Ikaw Lang (song)

"Ikaw Lang" (transl. Only You) is a song recorded by Filipino band Nobita. It was initially uploaded on May 20, 2020, to YouTube and officially released to music platforms by IndieTV on June 12, 2020, as their third single overall. The song was written by vocalist Jaeson Felismino and collaboratively produced by the band members.

This article is about the Nobita song. For the 1993 action film, see Ikaw Lang.
"Ikaw Lang"
Single by Nobita
LanguageFilipino
ReleasedMay 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
GenreOPM, indie rock, pop rock
Length4:23
Label
  • IndieTV
Songwriter(s)Jaeson Felismino
Producer(s)Nobita
Nobita singles chronology
"Vie (Sabihin Mo Kung)"
(2019)		 "Ikaw Lang"
(2020)		 "The Search Is Over"
(2021)

A sleeper hit, the song achieved new heights after its use in TikTok, Nobita's inclusion to Sony Music Philippines in early 2021, and the premiere of its LGBT-themed music video directed by John Selirio on October 9, 2021.[1][2] Following its inclusion in major local playlists, it became the most streamed song on Spotify Philippines in 2022, two years after its release.[3][4] It is the longest charting song on the Billboard Philippines Songs chart, staying for sixty-four weeks after peaking at number three.[5]

"Ikaw Lang" is considered as the band's signature hit, being performed multiple times in live performances and covered by different artists.

Background

Nobita met Joel Ellorin and joined his roster under the independent label IndieTV PH after qualifying for the semi-finals of Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban on November 23, 2019, in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.[6][7] Amidst their break, Jaeson Felismino sought inspiration from soundtracks of K-dramas and conceptualized "Ikaw Lang".[8] Their second single, "Vie (Sabihin Mo Kung)", entered at number twenty on the Pinoy Myx Countdown chart dated December 21, 2019, achieving moderate success.[7] While filming the music video together for "Vie", Felismino previewed the song to the rest of the band, with each member contributing to finalizing its sound.[8] The track was published on Nobita's YouTube channel on May 20, 2021.[9]

Composition

"Ikaw Lang" is described as an indie-rock, modern kundiman ballad with lyrics considered as definitive of the "hugot" sound.[10][11][12][13] The song is in the key of B major, playing at 121 bpm with a running time of four minute and 24 seconds.

Lyrically, the song is an ode to a "tender, sincere, certain" love.[14] The first section of chorus ends with the line "Ikaw lang ang iniibig", similarly worded to the last line of the chorus' second section, "Ikaw lang ang iibigin".[14]

Commercial performance

"Ikaw Lang" debuted at number 163 on the Spotify Top Songs - Philippines weekly chart dated June 3, 2021, more than a year after its original release.[15] On its third week, the single entered the top 50 for the first time, reaching its peak of number two on the chart dated March 31, 2022.[15] Charting in the top ten of Spotify Philippines within half of the calendar year, "Ikaw Lang" was declared as the most-played Philippine track in 2022 on Spotify Wrapped, acquiring 123,395,271 plays by the end of the year.[3][16][17][18]

On February 15, Billboard launched the Philippines Songs chart as part of its Hits of the World collection, in which "Ikaw Lang" debuted at number five on the chart dated February 19.[19][20] On the week dated April 9, "Ikaw Lang" peaked at number three behind "Pano" and "Habang Buhay", both by Zack Tabudlo.[21] "Ikaw Lang" has charted for 64 weeks as of May 6, 2023, setting the record as the first song ever to chart at least a year and becoming the longest charting song in Philippines Songs.[22][23][24]

In reaction to their commercial success, the band stated on a press release how honored they are to be recognized alongside other Filipino artists: "Undeniably, our fans had been a huge part of this but we’re also grateful for Spotify’s untiring support to our music and its clear vision for their artists. Like most artists, we’re also eager to see our band’s Wrapped and see what we have done throughout 2022 as musicians."[3][25]

Videos

Lyric video

An accompanying lyric video for the song was uploaded onto Nobita's YouTube channel on May 20, 2021.[9] As of April 2023, the lyric video has amassed 83 million views, becoming the band's most viewed video on the platform.[9]

Music video

The music video for "Ikaw Lang" was directed by John Selirio and premiered on October 9, 2021.[26] Starring Jeila Dizon and Lucky Luna in the lead, the video depicted the couple in various romantic sets, revealing a plot twist in the end that they were actually friends only, each with a different love interest of the same sex.[26] The music video has reached 25 million views as of April 16, 2023.[26]

Live performances
Julie Anne San Jose joined Nobita for a duet of "Ikaw Lang" for All-Out Sundays on February 6, 2022.[27]

To promote "Ikaw Lang", Nobita played the track on Rappler,[8] Unang Hirit,[28] and All-Out Sundays with Julie Anne San Jose.[27] The song became the band's ending track for their setlists for major festivals, including Okada's Malaya Music Festival on June 18, 2022,[14] Circus Music Festival on January 7, 2023,[29] and KanLahi Music Festival on March 10, 2023.[30]

Cover versions

Following the song's popularity in TikTok, "Ikaw Lang" was covered by several Filipino artists, including Carlo Aquino,[31] Yeng Constantino,[32] and Wilbert Ross.[33]

Marko Rudio covered the song for the sixth season of Tawag ng Tanghalan on May 31, 2022, qualifying as a quarterfinalist after receiving a score of 94.3% for his performance.[34] His performance video on YouTube has 9 million views as of April 16, 2023.[35] Drei Sugay used the track for his solo round in the second season of Idol Philippines on August 13, advancing to the next stage of the competition.[36] Kyle Ralvin sang the song on the December 7 episode of the same season, beating defending champion Jesselli Balasabas with a score of 92.7%.[37] Marc Antillon performed "Ikaw Lang" for the March 26, 2023 episode of the fifth season of The Voice Kids Philippines, joining the team of KZ Tandingan after turning all chairs of fellow judges Martin Nievera and Bamboo Mañalac.[38][39]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from IndieTV.[26]

  • Jaeson Felismino – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Sam Aquino – lead guitar
  • Mark Quintero – bass
  • Richmond Bancolita – keyboards
  • Lester Moñegas – drums

Charts
Weekly chart performance for "Pano"
Chart (2022) Peak

position

Philippines (Billboard)[21] 3

Release history
Region Date Format Label(s)
Worldwide May 20, 2020
  • IndieTV
June 12, 2020 Streaming

References
  1. Guinto, Axl (2021-10-22). "NOBITA is ready to leave a lasting mark with the release of their new single "Di Na Mag-iisa"". Star Powerhouse. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  2. Maramara, Kyzia (2022-07-29). "Did OPM Band Nobita Kick Out a Kakampink Band Member?". 8List.ph. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  3. Tunac, Hermes Joy (2022-12-01). "NOBITA's 'Ikaw Lang' outranks global hits as most streamed song in the Philippines — Spotify". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  4. "NOBITA puts new spin on Eraserheads' iconic tune, 'Magasin' | SoundStrip". BusinessMirror. 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  5. "Philippines Songs - May 6, 2023". Billboard. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  6. Bonifacio, Mark (2021-12-09). "The Strength of Nobita". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2023-04-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. Mortel, Dani (2020-01-17). "What's The Meaning Behind NOBITA's Band Name? | MYXclusive". MYX Global. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  8. Lago, Amanda (2022-09-15). "Rappler Live Jam: NOBITA". Rappler. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  9. "NOBITA - IKAW LANG | Official Lyric Video". YouTube. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  10. Custodio, Jaimie (2022-02-14). "Modern-day Kundiman: Rooted From Within | Frontlner". Frontliner. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  11. Licsi, Ayie (2022-12-01). "Are we surprised? Taylor Swift, BTS, Zack Tabudlo among Spotify's 2022 most-streamed artists in the PH". Philstar Life. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  12. Purnell, Kristofer. "Zack Tabudlo, Ben&Ben most-streamed Filipino artists on Spotify for 2022". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  13. Lumagsao, Raymond (2022-12-05). "Moira Dela Torre, reyna pa rin ng OPM sa Spotify ngayong 2022". Balita. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  14. Tenorio, Büm (2022-06-24). "Malaya Music Festival 2022: The sound of freedom". Philstar. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  15. "Ikaw Lang Spotify Chart History". Kworb. 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  16. Liwanag, Punch (2022-12-03). "Nobita, Zack Tabudlo, Ben&Ben, Arthur Nery among Spotify's Wrapped top acts for 2022". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  17. Hicap, Jonathan (2022-12-05). "#SpotifyWrapped names the most streamed artists, songs, albums in PH in 2022". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  18. Malasig, Carol (2022-12-09). "Move Over, MBTI: Spotify Wrapped is 2022's latest personality test craze". GadgetMatch. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  19. Trust, Gary (2022-02-14). "Billboard Expands International Footprint With 'Hits of the World' Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  20. Cusson, Michael (2022-02-15). "Philippines Songs February 19 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  21. Cusson, Michael (2022-02-15). "Philippines Songs April 9, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  22. "Philippines Songs - May 6, 2023". Billboard. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  23. Gil, Baby A. "The first hit songs of 2023". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  24. Cusson, Michael (2022-02-15). "Philippines Songs February 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  25. "'Ikaw Lang', Zack Tabudlo top Spotify 2022 Wrapped in PH". ABS-CBN News. 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  26. "NOBITA - IKAW LANG | Official Music Video". YouTube. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  27. "Julie Anne San Jose jams with Nobita | All-Out Sundays". GMA Singers. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  28. Ching, Lyn (2022-09-12). "UH TikTok Hits: 'Nobita,' LIVE sa Unang Hirit Tambayan | Unang Hirit". GMA Public Affairs. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  29. Coronel, Lalaine (2023-01-24). "Rekta sa Kalye Music Fest in Makati". Village Pipol. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  30. Manalili, Trixie Joy (2023-03-06). "Tarlac celebrates 7th KanLahi Festival". PIA. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  31. Aquino, Carlo (2022-01-27). "IKAW LANG by NOBITA cover". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  32. "Ikaw Lang by Nobita - Yeng Constantino Cover". YouTube. 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  33. Ross, Wilbert (2022-01-20). "Ikaw Lang - Nobita | One and A Half Session with Wilbert Ross". YouTube. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  34. "Marko Rudio enters TNT Quarterfinals! | It's Showtime". ABS-CBN Entertainment. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  35. "Marko Rudio sings Nobita's Ikaw Lang". Kapamilya Trending. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  36. "Drei Sugay - Ikaw Lang | Idol Philippines Season 2 | Solo Round". Idol Philippines. 2022-08-13. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  37. "Kyle Ralvin sings Nobita's Ikaw Lang". Kapamilya Trending. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  38. "Filipino boy from Dubai makes KZ Tandingan cry in The Voice Kids Philippines". Expat Media. 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
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