"Want You Back" is a song recorded by Australian rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. It was written by Calum Hood, Asia Whiteacre, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Ashton Irwin, Luke Hemmings, Steve Mac, and Andrew Goldstein, with production handled by Goldstein and Andrew Wells.
The song was released via Capitol Records on 22 February 2018, as the lead single from their third studio album, Youngblood. It charted in 17 countries.
The song was released alongside the announcement of their upcoming 5SOS III Tour.
Background and Release[]
- Guitarist Michael Clifford first opened up about the third album in an interview with Billboard in December 2017.[1] He admitted:
"We're at a point now where we're almost ready to put out our first single," as he promised that fans could expect it "really, really early in the new year".[2][3][4]
- On 16 February 2018, the band posted a black and white promotional picture, featuring all members on Twitter, captioning: "Behind The Scenes 2018."[5]
- They shared another tweet with the hashtag "#5SOS3ISCOMING" shortly afterwards, hinting at new releases.[6]
- They also teased a few lyrics from the song and posted a GIF which says "We Want You Back".[7]
- The song was officially announced on 19 February 2018, along with its release date, cover art,[8] and a brief audio snippet.[9]
- Drummer Ashton Irwin said of the song in an interview with Beats 1:
"'Want You Back' articulates the band we were, we are now, and what we're gonna be, that's why I like it and that's why we picked it. We also made it with close friends like we've got Andrew Goldstein who we literally see every week. We party together, we confess our sorrows and happiness. We speak to this man everyday."[10]
- The band told news.com.au that they are "super nervous" about this comeback song, which will introduce their third album.[11]
- The song was released on the 4 year anniversary of the Australian digital release of She Looks So Perfect.
- The song is the first explicit song to be commercially released by the band.
- The song was released alongside the announcement of their spring 2018 tour dates.[12][13]
- Want You Back was performed as part of the Meet You There Tour setlist.
Critical Reception[]
Posted to Twitter - Behind The Scenes
Hugh McIntyre of Forbes found the song "surprisingly slick, especially for a band that has pushed a narrative of being rowdy rock boys", and he noticed the song of being "more mature".[14] Rania Aniftos of Billboard deemed it an "apologetic pop track" and a "synth-y upbeat tune".[15] Althea Legaspi of Rolling Stone regarded it as a "pop-flavored track reflects on a lost love and captures the yearning that often follows a breakup".[16] Madeline Roth of MTV News stated that the song "marks a huge departure from the band's raucous pop-punk roots". She found the band "opting for a slick, more polished pop sound on the new tune, which finds them reminiscing about an ex and wondering what went wrong".[17] Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that the band have abandoned "the pop/punk of their first two albums and dive head-first into slick, radio-friendly pop with a rhythmic edge".[18] Nicole Mastrogiannis of iHeartRadio also opined that it "takes a step back from 5SOS's signature pop/punk vibes" and "playing up the guys' pop side a bit more".[19]
Charts[]
Posted to Instagram - Want You Back Announcement
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia | 32 |
| Austria | 50 |
| Belgium | 4 |
| Canada | 57 |
| Czech Republic | 36 |
| Germany | 82 |
| Hungary | 29 |
| Ireland | 26 |
| Italy | 44 |
| New Zealand Heatseekers | 1 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Scotland | 16 |
| Slovakia | 55 |
| Sweden | 54 |
| Switzerland | 56 |
| UK | 22 |
| US | 23 |
Lyrics[]
Can't help but wondering if this is the last time that I'll see your face
Is it tears or just the fucking rain
Wish I could say something
Something that doesn't sound insane
But lately I don't trust my brain
You tell me I won't ever change
So I just say nothing
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
No matter how long you're gone I'm always gonna want you back
I know you know I will never get over you
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
Want you back
I remember the freckles on your back
And the way I used to make you laugh
Cause you know every morning I wake up
Yeah I still reach for you
I remember the roses on your shirt
When you told me this would never work
You know even when I say I've moved on
Yeah I still dream for you
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
No matter how long you're gone I'm always gonna want you back
I know you know I will never get over you
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
Want you back
You know even when I say I've moved on
You know even though I know that you're gone
All I think about is where I went wrong
You know even when I say I moved on
You know even though I know that you're gone
All I think about is where I went wrong
Yeah I still dream for you
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
No matter how long you're gone I'm always gonna want you back
I know you know I will never get over you
No matter where I go I'm always gonna want you back
Want you back
Always gonna want you back
Want you back
Always gonna want you back
Want you back
Music Video[]
- On 22 February 2018, 5 Seconds of Summer released an audio video on their VEVO channel
- On 27 March 2018, the band released the official music video
- On 6 April 2018, the band released an acoustic version of the song
Live Performances[]
- On 10 April 2018, 5 Seconds of Summer performed live on Touche pas à mon poste.
- On 11 April 2018, the band performed live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
- On 13 April 2018, the band performed live on Sounds Like Friday Night on BBC One.
- On 24 April 2018, the band performed live on Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee Lounge.
- On 17 June 2018, the band performed live on Moses Bach.
- On 22 June 2018, the band performed on Today.
Credits and Personal[]
- Calum Hood – composition, vocals, bass guitar
- Ashton Irwin – compositions, vocals
- Luke Hemmings – compositions, vocals, rhythm guitar
- Michael Clifford – lead guitar, vocals
Additional musicians
- Asia Whiteacre – composition
- Andrew Goldstein – composition, production, engineering, vocals, keyboard, editing, guitar, programming, additional vocals
- Jacob Kasher Hindlin – composition
- Steve Mac – composition
- Andrew Wells – production, engineering, keyboard, editing, guitar, programming
| Youngblood | |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2018 • 49:53 • Capitol Records and Hi or Hey Records | |
| Songs | |
| Standard Album | Youngblood • Want You Back • Lie To Me • Valentine • Talk Fast • Moving Along • If Walls Could Talk • Better Man • More • Why Won't You Love Me • Woke Up in Japan • Empty Wallets • Ghost of You |
| Deluxe Album | Monster Among Men • Meet You There • Babylon |
| Target Exclusive | When You Walk Away • Best Friend |
| Japanese Exclusive | Midnight |
| Tour | |
| 5SOS III Tour • Meet You There Tour | |
External links[]
- Chords of this Song at tabfan.com
References[]
- ↑ .j-14 - 5sos Tease New Music And Tour, Playing “NEW Music, Old Music And Everything In Between”
- ↑ billboard - 5 Seconds of Summer Guitarist Michael Clifford Talks 'New Sound & Direction' of Third Album: Interview
- ↑ Mtv - 5 Seconds Of Summer's Michael Clifford Says You Can Expect New Music In 2018
- ↑ Altpress - Expect A New 5 Seconds Of Summer Song “Really, Really Early In The New Year”
- ↑ Twitter - Behind The Scenes
- ↑ Twitter - #5SOS3ISCOMING
- ↑ Twitter - Want You Back GIF
- ↑ Instagram - Want You Back Announced
- ↑ Altpress - 5 Seconds Of Summer Tease New Single “WANT You Back”— Listen
- ↑ Mtv - 5 Seconds Of Summer Return With The Polished Pop Jam ‘Want You Back’
- ↑ news.com.au - 5 Seconds Of Summer Reignite Fan Frenzy With New Single Want You Back And 5sos3 Tour Announce
- ↑ Altpress - 5 Seconds Of Summer Return With New Song, Tour Dates
- ↑ Hollywoodlife - 5 Seconds Of Summer Makes Epic Comeback With New Song ‘Want You Back’ & Tour Dates
- ↑ Forbes - Chart-Topping Pop-Punk Outfit 5 Seconds Of Summer Return With New Single 'Want You Back'
- ↑ Billboard - 5 Seconds of Summer Releases New Single 'Want You Back,' Announces 2018 Tour
- ↑ Rollingstone - Hear 5 Seconds of Summer’s Yearning New Song ‘Want You Back’
- ↑ Mtv - 5 Seconds Of Summer Return With The Polished Pop Jam ‘Want You Back’
- ↑ Idolator - 5 Seconds Of Summer Go Pop On New Single “Want You Back”
- ↑ Iheart - 5 Seconds Of Summer Returns With New Song "Want You Back"