Adorn (song)

"Adorn"
Single by Miguel
from the album Kaleidoscope Dream
Released August 7, 2012
Format CD single, digital download
Recorded 2011; Los Angeles[1]
Genre R&B,[2] electro soul[3]
Length 3:13
Label RCA
Writer(s) Miguel Pimentel
Producer(s) Miguel
Certification Platinum (RIAA)
Miguel singles chronology
"Pride n Joy"
(2012)		 "Adorn"
(2012)		 "Do You..."
(2012)

"Adorn" is a song by American singer Miguel, written and recorded as the first single from his second studio album Kaleidoscope Dream (2012). It was entirely written and produced by Miguel, who was inspired by a series of dreams he experienced prior to writing the song.[4]

"Adorn" was released to iTunes on August 7, 2012.[5] It peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Miguel's most successful single to date, as well as his third number 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. It also currently holds the record for longest stay atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and is the only song in the chart's history to spend 20 or more weeks at number-one.[6] The song earned three nominations for Song of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards, winning his first in the category of Best R&B Song.[7]

As of July 2013, the song has sold 1,014,000 copies in the US.[8]

Composition

"Adorn" features on-beat sub-bass sounds,[9] falsetto howls,[10] irregular vocal echoes, obscured synths,[11] and minimal keyboard arrangements.[12] Its lyrics comprise brazen declarations of affection,[10] including promises of adoration to a female subject,[13] and are complemented by Miguel's vocal runs and ululation during the song's coda.[11] Writers liken "Adorn" to Marvin Gaye's 1982 ballad "Sexual Healing".[10][11][12]

Miguel was inspired to write the song by his girlfriend, model and artist Nazanin Mandi, and said in an interview for People magazine: "I had been on a long trip and was anxious to see her. That's where the song began, with that emotion while I was on the plane. I don't remember how I got from 'These lips can't wait to taste your skin' to the end of the song, but when I listened to it, I thought, 'This is special.'"[14]

Release

The song originally appeared on the Miguel mixtape Art Dealer Chic, Vol. 1, released on February 27, 2012.[4] It was then included on a promotional extended play titled Kaleidoscope Dream: The Water Preview on July 31, 2012, one of two extended plays commissioned by Miguel to act as promotion for Kaleidoscope Dream.[15]

"Adorn" was solicited to rhythmic contemporary radio stations in the United States on August 7, 2012.[16] A remix of "Adorn", featuring vocals from American rapper Wiz Khalifa, was released to digital retailers in the United States on September 18, 2012.[17]

Critical reception

Erin Thompson of Seattle Weekly commented that Miguel "made a particularly nice choice of metaphor in the song's chorus—'Let my love adorn you.' When a woman hears the word 'adorn,' she probably thinks of diamonds and Dior; Miguel's rich vocals convey the same sense of luxury. That's a man who knows how to treat a woman."[18] SoulBounce.com called it an "electro soul slice of niceness".[3] MSN Music's Robert Christgau cited the song's "throbbing, garbled hook" as "one of 2012's signature pop moments".[19] Brian McManus of The Village Voice called "Adorn" "the perfect amuse-bouche for the album it kicks off, priming the ears, opening them."[20]

Rolling Stone named "Adorn" the 33rd best song of 2012.[21] It was voted the second best single of 2012 by The Village Voice‍ '​s 40th annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll.[22]

Track listing

Digital download – Remix featuring Wiz Khalifa (United States)[17]
No. Title Length
1. "Adorn (Remix)" (featuring Wiz Khalifa) 3:47

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2012–13) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[23] 61
scope="row"Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[24] 7
scope="row"Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[24] 26
scope="row"Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] 68
scope="row"France (SNEP)[26] 163
scope="row"UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[27] 49
scope="row"UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[28] 6
scope="row"US Billboard Hot 100[29] 17
scope="row"US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[30] 1
scope="row"US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[31] 1
scope="row"US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 35
scope="row"US Rhythmic (Billboard)[33] 2

Year-end charts

Chart (2012) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[34] 97
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[35] 6
Chart (2013) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[36] 84
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[37] 15

Radio and release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[16] August 7, 2012 Rhythmic contemporary radio RCA Records
Germany[38] June 7, 2013 Digital download

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cooper, Duncan (November 16, 2012). "Miguel: Second Wind". The Fader (New York) (83). Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Adorn – Miguel". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Butta (July 31, 2012). "Miguel Wants To 'Adorn' You With New Music". 'SoulBounce. SoulBounce. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Video: Miguel – 'Adorn'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. February 3, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Tuesday Tunes: "Adorn" – Miguel". Kenton Magazine. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  6. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/1531803/miguel-adorns-no-1-on-rbhip-hop-airplay-for-20th-week-weekly
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ Paul Grein (July 31, 2013). "Week Ending July 28, 2013. Songs: Radio Hesitates On One Direction". Chart Watch (Yahoo).
  9. ↑ Larson, Jeremy D. (October 5, 2012). "Album Review: Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Kellman, Andy. "Kaleidoscope Dream – Miguel". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Johnston, Maura (October 1, 2012). "Miguel, 'Kaleidoscope Dream' (Bystorm/RCA)". Spin (New York). Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 McCarthy, Sean (October 19, 2012). "Miguel: Kaleidoscope Dream". PopMatters. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ Tannenbaum, Rob (October 5, 2012). "Kaleidoscope Dream". Rolling Stone (New York). Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Miguel Talks About Kaleidoscope Dream's Sex-Driven Moments". ABC News Radio. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ White, Caitlin (July 31, 2012). "Miguel 'Adorn' Video: Singer Shares Dreamy, Kaleidoscopic Vision". The Boombox. AOL. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Adorn (Remix) [feat. Wiz Khalifa] – Single by Miguel". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved September 27, 2012.. An extended remix of the song also features Reek Da Villian, Wiz Khalifa, Derez, Busta Rhymes & Grafh. Mase also has a remix to the single.
  18. ↑ Thompson, Erin (October 11, 2012). "Miguel's "Adorn" Conveys Chivalry, Luxury, and Sex". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  19. ↑ Christgau, Robert (December 28, 2012). "Miguel". MSN Music. Microsoft. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
  20. ↑ McManus, Brian (January 16, 2013). "Pazz & Jop: Miguel Is Living The Dream". The Village Voice (New York). Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  21. ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-songs-of-2012-20121205/miguel-adorn-19691231
  22. ↑ "Singles — All Votes". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  23. ↑ "Chartifacts". ARIA Charts. September 16, 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Ultratop.be – Miguel [US – Adorn"] (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  25. ↑ "Miguel Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Miguel.
  26. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Miguel [US – Adorn"] (in French). Les classement single.
  27. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-09-07" UK Singles Chart.
  28. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-08-24" UK R&B Chart.
  29. ↑ "Miguel Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Miguel.
  30. ↑ "Miguel Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult R&B Songs for Miguel.
  31. ↑ "Miguel Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Miguel.
  32. ↑ "Miguel Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for Miguel.
  33. ↑ "Miguel Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Miguel.
  34. ↑ "Best of 2012 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  35. ↑ "Best of 2012 – R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  36. ↑ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  37. ↑ "Best of 2013 – R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  38. ↑ http://www.beatblogger.de/vo-vorschau/

External links