| UK Indie Breakers (OCC)[12] | 9 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[13] | 10 |
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | March 19, 2021 | Sandlot | [14] | |
| United States | March 30, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | [15] |
References
edit- ^ Obsessed - Single by Addison Rae, March 19, 2021, retrieved September 4, 2023
- ^ a b c d Mamo, Heran (March 19, 2021). "Addison Rae Gets Fans 'Obsessed' With Surprise Debut Single & Music Video". Billboard. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Okwodu, Janelle (March 19, 2021). "Addison Rae on Her Pop Reinvention and Debut Single 'Obsessed'". Vogue. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ a b Hissong, Samantha (March 19, 2021). "Addison Rae's Next Act: Pop Star". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ "Addison Rae and the Worst Songs by Social Media Stars". PopDust. May 24, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
- ^ Haylock, Zoe (March 19, 2021). "Addison Rae Drops Debut Single All About Addison Rae". Vulture. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Romano, Nick (March 19, 2021). "TikTok star Addison Rae is 'Obsessed' with herself in debut single". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ "'I Think I'm Just a Curious Person': Addison Rae on Her Quest for Pop Perfection". Vogue. August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart: April 3, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Breakers Chart on 26 March 2021 - 1 April 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: April 3, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ^ "Obsessed - Single by Addison Rae on Apple Music". Apple Music. US: Apple Inc. March 18, 2021.
- ^ "Top 40/Mainstream: Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.