Back Together (song)

"Back Together" is a song by American singer Robin Thicke. It premiered on August 5, 2015. It was made available for digital download and released a single on August 6, 2015, by Interscope Records.[1] The song, produced by Max Martin and Ali Payami, features a guest appearance from American rapper Nicki Minaj.

For other songs, see Back Together (disambiguation).
"Back Together"
Single by Robin Thicke featuring Nicki Minaj
ReleasedAugust 6, 2015 (2015-08-06)
Recorded2015
Length3:44
LabelInterscope • Star Trak Entertainment
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ali Payami
  • Max Martin
Robin Thicke singles chronology
"Morning Sun"
(2015)		 "Back Together"
(2015)		 "Deep"
(2016)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"All Eyes on You"
(2015)		 "Back Together"
(2015)		 "Down in the DM"
(2015)
Music video
"Back Together" on YouTube

Background and composition

Thicke and Minaj first collaborated on the track "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" for Thicke's fourth studio album Sex Therapy: The Session (2009).[2] Speaking on Minaj's involvement during an interview for On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Thicke said, "I was working with Max Martin and [Savan Kotecha] and we had been messing with the song for a few months, and then Max finally got it to a place where he loved it and I thought it could use a little spice — a little edge. That’s when I sent it to Nicki and she loved it."[3] "Back Together" is raging, disco-fied track.[4]

During an interview with Good Morning America, when asked about the meaning of the song or if there were any intended allusions to his ex-wife (Paula Patton) Thicke explained, "Actually I didn't write the song so I can't take credit for the meaning, but when I met with the producers ... I just heard this idea of getting back together and getting yourself back together and, you know, what I was going through at the time I really related to that and connected with it so it's more about the theme of getting yourself back together with love and partnership".[5][6]

Radio version and music video

The radio version of the song is censored, replacing the word "fuck" with a sample of Thicke exclaiming "Ow!" in a falsetto. This version is also used in the music video.

The music video features Thicke in a tuxedo at a poolside resort with an attractive woman to whom he addresses the song. She pushes him into the pool, seeming to indicate she's upset with him. Later they are together again, seemingly on another day, getting along. Thicke then walks through the hotel and sees Minaj in her room, where she performs her part of the track. Minaj seems to seduce him, only to walk away when he acquiesces to her advances. Having now lost both women, Thicke leaves the hotel but stops to join a band performing outside.

Critical reception

The song was described by Los Angeles Times music writer Mikael Wood as "a total banger, with a killer electro-disco groove ... and a delightfully raunchy guest verse by Nicki Minaj."[7] Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone wrote, "'Back Together' boasts a bumping Studio 54 disco beat and buzzsaw synths reminiscent of the electro-pop surge led by Justice and Daft Punk. Thicke, however, sounds as soulful as ever, breezily crooning devoted paeans to a destructive love over Martin's catchy production."[8]

Music video

A music video for the song, directed by Ben Mor, was filmed in Miami.[9] It was premiered via Thicke's VEVO channel on August 13, 2015.[9]

Live performances

Thicke has performed the song on Good Morning America,[10] The Late Late Show with James Corden,[11] Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.[12]

On May 21, 2017, Thicke performed this song at 4th Indonesian Choice Awards.

Charts
Weekly chart performance for "Back Together"
Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] 79
France (SNEP)[14] 144
Italy (FIMI)[15] 73
Netherlands (Dutch Tipparade 40)[16] 12
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[17] 28
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[18] 57
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[19] 69
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 126
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[21] 25
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 28
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[23] 41
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[24] 14

Certifications and sales
Certifications for "Back Together"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[25] Gold 25,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Back Together (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Single by Robin Thicke". iTunes. August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  2. "New Music: Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Back Together'". Rap-Up. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  3. Inocencio, Marc. "Robin Thicke on Collaborating With Nicki Minaj on 'Back Together,' If He'll Work With Miley Cyrus". RyanSeacrest.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  4. "Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj Deliver Blistering 'Back Together'". Rolling Stone. August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  5. Kindelan, Katie. "Robin Thicke Says 'Back Together' Not About Ex Paula Patton". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  6. "Video: Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj – 'Back Together'". Rap-Up. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  7. Woods, Mikael. "Hey, hey, hey: The Robin Thicke comeback is happening, people". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  8. Blistein, Ron. "Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj Deliver Blistering 'Back Together'". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  9. "Robin Thicke & Nicki Minaj - "Back Together" [Music Video Premiere!]". DirectLyrics. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  10. "Robin Thicke Performs 'Back Together' on 'GMA'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  11. "Robin Thicke Performs 'Back Together' on 'The Late Late Show'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  12. "Robin Thicke Performs 'Back Together' on 'Tonight Show'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  13. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201534 into search.
  14. "Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj – Back Together" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  15. "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 42 (dal 2015-10-16 al 2015-10-22)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  16. "Robin Thicke ft. Nicki Minaj - Back together". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  17. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  18. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201536 into search.
  19. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201534 into search.
  20. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  21. "Robin Thicke Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  22. "Robin Thicke Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  23. "Robin Thicke-Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  24. "Robin Thicke-Hot R&B Songs". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  25. "Italian single certifications – Robin Thicke – Back Together" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2016" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Back Together" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
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