Issues (Julia Michaels song)

"Issues" is the debut single recorded by American singer and songwriter Julia Michaels, from her third EP Nervous System (2017). The song was co-written with Justin Tranter, and its producers Benny Blanco and Stargate. Released by Republic Records on January 13, 2017, as the lead single from the EP, it is a confessional downtempo pop song. Lyrically, it is a raw ode to Michaels' anxiety.

"Issues"
Single by Julia Michaels
from the EP Nervous System
ReleasedJanuary 13, 2017 (2017-01-13)
RecordedJanuary 2016
Recording studio
GenrePop
Length2:56
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Julia Michaels singles chronology
"Carry Me"
(2016)		 "Issues"
(2017)		 "Uh Huh"
(2017)
Music video
"Issues" on YouTube

The song peaked in the top 10 of the record charts in Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Norway, Scotland and UK. In the US, the song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Issues" is certified Platinum or higher in twelve countries including Diamond in France. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Tabitha Denholm. It depicts Michaels hosting a party with a group of friends.[1]

The video premiered on March 7, 2017. "Issues" received a Song of the Year nomination at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.[2] Michaels promoted the song in a number of appearances, including live performances at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards, Wango Tango, the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, the 2017 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards, the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards and The Today Show.

Background and composition

"Issues" was written by Michaels, and Justin Tranter.[3] A few artists, who Stargate and Benny Blanco refused to name, laid claim to the song. However, Michaels refused to give the song away as it felt "too much my story to give to someone else.[4] In 2017, a demo of the song by English singer Charli XCX was leaked and revealed that she had recorded the song before Michaels decided to keep it.[5]

Recording sessions for "Issues" took place at Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California, and Treehouse X Studio, Suffolk, United Kingdom. It was engineered by Dave Schwerkolt and Chris Sclafani.[3] Mark “Spike” Stent mixed the track at Mixsuite UK with assistance from Michael Freeman and Geoff Swish.[3] Blanco and Stargate, who produced the song, also performed all the instruments and programming.[3] Tom Coyne and Randy Merrill completed the audio mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City.[3]

Musically, "Issues" is a confessional downtempo pop song.[6] In terms of music notation, "Issues" was composed using 4
4 common time in the key of A♭ major, with a moderate tempo of 114 beats per minute.[7] The song follows the chord progression of D♭-E♭-A♭/C-D♭sus2 and Michaels' vocal range spans from the low note C4 to the high note of E♭5, giving the song one octave and two notes of range.[7] Lyrically, Michaels has described the song as a raw ode to her own anxieties.[6]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. A writer for Billboard praised the song, writing, "with blunt, honest lyricism and razor-sharp songwriting, Michaels' decision to choose minimal production proves to be wise, helping to frame her intriguing vocals expertly in order to give fans a delicious first taste of what is yet to come".[8] Writing for Idolator, Mike Wass stated "it can be hard for songwriters to carve out a unique voice when they step out on their own, but it doesn’t look like that will be a problem for Julia".[9]

Music video

The official music video for the song, directed by Tabitha Denholm, was released on March 7, 2017. It features Michaels experiencing the unknown that every relationship goes through.[10] It portrays the singer in a "loving" relationship which "feels like it could fall apart any moment".[11] The male role is played by Alex Koch.[12] The official lyric video for the song was released after the music video on May 17, 2017. It was directed by Pedro Chaves and shot in London, United Kingdom. The video displays the life of several people and several backgrounds.[13]

Chart performance

"Issues debuted at number 87 on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for February 11, 2017.[14] The song peaked at number 11 in its 18th week on the chart and spent 29 weeks in total.[15][16] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it 5× Platinum, which denotes five million units based on sales and track-equivalent on-demand streams.[17] On the Canadian Hot 100, "Issues" peaked at number 17 and was certified 6× Platinum by Music Canada.[18][19]

The song reached number seven in France and was certified Diamond.[20][21] In Sweden, it peaked at number 11 and was certified 4× Platinum.[22][23] "Issues" was certified 3× Platinum in Norway and Australia,[24][25] reaching number three in the former country and number five in the latter.[26][27] In New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 11 and number 10,[28][29] respectively, attaining a Platinum certification in both.[30][31] It charted within the top 15 of national record charts, at number two in Belgium,[32] number three in Denmark,[33] number seven in Scotland,[34] number nine in Czech Republic,[35] number 11 in Ireland,[36] Malaysia,[37] Slovakia,[38] and number 15 in the Netherlands.[39] The song received a 2× Platinum certification in Denmark,[40] Italy,[41] Spain,[42] and Platinum in Belgium,[43] Germany.[44]

Live performances

Michaels made her late night television debut on March 20, 2017, performing "Issues" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She also performed "Issues" at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards on April 30, 2017, and at Wango Tango on May 13, 2017.[45][46] At the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, Michaels was selected as the T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist and gave a performance of "Issues" that was regarded one of the night's best by several media outlets.[47][48] Michaels also performed the song at the 2017 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards on June 18, 2017[49] and at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards on August 27, 2017. The latter performance was cut short on TV as MTV decided to cut to a commercial break, which upset many people. The song was performed on The Today Show in August 2017.[50]

Track listing
Digital download[51]
No.TitleLength
1."Issues"2:56
Digital download – acoustic version[52]
No.TitleLength
1."Issues" (Acoustic)2:55
Digital download – Alan Walker remix[53]
No.TitleLength
1."Issues" (Alan Walker remix)3:01

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

  • Recorded and Tracked at Westlake Studios (Los Angeles, California) and Treehouse X Studio (Suffolk, United Kingdom)
  • Mixed at Mixsuite UK
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
  • Published by Please Don't Forget To Play Me Music/Administered by Universal Music Publishing (GMR), EMI Music Publishing (ASCAP), EMI Music Publishing (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) Thanks For The Songs Richard (BMI) All Rights on behalf of Itself and Thanks For The Songs Richard Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp, Justin's School for Girls/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp/All Rights Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI)

Personnel

Credits adapted from Nervous System liner notes.[3]

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Issues"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[25] 3× Platinum 210,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[43] Platinum 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[19] 6× Platinum 480,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[40] 3× Platinum 270,000‡
France (SNEP)[21] Diamond 233,333‡
Germany (BVMI)[44] Platinum 400,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[41] 2× Platinum 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[30] Platinum 30,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[24] 3× Platinum 180,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[100] 3× Platinum 150,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[101] 2× Platinum 20,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[42] 2× Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] 5× Platinum 5,000,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF)[23] 4× Platinum 32,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release dates and format(s) for "Issues"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Worldwide January 13, 2017 Digital download Original Republic [51]
United States February 6, 2017 Hot adult contemporary [102]
February 7, 2017 Contemporary hit radio [103]
United Kingdom March 10, 2017 [104]
Worldwide March 24, 2017 Digital download Acoustic Version [52]
Italy April 18, 2017 Contemporary hit radio Original Universal [105]
Worldwide May 5, 2017 Digital download Alan Walker remix Republic [53]

References
  1. Wass, Mike (March 8, 2017). "Julia Michaels' Hazy 'Issues' Video". Idolator. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  2. Kreps, Daniel (November 28, 2017). "Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars Lead 2018 Grammy Nominees". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. Nervous System (Media notes). Republic Records.
  4. Milzof, Rebecca (January 6, 2017). "Artists to Watch In 2017: Julia Michaels, the Bieber & Selena Songwriter Who Reluctantly Went Solo". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  5. Graves, Shahlin (October 12, 2017). "Listen: Charli XCX's demo of 'Issues'". Coupdemain. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  6. Stutz, Colin (January 12, 2017). "Hit Songwriter Julia Michaels Releases Debut Single 'Issues': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  7. "Julia Michaels "Issues" Sheet Music in A flat Major (transposable)". Musicnotes.com. 12 February 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  8. "The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Migos & More Are Spotify Editors' Picks for New Music Friday". Billboard. January 13, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  9. Wass, Mike (January 23, 2017). "Future Hit: Julia Michaels Comes Out Swinging With 'Issues'". Idolator. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  10. Tom, Lauren (March 8, 2017). "Julia Michaels Releases New Music Video for 'Issues'". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  11. Breihan, Tom (March 8, 2017). "Julia Michaels – 'Issues' Video". Stereogum. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  12. "Julia Michaels - Issues (Official Music Video)". YouTube. March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  13. "Julia Michaels - Issues (Lyric Video)". YouTube. May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  14. "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  15. Trust, Gary (May 30, 2017). "Hot 100: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Lead, Ed Sheeran Sets Record in Top Five". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  16. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  17. "American single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  18. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  19. "Canadian single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues". Music Canada. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  20. "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP (Week 31, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  21. "French single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  22. "Julia Michaels – Issues". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  23. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 1, 2018 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  24. "Norwegian single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  25. "ARIA Chart Watch #437". auspOp. September 9, 2017. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  26. "Julia Michaels – Issues". VG-lista. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  27. "Julia Michaels – Issues". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  28. "Julia Michaels – Issues". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  29. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  30. "New Zealand single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  31. "British single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  32. "Julia Michaels – Issues" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  33. "Julia Michaels – Issues". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  34. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  35. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201728 into search. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  36. "IRMA - Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  37. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  38. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201709 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  39. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 2017" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  40. "Danish single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  41. "Italian single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 7, 2020. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Issues" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  42. "Spanish single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  43. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  44. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Julia Michaels; 'Issues')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  45. Aniftos, Rania (April 30, 2017). "Radio Disney Music Awards 2017: Backstage Selfies, Photos and Highlights". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  46. Frankel, Jillian (May 14, 2017). "Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5 & Zedd Reign at KIIS-FM's Wango Tango 2017". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  47. Reeves, Mosi (May 22, 2017). "Billboard Music Awards 2017: 10 Best and Worst Moments". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  48. Lipshutz, Jason (May 21, 2017). "The 10 Best Performances of the 2017 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  49. "Julia Michaels - Issues (Live From iHeartRADIO MMVAs/2017)". YouTube. September 18, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  50. "Julia Michaels - Issues (Live On The Today Show)". YouTube. September 18, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  51. "Issues by Julia Michaels on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). 13 January 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  52. "Issues (Acoustic) - Single by Julia Michaels on Apple Music". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. 24 March 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  53. "Issues (Alan Walker Remix) - Single by Julia Michaels on Apple Music". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. 5 May 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  54. "Julia Michaels – Issues" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  55. "Julia Michaels – Issues" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  56. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  57. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  58. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  59. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201709 into search. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  60. "Julia Michaels – Issues" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  61. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  62. "Classifica settimanale WK 16" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  63. "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Julia Michaels". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  64. "Julia Michaels – Issues" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  65. "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. June 12, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  66. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  67. "Julia Michaels – Issues". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  68. "Airplay 100 – 29 October 2017". Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  69. "Media Forest – Weekly Charts. Media Forest. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2018. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  70. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201720 into search. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  71. "Julia Michaels – Issues" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  72. "Julia Michaels – Issues". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  73. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  74. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  75. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  76. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  77. "Julia Michaels Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  78. "ARIA End of Year Singles 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  79. "Jaaroverzichten 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  80. "Rapports Annuels 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  81. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2017.
  82. "Track Top-100 2017". Hitlisten. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  83. "Top Singles Annuel (téléchargement + streaming)" (in French). 2017. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  84. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  85. "Stream Top 100 - 2017". Mahasz. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  86. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2017". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  87. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2017". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  88. "Top Selling Singles of 2017". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  89. "Airplay 100 – Top of the Year 2017" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  90. "Top 100 Songs Annual 2017" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  91. "Årslista Singlar – År 2017" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  92. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2017 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  93. Copsey, Rob (January 3, 2018). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  94. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  95. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  96. "Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  97. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  98. "Airplay 100 – Topul Anului 2018" [Year-end chart 2018] (in Romanian). Kiss FM. December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  99. "Topp 40 2010-2019" (in Norwegian). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Norway. January 13, 2020. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  100. "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2021 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  101. "Portuguese single certifications – Julia Michaels – Issues" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  102. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases - Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. February 6, 2017. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  103. "Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". AllAccess Music Group. February 7, 2017. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  104. "BBC - Radio 1 - Playlist". BBC Radio 1. March 10, 2017. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  105. "Julia Michaels "Issues"" (in Italian). Radio Airplay s.r.l. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.