One of the Girls

"One of the Girls" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, South Korean singer and rapper Jennie, and French-American actress and singer Lily-Rose Depp. It was released on June 23, 2023 through XO and Republic Records. It serves as the first track on The Idol Episode 4 (Music from the HBO Original Series), an EP of music from the fourth episode of the HBO television series The Idol, which stars the three singers.

For the 2023 Troye Sivan single, see One of Your Girls.
"One of the Girls"
Song by the Weeknd, Jennie and Lily-Rose Depp
from the EP The Idol Episode 4 (Music from the HBO Original Series)
ReleasedJune 23, 2023
Recorded2023
GenreR&B
Length4:05
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mike Dean
Music video
"One of the Girls" on YouTube

Background

In 2023, Abel Tesfaye, known as the Weeknd, starred in and co-created a drama series for HBO entitled The Idol, which also starred actress Lily-Rose Depp and singer Jennie of South Korean girl group Blackpink.[1] Tesfaye initially announced a soundtrack album would accompany the show entitled The Idol, Vol. 1, which was later repurposed into individual EPs of music from each episode.[2] A collaboration between the Weeknd and Jennie for the soundtrack was first teased on May 10 at a launch party for Jennie's Calvin Klein capsule collection. At the event, Jennie and DJ duo Simi and Haze Khadra played a snippet of the unreleased track, dubbing it a “special song.” Jennie also reposted an Instagram story by Dazed Korea recording her playing the snippet and added tags for The Idol and the Weeknd. Similarly, the Khadra sisters reshared clips of the song on their Instagram, tagging Jennie, the Weeknd and The Idol.[3] The collaboration was confirmed by Tesfaye on June 20 in a post responding to a troll on Twitter, in which he stated, "dropping that Jennie song this weekend for you! Get the bucket ready 😢".[4] On June 21, he officially announced the fourth EP of music from the show, The Idol Episode 4 (Music from the HBO Original Series), would be released the following night. In the announcement, he revealed the EP's cover art and track listing, which confirmed the song's title as "One of the Girls" and its performers as the Weeknd, Jennie, and Lily-Rose Depp.[5] The track marks Jennie's first solo music release since "Solo" (2018) and Depp's second song for The Idol after "World Class Sinner / I'm a Freak". It was released on June 23, 2023 for digital download and streaming, alongside the rest of the EP.[6]

Lyrics and composition

"One of the Girls" was written and composed by Abel Tesfaye, Lily-Rose Depp, Mike Dean, Ramsey, and Sam Levinson and was produced by Mike Dean, Sage Skolfield, and the Weeknd.[7] It is described as a "down-tempo" and "synth-led" R&B number.[8] The song deals with "emotionally harrowing" themes of "control, fame, desire and Stockholm syndrome."[9] It ties into the plot of The Idol, which depicts the sexual relationship between the pop star Jocelyn (portrayed by Depp) and the cult leader Tedros (portrayed by Tesfaye).[10] Jennie lends her voice to the song’s introduction and bridge, including the lyrics "Lock me up and throw away the key / He knows how to get the best out of me."[11] Tesfaye and Depp trade verses for the remainder of the song about BDSM and choking.[12] Depp says, "Hands on my neck while you push it up," while Tesfaye sings, "Force me and choke me ‘til I pass out."[9] In the chorus, Depp explains that she wants to be "one of your girls tonight."[11]

Critical reception

Filmfare praised the production and vocals of "One of the Girls", stating that the song has a "seductive feel with subtle synths, powerful bass, and an impressive trap style that complements the lyrics." Additionally, they opined that The Weeknd's signature voice "compliments Jennie's breathy vocals and Lily-Rose Depp's rich and lovely voice."[13] Steffanee Wang of Nylon described the beat as "decadently plush" and noted that the explicit lyrics work better in the context of music rather than in the show. On the vocals, she found that "the different tones of their voices weave harmoniously like a braid" and in particular praised Jennie for highlighting her voice in a different context with her first foray into R&B, saying the song is "the most sensual, desperate, and emotive she’s ever sounded."[14] However, Zoe Guy of Vulture criticized the song's "eyebrow-scratching lyrics", arguing that it "manages to commit the carnal sin of making sex boring."[11] Writing for Pitchfork, Julianne Escobedo Shepherd felt that for a first-time singer Lily-Rose Depp's "light rasp is believable" and agreed that the song "can’t be saved even by Blackpink's Jennie."[15]

Music video

The official music video for "One of the Girls" was released on July 6, 2023. It is composed of a montage of scenes from The Idol featuring the Weeknd, Jennie, and Lily-Rose Depp.[16]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from iTunes.[17]

Charts
Chart performance for "One of the Girls"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Global Excl. US (Billboard)[18] 183
Hungary (Single Top 40)[19] 4
Malaysia (Billboard)[20] 15
Malaysia International (RIM)[21] 10
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 9
Singapore (RIAS)[23] 24
South Korea BGM (Circle)[24] 75
South Korea Download (Circle)[25] 141
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[26] 99
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[27] 99
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[28] 14
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[29] 6

References
  1. White, Peter (June 29, 2021). "The Weeknd To Star In & Write Pop Singer Cult Drama Series 'The Idol' With Sam Levinson In The Works At HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  2. Mamo, Heran (April 19, 2023). "The Weeknd's 'Double Fantasy' With Future From 'The Idol' Soundtrack Is Dropping Soon". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  3. Ziwei, Puah (May 11, 2023). "BLACKPINK's Jennie seemingly teases collab with The Weeknd". NME. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  4. @theweeknd (June 20, 2023). "not you again LOL you thought I wouldn't recognize you cause you changed your DP… dropping that Jennie song this weekend for you! Get the bucket ready 😢" (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
  5. @theweeknd (June 22, 2023). "Jealous Guy / One of the Girls with Lily and Jennie/ Fill the Void with Lily and Ramsey TOMORROW NIGHT ❤️‍🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved June 21, 2023 – via Twitter.
  6. Matthew, Strauss (June 23, 2023). "The Weeknd and Blackpink's Jennie Share New Idol Song "One of the Girls": Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  7. "The Idol Episode 4 (Music from the HBO Original Series) / The Weeknd, Lily Rose Depp, JENNIE – Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  8. Zemler, Emily (June 23, 2023). "Hear The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, Blackpink's Jennie Team Up on 'One of the Girls'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  9. Lynch, Joe (June 23, 2023). "The Weeknd, JENNIE & Lily-Rose Depp Share 'One of Your Girls,' A Sex Song About Choking". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  10. Richards, Will (June 23, 2023). "The Weeknd and BLACKPINK's Jennie share new song from 'The Idol'". NME. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  11. Guy, Zoe (June 23, 2023). "The Idol Gives Us Solo Jennie Crumbs". Vulture. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  12. Chelosky, Danielle (June 23, 2023). "The Weeknd, Blackpink's Jennie, And Lily-Rose Depp Get Racy On 'One Of The Girls,' A New Song From 'The Idol'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  13. "The Idol's One of the Girls: BLACKPINK's Jennie, The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp drop a seductive song". Filmfare. June 23, 2023. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  14. Wang, Steffanee (June 23, 2023). "Blackpink's Jennie Shines On Her Song For 'The Idol'". Nylon. Archived from the original on June 24, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  15. Shepherd, Julianne (July 6, 2023). "The Weeknd: The Idol: Music From the HBO Original Series Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  16. Zemler, Emily (July 6, 2023). "Hear The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, Blackpink's Jennie Team Up on 'One of the Girls'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  17. "One Of The Girls by The Weeknd, JENNIE & Lily Rose Depp", Apple music, June 23, 2023, retrieved October 25, 2023
  18. "The Weeknd Chart History (Global Excl. US)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  19. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  20. "The Weeknd Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  21. "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 41 (06/10/2023- 12/10/2023)". RIM. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Facebook.
  22. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  23. "RIAS Top Charts Week 42 (13 - 19 Oct 2023)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  24. "Circle BGM Chart – Week 25, 2023". Circle Chart. June 18–25, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  25. "Circle Download Chart – Week 25, 2023". Circle Chart. June 18–25, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  26. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  27. "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  28. "The Weeknd Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  29. "The Weeknd Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
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