Call Your Girlfriend
Encyclopedia
"Call Your Girlfriend" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn
, taken from her seventh studio album, Body Talk
(2010). It was released as the album's second single on 1 April 2011. The song was written by Robyn, Klas Åhlund
and Alexander Kronlund
. Åhlund handled production, with assistance by Billboard
. In the song, Robyn portrays a woman who begs her new boyfriend to break up with his old girlfriend, and advises him on how to do it gently. "Call Your Girlfriend" is an electropop ballad with synths and a buzzing rhythm.
The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised its lyrics and inspiring message. The song reached number forty-three on the Sverigetopplistan
chart, and number eight on the Flanders Ultratip chart. In the United States, it reached number one on Hot Dance Club Songs, becoming Robyn's highest-peaking song on the chart. The accompanying music video was released on 2 June 2011 and features Robyn dancing alone in a warehouse. The song has been performed on the NewNowNext Awards
and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
, and that a music video for the song was in the works. Originally intended for a 16 May 2011 release, the single was released digitally on 1 April 2011, in Finland, and three days later in Sweden.
"Call Your Girlfriend" was written by Robyn, Alexander Kronlund
and Klas Åhlund
, with the latter producing the song. Billboard
is credited as the co-producer. The song is an electropop ballad, described as "soaringly tuneful." In the song, Robyn portrays a woman who is enjoying her new boyfriend, but is concerned that his ex-girlfriend might be hurt by it. As a solution, she begs her man to break up with his old girlfriend and gives him tips on how to do it gently. According to Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork
, the song carries a "buzzing rhythm", synths
and "a killer chord change." Plagenhoef wrote that Robyn "[is] as graceful about this role as when she plays the other points in the love triangle." He described it as "one of the most adult, thoughtful pop music breakups since the Field Mice
's "Willow", but naturally without the twee-pop OGs' sense of melancholy."
called the song "pensive pop" and said that it "demands you [to] sing along from the very beginning." He noted that the lyrics focuses on "the little bit of bad one must do to embrace the good". Marc Hogan of Pitchfork called it "one of Body Talk' s most inspired moments". Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club
wrote that Body Talk "reaches its apex at its midpoint with “Call Your Girlfriend,” which turns the breakup-anthem conceit on its ear in a manner that makes getting dumped seem inspiring." Heather Phares of Allmusic called it a "thoughtful twist on a love triangle that finds Robyn enjoying new love while being concerned for someone hurt by it." Evan Sawdey of PopMatters
called it "remarkable" and "one of those rare Robyn tracks that finds a way to use its overtly commercial pop framework to tell a rather emotional, pointed relationship tale that is heads-and-shoulders above most of what’s on mainstream radio today."
Call Your Girlfriend received it's first play on BBC Radio 1
on July 4, 2011 as Scott Mills
' Record of the Week. It was confirmed that it will be officially released in the UK on August 1.
chart in Sweden, on the issue dated 22 April 2011. On the issue dated July 2, 2011, the track peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, thus became her first single to reach the top spot of Hot Dance Club Play
Chart, and also her highest peaking and most successful single there. On the issue on 18 July 2011, the song debuted at number thirty-nine in New Zealand
, Robyn's fourth single in that country. It is currently peaking at number seventeen on the issue date 15 August 2011, becoming Robyn's highest single in the country since "Show Me Love
".
. On 13 April 2011, she performed the song alongside "Dancing on My Own
" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, wearing a pastel blue top and matching lipstick.
Source
Robyn
Robin Miriam Carlsson , better known by her stage name Robyn, is a Swedish recording artist, singer, and songwriter. Robyn became known in the late nineties for her worldwide dance-pop hit "Do You Know " from her debut album Robyn Is Here . She co-wrote the song "Du gör mig hel igen" for...
, taken from her seventh studio album, Body Talk
Body Talk (Robyn album)
Body Talk is the seventh studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. The album was released on 22 November 2010 by Konichiwa Records. Robyn first announced plans in early 2010 that she would was planning on releasing three mini-albums throughout the course of 2010. The first two mini-albums, of...
(2010). It was released as the album's second single on 1 April 2011. The song was written by Robyn, Klas Åhlund
Klas Åhlund
Klas Frans Åhlund is a Swedish songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. He is the founding member of the Swedish rock band Teddybears...
and Alexander Kronlund
Alexander Kronlund
Alexander Kronlund is a Swedish producer and songwriter.Kronlund co-wrote Meja's one million selling debut album on Sony and co-wrote two songs for Britney Spears' second album, Oops I Did It Again. Kronlund co-wrote her hit single, "Lucky", with Max Martin and Rami and also co-wrote "Don’t Go...
. Åhlund handled production, with assistance by Billboard
Billboard (producer)
Mathieu Jomphe, better known as Billboard, is a Canadian songwriter and record producer, and remixer from Montreal. His productions include dance-pop as well as dubstep influences. He has produced for international artists such as Britney Spears, Kesha and Robyn.-Discography:-External links:* at...
. In the song, Robyn portrays a woman who begs her new boyfriend to break up with his old girlfriend, and advises him on how to do it gently. "Call Your Girlfriend" is an electropop ballad with synths and a buzzing rhythm.
The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised its lyrics and inspiring message. The song reached number forty-three on the Sverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....
chart, and number eight on the Flanders Ultratip chart. In the United States, it reached number one on Hot Dance Club Songs, becoming Robyn's highest-peaking song on the chart. The accompanying music video was released on 2 June 2011 and features Robyn dancing alone in a warehouse. The song has been performed on the NewNowNext Awards
NewNowNext Awards
The first NewNowNext-Awards were held in 2008 by the gay and lesbian-themed network Logo.- 2008 :The nominees were announced by Cazwell and Amanda Lepore. Hosts were Candis Cayne and Colman Domingo...
and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Background and composition
In an interview with Teen.com, Robyn said that love and life inspired her to write the song. In January 2011, Robyn confirmed that it would be released as the second single from Body TalkBody Talk (Robyn album)
Body Talk is the seventh studio album by Swedish recording artist Robyn. The album was released on 22 November 2010 by Konichiwa Records. Robyn first announced plans in early 2010 that she would was planning on releasing three mini-albums throughout the course of 2010. The first two mini-albums, of...
, and that a music video for the song was in the works. Originally intended for a 16 May 2011 release, the single was released digitally on 1 April 2011, in Finland, and three days later in Sweden.
"Call Your Girlfriend" was written by Robyn, Alexander Kronlund
Alexander Kronlund
Alexander Kronlund is a Swedish producer and songwriter.Kronlund co-wrote Meja's one million selling debut album on Sony and co-wrote two songs for Britney Spears' second album, Oops I Did It Again. Kronlund co-wrote her hit single, "Lucky", with Max Martin and Rami and also co-wrote "Don’t Go...
and Klas Åhlund
Klas Åhlund
Klas Frans Åhlund is a Swedish songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. He is the founding member of the Swedish rock band Teddybears...
, with the latter producing the song. Billboard
Billboard (producer)
Mathieu Jomphe, better known as Billboard, is a Canadian songwriter and record producer, and remixer from Montreal. His productions include dance-pop as well as dubstep influences. He has produced for international artists such as Britney Spears, Kesha and Robyn.-Discography:-External links:* at...
is credited as the co-producer. The song is an electropop ballad, described as "soaringly tuneful." In the song, Robyn portrays a woman who is enjoying her new boyfriend, but is concerned that his ex-girlfriend might be hurt by it. As a solution, she begs her man to break up with his old girlfriend and gives him tips on how to do it gently. According to Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, the song carries a "buzzing rhythm", synths
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
and "a killer chord change." Plagenhoef wrote that Robyn "[is] as graceful about this role as when she plays the other points in the love triangle." He described it as "one of the most adult, thoughtful pop music breakups since the Field Mice
The Field Mice
The Field Mice were an indie pop band on the indie label Sarah Records. Initially a duo from South London suburb of Mitcham comprising Robert Wratten and Michael Hiscock, their first EP, Emma's House, was released in November 1988, and reached number 20 in the UK Independent Chart...
's "Willow", but naturally without the twee-pop OGs' sense of melancholy."
Critical reception
Ben Norman of About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
called the song "pensive pop" and said that it "demands you [to] sing along from the very beginning." He noted that the lyrics focuses on "the little bit of bad one must do to embrace the good". Marc Hogan of Pitchfork called it "one of Body Talk
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
wrote that Body Talk "reaches its apex at its midpoint with “Call Your Girlfriend,” which turns the breakup-anthem conceit on its ear in a manner that makes getting dumped seem inspiring." Heather Phares of Allmusic called it a "thoughtful twist on a love triangle that finds Robyn enjoying new love while being concerned for someone hurt by it." Evan Sawdey of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
called it "remarkable" and "one of those rare Robyn tracks that finds a way to use its overtly commercial pop framework to tell a rather emotional, pointed relationship tale that is heads-and-shoulders above most of what’s on mainstream radio today."
Call Your Girlfriend received it's first play on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
on July 4, 2011 as Scott Mills
Scott Mills
Scott Robert Mills is a British radio DJ, television presenter and occasional actor, best known for presenting The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1...
' Record of the Week. It was confirmed that it will be officially released in the UK on August 1.
Chart performance
"Call Your Girlfriend" debuted at number forty-three on the SverigetopplistanSverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....
chart in Sweden, on the issue dated 22 April 2011. On the issue dated July 2, 2011, the track peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, thus became her first single to reach the top spot of Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
Chart, and also her highest peaking and most successful single there. On the issue on 18 July 2011, the song debuted at number thirty-nine in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Robyn's fourth single in that country. It is currently peaking at number seventeen on the issue date 15 August 2011, becoming Robyn's highest single in the country since "Show Me Love
Show Me Love (Robyn song)
"Show Me Love" is the fourth Swedish, third UK and second U.S. single from Swedish pop singer Robyn's debut album Robyn Is Here. The song is sometimes confused with Robin S.'s 1993 hit "Show Me Love", because of identical song titles and similar first names...
".
Music video
The music video for "Call Your Girlfriend" was directed by Max Vitali. It premiered on 2 June 2011, and features Robyn dancing alone in a warehouse. . The video was choreographed by Maria "Decida" Wahlberg. Robyn confirmed a video for the song alongside the single announcement in January 2011. Tom Breihan of Pitchfork wrote that the video "is one long unbroken tracking shot of the Swedish pop queen dancing, singing, and looking like her heart is about to break. The only thing she has to keep her company is an elaborate lighting rig. It's a true command performance, a hall-of-fame effort from an artist at the absolute peak of her powers." Tamar Anitai of MTV Buzzworthy said that "[the clip] appears to be shot, incredibly, all in one take". The writer said that has a "stripped-down approach". Anitai also wrote, "In a stark, gorgeously lit gymnasium, Robyn approaches the gym-floor-turned-dance-floor with the focus of a seasoned gymnast approaching the mat before an Olympic floor routine."Live performances
Robyn performed "Call Your Girlfriend" on the 2011 NewNowNext AwardsNewNowNext Awards
The first NewNowNext-Awards were held in 2008 by the gay and lesbian-themed network Logo.- 2008 :The nominees were announced by Cazwell and Amanda Lepore. Hosts were Candis Cayne and Colman Domingo...
. On 13 April 2011, she performed the song alongside "Dancing on My Own
Dancing on My Own
"Dancing on My Own" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 . The song was written and produced by Robyn and Patrik Berger, and was inspired by gay disco anthems by Ultravox, Sylvester and Donna Summer. The song was released as Body Talk Pt....
" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, wearing a pastel blue top and matching lipstick.
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Call Your Girlfriend" – 3:47
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix Dub) – 5:36
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Feed Me Remix) – 4:55
- Germany CD single
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Radio Edit) – 3:31
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Kaskade Remix) – 5:38
- UK digital EP
- "Call Your Girlfriend" – 3:47
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Feed Me Remix) – 4:55
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Kaskade Remix) – 5:38
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Sultan & Ned Remix) – 5:36
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Azari & III Remix) – 4:41
- US digital remix EP
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Feed Me Remix) – 4:55
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Kaskade Remix) – 5:38
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Sultan & Ned Remix) – 5:37
- "Call Your Girlfriend" (Sultan & Ned Remix Dub) – 5:37
Credits and personnel
- Robyn – music and lyrics
- Alexander KronlundAlexander KronlundAlexander Kronlund is a Swedish producer and songwriter.Kronlund co-wrote Meja's one million selling debut album on Sony and co-wrote two songs for Britney Spears' second album, Oops I Did It Again. Kronlund co-wrote her hit single, "Lucky", with Max Martin and Rami and also co-wrote "Don’t Go...
– music - Klas ÅhlundKlas ÅhlundKlas Frans Åhlund is a Swedish songwriter, record producer, and guitarist. He is the founding member of the Swedish rock band Teddybears...
– music, lyrics, production, instruments and programming - BillboardBillboard (producer)Mathieu Jomphe, better known as Billboard, is a Canadian songwriter and record producer, and remixer from Montreal. His productions include dance-pop as well as dubstep influences. He has produced for international artists such as Britney Spears, Kesha and Robyn.-Discography:-External links:* at...
– co-production, instruments and programming - Niklas Flyckt – mixing
Source
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 55 |
| US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
1 |
Release history
| Country | Release date | Format(s) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | 1 April 2011 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Konichiwa Records Konichiwa Records Konichiwa Records is a record label founded by Swedish pop singer Robyn. The label has no other artists signed. The word "Konichiwa" is an incorrect romanization of the Japanese greeting こんにちは meaning "Good Day" .... |
| Norway | 4 April 2011 | ||
| Sweden | |||
| United States | 10 May 2011 | Digital remix EP Extended play An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact... |
Interscope Records Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:... |
| United Kingdom | 17 June 2011 | Digital EP | Island Records Island Records Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group... |
| Germany | 15 July 2011 | CD single CD single A CD single is a music single in the form of a standard size Compact Disc, not to be confused with the 3-inch CD single, which uses a smaller form factor. The format was introduced in the mid-1980s, but did not gain its place in the market until the early 1990s... |
Warner Music International |