"Acapella" is a song by American
music
Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspect ...
duo
Karmin
Karmin was an American pop duo consisting of Amy Renee Noonan and Nick Noonan. Starting as a novelty act that released covers on YouTube, they signed in 2011 with Epic Records. In May 2012, Karmin released their debut EP ''Hello'', which sp ...
. It was released on July 9, 2013, by
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America (SONAM, also known as SCA), is the American arm of the Japanese conglomerate Sony Group ...
as the
lead single
A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date.
Release s ...
from their debut studio album, ''
Pulses
In medicine, a pulse represents the tactile arterial palpation of the cardiac cycle (heartbeat) by trained fingertips. The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed near the surface of the body, such as at the nec ...
'' (2014). The single was written by group members Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, as well as Sam Hollander and
Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2005, the group gained mainstream recognition when it released its self-titled debut album which went on to sell over 700,000 albums in the United States earning a ...
frontman, Martin Johnson, who produced the single. The track reached the top ten in Australia and New Zealand.
Background and concept
The single was co-written by group members Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, along with Sam "S*A*M" Hollander, while production duties were handled by Boys Like Girls frontman Martin Johnson. The instrumental concept of the song was inspired by the film ''
Pitch Perfect
''Pitch Perfect'' is a 2012 American musical comedy film directed by Jason Moore and written by Kay Cannon. It features an ensemble cast, including Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Hana Mae Lee, Alexis ...
'' (2012), a movie about an all-A cappella singing group. The song itself is a mix of human voices with limited instrumentation.
Over a "booming bass line," Amy raps about finding Mr. Right and realizing he wasn't so perfect after all.
Critical reception
"Acapella" received mixed reviews from
music critics
Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on w ...
. Amy Sciarretto of
''PopCrush'' gave the song 4 stars out of 5, stating "'Acapella' is a song about gaining your independence from dudes who are duds. Thematically, it could be this decade's answer to 'Single Ladies', without being quite so anthemic and obvious." Adam Soybel at blog POP! Goes The Charts called it a "cute song", noting that "they sound like they're having fun", but at the same time, pointed out the risks of releasing it as a single. Mikeal Wood of the ''
Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' gave the song a highly negative review, stating: "Released last month, 'Acapella' is bad, no doubt about it: lame melody, lame beat, lame rapping by Heidemann, who shamelessly copies herself copying
hrisBrown's staccato flow from '
Look at Me Now'". In 2015, ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' included "Acapella" on its list of "The 10 Worst Songs of the 2010s (So Far)", describing it as "the result of a focus group aimed at beguiling Millennials" and that the song "completely falls apart when Amy Heidemann actually goes a cappella in the final minute."
Commercial performance
"Acapella" entered the Australian
ARIA Singles Chart at number seventeen for the week of July 28, 2013. The following week, it jumped to number eight, and peaked at number four the next week, becoming the duo's second top-ten hit in Australia, following, and succeeding "
Brokenhearted", which peaked at number nine. In New Zealand, the single rose steadily, reaching a new peak of number nine, and also followed the success of "Brokenhearted", which peaked at number five. It was certified Platinum in New Zealand.
Domestically, "Acapella" became their third single to chart on the US
''Billboard'' Hot 100, reaching number seventy-two.
It has Been Certified 3× platinum in Australia for selling 140,000 Copies there.
Live performances
Karmin first performed the song live in an acoustic setting for
Ryan Seacrest's Pick Your Purse party in late June 2013.
On July 10, 2013, the duo performed the song on ''
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC. The nightly hour-long show debuted on January 26, 2003, at Hollywood Masonic Temple in Hollywood, Los ...
'', along with several other songs to be featured on their upcoming debut album ''
Pulses
In medicine, a pulse represents the tactile arterial palpation of the cardiac cycle (heartbeat) by trained fingertips. The pulse may be palpated in any place that allows an artery to be compressed near the surface of the body, such as at the nec ...
''.
They also performed the song on
2nd Indonesian Choice Awards.
Music video
The music video for "Acapella" was directed by Matt Stawski, while creative direction and choreography was handled by
Richard "Richy Squirrel" Jackson. Filming took place in early June 2013. The treatment for the video was written by band member Amy Heidemann. The visuals of the music video were inspired by 90's music videos the group grew up watching, mostly drawn from director
Hype Williams
Harold Williams (born August 1, 1970) is an American music video director, film director, film producer, and screenwriter.
Early life
Williams was born in Queens, New York. He is of mixed African-American and Honduran descent. He attended Adel ...
, and artists such as
Busta Rhymes
Trevor George Smith Jr. (born May 20, 1972), known professionally as Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the moniker Busta Rhymes, after NFL and CFL wide receiver ...
,
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...
,
TLC
TLC may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Television
* ''TLC'' (TV series), a 2002 British situational comedy television series that aired on BBC2
* TLC (TV network), formerly the Learning Channel, an American cable TV network
** TLC (Asia), an A ...
,
Brandy
Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume (70–120 US proof) and is typically consumed as an after-dinner digestif. Some brandies are aged in wooden casks. Others are coloured with ...
and
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American girl group whose final line-up comprised Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. The group began their musical career as Girl's Tyme, formed in 1990 in Houston, Texas. After years of limited ...
. Amy and Nick rock red, blue and green color-coordinated outfits and accessories while performing choreographed moves.
Products from
Coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Co ...
,
Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a Mercedes-Benz Group subsidiary established in 2019) is headquartere ...
,
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is an American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc., which is headquartered in Orange County, Florida. As of 2012, Olive Garden restaurants accounted ...
and
United Nude United Nude is a design company specialising in high heels
High-heeled shoes, also known as high heels, are a type of shoe with an angled sole. The heel in such shoes is raised above the ball of the foot. High heels cause the legs to appea ...
are featured in the video.
The video premiered on
Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan may refer to:
Food and drink
* Cosmopolitan (cocktail), also known as a "Cosmo"
History
* Rootless cosmopolitan, a Soviet derogatory epithet during Joseph Stalin's anti-Semitic campaign of 1949–1953
Hotels and resorts
* Cosmopoli ...
's website July 12 and premiered on
Vevo
Vevo ( , an abbreviation for "Video Evolution", stylized as VEVO until 2013) is an American multinational video hosting service, best known for providing music videos to YouTube. The service is also available as an app on selected smart TVs, di ...
July 13.
The duo said of the concept: "The video for 'Acapella' is visually something we've always wanted to put out. Our first few major label videos didn't totally capture who Karmin is", explains the duo. "It feels good to create something like this where we are at the helm and can really be proud of. The video definitely pays homage to the 90's videos we grew up with and are still inspired by today."
Credits and personnel
*Songwriting – Amy Heidemann, Nick Noonan, Sam Hollander, Martin Johnson
*Production – Martin Johnson, additional by Kyle Moorman and Brandon Paddock
*Mixing – Serban Ghenea
*Engineering – Kyle Moorman, Brandon Paddock
Credits adapted from ''Pulses'' album liner notes.
Chart performance
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
{{authority control
2013 singles
Karmin songs
Epic Records singles
Songs written by Sam Hollander
2013 songs
Songs written by Martin Johnson (musician)