"The Feels"
Single by Twice
from the album Formula of Love: O+T=<3
ReleasedOctober 1, 2021
StudioJYPE Studios (Seoul)
Genre
Length3:18
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Anna Timgren
  • Boy Matthews
  • Justin Reinstein
  • Woo Min Lee "Collapsedone"
Producer(s)
  • Collapsedone
  • Justin Reinstein
Twice singles chronology
"Perfect World"
(2021) 		"The Feels"
(2021) 		"Scientist"
(2021)
Twice English singles chronology
"The Feels"
(2021) 		"Moonlight Sunrise"
(2023)
Music video
"The Feels" on YouTube

"The Feels" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Twice. It was released on October 1, 2021, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records as the group's first original English single.[a] It is a disco-pop song that incorporates elements of groovy bass sounds and disco synth beats. Its lyrics are about the protagonist's feeling of happiness after falling in love at first sight.

"The Feels" received acclaim from music critics, who praised its fun lyrics and production. The song was included in 2022 year-end best-of lists by Insider, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200 and at number 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and charted in Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Netherlands, Singapore and the UK. In 2022, the song went on to get certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over half a million digital units in the United States. In Japan, it was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for surpassing 100 million streams in the country.

Background

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]

Music and lyrics

"The Feels"
An 18-second sample of the intro part of "The Feels", a fast-tempo disco pop song.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"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]

Critical reception

"The Feels" received generally positive reviews 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] 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".[18] Mashable named "The Feels" as "[one] of the best, most influential K-pop performances of 2021".[19] Likewise, NME included the song in their list, calling it a "perfect soundtrack" and complimenting the members’ "confident" vocal delivery and attitude.[20] 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".[21]

Accolades

"The Feels" received a nomination for Best K-Pop at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to "Lalisa" by Lisa.[22] "The Feels" appeared on year-end lists of several publications, such as NME, Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork.

"The Feels" on year-end lists
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Insider Best K-pop Songs of 2021 7 [23]
NME 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2021 4 [20]
Pitchfork Top Albums and Songs of 2021 71 [24]
The Philippine Star 21 K-pop Title Tracks that Defined 2021 3 [25]
Rolling Stone 50 Best Songs of 2021 50 [21]
South China Morning Post 20 Best K-pop Songs of 2021 15 [26]

Commercial performance

"The Feels" accumulated 50.9 million global streams and 8,800 global downloads in its first week.[27] 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.[28] "The Feels" debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Global 200, making it Twice's highest performing song on the chart.[29] In Canada, it debuted at number 56 on the Canadian Hot 100, the group's second entry on the chart after "Feel Special".[30] In Japan, it peaked at number 3 on both the Billboard Japan Hot 100[31] and Oricon's Combined Singles Chart.[32] In South Korea, "The Feels" peaked at number 94 on the Gaon Digital Chart[33] and at number 56 on the K-pop Hot 100.[34] "The Feels" became Twice's first song to appear[35] on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, peaking at numbers 83[36] and 80,[37] respectively. The song also charted in New Zealand,[38] Malaysia,[39] and Singapore.[40] In January 2022, the song landed at no. 40 on the US Mainstream Top 40, marking Twice's first appearance on the chart.[41] In 2022, "The Feels" received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[42]

Release and promotion

The first concept photo for "The Feels" was uploaded on September 3, 2021.[43] Pre-orders for the single began on the same day.[43] Twice held a question and answer event on Twitter on the day of the single's release.[44] Jeongyeon, who went on hiatus due to panic and anxiety disorder, was not able to join the group during the song's promotion.[45] Twice appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, GMA3: What You Need to Know, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with a performance of "The Feels".[46] A Korean version of the song served as the fifteenth track for the physical edition of Formula of Love: O+T=<3, Twice's third Korean studio album. The Korean lyrics were written by Chaeyoung.[47]

Music video

Background

The music video of "The Feels" was uploaded on October 1, 2021. Directed by Oui Kim, the video starts off with members receiving an invitation to a prom.[48] In celebration of their sixth anniversary, they announced third Korean studio album (sixth overall) and fourth world tour were teased at the end of the music video.[49][50]

Synopsis and reception

The music video was described as a "glittery, retro prom-themed" music video by People,[51] and as a "technicolor" video by Billboard.[49] It starts with a prom's invitation being passed underneath the door of the "deluxe wardrobe that the girls are hanging out in." Then it shows the members as delighted to find out they’ve been cordially invited to prom. Throughout the video, it shows the girls getting ready while they "fawn over their romantic prospects before heading out on their evening." The second portion of the video showcases the girls’ prom fantasy come to life, "complete with a sea blue theme, larger than life balloon arches, decked out tables, and a coronation throne for the prom queen. The Twice members take a break from the festivities to perform at the event, dancing to the chorus of the song."[49][52][53] Rolling Stone India included it in their list of the 21 Best Korean Music Videos of 2021, complimenting the production, storyline, the "catchy" choreography, and the group's "charismatic personalities."[54]

Track listing

  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
  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 and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.[58]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "The Feels"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[64] Gold 500,000‡
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[65] Platinum 100,000,000†

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

Release history

Release dates and formats for "The Feels"
Country Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various October 1, 2021
Original
[7][56]
February 4, 2022 Benny Benassi remix [57]

Notes

  1. ^ For other English-language songs by Twice, see § Background.

References

  1. ^ a b Yeo, Gladys (June 25, 2021). "TWICE announce new English-language single, out in September". NME. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "트와이스가 부르는 "I Want You Back"'". KBS Media (in Korean). June 1, 2018. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021 – via Naver.
  3. ^ "I WANT YOU BACK – Single by TWICE". iTunes. June 15, 2018. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "BDZ by TWICE". iTunes. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "&TWICE by TWICE". iTunes. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Herman, Tamar (August 10, 2021). "America everywhere in K-pop music videos from BTS, Sunmi, Somi". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Yeo, Gladys (August 6, 2021). "TWICE release cryptic teasers for first English single 'The Feels'". NME. Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Multiple citations:
  9. ^ From Billboard:
  10. ^ From various Korean sources:
  11. ^ Hwang, You-mee (September 3, 2021). "[Today's K-pop] Twice gives glimpse of upcoming English-language single". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  12. ^ Yim, Seung-hye (September 29, 2021). "Twice reveals teaser of music video for upcoming track 'The Feels'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Monica, Yadav (October 1, 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: K-pop group TWICE reveal inspiration behind English track 'The Feels', bringing joy in unprecedented times, touring and India". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Key, BPM of The Feels By TWICE". Musicstax. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
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