Sex (The 1975 song)
"Sex" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the 1975 | ||||
from the EP Sex and the album The 1975 | ||||
Released | 23 August 2013 | |||
Studio | Rose Cottage (Wilmslow, Cheshire, England) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:26 | |||
Label | ||||
The 1975 singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Sex" on YouTube |
"Sex" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second extended play (EP) of the same name (2012) and eponymous debut studio album (2013). The song was written by band members George Daniel, Matty Healy, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. The band co-produced the EP version of the song with Michael and Robert Coles, while Mike Crossey provided additional production. The album version, produced by Crossey and the band, was released as the lead single on 23 August 2013 by Dirty Hit, Polydor Records and Vagrant Records. Written at the age of 19, Healy said the song represents a love letter to prudish teenage girls.
An
Background and development
In January 2012, The 1975 was formed by singer
Written when Healy was 19, "Sex" is a song about dallying with an indecisive yet flirtatious woman who is unable to make up her mind; in a performance hosted by Last.fm, Healy described the track as a love letter to "every prudish 17-year old girl". He also rejected the idea that the song is "brash", instead arguing that "Sex" is "[the singer] at [his] most romantic", and that it reflects the personality of his youth.[7] The song initially appeared on the 1975's EP of the same name; its production was handled by the band alongside Michael and Robert Coles, while Crossey provided additional production and was responsible for mixing the track.[1][8] An updated version of "Sex", produced by Crossey and the band, was later released as the lead single from The 1975 on 23 August 2013.[9][10][11]
Music and lyrics
Musically, "Sex" is an
The lyrics to "Sex" explore themes related to teenage angst, lust, sex, and infidelity.[12][18][21] Many of the track's lyrics describe literal scenes, such as the line: "My shirt looks so good, when it's just hanging off your back."[21] Elsewhere, Healy discusses relationship allegiances,[11] pondering the merits of receiving fellatio from a woman who already has a romantic partner with the lyrics: "And I'm not trying to stop you, love, but if we're going to do anything, we might as well just fuck."[22][23] In the track's hook, Healy repeatedly exclaims: "She's got a boyfriend anyway."[19][24]
Reception
Amanda Koellner of Consequence wrote that "Sex" is the "attention-grabbing centerpiece" of the EP Sex.[20] Reviewing the original version of the song, Brightest Young Things writer Bryce Rudow complimented Healy's vocals for their melodic quality while also praising the track's "catchy" production.[17] Nothing but Hope and Passion's Norman Fleischer asserted "Sex" represents the EP's "obvious" standout and called it an "instant adolescent anthem".[23] In her review of the EP Sex, Shaina Pearlman of Paste said the song is instrumental in demonstrating the 1975's strengths; she was favourable toward the track's hooks and pop-influenced production, deeming it "the kind of song that makes people—and perhaps major labels—take notice".[24] Reviewing the EP for Hit the Floor Magazine, Amy Jones declared "Sex" the set's standout song, commending the prominence of Healy's vocals and the track's subdued production, which she said allows the band to showcase their "incredible instrumental work".[15] In a ranking of the 1975's ten best songs, NME listed the original version of "Sex" at number three; the list's curator, Tom Connick, lauded its "rough-edged brilliance", Americanised pop-punk production elements and the hook's nostalgic teenage sentiment, commenting it is "punky, youthful and laced in a cheeky charm".[19]
Andy Gill of
The Line of Best Fit's Laurence Day commented that "Sex" is evocative of the Killers' sound and complimented the updated production, which he deemed "fresher" than the original.[16] In contrast, the editorial staff of idobi were ambivalent toward the updated album version of the song, opining that Healy's vocals sounded too Americanised and unrecognisable from the original version.[29] Ray Rahman of Entertainment Weekly and Paste writer Hilary Saunders called the track "radio-friendly".[11][30] Writing for Gigwise, Chloe Ravat commended Healy's vocals and the production of "Sex", writing: "It deserves a massive stadium to really do it justice."[18] AllMusic writer Matt Collar said the song "drive[s] and climb[s] like the best anthemic '80s stadium rock" and commended its distillation of various influences into a single distinct sound, which he credits to delivering a "timeless" track.[6] DIY's Emma Swan praised the couplet, "she's got a girlfriend anyway", deeming it both the most memorable point on the album and the track's only decipherable line.[31]
In the 1975's native United Kingdom, "Sex" peaked at number 34 on the
Music video
Prior to their formation as the 1975, the band recorded a music video featuring an acoustic rendition of "Sex" in late 2009. The visual was released under the 1975's former moniker Drive Like I Do.[38] A black and white music video, directed by James Booth, was released on 5 October 2012.[39] A video, directed by Adam Powell and set to the album version of the song, was released on 26 July 2013.[40] Eschewing their signature black and white aesthetic,[41] Healy called the shift toward colour "a massive step for [the band]". The singer also praised the "passion" and "understanding" of Powell, whom he described as a "true collaborative spirit" that led them to film the visual in Los Angeles.[42] Regarding the overall development of the music video, Healy said: "As a video, 'Sex' feels very uncompromised, unpredictable and from a artistic viewpoint, very honest. That is always our main goal as a band. We are very proud of it."[41]
The music video for the album version of "Sex" contains themes of love, crime, performance and sex.
Charts
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[35] | 68 |
UK Indie (OCC)[33] | 23 |
34 | |
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[36] | 35 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[37] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Sex and The 1975 album liner notes.[8][9] Recorded at Rose Cottage in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England
- Matthew Healy – composer, guitar, piano, vocals, producer
- George Daniel – composer, programming, drums, synthesizer, producer
- Adam Hann – composer, guitar, producer
- Ross MacDonald – composer, bass guitar, producer
- Michael Coles – producer (EP version)
- Robert Coles – producer (EP version)
- Mike Crossey – producer, additional producer (EP version), mixer
- Robin Schmidt – mastering engineer
See also
References
- ^ a b c Tingen, Paul (December 2013). "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Mike Crossey". Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ Glasgow University Guardian. Archivedfrom the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ Levine, Nick (2 November 2018). "The 1975 frontman Matt Healy calls Razorlight's Johnny Borrell a 'wanker'". NME. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "The 1975's biggest songs on the Official Chart revealed". Official Charts Company. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "The 1975 Reveal Album Details". Radio X. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Collar, Matt. "The 1975 – The 1975". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- CBS Interactive. 15 April 2013. Archivedfrom the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Sex – EP (inlay cover). The 1975. Dirty Hit. 2012.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c The 1975 (inlay cover). The 1975. Dirty Hit. 2013.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Corner, Lewis (9 July 2013). "The 1975 confirm new single 'Sex' – listen". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Saunders, Hilary (10 September 2013). "The 1975: The 1975". Paste. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ a b c De Petro, Alexander (9 September 2013). "Review: The 1975". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Baggs, Michael (28 July 2013). "The 17 rudest moments from The 1975's new 'Sex' video". Gigwise. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ Vulture. Archivedfrom the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b Jones, Amy (25 November 2012). "Review: The 1975 – Sex (EP)". Hit the Floor Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Day, Laurence (26 August 2013). "The 1975 – The 1975". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Rudow, Bryce (11 October 2012). "Tunes You Should F*cking Know... This Week". Brightest Young Things. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Ravat, Chloe (20 August 2013). "Track by Track Review: The 1975 – The 1975". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d Connick, Tom (20 February 2019). "The 1975 – their 10 best songs". NME. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ a b Koellner, Amanda (19 November 2012). "Album Review: The 1975 – Sex EP". Consequence. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b Watson, Sian (5 September 2013). "Review: The 1975 mix it up on debut album". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Hann, Michael (29 August 2013). "The 1975: The 1975 – review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ a b Fleischer, Norman (15 November 2012). "The 1975 – Sex EP". Nothing but Hope and Passion. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b Pearlman, Shaina (20 November 2012). "The 1975: Sex EP". Paste. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ Gill, Andy (29 August 2013). "Album review: The 1975, The 1975 (Polydor)". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (30 August 2013). "The 1975: 'The 1975' – Album review". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Greene, Jayson (12 September 2013). "The 1975 – The 1975". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Ganz, Caryn (18 October 2013). "The 1975". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "The 1975 – Self-Titled: Album Review". idobi. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "The 1975 (2013)". Entertainment Weekly. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ Swann, Emma (2 September 2013). "The 1975 – The 1975". DIY. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – The 1975 – Sex". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Ultratip. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ a b "The 1975 Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – The 1975 – Sex". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Ralph, Caitlyn (28 June 2016). "Here are five videos of the 1975 before they were the band you know today". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ "The 1975 – Sex [EP Version]". Vevo. 5 October 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "The 1975 – Sex (Album Version)". Vevo. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c Bella, Sarah (31 July 2013). "The 1975's 'Sex' Gets An Appropriately Explicit Video". Music Feeds. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ a b c "Watch: The 1975's 'Sex' Video—In Color". Variance. 30 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ a b Fleischer, Norman (29 July 2013). "The 1975 premiere new music video for Sex". Nothing but Hope and Passion. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ Idolator. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ "The 1975: 'Fans have kicked off about 'Sex' video'". Gigwise. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
External links
- "Sex [EP Version]" – The 1975 on YouTube
- "Sex" – Official Audio on YouTube