"Painkiller" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Ruel | ||||
from the EP Free Time | ||||
Released | 1 May 2019 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:33 | |||
Label | RCA/Sony Music Australia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | M-Phazes | |||
Ruel singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Painkiller" on YouTube |
"Painkiller" is a song recorded by Australian singer-songwriter Ruel. The song was released on 1 May 2019 as the lead single from his second extended play, Free Time.[1] The song sees Ruel reunite with producer M-Phazes and Sarah Aarons (whom he had both collaborated with on his 2017 EP Ready), and collaborate with songwriter Hiren Mor for the first time.[2]
In May 2020, a remix featuring American rapper Denzel Curry was released, alongside the announcement of a forthcoming remix EP. The Painkiller remix EP was released on 12 June 2020.[3]
The song placed third at the 2020 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.[4]
The music video for "Painkiller" was released on 1 May 2019.[5]
Sose Fuamoli from Triple J said the song is "marked by bold bass and melodic work", saying "'Painkiller' is a track that sees Ruel step into a more mature songwriting space, leaning more into rich R&B notes and letting his natural cadence and rhythmic notes flourish. His soul and jazz influences bleed through on this single too, finding and connecting with that bass groove with ease."[6]
Alissa Arunarsirakul from Ones to Watch said "'Painkiller' is drenched with warm violins, groovy bass lines, and luscious vocals".[7]
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Painkiller" | 3:33 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 3:47 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Painkiller" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 3:47 |
2. | "Painkiller (Mr. Carmack Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 3:30 |
3. | "Painkiller (Taka Perry Remix)" | 3:23 |
4. | "Painkiller (Young Franco Remix)" (featuring Denzel Curry) | 4:22 |
Total length: | 15:02 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Painkiller" | 3:33 |
2. | "Painkiller (Instrumental Version)" | 3:33 |
Chart (2019–2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[12] | 35 |
Australian Artist Singles (ARIA)[13] | 5 |
South Korea (Gaon)[14] | 52 |
Chart (2019) | Position |
---|---|
Australian Artist (ARIA)[15] | 16 |
Chart (2020) | Position |
Australian Artist (ARIA)[16] | 33 |
Chart (2021) | Position |
South Korea (Gaon)[17] | 185 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[18] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[19] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Country | Date | Format | Version | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 1 May 2019[1] | Digital download, streaming | Original | RCA, Sony Music Australia |
Australia | 27 May 2020[8] | Digital download, streaming | Denzel Curry remix | RCA, Sony Music Australia |