Jump to content

Focus (Ariana Grande song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 113.210.0.15 (talk) at 14:10, 19 November 2015. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Focus"
Song

"Focus" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande, released on October 30, 2015. It serves as the lead single for her upcoming third studio album Moonlight.[2] The song was written by Grande, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, and Ilya.

"Focus" received mixed reviews from music critics, who noted its similarities to Grande's own "Problem". The song debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Grande's sixth top-ten single in the United States, selling 113,000 downloads in its first week of release.[3]

Promotion

Grande posted an unfocused picture of herself on Instagram in July 2015 with the caption "focus", stating it was a hint. Grande officially announced the single during her September 15, 2015 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and revealed that it would be released on October 30, 2015.[4][5]

Grande started revealing parts of the song's lyrics, video and audio previews of the song, as well as pixelated versions of the single's cover in early October through Instagram and Twitter. She revealed the official "Focus" single art cover on October 14, 2015. A week before its release date, a 15-second section of the track was used in a commercial for her debut fragrance, Ari by Ariana Grande.[6]

Composition

Drawing from the genres of electropop and R&B, "Focus" is built on slick synths, clanging percussion and stabbing big-band brass.[7] The song's structure has been heavily compared to Grande's previous lead single, "Problem", from her album My Everything.[8][9] "Focus" features uncredited vocals from Jamie Foxx.[10]

Critical reception

Upon release, "Focus" received mixed reviews from music critics. Kaitlyn Tiffany from The Verge commented positively saying, "As Ariana Grande is a massively talented vocalist, the song "Focus" itself is very pleasant to listen to".[11] Brennan Carley of Spin had a mixed opinion, commenting that the song was a "catchy slow-burn", describing it as a "horn heavy piece of retro-modern fusion". However, he also noted that Grande's vocals "[lacked] any real excitement from a star who’s got the restraint and skill to take her instrument places most other pop singers can’t anymore". He criticized the "male howling the faux-chorus" for "[getting] grating quickly" and for making "Focus" too similar to Grande's previous lead single "Problem".[12] Time's Nolan Feeney also commented it for being similar to "Problem", but noted that this might not be a bad thing, saying: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it—no need for Grande to check her vision here".[13]

Billboard editors rated the song two-and-a-half out of five stars, commenting "Grande has never released a less-than-great single, until now, with 'Focus', a rehash of 2014's 'Problem'."[14]

Commercial performance

"Focus" debuted at No. 10 on the Official Singles Chart in the UK, marking it as Grande's third top-ten single in the country, following number one singles "Problem" and "Bang Bang".[15] In the United States, "Focus" debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Grande's sixth top-ten single (and fourth top-ten debut), selling 113,000 copies in its first week.[3] With the release of "Focus", Grande became the first and only artist to have all lead singles from her first three albums debut in the top-ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[3] In addition to that, it also became her first top-ten song in the US unaccompanied by another artist.[3]

Live performances

Grande performed the song live for the first time on the Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater LA on October 31, 2015, the day after the song came out. She has also performed the song at the Disney World Christmas Party in Orlando, Florida. She is set to perform "Focus" at the 2015 American Music Awards on November 22, 2015.

Music video

Hannah Lux Davis directed the song's music video, which was released on October 30, 2015. She had previously directed the music videos for Grande's "Love Me Harder" and her joint single "Bang Bang".[16] It features the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 throughout the music video.[17] Its current view count on YouTube exceeds 90 million views.

Synopsis

The video begins with video flashes of Grande in a two-piece outfit and platinum hair as shown in the single art cover. As the video progresses, Grande and numerous female background dancers perform multiple choreographed numbers, including the big bridge choreographed number halfway into the track. The song progresses on and ends with Grande striking a final pose as the track ends.[18]

Reception

The video has received positive reviews from critics. People Magazine's Nick Maslow says, ""Focus" finds Grande in a world of purple – even the diva's locks are a shade of lavender, a look she teased on Instagram earlier this month." He goes on to say, "Grande embraces her sultry side for the clip, performing intense choreography and delivering flirty lines like, 'Just come and get it – let them say what they say.'"[19] Michelle Geslani of Consequence of Sound praised the video as, "A groovy number from the get-go, it's highlighted by a massive chorus which couples the stylish attitude and busy percussion of tracks like "Bang Bang" and "Problem" with some urgent pleading that strangely enough reminds me of Mystikal’s "Shake Ya Ass".[20]

Track listing

  • CD Maxi single (Japan-only)[21]
  1. "Focus"
  2. "Focus" (Karaoke version)
  3. "アリアナから日本語メッセージ" ("Japanese messages from Ariana" in English)
  • Digital download[22]
  1. "Focus" – 3:31

Release formats

The Japanese CD Maxi single set includes:

Regular edition[21]
  • One discs (CD single)
  • A mini-calendar
  • A mini-poster
Deluxe/Limited edition[23]
  • One discs (CD single)
  • A poster
  • An A7-sized notebook

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[24] 10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[25] 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 14
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[27] 33
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 8
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[29] 46
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[30] 8
Denmark (Tracklisten)[31] 30
France (SNEP)[32] 29
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 18
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)[33] 2
Hungary (Single Top 40)[34] 12
Ireland (IRMA)[35] 14
Italy (FIMI)[36] 8
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[37] 19
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38] 13
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 16
Norway (VG-lista)[41] 20
Scotland (OCC)[42] 7
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[43] 10
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44] 4
South Korea International Chart (Gaon)[45] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[46] 14
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[47] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[48] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[49] 7
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[50] 36
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[51] 15
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[52] 14

Radio and release history

Region Date Format Label Catalog number Ref.
United Kingdom October 30, 2015 (2015-10-30) Digital download Republic None [22]
United States November 2, 2015 (2015-11-02) Hot adult contemporary radio [53]
November 3, 2015 (2015-11-03) Contemporary hit radio [54]
Italy November 6, 2015 (2015-11-06) Universal Music [55]
Japan December 4, 2015 (2015-12-04) CD Maxi single (Regular Edition) UICU-5016 [21]
CD Maxi single (Deluxe/Limited Edition) UICU-9081 [23]

References

  1. ^ Mike Wass (November 11, 2015). "Who Is Fancy's New Single "Boys Like You" Features Ariana Grande AND Meghan Trainor". Idolator.com. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  2. ^ Mike Wass (September 17, 2015). "Ariana Grande Confirms Release Date Of New Single "Focus"". Idolator.com. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d Gary Trust (November 9, 2015). "Adele's 'Hello' Tops Hot 100 for Second Week; Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor Hit Top 10". Billboard.com. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (August 6, 2015). "Ariana Grande to Release 'Focus on Me' Single from 'Moonlight' Album: Report". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  5. ^ Goodman, Jessica (September 16, 2015). "Ariana Grande announces new single, 'Focus'". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  6. ^ "Ariana Grande Teases 'Focus' In Debut Perfume Ad". fuse. October 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "Hear Ariana Grande's Brash, Brassy New Song 'Focus'". Rolling Stone. https://plus.google.com/+rollingstone. Retrieved 2015-10-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Carley, Brennan. "Ariana Grande Returns With 'Focus,' the First Taste of New Album 'Moonlight'". Spin. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  9. ^ Maslow, Nick. "Ariana Grande Turns Up the Heat in New 'Focus' Music Video". People. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  10. ^ "The Mystery Man on Ariana Grande's 'Focus' Has Been Revealed". MTV. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  11. ^ "Ariana Grande and the Galaxy Note 5 just dropped a new music video". The Verge. Vox Media. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  12. ^ "Ariana Grande Returns With 'Focus,' the First Taste of New Album 'Moonlight'". Spin. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  13. ^ "Watch the Video for Ariana Grande's New Single 'Focus'". Time. Time Inc. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Does Ariana Grande's 'Focus' Need Sharpening? Plus More of the Week's Best & Worst Singles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  15. ^ Myers, Justin (November 6, 2015). "Adele says Hello to another week at Number 1". Official Charts.
  16. ^ "Ariana Grande Drops New Single 'Focus'". Billboard. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  17. ^ "Samsung Galaxy Note 5: Ariana Grande's Latest Music Video 'Focus' Flaunts The Powerful Phablet". International Business Times. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  18. ^ Grande, Ariana (October 29, 2015). "Ariana Grande - Focus". YouTube.
  19. ^ "Ariana Grande Turns Up the Heat in New 'Focus' Music Video". People. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  20. ^ "Ariana Grande premieres assertive new song "Focus" and video - watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  21. ^ a b c "CDJapan: Focus [Regular Edition] by Ariana Grande". Cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  22. ^ a b "Focus – Single by Ariana Grande". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 30, 2015. {{cite web}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |work= at position 1 (help)
  23. ^ a b "CDJapan: Focus -Deluxe Edition [Limited Edition] by Ariana Grande". Cdjapan.co.jp. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  24. ^ "Ariana Grande – {{{song}}}". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  25. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  26. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  27. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  28. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  29. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Ariana Grande. Retrieved 6 November 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 46. týden 2015 in the date selector. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  31. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  32. ^ "Ariana Grande – {{{song}}}" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  33. ^ "Greece Digital Songs – November 14, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2015.(subscription required)
  34. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  35. ^ "Chart Track: Week 45, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  36. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus". Top Digital Download. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  37. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ariana Grande" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  39. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  40. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  41. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus". VG-lista. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  42. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  43. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201545 into search. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  44. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  45. ^ "Gaon Digital Chart – Issue date: 2015.10.25 – 2015.10.31". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  46. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  47. ^ "Ariana Grande – Focus". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  48. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  49. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  50. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  51. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  52. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  53. ^ "Hot/Modern/AC > Future Releases". Allaccess.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  54. ^ "Top 40 | Ariana Grande "Focus" | Republic Playbook". Republic Records. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  55. ^ "Focus ARIANA GRANDE - Radio Date". Radioairplay.fm. Retrieved November 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: |archive-url= is malformed: save command (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Focus_(Ariana_Grande_song)&oldid=691387636"