"Joan of Arc"
Promotional single by Little Mix
from the album LM5
Released2 November 2018 (2018-11-02)
Genre
Length3:11
LabelSyco
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Loosechange

"Joan of Arc" is a song recorded by British girl group Little Mix, and appears as the sixth track on their fifth album LM5 (2018). It was released on November 2, 2018 as the album's first promotional single.[1] It was written by group members Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall, along with Loosechange handling the production.

Musically, the song is a trap-inflected track with hip hop drum beats, with elements of urban and pop rap. It received positive reviews from critics with praise given to its message about feminism and women's empowerment. Lyrically, the song discusses themes of female empowerment, independence, and self-love with lyrics referencing Joan of Arc and Stan culture.[2]

A music video for the song was filmed however for reasons it was never disclosed to the public. They first teased the song on their Instagram account in the middle of August the same year.[2] Joan Of Arc charted in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK and has since been certified gold in Brazil. In 2022, it was ranked as Little Mix's thirteen biggest selling non single in the UK.[1]

Background and release

Alexandra Shungudzo Govere (pictured) co-wrote the song.

"Joan of Arc" was written by Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Hanni Ibrahim, Patrick Patrikios, Philip Plested and Alexandra Shungudzo Govere and Loosechange who handled the production. It was recorded on June 8, 2018, and was released as the first promotional single for their fifth studio album LM5 (2018).[3] It was then mixed by Wez Clarke and then mastered by Randy Merrill.[4]

Composition and lyrics

"Joan of Arc" is a trap-pop song that contains bouncy hip hop drum beats[5][6] that runs for three minutes and eleven seconds.[7] Direct Lyrics went as far as to call it an "urban-pop song with a little Caribbean-esque just in the middle."[8] It contains pop-rap verses, with a thudding bassline full of snaps and hard finger clicks.[9] Lyrically, it contains themes and messages of female empowerment and independence.[10][11][12] Pinnock raps the lyrics "One foot in the club, everybody watch me. One pop of that booty, everybody love me. Ain't the reason I'm cocky. I make myself feel sexy," over a "scrizzy synths."[citation needed]

Live performances

Little Mix performed the song live for the first time at an album launch show for Apple Music on 13 November 2018 in London.[13] The song became part of the setlist of the group's sixth concert tour, LM5: The Tour, in 2019.

Critical reception

Idolator called the song a "fiercely feminist anthem", and a "undeniable banger". They also mentioned the similarities from their songs from their fourth studio album Glory Days (2016).[14] Brooke Bajgrowicz from Billboard mentioned that "The girls continue to fiercely proclaim their independence."[15]

Rolling Stone UK called the song as a empowering sassy, and trap-pop track thats sees the group celebrating independence above a bouncy, trap-inflected beat.[16] Billboard described it as a girl power bop with the girls continuing to proclaim their independence."[17]

Cosmopolitan included the song on their list of 20 Songs Perfect for Your Masturbation Playlist.[18]

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[19] 135
Ireland (IRMA)[20] 63
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[21] 14
Scotland (OCC)[22] 35
UK Singles (OCC)[23] 61

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[24] Gold 20,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b Medeiros, Kavad (1 November 2018). ""Joan of Arc": Ouça a nova música do Little Mix na íntegra". Popline (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Little Mix Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  3. ^ Perrie Edwards recording "Joan of Arc" on Studio, retrieved 2023-07-19
  4. ^ "Little Mix – Joan of Arc Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius. 15 August 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Hear Little Mix Get on 'Feminist Tip' for Bouncy 'Joan of Arc'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Single Review: Little Mix – Joan of Arc". A Bit Of Pop Music. 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  7. ^ "LM5 by Little Mix". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Little Mix Go Back In Time With "Joan of Arc": New Song Premiere". Direct Lyrics. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  9. ^ "New Song: Little Mix – 'Joan Of Arc'". That Grape Juice. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Who is Joan of Arc and why are Little Mix singing about her". BBC Newsround. Archived from the original on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Twitter Reacts: Little Mix's 'Joan of Arc'". CelebMix. 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Little Mix Release New Girl Power Bop "Joan of Arc" | Billboard News". Billboard. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  13. ^ "Little Mix Apple Music Live from London setlist". setlist.fm. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Little Mix's 'Joan Of Arc' Is A Fierce & Feminist Banger". Idolator. 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Little Mix Drop Fierce Anthem 'Joan Of Arc:' Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Hear Little Mix Get on 'Feminist Tip' for Bouncy 'Joan of Arc'". Rolling Stone. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  17. ^ Bajgrowicz, Brooke (2018-11-02). "Little Mix Drop Fierce Anthem 'Joan Of Arc:' Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  18. ^ Taylor; rews; Varina, Rachel (2022-01-12). "Introducing: A Masturbation Playlist That Will Give You Better Orgasms". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  19. ^ "ARIA - Australian Charts". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  20. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  21. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 12 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  24. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Little Mix – Joan Of Arc" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
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