Missing U (song)
"Missing U" is a song by Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn, released on 1 August 2018 as the lead single from her eighth studio album, Honey (2018).[2] It serves as her first solo single in eight years.[3] The song premiered on Annie Mac's show on BBC Radio 1.[4] The single was preceded by a seven-minute short video used to promote the single.[5]
"Missing U" | ||||
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Single by Robyn | ||||
from the album Honey | ||||
Released | 1 August 2018 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:57 | |||
Label | Konichiwa | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Robyn singles chronology | ||||
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Lyric video | ||||
"Missing U" on YouTube |
Background
"Missing U" is Robyn's first solo release since her triple album Body Talk (2010).[6] Robyn released several collaborative EPs including Do It Again (2014) and Love Is Free (2015).[6] Robyn also had an appearance on the HBO series Girls soundtrack with the song "Honey" before work on her eighth studio album began.[7]
The demo for the song was created by Robyn in mid-2014 on her laptop along with a LinnDrum machine and a software synth.[8] She noted that the lyrics for the song took two years to complete before finishing them with producers Joseph Mount and Klas Åhlund.[8]
Composition
"Missing U" is a synth-pop[9] and disco[3] song about when people disappear as well as the singer's relationship with her fans.[10][11] The chorus is backed by bubbling synths,[12] while the rest of the song contains a minimal drum beat and grandiose synth loops.[13] The song is considered a departure from Robyn's previous work, lacking the climax that her previous songs had, instead taking on a more demo-like quality.[10] The song was written and produced by Robyn, Klas Åhlund, and Joseph Mount.[14]
Critical reception
Amanda Arnold, writing for The Cut, called the song "characteristically dance-y and synth-based and impossible to get out of your head once it's there." She also compared the song favourably to Robyn's previous singles "Dancing on My Own" and "Call Your Girlfriend".[15] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic wrote that "Robyn holds back just enough to describe something too difficult, or too ephemeral, to deal with otherwise."[16]
Track listings
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Missing U" | 4:51 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Missing U" (Weiss Remix Edit) | 4:02 |
2. | "Missing U" (Weiss Remix) | 7:13 |
3. | "Missing U" (Weiss Dub) | 5:25 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Missing U" (Silk City & Picard Brothers Remix Edit) | 3:32 |
2. | "Missing U" (Silk City & Picard Brothers Remix) | 5:27 |
Credits and personnel
- Robin Carlsson – vocals, composition, co-production
- Joseph Mount – composition, production, bass guitar, synthesizer programming
- Klas Åhlund – composition, production, programming
- John Hanes – mix engineering, studio personnel
- Randy Merrill – master engineering, studio personnel
- Serban Ghenea – mixing, studio personnel
Charts
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[21] | 36 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[22] | 2 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[23] | 29 |
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[24] | 3 |
Belgium Dance (Ultratop Wallonia)[25] | 20 |
Iceland (RÚV)[26] | 4 |
Ireland (IRMA)[27] | 77 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[28] | 21 |
Norwegian Digital Songs (Billboard)[29] | 6 |
Scotland (OCC)[30] | 35 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[31] | 13 |
UK Singles (OCC)[32] | 87 |
UK Dance (OCC)[33] | 15 |
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[34] | 18 |
References
- Ahlgrim, Carrie (13 December 2019). "The 113 best songs of the past decade, ranked". Insider. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
As a dance anthem about heartbreak, the song bears similarities to her beloved sad girl bop "Dancing On My Own"...
- Nolfi, Joey (1 August 2018). "Robyn roars back with beautifully somber dance anthem 'Missing U'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- O'Connor, Roisin (2 August 2018). "Robyn releases new single 'Missing U', her first official release in eight years". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Blais-Billie, Braudie; Phillips, Amy (1 August 2018). "Listen to Robyn's New Song "Missing U"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Read, Bridget (1 August 2018). "Robyn Releases a New Song, "Missing U"". Vogue. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Kreps, Daniel (1 August 2018). "Robyn Returns After Eight Years With Upbeat New Song 'Missing U'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Daramola, Israel (1 August 2018). "Robyn "Missing U": Listen". Spin. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- King, Jason (24 October 2018). "Robyn Breaks Down Every Song on Her New Album, Honey". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- Brandle, Lars (7 August 2018). "Robyn Performed 'Missing U' In Ibiza: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- Feeney, Nolan (1 August 2018). "Robyn's 'Missing U' Is Classic Robyn With a Defiant Twist". Billboard. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Renshaw, David (30 July 2018). "Listen to Robyn's new song "Missing U"". The Fader. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Gotrich, Lars (1 August 2018). "Stream Robyn's New Song, 'Missing U'". NPR. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Willman, Chris (1 August 2018). "Single Review: Robyn's 'Missing U'". Variety. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Russo, Carmen (1 August 2018). "Robyn Releases "Missing U," Her First Solo Single in Eight Years". Slate. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Arnold, Amanda (1 August 2018). "Everyone Needs to Listen to Robyn's New Single Immediately". The Cut. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Kornhaber, Spencer (1 August 2018). "The Heaviness of Robyn's 'Missing U'". The Atlantic. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- "Missing U - Single by Robyn". iTunes Store.
- "Missing U (Weiss Remix) - Single by Robyn". iTunes Store.
- "Missing U (Silk City & Picard Brothers Remix) - Single by Robyn". iTunes Store.
- "Try the TIDAL Web Player". Tidal. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- "ARIA Digital Tracks Chart". ARIA. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
- "Robyn – Missing U" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
- "Robyn – Missing U" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- "Robyn – Missing U" (in Dutch). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- "Robyn – Missing U" (in French). Ultratop Dance. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
- "Topplistinn 15. September 2018". RÚV. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- "Irish-charts.com – Discography Robyn". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- "Norway Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- "Robyn – Missing U". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- "Robyn Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2018.