Not on Drugs
"Not on Drugs" | ||||
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Promotional single by Tove Lo | ||||
from the EP Truth Serum | ||||
Released | 24 February 2014 (Promotional Single) | |||
Recorded | 2013 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:03 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Tove Lo singles chronology | ||||
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"Not on Drugs" is a song by Swedish recording artist and songwriter
"Not on Drugs" is a mid-tempo pop, EDM, and electropop song; in the lyrics, Lo compares falling in love to being under the influence of drugs. The artist stated that the recording represented the "positive beginning" of her relationships. The track received positive reviews from critics; many of them commended its production and lyrics, especially the chorus, while others considered it one of the best tracks from Truth Serum. It spent two weeks on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart, where it reached number 19.
A music video for "Not on Drugs", directed by Rikkard Häggbom, was released on 19 August 2014, the same day the availability of Queen of the Clouds was announced. It features the singer performing the song in a white room while computer animation is projected on the background and
Background and release
"Not on Drugs" was written by Lo alongside Alx Reuterskiöld, Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg, with the latter two being credited as the Struts. It was included on the artist's debut
"Not on Drugs" was initially released as a
Inspiration and composition
"Not on Drugs" is the opening track on Tove Lo's debut extended play, Truth Serum. According to the artist, the songs on the EP talk about her "most intense" failed relationship from beginning to end,
"Not on Drugs" is a mid-tempo pop, EDM, and electropop song with elements of dubstep music.[23][24][25] Its "digitally twitchy" verses are followed by a "massive" and "exploding" chorus,[10][26][27] "Baby, listen please / I'm not on drugs, I'm just in love! / Baby, don't you see I'm not on drugs? I'm just in love!".[28][29][30] The song also incorporates background vocals in which the singer repeats the word "Hi-i-gh!".[29]
In the lyrics, Lo compares falling in love to being under the influence of drugs.
Reception
"Not on Drugs" received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Chad Hillard of Hillydilly wrote, "Boasting the same hit quality we've come to expect from Tove Lo, 'Not On Drugs' features an absolutely massive chorus that soars through engaging electronics and vigorous emotion found in her magnetic vocals".[27] Richard S. Chang ranked it at number two on his top five of the best Tove Lo songs,[37] while Mark Savage of Discopop considered it the "standout track" of Truth Serum.[38] And Pop's Evan Ross wrote on his review of Queen of the Clouds that, "Out of all the songs on the album this one seems to ring the most true about what it's like to be young and in love".[39] Jamieson Cox of Time deemed it as an "epic song" that "is so good, it is adictive".[34] Conversely, an editor of Juice Online wrote that the recording was not "as catchy as 'Habits (Stay High)'".[9] "Not on Drugs" debuted at number 26 on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart for the issue dated 5 July 2014 and dropped off the chart the following week.[40] It re-entered the chart and peaked at number 19 on 13 September 2014.[41] As of December 2014, "Not on Drugs" has sold 33,000 digital downloads in the United States.[15]
Music video
The music video for "Not on Drugs" was directed by Rikkard Häggbom. It was released on Lo's
The music video received mostly positive reviews. Chad Hillard of Hillydilly wrote that "the host of visuals—while definitely intriguing—prove to be quite ironic considering her claim that she's away from those drug things".[46] Writing for Idolator, Bradley Stern described the clip as "a strangely trippy, kaleidoscopic affair with lots of weird camera tricks" and said that it was a "simple, yet effective treatment".[47] However, Mark Savage of Discopop gave the video a negative review, writing, "[...] It's a crying shame that the video for [...] Not on Drugs, is so undercooked. The weird editing, the weirder haircuts, the cheap effects and cheaper locations are a woeful disservice to the song's gutsy declaration of love". He also called it a "disappointment" and stated that "maybe just close your eyes and enjoy the song".[38] As of July 2017, it has received over 35 million views on YouTube.[42]
Live performances
Lo performed "Not on Drugs" for the first time on Swedish TV special
Lo sang the track alongside "Habits (Stay High)" on
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Truth Serum and Queen of the Clouds.[4]
- Locations
- Recorded at Warner/Chappell Studios, Stockholm.
- Mixed at Ramtitam Studios, Stockholm.
- Mastered at Cutting Room, Stockholm.
- Personnel
- Lead vocals– Tove Lo
- Songwriting – Tove Lo, Alx Reuterskiöld, Jakob Jerlström, Ludvig Söderberg
- Production – The Struts, Alx Reuterskiöld
- Mixing– Lars Norgren
- Programming – The Struts
- Mastering– Björn Engelmann
- Keys – The Struts, Alx Reuterskiöld
- Guitars – The Struts
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Sweden | 24 February 2014 | Mainstream radio | [5] |
United States | 25 November 2014 | Modern rock radio | [12] |
References
- TV2 Norway (in Norwegian). Archived from the originalon 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Hult, Kine (22 May 2015). "The Voice-Marianne: – Jeg skal uansett kose meg". Byas.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d Cesarine, Indira (20 November 2014). "Tove Lo talks love, sex, drugs and double standards – Exclusive interview". Untitled Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d Truth Serum (liner notes). Tove Lo. Sweden: Universal Music Group. 2014. 060253776053.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)- Queen of the Clouds (liner notes). Tove Lo. United States: Universal Music Group. 2014. B0021921-02.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- Queen of the Clouds (liner notes). Tove Lo. United States: Universal Music Group. 2014. B0021921-02.
- ^ a b c d "Tove Lo: 'Not on Drugs'". Scandipop. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ^ Law, Tarynn (25 February 2014). "Check out Tove Lo's new song 'Not On Drugs'". The 405. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (20 August 2014). "Tove Lo unveils new single 'Not On Drugs' and announces debut album". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Nunn on one: Music – Tove Lo gets into the 'Habit'". Windy City Times. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Video: Tove Lo's 'Not On Drugs'". Juice Online. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b c DeVille, Chris (25 September 2014). "The Week In Pop: Tove Lo Is About To Release The Best Pop Album Of 2014 (So Far)". Stereogum. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (22 September 2014). "Tove Lo Talks 'Habits (Stay High)', Opening for Katy Perry & Using Music as Therapy". Billboard. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Home > Alternative > Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Cantor, Brian (24 November 2014). "Tove Lo's 'Not on Drugs', Sheppard's 'Geronimo' Hit Pop Radio in January". Headline Planet. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ a b Cantor, Brian (8 December 2014). "'Talking Body' Now Slated as Tove Lo's Next Pop Radio Single". Headline Planet. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
Republic still lists "Not on Drugs" as Tove Lo's representative single at alternative.
- ^ a b "Tove Lo 'Not On Drugs' — Republic Playbook". Republic Playbook. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ "Bylarm 2014". Sched.org. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ Savage, Mark (11 April 2014). "Tove Lo: A Swedish pop star in waiting". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ a b Chebil, Sasha (9 June 2014). "Interview: Tove Lo – 'Reopening the wound'". Nothing But Hope and Passion. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- ^ White, Caitlin (26 March 2014). "Tove Lo: Swedish Pop's Janis Joplin". Vice. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- MTV UK. Archived from the originalon 25 July 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ Inocencio, Marc (24 September 2014). "Tove Lo Explains 3 Segments of 'Queen of the Clouds' Album". American Top 40. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ Ryan, Patrick (28 September 2014). "On the Verge: Tove Lo hits new 'High' with 'Habits'". USA Today. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (26 August 2014). "Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear – Taylor Swift, Labrinth, Charli XCX". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b Jonze, Tim (31 August 2014). "One to watch: Tove Lo". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Idolator. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Corner, Lewis (18 December 2014). "14 underrated songs released in 2014 – Robyn, GRL, Miguel". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Tove Lo – 'Not On Drugs'". Hillydilly. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b Stern, Brad (4 March 2014). "Tove Lo, 2NE1, Christina Perri + More: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs Of The Week". MTV. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Stern, Bradley (24 February 2014). "Tove Lo's 'Not On Drugs' Is Surely The Best New Song You'll Hear Today". MuuMuse. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ "Tove Lo: Mot en ljusnande framtid". Smålandsposten (in Swedish). 5 March 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
Efter det följer Not on drugs, ett spår med ganska trevande verser men där en Tove Lo hög på kärlek brister ut i refrängerna
- ^ Nagorski, Alex (21 April 2014). "Exclusive: Interview with Tove Lo". PopBytes. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Battan, Carrie (25 February 2014). "Tove Lo – 'Not On Drugs'". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Florino, Rick (11 September 2014). "Interview: Tove Lo". Artistdirect. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ a b Cox, Jamieson (25 February 2014). "Tove Lo's 'Not On Drugs' Is So Good, It's Addictive: Listen". Time. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Littleskare, Tord. "Tove Lo – Truth Serum EP". Gaffa Norway (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Russell, Erica (2 March 2014). "Her Love Is A Drug: Discover Sweden's Tove Lo". Ladygunn. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- Redbull.com. Archived from the originalon 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ a b Savage, Mark (19 August 2014). "Video: Tove Lo – Not On Drugs". Discopop. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ Ross, Evan (30 September 2014). "Track by Track Review: Queen of the Clouds by Tove Lo". And Pop. Archived from the original on 2 October 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists – July 5, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists – September 13, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Tove Lo – Not On Drugs". Vevo. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Not on Drugs – Tove Lo". iTunes Store. January 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (19 August 2014). "Tove Lo unveils new single 'Not On Drugs' and announces debut album". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ Hillard, Chad (19 August 2014). "Tove Lo – 'Not On Drugs'". Hillydilly. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ Stern, Bradley (19 August 2014). "Tove Lo Trips Out In 'Not On Drugs' Video: Watch". Idolator. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ Klaussen, Aslaug Olette (28 February 2014). "Tove Lo: WiMP-teltet, by:Larm, torsdag 27. februar 2014". Gaffa (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Down, Lauren (4 March 2014). "The Best of by:Larm 2014". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ Murphy, Anna (20 March 2014). "SXSW 2014: 9 things we learned – Swedish love and local delights were just the start (Part 1)". Earmilk. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ Kerr, Tori (13 March 2014). "SXSW 2014: Blah Blah Science Featuring Tove Lo, Wolf Alice, Arthur Beatrice and Tokyo Police Club". mxdwn. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ Tarmo, Eero (27 March 2014). "Tiistaijumppaa Tavastialla: Tove Lo – 25.3.2014 Tavastia, Helsinki". Soundi Magazine (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ^ O'Brien, George (3 April 2014). "Tove Lo and Kill J play joint debut London shows at Notting Hill Arts Club". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Review: Tove Lo at Notting Hill Arts Club". Discopop. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (3 April 2014). "Tove Lo review – 'A punchy UK debut'". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Bell, John (7 May 2014). "Tove Lo plays second UK gig at sold out Hoxton Bar & Kitchen". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "Tove Lo – "Not On Drugs" JBTV". JBTV. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Noir, Nadia. "Tove Lo Performs 'Habits (Stay High)' And 'Not On Drugs' Live At KROQ". KROQ-FM. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
- ^ Rhoades, Lindsey (2 October 2014). "Tove Lo – Webster Hall 10/1". The Village Voice. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Brodsky, Rachel (7 November 2014). "Tove Lo Promises She's 'Not On Drugs' in 'Tonight Show' Performance". Spin. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ Maher, Amelia (2 April 2015). "Tove Lo: Live review". London in Stereo. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ Stanley-Are, Sarah (12 October 2015). "Pop star Tove lo stays high at First Rave". City Pages. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
External links
- "Not on Drugs" on YouTube