Kyoto (Phoebe Bridgers song)
"Kyoto" | ||||
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Single by Phoebe Bridgers | ||||
from the album Punisher | ||||
Released | April 9, 2020 | |||
Studio | Sound City (Los Angeles, California)[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:04 | |||
Label | Dead Oceans | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Phoebe Bridgers singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Kyoto" on YouTube |
"Kyoto" is a song by American singer-songwriter
Background and composition
"Kyoto" has been described to be an
This song is about impostor syndrome. About being in Japan for the first time, somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, and playing my music to people who want to hear it, feeling like I'm living someone else's life. I dissociate when bad things happen to me, but also when good things happen. It can feel like I'm performing what I think I'm supposed to be like.[14]
Producer Tony Berg suggested she speed up the song's tempo, creating a brighter, more upbeat tone. Bridgers agreed, growing "sick" of recording slower ballads.[14] "Kyoto" is instrumentally dense, incorporating twelve-string guitar, synthesizers, Autoharp, and mellotron.[13] Bright Eyes' Nathaniel Walcott also contributes horns,[14] while Jenny Lee Lindberg of Warpaint adds vocals.[15]
A new version of the song featuring a new arrangement from composer Rob Moose was released on November 10, 2020 as the first single from Bridgers and Moose's collaborative Copycat Killer EP.[16] Bridgers also shared an acoustic version of the song as a Spotify exclusive in March 2021, featuring guitar and backing vocals from American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne.[17]
Music video
The song's music video was initially slated to have been filmed in Kyoto proper. Bridgers planned the shoot to take place during a trip to Japan supporting
Live performances
In promotion of the single, Bridgers played the song on
Accolades
Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Grammy Awards | Best Rock Performance | Nominated | [23] |
Best Rock Song | Nominated |
Personnel
- Tony Berg – electric guitar, autoharp
- Phoebe Bridgers – baritone electric guitar, rubber-bridge guitar, electric guitar, lead vocals
- Ethan Gruska – synthesizers, electric guitar, Mellotron
- Jenny Lee Lindberg – bass
- Joseph Lorge – electric guitar
- Marshall Vore – drums, percussion
- Nathaniel Walcott – horns
- Harrison Whitford – electric guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, 12-string electric guitar, high strung acoustic guitar
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[28] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b Petrusich, Amanda (May 17, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers's Frank, Anxious Music". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Year in Review: The 50 Best Songs of 2020". Rolling Stone. December 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2020: Staff List". Billboard. December 8, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "The 50 Best Songs of 2020". December 11, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2020". Variety. January 1, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "Top 50 Songs of 2020". Consequence of Sound. December 3, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "The best songs of 2020 ranked". The Line of Best Fit. December 10, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (July 30, 2020). "How Phoebe Bridgers (Begrudgingly) Writes a Rock Song". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ Nash, Ed (June 18, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Punisher album review". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ Stanley, Laura. "Phoebe Bridgers' Miraculous 'Punisher' Is Larger Than Life". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- SCMP. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c Martoccio, Angie (April 9, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Announces New Album, Drops 'Kyoto'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Martoccio, Angie (May 27, 2020). "Laughter, Tears, and Harmony: How Phoebe Bridgers Made 'Punisher'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Strauss, Matthew (April 9, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Announces New Album Punisher, Shares New Song "Kyoto": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Rettig, James (April 9, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers – "Kyoto"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Skinner, Tom (November 10, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers shares stirring version of 'Kyoto' from upcoming 'Copycat Killer' EP". NME. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (March 9, 2021). "Phoebe Bridgers Enlists Jackson Browne for New Version of "Kyoto": Listen". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (April 10, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Brings New Song 'Kyoto' to Her Bathroom on 'Kimmel'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (July 21, 2020). "Watch Phoebe Bridgers Perform "Kyoto" on Colbert". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel. "See Phoebe Bridgers Play 'Punisher' Songs on 'CBS This Morning'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Shaffer, Claire (December 17, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Performs 'Kyoto' in Her Bedroom (and Carnegie Hall)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (February 6, 2021). "Watch Phoebe Bridgers Smash Her Guitar on SNL". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ "Adult Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
External links
- "Kyoto" (music video) on YouTube