The Feels (song)

Prior to the release of "The Feels", Twice has released songs recorded in English, including the English versions of "Cry for Me", "I Can't Stop Me", and "More & More".[1] On June 15, 2018, they released a cover of the Jackson 5's 1969 single "I Want You Back". It was released as a digital single and recorded in its original English lyrics.[2][3] The cover later appeared on their first Japanese album, BDZ, as the tenth and final track, and was featured in the 2018 Japanese film Sensei Kunshu.[4] On November 20, 2019, they released their second Japanese album, &Twice, which features the group's first original English-language track, "What You Waiting For".[5]

Following the release of their tenth EP, Taste of Love,[6] Twice announced on June 25, 2021, that their first official English single will be released on a Friday in September.[1][7] The single's title was not revealed until August 6, when they posted a photo teaser showing someone holding a letter.[7][8] On August 23, JYP Entertainment announced October 1 to be the release date of "The Feels" through an 11-second videoclip.[9][10][11]

"The Feels" is a fast-tempo 90s disco pop track that consists of groovy bass sound and synth percussions.[12][13] The song is composed in the key of B minor (while borrowing from the parallel Dorian mode) with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[14] In an interview with Bustle group member Chaeyoung, explained the song's message, saying, "the song is about falling in love at first sight and how we should stay true to our feelings when we’re struck with love."[15][16]

We’ve been developing ‘The Feels’ thinking of how we can bring back the essential nature of Twice’s bright energy. I kept on brainstorming ways to perform ‘The Feels’ in Twice’s truthful nature so that the song can capture our one and only bright energy, nature, and gestures.

— Nayeon talking about the inspiration behind "The Feels" via, Bollywood Hungama[13]

In an interview with Bustle, Momo described "The Feels" as a "bold introduction" to a "new chapter" in their career.[15] "Not only is this song very addictive — it has great hooks — but it shows who we are. It shows our colors and our style", Chaeyoung added.[15] They also noted that "The Feels" is a mixture of two of their previous songs, “Like Ooh-Ahh” and “Cheer Up.”[15]

"The Feels" received acclaim from music critics. Rhian Daly of NME gave it a five-star rating, describing the song as "an infectiously fun bop" and hoped that Twice would get the attention that they deserve in the West.[17] The New University's Bailey Kanthatham wrote that the song is a "bubbly, high-energy track tailor-made for the American market" and hoped the song "will finally give [JYP Entertainment] the success in America that it has been craving for after over a decade of trying".[18] For Atwood Magazine, Danny Vagnoni contrasted "The Feels" with Twice's second Korean studio album, Eyes Wide Open, as it took an opposite direction from the album—which he described as a "catalogue of darker, minor key tracks"—and gave something that resembles "their early tracks".[19] Allison S. Park of The Harvard Crimson praised the song's "excellent job of encompassing the all-consuming nature of love through its obsessive yet clichéd lyrics" and acknowledged Twice's "dependable character as a top K-pop group".[20] Mashable named "The Feels" as "[one] of the best, most influential K-pop performances of 2021".[21] Likewise, NME included the song in their list, calling it a "perfect soundtrack" and complimenting the members’ "confident" vocal delivery and attitude.[22] Similarly, Rolling Stone praised the "slick" bass line and vocal production; they continue to call the song's chorus "one of the year’s most effervescent choruses".[23]

"The Feels" accumulated 50.9 million global streams and 8,800 global downloads in its first week.[29] In the United States alone, the song garnered 4.7 million streams, 208,000 radio impressions, and 10,400 digital sales in its first week.[30] "The Feels" debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200, making it Twice's highest performing song on the chart.[31] In Canada, it debuted at number 56 on the Canadian Hot 100, the group's second entry on the chart after "Feel Special".[32] In Japan, it peaked at number 3 on both the Billboard Japan Hot 100[33] and Oricon's Combined Singles Chart.[34] In South Korea, "The Feels" peaked at number 94 on the Gaon Digital Chart[35] and at number 56 on the K-pop Hot 100.[36] "The Feels" became Twice's first song to appear[37] on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, peaking at numbers 83[38] and 80,[39] respectively. The song also charted in New Zealand,[40] Malaysia,[41] and Singapore.[42] In January 2022, the song landed at no. 40 on the US Mainstream Top 40, marking Twice's first appearance on the chart.[43] In 2022, "The Feels" received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[44]

The first concept photo for "The Feels" was uploaded on September 3, 2021.[45] Pre-orders for the single began on the same day.[45] Twice held a question and answer event on Twitter on the day of the single's release.[46] Jeongyeon, who went on hiatus due to panic and anxiety disorder, was not able to join the group during the song's promotion.[47]

• Digital download / streaming[58][59]

1. "The Feels" – 3:18
2. "The Feels" (The Stereotypes Remix) – 3:22
3. "The Feels" (Yves V Remix) – 2:15
4. "The Feels" (Instrumental) – 3:18
5. "The Feels" (The Stereotypes Remix Instrumental) – 3:22
6. "The Feels" (Yves V Remix Instrumental) – 2:15

• Remixes EP[60]

1. "The Feels" (Benny Benassi Remix) – 3:05
2. "The Feels" – 3:18
3. "The Feels" (The Stereotypes Remix) – 3:22
4. "The Feels" (Yves V Remix) – 2:15
5. "The Feels" (Instrumental) – 3:18
6. "The Feels" (Benny Benassi Remix Extended) – 4:09
7. "The Feels" (The Stereotypes Remix Instrumental) – 3:22
8. "The Feels" (Yves V Remix Instrumental) – 2:15
9. "The Feels" (Benny Benassi Remix Instrumental) – 3:04

Credits adapted from Melon.[61]