Wikipedia

Want You Back (5 Seconds of Summer song)

"Want You Back" is a song recorded by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. It was written by Calum Hood, Asia Whiteacre, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings, Steve Mac and Andrew Goldstein, with production handled by Goldstein and Andrew Wells. The song was released via Capitol Records on 22 February 2018, as the lead single from their third studio album, Youngblood (2018).

"Want You Back"
Single by 5 Seconds of Summer
from the album Youngblood
Released22 February 2018 (2018-02-22)
Genre
Length2:53
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Andrew Wells
  • Andrew Goldstein
5 Seconds of Summer singles chronology
"Girls Talk Boys"
(2016) 		"Want You Back"
(2018) 		"Youngblood"
(2018)
Music video
"Want You Back" on YouTube

Background and release

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Guitarist Michael Clifford first opened up about the third album and the upcoming single in an interview with Billboard in December 2017.[1] He admitted: "We're at a point now where we're almost ready to put out our first single," as he promised that fans could expect it "really, really early in the new year".[2][3][4]

On 16 February 2018, the band posted a black and white picture featuring all members on Twitter, captioning it "Behind The Scenes 2018." They shared another tweet with the hashtag "#5SOS3ISCOMING" shortly afterwards, hinting at new releases.[5][6] They also teased a few lyrics from the song and posted a GIF which says "We Want You Back".[7] The song was officially announced on 19 February 2018, along with its release date, cover art,[8][9][10][11] and a brief audio snippet.[12] The song was released alongside the announcement of their worldwide promotional 5SOS III Tour dates.[13][14]

Drummer Ashton Irwin said of the song in an interview with Beats 1: "'Want You Back' articulates the band we were, we are now, and what we're gonna be, that's why I like it and that's why we picked it. We also made it with close friends like we've got Andrew Goldstein who we literally see every week. We party together, we confess our sorrows and happiness. We speak to this man everyday."[15] The band told news.com.au that they are "super nervous" about the comeback song which will introduce their third album.[16]

Critical reception

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Madeline Roth of MTV News stated that the song "marks a huge departure from the band's raucous pop-punk roots". She found the band "opting for a slick, more polished pop sound on the new tune, which finds them reminiscing about an ex and wondering what went wrong". Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone regarded it as a "pop-flavored track reflects on a lost love and captures the yearning that often follows a breakup".[17] Hugh McIntyre of Forbes found the song "surprisingly slick, especially for a band that has pushed a narrative of being rowdy rock boys", and he noticed that the song was "more mature".[18]

Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that the band have abandoned "the pop/punk of their first two albums and dive head-first into slick, radio-friendly pop with a rhythmic edge".[19] Rania Aniftos of Billboard deemed it an "apologetic pop track" and a "synth-y upbeat tune".[20] Nicole Mastrogiannis of iHeartRadio opined that it "takes a step back from 5SOS's signature pop/punk vibes" and "playing up the guys' pop side a bit more".[21]

Live performances

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On 11 April 2018, the band performed the song live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[22][23] They also performed the single during the fourteenth season of The Voice on 8 May 2018.[24]

Music video

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The official music video was released on 27 March 2018. It features the members of the band performing in a colorful one-room set, depicting a scenario where the rules of gravity does not apply. The furniture can be seen fixed to the walls and ceiling as the band members remain on the ground while singing and playing their instruments. In some shots, they appear to be walking and sitting on the walls and ceiling. The video shows mostly full-room shots of the set and some closeup shots of the band members. The closeup shots of the band members' faces are often opaquely overlaid on the full-room shots.

Track listing

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  • Digital download
  1. "Want You Back" – 2:53
  • Digital download – acoustic[25]
  1. "Want You Back" (acoustic) – 2:39
  1. "Want You Back" (Tritonal remix) – 3:26

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[27]

5 Seconds of Summer

  • Luke Hemmings – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Michael Clifford – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Calum Hood – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Ashton Irwin – percussion, backing vocals

Additional musicians

  • Asia Whiteacre – composition
  • Andrew Goldstein – composition, production, engineering, vocals, keyboard, editing, guitar, programming, additional vocals
  • Jacob Kasher Hindlin – composition
  • Steve Mac – composition
  • Andrew Wells – production, engineering, keyboard, editing, guitar, programming

Technical personnel

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for Want You Back
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[54] Platinum 70,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[55] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[56] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[58] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Maldonado, Jennifer (4 January 2018). "Fans Thought Someone Was Leaving 5 Seconds of Summer For a Minute There". J-14. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  2. ^ Payne, Chris (23 December 2017). "5 Seconds of Summer Guitarist Michael Clifford Talks 'New Sound & Direction' of Third Album: Interview". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  3. ^ Hosken, Patrick (26 December 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer's Michael Clifford Says You Can Expect New Music In 2018". MTV News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  4. ^ Dickman, Maggie (25 December 2018). "Expect a new 5 Seconds Of Summer song "really, really early in the new year"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  5. ^ Roth, Madeline (16 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer Begin Plotting Their Comeback With Cryptic New Teasers". MTV News. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  6. ^ Dickman, Maggie (16 February 2018). "5SOS tease new music and tour, playing "new music, old music and everything in between"". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  7. ^ Dempster, Rachel (17 February 2018). "Is 5 Seconds of Summer's Comeback Coming Sooner Than Expected?". CelebMix. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  8. ^ Brandle, Lars (19 February 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Tease New Release 'Want You Back'". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  9. ^ Prance, Sam (19 February 2018). "5SOS Announce Return with New Single 'Want You Back'". MTV News. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  10. ^ Wass, Mike (20 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer Announce New Single "Want You Back"". Idolator. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  11. ^ "5 Seconds Of Summer Announce HUGE Return & Share Lyrics To New Song 'Want You Back'". Capital. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  12. ^ Heinz, Natasha (20 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer tease new single "Want You Back"—listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  13. ^ Dickman, Maggie (22 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer return with new song, tour dates". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  14. ^ Ginsberg, Gabriella (22 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer Makes Epic Comeback With New Song 'Want You Back' & Tour Dates". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  15. ^ Roth, Madeline (22 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer Return With The Polished Pop Jam 'Want You Back'". MTV News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  16. ^ McCabe, Kathy (23 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer reignite fan frenzy with new single Want You Back and 5SOS3 tour announce". news.com.au. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  17. ^ Legaspi, Althea (23 February 2018). "Hear 5 Seconds of Summer's Yearning New Song 'Want You Back'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  18. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (23 February 2018). "Chart-Topping Pop-Punk Outfit 5 Seconds Of Summer Return With New Single 'Want You Back'". Forbes. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  19. ^ Wass, Mike (22 February 2018). "5 Seconds Of Summer Go Pop On New Single "Want You Back"". Idolator. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  20. ^ Aniftos, Rania (22 February 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Releases New Single 'Want You Back,' Announces 2018 Tour". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  21. ^ Mastrogiannis, Nicole (23 February 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Returns with New Song "Want You Back" (LISTEN)". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  22. ^ Blistein, Jon (12 April 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Bring Breakup Blues to 'Fallon' With 'Want You Back'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  23. ^ Jones, Abby (12 April 2018). "5 Seconds of Summer Give Technicolor Performance of 'Want You Back' on 'Tonight Show': Watch". BIllboard. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  24. ^ "Kelly Clarkson, Charlie Puth & 5 Seconds of Summer to Perform on 'The Voice' Top 10 Live Shows". Billboard. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Want You Back (Acoustic) – Single by 5 Seconds of Summer". iTunes Store (GB). 6 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  26. ^ "Want You Back (Tritonal Remix) – Single by 5 Seconds of Summer on iTunes". iTunes Store (GB). 6 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Want You Back / 5 Seconds Of Summer TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  28. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  29. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  30. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  31. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  32. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  33. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 22. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  34. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 09. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  35. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  36. ^ "Greece Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart: March 26, 2018". IFPI Charts. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  37. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  39. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  40. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  41. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  42. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer". Billboard. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  43. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  44. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  46. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 09. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  47. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  48. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  50. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  51. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  52. ^ "2018 Annual ARIA Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2018". Mahasz. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  54. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  55. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – 5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  56. ^ "Canadian single certifications – 5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". Music Canada. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  57. ^ "British single certifications – 5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  58. ^ "American single certifications – 5 Seconds of Summer – Want You Back". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
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