Liability (song)
"Liability" | |
---|---|
Promotional single by Lorde | |
from the album Melodrama | |
Released | 10 March 2017 |
Studio |
|
YouTube |
"Liability" is a song recorded by New Zealand singer-songwriter
Background and development
Lorde told a crowd at a secret iHeartRadio concert she held in Los Angeles in August 2017 that "Liability" was inspired by a night she became "overcome with anger and emotion". She walked 8 to 10 km (5.0 to 6.2 mi) before ordering an Uber to take her home. She cried as she listened to Rihanna's song "Higher" from her 2016 album Anti because of a feeling of "being 'too much' for somebody."[1] Self-proclaimed as her first ballad, Lorde described the songwriting process of "Liability" as "therapeutic" as she felt that she said everything about herself that could hurt her "coming from other people".[2]
Lorde said the original concept for "Liability" was a
Recording and composition
Lorde recorded "Liability" in three different locations across the United States. She started recording the song at
According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, "Liability" is composed in the key of
Reception
"Liability" received critical acclaim from music critics, with many commending the song's lyrical content and Lorde's vocal delivery,[9] and was called one of the standout tracks on the record.[10] Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone described the song as a "short but poignant song that finds Lorde grappling with fame and how it can change friendships and relationships."[9] Billboard writer Andrew Unterberger commended its lyrics and Lorde's delivery, calling the song "an absolute jaw-dropper."[11] Spin editor Anna Gaca praised Lorde for turning the track into a "poetic meditation on the perils of intimacy".[12] Pitchfork expressed that the song was a "powerful counterpart to "Green Light" that shows how intensely Lorde peers into herself on her second record."[6]
The song was released with the pre-order of Melodrama on digital download sites.
Live performances and other usage
Lorde performed "Liability" for the first time on
"Liability" was also performed at the
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Melodrama.[3]
Recording and management
- Recorded at Conway Recording Studios, Rough Customer Studios (Brooklyn Heights, New York), and Electric Lady Studios (New York City)
- Mixed at Electric Lady Studios (New York City)
- Mastered at Sterling Sound Studios(New York City)
- Published by Sony/ATV Songs LLC, and Ducky Donath Music (BMI)
Personnel
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|
Charts
Chart (2017) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[34] | 42 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[35] | 62 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[36] | 79 |
France ( SNEP)[37]
|
54 |
Ireland (IRMA)[38] | 74 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] | 8 |
Russia Airplay ( Tophit)[40]
|
333 |
52 | |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] | 89 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] | 86 |
84 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[45] | 78 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[18] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[46] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[19] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[20] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP)[47] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[48] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Lang, Cady (31 August 2017). "Lorde Says Rihanna Inspired One of the Most Emotional Tracks on Her Latest Album". Time. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
Shaffer, Claire (24 June 2017). "The Influences on Lorde's 'Melodrama': Frank Ocean, Robyn, Bowie and 10 Other Artists Who Shaped Its Sound". Newsweek. Retrieved 31 December 2017. - ^ a b c d e Oliver, Henry (19 June 2017). "The Spinoff Exclusive: Lorde explains the backstory behind every song on her new album". The Spinoff. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ a b Melodrama (Media notes). Lorde. Lava Records / Republic Records. 2017.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Lorde "Liability" Sheet Music in Db Major (transposable)". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b Unterberger, Andrew (26 March 2017). "Seven Reasons Lorde's New Ballad 'Liability' is a Stunner". Billboard. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Moreland, Quinn (10 March 2017). ""Liability" by Lorde Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Cliff, Aimee; Myers, Owen; Tanzer, Myles; D. McDermott, Patrick (16 June 2017). "In A World Of Playlists, Lorde's Melodrama Commands Your Attention". The Fader. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Bruner, Raisa (9 March 2017). "Listen to Lorde's Stripped-Down New Ballad 'Liability'". Time. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Blistein, Jon (9 March 2017). "Lorde Unveils 'Melodrama' Release Date With Moving New Song 'Liability'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ McDermott, Maeve (20 June 2017). "Lorde's 'Melodrama' is 2017's best pop album so far". USA Today. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (9 March 2017). "Seven Reasons Lorde's New Ballad 'Liability' Is a Stunner". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Gaca, Anna (16 June 2017). "Review: Lorde Is a Visionary in the Dark on Melodrama". Spin. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ The New Zealand Herald Staff (10 March 2017). "Why you won't hear Lorde's new song Liability on the radio". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Trust, Gary (22 March 2017). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Adele Adds Another Radio Songs Top 10 & Lorde Debuts". Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Lorde - Liability". charts.nz. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ "Lorde - Liability". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ "Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs Chart". Billboard. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Lorde – Liability". Music Canada. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Lorde – Liability". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Lorde – Liability". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- Sydney Morning Herald. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ a b McNeilage, Ross (10 January 2018). "Tove Styrke Releases Video For Lorde's 'Liability' Cover". MTV UK. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Sodomsky, Sam (12 March 2017). "Lorde Performs "Liability" in a Wedding Dress on "SNL": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Kreps, Michael (12 March 2017). "See Lorde Unleash Spirited 'Melodrama' Songs on 'SNL'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ White, Chris (12 March 2017). "Saturday Night Live Review: "Scarlett Johansson/Lorde"". Paste. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Khanna, Vish (11 March 2017). "Saturday Night Live: Scarlett Johansson & Lorde". Exclaim. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Vincent, Alice (23 June 2017). "Lorde makes a bold and brilliant Glastonbury debut - review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Schatz, Lake (28 November 2017). "Lorde delivers showstopping performance of "Liability" and "Green Light" at 2017 ARIA Awards: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ Minsker, Evan; Monroe, Jazz (17 April 2017). "Coachella 2017: Watch Lorde Perform "Green Light," "Liability," More". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ Howard, Lindsay (14 September 2017). "Listen to Tove Styrke's Beaming Cover of Lorde's 'Liability'". Variance. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
Wass, Mike (14 September 2017). "Tove Styrke Delivers A Sublime Cover Of Lorde's "Liability"". Idolator. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
Kent, Matthew (14 December 2017). "Tove Styrke works her magic on Lorde's "Liability"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 4 January 2018. - ^ Li, Shirley (2 May 2017). "'Quantico': Can Alex Stop the Collaborators After President Haas' Resignation?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- ^ Travers, Ben (23 January 2021). "'Euphoria' Review: Jules' Special Episode Ties Together a Tangled Romance — Spoilers". IndieWire. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ "Lorde – Liability". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Lorde Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201711 into search. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the originalon 9 April 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- ^ "Lorde – Liability". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Chart Search". Tophit: Liability – Lorde. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201711 into search. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- ^ "Lorde – Liability". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Lorde Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Lorde – Liability" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Lorde – Liability" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ "American single certifications – Lorde – Liability". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
External links
- "Liability" audio on YouTube