Kill Em with Kindness
"Kill Em with Kindness" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Selena Gomez | ||||
from the album Revival | ||||
Released | May 3, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2015 | |||
Studio | Rock Mafia Studios (Los Angeles, California) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:37 | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
Selena Gomez singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Kill Em with Kindness" on YouTube |
"Kill Em with Kindness" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio on May 3, 2016, through Interscope Records as the fourth and final single from her second studio album Revival (2015). The song was written by Gomez and producers Rock Mafia, Benny Blanco and Dave Audé, while R3drum contributed additional production. "Kill Em with Kindness" is a tropical house song with an electronic production.
Lyrically, the track gives advice for dealing with critics and revolves around the theme of magnanimity. It was inspired by the body-shaming Gomez endured from media outlets and social media when pictures of her on a beach in Mexico surfaced online. "Kill Em with Kindness" garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, who highlighted its positive themes, sleek production, and hook, though some felt it lacked originality. It performed moderately well on international music charts; reaching number one in Poland, top ten in Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, and top twenty in Argentina, Canada, Finland, Latvia, Lebanon, Slovakia, and Switzerland. In the United States, it peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The accompanying music video was directed by Emil Nava and released on June 6, 2016. The
Background
"It's kind of my motto for life. It's so much easier to be mean. It's so easy to just kind of give yourself that, but it's so hard to walk away from a situation, turn your cheek the other way, and be the bigger person. So, that's what 'Kill Em with Kindness' represents. I think people need to hear that more often."
—Gomez on the theme of magnanimity[1]
According to Gomez, one of the main inspirations behind the song was the
In an interview for
Recording and release
"Kill Em with Kindness" was written by
After releasing three successful singles from Revival, Gomez announced that she had begun recording a follow-up to the album, stating that she was ready to move on from the era. However, in an interview for
Composition
Musically, "Kill Em with Kindness" is a
"I’ve been frustrated and pissed off before, but my mom has always taught me, every single time, turn my cheek the other way. It is always the best feeling waking up the next day going, 'They gave me their worst, I gave them my best, and that's all I can do.'"
— Gomez on the message behind the song[6]
Lyrically, "Kill Em with Kindness" gives advice for dealing with critics, and delivers a message of choosing peace instead of violence and revenge.[8][19] As the song opens, Gomez professes: "The world can be a nasty place / You know it / I know it". Wass noted the lyrics as conveying a message of peace, saying "instead of raising the proverbial middle finger, [Gomez] takes the high road."[17] The theme of magnanimity is further displayed in lyrics such as "We don't have to fall from grace / Put down the weapons you fight with", imploring the listener to "put out the fire before igniting." According to Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times, the song was Gomez's response to "ungentle tabloid chatter" in regards to her health.[15]
Critical reception
Tim Sendra of
Chart performance
In the United States, "Kill Em with Kindness" entered at number 37 on the
"Kill Em with Kindness" debuted at number 43 on Australia's ARIA Charts on the week ending June 12, 2016; it went on to reach number 33 on July 10, 2016.[31] The song spent 13 weeks on the chart, with it being certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for exceeding the 70,000 sales mark.[31]
Music video
The music video was released on
During the song's chorus, Gomez appears in front of a
Live performances and usage in media
Gomez performed the song as part of her setlist at Jingle Ball Tour 2015.[38] "Kill Em with Kindness" is included on the encore of her Revival Tour.[39]
In July 2016, Gomez appeared in an advertisement for American telecommunications company
Formats and track listings
- Digital download[42]
- Kill Em with Kindness - 3:37
- Digital download (Remixes)[43]
- Kill Em with Kindness (Felix Cartal Remix) - 3:17
- Kill Em with Kindness (Young Bombs Remix) - 3:56
- Kill Em with Kindness (River Tiber Remix) - 3:41
- Digital download (Acoustic version)[44]
- Kill Em with Kindness (Acoustic Version) - 3:32
Credits and personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from Revival album liner notes.[7]
Recording and management
- Recorded at Rock Mafia Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Mixed at Mixstar Studios (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York
- Published by Antonina Songs (Universal Music Publishing(GMR) and Good Fellowship Publishing (ASCAP)
Personnel
- Selena Gomez – lead vocals, songwriting
- Rock Mafia – songwriting, production, instrumentation, programming
- Benny Blanco – songwriting, production, instrumentation, programming
- R3drum – additional production
- Dave Audé – songwriting
- Andrew Luftman – production coordination
- Zvi Edelman – production coordination
- Astrid Taylor – production coordination
- Seif Hussain – production coordination
- Steve Hammons – recording
- Adam Comstock – recording
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- John Hanes – mixing engineering
- Phil Seaford – mixing engineering
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[87] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[88] | 3× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[89] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[90] | Gold | 200,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[91] | 2× Platinum | 100,000‡ |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[92] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV)[93] | Platinum | 50,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[94] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[95] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Sweden (GLF)[96] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[97] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[98] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
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- ^ a b Mendelson, Will (September 24, 2015). "Selena Gomez: Body-Shaming Inspired Songs on My New Album". Us Weekly. The New York Times Company. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
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- ^ a b c Feeney, Nolan (September 30, 2015). "Selena Gomez on Her New Album and Media Scrutiny: 'I Just Don't Care About the Noise Anymore'". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- ^ a b Revival (liner notes). Selena Gomez. United States: Interscope Records. 2015. 00602547543783.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b Wass, Mike (June 17, 2016). "Selena Gomez Confirms "Kill Em with Kindness" As Next 'Revival' Single". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ^ Trust, Gary (April 4, 2016). "Selena Gomez Scores Third Pop Songs No. 1 With 'Panda' & Releases New Single From 'Revival'". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ Wass, Mike (May 31, 2016). "Selena Gomez (Finally) Unveils Her "Kill Em with Kindness" Cover Art". Idolator. SpinMedia. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ Hayter, David (October 13, 2015). "Selena Gomez – Revival Review". 411 Mania. 411 Wrestling LLC. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
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- ^ Washington Times. Archived from the originalon December 25, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c Wood, Mikael (October 9, 2015). "Selena Gomez is more like Janet Jackson than Miley Cyrus on modest 'Revival'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ a b St. Asaph, Katherine (October 13, 2015). "Review: Selena Gomez Is Whoever Pop Needs Her to Be on Revival". Time. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c Wass, Mike (October 9, 2015). "Selena Gomez's 'Revival': Album Review". Idolator. SpinMedia. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Selena Gomez – "Kill Em with Kindness" – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group. June 9, 2016. MN0164401. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
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- ^ Gardner, Elysa (October 9, 2015). "Album of the week: A cooler, groovier, Selena Gomez emerges on 'Revival.'". USA Today. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ "Selena Gomez: Revival – Album Review". slantmagazine.com. October 17, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ Reed, James (October 9, 2015). "Selena Gomez takes the reins on 'Revival'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- Drowned In Sound. Archived from the originalon December 22, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Tolentino, Jia (October 13, 2015). "Review: Selena Gomez Is Center Stage at Last on 'Revival'". Spin. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
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- ^ "Selena Gomez Scores Fourth Top 40 Hit from 'Revival'". Billboard. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ^ "Hot 100 - Week: July 9, 2016". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ a b "Kill Em with Kindness - Australian-chart". australian-chart.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ^ a b c Reed, Ryan (June 6, 2016). "Selena Gomez Goes Vogue in 'Kill Em with Kindness' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c Salkin, Gabriella (June 7, 2016). "Watch Selena Gomez "Kill Em with Kindness" In New Video". V. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ a b AOL.com Editors (June 6, 2016). "Selena Gomez debuts music video for 'Kill Em with Kindness'". AOL. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
{{cite news}}
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{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|url=
(help) - ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Selena Gomez – Kill Em With Kindness" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Selena Gomez – Kill Em with Kindness". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
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- ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Selena Gomez – Kill Em with Kindness" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 23, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Kill Em with Kindness in the search box.
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Selena Gomez – Kill Em with Kindness" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 10, 2024. Select Canciones under "Categoría", select 2024 under "Año". Select 1 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
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- ^ "American single certifications – Selena Gomez – Kill Em with Kindness". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
External links
- Selena Gomez – Kill Em with Kindness on YouTube